“Alice laughed: ‘There’s no use trying,’ she said; ‘one can’t believe impossible things.’
‘I daresay you haven’t had much practice,’ said the Queen. ‘When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.’”
Alice in Wonderland

It is only when we start to think and believe that our thoughts and dreams are not impossible, that they can become real.

What impossible thought or dream have you had today?

What was your next thought? Was it, “I want to make this dream real,” or was it, “That is just way too out there and it will never work. It’s impossible.”

I think the Queen from Alice’s Wonderland was onto something. Perhaps it’s because she knew what the wisest of people throughout history have known. What you think about and imagine the most will be what you create in your life. When you think about and imagine what seems to be and impossible idea on a regular basis, you will have embarked on “the impossible dreaming journey,” and you will be one step closer to making the impossible, possible.

“Nothing happens unless first a dream.” Carl Sandburg

Let’s say, for instance, your impossible dream is to become a NASCAR racer.

Set aside time when you wake up each morning and focus your mind and heart on imagining yourself driving around a racetrack, having smooth pit stops, along with great sponsors. Take in the air filled with the sounds and smells of a racetrack. Post images of racecars and races in your bedroom and bathroom as a way to remind you to think about and imagine the impossible.

Sometimes your “impossible dreaming journey” will take you on unexpected twists. If your impossible dream is to become a NASCAR racer, through the process of renting racecars to practice your racecar driving you could discover an unseen opportunity aligned with your passion for racecars. Perhaps a new business would be born based upon renting racecars and operated a racecar driver-training course.

Dreaming what you perceive as impossible thoughts or dreams can lead you through new doors of perception and opportunity. It is important to remain open to different and unexpected thinking when embarking on the “impossible dreaming journey.”

The Queen in Alice’s story also shares a deeper insight with us about the power and importance of “practice” in one’s life. After six years of driving a boat around Grand Lake I am finally starting to get good at parking my boat. It takes a lot of consistent practice to hone my boating skills. The same holds true with thinking the impossible. The more you practice thinking about the impossible, the more you increase the opportunity for your imaginations and dreams to become reality.

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” Tommy Lasorda

As with so much of the wisdom shared in What Box? it takes tremendous effort to embrace and act on the “impossible dreaming journey.”

Taking small steps is a good first step.

Just by taking a pair of scissors and cutting out an image that reminds you of what you are dreaming about moves you closer to making your dream real. Posting it on your mirror in your bathroom and thinking about it every day only accelerates the process.

You have the power to create anything you want to create in your life.

Go ahead and think the impossible. Do it today and tomorrow, and the next day and the next month and the . . .

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” Abraham Lincoln

Let me know what you think.

Dear Sean,
I have lots of creative ideas, but implementing them is always a challenge. Most of them are centered on making changes around the home and 9 times out-of 10 what I envision happening does not go along with my wife’s ideas. Taking a risk and just doing it can end up in a huge argument. Any advice?
Wanting to create change in Grove

Dear Wanting Change,
In life, with nations and with people compromise is one of the most critical skills we can acquire and share. Whenever I am looking at changing the décor or physical space at my home I always involve Kristen, my wife, in the discussion. We look for the areas we can find common ground and agree on styles, textures, etc. I then will work towards compromising on other elements. The key is to make sure that your wife is willing to work towards a compromise. Set it up with her and say, “I am interested in working towards compromise with you on the design of our home.” Think of it as a fun way to negotiate with each other. Make it a game and have fun. Be patient and remember to breathe. Let me know how it goes.
Keep on keeping on,
Sean

Until next week, remember that the only boxes that exist are the ones you create yourself.

Keeping the mind and heart focused on the possibility of what “can be” while remaining positive today can be a major uphill battle.

So many elements of our society are working against us.

Just the other day I was in an audience listening to a speech by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He spoke about the fact that our Democracy is being whittled away right in front of our eyes, that our environment is being plundered for economic gain with no regards for future generations, the fact that our rights are methodically being stripped from us, and that we, as the citizens of the United States, are doing very little if nothing about it. His passion and zeal for what was shared moved everyone in the audience in profound ways. Yet, what can we do? How do we wake up and change the current course of history and the direction of our entire nation?

Bobby is an environmental warrior who has fought the poultry and swine industry to protect the waters of Grand Lake for years. His dedication to doing the right thing and making a positive difference is inspiring. He is a friend of yours and mine. This is why his words are so powerful and weigh so heavily on the heart.

After his speech I was blown away by his message and how much it connected in an even more meaningful way with what I already knew. How could it be that the reservoir of hope and compassion that the United States has built up with the rest of the world over the past 260 years has become so dry and empty?

What is going on here? How did we get to this place?

“Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let’s love turbulence and use it for change.” Ramsey Clark

How can we turn the tide and refill the reservoir of hope and compassion that represents the United States? What has happened to our moral compass?

For many of us the tendency is to just go numb with the weight of the challenges that face us. It is just easier to think, “There is nothing that I can do to make a difference with something that is so monumental in scope.”

In fact, it is “the people” who have made the greatest difference throughout history when it comes to significant change. Only we can influence the changes necessary to turn the tide and redirect the flow of hope and compassion back into our reservoir, and to fill our hearts and those of the citizens of the world with the possibility of changing the course of history for the betterment of all.

“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” Margaret Mead

When the world gets me down, when the words of wise men and women drive a dagger in my heart, and when the actions of our leaders work for the few and not the whole, I do my best to look for the possibility of what “can be” and focus on the positive.

This takes tremendous effort and focus. It means thinking differently and stretching oneself.

Today more than ever before the world needs the people of the United States to step up and take a stand for a balanced and inclusive humanity, a place where hope and compassion are the light, were our swords are put down and instead transformed to plowshares.  

“Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.” Harry Emerson Fosdick

The zero sum game we have been playing is not working, things need to change and we need to think and act in different and new ways. Change is coming quicker than we realize. It is up to us to be part of directing this change from darkness into light, and to collectively pool our tremendous resources for the betterment of our society as a whole instead of just for the few.

We are at a turning point in history and time is marching on. Something is in the air.

Our challenge is to focus on the possibility of what “can be” while remaining positive through the challenges of change.

Now is the time to shift our thinking from “I can’t possibly make a difference,” to “I will be one of the people who will focus my energies on working purely and simply for the benefit of humankind so that we can change the course of history and move to a place of love and compassion for our community, city, state, nation, and the world.”

You have the power to make a difference and influence a better place for all of us to live.

How are you going to focus your energy to make a difference? Go ahead and get M.A.D. Make a Difference today!

Let me know what you think.

Until next week, remember the only boxes that exist are the ones you create for yourself.

Imagine having an endless supply of great ideas at your fingertips.

Imagine reaching for your greatest aspirations.

Imagine becoming all you want to be.

“Imagination is the eye of the soul.”  Joseph Joubert

It takes courage to push ourselves to a place where we have never gone before, to test our limits and to break through the barriers that hold us back.  Think about the lion in the 1939 classic film “The Wizard of OZ.”  The lion, desperately seeking the courage to face life’s challenges, is constantly looking outside himself for courage.  In all actuality, the lion had an unlimited reservoir of courage already there; only he was unable to see that truth about himself.

Just like the lion, we have everything we need inside of ourselves to become all we can be.  As Mike Munn, my good friend and former head physicist for Lockheed says, “You know more than you know you know” I would add, “and can be anything you want to be.”  The challenge for us is to look inward for our strength to stretch and grow creatively instead of looking to the outside world for that strength.  Too many times we are held back because we buy into negative outside influences that don’t encourage or support different thinking, creative ideas, inventions, or solutions.

In my life I have experienced many fears about being a writer.  Growing up, I was challenged by traditional learning institutions. This challenge was compounded by my dyslexia. Writing for me has been torturous at best.  As a CEO, my Board insisted that I take writing courses to improve my skills because they were concerned that my “unique” style would not be embraced by the corporate world.  For the past 10 years I have been visually representing my ideas about a series of creativity books I want to create and yet have not been able to put down more than one paragraph to start the darn thing.

Writing “What Box?” is a way for me to embrace the unknown and find the courage to become a writer.  What area of your life is holding you back from what you want to do or want to be?  What is it that you not doing that you would like to be doing?  What do you want to create for yourself?

When we find the courage to go where we have never been before it does not mean that all of the sudden insecurity, fear and anxiety do not exist.  Instead we consciously make the decision to move through these feelings as constructively and creatively as we possibly can.

By taking leaps of faith and stepping over the edge into the unknown we stretch our visible and hidden skills to new limits and promote exercising our creative potential.

So the next time you find yourself saying, “Oh I can’t do that” or “That idea is way to over the top,” take time and remind yourself that hey, I know more than I know I know and can do anything I decide to do.

Believe in yourself and in your abilities and you can accomplish great things.

“Faith is building on what you know is here, so you can reach what you know is there.”  Colleen Hightower

Tools for Exercising Your Creativity Muscles

Sketch and Doodle Your Thinking
One of the single greatest ways I have found to generate new ideas is to pick up a pencil or pen and start doodling my thoughts.  This does not mean you have to possess exceptional drawing skills to draw out your ideas.  Stick figures along with simple images have an amazing power to jog your brain consciously and subconsciously, supporting you to reach your goals.  These doodles are for your eyes only if you choose.  Let go of judgment about artistic merit and instead think of your doodles as a tool to generate new and winning ideas.  We have all heard about the idea that was drawn on a napkin and became the next big thing.  What idea do you have to draw out of yourself?

Take A Risk
When you are not failing every now and again you are at risk of stagnating yourself and your creativity.  When you take a chance you exercise your creativity muscles and continue to strengthen it.  Stop doing new things and you loose the creative muscle of risk.  Go ahead, take a risk and find something new to do and see where it takes you.

No More Excuses
We have all heard the saying “Just do it!”  Sounds so simple doesn’t it?  When I started writing “What Box?” I had to give up on all the excuses that were keeping me from reaching and fulfilling my aspirations.  In many cases it takes even more creativity to remove the excuses that hold us back than it does to develop the idea in the first place.  What excuses are you holding onto?  How can you remove these excuses and become the creative person you were meant to be?

Let me know what you think.

Dear Sean,
Many times looking at the truth about myself is scary. What is worse is hearing someone point out a truth about me that I don’t want to face. How do I go about just accepting myself for who I am with all my imperfections?
Troubled in Langley

Dear Troubled
Facing the truth about yourself is rarely easy. In fact it may be one of the hardest things to do, period. One of the best ways I have found to accept the flaws that I have is to look at them as lessons to learn and grow. No one is perfect, we are all perfectly imperfect. When you are confronted with a truth about yourself that is holding you back and in need of improvement, embrace it, hold it close and say, “I am an imperfect human and I love myself. I know I can improve and am willing to work on improving. I let go of my imperfections and release them to the universe.” The more you repel that which you don’t want to the more you become it. The more you release what it is that holds you back the more you become the authentic person you were meant to be. You can do it! Keep me in the loop as things progress.
And keep on keeping on,
Sean

Until next week, remember that the only boxes that exist are the ones you create yourself.

The search for truth has been going on since the beginning of time. In fact, it could be one of our greatest quests as humans. Yet knowing truth is not easy. There are so many distractions, influences, deceptions, missed cues, and people who don’t want us to know the truth. Even if we think we know the truth it may not be the truth. History is being re-written at an accelerated pace. What we thought we knew as truth can and is being altered. Is it truth?

Here is the question. Could you handle it if you really knew the truth? How about the truth about when you were a child; the truth about what people really think about you; the truth about the Middle East; the truth about global warming; the truth about religions around the world; the truth about global economics; the truth of what it means to be a human.

“Truth is the property of no individual, but is the treasure of all men.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

The truth is out there, like the view over the horizon, just beyond our sights. Yet it is out there. I sometimes wonder what the truth is as I sit next to a roaring fire pit at my Grand Lake property, marveling at the stars over head, and asking for cues and insights into the truth.

There are universal truths. What comes around goes around. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Love is the key. Anything is possible. The only sure thing is change. I’m sure there are many others that you can think of.

“The hero of my tale, who I love with all the power of my soul, whom I have tried to portray in all his beauty, who has been, is, and always will be beautiful, is Truth.”

Leo Tolstoy

When you know the truth they say it can set you free.

There are some truths that I have not known what to do with. The truth can make people uncomfortable. It can cause them to see that they may be wrong about their beliefs, and as a result, prevent them from looking at the truth. People, in fact, attempt to block the truth if it makes them look bad or like they don’t know what they really believe.

So what do you do when you know a truth? Live it!

The truth can set you free. Use the truth to make a difference in the world. Focus on what is possible. Move toward what you are called to do. This is different than what you think you should do. Follow your instincts and intuition, for this is where the truth hides.

“No pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage-ground of truth.”
Frances Bacon

In the end only you can know your own truths. It is an individual and unique experience that you are living. When you make searching for the truth a priority you come closer to living your purpose in life.

Can you handle it?

Let me know what you think.

Dear Sean,
I read your article last week on The Power of Abundant Thinking and how that translated into your incredibly romantic anniversary celebration. It occurred to me that abundant thinking has a lot to do with being open to the possibility of what can be and seeing opportunities to turn dreams into reality. Thinking about how things can work rather than thinking about how it could never happen. Is this how it works for you?
Inspired Grove

Dear Inspired,
Yes! Focusing on the possibility and what it is you want to create is a major factor in manifesting your visions. Another key is to remain positive and use the power of your imagination to make the desire real in your mind and believe that it is real even when it is not. The more you believe it is real the closer it moves towards becoming real. Trust yourself and the power of your intentions. Remain open, let go of how it will happen and keep working towards what you desire. It will become real before you know it.
Keep on keeping on,
Sean

Until next week, remember the only boxes that exist are the ones you create for yourself.

Thinking and living in constant abundance can be challenging for anyone. We all have times when we do not have enough to take care of our needs or wants. This leads us to focus on what we don’t have instead of what we do have, or even better what we can create.

What do you focus your energy on; abundance, what you don’t have, or what can be?

The amazing thing about focusing on “abundance” and “what can be” is that it becomes real, and sometimes, in an instant, you are able to create what it is you have focused your mind and energy on, something more than what is.

“Man is so made that whenever anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish.” La Fontaine

It takes practice and more practice to be in a state of abundance. It is easy to get caught up in what is not there rather than focusing on creating what it is that you want. “I don’t have this so I can’t do what I want.” Or, “If only I had more of this I could do that.” The more you focus on what you don’t have, the less energy you have to create that which you want.

I have developed a number of ways to keep abundance on top of my mind. I create visuals that I post all over the house. I create murals that represent positive thoughts and remind me to focus my attention on abundance. But my favorite visual, at least at this moment, is what I call an “Abundance Mobile.” You know, the kind of mobile you hang from the ceiling that moves with the airflow. Calder is one of my favorite artists and his mobiles have inspired me.

I picked up a couple of blank mobiles with little clips on the ends where I can hang photos of the images that reflect the abundance I want to create in my life. I have images of health, spirituality, wealth, family, and personal goals I would like to achieve, like a New York Times bestseller. Kristen, my wife, has images of cooking, romance, wealth, family, and personal dreams. They hang above our bed so that we are reminded to be in a state of abundance just before we go to sleep and as we wake up. The mobiles are very powerful indeed.

“It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.” Robert H. Goddard

How powerful?

Kristen is working hard to be in a place of constant abundance. Her natural tendency is to go to scarcity, to focus on what she doesn’t have whenever things get a bit challenging or there is not enough time, energy, or resources for what ever it may be. She is getting better and better at it all the time.

Just last week on our 9^th wedding anniversary while we were on the island of Isla Mujeres we both were reminded of the power of abundance and creating what you want in your life even if you don’t know how the heck it is going to happen.

We were staying in a small cabin on a private beach, which didn’t have much to speak of except a couple lounge chairs and a tattered pallapa. Usually when we travel we don’t make reservations ahead of time and find a place to stay when we arrive. This time we made our reservation in advance. This place was nice, but it was not exactly what we had hoped for. There weren’t any services of any kind available and it looked like we would have to drive anywhere we wanted to go for food, drinks, restaurants, etc. We counted our blessings for being in this beautiful place, yet it was not exactly the kind of atmosphere we had imagined for our time there. Oh well. You go with the flow and focus on what is good about the situation.

After we arrived I decided to wander down the beach to see if I could find a place within walking distance selling Nega Modela’s, one of my favorite Mexican beers. To my surprise a really nice private beach club that was hidden just around the bend sure enough did. I went back to our cabin and got Kristen and we went back to the club and had lunch. We were treated like royalty and shared one of the finest meals we’d ever had in our lives. I mean it. It was totally amazing. Not only was the food incredible, but we were also enjoying building relationships with people who were there. Since the food and service was so totally remarkable we decided that we wanted to have our anniversary dinner there. Then we learned that they only served lunch to members, which we had just become, and they did not serve dinner.

As we explored more possibilities, we shared with them that we would be celebrating our 9^th anniversary on Thursday of that week. When Antonio, the head of the beach club, heard this he told us that they would be honored to create a special meal for us and serve it to us on the beach. It took us about two seconds to say yes and we proceeded to continue our discussion as we ate our lunch of the most outstanding seafood we had ever experienced. We left to change the reservations we had at another restaurant and dreamt of what was to come.

What was to come was beyond any fantasy that either Kristen or I have ever had about a meal on the beach or anywhere else for that matter. When we showed up for our dinner reservation, we were the only people on the beach. Seven people were there ready to serve our ever desire. They set up a bed for us to watch the sun set as we were served mango daiquiris and Champaign. Then they lead us to a table surrounded by candles and tiki torches where they served us a five-course meal and two additional bottles of wine. We did not order a thing. Everything showed up like magic. The food was even better than the lunch we had there several days before. The atmosphere that was created for us was truly a dream come true. It felt very much like we were living in our own movie.

We did not want the moment to end and savored every moment. We made toasts to Grand Lake, to Tulsa, to family, to friends, to life, and to our amazing relationship. It was somewhere during the second bottle of wine while Kristen and stared at each other and the lights of Cancun across from us that she said, “You know what? This is one of the exact images on my abundance mobile hanging in our room.” My heart sang as I could see that she was connecting the power of abundant thinking with creating what you want. She had created what she wanted and it was a beautiful thing. In fact, it was better than what she had imagined and projected that the evening would be.

It was a night to remember for all time and it was totally unplanned and unexpected. If we had not stayed down the beach in the little cabin, I would never have wandered next door for beer, we would never have sparked the new friendships that had emerged that day, and our amazing anniversary celebration would never have happened.

Uncovering opportunities to reinforce the power of abundant thinking is one of the most important ways to make what it is you want real.

What kind of abundance do you want to create in your life? The power of abundant thinking can make it real.

Life is what you make it. Make it what you want it to be.

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney

Let me know what you think.

Until next week, remember the only boxes that exist are the ones you create for yourself.