Low Aim

"Not failure, but low aim, is a crime"
- James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American poet, critic, editor, diplomat

My back survived yesterday's Taijutsu activities though I only did one hour rather than two and a half. And then Chelsea won the FA Cup. Not a bad day really!

How easy is it to avoid the pain of failure by aiming low? Can it not be tempting sometimes to play small? And if you can do well without having to do your best, is that not compelling? Is this simply laziness? Or is it fear of failure? This is a crucial issue that is hidden well especially by talented people (and most if not all people are talented, in some way). They use their talent to do well, without having to aim particularly high. So they stay in a comfort zone, which is safe from the pain of failure, but way below what they are capable of. To the outside world, particularly those who do not know them well, they may seem successful. But they, at their deepest core, will feel a gnawing ache of unfulfilment.

But why can't they just be happy with what they have? Why do they need to do more if they are already doing well? Well, the great Jim Rohn said it well:

"Doing less than you can messes with your mind" - Jim Rohn

Our talent has to be exploited, like a crucial mineral reserve, and used to create value in the world. That makes us flow and makes the world flow. And there is another angle to this that is compelling: there may be thousands of people counting on you to step into your greatness. Yes, this is not an exaggeration or overestimating your potential significance. It is an inspiring fact. If you do your best, using your gifts, the value you would bring to the world could affected thousands, perhaps millions.

The question is, will you aim high or will you aim low?