II

Look up to the heavens and imagine the stars and planets are sparkling jewels dancing across the night sky. Your potential[1] is like those jewels with a dazzling array of facets. Put another way, your human potential is virtually unlimited.

Problems arise from a perspective that "potential" is a taboo or code word for failure. It is for fear of failure that we are sometimes afraid to try new things. Realizing that we will not become an instant expert, we sometimes opt to cop out[2] and not even make an attempt to be or try something new. Perhaps worse yet, sometimes a perfunctory effort is made, unsatisfactory results are obtained, and an "I knew I couldn't do it and I know I can't do it" attitude is reinforced and seemingly justified.

Refresh yourself from the perspective that so-called "mistakes" do not constitute failure; they are only new lessons to be learned. Failure is really giving up and quitting, as juxtaposed[3] to persevering and persisting. There is universal law that states, "Practice precedes excellence." Myth and history are replete with stories of individuals who had struggled against all odds[4] and obstacles and just kept after what they truly wanted until they reached their goals triumphantly.

Naturally, we all have our limitations, and prudence dictates that we respect them. However, wisdom encourages us to stretch beyond and transcend our limitations. Once we stop growing, our end is near.