Wrestling Can’t

What do you wrestle with?

For most of us, we have something that is an opposition in our lives; something we toe the line with daily. You may automatically know what it is. However, whether we consciously realize it or not, most of us wrestle with the word can’t.

The tricky thing with can’t is that we usually fail to recognize our struggle with it. We often accept things as we believe them to be and refuse to push any further. Can’t lays a foundation that we try to build on, yet we question why it crumbles. Even worse, we refuse to push past it and remain stagnant; yet wondering why.

Can’t finds its home in fear and doubt – please don’t live there!

An ancient Chinese Proverb says be like water. Whenever water reaches opposition, it goes over, around or under. However, when those options don’t exist, water will carve it’s own path! Dripping water deteriorates stone, forcing its own path where can’t seemed like a logical conclusion.

Be like water!

I’ve written before on this concept of can’t. I shared how Michael Jordan and I were long lost brothers as we were both told we couldn’t play basketball at some point in our lives. Well, we’re different in that he went on to win 6 NBA Championships and is arguably one of the greatest champions in all of sports, I just played high school basketball.  At least humor me that it makes a great analogy!

Recognizing You Can’t

I was talking with a good friend this week about the underlying dangers of the word can’t in our lives. What about you?

Where are you hearing the word can’t?

Where are you telling yourself, you can’t?

Spend a few moments digging there…

I’ll re-challenge you to change your can’t into a positive question; Can I? Positive questions provide hope; from hope stems belief. Give yourself hope and belief as you become like water and push through the can’t.

The beauty is found when the Can I becomes I can! Seek that moment and don’t let can’t stand in your way.

As we seek to live richly, let us remember that we can!

How can you wrestle can’t out of your vocabulary?

PS – Check out yesterday’s post about Andy Andrews new book.  I still have a few to give away!

MH

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4 Responses to Wrestling Can’t

  1. Michael L OBrien October 4, 2013 at 5:19 pm #

    Maybe a good analogy 🙂 … but hey, I played baseball into college and he was probably better and it was his second pickup sport…. Some have special gifts…. This was a great Jordan Quote, don’t know if you have ever seen it… probably have…. I love it!

    I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

    Michael Jordan

    • Matt Ham October 4, 2013 at 5:30 pm #

      Love it Michael!

  2. Michael L OBrien October 4, 2013 at 5:36 pm #

    Jordan was very gifted but speaking of special gifts… besides writing, which you definitely have a gift. I heard you were a very talented musician too… I think that just getting up on stage for some is “beating can’t”!

    • Matt Ham October 4, 2013 at 5:38 pm #

      It took me awhile to get comfortable on stage but I can honestly say now that I love it when I have the opportunity!