I just watched a TedXChCh speech from an old friend, Linh Do, who seems to be "everywhere" I go! Her speech is ever so inspiring and something I'd like to share with you. I hope you enjoy it :)

In essence, she elaborates on one of my favourite quotes quite well, which is:

"If we only do what is required of us we are slaves, the moment we do more we are free" - Cicero, an ancient philosopher

Basically, I view this as each and every one of us doing more than what the "social norms" are persuading us to do. As often the social norms, that is, the normal ways of doing things can be seen as the "easy" way to living our lives. It is often "safe" and keeps us in our "comfort zones" as someone has been down that path before, and while we do so, we are in essence, becoming a slaves by "conforming" in this way.

Yet, the moment we do more, we take personally acceptable "risks", "extend ourselves", and pursue the socially expected impossible things in life, that we can truly seize the moment and be free! And for me, that had been running marathons and ultramarathons in the past, then taking a year off work to participate in youth and community projects and work.

Sometimes following the social norms is something we do subconsciously, yet if we "actively choose" to  do more, something that noone is expecting us to do than we are truly making ourselves free. Kids often do this so easily, saying that they want to be an astronaut, become a pilot, build a house out of grass, etc., yet years later the social norms take over.

Each of us would and could do more if we choose to, so try do something that you desire for yourself that doesn't necessary fit within the restrains of society's social norms. As the moment you dream again, just as you would as a kid, you may find that the impossible isn't always impossible, and that it is can be possible if you believe it isn't ;)