Get Yourself a “CAN DO” Corner

I often share the challenges I’ve faced and the negative comments that have fueled my #EffYourBeautyStandards mindset and drive to succeed #InSpiteOfTheirNegativeNonsense. And I am thankful for the motivation that has helped me turn negative experiences into moments of excellence. But there are so many positive influences in my life, like my sweet mom, who is fiercely protective of me. I remember when my fourth-grade teacher labeled me “disruptive” because I talked too much in class and was “big enough” to know better. My mom went to bat for me, telling that teacher, “If Dawn’s done with her work, give her more work. But you will not treat her differently, no matter how ‘big’ she is. She’s ten, just like the other ten-year-olds.” The teacher was stunned at my mom’s response. “If she’s bored, give her more work. She CAN do it!”

When my dad found out I wanted to join the softball team in junior high, he would play catch with me in the backyard, making me catch 25 fly balls in a row almost every night AFTER I came home from practice. If I dropped one, I had to start over from zero. I fussed and stomped around, but his response was always the same: “Let’s go, you CAN do it!” I can still catch a fly ball to this day. Softball wasn’t my jam, but the work ethic stuck with me.

Then there’s my brother, who helped me see a world beyond the neighborhood block we grew up on. He was one of the first in our family to go away to college, and when I told him I was afraid of something or scared to try, his response was always, “So what? Try anyway. You CAN do it!” I tried, at the University of South Carolina and then again at the University of Wyoming.

And my high school track coach—who stopped me in the hallway by the nurse’s office and refused to take no for an answer—encouraged me to try out for the track team. He put a shot put and discus in my hand and made sure there were college coaches who knew my name. I asked him, “Coach, do you think I’m good enough to throw in college?” His response? “You better go and try. You CAN do it!” Did I throw in college? Yes! And won four NCAA Championships and 5 SEC Championships on the way to my degree in Journalism.

My college coach, who turned my life upside down and fueled my will to win, always stepped in when he saw me making bad decisions. His response was always, “Get it TOGETHER. You CAN do it!” Add an American Record and 12 National titles to the 4 NCAA and 5 SEC titles, and a berth on the 2000 US Olympic team where I placed 7th in the women’s hammer—these times represent some of the best moments of my life.

And my teammates, who pushed, pulled, and carried me—and allowed me to do the same for them. When I said I was tired and didn’t want to keep going, their response was simple: “Get your ass up. You CAN do it. You GOTTA do it!” If you know track and field, would you believe five throwers scored over 100 points at an SEC Track and Field Championship? We did!

I’ll never forget my beautiful Aunt, who at 93 years old took me by the hand, stared straight into my eyes while I was complaining about being single and not having children of my own, and said, “Girl, stop crying. Live your life. A great life. You CAN do it!”

And my friends who’ve seen the best and worst of me, who picked me up when my heart was so broken I could hardly breathe. When I said, “I can’t take it,” their response was simple but powerful: “Keep going. You CAN do it!”

I truly believe we are a collection of all the people who come into our lives—the good, the bad, and the ugly. I hope we choose to hold on to the good, the love, and the light. I know I am a reflection of the people who told me, “You CAN, and you will.” Lord knows, I am so grateful!

I call them my “CAN-DO Corner.” My heart is full of their love, and I look forward to being part of someone else’s CAN-DO Corner.

So, I challenge you today: Encourage someone. Love someone. Be the reason someone believes they CAN do it!