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Thu 18 Nov, 2004 12:49 pm
There is such a human characteristic as ability. A simple view of history reveals this.
There is no such thing as inability. Where the lack of knowledge is prevalent, inability is the excuse for quitting.
Everyone, I'm sure, has at least some recollection of an outstanding achievement made by a person, who, were we to place ourselves in their predicament, would give up trying to accomplish what they not only accomplished, but are extremely admired for overcoming supposedly insurmountable odds.
These astonishing examples of the spirit of men & women are not only admirable but also a testament to the proof of potential of the outstanding character of the human individual.
As for the character of the human, pinnacle achievements as described, prove that there is ability in every individual. They are also proof that there is no such thing as inability.
Surrendering to the emptiness of inability, which is nothing more than just quitting when the going gets truly rough, is proof that covering the nature of quitting is the reality of an unwillingness to persevere to prove the opposite - gaining an end goal.
What is left, in the end of human kind - which can be applied to the reason why war is more prevalent than peace, is the willingness to pursue peace unto its end goal.
It is obviously easier, lazier, and more cowardly to pursue war.
So comparing the successes & failures of humankind - as well as in every individual life - there is no such thing as ability or inability.
Only a willingness or unwillingness to understand, succeed, and gain whatever end goal there is - or not.
Every individual makes the choice daily.
nice and this is very true
i've heard it said "giving in is what kills people"
Question:
When someone "gives in" or "gives up" are they IN FACT "giving"? - or is the opposing force, whatever or whoever it may be, "TAKING"?
Only a fox - and those who know the fox - knows the true answer>>>>>
TM
we are a force hole an onto ourself
we cant have anything taken from us but our life
so it is in fact "given in" or "sucomein to" the world and/or people
around us when you nolonger care to fight it off
there is no "true answer" only one's point of view
"Only a fox - and those who know the fox"
the fox is only sly an cunning but he is not wise
If you don't believe in inability, then you have never pushed your limits. Or at least not hard enough or long enough.
With all due respect and certainly not to demean or to be sarcastic, SCoates, what you don't know about how, where and to what limits I have traversed in my personal life, you would not only understand but change your mind.
...and Vex, as for the "fox" - it is ONLY because of slyness and cunning I have survived what I have. I never said the fox was wise, but then the fox is not stupid either....or there would be none left.
To sum both my responses..."Consider the lilies of the field..."
What you refer to is potential. There are lillies that are trodden under the foot of man, and never fill the measure of their creation.
I see it as a growth from potential, to ability, and eventually to character.
All have the potential to do great things, but some never develope the ability. And of those who develope the ability, few are able to mature that ability into character. I CAN follow my conscience for an entire day, but I never yet have, because I lack the character.
When you concern yourself with the lilies that are trodden underfoot, why focus on those that are trodden under? You fear that which "may" - or may not, "trod upon your lily," rather than focusing on the lesson of the lily itself. That is sad.
For those who have the potential to do great things but do not develop it into ability
.what reply do you have for one who is "PREVENTED" from developing a "certain" potential into said ability?
and is there a possibility that one can traverse OVER ability from potential directly to character?
(Just a thought
)
Thanks for all your replies, by the way.
TM
I think it's a fun subject.
Ability is a current measurement. For example, a baby does not have the ability to run a marathon. It has the potential. A child, on the other hand, has the ability to set still, but few children have the character to do so.
I believe that we have limitless, even godlike potential, and that we are all at various stages of developing our gifts and talents.
That said, at any moment we do not have all abilities.
Good reply. Thank you.
Additionally, as you said, "at any moment we do not have all abilities," yet at the same time WE DO....
It all depends on perception of the subject, wouldn't you say?
Some people's perceptions are so different, they are the ones who declare that we DO have abilities.
Granted, a wheelchair person cannot be an LA Laker basketball player, however with thought, the Wheelchair Basketball league was formed.
Thus...we all DO have abilities. The end goals simply sometimes need modification to reach them.
TM
I think that we may all achieve greater ability, and the greastest men are those who sought to do so, regardless of what they already had. I'm thinking of the parable of the talents.
One does not achieve ability without the willingness to do so.
One must will themself to achieve an ability to do something.
You may have the ability to get out of bed but if you do not WILL it to be, you may as well go back to sleep:-)
Therefore:
Willingness comes before ability.
"I never said the fox was wise, but then the fox is not stupid either....or there would be none left"
i think you have smart and wise cunfused
smart is brains like bein sly and cunning
wisdom is something much greater umm think along the lines of
one that see's the trap befor he falls into it.some people are not wise enough to look past the next step befor they take it and thus we call
them foolish
So now then....how did (your) "fox" stray from the original subject contained in the writing???
Whoops...didn't see the trap...
I'll be darn...
:-)
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