If a man without arms can dream
bigger than his physical limitations
to become the best archer in the world,
if he can push beyond the frontiers
of all that has been thought possible
for a disabled person,
then why
can't we look beyond
the obstacles hemming us in,
holding us back,
filling our mind's eye
with debilitating fears?
What would we accomplish
in our lives if we knew
we couldn't fail?
If every day became
an honest opportunity to grow
and dream and create,
what would we do to fill our days?
How would it feel to live our lives
unfettered from the voices
that chide us with harsh criticism?
What can we do to silence those
who oppose our dreams?
And why should we
ever again allow
another human being
to shackle or define for us
the best life we choose to dream?
When we recognize
that these voices are just
hollow echoes of our own
or others' insecurities,
then we begin to live
authentically,
to delve beneath
the physical depths
into an authentic life
teeming with drive
and determination.
Note: I am attaching the link to a video that inspired this writing entitled "The Armless Archer."
https://youtu.be/Vyu-MJaDI7E