A girlfriend of mine called last week to tell me her book was on the best-seller list. What an amazing accomplishment! I was so elated for her, and absolutely thrilled to see her do what others told her could not be done.
Isn’t it sad when people try to pre-write our story? Viewing the world through their narrow lens of experience, they assume we can go no farther than where their minds will let their eyes see. Or that if we don’t take their same path we’ll never experience success.
Early in my career I had a boss just like that. For 5 months, I worked for one of the meanest men I’d ever met. Every day the office was a battlefield – with him arguing with his wife, screaming at the staff, or trying to cause division amongst the team.
Needless to say, I started looking for another job right away. Everyone was helping me search – including a friend of mine who worked for one of our clients. Unbeknownst to me, he had mailed me a list of job openings, which was opened by my boss. You can imagine what happened.
I can still hear the screaming from the day he fired me. How I didn’t want to pay my dues, I didn’t know enough to make it in the business, I was never going to stick with anything, and never going to be a success.
As I sat there listening to him scream two thoughts ran through my mind – he really is crazy and I do not believe a word he’s saying. Blessedly, everything in my spirit rejected the words coming out of his month. And looking back over the past 20 years of my career, I’d say I was right to do so.
We have to be careful not to allow folks to paint a picture of our life that has nothing to do with our purpose or plan. So often they come to us speaking with such authority, as if they have gotten a revelation straight from heaven. But I’ve learned that if the words they’re speaking don’t resonate with my spirit then it is not a message that was sent for me – no matter who they are.
We are the CEO of our own lives. If people are telling us what we can’t do, won’t happen, or can’t have because we don’t measure up here’s what I recommend – do not receive it. Do not let it take root in our thinking. For doubts are like weeds, quickly smothering out hope and inspiration with discouragement and disillusion.
Instead focus on the voice speaking inside of you. Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people who believe in the impossible and improbable. Ask God for wisdom, and then bounce any feedback you get off of what He has already deposited in your spirit.
Listen, I don’t know about you but I still believe in miracles. How can I not when I know God can do anything? So just in case you’re feeling beat down and tired from all the naysayers, let me drop a positive word in your spirit – You Can Do It!
The road may get long, and will assuredly have some rocky places. But you have everything you need to reach that place that’s calling to you, singing your special song. Just keep walking, and every now and then if you need a hand to hold reach out and we’ll be there – to encourage, uplift and always, always believe in you!
Here’s a poem to keep you inspired along the journey. It’s from Edgar Albert Guest, a prolific poet who was quite popular in the early 20th century. Written nearly 100 years ago, his words still ring true today. I hope it blesses you as much as it does me.
Hugs and Blessings ❤
PS – Drop us a line with your favorite poem. We’d love to hear what inspires you!
It Couldn’t Be Done
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!
Somebody scoffed; “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done
There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done”, and you’ll do it.
Chantel Jones says
Thank you for sharing this inspiring poem.
katrinamcghee says
You’re welcome! Please share the inspiration through your social networks. Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. 🙂
elizabeth cole says
What a wonderful and truly inspirational post. Hugs for this.. It was what I really needed to read today. Thank you. Glad I stumbled to your site. Elizabeth
katrinamcghee says
It’s a pleasure to meet you Elizabeth. Thanks for stopping by, and hope to see you back soon. Hugs and Blessings, Katrina