What is in a Word

“What’s in a name?” Shakespeare wrote in Romeo and Juliet. “That which we call a rose by any other name smell as sweet.” I ask you, what do you think of the word Handicap? How does it affect you? How does it make you feel? And, how does it digest within your own conscious and subconscious being. Does it make you angry, hurt, enraged, or does it make you feel beside yourself? Does it leave a bitter taste in your mouth, or does it make you feel more at ease or comfortable?

There are so many definitions for this word; handicappable, disabled, cripple, and challenged; these are only a few descriptives’ that are used regularly throughout our world today. Each on there own, carry a big weight. Each, by themselves, takes on a whole new meaning, connotation, and undertone. Depending on how we see, think, and perceive things, within our own selves, lives, and the world around us. That will be the ultimate determining factor. It all depends on how we see things and look at life. Our impressions, perceptions, and concepts- This is called our belief structure. All of these factors make up conviction. Particularly, what we were taught by our own parents; friends, and family members.

Each feeling, and each judgment, based on reason or actual experience, along with specific prejudices and pre-conceived opinions and ideas can and will affect us, as well as alter how we live, and view the world and people around us. They can all vary a person’s belief system. What one person thinks is positive; another could find it down right rude and insulting. I pose this to my readers to not only open up this word for discussion, and dialogue, but to create a safe, and secure atmosphere where we all can talk freely and openly as well as acquire the benefit of each others experience, so that we can gain a whole new outlook, understanding of, and interpretation to not only encounter what that word means to us, but, what it means to each other, and all it represents.

Having Cerebral Palsy, myself, and hearing these words all my life makes me think about how others feel. It makes me want to ask questions, see how other people think, deal with, and react to these words; but it especially make me what to know how you have been swayed and molded. It is an unavoidable reality that these physical challenges and daily occurrences change how we all look and deal with life on a daily basis. They are all too real. It not only impacts other people’s lives and attitudes, but it affects those directly closes to us. It absolutely affects whom and what we are; as we can see concrete results taking hold in all areas of our daily lives. We are an exceptionally aware species, who have a six sense. We can tell when others hold back what they truly feel, when one interjects with a conniving control, and begins to assign rules and regulations of what we are and aren’t truly capable of doing and becoming.

Why, you may be asking yourself? Well, because people will be people. People well look at us and judge us thought their own prism of experience. They will look at us through their own light and transparency. They will intellectually think they know better or more then us. That is why it is so very important to analyze our own thinking, our own attitudes, and our inner most thoughts.

There are so many old fashion words, and terminologies that are still used in today’s culture and society that are derogatory, and show a critical or disrespectful, disregard for us as people. Even though out-mouted, these words are still used. They seek to limit us as individuals and our dignity as human beings. They take away all our pride to move forward. Some of these ideas and concepts sell a forced notion and an obligation of what we are and are not allowed to become. In every aspect of our lives, there is an entire set of rules and regulations written and unwritten which the general public believes and leans towards. It is imperative that each of us, in our own way, search our souls at our core root, and make a conscious choice to be visible, and communicate these feelings within our community.

The more active we communicate and share, the more confident we become. We gain a self-worth to reach out more to others, as we inspire and encourage. As we do this, we summon up hope for all. We help others to get out of themselves, as we aspire others to think new thoughts, and reach for new goals. Moreover, the more we engage freely in all activities, the more empower we become. Not just to help ourselves, but to help each other as, we breakdown the walls of isolation, separation, and exclusion. We easily and effortlessly introduce new ideas and ways to look and maneuver through life.

The more active and willing we become, the more engaged and committed we become to give back and make a difference in our community, in the things we say, and the friendships we have entrust, the more we summon up and invoke a new belief system. We initiate insightful meaning in things we share dialogue about. We have a chance to make a difference, open up new channels, and make new passages towards the way people talk, think about us, and use words from there heart. By being mindful, sympathetic, and conscientious, people will learn to treat us with dignity, and respect. By doing so, we will be passing it forward. We will be making a difference, and hopefully, change people’s attitudes. Perhaps one day they won’t utter words of contempt. Life will takes on a whole new meaning as we become a vital voice, and source contributing to everyone in our community.

In closing, I think the most important thing to remember is to retain ultimate decision making over our own lives. That is the only way we can thrive and survive in this world. That is the only way we can make a true difference. It is the main ingredient to live up to our fullest potential. This way, we will demonstrate to all those around us that our word and desires mean something and have merit. We will exhibit to the world that we want our thoughts, and our desires to be taken seriously. We will show everyone that these wishes are to be reached for and to be fulfilled. And that no one can take them away from us. No one!

By demonstrating our determination and staying steadfast to our thoughts and beliefs, we will teach the world and the people around us that our word means something and warrants respect, admiration, credibility, and is to be valued with high-regard. If we hold fast to these truths at our core the impossible will become possible!

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A Beam of Light

During the last month, I have experienced a good many aha moments.  Moments of clarity, moments of enlightenment, and moments of vision.  All leading me to develop a deeper sense of myself and the life I live, and am committed too.  A life that I have led with purpose, meaning, dignity, and desire.  It has been a worthwhile journey with all its upheavals, challenges, changes, and, cataclysm events.

Because of this, I now can delight in the magnificent moments I have, the wonderment of my own growth, and, the opportunities to share with others.   I have been blessed with the ability to focus in on the good, the positive, the inherent attributes I have achieved, as well as have been invoked with some kind of divine favor, by which I have been given the good fortune, possession, and  talent to give it away freely while gently empowering others.

I have continued to receive great pleasure and delight from my many acts of courage. To go where no one else has ever gone before. To make straight my  way, and, to shed light in a way never heard before.  This light is beaming brightly because I listened to my own drummer.  Because I felt my own heartbeat, and because I would not take no for an answer.  I made my way through this harsh, cold, unpalatable, cruel world. And am making a seat at the table.

I have never cease to keep my vision alive.  I have never cease my dreams, nor have I stagnated in the act to become the best person I could become on all levels of my being.  Physically, I exercised.  Emotionally, I let go of old ways, ideas, and beliefs, adopting new ones in its place.  And spiritually, I not only envisioned today, but I envisioned my future, and how I wanted to change my life’s journey.  It took me a while to figure out how my life was going to unfold, when it was going to take place, and when it was going to come to fruition!   My whole life’s journey has been a series of passages and quest, towards an ultimate diurnum, in my souls pathway toward a balanced, harmonic, way of life.

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Dear Mr. President

A few days ago, I spent the day writing a very long letter to our new president. I sat contently doing so, for more than 4 and a half hours without a break.  I was compelled and provoked by a powerful feeling that I could not shake.  It reminded me of a very long time ago in my life, when I was only 24 years old.   I began this journey  towards becoming an advocate because there was no one at the time to help me, or to believe in me.  Thus, I began to take matters into my own hands to not only help myself, by writing letter after letter, but to assert myself by speaking up.   Little did I know at the time, that I was making this a better place for all disabled people to live. And that I would become a pioneer.

The night before, I had seen a program on my PBS channel, about President Obama.  They shared with the television viewer his thoughts and feelings as a man; along with his upbringing. In detail, they described his life, his experience’s, and the inner stuff that drove him as an individual to reach his goal of becoming president.  That touched a cord inside of me.  This report, also gave us, the viewer, a painted portrait of our president, the qualities he possess, his characteristics; his determination, charisma, and  his will to  propel himself to move forward in his life, and his political career. 

They even explained the step-by-step directions that he took.   Watching this portrayal, stirred something  within my gut.  Maybe its because of all the issues I have taken on upon myself.  Maybe its because someone else possesses the same drive and determination as I.  Perhaps its because of all the fighting I have had to do to move forward in my own life to prove myself.  And, just maybe it was my innate instinct to not be bullied by others, or be treated less then who I really was.   But, whatever it was, It aroused a feeling in side of me which ruffled my furry feathers.

This sketch provoked  me into action.  It got my attention in a way that I could not rest at all. I was unsettled.   I knew I had to do something once again to not only help myself, but to make a true difference in society.  Thus, I followed my gut and my heart.  I stood to attention, thought for a moment, and  with an automatic barometer check, I became aware of my  thoughtfulness. I was aware of a mindfulness within myself.  So  I listened and watched very carefully.  I took heed with a vigilances.   Once again I found myself taking action. 

If you too would like to take action and send your thought to your congressman, senator, elected official, your voice will be heard too!  You too can change the world.

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