May 20, 1999

The Odds

I was talking with a friend tonight about whether anything is impossible. I tend to be a cock-eyed optimist, except the particular situation involved me so it's naturally doomed to failure. Of course, my friend, acting under Article 37b of the Friendship Code, assured me that nothing was impossible.

I don't know about this. It is impossible to walk outdoors and suddenly find yourself on the moon. It's impossible to survive without water. These are extremes though. What about the more moderate chances in life? Is it impossible to get an 'A' in the class after failing the midterm? No, hard work can sometimes turn it around. Is it impossible to fly? Well, Leonardo dreamed so, and the Wright Brothers and Chuck Yeager have found ways to do so. But these examples seem to be too far on the opposite end. They are too easy.

What about the trickier situations? Ones where everything is lose-lose, where the chances just aren't there? This isn't ending war or famine, it's little stuff like telling someone how you feel about them and getting the same in response or applying for some famous and highly exclusive graduate program and getting accepted. There's a chance, but outrightly a small one.

I guess there's always a chance, but never if you don't try. Like I said, this situation involves me so there is no chance. Sometimes, depending on the person, it is impossible.