How Limitations Can Be Positive

The word limitation is usually connected to something negative; it refers to being restricted, being held back from pursing or completing a task and it’s not just physical as we sometimes think. We all have some form of limitation, whether visible or invisible.  My limitations can be the same or differ from yours, we either use them as learning tools, or stepping stones for something positive, or give in and let it dictate how we live our lives, and allow it to keep us stuck.

I am convinced that when we look at an unexpected limitation, the effects on the mind is instantaneous and can either grow and expand to become an ugly monster in our lives, or it can be faced, and overcome, and used to transform the individual and impact others. Though there are different circumstances that cause limitations, our reaction can be multiple of emotions from shock, fear, denial, sadness, and pain, then later our response turns to surviving, gathering information, deciding what to do, and acceptance etc. Take for example suddenly losing your eyesight; your world becomes instantly dark, and you are no longer that independent person. There’s no chance of recovery surgery to alter this loss. This is now a limitation that’s suddenly life changing. Then, there are those who were born missing their eyesight. Is that a limitation? In both cases we can argue the various points of advantage and dis-advantage, but if needing your eye-sight to live independently as a human is a requirement, then both are equally limited.  It comes down to attitude and mind-set; does the absence of physical sight defy who they are, or not?

We either personally know or aware of someone who defied the odds of their own limitations to live a full enriched life, and become an inspiration to others; those who are not being defined by the word limitations. Their journey has inspired, motivated and empowered others to lay aside the squalling of pathetic limitations of what the visible or invisible eye sees, the inner voice squeals “oh no, I can’t do that”, and step into a place of “doing it anyways”.

Jon Morrow – Born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a degenerative neuromuscular disease that progressively weakens the body. His accomplishments weakens limitations and magnifies his heart, courage noted in his accomplishments. The associate editor of Copyblogger.

Spencer West – Born with an abnormal development of the spine called sacral agenesis, his legs amputated below the pelvis at age five, and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro at 31 the word limitations does not exist in his vocabulary  http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/06/22/meet-spencer-west-the-legless-toronto-man-who-climbed-mount-kilimanjaro/

Rick Hansen – After an accident at the age of 15, a spinal cord injury paralyzed him from the waist down. His personal loss became fuel to succeed and he did on so many levels, from excelling in sports to helping others with spinal cord injuries. http://www.rickhansen.com/language/en-CA/Who-We-Are/About-Rick-Hansen.aspx

And finally my mom Evadne Dutchin – she lost her eyesight at the age of 41, but never missed a beat in continuing to have a fulfilling and rewarding life. She participates in running relay races, swimming, makes guava jam, bottles and sells them, bakes her own bread, cleans and cut up fish and chicken, cook her own food and wash her clothes. The only thing that is different in her world is the cane she uses.

Richard Bach an American Writer says it best “Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly”

What can we do to turn our limitations physical or mental into something positive? My best suggestion is to:

Re-define it – Begin to look at the limitation through different lens; we know what we can’t do, but how about what can we do with it?

I hope this post has encouraged and ignited you to rise up against your limitation and use it for something positive.

How do you manage limitation in your life? 

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Diane is a blogger and freelance writer whose focus and passion is self-improvement and motivating the whole person.

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