Why is never say never a bad phrase to use?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around the phrase "never say never," with participants debating its implications on personal beliefs and possibilities. Many argue that while certain outcomes may seem improbable, labeling them as impossible can hinder potential opportunities. Examples include Jim Carrey's success after visualizing his goals and personal anecdotes illustrating how unexpected events can lead to significant achievements. The consensus is that maintaining an open mindset can facilitate the realization of seemingly unattainable dreams.

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  • Awareness of the impact of language on mindset and outcomes
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This discussion is beneficial for motivational speakers, personal development coaches, and individuals seeking to overcome limiting beliefs in their personal or professional lives.

staticclean
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I've been thinking a lot about this lately people always say, "Never say never". But why? There are lots of things that i can think of that will never happened. I think that's one bad quote to say about a lot of things. What do you think about that saying or phraze?

There are several things that i can say will never happened, and here are a few below.

1.I'll never earn $1 million dollars a day.
2.I'll never play for an nba basketball team.
3.I'll never meet a famous celebrity.
4.I'll never be on a television sitcom
5.And i'll never move a mountain.

Please, let's hear your thoughts on this saying, "Never say never".
 
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I'll give you 1, 2, and 5.

I've already done #3 and although #4 is a long-shot given my sensitivity to fragrance chemicals, I wouldn't rule it out entirely.
 
I interpret that saying as meaning that there's a difference between improbable and impossible. Strictly speaking, you can't say "never" if it's not impossible.

All the things you list are at most improbable. And #3 isn't all that improbable, really.

Mind you, I say that, and I think it's true. But there's a finite probability that I can stand next to a wall and quantum tunnel to the other side. The probability is, however, so minute that it may as well be impossible. I can't recall exactly, but it was estimated at something like 10^-10^32. The number might be off, but with that small a number, who cares. You get the idea. Truly, unimaginably improbable.
 
staticclean said:
I've been thinking a lot about this lately people always say, "Never say never". But why? There are lots of things that i can think of that will never happened. I think that's one bad quote to say about a lot of things. What do you think about that saying or phraze?

There are several things that i can say will never happened, and here are a few below.

1.I'll never earn $1 million dollars a day.
2.I'll never play for an nba basketball team.
3.I'll never meet a famous celebrity.
4.I'll never be on a television sitcom
5.And i'll never move a mountain.

Please, let's hear your thoughts on this saying, "Never say never".

The point is not that impossible things will never happen, or could happen, it is that we exclude possibilities because we don't think them likely. I take the point of the statement to be that we shouldn't set artificial limits - don't be too quick to decide what is and isn't possible. We all have a sense that we know to expect from life, but we don't. We all need to think that we understand the world around us, but we don't.

I don't see how you can exclude 1, 3, or 4. Life can take dramatic and unexpected turns. For example, as for #1, you might win the lottery or make a lucky investment. Meeting a famous celebrity could happen to anyone, anytime. The same can be said for appearing on a TV program. One unusual event in your life could draw the attention of those in TV and open doors. You could be asked to make a guest appearance because something unusual happens that puts you on the evening news, which in turn brings you to the attention of some tv producer. While highly unlikely, it is possible.
 
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staticclean said:
Please, let's hear your thoughts on this saying, "Never say never".

Once you say "never", then that thing truly does become impossible. Improbably things are difficult enough without adding the complication of a negative attitude.

The comedian Jim Carrey wrote himself a check for $10 million dollars in 1983 before he became famous. He dated the check for 10 years later and decided that he would be able to cash that check by 1993. He missed the date a little, but in 1994 made $8 million in movies, then in 1995 he made $10 million in movies and after that typically made $20 million per movie.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000120/bio

One could tell a thousand more stories just like this one.

Most people that do the improbable never doubt in the things they are committed to. They have a sense of destiny. I think many here do not believe in destiny, so the only remaining explanation is that some talent, a lot of desire, positive attitude, hard work and commitment to never quit on achieving a goal make improbable things much more likely.

Can you make a super long list and expect it all to come true? No, - of course not. But, make a short list of the most important things, commit yourself to them, and your wishes just might come true.
 
The point is not whether you say 'never'. The point is why a thing didn't happen. Was it because it was truly impossible, or was it because you said 'never'?
 
When I was seven I said "I will never kiss a girl".

I will never said something that stupid again.
 
Back in the 1500s if someone talked about the possibility of human air travel, you would laugh at them and say "it will never happen".
 
Borek said:
When I was seven I said "I will never kiss a girl".

I will never said something that stupid again.

ROFL! :smile:
 
  • #10
I'll never visit Andromeda Galaxy.
I'll never see the Big Bang.
I'll never have a conversation with Albert Einstein.
I'll never eat eggplant again...

I'll never finish this list, but I have to go to the supermarket.cya
 
  • #11
staticclean said:
I've been thinking a lot about this lately people always say, "Never say never". But why? ...

Only a sith deals in absolutes.
 
  • #12
When I was a kid, like almost half a century ago, I got a model airplane scale 1:48 of an F-5 Freedom fighter and I said to myself with kid logic, well if one thing is sure, I will never fly in such an aircraft (knowing that the chances were very remote to make it through the pilot training selection).

However maybe a decade later our air force selected this particular model from half a dozen possible alternatives, and some years later I made the selection for pilot training. Eventually another two decades later, I accumulated just short of 2000 flying hours on this type.
 
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  • #13
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a professional athlete. I thought it was easily within my capability. But the only feedback I got from other people was how low my chances were of ever doing that.
If I said I wanted to win the lottery, then they'd have an argument, but saying I would never be a professional athlete is just wrong to say to a child.

I have higher hopes now anyway. I want to cure aging and create space travel that can take us to planets that are extremely far away.
I'd rather spend all my time being useful to society than just playing with a ball.
 

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