Believe in the Impossible: All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them – Walt Disney

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” These words spoken by Walt Disney embody the power of positive thinking, creative vision, and bold action. They inspire us to imagine what seems impossible and then to work hard, persistently, and courageously to make it real. They remind us that our dreams are not just idle fantasies, but potential realities waiting to be fulfilled. This article explores the theme of believing in the impossible, as expressed by Walt Disney, and its relevance to our own lives. It examines the psychology, philosophy, and science behind this theme and provides practical tips on how to apply it in practice. By the end of this article, you will hopefully feel more motivated, inspired, and empowered to pursue your own dreams, and to help others do the same.

Psychology of Believing in the Impossible

Believing in the impossible is not just a matter of wishful thinking or blind faith. It is a psychological process that involves several key elements:

• Imagination: It allows us to explore new possibilities, to envision different scenarios, and to simulate hypothetical outcomes. Without imagination, we would be stuck in the present, unable to transcend our current limitations or create new opportunities.
• Faith: It gives us the confidence, resilience, and optimism to keep moving forward, even when the odds seem against us. It is the fuel that sustains our motivation, inspires our aspirations, and propels our progress.
• Action: It is the manifestation of our intention, the expression of our will, and the demonstration of our competence. Action turns our ideas and beliefs into tangible products, services, or experiences that can be shared with others.
• Persistence: It is the endurance that overcomes the setbacks, failures, and obstacles that inevitably arise on the path of progress. Persistence is the ability to hold onto our vision, faith, and action, despite the temptations, distractions, and discouragements that we encounter.

Philosophy of Believing in the Impossible

Believing in the impossible involves certain assumptions, values, and beliefs about the nature of reality, human nature, and the purpose of life, such as:

• A dynamic, evolving, and open system: Reality is not predetermined, but created, by the interactions between our minds, actions, and environment. The impossible, therefore, is not just a fixed set of constraints that limit our potentials, but an evolving set of challenges that inspire our potentials.
• A creative, purposive, and autonomous entity: We are not merely products of our genes, upbringing, or environment, but active agents who can shape our own destiny, and contribute to the shaping of others’ destiny.
• A quest for meaning, growth, and contribution: We are not here just to survive, or to satisfy our basic needs and wants, but to thrive, to discover our unique potentials and pursue our highest values, and to make a positive difference in the world.

Science of Believing in the Impossible

Believing in the impossible involves certain empirical facts, findings, and theories about the nature and workings of the mind, society, and nature, such as:

• Imagination is a neural activity: Imagining an outcome activates the same circuits as perceiving that outcome, and can therefore influence our behavior and emotions, even if the imagined outcome is not yet real.
• Believing in the impossible is a social phenomenon: Our beliefs about what is possible or impossible are shaped by the messages we receive from others, and by the models we observe in our environment.
• The impossible is a natural phenomenon: Nature itself is full of seemingly impossible feats that can inspire us to enhance our creativity, resilience, and adaptability.

Practical Tips for Believing in the Impossible

Here are some practical tips that can help:

1. Identify your core values: What are the things that matter most to you, in terms of your identity, your relationships, your work, and your legacy?
2. Generate multiple options: Don’t limit yourself to one particular solution, idea, or strategy.
3. Test your assumptions: Gather data, feedback, and perspectives from diverse sources.
4. Take small, incremental steps: Break the impossible down into smaller, manageable steps, that you can take consistently, and that build upon each other.
5. Surround yourself with positive, supportive, and like-minded people: Seek out positive role models and mentors, who have achieved similar goals, and who can provide you with guidance, feedback, and encouragement.

Believing in the impossible is not just a slogan, a fantasy, or a myth. It is a psychological, philosophical, and scientific reality that informs our understanding of who we are, what we can achieve, and what we can contribute. When we believe in the impossible, we become creators, explorers, and contributors, who shape our own destiny, and help to shape others’.