That's the title of the picture featured on this week's agenda page. It's a picture of a bowling ball making what appears to be a strike. The accompanying quote:
"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in the impact of your determination."
Hmm.
Notice that it does not say "in your determination" but rather "in the IMPACT of your determination." That's a slightly different philosophy than is usually spelled out in the do-anything-you-set-your-mind-to-all-it-takes-is-a-positive-attitude popular positive thinking culture that is prevalent, especially at this time of the year.
As I mull this over, I'm struck by the escape clause it provides to those who might be looking for one. On the surface, one might say, "See? All the determination in the world isn't necessarily going to effect a change. Says so, right there. So why bother?"
And on the surface, the cynics are right, a little bit. Let's say you want to hit a homerun in baseball. With a golf club. You might figure out how to actually hit the ball without snapping the golf club's shaft, but chances are you won't be able to homer that way. No matter how determined you are.
Anyone caring to scientifically disprove that can go right ahead. Have fun. Let me know how it turns out.
Probably not going to get a strike rolling a softball down the lane either.
How many times have we told our children - or ourselves - or been told by others? "Try harder." And sometimes, it IS a matter of trying harder. But I'm learning lately that harder isn't always what's required. Sometimes, you need to try different.
Impact comes from a lot of different things - not just how hard you swing the bat or hit the ball, or whatever. When I bowl I tend to wing that ball down the lane with all the power my 100 lb. frame can muster. Sometimes I get three strikes in a game.
Sometimes I wind up on my butt and the ball goes into the gutter.
Determination counts - it's definitely a place to start. But aiming in a specific direction, and using the right tools for the job - i.e. a bowling ball instead of a softball or a bat instead of a golf club - increase the likelihood that your determination will have an impact.
Something to think about.
**Side note: Has January become the new February? I can't remember a January that has felt as grey and bleak as this one so far. Or is it just me?
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