No limit but the sky

By Klaus Döring

“No limit but the sky” is a famous inspirational phrase often attributed to the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. It means that your goals and potential have no real boundaries.

Yes, but the “sky” is more poetic. You could argue that the “sky” is the atmosphere, and above the atmosphere, the sky is over. But if you look up from the ISS, what are you looking at? Isn’t there a sky on the Moon? What are you looking at when you look up from there? We say “the Sun in the sky,” “the Moon in the sky,” and “the STARS in the sky.”

I say the sky goes on forever. If you stood upon the edge of the universe and looked up, the multiverse would be the sky. Space has no up or down, but wherever you’re standing, the thing you’re standing on is the ground, down, and wherever you look that is AWAY from the ground is up, the sky. It’s the place over your head that can’t be reached from where you are standing.

Wherever you go, the intangible, mysterious area above you is the sky. The phrase “the sky’s the limit” is often used to convey the idea that there are no limits to what one can achieve or aspire to. It suggests that one should aim high and not be constrained by conventional thinking or perceived limitations. The phrase “the sky is limitless” emphasizes the idea that possibilities and potential are boundless, encouraging a mindset of endless opportunities and potential for growth. Both expressions encourage individuals to dream big and reach their full potential.

This anthology collects the most riveting, real-life adventure stories from America’s oldest mountaineering and conservation journal, Appalachia. Each of these essays, published from 1877 to the present, chronicles a tale of explorers who push the limits — of endurance, weather, altitude, or personal achievement. Some of these explorers make history, such as the first American climber to ascend Kilimanjaro in 1932; others, such as the leader of an 1895 team attempting the first ascent of Canada’s Mount Lefroy, never return.

Some people have money to burn! Every time I observe them, I feel that their money is going down the drain. Yes, “money talks.” The more money you have, the more avaricious you might become. Every time we have to dig deeper into our pockets, we might long to be like those people who don’t see the difference between a 500 or 1,000 bill.

I am really not rich! I also wouldn’t hesitate to say that I would like to be so! Being rich means having wealth! Wealth is abundance, opulence, and affluence. Affluent people can quickly become influenced. Dyed-in-the-wool millionaires or even multimillionaires lose sight of reality many times. They can’t even see the horizon, which could be the demarcation of their real estate. They don’t even recognize the wonderful flowers growing and blooming in their gardens.

Money calms you down! Sure. No doubt at all! We all need an income to survive and meet our daily needs — and, maybe, a little bit more. Many of us struggle through life and work like slaves for a pitiful daily minimum wage. If you’re rich, you might be on top. But believe me, once you are on top, you will have some unwelcome, mostly unavoidable companions, such as loneliness, so-called friends (!), parasites, and freeloaders.

These companions will let you scream in pain because you will start missing things you expected from them: real friendship, love, care, comprehension, understanding, sympathy, appreciation… Remember such things? Miss such things?

Yes, money can give you a wonderful sleep, and you might stay in one of the most luxurious beds — but be awake while your poorest neighbor sleeps better and more peacefully on the floor. There are many sayings about money. I like this one: Money can buy books but not brains. You might study a lot and gain a lot of experience; it’s just a pity if you don’t use it at the right time for the right people in your surroundings.

Money can buy food but no appetite. Who reaps the benefits of it? A full-to-overflowing storeroom will never be satisfying if sour freeloaders join your table and push away your real friends.

Our last earthly dress has no more pockets. The remembrance of how we acted and lived together with our fellow creatures will remain forever. With money, we might be able to let the devil dance. But money alone doesn’t make us happy. Money kills more people and friendships than a cudgel.

The more money, the more problems.

The more money, the more we have to pay, and the higher our bills become.

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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook or LinkedIn or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.