What do you do that makes you feel competent, capable, powerful?

Does anything special give you that feeling—that wonderful, chest-swelling feeling of ”I can!”—or can you get it just from ordinary things?

Sometimes I get it from meeting a real challenge, doing something new, something I was nervous about trying, something I wasn’t sure I could handle.

But sometimes it’s just a passing moment, an instantaneous awareness of “I can do this!” that comes from everyday things. I can drive a car, shop for groceries, pay for them, cook a meal.

It’s great to experience that moment of recognition of your own capabilities and strengths—feel your muscles, as it were—and not take them for granted.

What gives you that feeling?