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Not failure, but low aim, is crime. James Russell Lowell

There is so much truth in that statement, even though you probably won’t be arrested for aiming too low! How many times have you seen people who just don’t dream big enough? Sometimes this is the result of a low self image, sometimes it’s pure laziness, and sometimes people have been told once too often that they can’t do it. Regardless what the reason is, low aim will hold more people back than will failure. People with low aims set low goals or none at all.

I’m sure James Russell Lowell would agree that failure can be overcome with more effort and improved actions. But low aim, especially when it’s accurate, can keep someone down permanently!

I remember reading a story about a moth when I was young. It seems this moth was different than most. All the other moths were content to fly around light bulbs. They would find a street light, a flood light, or some other light they could reach, and they would be drawn to it. Our special moth had higher aspirations. He wanted to fly around the moon!

Every night, while his friends pursued earthly lights, this moth would try to fly to the moon. After a while, his friends started making fun of him. “You’ll never do it!” they’d say. “You can’t!” “You’re silly!” I’m sure you know the routine. Some other moths would scold him. “You haven’t singed a wing in weeks.” I guess that was their measure of success.

But our moth kept on trying. He never did reach the moon. But, as a result of his determination, he flew higher, traveled farther, and saw more of the world than all the other moths put together. And, he lived longer! He would regale the young moths with stories of where he had been and what he had seen.

Our moth did not fail and he did not suffer the crime of low aim.

Are you aiming high? Is your target causing you to stretch, to move outside your comfort zone and try new things? If so, congratulations! You will fly higher and farther than those around you. And, you’ll see and experience things that wouldn’t have been possible with a lower aim.

Note: I hope you’ve noticed that there is a “Goal Quotations” block on the left side of this site. Check it out each time you come here; there will be different quotations showing up regularly to help inspire you.

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