I ’ m not sure if I can recall a time when I felt confident . Maybe I was comfortable in my own skin in kindergarten . I remember sharing a scratch on my leg for show-and-tell . That seems like a kid who is OK with himself .
But that didn ’ t last long . My life has contained so much secondguessing and feelings of inadequacy . I haven ’ t always silenced my inner Bruno .
This talk of Luca reminds me of something my dad would say when I was young . My sister and I would repeat it to each other and laugh : “ If you think you can , you probably can . If you think you can ’ t , you probably can ’ t .”
Turns out , my dad was saying to me what Alberto said to Luca .
There are voices in your head that aren ’ t there to help you . The voices enter in the darkness of moments when we are made to feel that we are not good enough . We believe them .
How we think about ourselves matters . How we talk about — and to — ourselves matters .
My dad is a pretty smart guy , so , “ If you think you can ’ t , you probably can ’ t .”
But if you don ’ t believe him , at least listen to Alberto . He ’ s telling you and your inner critic , “ Silenzio , Bruno !”
BY BRIAN MCCUMSEY
Need help telling your inner voice “ Silenzio , Bruno !”? We suggest giving it a shot at the Italy Pavilion . PHOTO BY RICH RAMOS