Monthly Inspiration: June

This quote was actually not in the original quote book I made. But it should have been.

It was said by a man who gave his life to the service of others. Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints passed away this last Saturday. I chose this quote to honor and remember him.

We all have an incredible amount of good potential within us to achieve so much.

Personally, I get down on myself when I don't know how to do something, and I start doubting myself, my skills, my abilities.

In this past year, I've really tried to focus on believing I can do anything. It sounds cheesy, but even if I don't believe I can do something, I just pretend like I can, and imagine it, and somehow... it gets done.

Part of this turnaround came from overcoming the mental battle. When I was presented with a problem that I had never dealt with before, doubt came first. And then I heard this talk – church-related, but completely applicable to every day struggles (as are most church talks) – entitled "You know enough." It gave me the mantra I now have in my head whenever I start going down that negative path – as soon as I hear myself think, "I don't know what I'm doing/I can't do this," I immediately change the thought process to say, "I know enough." I say it (in my head) until most of the doubt clears, and I start analyzing the problem using the knowledge and resources I have to find a solution.

That whole "fake it 'til you make it" thing is sort of spot on though. When I was younger looking up to adults, I thought everyone had it figured out and you just knew everything you needed to know. But adults are just like kids – still growing, still experiencing, still learning. It's actually exciting that that never stops. Could you imagine how boring life would be if you really knew everything and nothing was challenging for you?