“Possibility” is my word for 2020.
My daily mantra will be “Anything Is Possible”.
Sure, I know that anything is possible. Yet, I don’t think I am consistent in reminding myself of it.
There is something about January 1st
I think this is one of the refreshing things about the new year. With the new year, we look at this whole year ahead…and the possibilities. We do the same thing in smaller scale on the first of the month, Mondays, and beginning of a season. So much more possibility in a whole year, though!
For some, those possibilities remain in this dream-like state…not really defined, and likely to remain a dream. For others, the possibilities may be stated, may be defined loosely, and may or may not manifest as reality.
For a few, these possibilities are identified, clarified, and laid out, along with an action plan to turn those possibilities into probabilities. Doesn’t it feel good just thinking about that??
What possibilities do you ponder?
I mean this is what we live for, right? The possibility of your next meal, the possibility of education, the possibility of making money to acquire what you want, the possibility of traveling to a new place, the possibility of completing an athletic feat, the possibility of happiness, the possibility of connection….you get the picture.
The power of connection
The hope we feel, for the possible, is powerful. If your possibility falls closely in line with your values, then the hope fuels motivation. I think a secret ingredient here for that hope – is connection & communication.
We are social creatures. I think there is something very impactful about genuine support from others. We can talk to ourselves all day. Many of us are great at coming up with all the reasons why something might not be possible, especially those of us that spend a lot of time calculating risk (even if that risk is just pride).
The connection from an honest and non-threatening conversation can feed your brain and soul with new understandings, new perceptions, confidence, and the reminder that anything is possible.
From possible to probable
Ok, so I have my word for the year, and my daily mantra. What am I going to do with that? Am I going to spend the year in the clouds, just dreaming up possibilities?
No way. I am going to make the possible probable. I know I’ll increase my chances by taking action. So, in addition to clearly defining possibilities, I have to lay out my actions, and be sure that those actions include connecting and conversing with others.
I like thinking about it in terms of training for an endurance event, which I LOVE doing, so it’s easy for me to understand. When I participated in a 34-mile trail run through the mountains of Idaho last year, I put a lot of work in both physically and mentally. A year prior, I saw the possibility of completing that race, but I knew it would not be probable without laying out AND completing an action plan. There was A LOT of action involved in that process, and a lot of building mental toughness. Conversation and connection? Yes, there is plenty of conversation and connection between runners during training and during the event. Those connections absolutely helped me to have a good day on race day.
Enjoy the process, enjoy the journey. Sentiments often heard. And hey, life, and everything about it, is a journey. You better enjoy it. Find out what’s possible this year.
What’s your word for the year?
Need a reminder that anything is possible? Hit me up ;-)
Yours in health,
-M