“Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” 

When you think back to your first memories of childhood, it’s usually with a sense of it being a happier, simpler, and much more carefree time. You remember the fleeting period of no responsibilities. You remember a schedule that mostly consisted of play, meals, naps, snack times, and adequate sleep.

But the factors that contributed to that time of your life seeming happy, simple, and carefree may go beyond your former schedule. Perhaps some of it has to do with the word “impossible” being less a part of your vocabulary.

Naturally, we come into the world assuming anything is possible. Everything–including all our hopes and dreams–seem attainable. Having such a sense of endless possibilities brings endless hope, which has a way of making life feel happier, simpler, and more carefree.

Over time, however, reality begins to set it. We’re either taught or we come to our own conclusion that certain things we thought were possible aren’t. As a result, our sense of hope diminishes.

This quote, by Muhammad Ali, reminds us to return to our childhood opinion of the word, impossible. Moreover, it encourages us to perceive it as a temporary state of being. Sometimes, with perseverance and faith, the impossible can be challenged and overcome. The fact of the matter is, you just never know how things will turn out. Therefore, possibility remains even when we don’t fully see it.

Further Reading: “It always seems impossible until it’s done”

Further Reading: “The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible”