In my 10 years as a parent of a child with significant medical and developmental challenges, I had significant “a-ha” change in my level of consciousness just a couple of years ago. So significant that it almost deserves a personal equivalent to the B.C. and A.D. of our Western calendar. That’s how big a deal …
Tag Archives: Durga’s Toolbox
Asking Stupid Questions, aka Beginner’s Mind
Here’s another in my toolbox series of techniques that inspire me to live with joy, compassion and courage, as inspired by the Hindu goddess Durga — my nominee for patron saint of special needs parents. When it comes to raising kids with special needs, there are a lot of gatekeepers who get to be on …
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My gut
In 10th grade business class, my teacher Mrs. Goldstein taught our class a model that promised to make us more successful in life. When faced with a difficult decision of whether or not to do something, she counciled us to execute the following strategy: At the top of a sheet of paper (this was the …
Pushing my physical body to its limit
I am not a naturally athletic person. Lest you get the impression from the post’s title that I am one of those people with a vexing bottomless well of physical energy, aptitude or endurance, I must assure you that I am a clutz. I was a good student in my youth. I felt secure and …
Durga Tool #2: Empty space, as symbolized by trash bags
Here’s the second in what will certainly be a belabored series on tools that inspire me as a special needs parent to live with joy, courage and compassion, as inspired by the Hindi goddess Durga. As the Big Brother Big Sister Donation truck drove off with several enormous bags of my stuff yesterday, I realized …
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Durga Tool #1: Time spent in Nature, as symbolized by my thermos
As promised in yesterday’s post, I would love to share some the contents of my Durga toolbox that help me as a parent of a child with special needs stay joyful, courageous and compassionate on my path through life. To recognize the value of my first tool, you must understand that I live in one of …
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