I am referring to the letter ‘t’ at the end of the two word sentence “I can” which makes it “I cant”. The implications and bearing one additional letter can shoulder is astounding.
I can’t. These two words, simply stated, can hold people back or down of their own volition. They are dream stoppers and hope enders. The mere utterance of these words destroys initiative, stifles creativity and limits growth. They do not even have to be spoken in order for their full force to be felt. Just thinking these words is enough. How powerful is that?
The words “I can’t” form a finite statement. What would be, could be, should be begins and ends with those words. After those words, there is nothing left to add. They are declarations of cessation, of complete arrest and of conclusion. They are a barricade to any further effort. The end.
There is an upside for those who use the words “I can’t” frequently. They are always 100% right, just not in the way they may think. For anyone insisting on employing the “I can’t” mentality, let’s just get it right from the outset and translate this to what it actually means – “I won’t”.
That might sound harsh but it’s the truth. The truth only sounds harsh because it’s the truth.
If you say “I can’t”, I will not believe you even though you will be right 100% of the time. I won’t believe it is true because most of the time when a person says “I cant”, they really can. My not believing it is true will not make any difference, though, until they stop believing it is true at which point they will again be right 100% of the time. It is the only instance in your life when you will be 100% correct either way. It is your choice.
There are numerous antithetical statements to the contrary of “I can’t”. Of course, “I can” would be the most obvious response to “I can’t”. Though, not everyone will be able to honestly say “I can” in every given situation. They may lack knowledge, the necessary equipment, needed tools or expertise. Why should this hold anyone back, though?
If you don’t know how to do something, does it follow that you could never know how to do it? Have those who subscribe to the “I can’t” mentality completely stopped learning anything new? Forever?
With an object smaller that a 3 x 5 index card and not a lot thicker you can have the world literally at your finger tips. I’m talking about a data phone. There is nothing that you can not find on the World Wide Web. Life changing knowledge has become comprehensive, limitless, instantaneous and free. There is no more sacred knowledge available only to a privileged few.
Do you ever remember hearing yourself say “I can’t”? Was it last week? Yesterday? Perhaps today? Didn’t it shut you down cold? The only outcome possible for “I can’t” means “I am unable”. Really?
Saying “I can” means “I am able” to do something. This increases the potential that you will do something. Saying “I can” and taking action means no matter what the outcome, you have already won a different future for yourself.
Those who have plans for brightening their own futures while brightening the futures of those around them will harbor no thoughts of “I can’t”. Those thoughts are supplanted by “I can, I have an idea, Just imagine…, and What if…”.
“I can” is anopen ended potential reality without limits, infinite in scope. They begin as words in someone’s mind, mere thoughts, thoughts which will later become translated into action because new horizons are being envisioned, sweeping vistas sight unseen. They will not be held back.
I believe we should live life without self-imposed limitations. Don’t you? I have come to hate the ordered and unyielding flow of variations in sameness the words “I can’t” seem to impose.
The older I get, the more I see, hear, read and imagine, more and more I have come to ask myself, what exactly is it humans can’t do? I say but for the letter ‘t’, nothing.