It is necessary to understand that the diversity of bodies is something natural and that everyone has their own way of doing things – either by choice or by condition.
I found myself thinking about how gratitude and wholeness come from patience.
The patience of someone who finally discovers the weight of the only absolute truth:
the fact that everything, absolutely EVERYTHING ends one day - and what really matters is what happens along the way. In fact, it's liberating to understand that the pain, sadness and limitations will pass and that one day we become fertilizer and, it's okay! It is the law of life, it is nature.
And from this thought came to me that old standard-normative thought in force in society: that the strongest, slenderest, symmetrical people occupy “enviable” positions, that physical and intellectual perfection should be everyone’s dream of consumption and that only having children you will have a legacy...
It will be? Of course not!
You can leave your legacy in history for your species to evolve in many ways! And I say more: for this you don't necessarily need to procreate or have physical strength. After all, super strong people with “enviable” offspring have already died of starvation and were never mentioned again – on the other hand, there are many “Fridas” and “Hawkings”.
That old phrase "It is not the strongest that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one that best adapts to change" never made so much sense. Adaptation is the true law of nature.
With the advent of the internet, we have the power in our hands. Leaving legacies, taking part in fights that make the world better, making our voices eternal. We can do good, you know? End sexism, ableism, racism, fatphobia, homophobia, transphobia and all these phobias of people whose ignorance results in violence and unnecessary comments.
The fact is that we are here to make a difference in some way. And we all have that power - ALL! So don't fall for this story that a disability will prevent you from figuring it out and adapting to fulfill your goal.
It is necessary to understand that the diversity of bodies is something natural and that everyone has their own way of doing things – either by choice or by condition. Example: If the goal is to get to a certain place, the important thing is to get there - it doesn't matter if you run, limp, use a walker, wheelchair, guide dog, cane...
Ahh! And it's okay to need help from other people , after all, even those who "drive by car" will at some point need a mechanic.
It's easier to feel grateful when we accept that:
• people will die, sooner or later;
• everyone needs help with something in life;
• there are things you simply won't get to do in your life – the way you envisioned;
• that you can replace frustration with what really matters, the PURPOSE.
Once we understand the truth of these facts, we can only cling to life - and everything it can provide us.
Always remember that you have hard days, but they pass - that you have horrible pain, but they pass. Regardless of your existence, the world will keep turning and new bodies will inhabit this world. And if you are resistance, you can use YOUR pain to fight one of humanity's greatest terrors: prejudice.
Raise your head and go after what you want, without shame in doing it your way, showing your body, your scars and everything that makes you EXACTLY who you are!
If you accept that it hurts less!
Repeat daily to your mirror:
Go after what you want, you can, YOU are amazing!
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Amanda Lyra is a singer, songwriter, producer and presenter, wheelchair user and creator of the Solyra Project . Follow her on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM .
Paloma Santos is an illustrator, wheelchair user and feminist. "In my work as an illustrator I try to represent female diversity". Follow her on INSTAGRAM and like her on FACEBOOK .
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