Possible

by Otto Yamamoto

Infinite Possibility

What is possible? Have you ever come up with a great idea or had
a dream and killed it before it even had a chance to see the
light of day? It seems that before we even give our dreams a
chance, we often throw in a reality check and immediately ask -
is that really possible? Whether it is a quick gut check out of
fear or our limiting beliefs speaking, it seems the safe way out
and a way to maintain the status quo. I am certain that a
million great personal and professional journeys get stopped
right at this question.

What would our world be like today if people like Thomas Edison,
Louis Pasteur, or Marie Curie asked themselves that question and
just gave up? What if all the legendary artists and musicians
compromised or listened to some authority figure telling them to
“get a real job”?

Summer is a great time for kicking back and relaxing. It is also
a fabulous time to find inspiration because when we take a
little time to “play” our best ideas come to us. So, consider
these 2 inspiring observations on the idea of what is possible.

The Man in Yellow

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have at least
heard about Lance Armstrong’s comeback from cancer to win the
Tour de France an unprecedented 7 times in a row. As a cyclist
and fan, I’ve read and watched more than my share of Lance
related news and features. However, there are a few key points
that I think are worth pondering for a few moments as we look at
“what is possible”.

When Lance was diagnosed with metastasized cancer in 1996 as he
was emerging as a champion cyclist, all bets from the top
medical professionals in the land were that this guy had 30%
chance or less to survive yet alone return to his profession as
a cyclist. What if Lance looked at the odds and asked himself
“what is possible” and just gave up? It would have been easy
enough to do, but he didn’t even consider that as an option. He
set his mind and body on the singular focus of recovery and came
through beating all odds.

Well, that’s beating impossibility enough, isn’t it? Well, no,
it’s not; he may have beat cancer, but what about being a
competitive cyclist? Surely most people would consider the
question “what is possible” and then go find a desk job
somewhere. Nope. Not this man, he chose to ignore what was
possible and decided to create his own possibility.

But surely, it is not possible for this man to be competitive
yet alone win the toughest and most physically grueling bike
race on the planet (over 3000km in 20 days of racing with untold
meters of climbing). Well, the impossible must be possible
because on July 24, 2005 he won it for the 7th time in a row and
has dominated his sport like no other in the history of cycling.
Not only that but through his non-profit foundation he directly
impacts the lives of many in the cancer community while pushing
the scientific community to take research to a new level.

Be strong. Pain is temporary but quitting lasts forever. – Lance
Armstrong

Besides the belief that it is possible, the ability to carry on
and not quit even when things look bleak makes all the
difference in defining what truly is possible. While life offers
no guarantees, belief, attitude, and hard work most certainly up
your odds and bring the impossible closer to possible. For
millions of people, especially those affected by cancer, this
man has redefined the realm of possibility.

Some Flightless Waterfowl

What would a bunch of penguins have to do with defining
possibility? I mean, really they are birds and cannot even fly!

Well, I recently went to see the most remarkable documentary
movie March of the Penguins. It is an unforgettable tale of
love, determination, and the seemingly impossible existence of
the emperor penguin.

Each winter, in the coldest, most inhospitable climate on the
planet, Antarctica, the emperor penguins begin a journey they
have taken for millions of years. While I couldn’t begin to do
the tale justice, the bottom line is these creatures walk
hundreds of miles in sub-freezing temperatures, go without food
for months, and risk their lives daily all for the singular
focus of bringing forth new life.

Now I know these penguins are not sitting around the iceberg
eating fishes and analyzing the intellectual possibility and
probability of this journey. But, you just have to say, after
watching the film, how the heck is that possible? Was Mother
Nature off her rocker the day she designed this? Well, maybe
it’s because the penguins don’t ask, they just do what they need
to in order to live and thrive and that is what makes the
impossible possible.

What’s Possible for You?

While these little examples exemplify the notion of “impossible
made possible”, my hunch is that you see examples like these,
feel a huge sense of inspiration, but often take not another
step forward because you think – but it’s not possible for me.

So, this month, do a little mid-year exploration of your goals
and dreams. What has been stopping you from taking that first
step? Has it been the “is it possible” question?

If so, take a few minutes to explore things from the belief that
possibility is infinite. From the vantage point of knowing
anything truly is possible, ask yourself, “What will I do
different today, tomorrow, and in the future to make my dreams a
reality”? Spend some time journaling or brainstorming about it
and create your own new realm of possibility.

American free runners match skills against the climbing king of India. Watch Is It Possible? Wednesdays at 10pm ET go.discovery.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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