Knock the T’ off the CAN’T

A story is told of one of the greatest public speakers history had recorded. Growing up with what seemed to be a self-inflicted inferiority complex, Zhànshì’s legs shook even when he attempted answering a question in the classroom. Born into a family of great achievers mostly in public speaking, Zhànshì had the desire to become a public speaker himself someday. His Dad and siblings excelled in the art but he could not comprehend why he performed poorly at what came almost natural to him and seemed to run in the family. After a few failed attempts, he resolved to not partake anymore in public speaking, as the art made him overwhelmingly scared and disclosed to everyone his lack of confidence. He chose a career in mechanical engineering which had little to do with interacting with humans (in this case, customers) but all to do with machines. He felt the freedom he had longed for. Only, deep within him, he found no actual peace (call it; inner peace). He could almost always catch himself crying at night for denying himself the opportunity to do what he felt was his true destiny; to become a public speaker.

One fateful morning, Zhànshì read an article published in a newspaper written by a celebrated writer. The writer captioned the article “Knock the T’ off the CAN’T” which sought to enlighten her readers about the myriad benefits of positive thinking coupled with the “Can do!” spirit. What intrigued him the most was the writer’s narrative of her beginnings and how she initially felt the fear to give her career a try. But with the same motivation to “Knock the T’ off the CAN’T” which she had also discovered and read earlier in a book, she literally got up and made that journey to success amidst its challenges. 

Shortly after reading this piece which had been drafted as though it were a personal message directed to him, Zhànshì also got up, literally, and bid his current job a final goodbye. Indeed the journey was not rosy as he failed again a number of times. He would not give up, but changed his thinking to believe in God and himself that he could do it. He gradually became an optimist, filling his mind with positive thoughts. And just as like attracts like, he had transformed himself into one of the greatest public speakers history had ever recorded.

When asked in an interview of how he had accomplished much with such an unmatchable self-confidence, he gently replied; “Trust in God and knock the T’ off  the CAN’T!” He then referred his audience to a poem he had written and carried along with him throughout his life as a public speaker.
The 3-stanza poem detailed; how timidity almost stole the best away from him, how he did not feel accomplished working in a field other than his destined field and finally, how he took that bold step to pursue success regardless of his fears. He captions this piece with his eternal words; “Knock the T’ off the CAN’T”. 
 

So I hid in the arms of failure

Wrapping myself comfortably in its embrace

O’ what a love so genuine!

I pleaded to bear no further disgrace

So I settled for less

Enjoying my decision regardless

But I still could feel the tears

My ego stole from me for years

So I knocked the T’ off the CAN’T!

And put in all my might

To free myself from this plight

And give success its very fight