can't

CANNOT. It's a simple word and one we use continually on a daily basis... but it has come to encompass more than what it's simple meaning implies. We use it as a synonym for won't, shouldn't, and don't want to. Of course this word rears its ugly head in the face of adversity and challenging situations. I CAN'T run a marathon, I CAN'T do a push up, I CAN'T stop smoking. We as a people are more capable than anyone gives us credit for, including ourselves. From childhood we are continually told no and can't and don't. We are rarely told yes, go ahead and try it, give it a shot, and why not. Many of these cases may seem insignificant, but after years of repetition we begin to believe what we hear and soon we are not capable of much. Only those who risk going too far will find out how far one can possibly go. These are the people we call daredevils, risk takers, and in many cases idiots. 'Why would anyone want to do such a thing' is a phrase these types hear often enough. And this is what it boils down to, most don't seek to do things others can't do, but rather do those things that others won't do. We as a people are capable of great things, but we hold ourselves back and place restrictions on our own actions. The greatest feeling received from going through these challenging actions... ambition. Many marathon books will say your greatest achievement is not that you finished but that you had the courage to start... and this speaks to the point of the matter. If you are unable to find in yourself the ambition to start than the only logical outcome is that you CAN'T... no matter what the challenge may be. So lets pat ourselves on the back and recognize that we CAN... then go out and do it.