Early April, and I'm sitting outside. A few weeks ago, 60 degrees was a very warm day! But how quickly our bodies respond to the shift of seasons, welcoming the warmth of the sun and soaking up the fresh air, the breeze, the ... yes, the pollen!
I have two other public blogs, one is much more general where over the years I've written about books I've read and technology and everyday life. The third blog, via Wordpress, is much more about my spiritual life and thought. Here on Blogger, I'm trying to write more of my everyday experiences and observations, without being overtly or overwelmingly religious. Naturally, my faith will peremeate this blog, just as my life will creep into my "Musings on Things That Matter" blog on Wordpress.
Today, after too much time searching for answers to the lost key to my "Musings" blog, I finally dug out my printed notes, and found not the original email confirming the account, but at least a password reset from that seldom-used email account, and was finally able to go back to where I had left off five years back! So now, I'm sitting outside, trying to enjoy the fresh air in social isolation, and trying to organize my thoughts before I retreat to the climate-controlled upstairs apartment I call my abode. (I did write a post on Wordpress; you might be able to find it if you search.)
I suppose that one thing I could do here is discuss how my Autism affects my everyday life. How "executive dysfunction" delays my accomplishing anything beyond the minimum activity of living. How Autism causes a degree of generalized anxiety, and how anxity can lead to a form of intermittent depression.
Actually, because of an Autism group on Facebook, I've become online friends with a young married woman in the American midwest, whose autism experience is more steep than mine. I've become kind of a coach via chat, and she is writing a blog about her experiences. Her desire to share her journey, both the struggles and the successes, in prose, are part of my recommitment to my own blogging efforts. We both are frustrated by those who seek a cure, thinking we're broken; we're frustrated by those who only dwell in their misery and suffering and are unable to find ways to cope and find a degree of contentment in life; we also are frustrated by those who insist that we only celebrate the better aspects of Autism, feeling that admitting the pain and struggle diminishes who we are as a group of people. She and I agree that we must accept the bad with the good, and be honest with ourseleves and the world around us, because it does affect the world around us. And so, because of my online friend Dorothy, I'm returning to writing, not because I'm anything special of myself, but because the gift of writing gives me a special way to reach the world.
With 55 years of life under my belt -- with a spiritual journey that has had its zigzags and course corrections; with a marriage and divorce and a few failed attempts at romance; with a 25 year career; with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication; with somewhere over 1,400 Facebook connections; despite my frequent feelings of failure -- I have accomplished what many have not. People turn to me for advice, not because I'm especially wise, or knowledgable, but because I am willing to share what I know and admit when I simply don't know. Somehow, words come easy to me. Sometimes I'm able to string together a few phrases, or rhyme a few words, and in my own way reflect what others are also feeling. Or I'm able to convey my heart in a way that resonates in their own heart.
I'm nothing special -- and yet, just a common man, I'm also quite special, beloved, with friendships that span the globe. Just a common man, with common thoughts, and uncommon thoughts. This blog itself turns my thoughts into uncommon thoughts. I hope that you'll journey with me, as I continue to find my voice, and find ways to cope with the issues of life and my inherent Autism insights and outlooks.
Just a common man.... that's what I am.
No comments:
Post a Comment