A Man’s Got to Know His Limitations
When you are honest and humble about your weaknesses, you will be more comfortable in your own skin. When you use your weaknesses to connect with others, love in your life will grow. And finally — finally — you will be able to relax without worrying about being exposed as less than people think you are.
Arthur C. Brooks, From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
I’m officially letting go of one of my earliest fantasies.
My first exposure to Jeopardy! was several decades ago.
The clues ranged from $10 to $50 and were printed on cards.
Art Flemming was the host. (Alex Trebek would not make his debut for 20 years.)
I was mesmerized by the show even though I knew very few of the answers.
When Alex arrived, my knowledge had grown significantly, but I still struggled with Final Jeopardy!.
Eventually, I started to believe that I had a chance to make it on the show and win a game or two.
As my confidence grew, however, there were more and more pop culture categories, areas I knew little about.
But there was a bigger problem.
As I got smarter, I also got slower.
My reflexes were not as fast.
But more seriously, my recall was slowing down. I especially struggled with names.
Now, I accept my limitations.
I look for creative outlets where my slowed reflexes and recall are insignificant.
Writing, for example, gives me time to decide exactly what I want to say.
My advancing age is not a liability. It is an asset.
Somewhere in our late twenties, we start to notice that we can no longer do everything as well as we once did.
But other things get better with age.
This doesn’t happen automatically.
If we waste our energy trying to hide our weaknesses, then we miss out on the benefits that come with experience.
We all have weaknesses. When we accept that, life becomes easier.
We can accept ourselves as we are and use the strengths we do have.
More importantly, our vulnerability will allow us to connect with others who are having similar struggles.
One of the benefits of getting older is realizing how important relationships are.
Life’s Final Jeopardy! category is “Things More Important Than Fame and Fortune.”
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