The first time I recall seeing the word was on author Amber West’s fabulous blog “A Day Without Sushi” which I follow regularly. She displayed this poster and the word possibilitarian struck a chord that has resonated with me ever since. 
(We have never been able to figure out where this graphic originated. So if anyone knows, please tell me as it would be my great pleasure to share that information and give credit where it is due.)
I checked to make certain possibilitarian wasn’t a word Amber had made up. The clever way she has with language, I wouldn’t have put it past her.
By the way, since I’m mentioning Amber West right now I should tell you that she published her first novel, THE RUTH VALLEY MISSING, a few weeks ago and it’s a terrific read. Lots of suspense! I couldn’t put it down! Go ahead and click on that link to Amazon now. I’ll be happy to wait.
Now that I think about it, I would say that Amber is definitely a possibilitarian. Her “Go Without Movement” is a perfect example.
It’s not as if this word is new. It isn’t. In 1952, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale published The Power Of Positive Thinking wherein he issued this challenge.
I really hadn’t thought about it in terms of just one word.
Once I did, I realized I’ve been a possibilitarian most of my life … through the darkest days of loss and the endless challenges, the flotsam and jetsam, that drift in the ebb and flow of life. It’s the key to being an optimist, to learning to appreciate that every day is a gift, to seeing the potential … the possibilities … life offers each one of us and make the most of them.
I know there are times when it may be easier said than done. Stuff happens.
Those are the times when it’s even more important to focus on this word.
Possibilitarian is a powerful word that inspires, motivates, encourages, and … well, in today’s jargon … it ROCKS. Yes it does.
Grab it. Make it yours!
If you happen to be in Toronto, near the fabulous Lolë shop in Bayview Village, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 19th, pop in and join us, Sommers & Sands, for a chat! You’ll see the details below. We would love to see you and hear how you feel about being a possibilitarian! If that’s not quite in your neighbourhood, leave a comment here about your approach to the possibilities of life.
I adore Amber and am inspired by both of you! I WISH I would be in Toronto on January 19th. But no. I love the idea of being a possibilitarian. And I think I am one. My husband says I’m like a kite that would just drift further and further into the sky were it not for him, the rock to which I am tethered. Hmmmm. He’s a pretty cute rock. And I wouldn’t want to get lost waaaaay up there, but I do like the view.
I would say you are a possibilitarian … without question! But I can see you floating around up there too …
How can we not love Amber? And you … for being such an awesome mentor to her with her fabulous novel!
Sometimes I forget how to be a possibilitarian and then I remember, ‘God’s will be done.’ All of a sudden, I remember, I don’t have to do everything alone and I become a possibilitarian again. Great post.
Thanks, Sheri. It just makes so much sense to see the possibilities in life and eagerly move forward!
Love the word, love the sentiment. It’s the way I live my life. Fits me to a “P”.
~ Fits me to a “P”. ~ You clever woman! Love that!
:). Did you get my email re getting together?
Hi Patricia, how are you? I can see that you ooze possibilitarianism. And I like it! That Amber West has an awesome attitude on life. I just saw her over at Rhonda Hopkin’s blog. A very generous soul. And so are you. Now unfortunately I am not anywhere near Toronto. Bummer, I know. So how do I approach the possibilities in my life. I’m all about optimism Patricia. Got to hang on to that baby. Yes indeed. I hope that your 2013 is full of optimism and lots of possibilities! 🙂
Thanks, Karen, and rightbackatcha! I think all of the WANAs fit into this category!
I somehow missed Amber’s use of the word, but it definitely fits me. I’m not a chirpy optimist, but I do try to remember Julian of Norwich’s quotation “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Travel definitely exercises my possibilitarianism muscles. So much is out of our control when we travel that if we can’t feel light and believe something better is down the road then why leave our Lazy Boys?
I like that quote, Julie. It’s so calming. Life can often seem out of control and the only way I know how to stay calm is to seek out the positive and go for it. I’ll be keeping that quote in mind. Thanks!
ooooooh! What a delicious word.
I think so too!
A possibilitarian, what a wonderful word! Yes, I try to be one. Doesn’t always work, but I try.
“but I try.” – that’s the key!