I struck up a conversation with a stranger as we were leaving a local bookstore. The conversation quickly turned to writing and self-publishing. A writer herself, the lady was very encouraging and supportive when she learned of my blog. According to her, if I’m already writing, I’m well on my way to a book.
I agree.
Her parting words “Don’t listen to that voice that says you can’t – just do it.”
The world needs more encouragers like that.
Do you hear it too? The record spinning on repeat? The one that tells us it’s not possible?
Of course you hear them. We all have those recurring thoughts that say:
You can’t do that.
It won’t work.
You’ll never succeed.
Unfortunately there are those only too eager to reinforce those self-limiting beliefs.
Maybe they tried and it didn’t work out, or they are too scared to take the first step. Perhaps there’s some jealousy because I have more courage than they ever will.
Maybe they have no sense of purpose. Rudderless and unhappy, they’ve spent a lifetime floating aimlessly through the sea of life.
Each of us are born with gifts (writing, singing, mechanics, etc.) and we are supposed to use them.
When you’ve been dubbed “totally disabled”, well, it plays with your mind and your morale.
That was NOT the story I had in my head. Definitely not how life was supposed to go.
What a label! It’s self-defeating, demoralizing and it took some time to shake off the negative connotation.
I certainly don’t think of myself in that limited capacity so I chose not to think about it at all.
Preparing my family home for sale tested me on so many levels and continues to. But you know what? It confirmed one thing …
Whether it’s removing a 600 pound woodstove from my mother’s house or fulfilling a life’s dream…
I can and I will!
The story in my head that told me I couldn’t? The one that said I had to work harder to be successful?
I’ve tuned that out just like the people who made me feel that way.
There’s a quiet strength that develops while working toward a goal when no one is cheering. No applause. Few cheerleaders.
Writing has and continues to be my passion. Creating the Disentanglement.ca community gave me purpose through a difficult time.
Chasing contributors though? I’ve expended a lot of energy cajoling and convincing and I’ve always managed to find content to publish 3 days per week, sometimes 4. But that’s getting old.
A lot of faces and names have appeared in the blog and I’m grateful to each one. But here’s the thing … in order for a blog like this to be sustainable, it requires more people committed to writing on a regular basis. The midweek publication hangs in the balance.
Did I mention the $3,000+ quote for necessary blog improvements? That’s a challenge too. (Editor’s Note: This has been resolved)
For the dreamers, the pie in the sky, “think outside the box” folks like me. What if we flipped the script? What if we dreamed larger than life?
What if our daily affirmation was:
I can do anything I set my mind to.
It will be better than I imagine.
I am a magnet for success.
Maybe my dreams come to life or maybe they look a bit different than I imagine. Only time will tell.
Some would call that failure.
As the saying goes, it’s better to try and fail rather than to never try at all.
And that is one story in my head worth repeating.
Ted Lasso Season 4 is streaming on Apple TV! If you’re looking for a palate cleanse from talk of trade tariffs … give it a watch.
One day soon, I hope to merge members and newsletter subscribers. It’s confusing, right? Loyal readers are hard earned in the blogging world. Thanks for being here.
I’m still unpacking on my YouTube Channel Disentanglement – YouTube.
