Don't Say I Can't. Say How Can I? \ stacker news ~culture

There are few things more frustrating to me than hearing someone defeating themselves. Saying they can't do something when they can. We live in a time where it is almost a virtue to be a victim. To blame others for why you are in your current state. Now, part of this is true. We are all products of our time, our families, our culture, and our economies. Many of us have been abused or persecuted for various reasons. Many have enemies, people that hate them, and what us to fail. This has always been true and will likely remain to be true. So what.

While there is value in understanding your situation it can be a trap. To only look at how you have been wronged, what you lack, how hard life is for you. That isn't a complete waste. But if that is all you do then it is a waste. You have power over yourself. You can choose what you do today, this hour, and this minute. We ALWAYS have a choice.

There will always be people smarter than me. There will always be someone born with more advantages than me. There will always be someone or something pushing against me. But I can move forward. I can press on. I have agency over my mind and body if I will take it. I can make my life better and the lives of others. In my experience people hold themselves back far more than others. Many here hate the state. I do as well. Its evil but many do not take their freedom back where they can. They don't do things they can do to make themselves more free. Freedom begins in the mind. Stop saying "I can't". Instead start saying, "How can I?"

How can I __?

467 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby 8 Jan

This is a good mental trick. I often tell my kids to have this mindset.

I also tell them to say "I get to do this" instead of "I have to do this" and when they are doing something challenging, frustrating or frightening to just tell themselves a few times "this is fun". It's hard to be overwhelmed when you convince yourself you are having fun.

50 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford OP 8 Jan

Exactly. Call it a tip, trick, or strategy I have found it works. I tell my family this and tell them to call me out on it as well. I've been called out for saying "I can't draw" for example.