Beyond our limits

Wyatt Webb, the infamous "Horse Whisperer" once told me that one of the biggest issues that adults deal with in their lives is the fact that we all let go of our childish curiosity and adventure due to the fact that almost from infancy we are stifled and told "no" to being too loud, too inquisitive or too gregarious.  I thought this was a really interesting concept that I had not considered before.  Were we, as adults, imposing our own limitations on ourselves due to a lifetime of being told to be quiet, and to ignore our instinctual behavior?  I do believe that so many of us set our own limitations in life starting at a very young age.  I think it is easy to get pigeonholed into a certain category and without a lot of introspection, remain there for your lifetime. 

When I was young, I was never exposed to athletics.  I never even learned to ride a bike!  I grew up thinking this was normal, I was a "girlie" girl and I tended to gravitate to friends who were the same.  Without even realizing it, I was limiting myself based on the environment I was raised in.  I remember one special day in particular, when my dad was planning to take me alone on a "daddy-daughter" day.  He said I could do anything I wanted, and he assumed that I would want to go into the city and go shopping.  I told him I wanted to hike Bear Mountain (close to my home in NY), and I thought my dad was going to fall over!  We spent the day together grappling in the dirt and it is one of the most lovely memories I have with my dad.

As I got older, I realized that there was a hidden "sporty" side to this girlie girl.  I became interested in fitness, everything from aerobics (yes, even the dreaded French cut leotard, tights and leg warmers!) to Tae Bo, MMA,  rock climbing and even Glacier Hiking in Whistler with NO belay!  I had set up my own limitations by not exploring things that I thought were outside my own abilities.  What I learned that was so valuable, was that by breaking through these limitations, not only was I accomplishing things that I never dreamed possible, I was strengthening myself internally as well.  Each time we limit ourselves, we stifle a little piece of our soul and stop ourselves from evolving into the person we are truly meant to be.  As a result of breaking through my own self-imposed limitations I found a career in fitness that I absolutely love.  You never know where your life can take you, if you just strip out all the boundaries that society puts on us and even, sadly, the boundaries we put on ourselves.  At the age of 52, I finally just dragged myself on a bicycle, said enough is enough and rode away, wheels wobbling and head held high!

Why not become that curious child again?  Be inquisitive! Dance in the rain!  Don't worry about getting dirty and skinning your knees!  Raise your voice and sing at the top of your lungs!  Whatever the child inside you wants to do, but has not done due to a fear of embarrassment or failure.  Let's set our own limitations aside and see what life can look like beyond our own limits.  I am willing to bet we can all find out something new and wonderful about ourselves and our own amazing abilities!

Wishing you a Fearless Day without Limits!

Lauren

www.fearlesslivingwithlauren.com