When it comes to athletics, I've never really used the word "can't"... or so I thought.. it wasn't until I started training for this triathlon that I realized I actually use this word a lot. "I can't run... I can't run that far.. I can't pedal that fast... I can't swim THAT FAR or LONG! can't.. can't.. can't...
This was until yesterday.
Let's back up a couple days. On Monday, my coach gave us a pretty difficult swim workout. I wasn't able to finish it, which was frustrating, but come to find out it was just in prep for Wednesday's workout. On Tuesday, she emailed the team what our workout on Wednesday was going to be.
swim for 60 min straight-no stopping. no water. nothing but swimming. She wanted to see our fitness level in the water, and just see how far we could go without stopping. If we stopped, we had to start counting laps all over again. The very first thing I thought was: "I CAN'T DO THAT!!! DO YOU REALLY KNOW HOW LONG 60 MINUTES IS?! YOU CRAZY COACH!!!"
There it is again, that word CAN'T... it's such a hinderance. Over the next day (leading up to this dreaded swim), I was talking with different people about how I could keep swimming for 60 min... I came up with a plan.. swim freestyle as long as I could, and then instead of stopping, I would start doing backstroke, or breast stroke, or doggypaddle.. anything to keep moving.
So, enter Wednesday morning- My alarm went off at it's normal 4:30am time, and after my normal 30 min "wake up period" (once out of bed)- I was still exhausted and starting to get discouraged. I started thinking: "man, I can't do this 60 min swim, I can barely keep my eyes open!".
Philippians 4:13 says: "I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I relied on this truth a lot that morning.
I was the first one in the pool (which is always super cold) and off I took.. I swam and swam and swam. I knew there was no way I could keep track of all my laps in my mind by just counting, so I used a tip that coach gave me.. I used the alphabet. So it was like: "A-25, A-50, A-75, A-100, B-25, B-50, B-75, B-100, etc." I found that this was a very helpful way to keep track of my laps. As I swam, I started to think... I might actually be able to do this! slow and steady was my pace.
By the time I got to "R" in my counting, I started to feel it some... Started feeling tired, my arms started feeling heavy, but also at this point, I started thinking... I HAVE TO GET TO Z!! I can't NOT get to Z!
I got to the end of X (leaving only 200y left until finishing the alphabet) and my coach called time. I was now determined not to quite so close to the finish of my newly set personal goal, so I asked her if I could finish and she said yes.
People.. If I had given into can't, I would have missed out on accomplishing something I've never done before. I would have missed out on swimming 2600y (1.47mi) in about 60 minutes. I would have missed out on the amazing sense of accomplishment and "I can conquer the world" feeling I feel. I would have missed out on impressing my coach and making her proud. So many things I would have missed out on, had I given into the can't I was feeling, instead of the "I can't NOT" feeling (remeber, double negative makes a positive). I couldn't wipe the giant smile I had off my face all day, and even as I think about it now, I still smile. :)
So my question to you is this: What are you potentially missing out on by keeping can't in your vocabulary? Whatever it is you are facing, may I suggest that you change your mindset to "I can't NOT" do ________________________!? Challenge yourself, push yourself, and you won't regret it!
