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I can.
Don’t you just love those words? I do! I can is positive and leaves me with a sigh-worthy feeling.
Those two words are the mindset of positive people and who doesn’t appreciate that quality?
Happy, upbeat, good-humored folks make us feel good. Rarely, have I heard anyone say, “Gee, I wish Pleasant Polly would pack up her bag of cheer and go home.”
More often than not, we gravitate toward those who are cheerful. They inspire and encourage.
We’re drawn into their beautiful world of I can. It’s comfy there—and in today’s old world, comfy is a good thing.
No. Won’t. Never. Not now. I can’t.
How do those words make you feel? Do they motivate you? When you hear someone use them, are you inclined to remain in his or her company very long or would you rather hightail it out of there to sunnier paths?
Negativity breeds perceived failure. Positivity, however, empowers. It draws success. If we always focus on I can’t then no, we probably won’t.
I can’t doesn’t take chances. I can’t sabotages. I can’t refuses opportunity.
It willingly closes the door to the sunshine that’s waiting on our doorstep.
I can, however, takes risks. I can motivates. I can welcomes challenges.
Unlike its antonym, I can throws open every door and window in the house to that fireball of heat and welcomes it!
Now, I’m not some prima donna who thinks every day is going to be Pat-a-cake perfect. (I do venture out of my glass house once in a while!) And although I’m typically a positive person, I do have my off days just like everyone else. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t and God understands that. There are indeed days and trials in our lives and on this earth that just leave us emotionally spent, exhausted, and sad.
When I’m sucked into the tempting vacuum of I can’t, I sometimes have to kick and scream my way out of the dust bag onto the fresh carpet of I can. I have to consciously make the effort to see the good, instead of the bad. To dance in the rain alongside some puddles.
Would you like to visit the beautiful world of I Can? Better yet, would you like to live there? You can!
Here’s how:
- Begin each day with prayer. Ask God to renew your spirit. Remember to thank Him.
- Make a list of five things you’re thankful for. (I use sticky notes and place them on my office walls!)
- Write down three goals each day. Determine to meet all three, but confidently aim for at least one.
- Pay it forward. Let your intentions be honorable; God will bless your efforts!
- Strike negative words from your vocabulary. Throw a penny/quarter/dollar in a jar when you cheat.
- Get rid of the naysayer mentality. Reaffirm your uniqueness by studying God’s word.
- Don’t willingly place yourself in no-win situations. Naturally, some circumstances are beyond our control. Others aren’t.
- Remove temptation. Don’t believe the lies of reality T.V. and why you’re destined for failure. Turn that sucker off and do something constructive!
- Do something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t yet. Seize the moment.
- Shake off your straitjacket of fear and accept the medal of victory. Because you can!
***
Are you a positive, upbeat kind of person, or are you a bit more reserved?
How do you deal with negativity in your life?
What are your I Can tips?
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Have a great day!
Blessings Always,
Comments 6
Great post, and a superb list of suggestions!
One I would add is to avoid negativity in media and entertainment. I stopped watching the news years ago, and have been happier for it. There’s very little I really NEED to know that doesn’t become “common knowledge” sooner or later.
Sad songs are another thing to avoid. They touch our hearts, but in the wrong place. Songs about doomed love and failure can make us start looking for similarities in our own lives.
It’s not only the lyrics – combinations of notes have been shown to sap strength and create negative attitudes. An example can be found in the first few bars of Glen Campbell’s “Southern Nights”. Nothing against the song; it’s the notes arranged that way, with no ill intent, but with ill effect.
Author
Andrew, you’re so wise. I do watch the news some because I think it’s a necessary component to our writing—staying up-to-speed and that type of thing—but I limit that. Too many horror stories affect my mindset. Now—other ridiculousness such as reality T.V. where kids sass their parents and everyone else or shows riddled with off-color humor or God jokes are flipped off in a heartbeat.
You nailed it with your view of sad songs. And I love this—> “They touch our hearts, but in the wrong place.” So true! (I giggled!)
The only time I can see where it’s helpful is if we need a bittersweet-type playlist for fleshing out a scene in our novels. It enhances “the mood” as long as we don’t linger there too long. (I’ll have to listen to “Southern Nights.” It’s been a long time since I heard that one. Remember “Honey”? I think that was the name of it. Killer lyrics—sooo sad. Oh, wait. That was Bobby Goldsboro.)
Great post, Cynthia! I agree with Andrew above on being careful what we put into our minds. Even Christian songs can trigger sad emotions. Danger, Danger. Be aware. Be intentional.
I’m usually an “I can” person with everyone but me!! Ha! I have to work harder with myself.
That old quote … grew up hearing it over and over … “Can’t never could do nothing.”
Author
Shelli, exactly. I always heard “Garbage in, garbage out.”
And we can be our own worst naysayers, at times. Love your honesty, my friend.
Hello Cynthia, you have already written such wise words and I agree with the positive side of life. I have just turned 80 and have always had the “I Can” attitude in life, had more than 60 close friends with whom I keep in touch, many more family & friends living further away.
God is good to me and has carried me a long way in life, I never fail to thank God for His Blessings. I had a wonderful husband for 53 good years and have 4 very successful children and 7 great grandchildren.
My Book “Pearls of Creation A-Z of Pearls” 2nd Edition, pays tribute to God for His Creation of all the waters of the Earth and the life therein, including natural pearls. It is on Amazon and I am enjoying doing talks to promote it myself.
LinkedIn is a great plus and is helping in the Marketing of it. Just think, I would never have met you without it. Life is what you make of it and ‘nothing ventured nothing gained’. Great advice you have given to all who take the trouble to stop and read, may God continue to Bless you with wise words.
Love, Marge the ‘I can’, God Bless you.
Author
Marge, may God bless you, too, my dear!
Congratulations regarding your new book Pearls of Creation: A-Z of Pearls. What an interesting and blessed life you’ve had! So pleased to have met you by way of LinkedIn!