Changing “I Can’t” to “I Can”

Changing “I Can’t” to “I Can”

It has taken me most of my lifetime to change a negative thought pattern I developed early in life.  I don’t know the origin, but I am intimately acquainted with this thought pattern.  An idea will cross my mind and immediately I will counter with: “What will people think?” or “I don’t have the money or time for that,” or “So and so does that so much better than I ever will,” or more recently, “I am too old.” Watching my grown children push past their personal blockades to progress has inspired me. So, I have begun to push back against this thought pattern, searching my heart to discover what is in there, buried underneath all of that negative thinking.

I am older now and my awareness of limited time on planet earth is more real these days. I want the time I have left to really count.  I have accumulated a collection of “I wish I hads” and don’t want any more. My life experience counts for something and I want to share it with those I love.  My age has become an asset moving me past, “I am too old” thinking. The time has come to leave my constant concern with what others have done or what others will think in the dust of the past and learn to embrace life more fully. What I don’t have does not need to limit me anymore, I have more than enough. I want to change those '“I wish I hads” to “I tried” and discover the successes therein.  

Moving this direction has resulted in one consistent change.  It is doing those ideas that seem to just “cross my mind” instead of just thinking about them.  I have started thousands of adventures in my mind only to talk myself out of taking the first step.  How many life adventures have I missed?  

This whole blog thing and business is part of that process.  It may never amount to much of anything to anyone else, but for me, it represents embracing the freedom to try.  Success or failure is often in the eye of the beholder.  Even if no one ever reads anything I write, or takes one class, or signs up to be coached, or makes one product purchase, I took these ideas from my mind and brought them into my world.  The process of doing is my success.  I did not leave these things dormant in the recesses of my mind.  

I am pushing myself and my children (now successful adults) are pushing me too (they know I need the push).  Moving forward, I want to live more fully.  My faith has also been a source of strength as I find my way out of my prison of fear.  I can do all of those things that come from the creative recesses of my mind.  They may not meet the standards of any other person, but the One who matters most is pleased.

Are there things that hold you back?  I hope that reading a bit of my story motivates you to find your way to break free of things that hold you back. If so, I would love to hear from you and learn how you are moving past your fears and self imposed blockades.