The Positive Exposure saying is “change how you see, see how you change.” For the longest time, I took that as other people had to change how they saw me. It was all on others, it was all a reflection of them and their character if they had an issue with me.

What I learned in New York, hearing Rick speak at the NYC Metropolitan hospital for Rare Disease Day was that I had been completely looking at this wrong. I have to change how I see. It’s not about other people. It’s about changing how I see myself. If I see myself as not good enough, then why would others see me any different?

It’s not about how others see us. We all have to be okay and comfortable with ourselves and our differences before we can start on how others perceive us. We have to know that we are capable, worthy and enough. That old saying “you have to love yourself before others can love you” is so true. I know that others loved me when I didn’t love myself but when you do love yourself, you won’t settle for less than what you deserve.

Change how you see yourself. Go out in the world and be proud of yourself, your differences, your accomplishments and what you bring to the table. Personally, I know I have a lot to offer. I just have to figure out what my next move is. When I do, I’ll go toward it with confidence in knowing who I am and what I have to offer.

Obviously it’s not always that easy. I have to call the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) today and I’m dreading it. Talking on the phone is a real struggle and I dread it. How can I change my thought pattern on this? Is it just about taking a step back to stop stressing so much about it and let it play out? Maybe the person on the other end might have trouble understanding, but maybe they won’t. If they do, is it the end of the world? Probably not. I will get my account sorted out one way or another.

Change how you see, see how you change. It applies to all of us whether you have a difference or not. We all need different perspective sometimes.