What Ifs and What Not’s!

What Ifs and What Not’s!

© Allen Merritt (2017)

What if we entrained ourselves to focus every day on the possibilities instead of the impossibilities? Certainly this isn’t a new thought, but one worth revisiting as often as it takes until we accept and embrace the gift(s) of our lives.

How do we begin? Personal trainers say it is best to start small and choose reasonable goals based on your lifestyle, as you know it. Conceptually, I think this applies as much to the idea of living your life to the fullest; filled with positivity. 

I feel it’s worth a small discussion so as to stay on track with keeping an open mind toward each day. So let's take a moment to explore the 'what ifs' and the 'what nots.'

What is the ‘What If?’

‘What If’ considers possibilities as previously mentioned, but it’s also much more than that. ‘What If’ allow us to imagine beyond our wildest imaginations. It is not merely a question. It is a question that endeavors us to brainstorm through a series of answers/solutions. ‘What If’ gives us a moment to see things from various angles so that we might process outcomes. ‘What If’ is similar to the light at the end of the tunnel when you are trying to find your way.

‘What If’ is innovative and seeks out new ways, which comes in handy when we feel in a rut spinning our wheels. ‘What If’ directs us to see clearly and understand the fact that life is more than what we see in the right here and right now.

The idea of ‘What If’ is a popular topic. Research the two words on the internet and you will find there are movies, magazines, books, essays, comics, songs, games and apps all by the same name. ‘What If’ is a motivational tool which helps drive one into forward thinking. I think this is significant and imperative as a partner to positive thinking and initiative. ‘What If’ tries to find an alternative to what already is. I suppose in some ways it is like dreaming or daydreaming in that you put yourself in a position to fantasize about this or that. 

‘What If’ allows a question, a brainstorm or that dream to take on a life of its own which may prove beneficial later down the road in transforming itself into a reality. This question is the beginning of change, an activist for navigating potential outcomes through some form of modeling and visualization. In a way, the question takes a peek at the past to see what happened and allows us to consider how certain tweaks might have changed the outcome. By doing so we might be able to change the future of the same situation by not repeating history or the making the same mistake twice, so to speak. As I think on it, it might be another way of reminding of us to learn from the past, but not to live in it.

Now let’s look at the ‘What Nots.’

I see several angles on the idea of ‘what nots.’ Let me explain.

‘What nots’ refer to the impossibilities, but I also think it refers to negative thinking. If living each moment is impacted by the idea of mind over matter, then how we think and envision things becomes extremely impactful in one way or the other. Therefore, it seems apparent that denying ourselves, putting ourselves down and/or belittling and degrading ourselves (or others) whether we mean it or not (in the heat of a moment) leads us down that negative trail leaving us nowhere without hope. Thus, the 'what NOTS' focus on what not to do and on the negative side of something. 

However, ‘what nots’ are also small little things that associate themselves with other things, which may or may not serve any purpose. I see this as a reason to reconsider simplifying our lives to remedy clutter of any kind. Interestingly, ‘what nots’ are seen as something unidentified and/or without name. It is inclusive of these accouterments which take up more space and time than they deserve.

‘What nots’ also depict all sorts of distractions that invade our space and stand in the way of a healthy well being. They also refer to knick knacks and small items that take up space, which prove as an analogy for such distractions and advocate for purging. Maybe this can aide us in remembering the ideology of everything in moderation, because we all love a few chachkies.

To conclude, both the ‘what ifs’ and the ‘what nots’ work together simultaneously to promote opening our minds to possibilities and helping us live life On a Positive Note. It's something to consider.

Take time this week to look closely at both of these ideas in your own way and see how they can benefit you.

Here’s to a successful week!

Cheers!