Behind starburst eyes

It might seem obvious to many how to do every day living activities. For example, the steps needed prior to cooking a meal such as washing our hands, getting all the ingredients ready or ensuring there is enough time for the recipe in question. But at one point when we were children, those steps weren’t obvious. And even for some that are older, those steps may still not be readily apparent.

There have been many recent studies showing a direct correlation between competency with daily living skills and overall happiness. Which really only makes sense. If you don’t have the skills to navigate the small day to day stuff, than you’re going to be upset and frustrated more than not. No one would rate their life a happy one overall if each day is filled with stress, anxiety and a lack of how to get their basic needs met.

Which is how the chart below (and several others) were thought of, and subsequently taped up around our house. So far I’ve seen a great improvement in my eldest’s sense of pride with himself as he sets out to do a task and successfully completes it without having to ask anyone for help. Yes, he may look at the charts I’ve posted, but in the end he did the activity on his own, and you can see the sense of accomplishment this gives him.

Years ago when I first heard “stay where you’re at, and I’ll comes where your to” it took me a minute to get it. I haven’t heard it in awhile, but it’s been stuck in my head lately. What if we all did that? What if we all just met those in our lives exactly where they are (mentally, and emotionally) without exception, without reserve or conditions? So often without meaning to do so, we put conditions upon our acceptance of others (I’m NOT talking about accepting abuse, or anything of that sort.) But what if instead of thinking of how the people in our lives should do x, y, or z, why not just accept that they aren’t doing said things and accept them as is? Why is it so hard for us as a society to accept one another as is?

I recently went through an unexpected neurological reaction to a medication. My husband was my lifeline during it, he just kept accepting me. He kept coming to where I was and doing his best to accept the whirlwind of horror that was my mind during that time. And I know there are lots of partners that would do that, but there are also a lot that wouldn’t. His ability to accept people where their at is actually part of why I fell in love with him to begin with. I watched him with Mr.C, I watched how he would meet him where he was at with so many different things and while some of them he would slowly lead him towards the growth that needed to happen, he’d meet him first and walk with him during it. I watched not just his complete acceptance of my nieces, (okay fine I’ll share them, “our nieces”.) but his unhesitating meeting them where they were, as they were. I watched how happy Joy was with him because of this. And I know how much I needed it from him during my reaction.

But I don’t think I needed it from him JUST then, I think we all need it, always. We need to know that we’re not just accepted, but embraced as we are, for who we are. That we matter enough, and have value as the human beings we are, without being changed, without being altered. AS IS.

I don’t want him to feel different is an amazing article that clearly shows many of the different reasons why I am so strongly against NOT talking to my children about their diagnosis/s. By being open about them I feel it allows them a safe space to talk about it, and about anything to do with it. I don’t want them googling instead, that is a big problem to me due to all the misinformation out there. I don’t claim to know everything about their diagnosis/s, but you can bet your last dollar if I don’t know it, I know how to access reliable information as opposed to craptastic fad “fixes”.

I started a contract position with a local company 3 weeks ago. I’ve been struggling since I started, in small part due to the work itself, but mostly due to trying to find the time in the day to accomplish “the everything” It’s right before Yule so of course I’m already in “go overboard” mode, add in  spending 8-9 hours each day at work right now and it’s a recipe for disaster.

Logically I knew that, and I tried to be gentle with myself. I would say things to my husband or mom such as “it’s okay if I don’t get everything done” or “I am aware that no one can do the everything and I won’t make myself sick trying” Only I was lying to them and myself every time I said it.

A fellow homeschooling mom tried to gently remind me I needed to give myself Grace as well. That I have an amazing son (she only knows my eldest boy) and that I need to be kind to myself as well.

Yet despite all that, I went home early from work yesterday because a migraine hit that I couldn’t shake no matter what I did. I’m not surprised, really I ‘m just surprised it waited as long as it did to hit. I typically get them from stress and spreading myself too thin. A way for my body to remind me I need to slow down and breathe sometimes too.

So I have spent this morning cuddling with the wee ones while we watch pbs kids, because sitting with them and being truly present with them is also part of the everything.

Now that doesn’t mean I won’t try to attempt to accomplish the mythical everything, cause honestly I know I still will, it’s part of who I am to push myself as far as I can and do as much as possible each and every single day. BUT I will try and balance personal care within my day…a little…sometimes…maybe…