WATCH WHAT YOU SAY by Mona Austin
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Posted By: Mona Austin on January 06, 2009 To introduce myself, I wanted to share the story of how I decided what my New Year's resolution would be. "NO MORE EXCUSES." That's the life-changing commitment I made in November of '08 that I am clinging to this year and forevermore. I am already a "glass-half full" kinda woman, daily focusing on self improvement. I've fought off many challenges with prayer and positive thinking over the past year. I generally practiced my belief that excuses were off limits. One of my inspirations was Randy Pausch, the recently deceased MIT professor who was a shining example of how to live and die with dignity. I learned so much from listening to his talks on youtube and would often think of his positive attitude when I was tempted to complain or make excuses. An experience during my Autumn vacation in NYC led to a stronger commitment to my belief, however. It happened while I was in the process of living one of my minor dreams. (If you just want the point of the story here it is: stop telling yourself what you can't do and start believing and saying what you can do and it will change your life. If you don't mind details and imagery, read on. . .) As I was slowly, and unsteadily gliding on the ice at the Rockefeller Skating rink in NYC, afraid that I was going to fall and break every bone in my body, I decided that I could ice-skate. Ice-skating was on my "bucket list." Ever so timidly, but with a great sense an anticipation, I strapped on the rented blades and took my first step onto the worn ice, thinking I'd literally "put a dent in it." I was nervous. The rink was grungy and looked more like white cement than the glistening stuff I saw on TV, but still inviting enough. Silently I prayed, God, please don't let me fall. I worried that if I plummeted before my two girls it would traumatize them if I was seriously injured. My youngest daughter, 2, was a spectator strapped in her stroller; my oldest 9, was struggling to get her stride. I instinctively wobbled over to her and reached for her arm to protect her from falling. She stubbornly insisted that she go for it alone. I placed one shaky foot in front of the other until I completed the circle and bumped into the a young guy named Vladmir who was there to help us. "You gotta get your balance first," he told me. Oh, really now?, I grimaced inside. "Then bend your knees and just push." So I did, in between, screams, laughter, and squawks reaching for the sidebar every few seconds. Each time I almost slipped I shouted, "I can't do this!" By the fifth time I'd accumulated some fans. Onlookers in the surrounding restaurants were waving and rooting for me. "I can't do this" I told my husband. Finally, I heard myself. I realized I I hadn't fallen and changed the doubt into an affirmation. Then Immediately I snatched those damning words right back and replaced them with "YES I CAN!" And Yes I did! Not once, but twice I skated around the rink and felt freer than I had in a long time. Those three little words carry so much power. (They were the impetus for a history-making presidential nomination.) You can speak defeat into your life unconsciously, so watch what you say to yourself and others. The next time you feel doubtful, afraid or insecure speak those words with faith: YES I CAN. The power of life and death are in your tongue. I've chosen to speak life and it has made a difference in my lifestyle. Ergo, this year I resolve to be even more affirming in my speech toward others and in my private utterances. As long as you are still here there is an opportunity to change your mindset too. Here's to freedom from anything that is blocking your dreams and destiny in '09! Cheers, Mona If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Mona Austin
Marketing Consultant, Self Member Since January 2009 |
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I love this!
Tuesday, January 6th 2009 at 7:41PM |
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