[Blindtlk] the meaning of confidence

[pienings at comcast.net]

Hi!  I think that a person can possess all of the skills and knowledge 
for which anybody could desire, but if the person doesn't believe in him 
or herself, or if the person doesn't believe that he or she even has any 
skills or knowledge, then it is really hard if not impossible for the 
person to succeed.  I know that when I went to BLIND, Inc., I knew many 
of the skills, and I believed that other blind people could utilize 
these skills adequately, but I doubted my own abilities.  Once I 
developed confidence in myself, then I succeeded.  Learning the skills 
was the easy part, and developing the confidence needed to use these 
skills adequately and succeed was the most difficult part for me.  I 
think that confidence comes from within, but validation does help.  When 
I attended WSVH and was told that I couldn't find my way out of a paper 
bag by mobility instructors, I internalized this message, and my 
confidence was low, and I had difficulties traveling.  In fact, this 
message still haunts me today, even after going to a center where people 
believed in me and my abilities.  I finally reached a point when I was 
at BLIND when I realized that if other blind people could travel 
independently, then so could I, and I achieved my goals.  With  the 
external validation from others and from an inner belief of my 
abilities,I developed the confidence within to walk with these messages 
and fears and do what I needed to do.  Still, though, there are times 
when my confidence isn't so good.  Does anybody else have times when 
they don't feel as confident as they used to, and have difficulties 
succeeding?	
Jenny

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