2016 is still in its infancy, and like most people I have spent the last few weeks reflecting on both where I have been and where I want to go. Speaking personally, I have never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions. I think they are, all too often, a good way for people to set themselves up for failure. So, instead, I try to focus on my strengths at the beginning of every year and figuring out ways that I might be able to build on them.
So what are my strengths? Self-improvement has been a big deal for me in recent years and much of my time has been spent examining the things that are not what I want them to be in my life, and how I can take steps to make them better. For example, for a long time I was a self-proclaimed “junk food junkie” and “Coke addict” (the kind you drink) In about two weeks I will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the last day I drank a Coke, and I am almost done with a 100 day challenge I gave myself to not eat fast food. The last Sonic cheeseburger I had was on October 14th. I also exercise a whole lot more and with greater consistency than I have in many years. I have learned that in my life, great things and tough goals are best accomplished in baby steps.
Another strength that I have is my writing. When I started my blog more than three and a half years ago, I thought it would be a good way to process my thoughts and help me make sense of some of my experiences. Along the way I hoped, in my small way, to challenge some negative perceptions other people might have had about disabilities and relay the message to people in the community that I am more the same than different.
It makes me happy that all of that has come to pass. Through this blog and my writing, I have a much greater sense of who I am than before I started. I have a better understanding of my strengths and my weaknesses, and I have goals for the future that excite and challenge me in equal measure. In addition, through some emails and comments that I have received, I know that this blog has encouraged people to alter their perspectives on some issues and see the world from a different point of view. That fills me with joy in ways that are simply impossible for me to express.
So, given that this year is brand spankin’ new, I had an idea. I would like to combine two of my strengths, both self-improvement, and writing. My goal for my blog is to make it better. Well, that is not exactly accurate, now that I think about it. To me, “better’ is such an interesting word, that is hard for me to define personally because it is so subjective. Therefore, let me put it another way:
In 2016, I would like to make this blog count. While I still plan on sharing my stories, insights, and personal experiences, I would also like to make this blog as helpful to other people as possible. That is where you, my beloved followers, come into the equation.
Given that this blog is and or has been about my experience with various disabilities up until this point, what would you like to see?
Some information about disability etiquette? (That is, ways to empower people with disabilities)
Disability hacks?
Tips about how to hire and manage a great team of caregivers?
What to say or not say to someone with a disability?
How would I handle certain scenarios if they were to come up?
Those are simply some ideas to start with…I would love all the feedback that I could possibly get. In fact, I am hoping, with all my heart, that this post has more comments than any other posts that I have ever written.
Yes, that was a not so subtle hint. If you are not sure whether you should give me feedback, the answer is that you should. No question is inappropriate and no topic is off limits.
Since its inception, this blog has been a safe place for me. A place to talk about my doubts and fears, as well as various struggles and successes. It has changed me; I have grown in more ways than I ever could have anticipated. And the support I have received from friends and strangers alike has been overwhelming and wonderful.
Now I would like to return the favor if I may. How can this blog be helpful for you? Go!
A picture is worth 1000 words. How many times have we heard “Use your imagination,” though, instead of getting all hyped up by pictures. What about pictures added to the blog? I think that would be cool.
I think your first idea would be the most helpful for me. As someone working on community health issues, it is important to me to strive for community policies/environments that promote good health FOR ALL. For that to happen, we need to have engagement of people across the community. Having people with disabilities actively engaged in our community dialogues about this is really important. Most of all, though, keep up the good work! What you are doing already has a tremendous impact!