Impossible Things Before Breakfast: Introducing the Theme of Possibility
“There is no use trying,” said Alice; “one can’t believe impossible things.”
“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” ~ Lewis Carroll
It’s a great quote, isn’t it? One of my favourites from Alice, and there are so many to choose from.
It leads us into the theme I’m going to be running at Confident Writing for July and August: possibility.
Some of the issues I’ll be covering include:
- Writing with the language of possibility, opening things up for your readers (or your self)
- Writing that helps to make things happen: how words and language shape our reality
- Writing beyond our sense of what’s possible: trying out new styles, forms and media
- Achieving (im)possible writing goals
- And a group writing project to help stretch the boundaries of what’s possible in blogland…
If you’re up for some of that please do stay tuned 
If you’ve an idea, comment or suggestion for an issue you’d like me to explore as part of the theme, please do let me know in the comment box below.
Photo Credit: A young boy dreams big dreams of what lies beyond by kretyen on Flickr
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Joanne, Possibly one of your best themes yet! This should stretch our imaginations, which is so, so healthy.
.-= Brad Shorr´s last blog ..Effective b2b Marketing Follows Branding =-.
[...] Young has an interesting writing challenge happening on her blog over the next couple of months on the theme of ‘Possibility’, covering the language of possibility,writing that helps to make things happen and beyond our sense of [...]
Joanna, it’s the perfect theme for this time of year. I am really looking forward to exploring, dreaming and joining in as we collectively redefine impossible to possible.
Great theme!
“Writing that helps to make things happen: how words and language shape our reality” — oh, you’ve got to read Dr. Wayne Dyer’s newest book Excuses Begone! He talks of “mind viruses” that hold us back from possibility.
.-= Lori Hoeck´s last blog ..How our intuition warns of danger =-.
Brad thanks, I hope so… it’s certainly stretching my brain cells just now, mind’s racing with possibilities already!
Karen I love the notion of collective redefinitions… cool
Glad you like the theme – I know you really throw yourself into them!
Lori well it seemed like the perfect frame for learning how to write like a black belt
Thanks for the book ref… another one to explore
This theme is absolutely spot on for me.
) it seems ‘impossible’ to commit to as much as I’d like to do.
I spend my life as a coach encouraging women to believe, do, BE the impossible.
Yet when it comes to writing, as in writing my own stuff, writing from life, writing memoir (and yes, I am going to sign up for your programme
I had been thinking that the programme would give me the incentive, and am delighted, though I shouldn’t be surprised, that from the same source comes the shove I need to get on with it NOW. Anything’s possible.
Thank you, as ever, Joanna. x
.-= Jan Scott´s last blog ..Firhill – living in family history =-.
Joanna- I love love love this theme and can’t wait to read, reflect on and put into practice the whole idea of opening things up for readers. Happy July!!
.-= CV Harquail´s last blog ..Resources for Authenticity: Being vs. Understanding =-.
Joanna,
What a great opening for the month. I’m really looking forward to the journey into the land of possibility.
Bill
Joanna,
Like other comments, that is one great opening to a post. It totally captivated me and I will tune in your series…it sounds like fun. I love the idea of stretching my writing beliefs and moving away from what’s just safe. So, I’m an eager student waiting for the teacher to start the lesson:~)
.-= Sara Healy´s last blog ..The Second Chance =-.
The Alice in Wonderland quote above reminds me of an Arthur Schopenhauer quote that appeared in my RSS feed a few days ago…
“Every truth passes through three stages before it is recognized In the first it is ridiculed, in the second it is opposed, in the third it is regarded as self-evident”
Long ago – it was believed to be “impossible” to sail around the world – because everyone knew the world was flat. We all know how silly that seems today. It makes me wonder what I’m currently accepting as “fact” that really isn’t!
What a wonderful introduction to your blog. I can’t WAIT to see where you go with this.
.-= Kathy | Virtual Impax´s last blog ..Business Building Secret: People are actually pretty smart… =-.
I love your theme for the month – POSSIBILITY – the very word is plump with promise! Thank you for bringing us your inspiration and I look forward to everything that lies ahead!
Joanna, the sky is the limit, and the possibility is endless.
Although there are many uncertain possibility waiting us ahead, but it won’t stop us from keep trying, as long as we have the wills to fight over it!
I’m completely in love with your new theme, Joanna! And from my selfish point of view, it couldn’t have come at a better time
Speaking of which, remember how I told I never write poetry? Well I did, I wrote one, not a masterpiece, but I thought of you afterward 
.-= Alina Popescu´s last blog ..Twitter for Businesses: The Rule of Something Extra Applies =-.
Hi Joanna. I’m looking forward to the unfolding of the “possibilities”. Words are powerful and “how words and language shape our reality” fascinates me.
.-= Davina´s last blog ..Guest Post: Three Shades of Happiness =-.
Kia ora Joanna!
I find words and language fascinating. You obviously do too.
recently, I directed thought to creativity without words. So many (great) writers have been frustrated at some time in their lives with what they could not say in words. Words and language, being symbolic of thought in communication, can sometimes get in the way of thinking and the expression of that thinking.
Finding the balance between abstract thinking (the creative impossible) and expression in the language of words (the creative possible) is often a challenge for a good writer.
Catchya later
from Middle-earth
.-= Ken Allan´s last blog ..New Strategies? New Skills? A Big Question =-.
Smashing idea for a theme, I reckon. Plenty of scope for material and a good chit-chat. And occasionally I’ve been known to attempt the impossible and actually get some writing done before breakfast. It’s quite nice actually, most rewarding.
.-= Iain Broome´s last blog ..Why bloggers should perform their writing =-.
I live possibility, Joanna. This is a theme I’m in tune with. I look forward to see where you’ll be going with this.
.-= Robyn McMaster´s last blog ..Faculty Brainpower for Teen Achievement =-.
Sorry for the lateness in replying to these comments everyone – life keeps on catching up with me!
Jan I think it’s a constant letting go of our limiting beliefs to allow the impossible to become possible. Even when we’re good at doing it, or teaching others how, there’s always more we can come across that’s standing in our way. Of course, once you realise that’s what’s going on, the next bit is easy
CV how nice to hear from you again and happy July to you too! Glad you like the theme
Bill oh I like that… the land of possibility. Very nice indeed.
Sara hello and welcome. I look forward to seeing where you go with this – you already seem to be having a lot of fun with your writing, and got me doing a blogging first – thinking up names for two golf carts!!!
Kathy what a great quote… I love it. Thanks, and also for saying hello, and taking the time to give that feedback. It’s much appreciated.
Kathleen hello, and thanks for adding that in… ‘plump with promise’… gosh you guys are inspiring me with words and images here!
wilson that’s right, and each time we try we open up new possibilities, because we keep conveying belief in ourselves
Alina nothing wrong with selfishness – I’m always selfish about the choice of themes too
That’s great news about the poem… so when are you going to be posting one? 
Davina it’s something I’m still learning about, but like you, it’s a topic that fascinates me. It’s a way we can keep on expanding our mental maps of the world.
Ken that is interesting indeed. Part of the inspiration or motivation behind this theme is the work I’ve been doing on an art project – me? art? Impossible. Yet I found there were things I could express visually, through photos or lines and smudges and colour, that I couldn’t convey through words. This has really got me thinking. Will be fun to explore with all of you.
Iain ah, you win the prize for actually doingthe seemingly impossible as well as just thinking about it
Glad you like the theme.
Robyn wow – “I live possibility” – those words send tingles down my spine. What a fantastic statement and philosophy. Thank you. Hope the move is going okay…
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