Limits are limits, for a reason. Some limits can stop you from killing yourself and others. Some limits are used by others as a form of control. Then, there are limits that you place on yourself. Depending on which end of the spectrum you’re on, limits can save or destroy a life.
Limits can be constructive, if used in the right way. You may limit your alcohol intake or the number of negative people you hang around. In these cases, limitations are good to have. It keeps you from going over the edge and helps to maintain a healthy balance in your life. These are the kind of limits where you don’t want to go overboard with, because it could potentially be dangerous.
Some people use limits as a form of control over others. When you’ve been ‘trained’ to do something constantly, where you don’t bother to think about it, that’s control. The funny thing is, you don’t even know you’re being limited or controlled. It may take someone else to bring it to your attention, because you’ve been doing it for so long.
For example, there’s a story about the lion who was caged for most of his life. When he was rescued and put in a zoo where he had lots of room to roam, he only went as far as his ‘cage’ would allow him. The lion still had the mentality of being in a cage, even though he had more space to roam. This happens to people, too – not just animals in cages.
The worse type of limit is the one you place on yourself. When an opportunity presents itself and you say, “I can’t do that,” you’re limiting yourself. Don’t allow this type of thinking to ruin your life. Before you know it, ten years will pass by and you haven’t done anything towards your goals and dreams, because of those self-limiting beliefs.
Always believe in yourself. You have a right to think what you want to think, so it may as well be big and positive! People will place their limiting beliefs on you all day long, so don’t add to it by limiting yourself. If you have a hard time with this, there are plenty of affirmations and websites that will push you in the right direction (like The Goalden Lady). It takes practice, but like everything in life, it can be done. I believe in you!