Are you a possibilitarian?

Every once in a while I come across a quote that I can't believe I haven't already seen. Here's one from Dr. Norman Vincent Peale that struck a chord with me.

"Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities — always see them, for they're always there."

It gets back to choice and the idea of creating how we experience the world. It's so easy to get wrapped up in how wrong things are going, or how our situation could be so much better, "if only."

In the end, how we see things is a matter of choice. It may not feel like a choice, because our perceptions so often become ingrained habits. But I've seen people change those perceptions again and again. If we can choose to wallow in the darkness, we can also choose to revel in the possibilities.

And lest you get the idea that I'm sitting here floating on a cloud, thinking nothing but happy thoughts of possibility, I should probably set you straight. In all honesty, I feel a little hypocritical with this post, because I struggle with getting wrapped up in the negative just as much as anyone.

But I have also experienced the power of that perspective shift, both for myself and for many others. Believing it, of course, is easier than actually putting it into action. Sometimes it's good to remind myself that I need to commit to it, not just preach it.

I love having that concept to think of - "possibilitarian." Now, if I find myself getting sucked into that quagmire of negativity, I can ask myself, "Are you being a possibilitarian, or are you wallowing in the negative? What would a possibilitarian see here? What would a possibilitarian do here?"

--

Curt Rosengren

Passion Catalyst  ^SM

Career passion e-books

Comments

[maria]

Great quote Curt! Definitely one for the collection.

What you write about in your last few paragraphs is precisely why I named my blog 'Believe Street' ... because I, as much as anyone (and some days *more* that anyone) feel like I need to *believe* and keep believing ... in myself, in my path, in the future, and in the possibilities.

Thanks!

[John Tunney]

Championing the cause for possibilitarians!:
http://www.edwdebono.com/debono/msg11u.htm

[John Tunney]

Curt, you may be interested to read about my 'Experiments in the day':
http://johnideas.blogspot.com/2005/03/experiments-in-day.html
A project I'm planning to develop in the coming months. Any thoughts?

[Rohit]

Hey,
Nice post and nice elaboration of your thoughts.

One 'should' be a possibilitarian no matter what the situation is.

Cheers,
Rohit