Potential. I remember arguing with my father about the word potential one night in my 20s. I hated that word. You either have "it" or you don't. You either make "it" or you don't. Potential is a word we use to excuse our failures or to justify not taking a risk. Potential is a word of weakness. I was angry at potential.
I realize now why I despised the word. I had lost belief in myself. I was mourning the death of a dream. A dream I fostered for so many years of becoming a professional soccer player. A dream that was dashed after breaking my leg as a 14 year old. My ego told me, "you had potential and you missed the mark". I was mad at circumstance. I was living in the past and suffered because of it. I was living in what could have been. My identity was wrapped up in being a soccer player.
In hindsight, I now see that was part of my journey. Without that redirection, where would I be now? Would I have the life I do now? Would I have the 3 wonderful children, the wife, the relationships, the gym, the experiences I do now? I don't know, but what I do know is, even if we miss the mark, it’s not the end of the world. Sometimes we set goals and have dreams and don't realize THAT particular potential, but it opens the door for other potentials of endless possibilities. I simply couldn't see the bigger picture for years on end.
I now understand that it is not about the destination. It not about the end result. These goals and dreams are not a means to an end. It is the means that is important. It is the process that reveals to us who we are. It takes time, pain and suffering, but eventually our essence comes to the forefront and our true potential is exposed. Not the potential of what we can accomplish, but the potential of who we truly can be. I was attached to this potential and chasing an identity. An identity of ego.
I now seek to strip myself of identity and find my true potential that lines up with the spirit of life. A life of values. Values of justice, honesty, courage and discipline. A dedication to family, service and experiencing life fully. If our dreams didn't pan out the way we wanted, that path wasn't meant for us. That's not an excuse for failure. We are simply being directed on a different path. It means we are destined for greater things, so stay positive and know we have the potential of endless possibilities. What the result is, we don’t know and doesn't concern us. If we focus on the means and not the end, we will expose our true nature and who we truly are meant to be. Our personal trainers at Phoenix A+ Coaching strive to help you unlock your full potential and never give up!
Call us today at 314-449-1172 to find out more information about our personal training and fitness classes to get you back on the right track.