Thursday, March 31, 2011

What Can You Do?

  There is an American phrase I've often heard that expresses hopelessness.  People say it in response to another person's struggles.   After someone tells a long story about their difficulty with politics, money, or medicine, I've heard the listener say, exhaling with a sigh,

"What can you do?"

Which has the effect of ending the conversation (sometimes, to the relief of the listener).

Yesterday, while browsing the Etsy blog, I came upon that phrase again.  Only this time, it was used in a different way.  Tara Gentile, editor of Scoutie Girl is hosting a workshop based on the question "can it be done?"

Which is a phrase to live on.  While "what can you do?" symbolizes defeat and hopelessness, "can it be done?" opens up possibilities.   The reason is that "what can you do" is a question with millions of possible answers.  It is open ended and vague.  "Can it be done?" requires only two responses: yes, or no.

Sound confusing?  Thanks for hanging in there with me to this point.   I realize that because the majority of my day is spent with my son, it seems that he is the only topic I write about.  Perhaps this gets rather boring and predictable for folks.   Today, I wanted to talk about something different.   I wondered if I could write about something other than parenting.  I wanted to write about  how we change our way of thinking so that we can set great things in motion. I thought, "can it be done?"

  When thinking of something you have wanted to do for a long time, ask yourself, "can it be done?"  If the answer is yes, even if it is a meek, uncertain yes, then go out and do it! And be sure to tell me about it later.

3 comments:

  1. I like that! You are so right, there is a world of difference in "what can you do", to "can it be done". Much more positive slant on things, and I shall really try to keep that in mind as I live my life! Good post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Go for it girl and make it happen. This was a great post.
    Odie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post! Sometimes we give ourselves too many options and it opens the door for doubt. "Can it be done" shuts the door on doubts... simple yes or no.. either go for it or forget it. I am happy to see you went for it and succeeded.

    by the way, from this view point you write about a lot of topics and not just Elliot. I love everything you write that includes him but there is so much more in your writings than just that. Your posts are always thought provoking and interesting to me. :)

    ReplyDelete

Search This Blog

Banner and button design by me!