There are many ways to expand the horizons of your current knowledge level. Online learning via MOOCs (massive open online courses), Udemy and other education platforms are hugely popular. YouTube has a plethora of educational channels and on a more primitive level there are books, public speaking, conversation and more.
Sometimes we learn something that transcends the norm and sends a lightening bolt to the brain. Information like this comes from, what I call, the “World of Possibilities”.
The diagram above reflects the general nature or progression of thought.
The red dot in the center represents the typical thoughts, plans and ideas of daily life. The creme outer circle reflects dream, goals and aspirations – concepts not yet realized but within reach. Beyond that is the World of Possibilities, a place where ideas are crazy, outlandish, bordering on the absurd — but still actionable and/or reasonable.
Technological advancements like space travel, the internet and AI were at one time ideas from the World of Possibilities.
Ideas from the World of Possibilities are unique, innovative, revolutionary and often counter-intuitive.
In the world of etiquette and good manners “TIA” or “thanks in advance” is commonly added to a social media request. But in spirituality TIA is a profound counter-intuitive concept, I believe, from the World of Possibilities.
In the book Garden of Gratitude by Rav Shalom Arush he introduces the concept of thanking God in advance for fulfilling ones needs or salvation from a problem or difficulty.
There are two ways a person can fulfill his needs: One by requesting what he needs from G-d. The other is to thank Him in advance. The second method works better and always works.
Rav Arush adds that the thanks given must be “heartfelt and uttered with emuna” and not used as a ploy.
The bottom line to the beautiful gift of TIA is the person has to truly believe everything is for the best for the gratitude to bare fruit.
Yitzhak Sasson 