We have learned as no one else has what it is like to be shunned for being different. We constantly face isolation, rejection, and antipathy because we are different; we cannot hear the way normal hearing people do.

Often people do not accept us as we are. Not fair but that is the way we find it all too often is.

And that is why we have learned firsthand how important it is to develop and maintain TOLERANCE of differences, tolerance of others no matter what their beliefs, attitudes, and values.

We don't have to love them for their differences, but we should accept differences. Differences are what make life interesting. And even when it is not interesting, we should always do unto others as we would have them do unto us. The SWC fosters, promotes, encourages tolerance. Don't you think it should?

We should show approval and appreciation for one another. Not for things we do not approve of or for things that we do not sincerely feel positive about; but with a little effort and intention, it is not too difficult to find something we do appreciate about others.

Everyone has something special to offer; it is a matter of looking for it. It must be sincere and it must be something you feel. But if you do not see something to appreciate and approve of in others, is that the other person's fault or yours? Again, we should do unto others. We should search for and mention what is special about others just as we would want done for us. In order to appreciate ourselves we need appreciation from others. What goes around comes around.

This is the key. Anything and everything can be seen as bad or good. The glass is either half empty or half full. That is up to us. Developing a positive attitude is a matter of habit. Those who fall into the trap of being negative, cynical and expect the worst, find what they expect comes about. A self-fulfilling prophecy. And those who look for the good in others, who assume that we all have our good points find good in others, if we look.

Developing a positive attitude is a challenge for individuals for hearing loss; it truly is. Are we up to the challenge? I believe we are. We should encourage one another to think positive and hope that others will remind us to do the same.

TAP is what the SWC is all about.

And if at times I forget, TAP me on the shoulder to remind me please.

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