It’s normal for children to dream of becoming superheroes and unicorns and all sorts of things they cannot become. But we need to grow up. Problems arise when we continue thinking that we can be anything we want to be. We find freedom when we accept our limitations.
We’re better off focusing on the areas where we can thrive and where we can put our gifts to the service of others. Thomas Jefferson was a terrible public speaker. He even faked illnesses to avoid giving speeches. He knew his limitations—and his gifts. He focused on writing, and we have the Declaration of Independence to show for it.
We can’t be anything. And that’s okay. We can still be something. There are areas where each one of us can excel. We will be happier pursuing what is attainable rather than spinning our wheels while failing at something we’re never going to accomplish.
Fr. Michael Rossmann, SJ, writes that in his new book, The Freedom of Missing Out: Letting Go of Fear and Saying Yes to Life. He also explains in the below video that it’s fine not being anything we want.
