Kinda reminds me of whenever I hear someone quote Bruce Lee''s, "No limits only plateaus" quote. With all due respect to the late actor who's movies I haven't even seen, yes there are limits. Not even Olympic gold medalists can train into the Hulk, nor can the greatest free divers ever reach the Titanic. No, I fail to see why recognizing that will "spread into your work, your morality, and your life" and I sure as hell don't see why not being able to "grow" anymore everywhere means one "might as well be dead" and "if it kills you, it kills you" is a better alternative. Being an unreflective slob and running into a brick wall seems like a false dichotomy to me.
It occurred to me that family, friends or colleagues often offer futile goals to inspire and give hope and motivation. This is when advice becomes really cheap. I wouldn’t be surprised if the disability factor weren’t in play here. Larry was disabled, and such an axiom would be on his mind. This gung-ho, football coach advice most would think kind and virtuous, but it can hurt if you aren’t equipped to ward it off it mentally, and take it as just another unknowing person thinking motivational prep talks are what’s needed to get out of wheelchair. I have been advised to run marathons (I can barely walk 😊), ski, and one said make it my goal to walk on the Moon. Really?
Sometimes words spoken are so cheap—especially if no support of the other’s time is offered. And it’s a discomforting tingle when we hear this from those close. 🤷🏻♂️
It’s like the other is “closing the deal” for you with THEIR words; and if you are successful it follows with: “I told you!” almost to their credit. “No. You don’t have to get this. Get lost!” 😂
I remember that said before taking off for the long solo cross country flight—500 nm and you’re not a pilot. Anything can go wrong and you’re on your own. That and going into a deposition are not for, “You got this.” 😂
Great stuff, as always: thank you. I can only add my experience. I find that I can only push the limits of what’s possible for me by breaking the seemingly impossible down in to possible steps. And seemingly impossible steps down further in to possible actions. One reason I have decided to practice Stoicism is to improve my self discipline in things like this. My ADHD sabotages me otherwise!
One technical point. Both Keith Richards and Willie Nelson played their music for In the angora at least 400 BCE. I think there's video.
😆
Kinda reminds me of whenever I hear someone quote Bruce Lee''s, "No limits only plateaus" quote. With all due respect to the late actor who's movies I haven't even seen, yes there are limits. Not even Olympic gold medalists can train into the Hulk, nor can the greatest free divers ever reach the Titanic. No, I fail to see why recognizing that will "spread into your work, your morality, and your life" and I sure as hell don't see why not being able to "grow" anymore everywhere means one "might as well be dead" and "if it kills you, it kills you" is a better alternative. Being an unreflective slob and running into a brick wall seems like a false dichotomy to me.
Willy, I agree. I studied Bruce Lee’s version of Kung-Fu and have a lot of respect for the guy. But that sorts of talk is nonsense.
The real problem is epistemic: knowing where your limits are and not fooling yourself. Hence the Oracle at Delphi’s know thyself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Hopes_(Frank_Sinatra_song)
https://genius.com/Frank-sinatra-high-hopes-lyrics
When troubles call, and your back's to the wall
There a lot to be learned, that wall could fall
Once there was a silly old ram
Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam
No one could make that ram, scram
He kept buttin' that dam
'Cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes
He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes
So any time you're feelin' bad
'stead of feelin' sad
Just remember that ram
Oops there goes a billion kilowatt dam
All problems just a toy balloon
They'll be bursted soon
They're just bound to go pop
Oops, there goes another problem kerplop
Love me some Frank!
It occurred to me that family, friends or colleagues often offer futile goals to inspire and give hope and motivation. This is when advice becomes really cheap. I wouldn’t be surprised if the disability factor weren’t in play here. Larry was disabled, and such an axiom would be on his mind. This gung-ho, football coach advice most would think kind and virtuous, but it can hurt if you aren’t equipped to ward it off it mentally, and take it as just another unknowing person thinking motivational prep talks are what’s needed to get out of wheelchair. I have been advised to run marathons (I can barely walk 😊), ski, and one said make it my goal to walk on the Moon. Really?
Sometimes words spoken are so cheap—especially if no support of the other’s time is offered. And it’s a discomforting tingle when we hear this from those close. 🤷🏻♂️
Yes; like the mantra you hear on tv shows...."you got this" or "you can do this" 😂
It’s like the other is “closing the deal” for you with THEIR words; and if you are successful it follows with: “I told you!” almost to their credit. “No. You don’t have to get this. Get lost!” 😂
😂😂😂😂
I HATE THAT! “You got this.” My blood boils! 😂
I remember that said before taking off for the long solo cross country flight—500 nm and you’re not a pilot. Anything can go wrong and you’re on your own. That and going into a deposition are not for, “You got this.” 😂
Well, what's the big deal about walking on the Moon anyway? 😆
True! 😄 Probably be perfect for me! 😄
Great stuff, as always: thank you. I can only add my experience. I find that I can only push the limits of what’s possible for me by breaking the seemingly impossible down in to possible steps. And seemingly impossible steps down further in to possible actions. One reason I have decided to practice Stoicism is to improve my self discipline in things like this. My ADHD sabotages me otherwise!