Six Impossible Things
- The Queen in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland
“There is no use trying,” said Alice; “one can’t believe impossible things.”
“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,”said the Queen.
“When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day.
Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
There has been a resurgence of interest in Lewis Carroll’s story of Alice in Wonderland thanks to the latest Tim Burton film. One piece of dialogue in the story has always captivated me – believing in six impossible things a day. Now perhaps six impossible things to believe in before breakfast might be a bit much, but perhaps we could try with one a day?
Let’s start by defining what is (im) possible for you. Do you catch yourself saying “That’s impossible” because it is too risky, too expensive, too ridiculous? Examine the reasons for this. Is it based on a fear of change or fear of risking your sense of security? Now ask yourself, is there some part of your life that you would like to move forward that would be helped by believing in one, two, three or even six impossible things?
Start imagining it right now. Imagine something in your life that you would like to be other than the way it is. Imagine doing something you have never done before – it can be as crazy as your imagination will allow. The object of this exercise is to allow you to access the power of your imagination and creativity – be as daring and bold as you like. Just go for it. And while you are entering the realm of impossibilities, take with you the lines of the poem by Emily Dickinson:
I would not paint—a picture—
I’d rather be the One
Its bright impossibility
To dwell—delicious—on—
So tell me, what one impossible thing could you believe in today?
This is a great post Marie! I have not seen the movie but I think I need to! Hum…OK so let me think. (im)possible? I bought some water color paint about 3 mos ago wondering if I can paint. I have done nothing with it so far. I could try.
I have to do two one hour presentations at work today. One at 6PM and the other at 10 PM. I am worried about my stamina to communicate. I can do this well as it is possible!
LikeLike
I am a real Alice-o-phile – I really get the whole message of it -and this is just one of the terrific messages contained in the story!
LikeLike
What an inspirational post! I fell truly motivated today to delve into my imagination and start dreaming impossible dreams 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Marie, for this inspirational post.
Everything in Life is fragmentable and comprehensible but most of the time we take the easy route of avoiding the obstacle and we label it as impossible.
Think of that ‘huge’ impossible thing always at the back of your mind. Analyze it. Fragment it into as many possible things as you can think of and tackle one at a time. Be relentless and… voilà!!! Impossible is no more
Love you
LikeLike
Chari, thank you so much for this wonderful comment. It is great advice – I especially love when you point out that most of the time we take the easy route of avoiding the obstacle and we label it as impossible. This is certainly true of me – thank you for reminding me of the need not to give up!
LikeLike
Oh what a great post and I love Chari’s advice to us too!
LikeLike
Great post Marie! I LOVE the line from Alice in Wonderland and may have to go read the book now! It gives me a feeling of hope to imagine myself thinking of one “impossible” thing per day. Let my imagination go, let my dreams take hold, and as Jody says, “think outside the box”.
Love, Deb
LikeLike
Dear Marie,
Thank you for this beautiful blog (but what else is new: all your blogs are amazing).
What I think is impossible? Ever since I became a LiveStrong Leader and had the honor to meet all of you I getting more and more convinced nothing is impossible anymore. I see lots of examples of great courage and amazing performances (like Debbie running half a marathon after what she has been through) and people participating in the LSC to raise money for the fight against cancer after battling it themselves, not cured, healed and feeling better but doing it. I think people are capable of doing the impossible and thank you for pointing it out to me. Big hug, Annemieke
LikeLike
Thank you dearest Annemieke for your wonderful comment – for those who don’t know Annemieke she IS a living example of dreaming the impossible and making it happen! Annemiekeh and Debbie you both inspire me every day!
LikeLike
What a great post – and what fantastic comments!
LikeLike
loved the post. Finding Neverland…also a great movie about chasing our dreams and not letting go of our imagination.
i read your SpyMom post too (loved it), and I’m not the cancer victim, but I can still relate to the SpyMom’s question, who is she post cancer? what does she want to do with her life? My mom is back in remission after stem cell and it’s like, ok, I can do whatever I want. I don’t have to stay stateside any longer. I don’t have to be “on call”. What do I do?! What do I want to do with my life? So, I quit my job. What I would call a decent job that I somewhat liked, secure. But what now? I have a few ideas. I think it’s going to be a huge faith experience. I’m terrified some days. Other days I’m confident that God and I are writing an incredible chapter in my life that’s going to sweep me off my feet. I think my impossible dream is putting my three passions together: Faith, Horses, and taking care of people. (equine facilitated counseling/psychotherapy).
LikeLike
Thanks Katy for sharing your thoughts and your dreams with us. As I have said so many times, it doesn’t need to be cancer which awakens us, I always intend these posts to refer to any life changing event or wake up call. I am still trying to figure it out for myself, so let’s try to help each other as we journey on our way 🙂
LikeLike
Just read this post in conjunction with spy mom – and the two taken together pack a powerful punch!
LikeLike
I agree with Tami – the two packed a powerful punch for me too!
LikeLike
I loved the Alice books from a child, and now as an adult to discover the meaning behind the stories has been a real revelation..thank you for this post.
LikeLike
Yes, I am another Alice fan but this really enriched my enjoyment of the Six Impossible Things dialogue, which I hadn’t paid much attention to before now..
LikeLike
Am working on my six impossible things this week!
LikeLike
Loved this post.
LikeLike