Susan Jeffers, author of
Feel the Fear, was asked by a journalist recently about her best tips on building confidence in children. She recommended giving children responsibilities early and often in their life as well as helping them to understand that their lives make a difference, in their households and in the world around them. But her third recommendation was the one that stood out for me:
Teach your children the "I can handle it!" lesson. Susan went on to say that the repetition of the phrase,
"No matter what happens, I can handle it!" stops the negative chatter in the mind and builds a sense of self. I believe this is true for adults as well as children. It is an affirmation that we are never powerless and are, in fact, capable at all times of empowering ourselves to be able to ultimately weather any storm.
Recently, several of my friends lost a family member. A few friends and colleagues have fallen unexpectedly - and some seriously - ill this week. I experienced a couple of punches to the gut professionally and personally myself this week. And the truth is, no matter what happens...
we can handle it. I find the solid affirmative emotion in this statement is strong enough to immediately cause my fear or concern to at least retreat, if not disappear... often buying me some precious space and time to figure out a positive move or change my perspective to a more constructive and productive one.
So whatever life is winding up to pitch to you this week...
"No matter what happens... you can handle it!" Maybe not perfectly. Maybe not beautifully or effortlessly. But we can, we have, we do, and we will.