Welcome back. I am glad you decided to stop by and visit with me. I want to share another secret with you. As a person with an invisible disability, I have had my share –and then some — of disappointments. For quite a few years, I allowed a two-letter word to profoundly influence my life. I allowed NO to keep me stuck, until I realized what NO was doing to me. When I saw NO for what it was, a two-letter word that wanted me to fail, I decide to start saying YES to myself.
When I started saying YES to myself, my life slowly began to change for the better. YES began to change me from the inside out. YES, showed me that I could be secure, regardless of NO. I no longer needed to have a YES from outside of me. YES helped me to see abundance and grace. YES opened my eyes to behold what is good and pure. YES motivated me to keep going, even when it hurt. YES showed me my creative energy. YES helped me to accept myself. YES draws me to a loving God. YES helps me to see life in colors, rather than in black and white. YES enhances who I am in this life. YES has given me the ability to understand the complex. YES has provided spiritual awakenings.
I will share one of these awakenings with you. Because I am a visual person, I use analogies to describe what I have learned. I grew up in the country (as opposed to the suburb or city). Walking in the woods was an adventure for me. I spent a good bit of my time investigating nooks and crannies. I also enjoyed fishing at a lake that was a short bike ride from our house. I remember looking under rocks and turning over logs, as I searched for worms to use as bait. Some days I would find a hand full of worms by only turning over a few rocks. On other days, I had to turn over many rocks before I could find just one worm. YES motivated me to keep turning many rocks until I found my bait.
YES, has continued to provide me with determination. My commitment to YES has opened doors for me that otherwise would have remained shut. Many of my friends and professional colleagues have mentioned that I am one of the most resourceful people they have ever me. I do not say this to be braggadocios. My point is that as a person with an invisible disability, I have been successful on many fronts because I refused to let NO discourage me. I came to see resources, like the rocks I turned over near the lake. Some resources provided an abundance of assistance, while other resources did not provide any help. My determination to succeed has helped me to stay committed to my process. NO will not undermine my process.
In your experience, you may be discouraged. I have been discouraged too. Living with a disability can provide unique challenges. Having a disability also provides unique possibilities. Reality has shown that when I am thinking NO, I am focusing on my challenges. Reality has also made clear that when I am thinking YES, I am focusing on the possibilities. Living life on life’s terms is filled with learning curves; therefore we must stay committed to YES.
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Nancy says
I truly enjoyed your message today… Just going to make a cuppa tea and spend some time reading your previous posts. I went through a real slump and am now just getting back on track! I willl be visiting often my Friend!