I recently wrote an email to a person who’s blog I read, about you and your blog. I told him I am hesitant to read your postings in all their brilliance with reports of your glowing life unless I am in the best possible frame of mind.

I find myself each time comparing, to what I see my life as, to what the reality of yours seems to be, if only through your own admission. The word idyllic comes to mind.

I read your article today. The word here that stood out for me was challenged. If only I could get myself to the place of knowing that maybe I am simply challenged in this life, things would go a bit smoother, maybe a lot smoother.

Not much different than what you describe on a more ‘global request’ scale.

Barbara

Thank you for your heart-felt letter. One of the hazards of the writings here is that they can create something to which we can sometimes unfavorably compare our lives. Rebecca says to tell you that she is a case-study in this =) She has experienced what might be a similar sense of comparison.

When you perceive that another is living an idyllic life, it’s easy to compare. Why can’t my life be like that, we wonder? And any answer the seemingly idyllic person gives us simply provides us with another place where we can compare ourselves.

Your letter has actually inspired a new article, which I shall put up toward the middle or end of the week. I won’t say anything about it for the moment, but I will pre-thank you for the inspiration. =)

Sweetwater,
Kenton

I think she’s really killing their poor self esteem, and hurting herself unnecessarily, but ah well. I don’t know. Your article really cuts to the core of the issue, as always. If only everyone listened.

Awesome article as usual. The difference between being crazy in a world of sane people and being sane in a world of crazy people is just one of perspective.

I think we should all accept that we’re unusal, crazy and challenged on some level or another. It’s part of being human.

Yup. My advice is like a TV X-omatic. You know those little gizmos you wear on your wrist that give you a shock if you watch TV for more than 1/2 hour at a time? Everyone needs one, but no one buys it.

Okay, seriously though — it’s tough in the case of our children. Do we want what is best for them, or are we simply trying to fulfill our own expectations and desires through them? I’d love to see more schools which both challenged children, and also took the time to nurture their chosen skills.

Take one of the issues I often tacitly criticize on this site — playing video games. We might think some kid is wasting her time playing video games, but then she goes on to become a tournament champion or even to design games herself — making lots of money doing something she loves. This also applies to a child who is daydreaming, or passing notes, or drawing pictures. They’re not doing what we want them to do, but they are applying their energies to something — as wise teachers, perhaps we could find out what it is they are passionate about, and design a teaching program which would encourage them to creatively explore their talents.

Readers with a talent for irony may next ask me to rationalize the positive aspects of television watching

At any rate, we are putting a lot of faith in our fortune-telling abilities when we decide that a child’s interests are not worth nurturing.

Thanks much for your comment! =)

Kenton

I don’t think I could have said this better.

“Life may be a journey, but it is also an experience”, you said. This is so important, as in the end, we see that life does indeed encompass both.

The danger of extolling the ‘Now’ is that people often think it means that they can’t engage in the journey half of life any more. What a shame to lose the fun and adventure of the journey! That you married the two is beautiful and appropriate. Thanks for pointing it out.

Sweetwater,
Kenton

Embracing our craziness, embracing our challenges — this is so liberating. In touch with these elements, we can stop trying so hard to always be something other than what we are. And then . . . wheee! Life is no longer a constant striving, but rather a constant immersion and passion.

Thanks much,
Kenton

However, we can not mark off people who are so as merely “different-yet-gifted” because they do need help. A greater respect, understanding, maybe teaching would be useful. I was a friend with a kid who was rather, (by society’s definition…) retarded as a kid and so learned more. Almost everyone else I knew, however, rarely if ever met someone retarded and if they did avoided them.

It’s a mix and as often knowledge is power here.

Apparently, the small container did not bulge and had failed to call attention to itself while residing in the pocket of her tight blue jeans. For an instant, with a brief moment of concealed panic, Meaghan couldn’t recall if, while getting dressed that morning, she had brought it with her.

Trying not to call attention to herself while seated on the stage in front for all to see, she had slowly slid her hand down to her left front pocket softly touching the outside of her pants. Assured her surprise was safe; she was relieved and pleased to think about how, in just a few moments, such an unobtrusive little thing that once unleashed on the crowd
would affect such big change and bring happiness to everyone there.

Soon it would be her turn to speak. She had won the right to be there after being nominated by the other members of her group. The other days’ speakers had likewise been selected by their peers to speak to the crowd too.

Meaghan was the last speaker. She wasn’t nervous at all; just happy that in a moment she would be able to share something good, something happy with the rest of the crowd. All of the other speakers had spoken and none of them had a little box like hers….She thought it
was now up to her to make the day a memorable one for all.

Getting up to speak, Meaghan walked over to the microphone to address the annual conference for mentally challenged youth. She wasn’t nervous; she had her box with her…She looked out at the crowd, smiled and gave her speech, It was received with respectful applause;…then, thanking the audience, she reached into her pocket and took out the small, metal box…she called attention to it by raising it above her into the air for the crowd to see….

Meaghan proceeded to tell the crowd that her box contained all her savings over the past year. It contained her savings of all the love she had breathed into it and kept safe. Now she wanted everyone there to have it; to share in it…so, Meaghan opened the lid on the little box, took a deep breath and blew into it spreading her love dust around the room.
And, again that day, Meaghan smiled and the crowd erupted with loud, enthusiastic applause.

John Torcello

Sweetwater,
Kenton