“The Power of Saying: I Can” by Joan Y. Edwards
Do you ever catch yourself saying, “I can’t do that!”
You don’t even realize you are saying it. It is usually after you have tried multiple times. What is interesting is that once you say those words,
“I can’t,” it is like slamming the door on possibility.
Saying “I can’t” creates a barrier that makes things two or three times as difficult to do.
I am trying to make new covers for my puzzle books and make them ebooks and paperbacks to put on Amazon. They were giving me a hard time.
I was explaining this to my friend, Bill Harvey. I told him, ” They are giving me a hard time. I have been foiled each time I have gone to that project. I need to say, “I can.”
Bill said, “You and me both, like the little choo choo going up the hill.”
The Little Engine That Could by
I told Bill, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I loved that story when I was a kid. I still love that story today.”
I asked him for permission to use his reminder in this blog. Thank you, Bill Harvey for sharing your empowering words with us.
My book, Flip Flap Floodle, is a good reminder that you can do it. Never Give Up on yourself.
Now. Let’s look at what hapoens when you say,
“I can do it!”
It knocks down those walls you built each time you say, “I can’t do that.”
Sometimes it is not you saying , “I can’t do it.” It is someone else saying, “You can’t do that! It is impossible.”
That’s what some people said to the Wright Brothers. They were wrong. The wright Brothers were able to invent airplanes.
That is what they said to Edison. And Edison did invent the incandescent light bulbs and an electrical distribution system for towns and cities successfully.
Sometimes there is an internal war going on in your head.
“Yes, I can.”
“No, You can’t.”
Or all the voices are screaming: You can’t do this. You are agreeing with them shouting, “I can’t do this.”
All the past experience are giving a thumbs down. They are filling you with doubt, doubt, and more doubt.
It is time to install a new voice, a new belief, a new way., a new song!
I can do it.
Once you say that. Here is what happens in your mind. It wants you to be right. It is like a computer. It is like a genie.
“Your wish is my command.”
“Your belief is my command.”
It is interesting to me that once you say, “I can do it,” your brain automatically searches for ways to help you make it come true. It may not be that day. But sooner than you might think, possibility choices show up. POSSIBILITY and HOPE and BELIEF IN YOURSELF fills you and surrounds you with an inner peace, a calm belief, and energizes you to try, try, again.
I invite you to try a new and improved “I can” system. You can do it.
God will help.
I hope these words have helped you look at your capabilities as possibilities.
Please share your experiences and thoughts with me. in the comment area. I would enjoy hearing them.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2009-2026 Joan Y. Edwards
Flip Flap Floodle
The Golden Arm
The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey
I say, I can’t all the time. I need to be saying I can, I’m going to do it, I can get through this with the help of God. You just have to believe no matter how hard it is. Your blog really meant a lot to me, Joan. I am going to try and start saying I can like the little choo-choo.
Dear Emma,
Thank you for writing. Thank your for sharing that you often find yourself saying, “I can’t.” It sneaks up on you, doesn’t it? It takes a lot of awareness to notice ourselves thinking it and saying it. It takes guts and determination to keep on going and to say, “I can.” Hurray for you aiming to say and think, “I can.”
Never Give Up
You can do it!!!
Joan
Joan, I am doing this all the time presently because I am struggling with cognitive losses after a stroke. I keep telling myself that the brain is a muscle and needs exercise to regrow.
🙂
Bob
Dear Bob,
Thank you for writing. I am sorry you are struggling with these “I can’t” words. They are strong. However, you are stronger, Bob Rich. You have more cognitive abilities than you or your doctors or anyone else thinks. That wonderful, powerful brain of yours is still there and operating well. May you see that this is true. May you be blessed with an abundance of all the I cans that you want or need.
Never Give Up
Believe in you
You can.
Joan
That was one of my favorite books as a kid. I can still hear the record that went along with it –which was a novel idea at the time!
Dear Carol,
Thank you for writing. “The Little Engine That Could” was wonderful…packed with a positive “I think I can” outlook. It was energizing to read it.
May you always have that “I can do it” spirit.
Never Give Up
Believe in you
Joan
Just as I was telling myself “I can’t” your positive post popped in my email! Perfect timing. 👍💖
So, after reading this, I’m going sit myself down and defy the “can’t” and DO IT!
Once again, you saved the day.
Thank you!
Dear Joan Reid,
Thank you for writing and telling me that my words came at a great time to empower you to believe you can. Hip hip hooray! May possibility and positive “I can” moments dominate your days.
Never Give Up
I believe in you
Joan
And another post hits the spot! You have to develop the “I CAN” attitude if you’re going to be a published author. Someone once told me that if YOU don’t believe it, no one else will. Believing you
CAN keeps you moving in the right direction.
Thanks for another inspiring attitude reminder.
Dear Sandra,
Thank you for your kind words. You are right. Each of us has to develop an “I can” way of thinking that is strong enough to talk to us even when others say “You can’t!”
I would hate to think if our world without your books, Sandra. Keep on believing in you!
Never Give Up
I Believe in you,
Joan
Some words seem to have an effect on our psyches by virtue of their sound – like the word ” confidence .”
” SERENITY ” is another example. I find it soothing just thinking the word.
” CAN’T ” on the other hand — negates possibilities — or even putting renewed energy into trying a different way.
Thanks for the mention, Joan, I enjoy this community you’ve built, along with your measured tone, stories and reassurance.
It’s a wonderful oasis.
Dear Bill,
Thank you for writing and sharing your words of encouragement and sharing how the sounds of certain words are nourishing to our psyches and others even with the sound of the words can create a dissonance and take a little or a bunch of our energy away. That is why the words we say to ourselves is so important. You are welcome for my mentioning you in this post. I treasure your willingness and other readers and friends willingness to share with me so that I can in turn share with those who read my posts.I am thankful for everyone who reads my posts, and doubly thankful for each person who leaves a comment. Saying our community is an OASIS. That is a gift from God. He turns our words into an oasis for those who need to hear them. Thank you for being my friend and encouraging me.
Never Give Up
Keep on working on your dreams.
God put them on your heart. He will help you all the way.
Joan
I am moving two pictures from one place to another in my house. This morning, I said I may need some help with these. Thankfully, I didn’t say “I can’t do this.” I’ve already been able to rehang one in a different location which required measuring and moving the hanger. Hooray! No assistance required. Now let’s see if I can get the next one! Thank you, Joan for reminding me not to say , “ I can’t.”
Dear Linda,
Thank you for writing!!! I am thankful that you took a new look at the situation and figured out a way to say, “I can do it.” And you did it. You rehung those pictures, you also envigorated your inner spirit with possibility and accomplishment. Hurray for you!!!
Never Give Up
Joan
Back when I was working, our catch phrase was “she’s going to do it.” Well beyond, I can do it, but thinking positively is always a good thing.
Dear Melanie,
Thank you for writing. I am glad you shared the positive phrase you and your coworkers would say, “She’s going to do it.” That was definitely an empowering statement! One with energy that propels you to achieve. Thanks for being my friend for 16 years now! Wow! I am blessed.
Never Give Up
You can do it!
Joan