Possibility is one of my favorite words… because it is a concept that our human selves do not go to as often. The human being is more naturally negative and seeing the “scarce” or “lack” of things. This is in relationships, work, home, friends, things, etc. We tend to look at what we don’t have, what is not possible, what the problem or barrier is. While with all these things anyone could argue the extreme, I am talking about our general outlook day to day.
In a concept called “prosperity thinking”, the essence is possibility. It is looking at what is right, what is possible, what CAN happen or CAN be done. It looks for the solutions rather than the problem. In order to be a solution thinker, it is important to be able to see the possibility. This often aligns with vision as vision is a possibility. Vision is not the proven or seen reality it is the dream, hope, and potential of what could be possible. Does it require work, focus, discipline and for things to come together? Sure, but it focuses on what IS possible.
This attitude and characteristic of being a “can do” or “possibility thinker” or “prosperity minded” will help you to solve things you didn’t think possible and will unlock were you might feel stuck, spinning or hopeless. Granted, there is thinking in life that is hard and challenging… but if you follow some stories of people with more extreme challenges and how they saw the possibility and what they overcome it puts most of the world’s challenges in perspective.
Check out the story of Nick Vujicic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nknzSWDcUgA
Or His rules for Success: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLnDRUrqDl0
- You’re valuable
- Don’t give up
- Just do it
- Go one step at a time
- Find your purpose
- Make today count
- Have faith
- Persevere
- Be thankful for what you have
Notice how many of the “rules” require possibility thinking. Start to notice if your thoughts are more about the “lack” vs. the “possibility”. Write down thought, fears, and worries and then write a possibility statement. If you are challenged to come up with something, ask a friend to help you… be open to the possibility and know there are answers and solutions. Try to not be ridged or demanding about the answer. As the polish proverb says, “when opportunity knocks, some people are in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers.” Being open means not only looking for possibilities but looking at the different ways they might come that are not exactly what we expected or wanted, but are a gift and a solution all the same.
Here is one of my favorite examples of staying open…
A fellow was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God for help. Soon a man in a rowboat came by and the fellow shouted to the man on the roof, “Jump in, I can save you.”
The stranded fellow shouted back, “No, it’s OK, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me.” So the rowboat went on. Then a motorboat came by.
The fellow in the motorboat shouted, “Jump in, I can save you.”
To this, the stranded man said, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.” So the motorboat went on.
Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, “Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety.”
To this the stranded man again replied, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.” So the helicopter reluctantly flew away.
Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, “I had faith in you but you didn’t save me, you let me drown. I don’t understand why!”
To this God replied, “I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?”
(source: http://truthbook.com/stories/funny-god/the-drowning-man)
Look for the possibility and when it comes be ready to recognize it and embrace it.
