Inspiring Man

Last week I had the opportunity to hear Nick Vujicic at an event for the Friendship Circle. If you don't know who he is, Nick Vujicic is a man who has no limbs at all. He was born this way, but despite his challenges, he is freer inside than most people. I so relate to his struggles though mine have been different in many ways. Still, key challenges have been identical.
How do you find peace with faith? How do you accept the situation and stop the sorrow? How do you overcome limitations? How do you deal with other people who stare, or don't know you're normal inside?

It is more a decision to live fully than anything else. Nick had a tough time as a kid. So did I. He had to fight to get an education in school. So did I. With no limbs, independence is impossible. With severe autism, independence is impossible too. But he learned that the road to freedom is not in having no challenges, it is making the most of the reality life has dealt you. The life he got is harder than average, by loads, and he had to live bigger than  normal to just keep up. He is not ashamed, embarrassed, or hiding. He lets people get comfortable with him. That is a great gift.

I had a chance to meet him briefly. He has a cool wheelchair that is tall. It brings him to eye level, more or less. I gave him my book. It inspired me a lot to meet a man who bravely lives life fully, and does good, important work, even though he might have given up. Giving up is the easy way to run from pain but he decided that his life had a higher purpose. He is a role model to many people who despair over much less.

For me, it is a great reminder to count my blessings and to remember that challenges are meant to be overcome.

The Ocean

I love the ocean. I feel so happy there. The weather could be hot or chilly but I feel happy to see the sand and waves. I love the feel of the cold water too. I go too far in it sometimes. The ocean is soothing and the sound of the waves is like a metronome that isn't steady, but never stops.

I remember loving the ocean since I was a baby. I'd run to the water as fast as I could. My family would have to hold me back or I'd go in even in my clothes. It is like a magnet, in a way. When I go to the tidepools I resist the urge to go into the waves because the ocean because the ocean there begins  past the rocks and the tidepools filled with anemones and starfish. Only kayaks and surfboards venture there.

Many people with autism love the beach. Our senses have a field day there.

Autumn Morning Dog Tease

My dogs are staring at the tree outside our back door. This has been going on for over an hour. A big, bushy squirrel is teasing them. It climbs down to eat some fallen seeds right in front of them. Real casual, ha ha. They stare and stare until one runs because it has no more ability to sit. The squirrel takes a leap and is gone in the tree, mocking my poor dogs.