My "Aha!" Moment

So I was watching Oprah yesterday (I do love me some Oprah!) and the show's focus centered on an on-going discussion she's been leading on The Law of Attraction.

You can click that link above to get the proper definition of The Law of Attraction, but if you'd rather not, I can sum it up with this: what you think about attracts what happens/is brought into your life.

Now, that's very basic. There's much more to it. For example, you can't just think about being a millionaire and expect a large check to arrive in your mailbox that day. You've got to, in a sense, work for it.

Part of that "work" is forgiveness. Part of that "work" is loving yourself. You know the saying - "no one will love you until you love yourself"? Well, that's true with The Law as well. You won't get what you want until you know and love yourself well enough to truly know what it is you want.

So there I was, listening to all this. I know The Secret. I own the book and the video! I believe The Law of Attraction can and does work. But I'm always curious to dig deeper.

One of Oprah's panelist - Martha Beck - was stating how we always, without a doubt, feel strongest and happiest - most energetic - when our Core is leading us in the right direction.

That made me think. I felt really alive, really strong, and really energized when I was recently interviewing for the Editor position. Now, that position did ultimately go to the other finalist. But I got a freelance editing gig out of the whole experience. And a lot of praise. Who knows what could come from that?!

And in terms of this People First business - a language I'd honestly never heard of before this week - well, I thought it was downright silly at first. Why should I go through the effort of saying I'm a "woman with spina bifida" when I could more simply say I'm a "disabled woman"? I know I'm more than my disability! What's the big deal about how I talk about myself or how others refer to me?

Well - as of yesterday afternoon - I finally get what the big deal is.

Looking back at all the great things I've acquired in my life, and ahead at all the awesome goals I strive for in my future - none of them have much, if anything, to do with my disability. Some may include my disability, but none truly rely on that part of who I am. 

And when I think about the things in my life that need improving? Hmmmm.... maybe they're not so great because I'm at least subconsiously limiting myself. I'm telling myself I can't have this or that, or I can't be like this or that because I'm disabled.

Not anymore, I tell ya! I now see the power of People First language. I am a woman who happens to have a disability. I am not a disabled woman.  I am able to do many, many things.  And I will keep at it for as long as I live.

I am a woman, first and foremost. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, sister, family member. I am interesting. I am intelligent. And I can, and will, achieve every one of my dreams.

 Oh, and I also have spina bifida. If that makes any sort of difference to you. Doesn't to me.

Aha!