Discovery, Not Validation

I am no stranger to being the person who tries something new because a close friend tells me how great it is. For a lot of my life, I struggled to fit into groups that were not meant for me because I was tired of having to sit out. When I strove for approval without considering the circumstances, I  ended up feeling more left out. Even when I did receive the approval I did not recognize it because my concentration was on trying to be something that I am not. When I accepted my reality and used the circumstances for different ways of experiencing, I felt like a part of things, even without participating like everyone else. Where they would concentrate on what they could do, I would concentrate on enjoying what I could. 

After many attempts to make myself fit into what I didn't belong in, I realized that I was not being myself because of it. I still wanted to try to be involved but I made sure to examine the circumstances and my capabilities. For the things I knew that I shouldn't attempt, I treated the activity as a small adventure to experience something new. I could enjoy the energy that surrounded me, imagine the things I can't do and have an experience I wouldn't have otherwise tried. Even if my core purpose is to be part of a group, I must take care of myself and be myself while doing so. 

My life taught me that how I choose to perceive a situation will affect the results. I don’t have to exert myself to be like others, I can appreciate being along for the ride as myself. I can make any experience into a new discovery and not stress out about meeting any guidelines. My presence is valuable, even if I am not what is expected. With everything as a discovery opportunity, I can recognize my place and value what I experience.