Je peux le faire

Je peux le faire. (A little pronunciation guide: zhuh [zh is pronounced as the 'ge' in Peugeot] puh luh fair)

This is my new motto, mantra and way of thinking. A week ago yesterday I took an exam to be placed in a high-level French course with the goal of total preparation for the DELF B2 exam and diploma. (The DELF stands for Diplôme de l'Etudes en Langue Français - essentially a diploma of French proficiency and will look really good on my CV - that is if I pass the exam). But I'm getting ahead of myself. So, a week ago yesterday I took this test, a placement test which I ended up failing miserably, beyond a doubt. A score of 35/90 just doesn't cut it. I was depressed to say the least, but I went out to my usual bar afterwards to try and forget it, and a good friend came and met up with me, we talked, caught up on life, summer, etc. and I went home, trying not to think about it.

Then, a week ago today I received a call from the secretary of the school, asking about my enrollment. After I told her that the B2 course was really the only time I could manage a class she said she'd be speaking with the professor and call me back. About 20 minutes later I received a call from the secretary again and she let me know that the teacher, despite my horrible score would let me try out the class (free of charge) on the first night.

So Monday night I went. And to my great surprise and joy, halfway through the class the teacher said: "stay here, you can do it. With a lot of work and effort, you'll be fine to test in June." It was the greatest sigh of relief. And honor and love and excitement.

So that's where my new mantra comes in. Je peux le faire. It means "I can do it" and it's really true. Without this reinforcement of self I know things are harder. And the fact its in French makes me sound so much cooler.

After I started using this phrase I noticed others beginning to use/adapt it as well. It really works. There is something incredible about positive mental vibes. As humans we NEED to stay positive. I know I do. My life can be STRESSFUL, it can be cRaZy, it can be joyous and it can be mundane. But it's all LIFE. And I can do it.

My boys have been (as I have decided to dub them) circus monkeys as of late. (Or to be French about it: les singes du cirque). As I just exasperated and said to my mother (who I owe SO much to, for not loosing her mind dealing with four children, especially 3 boys and let's face it, not the easiest girl) they've been driving me NUTS. But my mantra rings through. Je peux le faire. I can do it. I can do this. Whatever it is, whatever needs to happen, I can do it. Life is too short to give in. But sometimes, oh my gawd it's tough. Several of my au pair friends, and friends who are parents in their own right know the feeling. As a dear au pair friend here said just this evening, "no wonder I eat so much chocolate here, sometimes I just have this feeling that after that I need chocolate." My response was "usually chocolate AND a beer."

It's important to take a break. To get away. I have needed that all week and tomorrow night will finally get it. I now understand more than ever why my parents went out to dinner on occasion, why they hired babysitters, why sometimes the lock on their door was switched. It's important to get away.

I know this posting is a little rambling, but you should know by now that it seems that's how I work. Just remember, and feel free to use it yourself. "Je peux le faire." I CAN DO IT. (And when saying to others it becomes "tu peux le faire" : YOU CAN DO IT). I think someday I'll try to write a bilingual children's book, or perhaps an adult's picture book and include that phrase. The Little Engine That Could always stuck with me, but well I'm NOT a little train engine. I'm a person and I need a personal mantra. I CAN do it, not "I Think I Can."

And I think we can all agree on that.

I'm going to bed now, despite the early hour (before 10pm can you believe it!) But I appreciate your notes, input and ideas. And let me know how you've used the mantra in your life.