Sunday, January 8, 2012

Monday Mantra: Anything Can Be

mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation".

Every Monday I will post a new thought, idea, or focus for the week. When you need a breather from life, when you need a little inspiration, or when you're about to jump over the conference table and strangle your co-worker, remember the mantra.


Monday Mantra: Anything Can Be


Listen to the MUSTN'TS child, 
Listen to the DON'TS
Listen to the SHOULDN'TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me-
Anything can happen, child, 
ANYTHING can be.

 - Taken from Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein


I remember a very specific moment from high school that changed my life forever. I was with a group of friends studying in the library when we started to discuss the topic of our future selves. What we were going to be, what we were going to do with our lives, how we saw everything playing out.

When it was my turn to tell everyone what I wanted to be when I grew up, I had nothing. I had too many things, actually. I wanted to be an architect, a psychologist, a dog trainer. I had just seen Twister, so I was also very seriously considering being a tornado chaser. Mostly, I was unsure.

I was feeling pretty lame, not knowing what I was going to do with my life, when my friend, Tom, looked over at me and said, "Whatever you do, it will be great."

That moment - the way he said it to me, with such depth and truth in his voice, the way his eyes even said he believed it - made every difference in the world.

To this day I remember that long ago moment in the library every time I doubt myself. Every time I'm unsure of what I want to do or be or if I'm going to make it. And every time it makes me stop doubting.

I don't think Tom knew just how much of an impact he made on me that day, just by believing in me. How one little sentence has made me a stronger person through and through. He probably still doesn't even know, but I thank him, wherever he is, for that moment.

Everyone needs a moment like that, where they believe that anything they want, anything they want to become, can happen. Everyone needs someone to believe in them and in their dreams, their ideas, their hopes. I sincerely believe that believing in someone is one of the greatest things you can do.

I'm passing on the wise words of my friend...

Whatever you do, it will be great.

You risk absolutely nothing by believing in yourself. Take that risk.

Anything you want in life, anything can be.

Believe it.


Is there someone in your life that made a difference by believing in you? 
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2 comments:

  1. Another great post! My father has always been both my toughest critic (outside of myself, of course) and my best supporter. He never ceases to let me know how proud of me he is and how much faith he has in what I will become.

    He's had that influence my whole life, and though I can't pinpoint it back to a single moment, it's something I've lived with forever.

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  2. That's wonderful! Truly, that makes me very happy. :)

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