Self-delusion is rarely considered a good quality, for drastic differences between our perception and good old reality could at best be read as a lack of self-awareness and at worst pose a serious risk for our well-being.
In mild cases of being somewhat smitten by our own self, the common victim is not ourselves but the people in our immediate surroundings who have to endure our cringe-inducing display.
In more severe cases, one finds the narcissist or our 21st Century sufferers of furor principum.
But it is not these cases I am thinking about today, but those at the very other end of the spectrum. Those, who, though capable of shining a mighty light, are somehow dimmed by the world or, even worse, their own perspective on things.
Whereas the antics of the mad prince to the observer are a comedy, their stories unfortunately carry a bit of tragedy. The dream never dared is much crueler than the dream never had.
To me, many mental limitations people impose on themselves are akin to barbed wire.
Not exactly impassable given the right approach, but the risk of getting hurt often keeps us from trying. We might see that the grass is greener on the other side, it is close.
But the barbs are sharp and at least we know our pasture.
What wonderful tales could have been told, if any of these hidden talents had at times caught a dollop of megalomania and held onto it just long enough, to jump over the chasm keeping them from doing great things.
In these cases, a fair bit of grandiosity, even if still a check that would bounce, could provide the necessary energy to start the motion that, in time, could change a whole life for the better.
Of course, the way there could be laden with some cringe, but to get anywhere we have to give ourselves the permission to suck for a time.
With our heads held up as high as necessary. So raise your chin up.
This is why, whenever I hear about ambitious side projects from acquaintances, I tend to unconditionally hype them up. This is not disingenuous or fake. I cheer them for the idea, the will to do things, and the spark of creativity.
We often do not know whether people have the capacity to create their own buzz, that spark of madness that lets us throw caution in the wind and act on our dreams.
And sometimes we need that thick rough-spun blanket to throw over the barbs. So, give it to yourself or whoever needs it right now. It is not a scarce resource.
And who knows what will come of it. In my experience, chances are high that once you place your feet firmly on new ground, only desired from afar before, it will be worth it.
And more importantly, chances are also good that once you go back to inspect the barbed wire, you will notice it was mere twine all along.