Travelling often brings some interesting experiences! I have been reflecting on our plane ride home. Cricket and I settled in at the bulk head, window seat. This is our favorite place to be as Cricket can lean against the wall and kept in our personal space. Steve was next to us and then a woman sat down next to him. She spent the flight leaning into Steve and asking many personal questions ... including letting Steve know it is really difficult to be married to a person with a disability! I reflected on another quote from the conference:
Everyone has a whole universe they are carrying in their mind. I saw her with increased compassion and (also was feeling much compassion for Steve) and repeated the blessings that we had stated in our conference:
May I feel safe, May I feel content, May I feel strong, May I live with ease. I wish that for her and each of us.
As a person with a disability, at times it can feel like the one pink flower in a group of red flowers. In the conference a presenter stated that we put people in 'categories' and those in a category such as a disability can experience trauma. Interesting to think about and perhaps normalize some of the unique expeirences. However, I love pink!
6 comments:
In my psychology course we've spent a lot of time researching and talking about why we as people tend to put other people in categories. The prase, "Us or Them Mentality" has come up a few times. It's pretty interesting. :) I also really like that quote.
Bummer that Steve (and you) had to put up with that. People don't realize they are diminishing you (or trying to) but that is what happens. When I tell people that the daughter we're adopting is blind, they say things like, "not many would take that on." It frustrates me because I think she is beautiful and perfect and will make a terrific addition to our family. They also don't realize that I have low vision too, so they are subtly saying that I am an extra handful too. Although in that, they may be right. Hee hee! Glad you were able to forgive her thoughtlessness and have compassion on her. Also, you are a particularly lovely pink flower. :)
Never once in my entire life of knowing you have I ever thought of the prefix (dis) to describe you. ABILITY would be more appropriate to accurately describe your awesomeness. :) thanks for being so great!
Well, I love pink too....better then red. If we were all Red how boring would that be. I love the things I am learning from you and your "pinkness"
I went back and caught up on your posts of the conference you attended as well. That must have been a good one.
I know I need to focus more on Gratitude...I know that.
Maybe I AM to self-occupied in my own grief, guilt, and guk.
I will.......try
My wife is always tired of people going "Oh you poor thing" upon discovering that she's married to me. I came up with a zinger for her - "Yes...he married me, didn't he?" Always throws them for a loop. ;)
Your blog made me think of a recent saying that touched my heart "The forest would be very quiet if only the best song birds sang their song." All of the birds have a good role in life and so do we.
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