“When pigs fly, I’ll start my new business.”
“I’ll travel around and see the world when the pigs fly.”
“When the pigs fly, I’ll leave my parents’ home.”
Do any of these ring a bell?
We usually use this expression to talk about something that may take a very long time to happen, or something that is impossible, though it may actually be the opposite. Its origin dates back to antiquity. It seems like excuses have ruled human society ever since. It is said that this expression was first used in a 1687 Dutch book called Traité de l’aimant. This book about the story of magnetism exemplifies the irony of this saying with an illustration of a flying pig in the background.
Even so, why do we refuse to take a chance to turn things around and break our mental barriers? Why not take a shot? You’ll never regret trying. If this saying is still present in your everyday, it is because we still seek a way to justify ourselves for not doing whatever we don’t have the courage to do. Why don’t we change this expression for something like: “All right, I tried taking a watercolor class. I realized that’s not my thing. I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. At least this helped me figure things out.”
What about this famous saying: “Nobody ever takes me seriously.” Well, you’ve got that wrong; you’re free to go and do whatever you want to. Maybe things won’t turn out like you expect them to, but at least you’ll get to figure out what the real experience is like. One mistake can lead you to discover something new about yourself. What if you accomplish something you never expected? No one will ever take that satisfaction away from you.
You’d better think: When pigs actually get to fly, what will you do? Start exercising? Leave that job you can’t stand anymore? Pursue your passion? Buy that dress you liked? Take dance lessons? Let’s dust off all those plans waiting at the end of a tunnel you don’t dare to cross. If you don’t try, you’ll never know what you can achieve if you succeed. Turn your dreams into goals. The perfect time to fulfill your aspirations is now.
Enough of excuses now! Just go and chase your dream.
*
Check out these:
25 Questions You Need To Ask Yourself To Find Your Life’s Passion
TIME Magazine Suggests 35 Books That Will Make Your Life Complete
*
Translated by Andrea Valle
