"Different is not bad, just different"

Simmer on the title for a second.

How much do you believe that statement is true?

To me, very! When working with a population with a variety of special needs, different is the norm! Some actions, like how someone talks or walks, is acceptable. Some actions like using a device to eat, having to be taken to the bathroom by someone else, is acceptable and almost needed. Different in this sense is not bad and many ppl accept those differences. Some ppl do not. Maybe you someone who finds it hard to  love and be patient around a certain group of people.

If you like or believe in this quote, do you truly practice it?

A christian marriage counselor I heard from the radio said, "I sat through all of daughters piano lessons, I learned theories, key signatures  notes, how to sit, what pedal does what, how to play with one hand, ways to play with two, yet knowing this does not make me a pianist. I am not a pianist until I have physically put into practice what I learned, until I have mastered and learned from what was taught to me and applied it."
So you like the quote, you know how true it may be, but do you practice it?

I wish I practiced it more. Everyone is different and everyone is an individual so everyone has their own ways of communicating, learning, and interacting. While someone learns by reading the names of the brain out three times, someone else may have to watch videos on the brain over and over again, and someone just has to see the structure, write out the name and ta-da! they know where the amygdala is! (I know random but we just took a neuro. quiz in class so brain anatomy is on my mind haha) In, a "normal" setting, it is easy to spot and point out differences in people. It is easy to look at them and think that is so weird or maybe even "gee-whiz, they shouldn't do that in public!" Maybe its something as harmless as an outfit! Why are people (even me) so quick to look down upon someone, to think a negative thought.

Different is not bad, just different. What's bad can be your reaction, your thoughts.

Be aware of your thoughts and actions through out the day. What "different" actions set you off? How did you react? How should have you reacted?

That poor egg above only wants to fit in and be made into an omelet too!

"Finally brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are lovely, and whatever things are of good report and if there is anything of virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on those things!" Philippians 4:8  

"Long Time, No See" by Beth Finke

WOW what a great book that really dives into the problems, issues, events, and attitudes people with physical disabilities, and people raising a child with developmental disabilities face.

I apologize in advance for the lack of structure.This book was wonderful and I really suggest it as a must read! Idk how to break down/outline this book for you! First about the author.

1. It is about a woman with type 1 diabetes who becomes blind due to complications with her glucose levels.
1. Due to her blindness she attends classes or intensive programs on walking with a cane, reading braille, services for individuals with seeing impairments, and eventually seeing eye dogs.
2. She faces challenges with finding a job and how she handled each success and let down. Even when ADA passed in 1990, jobs and employers were highly reluctant to hire individuals with physical disabilities even if their disability had nothing to do with the job requirements.
3. Common discussion on the importance for independence and her desire to obtain and fulfill her roles as a wife, part-time employee, and also a mother of a child with developmental disabilities. 

This book was both inspirational and very informative! As an aspiring OT, I saw and took mental notes on all of the compensation techniques Beth used to fulfill her roles, as well as the emotions that come with being disabled or general experiences of success and failure. Beth showed the importance for open ears and patient offering of services. 

Never force ideas, interventions, or technologies on someone. She stated it was best to suggest and explain a service. If the individual is not interested or not open to the item, wait until they bring it up again. 

Another point commonly made (that correlates with the above statement) was how important her attitude was during experiences and various events. Beth often pointed out how she held a prideful attitude that prevent her from seeing others as humans with names, seeing how her actions affected others, and seeing how she needed to take correction and feedback as a way to learn, not to ignore and continue to try her method. Sometimes, human nature prevent us from really listening to others. We don't see WHY they are correcting us, only that they are correcting us. We don't see WHY this is important, WHY i "need" something. Granted it is because no one ever explains the WHY. To person correcting, the WHY to them seems so darn obvious. Another skill I feel, as an OT, I should practice and perfect. Especially when I want to start a career as an Occupation Counselor later on in my life (Future post on that!). 

The tips, the techniques, the methods to be independent shared throughout this book are amazing!

I honestly suggest people of all walks of life should read this book. Get an inside look to what it is like to have a disability, to see the hidden culture. This book can open your eyes to the fact they are simply human, not seeking pity, not wanting to be dependent, but not wanting to be ignored or disregarded either! 

Another set of Tib-bits on the Radio

"Southern have a mindset where the enjoy doing an activity and enjoying the process versus doing something to get it done."

and

"Different is not bad, its just different"

Oceans, God, and Fear?

I have started attending a small group with young single ladies from my new church family. So started attending means I went yesterday, for the first time. :) We are going through a Francis Chan study book called Fear (or maybe Basic Fear... our leader never did say the name.) I'll start off by saying I love Francis Chan! Read Crazy Love! So hearing that we will be going through another one of his books I was sold and I am so motivated to dive into the lessons. Not only the lessons but the socialization I will be doing with gals my age!

The lesson started with this verse: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7
Quickly followed by:
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10
I have read through proverbs before, I have heard this verse and others many times. Fear is the start, the beginning, the initial step to knowing, understanding and learning about God. If God had the idea of using the Hebrew phrase word for "fear of the Lord" in Proverbs 27 times, I think God is trying to tell us something. Lets break this down because I highly doubt this means fire-and brimstone. Even Francis Chan said so! haha (and everything Francis Chan says MUST be true...sarcasm)
Think on the word fear.

• An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. (thanks to Google)

• to have a reverential awe of (Merriam-Webster online)

What/How would you describe fear? I would say that fear is closely related to the first, like a phobia (though irrational), this emotion controls your actions. Fear would prevent you from sticking your hand in a bear's mouth. Fear would (at least for me) instill caution while swimming in high waves at the beaches of NC. I don't want the consequences that could come if I wasn't careful. The fear of drowning is a constantly in my mind while swimming far out in the ocean and has caused mini panic attacks.

But yet I understand Merriam-Webster's version as well. "A reverential awe" a since of ultimate respect. I feel I have that for the ocean. The ocean is beautiful, awe-inspiring, powerful, dangerous. And woa! That is God! is it not?! Is God not awe-inspiring, powerful, beautiful, and yes, even dangerous?!  God created the earth, He created the oceans the mountains, He created us. He has created floods, earthquakes, turned people into salt, sent lions to eat those who did not obey. He has allowed and through His son and followers miracles to be performed in many different ways, Even the devil believes and knows Him. (James 2:19) "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder"

So now the question is: How should we fear God? there are so many different levels of fear. Phobias which lead to avoidance, respectful fear of police, anxiety of the future, etc. 

The analogy of the the ocean seems to be my perception of how I want to fear God. My fear of the ocean does not cause avoidance of enjoying the water, the waves, finding sand-dollars and the occasional jelly fish. I feel my fear of the ocean (and what I want with God) is one where I enjoy and dabble in it's presence, where I know and understand the power and the danger and the risk in enjoying it, and where I put my knowledge to use and NOT swim when the lifeguard says strong rip-currents or infestation of jellyfishes! I feel God is the same. God is powerful, ALL powerful. God is beautiful and awe-inspiring. Yet there is danger and unknowns when being with God. Let God take control of your life and all your plans are gone, Safety, gone. Security and comfort, gone. 

More on fearing God might come later. But think about this...Would you say you fear God?