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http://www.DisabledArtistsNetwork.net "Art you will Love - People you will never Forget" Perceptions Shared by Writer Laurie Homan
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Disability Doesn’t Define
Ability
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2007 Laurie Homan
When a person enters this world free of disabilities only to develop them later in life, the process of transformation from able to disabled forces one to confront themselves in ways that will not only determine their inner strength. It will affect and alter their priorities and perceptions on a daily basis.
People born with
disabilities have never seen life in any other way. They must accept
and make peace with their disability in order to foster any growth of
the abilities that they were given. Becoming disabled after living a
‘normal’ life provides a rare view of both worlds; a gift that is often
overlooked and one that deserves attention.
Multiple Sclerosis,
the disease that I have, (that doesn’t have me) is a very personal and
unusual disease. Each case manifests in a manner that is as unique as
each individual it affects, and for the most part, is constantly in a
state of fluctuation. Some symptoms subside or switch to other body
parts, while others progress steadily in one or more areas. Any part of
the body that is connected to the nervous system can be affected and
often is. The downside is obvious, but here is the hidden benefit that
is most often missed.
One is, has to be, and
can’t get away from, an awareness of a multitude of sensory changes. It
is the signature of M.S. All people have experienced the sensation of
pins and needles after a body part went to “sleep”. For those with
M.S., it becomes a daily and many times, a daylong occurrence.
Sometimes it’s replaced with neuropathy; the feeling of walking on
scorching beach sand, sometimes leg spasms. It teaches, actually
pushes, one to truly decide what is worth walking for and what is not.
M.S. forces one to face “what if…?” and decide just how much time,
effort or importance to place upon that question.
The question, “what
if…?”, can be terribly draining and disabling in it’s own way. It
compels one to choose the present as it is, letting go of “what if…?”
entirely. If one does not, the question, in all of its many forms, will
take center state, fueling fear and self-pity. It cripples the soul
more effectively than the disease cripples the body. A person affected
by this progressive disease has many choices available to them to treat
and manage it, but none has more power or is more effective than a
positive attitude. Letting go of “what if…?” is the hardest but most
regarding step to take. When one lives in the present moment, focusing
on abilities while remaining aware of disabilities; life is changed
forever.
No longer will one’s
disabilities define one’s ability. No longer does one miss the gifts
and lessons each day offers. One becomes aware of the fact that every
single person born, has some type of disability; whether they know it or
not; whether it is visible or not. No longer worried about the
illusion of “what if…?”, one can concentrate on the reality of “what
is” and then build upon it.
In some ways, disabled
people have an advantage over those that are not; simply because we need
to discover and choose what’s really important in life. We must look
deep within our own hearts to find the purpose for our lives. To find
and nurture our strengths as we uncover and accept our weaknesses. When
we learn how to love life completely, just as it is, then and only then,
can we honestly love ourselves, just as we are. Since most able-bodied
people aren’t forced to define, or redefine, themselves, many simply
don’t.
Most people who are
able to stare into the mirror and be accountable for the reflection
looking back, were spurred on by some kind of life tragedy. There is a
deep understanding; a full acceptance and realization of life’s
fundamental truth. For every action we take in our daily lives, there
is a reaction. This is the hidden gift. An up close, personal and
daily life lesson, provided, courtesy of M.S.
So in order not only to survive, but to thrive, despite the neurological changes brought on by the demyelination of our nervous system; we must become and remain, responsible and accountable for what we spend our time and energy doing and feeling. The fat must be trimmed. We just can’t carry that much excess and unnecessary baggage any longer. We are obligated to choose how to spend our time to remain as healthy and happy as possible. It’s a tough, disease; but things could be worse.
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Business Phone 732-492-3253 in Long Branch New Jersey
Spiritual Growth
Ó
2007 Laurie Homan
In life, advancement in spiritual
growth is made through the discovery of certain Truths: Personal Truths
and Universal Truths. The first step would be to discover as many
Personal Truths as possible about oneself. One such truth, in my case,
was the discovery and ownership of my sexuality as a gay woman. Another
truth was the acceptance and ownership of being raped as a child, then
gaining the knowledge to release the rights and restrictions of
remaining a victim.
Personal Truths must
be in alignment with Universal Truths, never in opposition. A Universal
Truth I discovered was present in this quote:
One night I slept and
dreamt that life was all joy;
I awoke and discovered
life was but service,
I served and
discovered service was joy.
Unknown
Another Universal
Truth was given to me through therapy and I call it the Butterfly story:
A man was walking
down the street one day and saw a butterfly struggling to get free of
it’s cocoon. He felt sorry for the butterfly, reached down, and
released him from the cocoon. He watched as the butterfly tried to flap
its wings, but instead, watched it die on the sidewalk before him. This
upset the man and he picked up the butterfly and brought it to a friend
who was knowledgeable about such things and asked what could have
happened. His friend responded by telling him that the butterfly needed
to struggle from it’s cocoon in order to develop the strength to fly; by
robbing the butterfly of it’s struggle, he made it too weak to live.
An understanding of
the way in which these two Universal Truths interact is of the utmost
importance because they must never contradict one another. Bluntly put,
it must be understood the Service must never rob anyone of the
necessary struggles, which are Essential to a healthy, happy
life.
Awareness of Truths is only the first step, and it’s the easiest. Understanding and true acceptance of the fact that we serve no one when we rob anyone of a necessary struggle is a difficult skill to obtain and properly execute. This, along with total ownership of other Truths, is a Journey that is intended to take a lifetime.
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Sacred
Ó
2007 Laurie Homan
If “Beauty is in the
eye of the beholder”, then Sacred is in the heart and soul of the
seeker. Certain objects may be considered sacred to one person, yet to
another, it means nothing. The question then becomes: How do we learn
to recognize what we believe to be sacred? Perhaps it is only through
living life and experiencing our lessons that we begin to identify our
preferences in faith; allowing us to recognize all that is truly sacred
to our hearts.
So many things
occurred in my life, which directed my pursuit of my Sacred Self, that I
have reached a point where I recognize that each and every moment of
each and every day can be sacred. It all comes down to what the
individual chooses to recognize as sacred and acts accordingly.
I look each day for my
lesson. I want to know what it is that I’m called to do. How do I
recognize the difference between coincidence and a sacred moment? When
something happens, good or bad, what is it teaching me? I love being a
student of life; I enjoy exploring all that is Sacred and I look forward
to discovering what it is that different people will be teaching me in
this life. Is it simply coincidence that we met? Or was it predestined
that we meet? Which ever it is, I believe the sharing in this manner,
with anyone, can most definitely be a sacred experience.
Windstorm
Ó
2007 Laurie Homan
Your love is like a windstorm
stinging and blinding
and I have to seek shelter
every time we meet.
I long since gave up trying
to win this uphill battle.
If this is what you really want,
then I’ll just admit defeat.
You may think I’m
hiding
And I won’t try to change your mind,
But the truth of the matter is,
Distance is kind.
Distance is my best defense
From a love that isn’t going
anywhere.
I know that you’re my sister,
But let’s end this charade and
Stop pretending either of us cares.
You go about your business and
I’ll go about mine, and
Life will be good, life will be just
fine.
Your love is like a windstorm
Stinging and cutting
But I’d rather seek shelter
Where it’s safe and warm
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