When we consider an outcome to a problem, we often default to one possibility and often it’s the worst case scenario possibility. Before it even happens, we brace for the worst. We may even start to live our life as if the worst already happened.
The worst is a possibility. It’s not the only possibility, though.
What if we decide that we can have more than one possibility?
Perhaps we could create three categories of possibilities. With three categories, we can keep our options open and show up in our day present to our moments. Rather than living as if the future already arrived with what we don’t want, we can live in our day believing in what can be possible.
Our categories of possibilities could be:
- The best case scenario. We can close our eyes and create that best case scenario in our mind. Just visualizing that scenario can reduce the stress of worrying about what will happen. Let’s sit back, relax and create a comforting scene in our mind.
- The realistic scenario. We could create a scenario that we can live with. It may include pieces from our best case scenario as well as imperfect pieces that we can tolerate. With this scenario, we lift the weight of worry so that we have more energy to effectively manage this outcome, including its imperfect pieces.
- The acceptable scenario. We can develop a scenario that includes compromises so that we can resolve our worry and keep moving forward. We may tolerate more than we want while giving ourselves space to keep moving forward. We can view this as a temporary outcome which we revise and tweak as often as possible to reduce what we tolerate and increase what we want. Sometimes, a good outcome is to take what helps us move forward rather than keeping what keeps us stuck.
To remind us that we can have more than one option, we can begin our day with this question: “What’s another possibility?”
What are your possibilities?
Resources
- The Sunday Question, Volume 3, is now available. Use our 53-question book to create a comforting, intentional ritual.
- Check out our caregiving resources.
- Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
- Enjoy the podcast, below.
