What If

I have this favorite quote that I use a lot: “Don't worry about the ‘what ifs’!”

I tend to say this when I’m doubting myself or when I find myself asking, “Did I do enough?” You can “what if” yourself to death and not move forward with anything if you let yourself. Right now, we are all in this stage of “what if this budget doesn't get approved?” or “what if funding is cut?” Sometimes we have no control over what's going to happen, and we need to be okay with that.

As a person with a disability, I have tried to stop asking myself, “What if I need to ask those uncomfortable questions to help me decide what my next move is? Which one of my allies can I call and say we need to fix this?” Those questions can consume me and stop me dead in my tracks. Sometimes we need to accept that we might not be able to fix everything, because to get those in power to understand what a group of people needs can be very difficult. They might have their pre-conceived notions of what that group of people needs by what they see and what they hear from others instead of talking directly with them. I have no difficulty now with having those uncomfortable conversations.

My main point here is for you to stop saying “What if.” Don't get stuck in it too long because you might miss your opportunity to make another move. “What if” won't change things. You can make change just by being present and available. Sometimes being vulnerable and open is enough to make a real impact.