personal thoughts

Blessed Are Those Who Know Their Own Limits

I don’t really know if it is a saying or a quote, but I’m pretty sure I came across somewhere.

But don’t you agree?

Don’t you respect those who can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’? Those who can choose to go on, to pause, or to withdraw? Those who know that ‘better’doesn’t necessarily mean ‘perfect’? And those who believe that ‘to run for your life’ is the only excuse to exceed the limits.

And you know what? Even imagination knows its own limits because, in the end, it doesn’t deny the fact that everything it creates is imaginary.

Dreams are different because the more limitless they are, the more destructive and selfish they become.  People say, ‘Look ahead and follow your dreams.’ And some follow the advice as if it were a holy command. They look only ahead and follow one route — either straight or by taking shortcuts. Like competitive drivers, they floor the gas pedal, exceed speed limits, ignore traffic lights, overtake any priorities, and make every space as their own free parking zone.

To know and respect your own limits is not a weakness, not a sacrifice, and certainly not a defeat. It’s something like making a peace deal with yourself, a quiet agreement, not to overburden, torture, or destroy what’s already carrying enough.

Everything in life seems to have its own limits. Privacy, for example, is supposed to be all about knowing and respecting limits. There’s also genius, this rare, precious quality, which often understands the significance of limits better than anyone else. But, unfortunately, in some case, its main aim is to only challenge and destroy them.

The beauty of all this is that we have different limits, and they change even throughout our lives. Everyone can create their own heroic saga. What matters is crafting it within your own limits. And, if you choose to exceed the limits, don’t scapegoate others, don’t envy them, and don’t torture your poor soul anymore.

Now doesn’t “Blessed are those who know their own limits” make perfect sense?


With hope and peace,

Nahla



personal thoughts

Is It Okay To Step Out Of The Race?



Of course it is, or, if you want, you can join it but at your own pace. If the turtle wins the race against the rabbit, then it’s better to be the winning turtle than the losing rabbit. That’s my opinion!

Just imagine two people running a race (perhaps you and me). The starting whistle blows, and the first racer makes an incredible start, running faster than sound. A few meteres back, the second racer is also running but at a cyclist’s pace against a train. The first racer’s aim is the gold medal. The second racer joins just to enjoy the experience, believing in everyone’s unique limits and abilities.

Halfway through the race, the first racer keeps on running and running, believing that a winner never gives up. Pushing even beyond sound speed, a pulled muscle, awful cramps, and a burning chest will never overcome strong determination. That’s the first racer’s mindset. But, this strong determination smashes into the hardest wall. All of a sudden, the first racer bends over, can hardly breathe, is on the verge of fainting, and almost collapses.

The second racer is far, very far away from the first’s spot, but senses the danger and feels the urgency of the situation. They say that in an emergency, people can react in two, no three ways: The first, close their eyes and ears and don’t care. The second, be struck by the shock and become another urgent case. The third, dash to help even if it means running into a big fire.

Considering these options, the second racer thanks God, for there was neither fire nor blood ahead. The, a few moments ago, relaxed racer forgets about limits and abilities, and runs like the wind to reach the struggling competitor. Now, it’s the paniced person who steps out of the race, and takes a shortcut to save a life.  Finally, and breathless, the second racer becomes the saviour who reaches a sacred life’s side, offering reassurance, and calling for help.

As I am writing this post, I recall what happened two years ago on sport’s day at my daughter’s school. The event takes place at the end of the summer term, with the running race always being the final activity. My daughter started the race so good. After a few meters, she slowed down and stopped. I could see she was fine, but she was walking back to one of her friends. After a few moments, they both stepped out of the race, walking slowly while leaning against each other. When they finally arrived, I ran to my daughter to check if everything was alright. She was just fine, but she had heard her friend crying at the back. The other girl felt sick and shaky all of a sudden, and my daughter would not leave her friend just to compete in the running race.

The medal is great, and winning is even greater. Is there anyone who wouldn’t like to win the gold medal after extremely hard work? Of course not. But sometimes it’s okay to step out of the race, to respect your limits, and to listen to your heart. In the end, there are many prizes more precious than the gold medal.

Is it okay to step out of the race?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla