Do you let yourself believe in possibilities? I've thought about this a lot and for me, the definition of an optimist is someone who believes in amazing possibilities, even when life is showing you every indication that they're simply not possible. I've often been called a "Pollyanna" and told that I "have my head stuck in the ground" (or elsewhere!) because I've always refused to believe that life sucks 100%. For some reason I've never let myself go there...maybe because I just couldn't bear the thought that things would never get better. For me, that's untenable and unthinkable.
I do believe that it's important to look at our beliefs and if there's something happening in our lives that we don't like, we may be sabotaging our success in that area with our own limiting beliefs. These beliefs are different for all of us and most of them come from far back in our childhood...often so far back that we're not even aware of them. They might come from something we overheard, or were told as a child but they stuck and have been running our lives since then.
I've been doing a lot of "work/play" in this area recently. As a child of depression era parents I absorbed much around the belief of lack and impending doom as in..."yeah sure, things might be fine now, but we all know it's only a matter of time until the other shoe drops and we'll all be left with nothing", kind of belief.
You can see that the "impending doom" belief and the "pollyanna" belief might have caused some conflict over the years! I'm often reminded of the story of the grandson who goes to his grandfather asking for wisdom...
The child says, “Grandfather, there are two wolves knocking at my door. One is the wolf of abundance, pleasure, blessings, generosity, wealth, and bounty. And the other one is the wolf of anxiety, grief, sadness, lack of abundance, stress and pressure.”
The child continues, “They are both knocking hard, Grandfather. Please tell me who will come in? Who will win and gain entry into my home?
The grandfather answers, “Which ever one you feed.”
There are several variations on this story but the grandfather's reply is always the same, as is the question I always end up asking myself. Which one will I feed...fear and lack or joy and abundance?
There's a lot going on right now, both on the planet as a whole and within each of us, and I suspect I'm not the only one who's focus is on feeding the right wolf.
There are many things bringing me joy right now but the biggest is that beautiful sense of possibility. It's so full of potential and excitement.
I'm feeling especially inspired and excited by possibilities that have been languishing in the corner of my mind for some time now and this is the wolf I intend to feed. In fact, I'm preparing a huge banquet!
(I picked this bouquet of happy pansies yesterday and they’re smiling at me right now from the kitchen counter)
I'm glad you are feeding joy and abundance, kate. What kind of life is it to not, no matter what ends up happening. The older I get the more I believe this. I want to be happy and enjoy each day...if there are those who want to crouch in fear, so be it, and they are welcome to hold that place if they enjoy it so much. And they seem to enjoy it too, don't they? But it's not for me, either! Peace and love this beautiful day, xoO
Posted by: Olivia | 04/30/2011 at 02:49 PM
Possibility is a wonderful place to dwell & live! Beautiful pansies & post!
Posted by: Joy | 04/30/2011 at 03:00 PM
gorgeous pansies - love the brightness and colors, much like you Kate - so full of color and love.
yes, i try to stay positive.
Posted by: charlane | 04/30/2011 at 09:11 PM
The pansies are beautiful and a great message you are delivering today. I choose abundance and the fear of lack can go jump!
Posted by: Patti | 05/01/2011 at 04:41 AM
Hmmm...I am interested what you will be serving at your banquet! What is going on in the corner of your mind? I love possibilities, without them I would not grow.
Posted by: Ruth | 05/01/2011 at 01:42 PM
Kate, lovely and inspiring post. Thank you for the reminder to keep the wolf trust, possibilities, love and beauty.
big love, Shannon
Posted by: Shannon | 05/01/2011 at 07:16 PM
Love the pansy shots Kate! So very beautiful in their simplicity! Also love the post. It speaks to things that are going on in my own life right now. I know which wolf I'm going to feed.
Posted by: Chris | 05/04/2011 at 05:00 AM
Hi Kate,
I am Brazilian and I found your site by accident. I'm loving everything you've been posting here. I'll be visiting as often as possible. Thanks for share these amazing words. Lots of happiness! =)
Mayla (beingthevortex.wordpress.com)
Posted by: Mayla | 07/11/2012 at 01:05 PM