A summary and refection from one of the 12 practices in the book, The Art of Possibility.

Creating frameworks for possibility involves restructuring meanings, creating visions, and establishing environments where possibility can be present.

The book suggests the steps for creating the frameworks to be:

1. “Make a new distinction in the realm of possibility: one that is a powerful substitute for the current framework of meaning that is generating the downward spiral.”
2. “Enter the territory. Embody the new distinction in such a way that it becomes the framework for life around you.”
3. “Keep distinguishing what is “on the track” and what is “off the track” of your framework for possibility.”

Restructuring meanings call upon us to take a downward-spiral situation and turn it into another possibility. The alternate possibility results in nothing to hide from, and the new posture becomes more compelling to the old one.

Framing possibility asks us, as the book describes, “to think in terms of the contexts that govern us rather than the evidence we see before our eyes.”

Framing possibility also frees us from paying attention to only the threats. It also helps to shape our mental framework for the conditions we want to change.

A summary and refection from one of the 12 practices in the book, The Art of Possibility.

We tend to think of ourselves having only a limited freedom in the larger scheme of things, like a pawn in the game of chess.

When bad things happen to us, we can easily get into a fault-and-blame game to protect our identity and sanity.

The fault-and-blame game also limited our ability to enter the universe of possibility.

Instead of thinking ourselves merely as a pawn, the book encourages us to take on the practice of “Being the Board”

By being the board, the book suggests first part of the practice is to declare: “I am the framework for everything that happens in my life.”

By being the board, we can expand our limited thinking from the perspective of just one piece on the board.

To take the practice a step further, we can look at our unwanted circumstances in a different light. The book suggests we ask the next question: “Now, how is it that I have become a context for that to occur?”

By implementing the two-part practice, we start to take on a wider view and step out of the fault-and-blame game. Often what happens to us is merely the way things are.

By being the board, it is now easier to think about making a difference, rather than simply playing the fault-and-blame game.

A summary and refection from one of the 12 practices in the book, The Art of Possibility.

Lighting a spark refers to two people making the connection that turns into new possibilities for both participants.

Lighting a spark is not about forcing or pressuring someone into your way. The vehicle for lighting the spark is through enrollment.

When people are enrolled on the same journey, they give themselves as a possibility to their travel mates.

The book outlines the practice of enrollment to be:

1. “Imagine that people are an invitation for enrollment.”
2. “Stand ready to participate, willing to be moved and inspired.”
3. “Offer that which lights you up.”
4. “Have no doubt that others are eager to catch the spark.”

When the connections between people spark some possibilities that were not there before, everyone on the same journey can catch them.

A summary and refection from one of the 12 practices in the book, The Art of Possibility.

By now, it is easy to see the universe is filled with possibilities. Many things that the earlier generations could only imagine have become a reality.

The changes are all around us, and the rate of change is only climbing faster. That usually leads to more energy for change and, consequently, more possibilities.

The question is how we can tap into that pool of energy and possibility?

The book has two suggestions.

“The first step is to notice where you are holding back, and let go. Release those barriers of self that keep you separate and in control, and let the vital energy of passion surge through you, connecting you to all beyond.”

“The second step is to participate wholly. Allow yourself to be a channel to shape the stream of passion into a new expression for the world.”

While I recognize the importance of devoting yourself to work, I do not believe passion alone is always sustainable.

Instead, I like Elizabeth Gilbert’s suggestion where curiosity can be the vehicle for searching or reaching our passion. Curiosity and inquisitiveness make up the plug that we can use to tap into the universe of possibility.