Neurodiversity in a Neurotypical World

When most people think about neurodiversity, they automatically think autism. What people doing realize is there are conditions that can lead to neurodiversity. I am neurodiverse and just beginning to embrace it and what it means. While, I never qualified for an autism diagnosis, I have several neurophysiological evaluations that show I am not neurotypical. 

It is hard living being neurodiverse in a neurotypical world. Things that come naturally to others do not come naturally to me. It is very hard for me to mingle in with the neurotypical environment that is unstructured. Things like knowing how to enter a conversation and initiating a conversation are really hard for me. I can do it but it is not my favorite thing to do. When socializing, I prefer a structured setting where it is easy to know what the expectations are and when I know someone will be there I can trust. I thrive best in environments where things seldom change. When I know what I will be doing and what is expected of me, I thrive! 

There are a lot of neat things about being neurodiverse and it gives me a lot of strengths. One of the strengths it's given me is a love for words! I am tested as verbally gifted and using "big words" really gives me a leg up in the workplace, interviews, and general social settings. Words are a safety net for me because I am so short. When words come out of my mouth, people are more prone to respect me as an adult. 

I am very good with movie quotes. I can remember movie lines to line! This is really fun and sometimes I need to curb it back a little because it becomes a safety net I use too much in conversation! 

I have a lot of empathy for people who are misunderstood and it gives me a unique strength to conversing 

with them and understanding them. 

I see things in a different way than some people may. If people give me a chance, I may be able to help them fix something in a way they didn't think about! 

While being neurodiverse comes with challenges, I wouldn’t be me otherwise. Despite the challenges there is so much beauty! 

The Best GPS

Last weekend, I was driving to see a friend. I was very proud of myself. Going to the park I did so well but coming home, I got confused about where the GPS was telling me to go and went the wrong direction. My GPS was able to know where I was and where I needed to go and they adjusted the course. I drove way out of the way, but I got home. If I did not have GPS, it would have been a disaster. 

This whole ordeal made me think about God and how He is the ultimate GPS for our lives. When we got lost, He is the One who brings us home and when we lose our way, He is the One who gets us back on track. 

God is always there to lead the way. He paves the way before us. He knows what will happen before we do and has it all planned it. Is it hard? Yes! Frustrating? Yes! The good news that our feelings don't dictate reality. Just because we feel God isn't there leading us and loving us, it doesn't mean he isn't there.

So, next time you get lost and use the GPS for directions, remember God. The best GPS! 

How Do You Walk?

How do you walk? Do you walk with your head down like the world is agaisnt you or do you walk with your head held high? How you walk speaks volumes. 

When I was in the 8th grade and in a deep depression, I would walk with my head down and one of my teachers spoke to me about it. She told me to hold my head high. She taught me what it looks like when one walks with their heads down vs one when they walked with their heads held high. 

As Christians, we are made to live in victory and walk in victory. Walking with our head down doesn't show our reality of being made victorious through the death and reseccurection of Jesus Christ. 

We are more then conquerors.. We are hears of our Father; whatever He has from God, we also have. We don't have to walk around with our heads down and shoulders slumped. No matter what goes our way, God is on our side. 

So, next time you walk, think about how you walk and make a choice to live in the victory of Jesus today. 

Early Morning Drives and Braclets

My day starts before the crack of dawn. My alarm goes off 4 and I get in my car about 10 till 6 for my shift. It is not easy but I can do it and being off at 2 is a perk. 

Music is a big a part of my life. It seems to be more even more so now. When I drive and listen to my music, I feel the very presence of God in a tangible way. There are songs that play from my phone on my way into work that are exactly what I need for that moment and that day. 

I wear a lot of bracelets... I have one that simply reads "God Is In Control" and F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely On God." and I have bracelets that have Bible verses on them. These give me visual cues that help me focus on God when I get anxious and things simply get to feel too much for me. I am a very visual person and this is actually sometime a former therapist had suggested for me and I still use it today because I feel how well it works for me. 

God uses different ways to connect to connect with His children in a way that unique for them. For me, it just so happens to be music and bracelets, and yes even early morning drives. What does God use to reach you when you need Him the most. 

There is song by Mandisa called God Speaking and it talks about how God will use anything to get a whole of us... and some of these are unexpected. As you listen to the song, think of ways how God meets you in expected ways.