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2 different experiences but 2 positive outcomes

There are two things that have come across me in this past week i thought i'd share..

first: it is interesting to me when i come in contact with an individual and they talk to my friend instead of me to ask a question. this happened to me last week where an individual who has come in contact with me several times and knows i am fully capable of talking turned to my friend to ask a question about me instead of asking it directly to me.

now through my growth in figuring out what it is like to live with a disability and see the good in everything that happens i have viewed this situation differently. a year ago if this would have happened i would have walked away annoyed and bitter but through God working in me i have learned it is okay. individuals often feel uncomfortable when approaching a person with a disability because often times they have not interacted with a disabled person. i totally understand and forgive this individual because to think about it in their shoes i may have done the same thing. this is what i have to deal with in this society and it is something where i am trying not to get mad but have the mindset of patience and knowing that having a positive outlook and thinking that through time individuals can see i am just like them and have no problem answering their questions. it made me think of how blessed i am that God has given me a positive outlook in life and that he is using me to change people's perspectives

Second thing: yesterday my amazing yoga instructor pointed out a good point that made me think a lot. she used an example of someone who has arthritis. lets say this person just focuses on the fact that they have arthritis and complains about. the arthritis ends up overwhelming their life and does more harm than good. if the person moves past that mindset and says they have arthritis but they are going to do something about it then their life is going to be more whole

i began to think about how i live my life in terms of having cerebral palsy. i could easily give in to sympathy and constantly complain about having a disability or i can move past that and do everything i can without even thinking about my disability. if i let my disability get in the way i do not think i would be the person i am today. to be honest with you i think of myself as completely normal. it is not until i watch myself in a video (which i do not prefer to) or somebody points out that i have a disability that i am like oh wait i am different and i do have a disability. i think that is because the way i was raised and how my close friends and family treat me. i am blessed to be surrounded by groups of people that do not let my disability get in the way and how they treat me like everybody else. it reminds me of the quote "when people say i can't, i say watch me". no matter if you have a disability or don't always hav the mindset of Praising the Lord and letting him work through your strengths.

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