The paradox we shall explore here is that wherever most of us see impossibility, someone always seems to just go ahead and do it. Whenever a record is broken or a target is surpassed, whenever an invention is devised or new things are discovered, whenever any problem is solved or a difficulty is overcome...
Time after time, day in day out, possibility wins over impossibility.
Let's unwrap the word "impossible":
IM POSSIBILE
I'M POSSIBLE
I AM POSSIBLE
Of course, we are not suggesting defying Nature's Laws with anything like thinking we can safely jump off the edge of a cliff. But through the feeling of "impossible" Nature seems to invite us to look at things in a different way and learn something new. Like, for example, if we build a hang-glider and strap ourselves in, then jumping off a cliff is transformed into an exciting affirmation of life.
The feeling of "impossible" is Nature's test, "Are you worthy of the achievement I am offering you?" To those who do not shrink back but give themselves to the task, Nature supplies all that is required to complete it. But She also seems to like testing and teasing us with problems along the way.
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PROBLEMS are an essential part of POSSIBILITY. They lead us to discover the next step we need to take. We are given problems so that we can experience the solutions. Problems awaken our desire for something better. Problems motivate us to act outside of our comfort zone and expand ourselves.
A wise person is grateful for their problems. It is ONLY through solving problems that we achieve skill and exellence in anything.
Problems are like the irritating grit that produces the pearl in the oyster. Without problems, there would be no need to adapt, no evolution.
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Those who see impossibility point to facts that prove their plight, and they remain stuck as victims. But facts reflect only what we happen to be looking at. Others expand their vision to see the underlying reality: always, there are other possibilities. They sieze the new opportunity that beckons ... and emerge as victors.
When things seem impossible, I like to recall this experience of Dr Wayne Dyer. He was on a flight from Florida to Chicago, to a speaking engagement where 5,000 people were expecting him that evening. Shortly after take off, the plane developed mechanical trouble and had to return immediately.
By the time Dr Dyer got to the flight desk back at the airport, every seat via every route to Chicago had already been taken. The only possible option was to wait until the next day.
"I must be in Chicago tonight. 5,000 people are expecting me."
"But that's absolutely IMPOSSIBLE," he was told.
Dr Dyer tried to stay calm and thought for a moment. "Would it be possible to speak to someone else, please? Perhaps someone who does not already believe this to be impossible?"
The airline official walked away in a huff. Another one appeared. Within the hour, Dr Wayne Dyer was flying to Chicago. All that was needed to make it possible was some fresh thinking about possible routes.
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Revisit your wish list that you wrote at the start of this "A to Z" series. If you have been putting these ideas into practice, you will already be feeling more confident about what might be possible (I know I do!). Try expanding one of your choices about what you'd like to be, to have, or to do. Push it to the point where you feel, "That's just not possible!"
Now, ask yourself, "Could I possibly speak to some other part of my mind, please ... one that perhaps does not already believe that this is impossible?"
In the next post, we will see how all this talk of possibility is underpinned by some sound science, and is far from being mere hype.
This post is part of "An A to Z for Success". See the side panel on the right for an index.