Making the Impossible Possible

Hopes. Dreams. Ambitions. These ‘forward-looking’ thoughts lend purpose to what we do in the present. The realm of possibilities differs from person to person, but the affirmation ‘it is possible’ is like a fragile candle flame struggling to spread warmth and light on a cold, windy night. We douse that weak candle flame with a bucket of ice-cold water by entertaining the thought that something is impossible. 

“Impossible to achieve” signals to the mind that we have given up, and it’s time for the mind to move on to something else. The mentality of giving up easily, sometimes even before we start, becomes a festering habit that frustrates our attempts at realizing our hopes, dreams, and ambitions. 

The mind is the birthplace of possibilities. Every thought has potential, like a seed that grows in the darkness underground, sacrificing itself so that a tree may develop and provide its shade and fruits to anyone who may care to visit. Self-expression is in our nature. Everyone seeks to express themselves through achieving their goals in life. Loftier the goal, the steeper the climb. That is the price that life extracts from us. Many of us struggle with keeping ourselves motivated through the daily grind while we work to realize our hopes, dreams, and ambitions. For strengthening the mind, four factors play a crucial role. These include how we use our time, the effort we are willing to expend, the steadiness of mind, and our acceptance of whatever happens. 

Time

Time is an ever-shrinking circle of opportunity. Thousands of hours slip by without us noticing. Time is an equal opportunity provider, and it is left to us to maximize the use of our time.

A sense of urgency is the key that unlocks the potential of time by decluttering the mind space. For example, when you are running to catch a train about to depart in a few minutes, all extraneous thoughts disappear. The mind focuses on making it to the train, and we direct all our energies toward that effort. Similarly, our hopes, dreams, and ambitions are ‘trains’ that will one day leave us stranded where we are unless we are bold enough to discard what is unimportant and unessential to our goals. With time being a limited quantity, we must ask ourselves if we are using it as wisely as we can. 

Effort

Nothing happens without effort. Even lifting a finger requires effort by the mind and body. Working hard increases the probability of success. Along the way, mistakes and missteps will require us to work harder. But overcoming such mistakes provides invaluable lessons, and our efforts tell the mind that we don’t easily give up. Just as hardened soil breaks up and yields to the force of a farmer’s plow, every ounce of effort will soften the mind and make it a fertile bed that supports the roots of future success. 

Steadiness of Mind

The mind tends to lose focus quickly, and restlessness is its default attitude. Keeping the mind trained on one thing for sustained periods is taxing. Concentration is like holding an arm halfway between flexion and relaxation while holding a heavy dumbbell. Soon the muscles of the arm fatigue, forcing us to drop the dumbbell. Concentrating on one thought or idea forces the mind’s energies to remain stationary. Naturally, the mind fatigues, and we drop that thought or idea. 

A steady mind helps us engage with a task for extended periods. A state of relaxed concentration helps develop a steady mind. Relaxation of the mind can happen actively or passively. Letting the mind wander is a form of passive relaxation. Active relaxation occurs when we begin to watch the mind as it wanders. This watching of the mind helps burn distracting thoughts and quell restlessness. Once the field of thoughts thins out, more mental energy becomes available. This enhanced mental energy turns into a steady mind.

Acceptance

With every goal we set, there is a hidden fear of failure. It can be benign, lurking in the background, or so overwhelming that we dilute our goals to simplify them. Fear of failure disappears the moment we accept whatever result may come. Freedom to work in the present replaces the fear that constrains the mind. 

The mindset incorporating the importance of time, the value of effort, the steadiness of the mind, and acceptance of the results, helps us realize our hopes, dreams, and ambitions and makes the journey to our goals enjoyable.