The Possibilitarian: Makings of Hope Through Trial

Nightmares are lived and dreamt. Dreams are shattered and redefined. Shame broke fragile and resilient pieces of mind, body, and soul. Gifts are received and lost. All are parts and pieces of an unimaginable life of struggle and living the unknown of chronic, systemic immunological disease.

"She will face many challenges in the next two to three years. There are medications to try and exercises and possibly surgeries to endure. Though these may be difficult, the greatest challenge is her weak immune system and the medication side effects certain to happen. If she does not go into remission by seven, she will not survive." There it was-my first deadline. What was to end by seven years of age has persevered for seven, then twelve, then sixteen, then twenty-one, then forty, over sixty years.

I have become-and so can you-a more balanced, healthy soul in a physical body. I have shared some of my most intimate, vulnerable, difficult life journey with you as a way to reveal development skills of hope and possibility. These came through trial and challenges-some great, some small. They came at a cost. The time, energy, and trial-and-error consequences required enormous sacrifices. However, today I can honestly say, "I am grateful for disease and suffering that taught me so much about hope, possibilities, and faith." This is not just for me. It is for you too! Now let's get started on how to become a possibilitarian yourself!

Rebellion against your handicaps gets you nowhere. Self-pity gets you nowhere. One must have the adventurous daring to accept oneself as a bundle of possibilities and undertake the most interesting game in the world-making the most of one's best.

-Harry Emerson Fosdick