Saturday, July 17, 2021

Don’t Say It! #SoCS

 Well hello out there. Two posts from me in the same week? What’s going on you say? It’s been months since I’ve been able to pull it off, right? I make no promises for the future but in this week my inspiration has been present and my heart feels lighter. 

Our blogging host for this prompt is Linda Hill Every week she gives a new prompt for our Stream of Consciousness Saturday writing challenge. If you haven’t already, you should visit her page for more great posts by some amazing creative writers. This week’s prompt is to use your least favorite word in your post. 😱I love words, although there are some that affect me more negatively than others. For this prompt I had to move beyond just the word and venture into the psychology of it. At first I thought no such word existed for me, but then it came to me. 

CAN’T. I can’t stand that word. I tried and tried to think of an instance where it doesn’t bristle the hairs on my neck. Even those times when I am using it bring some kind of discomfort with what is going on. It conjures up too many images of impotence of some kind.

In my life I have been told “no, you can’t” far too many times, from everything to going shopping alone, tackling a new profession or worst of all, trying to make a stand for change in the world. Too many people foist their own fears upon others without considering the negative effect this can cause to confidence, hope and self esteem. 

Many times when this phrase has been idly tossed out at me too many times I lose my emotional grip and shout back, “Yes, I can! Of course no one can if no one even tries.” 

There is a great scene in a favorite family movie of mine. Yes, well, Patrick Dempsey is the lead character, but that’s beside the point. In this cute film with Amy Adams-Enchanted-McDreamy’s character is a widower with a small daughter to bring up alone and is doing so most pragmatically. Enter a Princess from a fairy tale who can speak to animals, sings songs about everything and who has bedazzled his young daughter. And the damsel is in a bit of distress. The reluctant hero invites her into his home in a weak moment but eventually regrets the decision as the unending hopeful trusting nature of Giselle challenges his ‘don’t dare to dream’ rule. Below is one of my favorite scenes in the film. I always yell with her and glare at my hubby who gives me an innocent ‘who, me?’ look. The movie is cute, funny, romantic and easy on the eyes. 




When I was growing up, one of my favorite books was The Little Engine That Could. I know one thing that is certain for me. My success is directly related to my confidence. If I think I can, then I most likely won’t give up until I do!
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can! 



8 comments:

  1. This is great, Cheryl. That is a great word to not like.

    It’s funny, though. You and one other friend of mine *(Bryant Duhon) both chose that word. Both of you shared that book, and you both grew up in Louisiana. His post is a little rough, but it’s here if you want to look https://spikeykatfish.com/2021/07/17/try-as-i-might-cant-handle-mostly-moist-stream-of-consciousness-saturday-socs/

    I’ve known you for a long time =, now, and I would never associate you with the word “can’t”

    I hope you are having a great weekend.

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    1. Aw thank you Dan. I always say if I had a tombstone I’d want the epitaph to read “I Tried”. I think that is the best any of us can do if we wish to so anything at all. I’m going to check out that blog. We Southerners take a lot of negative assumption and criticism but the best thing I can day about Louisiana as a whole is that my people by and large are survivors. I consider myself pretty ‘scrappy’ with a strong vein of old fashioned faith and hope for balance. I appreciate your words Dan. My weekend is good so far as I hope yours has been.

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  2. That is also my least favourite word! I prefer cannot, if necessary. I often remind people that within the word can't is the word can and it must not be dismissed.

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  3. I think I can go out to the garden. I can see all sorts of possibilities out there. Thanks Cheryl.

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  4. I see endless possibilities in your garden John. 🙂

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  5. I'm adding this to my list of words to avoid, Cheryl. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. I magi e you wouldn’t like that word either Mary! Have a great week!

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