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Looking past the immediate issue at hand, there comes a time when people have to realize that it is only through their self-acceptance that they will survive and thrive. Not only does one have to reach the point of self-acceptance in order to be at peace, they have to expect and allow others to NOT accept them, and they have to understand that THEY have power to transform lives for the better. The obese population, people with mental or physical disabilities, people from other countries and cultures, religions, or those with a sexual orientation different than that the 'social norm', suffer the curse of ignorance.
How does a person of 'difference' begin to find self-acceptance? At what point does a person stand up and declare that they are worthy of respect? When does the abused child stand up and declare that they are not horrible and disgusting, and declare that they will change the cycle that nearly destroyed them? When did the African-American population stand up and declare that they were worthy of rights? When did parents of disabled children rise up and declare their children worthy of a life outside of institutions? When does 'enough' become 'enough' and people reach deep within self and realize that they are worthy of so much more than what they have been allowed to have? It is sad to think that people allow others to have so much power and control over them, literally allowing their lives to be orchestrated according to what others think they should do, what they have or don't have, where they will go in life, and how they think about themselves.
People of 'difference' have to come to a point in time where they have to expect the worse from others, as unfortunate as it is. Nobody wants to face that reality, but it is as it is. 'Different' wouldn't be 'different' otherwise, and the true benefit of that 'difference' would then go un-noticed. The 'different' need to see that THEY have the true power, THEY have the opportunity to make others take notice of their own lives, and in some cases take notice of their own character flaws. 'Different', from the moment of notice, often takes seed in the mind of the 'normal' and prepares them for a life-changing event down the road. That event may be twenty years later when giving birth to their first child; one born with a severe disability. Maybe the opportunity presents itself when their much-loved son or daughter grows up and declares that they are homosexual. No matter what the specifics are regarding that, 'difference', the power in that 'difference' can be the one thing that prepares others for a future that they never dreamed would personally touch their own life.
So parents of disabled children, know that your child will prepare future parents for they day they receive the news that their child is disabled. People of different cultures, know that you may prepare others for the day that someone in their life falls in love with and marries someone out of their own culture. Homosexual, know that your experience may some day teach a parent to love unconditionally. The obese, know that one day the person making fun of you may have a son or daughter who will struggle with obesity, and that you very well may be the key to giving that child hope. Difference brings forth opportunity for real change and real improvement in the future.
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