What's something you never believed until you experienced it? #postaday2011

This has been a difficult prompt for me to respond to. I'm not sure why - and I don't really worry too much about the "whys" in life anymore - they just are. I suppose I'm thinking too hard to find the "right" answer instead of the answer that is inside of me. For example, my initial thought was this prompt was looking for a response about the power of God or the power of unconditional love. Then I decided to not think about it and not write about it yesterday.

Today I have a different perspective and I'm ready to respond.

Many of my previous posts have been about my life, my response to life, and the consequences of experiences I've had. Much of the struggles I've had were of my own making. Something that I never believed in until I experienced it? My own power. My own skills and abilities to care for myself, my children, and others. I never believed in me until bit by bit I came back into my body and re-discovered me. Sadly, but finally, this happened around the age of 30 and life has been better each year since.

During my doctoral program I had many amazing faculty who taught me many amazing things. One in particular, Dr. Nana Osei-Kofi, taught me a particularly important lesson. During her class I would repeatedly preface was I wanted to say with, "I'm not sure if I'm getting this correct," or "I may be completely not understanding this theory." Dr. Osei-Kofi would catch me and say, "Honor your genius." This lesson has guided me since.

Today I believe in me and the power of what I know, can do, and can contribute. I wish all could experience this belief.