Shall I call you by that name? (Sorry, English is not my first, but I don't have any second language); here's is a new question, probably you've never have this one, how would you comfort your soul, in case you're the only one left behind who's no companion all the way through, while every others have their other half with them (assume this is the case, in fact I haven't told you the one is me). Thanks.
If you were laid up for a few weeks (such as recovering from a surgery or accident), and a small team of people were available to take care of you while you recovered (let's say you couldn't do anything for yourself), what would be the most important instructions you would want to give them to really, truly meet your needs so you could recover well? (I just went through a surgery and had a best friend who took care of me, so I learned it's not as easy as it would seem! And, this is where people really, truly get to know you, I think. One way anyway.)
I believe the old adage you’ve got to have the roots before you bear the fruit. I also believe one’s work and life is vibrantly colored by our personal expression. What would you say developed as the roots of you bearing the fruit of your personal expression?
For me, my roots grow from a soul rich in self awareness. Tangled within these roots are my inquisitive nature, my open mindedness, my empathy, my compassion and my storage shed full of things I’ve tired and either failed or didn’t fit me. My personal expression is a work in progress, but I feel this allows for lively growth and exploration.
"Every person ever charged with asking me questions, for some reason goes through the same motions, and asks me the very same things. “When did you start writing?” “What is your inspiration?” “How do you deal with writer’s block?” There exists a laundry list of questions I’ve answered so many times, I can literally feel Sarah’s boredom creep in and settle like a storm every time she hears them uttered."
Dude, I have heard many many writers complain about this over the years, and that's why I never ask. I am content in these situations, for the most part, to let people tell me things - after awhile I'll have answers (and then questions perhaps) since I never forget anything more or less. (If it's been some decades I might have to dredge my memory a bit to get things to surface.)
"The time is now, ask new questions, get new answers. Here we go."
How many licks does it take you to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?
Toilet paper over the top of the roll or underneath?
When you put weights on the bar do you put the smallest weights on first (to the inside) or last?
Come to think of it, do you really exercise (gym-style) hours and hours every day? Is that fun, or are you thinking, or is it compulsive?
Come to think of that, does the autism point you in the direction of a very regimented routine (since you've consistantly hit your newsletter letter schedule on the dot)? Or is that something you had to learn?
I liked this because I agree that we rarely “dive deeper” in our conversations with others. I really like to find out how people tick, what they think about mundane things. I make an effort to, and especially enjoy, learning what my two sons are currently thinking about. It’s hard to do this, however, due to lack of time and usually needing an atmosphere conducive to relaxed conversation. I think I could count on one hand (even if I was minus a finger or two) the number of people who really know some part of me- and sometimes I feel like no one does- mostly because they don’t ask, and I have to really trust that person to lay myself open. While I’m open about some topics, I’m not “open to answer quite literally anything, to anyone that does the asking. Nothing, is ever off-limits…” as you wrote. Most people think they know the sum of me, they assume that they do. Like you, I have revealed more in this forum over the time that I’ve been part of this group, than I have to those who I see every day or even live with. My husband stopped asking questions years ago.
Your self-deprecating humour (“Good lord, I suck at intros”) and stream of consciousness (“Gosh, I am uncomfortable in this hard chair today,” mid-sentence) always makes me smile or laugh while listening. Here’s my question: what I wonder about you is are you like your social media persona all/most/some of the time with your family and friends? You often elude to how your autism presents itself in negative ways- what are you be like during your most unpleasant moments?
How do you know when to quit something and not just keep trying different ways to get to where you want to be?
I'm not sure I know how to do this at the moment. The only thing I seem to realize to get me to stop is when it no longer brings any kind of positive emotion with or no challenge intellectually.
My question is: When the whole world feels really overstimulating and you feel overwhelmed what do you do to maintain the peace in your heart?
My father was suddenly diagnosed with colon cancer a couple of months ago and his recovery from surgery and upcoming chemotherapy has really shown me a side to him I’ve never seen before - he is very afraid and not at all the courageous man I have always known. My Mom is struggling with the shock and fear and they are both reaching out to me daily, leaning on me seeking therapy like emotional support that I feel unable to fully provide, refusing to contact the mental health professionals who have extended actual support. I’m trying to do all that I can to help them and and carry it all to keep everyone strong but I’m finding it all really heavy. Your poetry has always brought such calm to my heart and I wondered if you, by extension, might share what you do in moments where you feel weary and worn to help sustain yourself.
Your words and this community are, as always, a bright light in the dark for me. Thank you 💗
"Before we were Yours" by Lisa Wingate. Based on the heartbreaking true scandal of Georgia Tann, a woman whose Memphis adoption center kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families. It's based on the real-life abuses perpetrated by Georgia Tann. I've screen shot your reply so I'll remember to read.
This is so true. If another person asks me about what I do for a living or my marital status, I'm going to scream. Everyone always asks each other the most boring questions and it drives me crazy. I'm all for someone asking me random, fun, engaging, or even deep questions. If I'm going to talk about myself, I want it to be meaningful, not just mindless small talk.
My question for you: What is a scent that you immediately associate with your grandparent's house? What scent will instantly take you back to a specific childhood memory with your grandparents? Paint me a picture of the scent and the memory.
Hey Tyler, here is a question to get to know you better, but one that I do not think I can reciprocate! I'm sure all of us Signal Fire members would love to learn more about you -- would you consider sharing your answers to some of the prompts/questions you ask us each week? No pressure to answer them all because can only imagine the number of hours you already commit to this community...... But it would be fun to see answers too, when you have the energy or desire to share! :D
Hi Tyler,
Shall I call you by that name? (Sorry, English is not my first, but I don't have any second language); here's is a new question, probably you've never have this one, how would you comfort your soul, in case you're the only one left behind who's no companion all the way through, while every others have their other half with them (assume this is the case, in fact I haven't told you the one is me). Thanks.
If you were laid up for a few weeks (such as recovering from a surgery or accident), and a small team of people were available to take care of you while you recovered (let's say you couldn't do anything for yourself), what would be the most important instructions you would want to give them to really, truly meet your needs so you could recover well? (I just went through a surgery and had a best friend who took care of me, so I learned it's not as easy as it would seem! And, this is where people really, truly get to know you, I think. One way anyway.)
I believe the old adage you’ve got to have the roots before you bear the fruit. I also believe one’s work and life is vibrantly colored by our personal expression. What would you say developed as the roots of you bearing the fruit of your personal expression?
For me, my roots grow from a soul rich in self awareness. Tangled within these roots are my inquisitive nature, my open mindedness, my empathy, my compassion and my storage shed full of things I’ve tired and either failed or didn’t fit me. My personal expression is a work in progress, but I feel this allows for lively growth and exploration.
"Every person ever charged with asking me questions, for some reason goes through the same motions, and asks me the very same things. “When did you start writing?” “What is your inspiration?” “How do you deal with writer’s block?” There exists a laundry list of questions I’ve answered so many times, I can literally feel Sarah’s boredom creep in and settle like a storm every time she hears them uttered."
Dude, I have heard many many writers complain about this over the years, and that's why I never ask. I am content in these situations, for the most part, to let people tell me things - after awhile I'll have answers (and then questions perhaps) since I never forget anything more or less. (If it's been some decades I might have to dredge my memory a bit to get things to surface.)
"The time is now, ask new questions, get new answers. Here we go."
How many licks does it take you to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?
Toilet paper over the top of the roll or underneath?
When you put weights on the bar do you put the smallest weights on first (to the inside) or last?
Come to think of it, do you really exercise (gym-style) hours and hours every day? Is that fun, or are you thinking, or is it compulsive?
Come to think of that, does the autism point you in the direction of a very regimented routine (since you've consistantly hit your newsletter letter schedule on the dot)? Or is that something you had to learn?
OK, that's enough.
elm
i am not hitting my schedule here
What’s something you absolutely believed as a youngster that turned out not to be true?
I liked this because I agree that we rarely “dive deeper” in our conversations with others. I really like to find out how people tick, what they think about mundane things. I make an effort to, and especially enjoy, learning what my two sons are currently thinking about. It’s hard to do this, however, due to lack of time and usually needing an atmosphere conducive to relaxed conversation. I think I could count on one hand (even if I was minus a finger or two) the number of people who really know some part of me- and sometimes I feel like no one does- mostly because they don’t ask, and I have to really trust that person to lay myself open. While I’m open about some topics, I’m not “open to answer quite literally anything, to anyone that does the asking. Nothing, is ever off-limits…” as you wrote. Most people think they know the sum of me, they assume that they do. Like you, I have revealed more in this forum over the time that I’ve been part of this group, than I have to those who I see every day or even live with. My husband stopped asking questions years ago.
Your self-deprecating humour (“Good lord, I suck at intros”) and stream of consciousness (“Gosh, I am uncomfortable in this hard chair today,” mid-sentence) always makes me smile or laugh while listening. Here’s my question: what I wonder about you is are you like your social media persona all/most/some of the time with your family and friends? You often elude to how your autism presents itself in negative ways- what are you be like during your most unpleasant moments?
What is your favorite book? :)
How do you know when to quit something and not just keep trying different ways to get to where you want to be?
I'm not sure I know how to do this at the moment. The only thing I seem to realize to get me to stop is when it no longer brings any kind of positive emotion with or no challenge intellectually.
My question is: When the whole world feels really overstimulating and you feel overwhelmed what do you do to maintain the peace in your heart?
My father was suddenly diagnosed with colon cancer a couple of months ago and his recovery from surgery and upcoming chemotherapy has really shown me a side to him I’ve never seen before - he is very afraid and not at all the courageous man I have always known. My Mom is struggling with the shock and fear and they are both reaching out to me daily, leaning on me seeking therapy like emotional support that I feel unable to fully provide, refusing to contact the mental health professionals who have extended actual support. I’m trying to do all that I can to help them and and carry it all to keep everyone strong but I’m finding it all really heavy. Your poetry has always brought such calm to my heart and I wondered if you, by extension, might share what you do in moments where you feel weary and worn to help sustain yourself.
Your words and this community are, as always, a bright light in the dark for me. Thank you 💗
Tell me more about your Scotland ties...
I am 51% Scottish and 19% Welsh (per Ancestry.Com) - I would love to lean in to that more and I REALLY WANT A KILT!!!
"Before we were Yours" by Lisa Wingate. Based on the heartbreaking true scandal of Georgia Tann, a woman whose Memphis adoption center kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families. It's based on the real-life abuses perpetrated by Georgia Tann. I've screen shot your reply so I'll remember to read.
Thank you!! :)
This is so true. If another person asks me about what I do for a living or my marital status, I'm going to scream. Everyone always asks each other the most boring questions and it drives me crazy. I'm all for someone asking me random, fun, engaging, or even deep questions. If I'm going to talk about myself, I want it to be meaningful, not just mindless small talk.
My question for you: What is a scent that you immediately associate with your grandparent's house? What scent will instantly take you back to a specific childhood memory with your grandparents? Paint me a picture of the scent and the memory.
Hey Tyler, here is a question to get to know you better, but one that I do not think I can reciprocate! I'm sure all of us Signal Fire members would love to learn more about you -- would you consider sharing your answers to some of the prompts/questions you ask us each week? No pressure to answer them all because can only imagine the number of hours you already commit to this community...... But it would be fun to see answers too, when you have the energy or desire to share! :D