What if?

“What if…?” is a question of possibilities. Future states which have not yet come to pass.

But it’s a question that cuts two ways which, depend on your predominant outlook in life.

It’s sometimes a question of risk and worry:

• “What if you lose your job?”
• “What if I get ill?”
• “What if the car crahses?”
• “What if the house burns down?”

But is also a question of exciting opportunity:

• “What if we started a business?”
• “What if we booked that holiday?”
• “What if I said yes to the dress?”
• “What if we moved away to start a new life?”

As with all things in life, it’s best not to dwell at the extremes. A small dose of the former is necessary for making measured assessments of risk. But too much leads to paralysis through fear. Living life like Lemony Snickett’s Aunt Josephine.

A healthy amount of the latter opens the door to a life of interest and colour. Repeated overdose leads to hedonism and chaos, possibly even bringing about some of the former states.

But somewhere in the middle is a fertile ground of possibilities considered and opportunities seized. Of sparks ignited and brighter futures begun.

Photo by Emily Morter on Unsplash