Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live. Several days ago I wrote an article, Feeling like a Square Peg in a World of Round Holes. In that article I shared with you that perspective has a lot to do with how I view myself as a square peg – in a world of round holes. In this article, I want to encourage you with the reality that being a square peg in a world of round holes need not limit you or I.
For many years I sought to gain the approval and validation from individuals filling round holes because I did not value or respect myself as a square peg.
My perspective radically changed when I began to realize that round holes no longer needed to define my worth or value as an individual. My perspective radically changed when I began to realize that I no longer needed to convince those filling round holes of my worth or value. With my change of perspective, I discovered that I could go about my business by using my gifts, talents and abilities.
My perspective radically changed when I began to realize that I could use my gifts, talents and abilities in ways that work for me for people who want what I have to give as a square peg.
I discovered that I could let individuals – filling round holes – believe what they wanted to believe about me. I discovered that I no longer had to have the approval or validation of individuals — filling round holes — to be effectively me. I discovered that by letting go of the need to have my gifts, talents and abilities approved of or validated by individuals — filling round holes — I could be fully me. I discovered that by being fully me I could achieve huge milestones while living with a disability.
As I began to experience the freedom to be me, I discovered that there were many other individuals who – despite being perceived as square pegs – had achieved huge milestones. For a list of individuals who have succeeded despite being – at one time – considered square pegs, please click on Famous People with Disabilities.
Be encouraged my friend. You are of much worth and value.
“Insist on yourself, never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another you have only an extemporaneous half-possession…Do that which is assigned to you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“If you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams and endeavor to live the life that you have imagined…you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau
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