You know those people who believe they can do anything? Well, I am not (surely, to no one’s surprise) one of those people.
My husband, on the other hand, never met an obstacle he didn’t try to tackle.
Once, at a skating rink, he saw someone perform a half-axel, jump and turn.
He said, “I’ll bet I could do that.” Away he went. He raced forward, spread his arms wide, lifted off and twisted.
The thundering boom of his crash-landing shook the rink. I slipped and tripped my way over to his limp body spread-eagled on the ice. He opened his eyes, blinked a couple of times and said, “I think I can do it if I build up more speed.”
I’ve spent years researching ways to become a self-assured “I Think I Can” kind of person. My bookshelves bend with a library-worthy collection of self-help tomes : Daily Meditations of the Tao…Become a Better You….The Power of Now…The Secret. There’s even a section on parapsychology and the study of dreams. But my Little Engine That Could, chugged along repeating, “I think I can’t. I think I can’t.”
I recently completed my first novel and had the opportunity to submit it to an agent. I spent weeks dragging my feet, pulling my hair, shouting, “I can’t!”
But, with the help and support of my writing critique group (who cleverly named themselves WTF Critique Group when they learned “I can’t” curse) I did it, I submitted the first three chapters of my book to the agent.
I’ve been flying high ever since. Sure, there was a blip on my radar when I got her rejection letter, but this time I shouted, “I reject your rejection!”
My Little Engine That Could has a new phrase now. “I think I might be able to…maybe? I think I might be able to…maybe?”
CRAZIE TOWN 
I reject your rejection. It sounds like a mantra. Words to live by. And definitely words to print on a T-shirt. I’ll buy the first one.
Hmmm, do think I should include the underpants picture of my aunt on the t-shirt?
Hmmm, for a second there I thought we were married to the same man. I wish you the best with your book. Rejection is simply the foundation on which you can build your sucess. Hang in there.
Well, I’m certainly building a strong foundation! Thanks for the comment.
That’s incredible. My husband is that guy with no fear and I’ll do anything attitude. Good for you!! May you continue on your awesome journey!
Thanks for the good wishes!
I reject your rejection. Outstanding! Great words to live by.
Here’s a must-read book for you: The War of Art by Steve Pressfield. All about how we resist our creative impulse by giving ourselves, among other things, the “I Can’t” message. Congrats on overcoming that resistance!
Thanks, Maril. I have greatly appreciated everyone’s supportive comments. Perhaps I’ll remove the “maybe?” from my chugging chant!
Si se puede!
wow. a novel. great news. keep sending the thing in. carolyn
GOOD FOR YOU!!!! I KNOW you can. I KNOW you can.
“I reject your rejection.” That’s what your t-shirt will say. I love it.