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// Prepare 
// Story: Life's Inequities 
// by CrystalHopeDragon 
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"Have you ever had someone tell you that you can become anything if you set your mind to it? That a little hard work and faith can get you where you want to be? That anything is possible?
Well I'm here to tell you...that isn't true."

Silence reigned in the auditorium as the confused audience listened to Sunburst. As one of the more recent additions to the influential spectrum of ponies in equestria, many magic students were thrilled to come and hear him speak. After all: he was a graduate from Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, childhood friends with Twilight Sparkles' personal portage, and the Crystaler of the newest member of the royal family. Surely this highly successful and extremely influential stallion would have some tips on how to succeed in Equestria. Right?

"Life isn't that easy, that simple. Some things can be out of reach. Even if it is all you've ever wanted and you've done everything to get it, you can still fail. You might not be physically capable of what you want to do, or you might not have enough resources or skill. If resources and skill are the problem, congrats. That means you may still get it if you keep trying. If it's a physical limitation though? Try a different goal."

Silence.

"No, I'm not kidding.
Things in life can be out of reach at times. Sometimes you can't be a great engineer because your body wasn't built for the manual labor. Some people want to become great mathematicians or doctors but have problems with memorization and focus. Or some people want to be famous wizards yet don't have enough magic to do it."

The audience was becoming restless. How dare this stallion tell them what they can or can't do. He achieved his dreams, didn't he? Then why did he think they couldn't achieve theirs? They could do anything, just like him! Who did he think he was; how would he know any of this?

"How do I know this? Because I am one of those people." The restless grumbling was silenced. "I am a great teacher of magic, an interpreter and facilitator of the art. Personally though? I cannot execute my craft. I have little magic to use. I can name any spell, help find a magical solution to any problem. I cannot use that solution myself though." 

He was blushing at this point. It was obvious he wasn't proud of what he was saying, but he knew it needed to be said. 

"Not every goal is possible, not even for the hardest worker. That doesn't mean don't try; it just means be realistic when trying. Let's say you want to go into engineering but you can't do the work. Focus on design and leave the execution to those more suited. It doesn't mean give up on your dream, just refocus it. Life is full of doors and walls; you just need to know what walls to pass and what doors to take. Passing those walls won't be easy, nor will be choosing a door. Giving up a part of a dream isn't fun, nor is settling for something different from your goal. At the same time, learning when to let go and try something else can be a reward in itself. You are more than one trait, so what's so wrong with having more then one dream? If one falls through, pursue one more probable. It's not just compromising, it's expanding. There are a million paths in life, and sometimes the first one you pick isn't always yours. Keep trying, you can and will find something that makes you truly happy. Don't let one failure hold you back from trying again. You will fail at some point, maybe at many points. Remember to get back up and look though. Why did you fail? Can you fix it? If not, is there something else you can do? Explore your options. You may not be able to do anything, but you can do something. Find your place; find your happiness."

The silence remained. Still blushing, he held his head high and walked backstage. They may not like what they heard, but they needed to hear it. Even if they don't understand now, it will help later. He wished somepony had told him that years ago. Maybe he wouldn't have spent so much time dwelling on life's inequities if they had. Life goes on; even if not the way you planned it. They may be angry now, but someday they would get that too.

As he was leaving though, he heard subtle clapping. It wasn't loud or boisterous, but it didn't sound forced.

Maybe some ponies understood what he said after all.