Point to Ponder:

What’s your impossible?

by Neissa Brown Springmann

Has there ever been a time in your life when completing a project, accomplishing a goal or getting through a particularly difficult situation seemed just plain impossible?  Did you maybe procrastinate starting because you knew the journey would be long, uncertain and maybe even agonizing? I’d like to be able to say that I’m happy to jump on any project, goal or problem, but too often I instead get stuck over-thinking the “how” as well as the magnitude of the desired result.  All this does is overwhelm me, delay the start and discourage me from even getting started.

Recently I received the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation‘s newsletter and in it read the brilliant article Possible by Charlotte Benson.  In it, Charlotte, the mother of Christiane Benson who has Batten’s Disease (a neurodegenerative condition that causes seizures, blindness, cognitive and physical decline and is terminal by the late teens or early 20’s) shares incredibly exciting and encouraging news regarding Christiane’s eyesight and middle school successes. Here’s a little teaser:

“A couple of weeks ago, we had Christiane’s annual visit with her opthamologist to assess her vision and see what changes have occurred. Last year, we received the very good news that Christiane’s vision had only decreased marginally in one eye and this year her vision was virtually unchanged since last year! This is more than we could have possibly hoped for. When I told the doctor about the nutritional supplements we give Christiane, she said that she never sees this sort of stabilization in Batten patients, and then she asked who our nutritionist was. I could hardly wait to call Richard Abdo, our nutritionist, and tell him the good news. He has done a phenomenal job addressing the effects of Batten Disease through Christiane’s diet and supplementation. Richard has never had another patient with Batten disease, but applies what he does know about nutritional support for her brain based on other neurodegenerative conditions he has treated. Just by knowing what is necessary and doing what is possible, he is making an indelible impact on Christiane’s life by improving and extending her quality of life.” 

One of the many things I love, love, love so much about Charlotte’s article is its relevance. We would be hard pressed to find a person on the planet who doesn’t sometimes get bogged down by the magnitude of life and occassionally wonder “how in the world am I going to get through this? And where do I even begin?!” Instead of focusing on what’s necessary or possible, too often the tendency is to look at the big and overwhelming im-possible, first.  However, when we flip it and instead start with what’s necessary, then accomplish what’s possible, it changes everything. Before long, what once felt impossible becomes possible!

If you’re like me, you are likely tired of hearing about my upcoming move to San Diego, however I am declaring that Necessary –> Possible –> Impossible is my new mantra for expanding iGnite into San Diego (and really life in general).  When I look at the big picture and how it’s all going to occur, it’s too overwhelming and makes my brain hurt.  But, when I break it down into first doing what’s necessary (sell our house, find a good neighborhood and home to live in, get moved and settled, find a church, figure out my remote role for iGnite Austin, etc.); then do what’s possible (have fun and explore with the children, get familiar with the area, make friends, find a babysitter,  find a preschool, have iGnite Escapes to San Diego, etc.); before long and in some capacity iGnite San Diego will be up and running and the impossible will become an inspired community of women sharing life through health and fitness, and new friends for us all!

So…what’s your impossible? 

Action Item:

If you have a daunting “impossible” dangling in your life, I highly recommend you first do what’s necessary, which is gain strength, encouragement and inspiration by reading Charlotte’s article, Possible. Your impossible is awaiting possible status!

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