I can do it

Many times when things get challenging we get discouraged. To some, things come easily and to others, stuff is harder-like school work, math, spelling, English and so on. When we get discouraged, we often say, “I can’t do it.” We feel defeated like there is no possible way around our challenges. Sometimes we make dreams for the future, but obstacles get in our way.

I once used the words “I can’t” often, especially when I was in school. Being learning disabled everything seemed so hard and impossible. I couldn’t spell worth a darn, math was complicated, when my classmates could read I couldn’t, when I could read I read slowly and I had a hard time remembering important facts. My classmates and teachers taunted me that I could never do my own classwork, pass my tests or would ever become anyone. I’d run home to my parents and tell them I can’t do anything. I’m a loser.

My mom would sit me down and say, “There is no such word as ‘can’t.’ I want to hear you say, ‘I can do it,’ because you can do anything you put your mind too.”

I’d argue with her. “But Mom, I can’t do it. I’m not smart enough. Everyone says I’m stupid.” Mom looked into my eyes, “You can do it. There is always away if you believe in yourself, you’ll find a way around your disability and you will prove them wrong.”

Mom’s words etched their way into my heart and soul. By the time I started high school, I was on my own. Teachers were no longer pushing me through, my classmates were no longer giving me answers on test and I had to find a way to pass my classes by myself. I wanted to give up, but that would be proving to everyone I was a loser and I couldn’t do that.

I kept repeating the words to myself, “I can do it.” I started studying really hard. I couldn’t keep up with the notes the teachers gave in class so I made my own notes. I put my notes on index cards and read them over and over again before tests. I started passing my classes. First with C’s, then B’s, next B’s and some A’s and then I made the merit roll. I pushed harder and studied longer. I found ways around my disability and Mom’s wisdom came true, I could do it and I was doing it.

By the time I graduated from high school, I made the honor roll and the National Honors Society. I even returned to one of my elementary teachers’ class, who said I couldn’t read, and tutored one of her students in reading. I graduated with five scholarships and the principle gave a hidden hero speech about me. I did it all because the words, “I can do it” became the fire behind my determination and those words gave me hope, strength and courage. “I can do it,” sang in my head like a song and became a driving force. Despite my disability I did it and am still doing it.

They said I couldn’t be anyone, but yet I worked around my disability to graduate from college even though it took me longer, to write a memoir, to work the same job for twenty-two years and to publish short stories. How did I do it?

I never stop believing in myself and my mom’s words. I pushed to move forward and around my challenges. I found a way to show all those who doubted me that, “I can do it.”

Despite what others may say or think, you can do anything you put your mind to. You can find a way around the bullying, the obstacles and even disabilities to succeed. At my job a cash register does the math for me and when it can’t I carry a calculator. I struggle with editing my writing, but I have found good friends to help me. I used to struggle with spelling, but the more I write the better my spelling becomes. See, there are ways around your challenges. Don’t give up. Find your way and shout to the world, “I can do it and I did it.”

From time to time I struggle and lose faith. When I get discouraged, I yell, “I can do it” and I make it happen. I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t believe in my hidden abilities to succeed.