I have a set of John Maxwell leadership tapes from the 1990s. I recently listened again to one entitled, Learning from our Limitations. Dr. Maxwell points out that we all have limitations and it is important that we realize and accept that fact. We need to know ourselves well enough to recognize our own so that we don’t put ourselves down. He told about Truett Cathey, owner of Chic-Fil-A restaurants, speaking at their 50th Anniversary celebration. Mr. Cathey spoke about all the hardship he had overcome in his early years. For example, he was tongue tied as a child and couldn’t pronounce his name, so he carried a card with his name on it because people couldn’t understand him when he said it. His first restaurant burned down. His two brothers who partnered with him to build the business were killed in an airplane crash. He, however, overcame all of these limitations and difficulties and built a thriving business. This encouraged the store leaders because they knew he had been where they were and understood and better yet, overcame.

Life will bring difficulties, but when we face them with the proper attitude, we can actually see positive experiences result. We, too, can overcome obstacles and live life to the fullest.