'I know I can' are words to achieve by

"Once you've said 'It is enough,' you're lost. Keep adding, keep advancing, and keep walking: Do not stop, do not turn back, do not turn from the straight road.'" (St. Augustine)

I thought about that quote and found it made an enormous amount of sense -- containing timeless wisdom we can all learn from.

The first and most astronomical obstacle we must face in accomplishing any goal is focusing the spotlight of our mind on "can" rather than "can't." If one believes he's had enough and can take no more, then he is genuinely lost. His prophecy fulfills itself and his ability to endure is gone. I remembered the times I've felt defeated and uttered similar words.

I have, fortunately, been blessed with good health and seldom miss work or my responsibilities because of how I feel. Even though I've experienced few illnesses, I've discovered when I genuinely feel rough and convince myself I am too sick to accomplish what's ahead, my expectations bear fruit. The more I remind myself how awful my condition, the more I suffer. Consequently, I can't accomplish the day's tasks.

However, I've found if I staunchly place one foot in front of the other and force myself from my place of comfort, I usually achieve what I must. Once I dress and step out to be with other people I meet the challenge of functioning and realize I've forgotten I ever felt poorly. But I, first, must overcome my negative thoughts -- knowing I can accomplish whatever my thoughts tell me I can. I reinforce my resolve by believing "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4)

As I continued dissecting St. Augustine's statement, "Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing: Do not stop, do not turn back, do not turn back from the straight road," I realized the advice could be related to every worthwhile thing in life. Regardless of how difficult our goals become, we must refuse to allow anything or anyone to deter us. We must keep our eyes focused straight ahead on the objective before us and never turn back.

Most colleges and universities report that freshmen have the highest dropout rate. This is often because students don't apply themselves and have poor study habits, to name a couple of reasons. But most of all, they lack the perseverance to keep walking, keep advancing and keep focused on the straight road ahead. They allow their peers to sway them away from their goals. Failing grades cause them to be unsuccessful, and worse, in their minds students feel they are failures.

Rather than seeking answers to their dilemma, reapplying themselves and learning coping skills for survival in their new environment, many walk away from education. They believe they've had enough and can't take any more -- and by adopting that attitude, they can't.

If faltering students and other people would refuse to relent, saying instead, "I think I can," and then, more importantly, "I know I can," more would succeed in attaining their desires. They would press on toward their goals with the determination of Paul when he stated, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

So regardless of how difficult my goals seem, I hope I shall always know I can -- and continue believing my mind is my biggest obstacle. "What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve," Napoleon Hill.

Do you merely think you can -- or do you "know you can"?

Ellen Shuck is director of religious education at St. Mary's Cathedral Parish in Cape Girardeau.