I have a habit of forming mental blocks: I doubt myself or convince myself that something isn't possible or worth doing. It happens in both marginal and big situations. For example, I got a concussion freshman year playing football and was told by the doctors that I shouldn't play again. I loved football and was pretty committed to it, but I tried to move on and find other things to do with my time. Two weeks before football tryouts my junior year, the doctors said I could play again. I haven't been lifting, the coaches won't recognize me since I didn't play, I haven't been running routes on my own, two weeks isn't enough to get ready. The mental list of reasons I shouldn't play just kept piling up and I decided not to try out. Senior year came around and again I built a mental wall that prevented me from trying out. To this day, I wonder how things might have been different if I believed in myself and at least gave it a shot.
My dad has recognized this about me and during one of our talks, he brought it up. I don't remember exactly what he said, but he said something along the lines that nothing but myself can keep me from doing ANYTHING. If I set my mind to something, who's to stop me? The resources exist, the opportunities exist, the only thing lacking is my determination and confidence. If I make use of all three, who knows what kind of experiences it will lead to?
The mind is an extremely powerful tool. One of my favorite professors this year, Randy Bott, illustrated this fact by using this analogy:
If a girl has anorexia, she has convinced herself that no matter how skinny she is, she is fat and needs to lose weight. It's all in her head. You could get ten of the world's most qualified and respected doctors to tell her that she is not fat, and she wouldn't believe them. Why? Because in her mind she is fat and her mind is way more powerful than any outside source.
It's so true! Our mind can either be our biggest hindrance or our greatest enabler. With our talk, my dad inspired me to break down my mental barriers, believe in myself, and achieve whatever I want or dream. Ignore the nay-sayers. They will undoubtedly come, and many people will doubt or question you. Who says we have to listen to them? What good is it for us to let others run our lives? So how about you? Do you have far-fetched dreams? Do you have ambitions that you want to achieve? What's stopping you other than your own excuses and hesitancy? The world is out there, ours for the taking. Believe in yourself, find those who love and support you in your endeavors, and let's go reach our goals! Harness the remarkable power within yourself and go get it!
