A Voice Within

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you can't paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."

-- Vincent Van Gogh

The voice of self-doubt has a powerful presence within most of us. It stops us dead in our tracks from doing some of the things we'd most like to do. It says, "you can't do that," and "quit being so foolish," and "who do you think you are?" It undermines our dreams, our desires, and our development. It is the voice of fear.

And Vince is right on the money -- do whatever the voice says you can't. Do it from your heart, from your passion. Don't worry whether you do it well or not. Don't worry about the opinion of others. Do it for the sheer joy of doing it.

The voice of self-doubt will undoubtedly regroup and find something else to bug you about later. So be it. Do that thing to. And the next and the next. Action silences doubt. And it brings a whole slew of enjoyable experiences into your life.

So today when the voice whispers 'you can't do that', just ignore the SOB, and do it anyway! That is unless the voice says "you can't cut off your ear." Then, unlike Vincent, calmly reply, "I'm sure I can, but I choose not to," and go on about your day.