Day 136: The Danger of Should

We’ve all experienced the voice of “should”. You know the one.

This is how things should work.
This is how the world should be.
This is how people should think and behave.

“Should” is a dangerous mindset because it fundamentally stems from a denial of how things actually are. It’s a rejection of reality that often reflects deep-seated frustration and anger. When innocent conversations turn into complaints and rants, that’s the voice of “should” at work. “Should” drains life and energy from yourself and your relationships.

When we listen to the voice of “should”, we often fail to realize that there’s another possibility: could.

How could things work?
How could the world improve?
How could people grow?

“Could” comes from a place of possibility, where you accept how things are right now but also recognize that things can change. It breathes life and excitement into ideas. When we live from “could”, we invigorate those around us because it’s a reminder that change is possible and that it can start with us.

It may seem like a minor distinction, but underneath these words is a shift in perspective that makes a world of difference. How could you start transforming your “should”s into “could”s?