Why not? Why Can't I?

Questions to ask yourself before you let excuses get in your way of doing something you want.

Seriously though, the only difference between wishing you could do something and doing it, is actually just doing it! Sounds simple. And it is. Not so much you’re thinking? I didn’t think I could snowboard – I was SO scared of it. Also did NOT think I was hardcore enough at all. Turns out, not only did I snow board, but I snowboarded with my wrong foot forward and could still do all the basics! I won’t say I didn’t cry, I won’t say it didn’t hurt like hell everytime I fell on my a*s. But I will say that I loved it. And I will say that I did it. Simply because I had the balls to do something I wasn’t sure I was capable of. When you feel a twinge of “oh, I could do that” and then you think “oh, actually, maybe I can’t because of x, y & z” and trust me, there will ALWAYS be an x, y & z. Just ask yourself. Well, why not? Like seriously stop and ask yourself. Why not me? All I have to do is book a trip, get on the bus and give it a go. And I did, and I could, and so I was.

I can, I will, I am.

You can be whoever you want to be. You just have to have the confidence to try it. Because I promise you. You can do it. I’m living proof. And so are all the other people who are doing the things you think you aren’t capable of! They were probably just as scared as you! And if they weren’t… well, lucky b*stards eh?

Courage. Not the absence of fear but the strength to overcome it.

So, next big adventure for me? Bunjy jumping – scares the h*ll out of me. But I know I will do it one day, just working my way up to it! I’ve made a pact with a friend that she will sky dive in Australia and I will bungjy jump in NZ. Sounds pretty good to me.

And you know, it doesn’t always have to be so extreme. Maybe just talking to a friend/colleage when you’re a bit shy or don’t exactly know what to say, broaching an akward subject with a partner, getting on a bus, going out with some friends, calling up a new friend to see if they want to catch up with you too. All these things can be hard or you can think you aren’t good enough, or can’t for these reasons. But trust me (oh right, you don’t know me), or better, trust yourself, and just give it a shot. The worst thing that can happen is that you find out it’s true. And what have you lost? Nothing. You’re just still in the same situation probably thankful you gave it a go. But I can guarantee you. Without a doubt. The worst won’t happen, only the best, which is it will open your mind. It will give you strength. You will have taken a step forward and you won’t go backwards. Because you can’t. Because you have grown.

Hey, I’m not saying it won’t be hard or akward! Or you won’t be left feeling a bit used. Haha. I’m saying it will be a wonderful journey with ups and downs and you may finally be doing what you always wished you could. And then some!

- E.Gill 06/04/2010

p.s. and when that feeling of panic rises in your chest… just keep going. It means you are on the right track! And you just have to have courage to push through the fear and reach the other side where you find out how truly beautiful, capable and strong you really are.