Week 56 - "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves" - William Shakespeare
Lately, I've been wrestling with the notion of whether I am truly meant for greater accomplishments. Now that may come across as somewhat presumptuous, but I'd like to offer some context.
From a young age, I've harbored this deep-seated belief that I was meant for something grand, something that would catapult me into a realm of fame or substantial wealth or allow me to change the world.
This conviction felt like more than just ambition; it was as if I was preordained for some monumental destiny. However, as I’ve matured and engaged in conversations with a broader circle of people, I’ve begun to recognize that this sensation isn’t as unique as I once believed. In fact, it appears to be kind of common.
After all, does anyone really think they’re destined to be average? I don’t think so.
Most of us share this unexplainable belief that there’s something bigger waiting for us if we just start working towards it when the reality is that there probably isn’t. It sucks to say, but we all aren’t going to be uber-wealthy, or ultra-famous, or even remotely change the world.
But we can do our best. We can work to make a little more money, have more people know who we are, or make a change in a local community if we wish. If anything, the aspiration itself is what fuels our efforts.
Yet, it still stings.
If so many share this belief in destined greatness, does it really mean anything special? I’m not sure.
What I do understand, though, is that simply feeling predestined for greatness doesn't magically make it more attainable. The reality is that feeling destined for more is one thing, but actualizing those dreams requires something else. That gap between aspiration and achievement won’t be bridged by wishful thinking.
So if I desperately want to achieve those lofty goals I have in my head, it’s imperative I recognize how important it is to move beyond mere dreaming. I can’t let those dreams stay perpetual 'someday' fantasies, I must act.
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