I have not seen anything great, significant or groundbreaking done without determination. I have noticed that most achievers have something in common. They act as if they have been given a final proposition. They usually reach a resolve that what they are doing is so serious that it must be achieved. In reality, big things require big ambitions. No one stumbles on greatness. Unless we turn our affairs into serious business, we are not ready for the big hit. It is only a matter of whether we are ready to do what it takes; whether we will stay true to our resolve and refuse the temptation to back out of the deal.

Here is a call to each one of us to examine our approach to our own endeavours. Do we really have the courage to demand of ourselves that which it must take to achieve something big? The alternative is obvious. It is called settling for less. Settling for something less than our potential because we are unable to commit ourselves to something greater. Without giving ourselves the ultimatum, demanding of ourselves something that looks like the extreme of commitments, we may still be limited to what whims can bring our way. The truth is that most of the great things we see people achieve are products of unrepentant determination. In fact, sometimes we need to be unyieldingly persistent or even obstinate as we give ourselves to that which we have resolved to do.
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What are you doing? What are your dreams and aspirations? You may desire to build your family, reach a career milestone, contribute something specific to your community, invent something new or even be a better person in some way. Think about how beautiful and fulfilling it would be if you achieved them. If your desire is to reach your goals, then give yourself the ultimatum. Present to yourself a final proposition on achieving your goals. Tell yourself that you must do it. That that resolve get you to work and see everything work together to make your dream a reality.

Believe me, a town of over 3,000 people in Manitoba is named Ebb and Flow. Well, it is located on a lake called Ebb and Flow. I remember the days when my family explored the Prairie Mountain region, lodging in cabins, visiting family and spending time at Clear Lake. We would always pass through Ebb and Flow. The name of the town and the ebb and flow of the lake always gets me thinking. I imagine that we all pass through ebb and flow as we journey onward in life. In fact, we spend the most part of our journey in ebb and flow. What do I mean by that? Our lives are composed of a series of ups and downs, of rising tides and fading ebbs.

Sometimes we see the tides rising, with the winds blowing in our favour. We enjoy the feeling of success, the euphoria and the sense of fulfilment that accompanies our accomplishments, well-being and good things surrounding us. However, we know that the tides do not stay up forever. The upward flow is succeeded by the ebb, the recession and fading out of the tide. However, most of us have challenges dealing with the ebb. We do not want the flowing back, the abatement or decline which cycles alongside the highs of life. Nevertheless, we all must face the fact that changes and, in fact, constant changes are part and parcel of our daily life. As the tide flows inward and outward of the ocean, creating constant fluctuations, so does life deal frequent changes to each one of us.
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Instead of getting upset by the ebb and flow, we should learn to become unperturbed as the tide rises and falls. Getting agitated when things are not going well will not help solve the problem. There is no point getting worked up, especially when we cannot control the situation. Someone on a sailboat may not control the wind but can adjust the sail. Most of the time, we lack control over circumstances external to us, but we can adjust our attitudes, thoughts, and actions to arrive at our destination. The rising and fading of tides are normal. Don’t let the situation overwhelm you. Don’t get knocked over by the waves.

I am yet to see anyone who needs absolutely no help from anyone else. People may pretend to be all-sufficient on their own, but we know that is not true. The greatest of people in history and in our time today have used the help of those around them. Those who decide to live alone on their private island suffer a bit. Or maybe the right word is not “suffer” but “miss-out”. They miss out on the great opportunity to get the support they require to get where they are meant to be. In fact, one may say that it is arrogant to think that you don’t need anyone to accomplish what you are doing. If you are someone who carries a big idea or has a sizeable responsibility, you will realize that you need others to help you make an impact that no individual can single-handedly make.

Sometimes what we are carrying may not be an idea. It may be a burden, a heavy weight that we carry in our minds or in our lives which makes things somewhat difficult. At times, we carry problems and issues that are heavier than we can carry alone. The truth is that we as humans are not perfect in anything. If you live in the real world, you will have challenges and you will face difficult situations that are typical in our world. None of us is immune to burden, weights, and issues of life. However, we do not need to scuffle with life all alone. When we are carrying burdens, those are times we can take some help from others.
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What do you carry? Do you carry great responsibilities at home, work or community? Do you have an assignment big enough that you know you cannot do it alone? Maybe your own situation is such that you are weighed down by challenges. This message is about letting other people help you carry the load. When the load is heavier than you can carry, then allow those who would help to do so. We should stop playing superheroes. Everyone needs help. If anyone lends a genuine helping hand to you, take it and use the help. Let them help you carry the load.

Everyone has their own capacity. At any point in time, your capacity to do certain things is just what it is. For example, you may have the capacity to lift 200 pounds of weight or the capacity to run 10 kilometers marathon. It is what it is. Meanwhile, the so-called capacity can be altered. Note that I said altered because it can either be increased or diminished. One thing I know is that each one of us can be better than our best. At the point where we think we have no more capacity left, that is where the opportunity for growth begins. You and I know that we humans have continued to push the limits of achievements in every field of endeavour. In fact, there is no such thing as a “limit” when it comes to human ability.

That leads me to question why many of us grow quickly just to settle into a comfort zone. Why do we allow ourselves to march around the same circle on the plateau of life? After all, the pinnacle that we think we have reached may be the lower level for another person. It is all relative. That makes me think that none of us will ever become completely sold out. We will always have something more to offer no matter what circumstance we find ourselves. Our abilities and talents are not like stock items or merchandise that can be out of supply because of demand. You and I are much more loaded than we think. You can extend your limit when you think you have reached your maximum capacity.
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Here is my message to you. You are not sold out yet. You have many more arrows in your quiver. You have much more to offer at home, at work and in the community. It is not yet time to “retire” but a time to “refire”. Do not give in to settling for the limit.. Everyone is limited only by their own imagination. Let’s keep flying, soaring like the eagle.