Rumi was a 13th century Persian mystic poet, someone with mind-blowing insights into life, meaning, spirituality and human potential. Here’s what he wrote about human potential:
You were born with potential.
You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness.
You are not meant for crawling, so don’t.
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly.
-Rumi
If what Rumi says is true, how do we explain that most people are still walking and not “flying” when it comes to their career, health, relationships, abundance and more?
That question can’t be answered in one sentence because there’s no one answer to the question.
But we do know that most people aren’t “flying”—they’re not even running. They’re crawling or walking—when compared to what their potential is.
Why is that?
Why is it we know we have far more potential than what we’re living from in our lives?
One thing my experience as a psychotherapist taught me and what I’ve observed as a coach for companies, and with my private clients, is perhaps the biggest thing that keeps people from living from a higher level of their potential is this:
Deep down, most people don’t feel all that amazing.
If you’re not amazed at yourself, why not?
Trust me, most people find that question intimidating at best and narcissistic at worst.
That question makes most people uncomfortable.
Sooner or later they bring up someone they know who is amazed at themselves, but others find them obnoxious or living in fantasyland. After all, I bet you’ve had a manager or boss who thought they were a management god when in reality they were the boss from hell.
So many people, if not most, are afraid to go to the place of being amazed at themselves. They don’t think they’ve earned that yet or they think if they actually believed that, it would mean they’re completely lacking in humility.
But here’s the thing. It’s really hard to unlock your potential if you don’t find yourself amazing—whatever that means to you.
With that said, what does it mean to think you’re amazing?
How good do you have to be to be amazing? Do you have to be Mother Theresa or Richard Branson to be amazing? Do you have to be well-known, rich, powerful and as Steve Jobs was famous for saying, “Make a dent in the universe”?
Are you able to embrace your “shadow,” the aspects of self that people hide from out of shame, guilt and fear?
If you told me you think you’re really amazing but you hide from your shadow, you’re missing the boat on knowing how amazing you are.
How would you know if you’re amazing?
What if the endless messages you get from the people around you and from everywhere else were wrong?
Does your boss/manager think you’re amazing? Probably not.
What about your spouse, significant other, children or your friends?
Yes, I know they probable think well of you and see a lot of great things about you.
But that doesn’t mean they see your amazingness.
Did you know that every person has an “aura” around them–and invisible emanation? But few people see the aura around a person.
Again, how would you know if you’re amazing?
What if you were to wake up (on a whole new level) and connect with your amazing self?
And one last time:
How would you know if you’re amazing?
Let me know what you think, leave a comment or question and add your amazing voice to this conversation.
P.S. One thing I’m amazing at is helping my clients discover their amazingness. When they do that, nothing is ever the same again. Call me or email me when you’re ready to find out how amazing you truly are.
Categorized in: Articles, Career Success, Leadership, Life, Mastering Emotions, Persuasion/Influence, Prosperity, Self-Esteem/Self-Worth
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