What is Not Possible

An airplane with 500 people on board heading nonstop from New York to London.  Impossible.  A family of four getting into their car and driving 200 miles to visit family and then returning home on the same day.  Impossible.  Electric lights, central heating, the internet, movies on demand, cell phones with the ability to do hundreds of different tasks, all impossible! 

                You may be saying, "What are you talking about?  All of this is not only possible but part of our daily life."  That is just the point.  All this and so much more were thought of as being impossible not that long ago.  In fact, most everything that we use today was thought of as impossible only a short time ago by the greatest minds of the day.  What this shows us is that there is no such thing as impossible.

“What we need is more people who specialize in the impossible.”

– Theodore Roethke

1908-1963

American Poet

                Here is what I find amazing.  After living in a world filled with the impossible, we still tend to think that many things are indeed impossible.  A cure for cancer or other deadly illness many believe is impossible.  Humans traveling to other planets and living there is thought of as impossible.  The creation of reusable energy sources is thought to be impossible.  The list is still long and the belief that things are impossible is just as strong.

                This is one reason I love talking to young people.  They have the rare ability to believe that anything is possible.  It is only after the adult population has drilled fear and impossibility into their heads do they stop believing.  The sad thing is we get them to stop believing in the impossible just when they can do something about it.  A ten-year-old who believes that they can fly without a plane can do nothing to prove that to be true.  When that child is in his twenties and can do something great, they have been robbed of the vision and convinced it is all just the fantasy of childhood.

                Poet, John Andrew Holmes said, "Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing."  This ignorant person could be you.  Why not?  If someone is going to make a new discovery, create a new product, explore the unknown or change the world for the better, why not you?  Believe that you will do the impossible and you will be amazed at how you will.  It is always done by someone.  Let that someone be you!

                You matter!  You matter to the world and to yourself.  Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2019 John Patrick Hickey