Think You Can!

Henry Ford so wisely said, "Whether you think you can or think you can't—you are right."

Even though we may know this to be true, slipping back into negative thinking about our abilities is as easy as falling off a log. Well, it is falling—falling back into the rut formed as a child when both peers and adults found it easier to point out faults and failures than our goodness, talents and skills.

Depending on how deeply our self-doubts were ingrained, it may take just one little thing or an accumulation of problems to push us over the precipice into the aforementioned rut. It could be debt, declining revenue, loss of support, loss of a loved one, an accident, injury, health problems, or even something as little as steadily increasing clutter in both our physical and mental environment. Any one of these things may be enough to derail the best of intentions and restart our negative self-talk. Negative self-talk leads to an "I can't" frame of mind. And the result? Sinking back into the rut so deeply that makes the challenge of climbing out feel like scaling Mount Everest—more than the average person is willing to attempt.

"Life balance is like a seesaw. It has it's ups and downs and the occasional perfect midpoint." (Linda Samuels, from her book, The Other Side of Organized)

I have often compared life to a pendulum swinging from one extreme to the other as I sought the perfect balance. The seesaw simile works just as well. The encouragement I found in reading Linda Samuels' book, is the assurance that I don't have to be perfect all the time, nor do I have to solve all my problems or finish all my projects at once—like right NOW.

Goals met are an encouragement; a motivation to keep thinking positively about life. It is self-defeating to make goals that are too big to be completed in the designated time frame. To emerge from the self-defeating rut of negativity, start with small, specific goals. "Reduce stress and increase focus by singletasking rather than multitasking." (Samuels)

Each small goal met will help you think you can. And the more you believe in yourself and your dreams, the more you will achieve.

Fun Games to Get Creative Juices Flowing

Just for fun—and to create ideas for stories and poems—play these games. For added fun, play with them with friends to see how many different results can come from the same words.

1) Pick five random, seemingly unrelated words. This can be done by pulling whatever first comes to mind, or by opening a book to the first page that falls open, closing your eyes and putting your finger on a word. Then open another page for the next one, and so forth. Use the five words in a sentence.

2) Pick five random words, but instead of using them all in one sentence, weave them into the first two paragraphs, and then continue with the story you've begun.

3) Pick five random words and create a rhyming poem. This works well for a limerick which consists of five lines.

For example:

1:I'm choosing five words by opening a book and pointing: Get-together, giving, outfits, passivity, school.

With obvious passivity, I went to the get-together where participants were giving outfits to the local school.

2: I'm choosing a different set of words by the same method: Slamming, complimented, relatives, long-term, spread.

Startled by the loud slamming of the door, I held my breath, waiting for my father to scold me. When I heard no forthcoming rebuke, I peeked into the living room to see my parents sitting around a card table with visiting relatives. Cards were spread in rows in front of Dad and my uncle. Canasta.

I turned to leave, but Dad saw me and called me over to the table. I braced myself, but instead of delivering a reprimand, he told my aunt and uncle about my success at a recent spelling bee. I hadn't expected to be complimented, and I smiled my relief. Walking away, I wondered if this new attitude of Dad's heralded a long-term change in our relationship, or if I'd receive a lecture on lady-like conduct when the relatives were gone.

3: Picking more random words: miseries, thank, soaring, worth, minute

The miseries of love and life

Should make you want to thank the strife

When soaring you see what it's worth

the minute you find second birth.

OR a limerick

When miseries try to confound you

Thank the stars they do not impound you,

For when you are soaring

With minute throngs adoring

Your self-worth will certainly ground you.

More word game ideas next time. Have fun.