The Impossible is Possible

“I cannot discover that anyone knows enough to say definitely what is and what is not possible.“ Henry Ford
The Impossible is Possible
“There is invisible writing on the back of the diploma you will receive, and in case you didn’t bring lemon juice to decode it, I can tell you what it says: YOU ARE BRILLIANT, AND THE EARTH IS HIRING. The earth couldn’t afford to send any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint. And here’s the deal: Forget that this task of planet saving is not possible in the time required. Don’t be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done.” This was one of the messages Paul Hawkins, environmentalist and author of Blessed Unrest, delivered in a Commencement Address to the Class of 2009 at the University of Portland.

The rest of the speech is just as inspiring and poignant. It is definitely worth a read. If you can’t find it by Googling the author or the school, email me and I’ll send it to you.
Paul Hawkins is pointing out what wise people have always shown us. Notice I didn’t say intelligent people. I follow Doug Larson who said, “Some of the world’s greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible.” And also Charles F. Kettering who said, “The Wright brothers flew right through the smoke screen of impossibility.”
What I’ve noticed in those who like to focus on what is impossible is that they are usually lazy, afraid, defeated and/or resistant and temporarily engaged in a number of character setbacks. We do the impossible every day of our lives. Except for those born on Maui, how many of us would have thought living on one of the most beautiful islands in the world was in the cards for us?
Part of the reason the impossible is possible is because the spiritual force of the universe works through each of us. When we are focused and present in any given moment, we are gifted all kinds of miracles and inspiration.
This morning I was a captive audience channel-surfing the TV stations on the monitor attached to the Elliptical Machine I rode at Upcountry Fitness. I stopped at the Today Show where Matte Lauer was interviewing three burn victims, triplets, who had been severely burned when they were only 17 months old. Now age 22, they are undergoing a new laser treatment that dramatically improves and even eliminates disfiguring scars. Whatever group of people invented that piece of equipment not available 20 years ago certainly had to look ahead of what others’ deemed beyond the scope of reality. That happens all the time in science.
And then there are people like Julia Butterfly who sat in a Redwood tree, from December 10, 1997 to December 18, 1999, 738 days, a tree affectionately known as “Luna,” to prevent loggers of the Pacific Lumber Company from cutting it down. A resolution was reached in 1999 when the Pacific Lumber Company agreed to preserve Luna and all trees within a 3-acre buffer zone. A great win for all.
The universe is ready to support and respond to the “impossible.” Our job is to ask the questions, dream the dreams and then look and listen for the answers. With an entire universe of support, we can at least plant the seeds of trust in miracles to allow for fruitful outcomes. Jim Goodwin is stating the obvious when he says, “The impossible is often the untried.”
As you can probably tell, Paul Hawkin’s speech brought out my soapbox. Part of being a coach is helping people see and believe that their hopes and their dreams are possible; letting them know that they can do what they are being inspired to embark upon. When I have doubts, I turn to my biggest cheerleader who sees the possibilities that lie beyond my fear or resistance. The universe has given us each other for motivation and to co-create.
Another inspiration booster is reading about those who have tried, have failed, tried again and succeeded. They are made of the same miracles we are and used what they had at hand to get to the place where we see them having accomplished the impossible.
Remember Paul Hawkin’s said, “The earth couldn’t afford to send any recruiters or limos . . . . It sent you rain, sunsets, . . . .” It’s all here. He finished his speech by saying, “Nature beckons you to be on her side. You couldn’t ask for a better boss. The most unrealistic person in the world is the cynic, not the dreamer.”
Let’s dream our world and show the cynics and critics in others and our self the impossible is possible. Those of us beyond the age of this year’s graduates, also have a lot to give.