Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Yes, I Will


I don't get up in the morning and ask myself, "Can I?"
No.
For whatever reason, I believe that I can do most anything I set my mind to doing.
Yup.
I really believe that about myself.
And no,
I probably shouldn't say that. Sounds a bit pretentious, right? 
Don't worry, the rest of my story will knock me down a peg or two....or three or four!
Yeah,
you'd think that thinking, "I can" would be a good thing. 
The problem is, if you believe that you can...and then you don't....you know, deep down inside, that the only person to blame for failure is...
No. 
Not your parents. Or your schedule. Or the weather. Or your bank account. 
Yes, 
you guessed it. Knowing what I can do, and seeing what I don't do, leaves me with only one person to blame.
ME.

That's where this photo comes in.
When I look at this photo, I see the realization of something I've known I could do for a very long time. Something I'd wanted to do many times. 
But, no.
No.
NO.
In spite of years of wanting to, I'd never taken the two mile walk to this spot to take this photo.
And, yes.
Yes.
YES.
When I look at this photo, I know that something deep inside of me is changing. At some point during the month of August I learned that the question which challenges me is not "Can I?"
No.
The question that challenges me is, "Will I?"

Can I walk for miles? Climb a big rock? Clear my desk? Cook healthy food? Eat well? Launch a business. Sure I can.
But yeah....
you guessed it. The question is not "Can I?" 
No.
The question is "Will I?"
And, 
to my great surprise, the month of August taught me that, in fact,
Yes.
I am.
And, yes. I will.


Linking with friends at

22 comments:

  1. What an amazing image, really exceptional!

    Now, what's the problem here, I think exactly the same way?? Don't ever change, it's the best attitude EVER!!

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  2. That is a marvelous and powerful picture.

    Because of learning issues and hearing problems, I quickly learned that the YES attitude got me a heck of a lot father than the NO or MAYBE one.

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  3. Amazing, Amazing post...kindred spirits we are. Can I? probably. Will I? hmmmm. Always have the best of intentions I do. Beautiful image!

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  4. I love these thoughts. Will I is such an important question. It really is the word that puts the "can" in motion. Good for you!

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  5. Wow. Your photo-heart connection was like an arrow straight to my own heart this month. What a great lesson! And that photo is wonderful! Worth the walk, I'd say.

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  6. there is a beautiful fence in this image, you could link it with good fences. tex would love that ;)

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  7. Beautiful photot . . . but your words, OUCH! Hits too close to home. I need to do what you've done and just do it!

    Stopping by from Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop.

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  8. so glad debbie sent you over to good fences! this is a beautiful scene! i'm glad you made that walk. :)

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  9. I love your photo and the message in your post. "I will" pushes us to action. "I can" is so passive. Great lesson for all of us!

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  10. Wonderful and thoughtful post. You made an important distinction, which can guide your decisions. The photo is terrific.

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  11. YOU SOUND LIKE SOMEONE THAT HAS IT ALL TOGETHER. YOU WILL DO FINE. AND, LOVED THAT PHOTO YOU SHARED.

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  12. I love both your photo....and your message.
    xo

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  13. Ditto to what BJ just said. That is a gorgeous photo.

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  14. Great photo, and your post is so true! With the Lord's help we can do just about anything we set our minds to. But we have the choice to live a life of excuses or of reasons.

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  15. go you!

    pic is beautiful.

    :) m & jb

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  16. I love this post. You are so good with words and so powerfully vulnerable. XO.

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  17. Your words resonate with me (and I suspect many). Truth be said, we are all capable of doing so many things, it is more a matter of the 'will' to do it. Good for you for taking August and turning some of that around. I realized over a year ago that if I wanted to do more I needed to start taking care of myself. Putting everyone and everything before me had become a crutch, an excuse. I got proactive with exercise and eventually took it a step further with more objectively monitoring my calorie intake. And I AM feeling, looking, doing better. I also realized that it was time to get the brain cells clicking again and work has been a welcome companion.

    Adrienne, I so cherish your posts - they so often speak to me and reaffirm as well as enlighten. And your photograph never disappoints. Glad you made the journey for this spot.

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  18. This sounds like you have something specific brewing! Do tell! ~May

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  19. That image is definitely worth the walk! SO glad you took it!

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  20. Beautiful picture and a wonderful reflective post. Can and will are two entirely different things.

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  21. So much wisdom and inspiration here Adrienne. Congratulations on realizing this two mile challenge... wishing you many many more successes!

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  22. love this picture and all that it says about "yes I can"... you captured the vastness of the wide open while still staying the course.

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