Probable versus Possible

 It’s amazing how strong both of those words are, probable and possible, and also amazing how different they are and yet how dependent one can be on the other. I’m not sure we pay enough attention to that most important descriptive use of each one of them. So…let us gather round and pay some attention to them.

Probable, of course, indicates that something has a better than good chance of happening or not happening. That’s steep odds but good and it carries the same percentage for everything that is labeled “probable.” Small examples would be: it is probable that the sky in morning will be bright and blue…it is probable that tides will rise as they head for the shore…it is probable that people will judge you and cause contamination…it is probable that justice will not always be served; no matter the verdict…it is probable that people will always prevail the circumstances life deals them…and the list is endless of probable things from one category to another.

Possible, of course, indicates that one isn’t issuing anything more than a 50/50 chance of something happening or not happening. Possible is far more restrictive as to make possible become anything else we have to work for it! That’s right…all possible things will always be merely possible if we don’t tip the scales and rock the boats and twist it into something more probable. It’s like running that 10k marathon…it’s possible to make it to the finish line but possible shifts into probable long about that 9k point! If one has gone that far then it’s probable they will finish that race. Possible is an invitation to make everything you aim for in life become probable. If you take anything possible by the horns and ride the rodeo, get thrown off, get charged at, and yet saddle back up then chances of you mastering the ring becomes most probable. Possible is life’s way of saying “go for it!” Whatever “it” may be do not let it just sit at the gate…swing those doors open and turn those possible triumphs into probable rewards.

Pam's evening thoughts...