By now you know I love quotes, and this one by Lena Waithe really spoke to me. It is a true “coming of age” to recognize that being different is such a positive thing, such a great thing, such a wonderful thing. We can all be automatons, following the masses to do the same things, dress the same way, value the same things. I am at a stage of life where I treasure having my own view, and as long as I hurt nobody in the process, seeing the world through my own experiences is extremely empowering.
There seems to be a recipe when we are young for growing like all the others in our world. We play together as toddlers, go through school with others like us, go on to college or learn a trade with like-minded people, and work in an environment that speaks to our skills and interests. But somewhere along the way, we begin to recognize that we may not want to wear the same clothes as the work environment suggests. Or we may not agree with the direction the business is taking. We may look at ourselves and see someone different than we were, different than who we thought we were. I am all about embracing where you are and making changes if that is what appeals to us.
Thinking about superpowers makes me envision a character attempting to save the world. My favorite superpower is Elastigirl or Mrs. Incredible, who appeared in The Incredibles and its sequel Incredibles 2. She possessed superhuman elasticity, granting her the ability to stretch any part of her body to great proportions. She could achieve superhuman levels of strength, durability and agility using her elasticity powers. Her only weakness is extremely cold air. One of my favorite scenes shows her, voiced by the wonderful Holly Hunter, extending her arms all around the globe, saving the world inch by inch, (and yet, like so many superwomen, she looks down at her body and makes a face as if to ask the camera, “do my thighs look fat in this outfit?”)
Having an ileostomy makes me different from many in my life, and I absolutely believe it to be my superpower. I know how strong I am, I know how fortunate I am to have my lifesaver, and I know that without it, my weakness would be much more serious than extremely cold air. My strength comes from the knowledge that I am healthier than I have ever been, that I have countless ostomates who share my view, my support groups, and my experiences.
Discovering that our differences are empowering, positive, and compelling is the healthiest thing we can do, I believe. Whether our differences involve our health or our individual needs, please embrace them. The world would be a dull and colorless world if we were all the same, and what a waste it would be of our superpowers. Put yours to good use by acknowledging them and create the world in which you want to live. Use your superpowers to paint the picture of who you are and in no time, I believe you will jump from that picture to your best and most fulfilling life.
Another week another winner of a positive message ! Embrace your differences/ difficulties ….love it !
As always, great article. Hey, by the way, have you had any problems trying to get doctors to assist with special diet needs? Where I live, the doctors just seem to not care about the frustration of not being able to eat certain things due to having an Ostomy. I have brought my frustrations to them, they refer me to a nutritionist and then she was less helpful than the doctors. I am so fed up with the incompetence of our medical staff here. Any ideas? I am seriously considering going back to Seattle Virginia Mason even though I have to take a ferry to get there. Arrgghh!! Sorry.
Once again, a message that I can totally relate to. Ellyn, so happy to be in your vortex. Positivity reigns and so do your insights. Our uniqueness must be embraced in order to reach our own goals. Thanks for the reminder!!!
Thank you for looking at today’s reality from a new perspective. There is no question that I feel better than I ever did when I suffered from Crohn’s, multiple hospitalizations and just living with it. The high output ileostomy pails to what I suffered before. Thus, I should truly live a positive life and not dwell on what I shall now call minor inconvenience when weighed against what I endured before.
Thank you, Ellen, for letting me realize how truly fortunate I am.