OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS

INTRODUCTION:
It is a common saying that if wishes were horses, beggars would have a jolly ride. This reminds us of the regretful truth that things are not always as we would otherwise like them to be. Results often do not tally with expectations. Existentialist philosophers never fail to drive home the sad fact that our life is full of facticities. One such facticity is the limitedness of our existence. We are hemmed at all sides by limitations which sometimes seem insurmountable. By limitations here, we mean those factors, characteristics, habits, tendencies, situations, dispositions and obstacles that prevent us from fully actualizing our potentials or realizing our dreams. As history testifies, our generation is not the first to combat with limitations; neither will we be the last. Man is intrinsically a finite and limited being. As such, he always strives to transcend his limitations. Some limitations are self-made. Some may be externally imposed. In some cases we find ourselves helplessly, hopelessly and haplessly thrown into a situation. But in most cases, it is simply a thing of the mind. This now brings us to the different kinds of limitations most of us are faced with.

KINDS OF LIMITATIONS:
Setbacks could present themselves in various forms and shapes. Thus we have:

ACADEMIC LIMITATIONS
St John Vianney and Albert Einstein are two great men who were written off as bad materials for academic work, even St Thomas Aquinas, though he later picked up and is often referred to as the ox that roared. Try as much as we can, sometimes we just seem not to be the right stuff for the classroom.

ECONOMIC LIMITATIONS
The greatest men in history were scarcely born with silver spoons, e.g., the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. We dream, we plan, we fantasize, we wish, but they all remain unhatched due to economic and financial constraints. This is one problem crippling most nations, institutions and individuals today.

MORAL LIMITATIONS
Sometimes, too, habits, dispositions and circumstances could prevent us from maintaining a morally clean slate. St Augustine and Mary Magdalene are just a few of the heroes who were beguiled with such limitations but became triumphant. Even St Paul confessed I dont do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil I do not want to do (Rom. 7:19).

PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS
Gender, physiology, sickness, age, disabilities and other infirmities often hinder some from fulfilling a set goal. Moses, Jeremiah, Zacchaeus and countless others have been unlucky

victims of their situations. It almost threatened to debar them from carrying out a set goal or assignment.

POLITICAL LIMITATIONS
Some of the most successful leaders in the world are known to have had a very steep climb up the ladder of contesting and failing elections at different levels, until they achieved their dreams, powered only by dauntless optimism. We recall personalities like Abraham Lincoln and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Nigeria.

PSYCHOLOGICAL LIMITATIONS
Passion, emotion, personal idiosyncrasies, low self-esteem as well as ones mental state may also impede ones progress or success in achieving a given purpose.

SOCIAL LIMITATIONS
Barrack Obama is a good example of this issue. It is a truism that people have been denied certain rights, priviledges and opportunities as a result of their social caste, race, tribe, family background, political affiliations, nepotism and other social ills. At other times, talents have been left unexplored because they are not from the right place. Sometimes, also, things are made extremely difficult for such unfortunate ones that they quit. Martin Luther King Jr fought and died than quit because he realized that winners do not quit, and quitters do not win. Surely, win he did, even in death.

SPIRITUAL LIMITATIONS
The prophet Isaiah, condemning the peoples sins lamented, Dont think that the Lord is too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help! It is because of your sins that that he doesnt hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship Him. You are guilty of (59:1-3). So, some of the problems we battle with have supernatural ties. At this juncture, having discussed these common limitations, we can then proceed to proffer some solutions which may not be a magic wand but will surely go a long way in alleviating our many limitations.

OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS:
In Phil. 4:13, the apostle Paul boasts I can do all things by the power of Christ in me. He must have got this inspiration from our Lords assurance that all things are possible to them that believe (Mk 9:23). This is because what you believe, you can achieve, according to Mary Kay Ash. William James also lends credence to this when he discovered that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind. If you expect the best, you get the best; if you expect the worst, you get the worst. In fact, for Norman Vincent Peale, thoughts of failure bring failure; thoughts of success bring success. Some effective steps to overcome limitations include:

SELF-KNOWLEDGE

Socrates was urging us to a critical self-reflection when he exhorted Man, know yourself! This makes us aware of our strengths and weaknesses, and discover the particular limitations we contend with at each point in time. To solve a problem, we have to know what it is. We need to know what we can or cannot do.

RESOLUTION
Having realized ones limitations, one has to further make a firm decision backed up by a strong will to overcome ones limitations.

PREVENTION/AVOIDING OCCASIONS OF CRASHING

When a drunkard realizes his over-indulgence and resolves never to drink again, it would not be of much help if he still hangs out with his pals at the bar because it would be too tempting. He has to make efforts to avoid likely occasions of falling back to his old habit.

SELF-CONFIDENCE
This is a very powerful tool for dismantling limitations. When you have confidence in yourself, others can then have confidence in you. Believe you can do it as well as, perhaps, even better than, the other person.

REACHING OUT TO OTHERS

A good manner of approach, knowing who, what, when, where, and how to seek help increases our chances of getting what we want despite our limitations. You have to open up, reach out your hands to be lifted out of your limitations.

BEING UP TO DATE
You will also do well to keep abreast of current issues and developments around you. This gives you an edge over the less informed. A stitch in time saves nine. A philosopher once remarked that the difference between a rich man and a poor man is lack of information.

MAXIMIZING OPPORTUNITIES
For some, opportunity comes once in a lifetime, and must be utilized within the lifetime of the opportunity. First impression matters a lot. Never let an unutilized moment slip by. Great opportunities are great risks taken by great men with great minds. Nonetheless, an opportunity stolen from you can be re-created.

POSITIVE THINKING
It was Henry David Thoreau who discovered that all misfortune is but a stepping stone to fortune. The power of positive thinking cannot be over-emphasized. The positive thinker thanks God for blessing thorny gardens with roses while the pessimist complains and blames God for spoiling roses with thorns. Likewise, the optimist sees the doughnut while the pessimist sees the hole. Every disappointment is a blessing in disguise.

CREATIVITY
We often hear that heaven helps those who help themselves. You dont just sit on your oars and expect a miracle. Of course, he who fails to plan plans to fail. You have to

continuously explore new avenues for moving forward. Every human being is unique because every human mind is unique.

GIVING IN YOUR BEST

Diligence at work and dedication to duty see us through difficult moments. Always aim high. Aim for the best. Never set mediocre limits for yourself.

COURAGE
It takes a lot of courage to put up, sustain and win a fight. Courage is a virtue belonging to the spirited element in man. Courage expels all fear and timidity. It is daring. As Ralph Waldo Emerson would counsel, always do what you are afraid to do. Never be discouraged by failures and the vicissitudes of life.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

The Latin adage faber fabricando fit teaches us that we learn to do by doing. Every journey undertaken begins with a step. Consistence in ones efforts to conquer limitations yields discipline, focus and intended results.

COMPETITION
The mightiest foe to subdue is the self. You have to compete with yourself, then with others. Set high standards and hard targets for yourself. Attack your limitations from within. This is one way of healing from the roots.

GOOD COMPANIONSHIP
An old teacher once told his student: Show me your friend and Ill tell you who you are! The kind of company we keep tells a good deal about us. Peer pressure influences our limitations.

PROPER EDUCATION
Proper education aims at the cultivation of the mind. Reading good inspirational books and articles helps to foster the skills needed to surmount innumerable limitations.

AVOIDING NEGATIVE ATTITUDES

Anger, resentment, hate, grudge, ill will, guilt, jealousy, pride, etc weaken our vital force by sapping our psychic energy. Developing healthy attitudes like tolerance, sympathy, goodwill, friendliness, kindness, gratitude, humility, etc, can solve a lot of problems. Even the scriptures affirm that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (Jm. 4:6).

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

This goes a long way in eradicating most of the problems we face in everyday life. Normally, it is done by a professional who advises a troubled mind on how to adjust, guiding and directing all through the way.

PEACE OF MIND

Relax. Calm down. Take a deep breath. Avoid undue stress, tension and depression. Spend some time in solitude. Try to laugh at the most embarrassing moments you have had. Learn from your mistakes. Develop inner happiness, tranquility, serenity ataraxia.

PRAYER
Our Lord promised us in Jn 14:14 that whatever you ask for in my name, I will do it. Prayer is the master key to all doors. St Paul instructs: Be anxious for nothing, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart (Phil. 4:6).

EXPLORING THE WORD OF GOD

The more we read and listen to Gods word, the more we hear Him addressing us personally: You worry and fret over so many things, but just one is needed; seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and other things shall be added unto you; be brave! I have overcome the world! (Lk.10:41-42; Mt. 6.33; Jn 16.33). from His lips, we rest assured that every hair on our head has been counted and accounted for. Mother Theresa rightly observed that we are like pencil in the hand of the Creator. Each has a value in Gods eyes. We were made for a purpose which we fulfill according to His will. If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. Thus, we find enough inspiration to overcome our limitations in the Divine word.

CONCLUSION:
From the foregoing, we have seen people from different walks of life who were almost weighed down by difficulties and limitations both in private and public life. Some of them tried to scale over their limitations. Some circumvented their limitations. Some crawled under their limitations. However, some bored right through their limitations head on. Finally, there is no gainsaying that it takes a good deal of determination and zeal channeled in the right direction to successfully overcome limitations. It takes time, too. Above all, you have to be convinced about what you want, believe in yourself, put in your best, and leave the rest to God.