The Difference Between "Can't" and "Won't"

The Archangels Tell Us We Have More Control than We Think

I had a very enlightening conversation with a friend of mine recently about making choices and finding inner strength to deal with the challenges and hardships life sends our way.  I’d been dealing with some turmoil in my life and had to work on setting some boundaries and making some adjustments, because as I told my friend, “I can’t live this way and be at peace.”

She corrected my word choice and said, “You mean, you won’t live that way.  Can’t sounds like you can’t control the situation, when in fact you can, and you did.”

I gave this some serious thought.  She had a point.  Can’t sounds a little bit on the side of helpless, while won’t denotes a choice we make based on our power, often followed by taking some kind of action.  I remember scolding former students when they would tell me they couldn’t do something, that it was too hard.  I would tell them they might not be able to do it yet, but time and effort and possibly some help could and would change that.  It’s a matter of perspective, really.  Won’tlends itself to strength, while can’t suggests weakness.

I asked the Archangels to weigh in on this idea of can’t vs. won’t, and their response follows.

Question:  How do you see the difference between “can’t” and “won’t” when dealing with obstacles and challenges?

Answer:

Humanity has been trained to believe that there is not much they can do about the majority of challenges they face in life, that most things are out of their control, and this is not true, although on the surface, it often seems that way.  Most of the challenges and hardships people face are allowed by others who either instigate them or could change them and choose not to, or they are accepted and go unchallenged by those who have to contend with them, because they do not think they have a choice.  This is not to say that with a change of attitude or a last minute declaration, everyone could solve all their problems, but we do suggest that with time, effort, and unity, all obstacles could be not only challenged but conquered and solved. 

Humanity is in an upheaval right now, because old systems are crumbling, and there are two main factions in conflict.  The first is the group that is in control and that wants to maintain control over how the world is managed.  For many generations, they have fooled the masses into believing that they are helpless to make changes, and they have manipulated people through their emotions and pitted you against each other, all so they could stay in control.  The second group is much larger, and they are the ones who have been manipulated.  Some of them continue to be controlled by those in power, but many are beginning to realize that what they have been told is not the truth.  They are beginning to question the status quo and challenge it, rejecting the ideas they have been fed their entire lives, that they are helpless and have no power to change their lives. 

These people who are beginning to see things more clearly and question them are why the old systems are beginning to crumble.  Many have not yet taken any action, but the very fact that they are beginning to see through the manipulation and the lies has begun a domino and a snowball effect towards changes that have long been needed.  It is important to note that neither the manipulation nor the control applies to only one category of people.  All of you have been subjected to this abuse, and all of you have been fooled and controlled through many means.  Neither is clarity being found only on one side.  People all over the world are beginning to awaken to the truth.

Those in power want problems to persist for the masses for several reasons.  First, many of them profit from the hardships others face.  Second, they do not want you to feel strong and capable of dealing with your problems.  They want you weak and submissive to their demands.  Third, they do not want harmony, as it leads to unity and vice-versa. They know that when the masses unite, their days of power over everything and everyone will end.  They want you to be divided, and they want you to fight each other, so they are free to do as they please.  Why do you think they work so hard to promote anger and hostility between the people?

You must get past the idea that you are weak, and there is nothing you can do to change your life.  You must reject the hostility and the lines that have been drawn to separate you from others.  You must unite in order to make long lasting, substantial, and sustainable changes that you need, and at some point, you must see the greater picture, rather than the situation that is nearest to you.

For example, many places have sources where people can get free food, because they cannot afford to buy groceries at full cost.  This is a worthy endeavor, to feed the hungry.  However, in the future, rather than focusing on local communities, humanity must go beyond and consider that there is enough food in the world to feed all people, and a more permanent solution would be to coordinate efforts and resources so that no one on the planet starves.  Do you see this?  It will not happen immediately, but that should be the eventual goal.  When you think globally, other problems are eliminated. 

For instance, if everyone in the world had the basics needed for survival, such as food, water, shelter, medical treatment, etc., why would illegal immigration be a problem?  Do not most illegal immigrants seek a better life for themselves and their children?  If their lives were sustainable in their home countries, would they not be more likely to stay?  Another example is the destruction of the environment.  If people had what they needed, they would not need to tear down and deplete the Earth’s natural resources in order to sustain their lives.   

There is no reason for people to do without the basics for survival except that it is allowed and, in some cases, arranged.  There are people who have become rich and powerful, because they have arranged or allowed others to do without what they need.  There are those who hold out for the highest bidder of goods and services, rather than helping all those who are in need.  They create shortages when there are none in order to make a profit for themselves.  The power moves are numerous and varied, but they do not have to be endless if people decide to unite against them.

There are qualified people who are capable of finding and implementing solutions to all the problems you face who only need the unity of the masses in order to gain positions of power to do so.  It will take two thirds of humanity to stand together in order to bring about these changes and to place the people who can lead these changes into position. 

Perhaps you cannot change things by yourself, but you can unite with others to do your part.  Whether or not you choose to overcome your fears and the animosity you have for each other is exactly that, a choice.  Whether or not you reject the status quo and demand change and facilitate it by joining forces and ousting those in charge and replacing them with the true leaders who can find solutions is another choice.  Lastly, whether or not you believe you have the power to change your position in life and find the courage to pursue and act on this is also a choice.  It is time to replace people and systems that do not and have not worked for so long with different options, and that takes courage and vision to implement. 

So, the difference between “can’t” and “won’t” as they apply to your current situation is extremely relevant and important.  Instead of lamenting that you can’t control what is happening in your life, decide instead to proclaim that you won’t continue to live as you have been living and simply accept the status quo.  Take a stand and overcome the doubt you have with regard to your power and your strength.  In the meantime, as unity builds, remember that although you cannot always control what happens in your life, you can control your reaction and response to all things.  Although hardship is not always foreseeable or avoidable, defeat is only one option.  People have always overcome challenges they cannot avoid.  People are resilient, capable, smart, and excellent problem solvers when they need to be.  You have everything you need already to defeat the obstacles you face. You just have to find the right path to take, and we can help guide you if you ask for our help.

We always stand with you, through all challenges and hardships and suffering, and we can always offer strength and comfort, as well as guidance when you ask for it.  We will not desert you.  We will see you through these difficult times and all the chaos that comes with them.  We are not going anywhere.

Final Thoughts

Going back to my conversation with my friend about can’t and won’t, we agreed that there are some things we cannot change or control right now, like what the government is doing or not doing with which we disagree, but that doesn’t mean we stand defeated.  We vote.  We try to bridge gaps between us and others.  We try to understand why people think and do the things they do.  We comfort where we can.  We guard our own joy, hope, love, and peace, so we might share it with others. 

We may not be able to control the government, but we can choose to stand in our power and refuse to accept the things with which we strongly disagree.  We don’t have to shut up and do what we’re told without question or comment.  I think more and more, the people in power are beginning to see this, and when enough of us unite, we can work on long lasting changes and replace systems that have failed us for so long.  It all begins with us as individuals, followed by building bridges, rather than barriers with the folks we’ve been told are our enemies.  Then it’s about uniting for change.

This is the last Friday in November for Friday Night Meditation with the Archangels, and the theme for this month is Courage.  It’s hard to be brave right now, but it helps when we stand together with the Archangels and offer loving thoughts around the idea of helping everyone to find the courage they need to get through these challenging times and to find a path of clarity toward improvement and change.  Wherever you are, at whatever time you’re available, just call on the Archangels and offer your loving energy for courage for everyone. 

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving if you celebrate the holiday, and I hope you have a great weekend.  If you choose not do something, I hope you make that choice because you’ve taken a stand against it, rather than just accepted that you have no choice.  In truth, as cliché as it sounds, there’s always a choice.  We just have to find the courage to see it and act on it when we’re ready.

Blessings, all.