Who told you that you can’t?

It's been a minute, and I'm happy to be back and writing to you again!

Right now we are in Phoenix and the girls are all practicing Jiu Jitsu.  At the end of class a couple of week's ago, their professor announced a competition coming up in a few weeks.

Adelina took action. 

She walked up to her professor on her own and asked if she was eligible to compete as a beginner white belt.  He told her yes and shared that she'd earn her first stripe before the competition and recommended going, as she would grow tremendously from the experience. 

Fast forward a few days later I gathered the girls and asked:

“Who is committed to doing the competition?  It's a $120 registration fee, and Mom and Dad will pay for it if you're committed. So I want to know, are you committed to it?"

And then we had a conversation about what commitment is and isn't.  

Commitment means ALL IN. 

…..Not only when you feel like it.

…..Not just when it's easy. 
…..And not when it's convenient.

It means you show up when it's hard.  When you're challenged.  When you want to quit.  Because at the end of the day, you are depending on you.  

Adelina said yes.

Audrey said yes.

Then Ava, in a frustrated tone, said, “Well, it's not fair.  I can't do the competition.” 

Oh I heard it and this is the good stuff.  

I asked, “Ava, who says you can't?”

“My toe is broken.  I'm in a boot.”

“I understand.  And who says you can't?”

She gave me more explanation about her toe, and her frustration grew fast.  

I interrupted, “Ava, is it true you can't?”

“YES.  My foot is in a boot!”

“Aren't we going to the doctor on Thursday?”

“Yes.”

“Has the doctor said you can't compete?”

“No.”

“Did your professor tell you can't compete?”

“No.”

“Then who said you can't?”

A long pause.  

In a soft tone she said, “Me.”

Boom!

Right there she had awareness. 

Awareness that she had already decided.

Awareness that she had closed the door.

Awareness she was the only one who had removed possibility.

When nothing outside of her had actually been decided yet.  It was an illusion of circumstance and would have been different if her get out of the boot or heal date was after the competition.  
 

So we slowed it down.  
 

I said, "Today is Monday.

The Doctor appointment is on Thursday.

And, the last day to register is next Monday.

There is space, time, and possibility.

Do you want to do the competition? And, either way is totally OK.”

“Yes, I want to do the competition.”

“Knowing all of this, what do you want to ask the doctor?”

“If I can go back to Jiu Jitsu and compete next Saturday.”

“And if you can are you committed to it?”

“Yes.”

That's Freedom Unleashed in real time.

Being aware of the current circumstances,

Being aware of the thoughts that get in the way,

And being open to creating possibility.

Freedom Unleashed Takeaway

Where are you assuming your current situation is the end-all, be-all

and jumping to “I can't”?

Where have you labeled something “impossible” without questioning if it's actually true?

Looking closely and creating that awareness is a shift that changes everything.

Freedom Unleashed isn't about waiting for the green light.  
It's about questioning the red light you created yourself.  

P.S. We went to the doctor.  Ava is healing beautifully.  She asked about returning to Jiu Jitsu and competing and the doctor gave her the green light, as long as she listens to her body.  The picture above is from practice this week when she returned and supported her sisters earning their first stripe.  The competition is tomorrow!