The difference between joy and despair? Possibility.
I always liked purgatory better than hell, even though the suffering was the same. There is hellfire and punishment, weeping and gnashing of teeth, sure, but there is also the possibility of a way out in purgatory. Not at all like Limbo, with all the dead babies. There was an odd comfort and feeling of expansiveness because of that possibility. Just imagine, you can be happy in hell, just because that possibility exists!
It’s funny, the difference between happiness and unhappiness is a sense of possibility. When you’re living in no possibility, you’re miserable. You’ve got nothing to look forward to. You’re not working toward anything. You’re not inspired. You’re not excited. You’re not passionate. No possibility is basically a deadend.
When you’re holding possibility, you’re filled with excitement, with drive with interest and with passion. Strategically, you would be wise to choose possibility. How do you do that though?
You have to dream. You have to dare to dream again. Think back and resurrect the old dreams, or create a new dream. Decide to set a goal and get excited about heading in a new direction. When you get excited about life again, it is a high tide that lifts all boats. Exactly what do you need to initiate this new possibility? All of this is predicated on your willingness to take a risk. Dare to dream and you’ll start to live in possibility.
Start right now. Think of past goals that may be unfinished, or dreams left in the dust. It may be as simple as hanging a door, or painting a room. It may be as personal as getting back to dance class or taking that voice lesson that you’ve promised yourself. It may even be as sensitive as reaching out to an old friend, where a riff may have occurred.
Pick one right now, and write down five simple achievable steps toward accomplishing that goal. While you’re doing this, notice the feelings and emotions that are evoked. There is a quickening, a nervous energy that starts to emerge. That tickle is the beginnings of you coming alive again! Follow that energy. Chase it. Feed it. It is your true spirit trying to emerge and it needs your help. Do this, without worrying about where it goes, or how hard the challenges may be. There’s already a version of you in the future, handling every challenge, and p.s. You’re enough!!
