Is your mind set on doubt or possibility? Problems or potential?
We can become so attached to a protective mindset that we end up being helicopter parents to ourselves, not allowing for a single bump or bruise along the way – and in the process, stifling possibility, progress, and even joy.” Chip Gaines
Is Impossible Really Impossible?
In Austria, there’s a passage of mountains particularly steep and treacherous called the Semmering. Back in 1848, travel from Italy to Austria over this section of mountains was impossible. The Semmering Railway, the world’s first mountain railway, was constructed to make travel from Vienna to Venice possible. Now here’s the amazing thing, they built the train tracks before there was a train with the technology and power to make the trip!
They say they built the train tracks over the Alps…before there was a train that could make the trip, they built it anyway. They knew one day the train would come.” from Under the Tuscan Sun
What’s the Mountain You’re Facing?
I’ve watched the movie Under the Tuscan Sun about ten zillion times just to hear one more time, “They built it anyway,” and feel the words stir my soul. Why? Because it’s like an adult version of the childhood classic, The Little Engine Who Could. The little blue engine had never been over the mountain. But she knew there had to be a way over. And that one day, she would travel up and over.
I have never been over the mountain. But I think I can. I think I can.” from The Little Engine Who Could
What’s the mountain before you? The particularly steep and treacherous terrain you’re facing? Is it a dream you’ve envisioned for so long you wonder if it will ever come to fruition? Or a marriage issue that seems like it will never resolve? Or a mountain of financial debt? I know sometimes I’ve wondered if I’ve taken so many wrong turns I’ll never find my way back. Facing obstacle after obstacle, detour after detour, is downright perplexing. And can burn out the best of us. Ugh.
Mind Set on Doubt and Problems?
Steven Pressfield, The War of Art author, writes about the great Resistance against anyone who dares to set out on an unknown adventure. And one thing I know from personal experience is the more daring the adventure, the more Resistance you’ll face for sure.
Resistance will attempt to fill your mind with doubt and dread. Problems and pain. Failure phobia. Resistance will try to convince you; You’ll never be enough. Except in your mind, you’ll hear it like this; I’ll never be enough, I don’t have what it takes. I’ll never figure it out. And before you know it, you’re stuck in an endless energy-sucking loop of despair.
A mind set on doubt and problems is like playing the piano with boxing gloves strapped to your hands. But that’s not where you’re story ends. Because you, my friend, have a choice. You have the divine gift of agency! You get to decide the narrative in your head consciously.
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Phillipians 4:8
Mind Set on Possibility and Potential!
Okay, so that’s great. But how the heck do you change the narrative in your head? How do you move a mind set on doubt to a mind set on possibility? How do you move a mind set on problems to a mind set on potential? You disrupt the pattern with Truth. And here’s my favorite Disrupter…
Look How Far You’ve Come!
OMGoodness! Hear the voice of God from within encouraging you – Look how far you’ve come, friend! You’re not where you once were. You’re not the same person you used to be. Little by little, you have evolved. You’ve grown.
Think of it, you’re growing right this very moment, and I can prove it. Because you dang sure wouldn’t have read this far if you weren’t intentional about nurturing your personal growth.
Feel the stirring in your soul? That’s the voice of Possibility! The voice of Potential! The voice of God within you, Look how far you’ve come. Take inventory even of the things you would label as failures or mistakes. Think of all the lessons you’ve learned. The skills you’ve acquired. The talents you’ve developed and honed. The difficulties you’ve courageously navigated. Take inventory, and when you do, you’ll realize you’ve come much further than you think.
They say they built the train tracks over the Alps…before there was a train that could make the trip, they built it anyway. They knew one day the train would come.” from Under the Tuscan Sun
You’ve been laying track! All of life up to this moment has been preparation for what’s next. Before the Little Blue Engine could make her way over the mountain, there had to be a track already in place. You’ve been laying track, my friend. Take inventory. Look how far you’ve come.
Everything is Preparation
Any arbitrary turning along the way and I would be else where, I would be different.” from Under the Tuscan Sun
If you could have crossed over the mountain before now, you wouldn’t have been prepared. All the disappointments, obstacles, and detours were all necessary to prepare you for right now. Look how far you’ve come. Nothing has been wasted. Everything was necessary and needed – laying track up and over the mountain. Laid in advance for your good. And for the good of others you’ll encounter.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20
My friend, is your mind set on doubt or possibility? Problems or potential? The problems you face are no match for the Potential inside you. And doubt? Just an impotent nuisance compared to your inner Possibility. May you utilize your gift of divine agency and consciously choose the narrative in your head. Look how far you’ve come! May Possibility stir within your soul. And may Potential emerge from within you. Does not tomorrow begin now?
This summer, on America’s Got Talent, a beautiful 27-year-old singer-songwriter auditioned with one of her original songs, Daydream. So inspired by her story and song, I was like holding my breath not to miss a syllable of her lyrics – which are like the musical version of this entire post. Be inspired and encouraged – give it a listen! Daydream by Lily Meola.
Now it’s your turn. As you stop to consider just how far you’ve come in life, especially in light of all the adversity you’ve faced, how can that shift your current mindset? I’m listening. And would love to hear from you. Email me your biggest insight, aha, or takeaway from today’s topic.
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Thanks for stopping by! Until we meet again, remember – Trusting in Jesus, you’ll have more treasure than pockets. From my heart to yours,
