I am hopeful I won’t allow myself to be boxed in by something so permanent as the word never.  When I hear myself use the word, I find myself immediately regretting what I’ve said.  I know that all things are possible, and most, if not all, of my “nevers” have been proven wrong.  

Not only does it backfire on me, but it has also often led to some of my most memorable and cherished experiences. 

I never wanted to go to college.  Yet I have earned a PhD.

I never wanted to leave Ohio.  Yet I’ve lived in Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts.

I never wanted a business career.  That career took me all over the country and world.

I am proven wrong each time I use the word never.   Therefore, I have made a huge effort throughout my life to eliminate it from my vocabulary.  Upon occasion, I do still find myself saying it, but each time I cringe because I know I will be proven wrong again.  I have started asking for forgiveness simply for using the word.  

It seems like there is a hidden challenge to prove me wrong and a lesson for me regarding who has control.  The word itself suggests control, and using it indicates that I still have times when I take over.  However, each time I am shown who truly guides my path!

Over the years, it has also become easier to eliminate any thoughts regarding “I would never do…” what someone else was doing or saying.  Oddly, I found that I would be put in a similar situation a short time after I had those critical thoughts.  I would start to see or hear myself repeating the “never,” quickly realizing my judgments, fully understanding that never is a long time.     

The “will” is there to change direction, but I choose to follow my intended path despite my momentary loss of focus and intent of eliminating the word “never.”  Instead, I let go of the judgment and realize that “never again” is possible, but unlike. 

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