Emeril Lagasse once said,

“To be big, you have to think big. If you think small, you’re going to be small.

The truth is, he is spot on. There is nothing as limiting as thinking too small.

Born Free: Limitless Existence

We are born dreamers.

In fact, there is nothing more natural to humankind than dreaming, trusting in those dreams, and believing in the possibilities of their fulfillment. That is what makes us human.

We live and play out those dreams for the first few years of our existence. There are no limitations.

We are explorers with no boundaries, Imagineers with no scope. In our youth, we are creators.

And if you are an unbeliever, go to any playground or daycare where children are allowed to express themselves freely and observe.

The World on a String: No limits

In our youth, the world is ours.

But then, life!

Life progresses, and we are put on the mantle of expectations. The world teaches us limits, draws borders, and narrows the scope of possibility. Teachers shut down our inquiries. Those recognized as mentors draw boundaries limiting areas of exploration. And many tell us what and how to create.

Sadly, we internalize the lessons.

We learn them well.

The Great Shift

We may not notice the integration at first. But then we perfect our craft of becoming chameleons. Unfortunately, we hide the truth even from ourselves. We redefine things to make them more appealing, appeasing our sensibilities. This is used as a mechanism to stave off dissatisfaction.

We call it being grounded, rational, or realistic.

Pretty Box full of Air

But no matter how exquisite the wrapping, underneath is still a plain box.

No matter how much one tries to dress up limiting beliefs, it is plainly the assimilation and acceptance of self-defeat.

Why?

Self-defeat is setting oneself up to fail before one even tries. And placing limitations on yourself is a self-defeating act because you cannot go beyond what you believe is possible.

So, once you have understood this, you will know that only those who dream big realize bigger dreams.

As Marianne Williamson so eloquently worded,

don’t think small and expect to have a big life.

Only those who strive for more get more

Only those who ask; receive.

A Beautiful Tie-In: A Story About Limits

There is a fascinating story that was written some time ago. This book is filled with timeless treasures. But, this is no oddity. Books are typically where a great many treasures are found.

The book’s title is “The Richest Man in Babylon,” by George Samuel Clason.

At the story’s beginning, a chariot maker and a lyre player engage in a deep conversation. Because neither has found satisfaction in their lives as they live them.

Both desired wealth, but neither had it. And to their credit, both worked diligently. Their due diligence in their work should have rendered them some wealth by their admissions, but it did not. On dissecting their situations to uncover the reason behind the absence of their desires, they came to an important realization.

They never sought wealth.

In conversation, the lyre player spoke to his friend in true fashion,

“Thou speakest with true inspiration Bansir. Thou bringeth to my mind a new understanding and make me realize the reason why we have never found any measure of wealth. We never sought it. In those things toward which we exerted our best endeavors we succeeded. “

Breaking Down the Insight

See, the problem was that they set their sights on making an income and hoped wealth would follow. They set the bar low and expected a high compensation. Nevertheless, they were saddened when wealth did not follow.

Notice it was not that they were not successful. But their success was limited by their reach. But nevertheless, they succeeded at what they asked for.

My Message to You

So, I urge you to set your sights on what you desire. Don’t sell yourself short. Remember how you dreamed as a kid. Remember how your expectations met your dreams. You were unbounded by rationality. Redevelop that childlike faith and reach. See where it will take you.

Because What you aim for is what will come to you and nothing more.