"THE ATTITUDE YOU HAVE AS A PARENT IS WHAT YOUR KIDS WILL LEARN FROM MORE THAN WHAT YOU TELL THEM. THEY DON'T REMEMBER WHAT YOU TRY TO TEACH THEM, THEY REMEMBER WHAT YOU ARE."
--JIM HENSON
One of my very favorite books is "It's Not Easy Being Green.". It's a collection of quotes from Muppet creator Jim Henson, and those closest to him. His family, friends and coworkers shared what they loved best about him. This particular quote (which I didn't read in the book), I think is ingenious, because it's gentle, and to the point, but it's honesty cuts right through. His creations endure today, and many others Jim himself would be very proud of, I think. Who knew that a certain pig and frog would become such enduring icons? (I'm a fan of Beaker, The Sweedish Chef, and the two old guys Waldorf and Statler) :).
Anyway, Mr. Henson once said that the Muppets always needed to maintain a certain innocence about them. (He said this is why so many people loved them, and why they endured). Jim Henson was a creative genius I think, who was taken from us way too soon. He took a green coat from his mother's closet and two ping pong balls, and created an empire that has stretched all over the world. His creature shops have given us characters and props from countless memorable films; and to me, what's more amazing is the awesome list of celebrities that have worked with the characters straight out of Mr. Henson's imagination. Awesome! :)
CHALLENGE: Try something you consider to be creative. Especially, if you aren't sure you can pull it off. Try it...and see what happens! *Note: Be safe! Get instruction and supervision where necessary. But try something creative! :). Blog about it!...I'm sure the rest of us would love to see it too!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Social?...
"INFORMATION IS INTERESTING TO ME, BUT TALKING FOR THE SAKE OF TALKING; I FIND THAT QUITE BORING."
--TEMPLE GRANDIN
My journey of learning who Temple Grandin is, has been an interesting one. Two years ago this month, I began researching Autism because I read about the plight of Mr. Gary McKinnon. It had been discovered that Gary had something called Asperger's Syndrome. I had no idea what that was. Any research on AS or Autism will bring up information on Temple Grandin. Born at a time when no one really knew how AS affected people, because only the first literature had been published on it, Temple Grandin struggled a lot in school, but says she got some of her best empowerment when she was sent to a relative's ranch for the summer. The work ethic she learned gave her a sense of responsibility. Today, she is an advocate for autistic children and adults alike. Her love of animals and ranching, coupled with her colorful blazers and shirts, and her western hats with grey hair peaking out, make her resemble someone straight out of a movie about the wild, wild west. :)
Anyway, Autistics need logical reasons, or goals when sharing information. Talking for the sake of talking really is boring, because now there is pressure to figure out something to say. Autistics don't like that pressure...which is why we become akward in social situations. We don't care for "talking for the sake of talking."
--TEMPLE GRANDIN
My journey of learning who Temple Grandin is, has been an interesting one. Two years ago this month, I began researching Autism because I read about the plight of Mr. Gary McKinnon. It had been discovered that Gary had something called Asperger's Syndrome. I had no idea what that was. Any research on AS or Autism will bring up information on Temple Grandin. Born at a time when no one really knew how AS affected people, because only the first literature had been published on it, Temple Grandin struggled a lot in school, but says she got some of her best empowerment when she was sent to a relative's ranch for the summer. The work ethic she learned gave her a sense of responsibility. Today, she is an advocate for autistic children and adults alike. Her love of animals and ranching, coupled with her colorful blazers and shirts, and her western hats with grey hair peaking out, make her resemble someone straight out of a movie about the wild, wild west. :)
Anyway, Autistics need logical reasons, or goals when sharing information. Talking for the sake of talking really is boring, because now there is pressure to figure out something to say. Autistics don't like that pressure...which is why we become akward in social situations. We don't care for "talking for the sake of talking."
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Normal People
"THE IMAGE WE HAVE WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR MICKEY MOUSE TO MAINTAIN...WE'RE JUST NORMAL PEOPLE."
--KAREN CARPENTER
As some of you know, I wrote a separate blog entry about her today. Brother and sister Richard and Karen Carpenter made up the 70's duo The Carpenters. With Richard's skills to produce and arrange with multiple tracks and layers of vocals, and Karen's smooth, rich, velvety voice...the two were like gold. They toured the world performing their gorgeous ballads (which have since been used at countless weddings), like "We've Only Just Begun and "Close to You.". In the book, "The Carpenters" by Ray Coleman (authorized), Richard describes helping his younger sister through crowds of screaming fans. He says it was not uncommon for people to have scissors, and they would try to get locks of hair as souvenirs. Underneath it all was a young woman with an eating disorder, and huge insecurities. Outwardly, the Carpenters were clean and wholesome and family oriented, and looked as though they could do no wrong. They looked like they could do no wrong...but I think Karen, herself said it best. (up there). Richard was addicted to Qualudes, and Karen was taking laxatives and starving herself. Karen Carpenter died on February 4th 1983, apparently due to complications of Anorexia Nervosa. It was said that her heart had stopped beating. Her velvety smooth voice will live on forever. I think her untimely death can serve as a reminder that we never really know what's going on under the surface. A seemingly perfect life...can be anything but. An amazing talent who left us way too early...Karen was only 32. BTW...how many girls do know who can both sing AND play drums? :)
--KAREN CARPENTER
As some of you know, I wrote a separate blog entry about her today. Brother and sister Richard and Karen Carpenter made up the 70's duo The Carpenters. With Richard's skills to produce and arrange with multiple tracks and layers of vocals, and Karen's smooth, rich, velvety voice...the two were like gold. They toured the world performing their gorgeous ballads (which have since been used at countless weddings), like "We've Only Just Begun and "Close to You.". In the book, "The Carpenters" by Ray Coleman (authorized), Richard describes helping his younger sister through crowds of screaming fans. He says it was not uncommon for people to have scissors, and they would try to get locks of hair as souvenirs. Underneath it all was a young woman with an eating disorder, and huge insecurities. Outwardly, the Carpenters were clean and wholesome and family oriented, and looked as though they could do no wrong. They looked like they could do no wrong...but I think Karen, herself said it best. (up there). Richard was addicted to Qualudes, and Karen was taking laxatives and starving herself. Karen Carpenter died on February 4th 1983, apparently due to complications of Anorexia Nervosa. It was said that her heart had stopped beating. Her velvety smooth voice will live on forever. I think her untimely death can serve as a reminder that we never really know what's going on under the surface. A seemingly perfect life...can be anything but. An amazing talent who left us way too early...Karen was only 32. BTW...how many girls do know who can both sing AND play drums? :)
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Trust
"WHEN A TRAIN GOES THROUGH A TUNNEL AND IT GETS DARK, YOU DON'T THROW AWAY THE TICKET AND JUMP OFF. YOU SIT STILL AND TRUST THE ENGINEER."
--CORRIE TIN BOOM
In a story very similar to Anne Frank, Corrie Tin Boom and her family hid from the Nazi's during WW2, in a large house. The family was eventually discovered by the Gestapo, and shipped off to concentration camps. Corrie, was the only one in her family to survive. She eventually wrote her auto biography, "The Hiding Place" and began sharing her story in front of many groups of people. Corrie credits her deep faith and relationship to God with getting her through it all, as she had to learn to trust Jesus through so many tragedies in her life. Her fait is an inspiration, and her story, amazing.
--CORRIE TIN BOOM
In a story very similar to Anne Frank, Corrie Tin Boom and her family hid from the Nazi's during WW2, in a large house. The family was eventually discovered by the Gestapo, and shipped off to concentration camps. Corrie, was the only one in her family to survive. She eventually wrote her auto biography, "The Hiding Place" and began sharing her story in front of many groups of people. Corrie credits her deep faith and relationship to God with getting her through it all, as she had to learn to trust Jesus through so many tragedies in her life. Her fait is an inspiration, and her story, amazing.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Trying is Worth Something
"THERE IS NO 'TRY'... DO.
--YODA
(Voiced by Frank OZ)
"The Empire Strikes Back" (1981)
How many times do we try and we don't succeed? Have you lost count? Guess what you guys...Yoda lied. Now I'm a huge "Star Wars" fan (at least of the original trilogy). But this now infamous line of Yoda's...is not true. If we never tried, how would we know whether we would succeed? If we never failed, what reason would we have to renew our hope, and keep trying. But we do not always win... Amen? In fact, each of us will probably fail a lot more than we'll succeed. Ouch...right? If there is no "try" in the middle, we'll never make it to the other side of the bridge!
This makes me wonder what writer/director George Lucas might consider some of his failures. When the original Star Wars films came out, I think that (to the public), it seemed that everything he touched turned to gold. Maybe this was the feeling already in place because of the classic "American Graffiti". This man is brilliant...he's amazing! This man is as imperfect as anyone else, and has tried and failed at many things, right?
Wanna do something amazing? Walk gracefully through failure. This is boring and usually not even noticed. That's why it's amazing when someone pulls it off. We love to have success and recognition. Of course! Why not? It's wonderful. But what about all the times we're trying and failing? This is difficult, even for me to write because I know I need to take my own advice! :). In my personal case, my relationship with Jesus gets me through. I know that with Him, one is a majority, and that carries me through. Even then, I need all the help I can get, because I'm selfish, and I want things to be easy and feel good all the time. (I'm just as human as anybody else) :)
CHALLENGE: If you have trouble with the "F" word...just change the word. Try "Forgiveness.". Take something that you consider a failure in life, and treat yourself with forgiveness and acceptance. That "failure" just might put you right where you should be so you can succeed!
--YODA
(Voiced by Frank OZ)
"The Empire Strikes Back" (1981)
How many times do we try and we don't succeed? Have you lost count? Guess what you guys...Yoda lied. Now I'm a huge "Star Wars" fan (at least of the original trilogy). But this now infamous line of Yoda's...is not true. If we never tried, how would we know whether we would succeed? If we never failed, what reason would we have to renew our hope, and keep trying. But we do not always win... Amen? In fact, each of us will probably fail a lot more than we'll succeed. Ouch...right? If there is no "try" in the middle, we'll never make it to the other side of the bridge!
This makes me wonder what writer/director George Lucas might consider some of his failures. When the original Star Wars films came out, I think that (to the public), it seemed that everything he touched turned to gold. Maybe this was the feeling already in place because of the classic "American Graffiti". This man is brilliant...he's amazing! This man is as imperfect as anyone else, and has tried and failed at many things, right?
Wanna do something amazing? Walk gracefully through failure. This is boring and usually not even noticed. That's why it's amazing when someone pulls it off. We love to have success and recognition. Of course! Why not? It's wonderful. But what about all the times we're trying and failing? This is difficult, even for me to write because I know I need to take my own advice! :). In my personal case, my relationship with Jesus gets me through. I know that with Him, one is a majority, and that carries me through. Even then, I need all the help I can get, because I'm selfish, and I want things to be easy and feel good all the time. (I'm just as human as anybody else) :)
CHALLENGE: If you have trouble with the "F" word...just change the word. Try "Forgiveness.". Take something that you consider a failure in life, and treat yourself with forgiveness and acceptance. That "failure" just might put you right where you should be so you can succeed!
Monday, July 15, 2013
Makes Sense
"THIS THING THAT I'M REALLY TERRIFIED OF MAKES SENSE...AND IT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE IT'S REALLY TERRIFYING."
--CHRISTOPHER M. GAUTHIER
This is pretty inpramtu for me, because until tonight, I had not even heard of Christopher Gauthier. Everyone else on this short blog is someone that...I've been reading things they say for a while now because they interest me. Anyway, Christopher has two children, both Autistic, and the above quote refers to Autism itself, and how difficult it is to walk through day by day. I found a presentation he gave in a YouTube video. In it, he explains how he was able to use art and photography to connect with both of his children. He also explains other things he and his wife did which helped them to see an easing od symptoms in their kids.
The above statement is so universal, don't you think? How many times do we all struggle with being unsure what to do? We come to a fork in the road, and have no idea where to go next. But the thing that we are terrified of makes sense...and it makes sense because it's terrifying. Now, I think many times, we don't want the thing that terrifies us to make sense! We'd rather run, and rationalize that, and hope that somehow that will be enough for us to be happy with ourselves. It never is...am I right? Ask any actor, and they will tell you that they run straight towards the projects that scare them the most. (Watch "Inside the Actor's Studio" if you don't know what I mean). This may be because the work is not as genuine or satisfying unless they have faced a fear in the process. Having done some acting in high school and college, I think I can relate, if only on a small level. :). Growing up is terrifying anyway, and so is parenting...whether disability is involved or not. It is my personal belief that only when we begin to face what we're afraid of, do we uncover the wealth of blessings hidden in what seems to be odds stacked against us.
CHALLENGE: Find one thing in your life that you know, "makes sense because it's terrifying" and take one step towards it (no matter how small that seems). If you feel confident enough, take another. Who knows? You may be pleasantly surprised to find you can handle it better than you thought. :)
--CHRISTOPHER M. GAUTHIER
This is pretty inpramtu for me, because until tonight, I had not even heard of Christopher Gauthier. Everyone else on this short blog is someone that...I've been reading things they say for a while now because they interest me. Anyway, Christopher has two children, both Autistic, and the above quote refers to Autism itself, and how difficult it is to walk through day by day. I found a presentation he gave in a YouTube video. In it, he explains how he was able to use art and photography to connect with both of his children. He also explains other things he and his wife did which helped them to see an easing od symptoms in their kids.
The above statement is so universal, don't you think? How many times do we all struggle with being unsure what to do? We come to a fork in the road, and have no idea where to go next. But the thing that we are terrified of makes sense...and it makes sense because it's terrifying. Now, I think many times, we don't want the thing that terrifies us to make sense! We'd rather run, and rationalize that, and hope that somehow that will be enough for us to be happy with ourselves. It never is...am I right? Ask any actor, and they will tell you that they run straight towards the projects that scare them the most. (Watch "Inside the Actor's Studio" if you don't know what I mean). This may be because the work is not as genuine or satisfying unless they have faced a fear in the process. Having done some acting in high school and college, I think I can relate, if only on a small level. :). Growing up is terrifying anyway, and so is parenting...whether disability is involved or not. It is my personal belief that only when we begin to face what we're afraid of, do we uncover the wealth of blessings hidden in what seems to be odds stacked against us.
CHALLENGE: Find one thing in your life that you know, "makes sense because it's terrifying" and take one step towards it (no matter how small that seems). If you feel confident enough, take another. Who knows? You may be pleasantly surprised to find you can handle it better than you thought. :)
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Beautiful Head Dress
"YOUR DRESS SHOULD BE TIGHT ENOUGH TO PROVE YOU'RE A WOMAN, AND LOOSE ENOUGH TO PROVE YOU'RE A LADY."
--EDITH HEAD
Remember the black and white photos of Edith Head? Pony tail, and trademark dark glasses. I read once that Head wore those glasses so that she could always see how certain fabrics or colors would look, when photographed in black and white. One of the most famous costume designers in Hollywood, she is probably best known for the classics 'Rear Window" (54), "The Sting" (73), "Sunset Boulevard"(50), and (my favorite) "White Christmas"(54). I am all for anyone in Hollywood giving any kudos to modesty. And Edith Head should know!...She dressed some of the most famous names in the business... and beautifully, I might add!
In an industry saturated with completely bare, or scantily clad women, someone stating that to be a lady takes more conscious effort... definitely a breath of fresh air! Do men actually want modesty in a woman despite being inundated with sexual images constantly? I'm inclined to think the answer is yes. To put it another way; I admire a man who wants modesty in a woman because this tells me that he'll be protective of my character and my heart. If I could do one thing with my life, it would be to encourage women to be "ladies.". Up your anti girls!! Never mind trying to figure out what you are worth...just know that you are a priceless gem! This takes courage to believe in a culture that teaches women to wear immodesty like a badge and then collect sexual encounters as their reward for that immodesty. This breaks my heart. Many unwanted babies come that way, and many lives (both men and women) are torn apart. There is a better way, and there really is so much more!
CHALLENGE: Look up the word "Modesty" in the dictionary. Ladies, find 2 things you can do this week to demonstrate modesty, be it in your dress, your attitude, or your personal habits. Gentleman, find two things that you can do to ENCOURAGE modesty. Question: what do you think are some ways that GUYS can behave more modestly? (Wow...huge stereotype. Does modesty apply only to women?).
--EDITH HEAD
Remember the black and white photos of Edith Head? Pony tail, and trademark dark glasses. I read once that Head wore those glasses so that she could always see how certain fabrics or colors would look, when photographed in black and white. One of the most famous costume designers in Hollywood, she is probably best known for the classics 'Rear Window" (54), "The Sting" (73), "Sunset Boulevard"(50), and (my favorite) "White Christmas"(54). I am all for anyone in Hollywood giving any kudos to modesty. And Edith Head should know!...She dressed some of the most famous names in the business... and beautifully, I might add!
In an industry saturated with completely bare, or scantily clad women, someone stating that to be a lady takes more conscious effort... definitely a breath of fresh air! Do men actually want modesty in a woman despite being inundated with sexual images constantly? I'm inclined to think the answer is yes. To put it another way; I admire a man who wants modesty in a woman because this tells me that he'll be protective of my character and my heart. If I could do one thing with my life, it would be to encourage women to be "ladies.". Up your anti girls!! Never mind trying to figure out what you are worth...just know that you are a priceless gem! This takes courage to believe in a culture that teaches women to wear immodesty like a badge and then collect sexual encounters as their reward for that immodesty. This breaks my heart. Many unwanted babies come that way, and many lives (both men and women) are torn apart. There is a better way, and there really is so much more!
CHALLENGE: Look up the word "Modesty" in the dictionary. Ladies, find 2 things you can do this week to demonstrate modesty, be it in your dress, your attitude, or your personal habits. Gentleman, find two things that you can do to ENCOURAGE modesty. Question: what do you think are some ways that GUYS can behave more modestly? (Wow...huge stereotype. Does modesty apply only to women?).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)