Probability Is Impossible's Little Cousin

Most people have heard the saying,"Impossible is nothing." This statement has an amazing depth of truth to it. It has become a motto of optimists and underdogs everywhere. Not only is it very inspirational and motivational; it has been proven time and time again.

Probability is Impossible's little cousin. Probability is often talked about as a reason to not go for an "unreasonable" goal. A great and famous quote by George Bernard Shaw goes: "A reasonable man adapts himself to his environment. An unreasonable man persists in attempting to adapt his environment to suit himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man." Though at first glance, this statement appears to contradict the concept of accepting and adapting to what is; in reality it epitomizes the concept of adaptation. The fact that probability and impossible can be defied, means that the one who succeeds at doing so is a master of adapting to what is.

The phrase, "any given Sunday," became so popular in association with American football because on any given game day it was a possibility that the underdogs could defeat the favored team. There are no guarantees of a specific outcome. This truth applies to so many things in life. At any given moment, anything can happen. Things have just as much chance of remaining the same, from moment to moment, as they have chance to change. (One of my absolute truths)

We prove that probability and impossible are nothing on a regular basis. We consistently beat the odds. Just a few examples:

Family with 3 kids born; same day different years: Odds are 7.5 in a million - But they are there.
Winning the Powerball jackpot: Odds are 1 in 146,107,962 - And yet ten winners this year so far.
Formulation of live organisms: Odds are 1 in 4.80 x 10 to the 50th power -And yet here we are.

We are life. Life is a miracle it self. We are the definition of "against all odds."

For more great perspective, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

2 comments:

Walt said...

That's what a lot of people miss, life is a miracle. To study science is to be in the business of studying miracles. A quantum physicist and a preacher have more in common than either would usually admit. On a personal note, my father was always scientific, my mother spiritual. For years I wrestled with these concepts because I thought that they were on opposite sides of things. I feel blessed to have come to the realization recently that they were one in the same. The only thing "different" was created by, none other than my mother and father themselves! All is one and it is beautiful!

C. Om said...

Without a doubt. Thanks for the insightful comment Walt.