Special

SPECIAL = distinguished in some way; unique; being other than usual

QUESTION: Are you special?

STORY: One day in 2003 - when I was substitute teaching at a pre-school - a little 4 year old girl named Yvette came to me. She snuggled in my lap. She stood before me and stared into my eyes. She never responded with a smile or emotional affect - always a blank sort of affect. The girl in this drawing is Yvette - a 4 year old girl with Retts Syndrome - a nervous disorder that only affects girls. She was born normal and then about 6 months old, she showed signs that resembled autism - for example: she showed no connection to others or to toys and she expressed certain movements like rocking or waving her hands, etc. For 18 years I worked as an Art and Special Ed teacher. I do believe strongly that everyone is special and we are all here to learn from each other. It takes WORK to observe ourselves and our world with LOVE and without judgment. Learn more at my weekly WORK CHAMBER: https://www.drawingtogether.com/workchamber

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QUOTES

“However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.” ~ Stephen Hawking

“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But, whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr

“Most people see what is and never see what can be.” ~ Albert Einstein

“I have no wish to be cured of being myself.” ~ Temple Grandin

EXERCISE

STOP.

Relax.

Assume an erect posture. Sense the breath.

Sit calmly. Know that you are special and just LOVE yourself.

Get your pen and paper and write words or draw lines expressing a special need that you have - as well as a special gift or quality that you observe in yourself.

Move forward into your new day willing to love and accept your special needs and gifts.