Focus on the Possible–to thrive, not just survive. Recently I was mightily inspired by a short TED Talk by Angus Harvey, one of the authors of Fix the News, a newsletter I treasure for its offering of inspirational, ground breaking good news — happening right now all over the planet. After listening several times, I was struck by how focussing on what’s possible is a radical change from our normal response to challenging situations….often we fight, flee or freeze!Here’s another reason for focussing on what’s possible. Early in my training in collaborative conflict resolution at the Justice Institute of BC (a course that was life changing for me, my family, my work, my life), I came across William Ury, one of the pioneers and luminaries in the field. Ury has now written a new book called Possible: How We Survive (and Thrive) in an Age of Conflict. It is possible to thrive in these very days we are experiencing, as full of conflict and challenges as they are!
To get a flavour for this potential, I suggest you listen to even the first ten minutes (after the intro), of this podcast interview between Ury and Tami Simon, the founder of Sounds True. Ury considers himself a possibiiist. He invites us, in challenging situations, to become curious, take reflective breaks, learn to listen…. Let’s each of us — in our own ways, and in our own lives — put our energies toward focussing on what’s possible…for our health and well-being, for our communities and families, for our work in the world and for our futures. Focus on the possible–to thrive not just survive. Indeed!So much of what we hear is tragedy and doom and horror and disaster and grizzly projections. They are not to be discounted or ignored. Still, when we are in conflict or things are difficult, if/when we focus on our differences and our problems, we usually stay stuck, differences and difficulties harden and grow, and things often fall apart. When we focus on what’s possible, on what’s working, when we learn to build bridges, look where we want to go, the world all of a sudden is completely different,. It doesn’t just look different, it IS different, and full of possibilities.
In the face of all that is, let’s turn our attention to what’s possible. Here’s to focussing on the good, the uplifting, the possible, the opportunities, sending appreciation for all you do, and thanks to those who share their insights and inspirations with me!
Here are some new and reprised posts that might interest you:
• A Resounding Yes to Life. A Resounding Yes to Life is the last thing I sometimes feel, or feel like saying! Still, when I recently came across an offering from a fellow named Douglas Harding, an English philosophical and spiritual writer, (who founded The Headless Way… an intriguing path to our True Nature and deep freedom), I laughed and felt a resounding Yes. Check it out!
* The Power of Positivity.The power of positivity is not about being a Pollyanna and denying dark sides, challenges, hard emotions or actions, our own or others’. It’s actually a matter of where we put attention, about our focus and our thinking.
• Dancing with the Dark Side: What about pain…physical, emotional? Struggles, challenges? I talk about a Dance because this deep work can be done with curiosity, openness, and even lightness… not the sinking, hopeless, sense of being caught in quicksand, a jungle, a dungeon… Let’s dance!
Jill Schroder is the author of BECOMING: Journeying Toward Authenticity. BECOMING is an invitation for self-reflection, and to mine our memorable moments for insights, meaning, and growth. Check the website for a sample chapter, or see the reviews to get a flavor for the volume. Your feedback, forwards, tweets, likes are most welcome.
