I Am _____ !!!

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to be a part of the National Psoriasis Foundation Volunteer Summit. The NPF brought volunteers from around the country together to network and to be an encouragement to all of us. These events are always thought provoking and inspiring. For example, a 10-year-old boy who is part of the Youth Ambassador program got up in front of all of us and shared his story of living with psoriasis. He did not miss a beat. When I say we were all overcome with emotion that is putting it mildly.

Another presenter went after him with a stern message for us all. She shared a quote I believe she said was from Aristotle that said “I am _____ and the words you put after them make you, you! It really got me thinking about what I would put in that blank.

Think about it: I am _____ !

How powerful is that? It hit me like a ton of bricks being dropped on my head. When I was first diagnosed with psoriasis, I literally thought my life was over.

I, as a psoriasis person, first started off filling that blank with all kinds of negative words. Words such as ugly, gross, not worthy of anything good, and not lovable. NOT, NOT, NOT. That list could (and did) go on forever.

I think it is pretty fair to say most of us felt this same way. Maybe you still do. It took me a long time to change my mindset on all the negative I was invoking upon myself and especially on my mind. When you go down that rabbit hole it is not easy to climb out of it. With a lot of effort, I found the strength to do just that.

My I am _____ ! ...now!

I am not going to lie, it was a hard fight to get to the point of being okay with the skin I am in. Once I started telling myself that I AM MORE THAN MY PSORIASIS, my mindset started to change. It started with that statement that I kept saying multiple times a day.

Now, there are a whole list of words that I am. Words such as strong, important, worthy, and loved. Strong in that I strive to make a difference for myself and other psoriatics as well. Important is an easy one in that I am important to myself. Most importantly, I am loved by my husband, children, grandchildren, and my psoriasis family.

What is your word?

It is a very thought-provoking statement. Think about it. Where are you on your psoriasis journey?

Are you still in the negative part of your I am? If so, I would encourage you to start thinking along the lines of you are more than your psoriasis. Have you dug your way out and started thinking of yourself as worthy? Do you fill the blank of I am _____ with encouraging words? After all, remember I am _____ and the words you put after them make you you!

If this quote got you thinking of the past and present you, I would love to read it in the comment section below.

I am... grateful for this community and all of you!