“You Can’t Do That!”

Too often those of us in recovery have let other people’s opinions hold us back from doing and being who we are. And we have allowed fear to keep us from even trying to do things.

Somewhere in life someone told us or made us feel we weren’t pretty enough, smart enough, strong enough, talented enough to do it, and we sadly listened and caved in.

Don’t do it! Don’t listen to the negative voices. Don’t stay within the walls others build for you. Prove people wrong.

A few years back, a talking Barbie doll was made that had in its repertoire of sayings, "Math is hard."

The feminists righteously were furious about this, angered by the stereotype that girls were not good at math. What a horrible example for our daughters to have a doll—not even a human being—brainwashing them into thinking math has to be hard for them because they are girls.

Fortunately, many of us are too smart or too strong to listen. Our human spirits should be, and are, stronger than whatever "You can’t" or "That’s too hard" phrases we hear.

If everyone listened to such voices, nothing would be accomplished. We would not have lightbulbs, automobiles, computers, helicopters, music, books, movies, even the wheel. We’d be back in the Stone Age.

We have inner voices we should listen to instead—and not that negative voice of fear—but the inner guidance voice, the voice that tells us to do something because our heart tells us to, because to do so is following our bliss and passion, because it is what we believe is right to do, even if only right for us.

Recently, one of my friends quit his day-job to become self-employed. People told him, "You can’t afford to do that" but his response was always, "Yes I can and here’s why" and he listed his prospective customers that would make his dream a reality. In truth, he wasn’t sure he could afford it either, but he knew he could no longer stay at the job that was draining his energy when he could be self-employed doing what he loved. He talked himself into it as he justified it to other people. He told me he recently came across the following quote, and whenever he feels fear about being self-employed, it helps him change his perspective.

"No person who is enthusiastic about his work has anything to fear from life." – Samuel Goldwyn

And he is doing fine, making more money now than he did at his day-job, and oodles happier.

So next time someone tells you, "You can’t," be sure to reply, "I can and I will!" Don’t let anything hold you back from doing what makes you happy and what is right for you.

Comments

[Micah]

Great post! This is very helpful. I'm sure I'd visit your site more often. Anyway, you can drop by my favorite online hang out too, at UK Student Community. Thanks!

[Micah]

Great post! This is very helpful. I'm sure I'd visit your site more often. Anyway, you can drop by my favorite online hang out too, at UK Student Community. Thanks!