The number of people who doubt themselves astounds me.
I’m talking excessive doubt here, not run of the mill
everyday I’m not so sure about this doubt. And along the lines of excessive
doubt … people who always, always assume that they can’t.
What a depressing existence to keep schlepping through
every day doing the same old thing because it’s what you assume you have to do.
Not because it’s something you enjoy or because it’s the right thing to do. (Some
might consider things like paying bills and maintaining tax records “have to do”
items, but I maintain they’re just the right thing to do. You do actually have
a choice, but fines, a lack of electricity, and jail time aren’t especially
desirable options.)
A music teacher of mine banned the word “can’t” in her
presence. I suppose enough frustrated, whiny students would drive you to that,
but it’s a good teaching strategy as well. And a good strategy for life.
You haven’t lived until you’ve played Bach at top volume
in a big empty church while practicing for Sunday. Even when Bach is not on the
Sunday agenda. Because you can.
I went to Chicago last weekend. Because I can.
I had a regional conference to attend. And one by one my
usual circle of traveling companions dropped off the trip for a variety of
reasons. I could have expanded the search for a carpool and a hotel room by
another circle or two. I could have skipped the conference altogether. But I
needed some motivation and an adventure. And I am sure not gonna sit around and
wait for that sort of thing to just fall in my lap.
By the grace of God, of course … I make things happen.
Short aside. When people say they can’t afford something,
while sometimes that is indeed the case, I often find that they
(a) have other priorities, sometimes whacky priorities
(b) aren’t creative enough
(c) won’t ask for help in being creative
(d) won’t take the time to explore how they might be able
to afford it
(e) are so stuck in a rut and so don’t believe in
themselves that they assume they can’t.
So Ms. Road Warrior used a combo of frequent flyer miles
(but a fraction of what I have) and cash, found a very reasonably priced hotel
room at the airport, and rode the L into downtown Chicago.
Have I ever ridden the L before? Nope. New life
experience. I did promise my mother I wouldn’t ride the train late at night, so
I splurged on a cab at 12:30 in the morning. (Shhhh, no one tell her that I
would have cabbed it anyway because I’m well-traveled enough to know that’s the
right thing to do.)
And what did I gain from all this?
A sense of accomplishment. Motivation. Inspiration.
Nuggets of information I can put to use. Large amounts of personal attention from
some successful business people – mentors of mine who I never see often enough.
Large amounts of time with friends, both old and new. A bigger network. Examples
to follow. New words to use. New stories to tell. And an unforgettable view
from the 95th floor of the Hancock Building.
You are the CEO of your own life.
You are the leading lady (or man) of your own life.
Act like it, people. No excuses.
J
