The Gifts my Condition Gives me that I Love

I have had so many conversations with people who love me in the last few weeks. These conversations keep opening me up, push me to think, and to consider what is going to be, or might be for me. The best way to explain it might be to say consider what is possible for me and my half of the crazy/beautiful journey. What I am discovering is there are no limits to what God has in mind for me. If I will just keep talking, praying, listening, and stepping out on faith daily: my life is going to become more and more unbelievable to me in the best of ways.

God did not give me cerebral palsy as a punishment. It was allowed to happen, so I could light up the world. My condition is challenging and difficult. I choose not to focus on those aspects most days. I focus on the gifts it gives me instead. Yes, you read that last sentence right. My condition gives me gifts I love. Empathy for the pain and experience of other people is a gift my condition provides. I understand being different and feeling different in a way I would not otherwise.

My sensitivity is another gift I have in spades thanks to my condition. Holding space for others and allowing them to feel seen is important to me because I know all too well what it feels like to have neither of those extended to me. I do not want to make others feel the way I have and do, sometimes still, ever on purpose. Being better and doing better is paramount to me. To do those things requires me to learn and to listen. To learn and listen well I have to remember I do not know everything. It requires humbleness on my part. My condition is constantly humbling me and reminding me that I am always going to have to deal with the parts of it that make me want to scream at the top of my lungs. Adjustment is part of thriving with my condition, always. Knowing how to adjust every day is also a gift I would not have in the amount I do if it were not for my condition.

I just wanted to share what I understand about myself with all of you. I will always have more self-understanding to share periodically with all of you. I will always share what I know, of myself and for myself, with all of you in hopes it helps others. Thank you for caring about what I have to say and for allowing me to be vulnerable with all of you continually.