How often have we said or heard, “I can’t do that anymore”? Do we hear, “I’m so glad I can…”? Circumstances may enter the
picture making a “can do” statement no longer possible. Resources such as time, money, physical ability, interest or location add into this decision.

Sometimes having the financial ability without available time precludes some activities. Taking off work for months to travel the world, might tip into the “I can’t do” column. In between jobs, relocating, deciding it’s now or never, could change that to a can vs can’t. Several friends have done just that living in their motor home, touring the country before heading back to new jobs. What stories they have to tell!

Having sufficient falls and injuries while skiing caused one participant to decide hanging up those skis, boots, and poles was the wisest move. Wait. Keep those poles, because snow shoeing remains possible, thus providing an opportunity to enjoy that fresh mountain air amidst the gorgeous surroundings.

For joggers who’ve been discouraged from continuing that activity in consideration of injuring their knees, power walking, or just plain walking, remains an enjoyable alternative. Fall off the bike, get up, dust off and try again. Such riding
can still be done perhaps just not in a lengthy race or bicycle classic version.

If playing a certain sport, participating in an exercise program, creative or artistic activity wasn’t part of the earlier repertoire of fun things to do, being able to do any one of them now probably hasn’t changed much. Having an open
attitude to trying something new could yield a pleasant reality of what can be done.

How different is can vs can’t do from the glass half empty or half full? Doesn’t it revolve around celebrating, gratefully, what we can do? Setting aside the “can’t do’s” – possibly with a smile, sigh and thoughts of those happy memories – becomes a kindness we can do for ourselves. What can you do? Or, are you focusing on the can’ts?