Should I? Can I?

We are such a jumble of conflicts, contradictions, and dichotomies, i.e. Strengths and weaknesses.

Of special note is the aspiration to do what we should countered by what we interpret as all we can. Each of us has both of these voices speaking in our ears. Not like the angel v. demon images on our shoulder, more like your mother on one shoulder and your accountant on the other. Also, it is very rare that one of them speaks as loudly as the other. Certain moments belong to one voice and certain moments belong to the other.

But there is a population who very rarely hear anything but the 'shoulds' of life and a population that only listens to the 'cans.' Each is as unhealthy as the other.

If all we focus on is what we should do than our actions are concentrated in making unreal concepts come true. We accomplish practically nothing. Holier-than-thou attitudes implementing theoretical plans seeking to accomplish pie-in-the-sky notions that can never come true. But these aspirations are the fodder for development. If we don't aspire we get bogged down into a numbing stasis. No advancement. Automatons.

The can side of this conflict wants nothing but what is comfortable. Tried and true, habitual activities that will result in what is expected. There is no curiosity. There is no experimentation. I am doing what I can and that must be enough.

If your strength lies on the should side get a can-do partner to help figure out the practical aspects of the theory. Think of the fulfillment each will feel. The pie isn't in the sky anymore because WE, by working together, have made it tried and now true.

That will be Excellent.