There are two words in the English language which can make a remarkable difference in a person’s life. Those two words are “can” and “can’t”. More so than that, it is the perspective in which you view these words that can determine your destiny.

Those of you who have read my blog for any amount of time may have surmised that I grew up in an unsupportive environment. You would be right to think that.

It always seemed to me that if I ever wanted to accomplish anything worthwhile I was going to have to do it by pushing against the obstacle of my parents.

This forged in me a determination which has stead me well throughout my life. I think back to all of the times my mother told I could not do something and what a tragedy my life would have been if I had listened to her.

If I had listened to her when I was eleven years old and had just come out of the hospital in a wheelchair after a serious illness, I would still be handicapped. She told me that I should not walk because she thought I would break a leg after not having used my legs to walk for three months. She wanted us to go on a vacation that winter and a broken leg would just not do.

I remember clearly the day I woke up from a nap and I looked at the wheelchair at the end of my bed. I said, “This is ridiculous I am going to get up and walk.” That is exactly what I did.

You should have seen the look on my mother’s face. It was comical.

I don’t hold any bitterness at all against my mother for telling me I shouldn’t walk. I believe it was her faith in God which opened the door for total healing during that illness and she was at my bedside almost each and every day in the hospital, which was the span of two long months.

She wasn’t being selfish by wanting a vacation. She certainly deserved it more than most who take vacations.

Then in college I wanted to go to Europe. She arranged for me to audition with a mission group which took college kids to Europe for the summertime to work in churches. When I got accepted to the program she said I couldn’t go and her and my Dad would stop paying for college if I went. My Dad set her straight on that one, reminding her that I was of legal age.

Interestingly enough once my Dad set her straight she was supportive of my work in churches. I was blessed to work in churches in the beautiful country of England.

That trip opened a deep desire for me to one day spend a great amount of time in Europe. I have not realized that dream yet but I am praying that it becomes a reality. I have such a love for that part of the world and an admiration for their architecture and their art. It sparked a hunger in my soul which has yet to be quenched.

Then when I wanted to buy a new house seven years ago I heard the same words again, “You can’t do that.” I responded,”Yes, I can and I will, Mother.”

Once I bought my beautiful new house there was no one prouder than my Mother. She came down and was amazed at the expanse and the beauty of my property.

I can not say why God has given me a Mother who has always put hurdles in front of me to jump over when I have tried to achieve my dreams and my goals. I can say one thing though; this may be the reason why I have so much drive and determination to accomplish my goals.

When you have to swim against a riptide of negativity there are only two choices; become a damn good swimmer or drown. I do believe in life I have become a damn good swimmer.