I've been reflecting on President Joe Biden's recent announcement that he will end his term in the Oval Office. I can only imagine the tough and challenging conversations that led him to withdraw from the presidential race. I greatly respect that decision because I believe that the ability to accept one's limitations is a noble character trait. We don't celebrate this enough.

I say this as someone who has often had his aspirations crash into reality's cold, unforgiving wall. It's painful to see opportunities you won't be able to pursue take off while you remain grounded. At some level, we all understand that all our options have a best-before date.

That quote is encouraging for someone with more life ahead of them than behind, but salt in the wounds of those who are older. Surrendering and accepting terms that offer less choice is hard for anyone. The temptation for us is to leap forward into the impossible with the hope that we'll be able to fly and defy gravity. Like Icarus, we can suffer greatly if we fly higher than we were meant to.

Trying to escape our reality doesn't necessarily open the doors of reward to us; more often than not, it opens the doors of regret. When we put ourselves at risk by stretching beyond our limitations, not only that, but we put others at risk as well. If our ambition outweighs our capacity, people are going to get hurt. Resigning to the fact that you are mortal and can only achieve so much in this world is not the same as quitting. It's being intentional about how you'd like to focus your talents and energy in a limited time. That's a quality that is both heroic and brave.

There have been times when I've found myself running after a missed train of opportunity. As I watch it speed away, it's heartbreaking to realize that the option to ride it is no longer there. I'm guilty of spending a lot of emotional energy on situations that are not going to change. But I'm learning. Learning to be fierce with reality and to see the missed train as an opportunity to clarify my options. Being able to transition well is a matter of character. When faced with disappointment, we can be stubborn and bitter, or we can be humble. Buy a new ticket and find a new destination.

It's easy enough for us to be aspirational about how we think others should deal with disappointment, but we need to decide ahead of time how to respond when life has dealt us cards that we can't work with. I believe if President Biden transitions well, we will get to witness a unique historical event. After over 50 years of service, I hope he can show us how it's done and move on to the next chapter of his life with dignity, grace, and courage.

Thank you for reading my friend. May you be able to summon the courage you need to be fierce with reality.