Well, this was a really really easy pick for me - I have an absolute favorite quote that I have both a love and hate relationship with in terms of my chronic illness, POTS.
Drum roll......
My quote comes from a little green man who has inspired me my whole life. His name is Yoda.
"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."
I even found a nice graphical illustration for the quote:
Why I love this quote:
It's completely true. There really is no try. You either do something, or you don't. I'm not TRYING to oversimplify, I actually AM oversimplifying.
The definition of try is (according to the The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language):
try (tr
): To make an effort to do or accomplish (something); attempt: tried to ski.Why I hate this quote:
It leaves no room for excuses, and I admit I still fancy a good excuse once in a while.
"Trying" to me implies failure.
"Did you do your physical therapy exercises today?"
"I TRIED, but I wasn't able to."
What that means in my life is that I actually DID three or four reps, felt like my heart was pounding out of my chest and my muscles were spasming painfully, and I stopped. So I didn't just try, I did it. I did not fail. I did not complete the entire task or goal, but I DID something.
If I skipped doing my PT all together, than I did not try, or DO any PT. And there is nothing wrong with that. Some days I can't even get out of bed for much of the day, and can barely make it to the restroom. I have to consider what to spend my limited energy on, as I have a 7 month old that I care for alone while my husband is working, and a four year old that I like to be functional enough to hang out with in the evening when he gets home.
I know that on bad days, "trying" much of anything will land me in even worse shape for a week afterwards. I have learned to trust my body, and push my limits when appropriate, and DO when appropriate - but I have finally gotten to a place where I am ok with not doing as well.
And there is no try. Simple as that.
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