Flying Through The Air With The Greatest Of Ease

"So be sure when you step

Step with care and great tact

And remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act

  Just never forget to be dexterous and deft

  And never mix up your right foot with your left."

-Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go

Childrens' books can be great sources of wisdom. I always remember to listen to the mustn'ts, and to the fact that anything can happen, and be, thanks to Shel Silverstein. I also still love Oh The Places You'll Go after all these years.

Life isn't easy, gosh-darn-it. I've been caught up in waiting places, and lurches far more often than I'd like. At times, I describe life, having been "High-Functioning" with a disability, as "There's a tight rope stretched high. On the ground, there's the area where the spectators are um, "normal", as the world would see them. Then there's where the "Poor, dirty, hungry, tired, and obviously not "normal" people are. In between are those who can pass a sort of "paper bag" test -able to pass but not without struggling.
The tightrope for the "passers"- the High-Functioning- too capable for help from the usual sources, and yet, never quite matching the "normals",  is stretched over hot lava. (Remember the delightful game of dancing over couch cushions to avoid carpet, much to our parents' disgust and fear for the lamps and furniture- the Floor Is Hot Lava?) There are sadists... people who will do anything to harm another, for their pleasure, to fulfill their needs, shaking the rope as the Passers attempt to navigate. And sometimes, the Passers fall. And, as they say in French, "C'est la vie." (This is life.)


But I can try to help make it easy for others...see, it is not all pain. There is joy- lots of it! And in the simple things (Hence, my love for Calvin & Hobbes, certain childhood trinkets, and for the occasional childs' book or film.)- from playing in the water, or the snow, to reminiscing about box and couch forts (My poor mother- I always seemed to need to make one when company was coming!) to "comfort" food- to occasionally, taking time to enjoy more simple pursuits because, well, the modern world can drag me down. Hatred and poison, demons at the heels, and so much pain and sadness, that the good despair and the evil rejoice.
Slippery rocks in a raging river, skipping stones... splashing... falling.
We all fall. We all have mistakes we wish we did not make, but can teach us valuable lessons. Speak up. Before there's an issue. Understand, don't seek to be understood; Understand!

No one will get anywhere, normal, passing, whatever---with hatred on their minds, and judgments all about. You cannot live only thinking about the spites and smacks you've received, and how things should be better by now. It is not what we've lost, it is what is ahead of us. To live in the past is to simply exist. To live in regret and wallow in pain is to hurt yourself. Use the mistakes for what they are. Teaching tools. Take a break when you need it. Love all, even those who curse you, learn to lean on those you care for, who are worth your time. Let the darkness go, it shouldn't be leading you by the hand. Bless those who curse you... and try to bless all those in your path, especially those who have truly been a friend on the path. But do not spite an enemy. And do not get bitter. Leave that behind, with the darkness, and remember: Pain is necessary, it is how we know what's wrong. Don't become jaded, there is always hope in the world. If you're overwhelmed, talk to someone. If there is negativity, do not let it consume you as well.
If I could say one thing, forever more, it is this: Be true to you, be kind to you. Love yourself, as you do others, and respect yourself. Be your own advocate. Learn when to say no. And watch it--- things get slippery at times. Know that mistakes will be made. Learn from them.

If in doubt, don't worry, don't stew... Be a circus freak & love it!

“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”_Shel Silverstein