Knowing you can
“The will to do springs from the knowledge that we can do. ”
— James Allen
Reflection
James Allen says that the will to do springs from the knowledge that you can. Many people never act because their thoughts never allow the possibility of success. They tell themselves, “I’m not that kind of person,” or “People like me don’t do things like that,” and their will quietly obeys those limits.
Knowledge here is not arrogance; it is a settled conviction that, with God’s help, you are capable of growth. When you truly believe you can learn, change, and contribute, your will wakes up. You stop asking, “Can it be done?” and start asking, “How can I begin?” That shift in thought turns passive wishing into active doing.
Think of times you have succeeded in areas that once intimidated you. At some point, you allowed the thought, “I can do this,” to be more persuasive than the thought, “I can’t.” The achievement may have been small, but the principle was enormous. Each victory expands the boundaries of what you know you can tackle next.
If your will has been weak, do not start by beating yourself up for laziness. Start by examining the thoughts that have been quietly telling you you’re incapable. Change those, and you give your will something solid to stand on.
And that’s worth thinking about.
— Vic Johnson
Putting It Into Practice
- Recall one past success in an area that once felt impossible and write down what it taught you about your ability to grow.
- Identify one task you’ve been avoiding because you feel incapable and take the smallest possible step toward it.
- Replace the phrase “I can’t” with “I’m learning to” whenever you catch it in your thoughts.
One Question To Ponder
What new action might become possible if you truly believed, with God’s help, that you could grow into it?
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