You CAN do it.
I could write so many blog posts about this concept. You CAN do it. Don’t believe me? That belief in and of itself is exactly what I came to challenge today, because, actually, you CAN. News flash: oftentimes, the only thing that’s holding you back from your successes and triumphs is: you. Let that sink in. If you really, genuinely, truly believed that you could do whatever you set your mind to, you would be unstoppable.
I’m not tooting my own horn for the sake of puffing myself up or feeding my ego. Honestly, it’s just to show you that you CAN do whatever you set your mind to. In December of 2021, I was at the end of my rope health wise. Since early 2020, I had gained 40 pounds. 40 pounds. Now, as of August 2022, I have lost 45 pounds and counting (I’m still going). I also didn’t think I could continue teaching through COVID in a school with a really toxic administration. So, what did I do? I quit. And I launched my event planning business, Penderview Events. Now, after having thrown a Christmas Formal last year with over 200 people in attendance, I’m sitting here dreaming about selling out the Christmas Formal this year (350 people). Why not do it? It’s possible, right? So why not shoot for that?
Disney isn’t all wrong. There are some things that they preach and practice that might seem uncomfortable or mythical and unreal. However, what if you could do whatever you set your mind to? What if dreams really do come true?? Why stop dreaming? Why let yourself die to the things you actually want? What if?
I’m writing this today from one of my favorite coffee shops on a Tuesday morning at 11:26 am. And I’m not in a building with other employees, clocking in and clocking out. I’m pursuing my event planning business, a dream that I really want to come true. And I get to do it from the comfort of a beloved coffee shop, with a yummy cup of coffee, wearing some joggers, a sports bar (which is all the time, let’s be honest lol), and some awesome music playing in the background. This is my new oasis, and I’m SO THANKFUL to be pursuing something that I actually want to, and CAN, do.
I was at Orangetheory last weekend with one of my all-time favorite coaches, Erich. He is such a joy, not just because he knows what he’s doing and can lead us through a great workout, he also understands the greater purpose for why he’s there. At Orangetheory, it’s not just about “getting through” the 60 minute workout. It’s about actually enjoying the workout itself, and everything that can happen in that hour, not just afterwards.
Erich is gifted at this job, because he understands that people are powerful. So much more powerful than they probably even realize themselves. (And so are you). He has realized the power of the mind, and how when people really understand that the biggest obstacle in front of them is their mindset, he can pave the way for incredible breakthrough!
He and I commiserated after that class on Saturday (which kicked my butt, but was SO good), and I encouraged him that what he does really does matter. We were speaking the same language; there is that little voice inside, the internal critic, that tells you you can’t do this or that. You’re not actually capable of doing those last two push ups. You can’t sprint on the treadmill one more time even if you tried. You don’t have what it takes to…fill in the blank. And Erich said in response to that little voice to me: Anna, when you hear that voice, tell it to shut the f*** up. And I was like: YES KING!
So, what are you going to do with your mindset today? Are you actually going to embrace the truth that the beloved Saint Paul spoke about in his letter to the Roman church? He says in Romans 12:2, “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” We are already new creations in Christ, with new hearts! The battlefield, now, for all those who are Christians, is in the mind. (News flash: it’s no longer a battle of the heart. Your heart is brand new if you’re a believer in Christ. You have the Holy Spirit. You have a redeemed spirit inside of you. You’ve been rescued from your sinful nature. You’re new.) We are SO MUCH STRONGER and more capable of breakthrough than we could ever conjure up or think about.
Are you tired of overthinking things today? Trying to control what’s “not” possible? Do you want to break free from the lies? The little critic in your mind, that - arguably - really isn’t all that little? Tell it to shut the f*** up, and fight back. You don’t have to keep listening to what’s trying to hold you down.
All of this that I’m saying does not negate the real reality that you have been hurt. You’re a human, and so, you’ve been seeking love, and trying to dream and desire. That is naturally vulnerable and risky. I get that. I’ve been very afraid before. I’ve been in seasons of crippling anxiety. I’ve gained tons of weight. And I’ve lost it. And I’ve had too many panic attacks to count or even remember the extent of their impact on me. I get it. I’m not perfect. I’ve had my battles. And yet, I’ve also had my victories. I’m refusing to live from a victim mentality any longer. I’m refusing to give in to the lie that I’m not enough, that I can’t do it, that I don’t have what it takes. You’re doing yourself the worst disservice to live in that head space. That does something quite damaging. I’m not living or fighting for victory any longer. I’m living and fighting from victory. That shift in perspective, that renewing of my mind, that is the game changer.
You are not perfect, you’re certainly not all-knowing, all-powerful, or able to live outside of the limits of time and space. And that’s ok! However, you do have 24 hours in every single day that you’re given. And don’t miss this: it’s given to you. It’s a gift. You haven’t earned it, you certainly don’t deserve it, and it’s never a guarantee. You are never guaranteed tomorrow. Don’t give in to the lie that you have all the time in the world to figure things out. You actually don’t. Whatever you want to break free from, whatever voice inside that tells you you can’t: do it now, break free from it now. DECIDE NOW to change. What are you waiting for? The world needs the freest version of you that could ever be. And not just the world, you need that person too.
You CAN do it. End of story. Or rather, maybe this is the beginning. :) Let’s go!
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.
We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
-Our Deepest Fear, Marianne Williamson
