Getting rid of "I Can't"

Often when we start doing things to achieve a goal or pursue our dreams we run in to brick walls and hard places that are full of "I can't". Unfortunately we tend to let these I can'ts discourage us and make us believe that what we want is unattainable for us. We also let them persuade us into believing that they are a good enough excuse for us to use to give up. In reality "I can't" is just another way of saying, "I haven't ever done this before and it looks scary so I don't think I want do it."

As we get older we tend to look at new and different things that come into or happen in our lives through this perspective. What we seem to have forgotten is that at one point everything that is familiar and easy to us now was new and different once. They were the things that we had never done before and may even have seemed scary to us. This is true for every person ever born regardless of how accomplished they may be because we all have to come into this world the same way; being born a baby. And as any parent can tell you; babies do not come with instruction manuals and they all have to be taught regardless of any natural talents they may have.

Every experience a baby has is new the first time. However the difference between a baby and an adult is their reaction to these new experiences. Babies tend to look at everything with awe and wonder when experiencing something for the first time. It is not until they actually have the experience before they make up their minds to be happy or upset about it. But the average adult is different, they tend to make up their minds about something not when or after they experience something but rather they make up their minds about it when they are thinking about the thing.

It is in this thinking process that they say "I can't". However this is a very faulty process. The reason is because most of the time when we think about something we tend to include things that will not feasibly happen when actually doing the thing we are thinking about. Our mind tends to bring up all kinds of possible scenarios that include the big "what if". It is these "what if's" that tend to bring up feelings of fear, doubt, and insecurity that lead us to thinking that we can't do something in the first place. Or rather we decide we can't do something because we don't want to do it because we are afraid, doubtful, and insecure. We are uncomfortable feeling these feelings and want to get as far away from them as possible so we retreat back to our comfort zone; those things that we know we are good at and can have a reasonable amount of guaranteed success at. In other words all things "safe". That which keeps us safe from ridicule, failure, humiliation, etc., etc., etc.

What we don't realize is that when we erect these walls to create our box of safety, we are actually only creating our own prisons. We think we are keeping the bad stuff out and protecting ourselves but what we are really doing is preventing ourselves from having that which we desire. In our attempts to protect ourselves and stay "safe" we are missing out on our dreams and hopes.

The scriptures tell us to be humble and submissive as a little child. In fact the scriptures are constantly telling us to be as little children. There is a reason for this, just as there is a reason for everything that God tells us. I believe the reason is because little children don't tend to think themselves out of something. They may have a reaction of fear when put in a situation. We see this all the time; like a child put on Santa's lap for the first time or getting their first haircut. But a child's experience of fear, doubt, or insecurity is while they are having the experience not when they are thinking about doing it. Children are not usually given the opportunity to think about a situation. Most of the time a child is thrust into a situation by an adult and are left only to react to the experience rather than the thoughts about having the experience. Also children have had such little experience that they do not yet have the thought process of "if I do this, this will happen".

Now don't get me wrong we do need to think and use reason in planning and approaching the things we want to do in life. We should always ask questions to make sure that what we are doing or going to do fit in "the straight and narrow path" that God has laid out for us. Things like; is it good for me, will this help me in obtaining the goals I have for myself, how will this affect others, and most importantly does this fit with my standards, values, and beliefs. We do need to ask questions, think, reason, and plan but not to the degree that we do not take action when we know we want it and it is good and right.

Many years ago there was a leader in my church that had the phrase "just do it" and then Nike came out with their slogan "just do it". So I encourage you, if you have "reasoned it out in your mind and it be right", then put aside all the "I can'ts" and "just do it". God bless you in your efforts to move forward in obtaining your dreams.