i am intelligent

I recently read a book "i am intelligent" written by Peyton Goddard and Dianne Goddard. "This is the story of a child who, although unable to express herself, lives fully aware of her limiting circumstances."

Peyton was having multiple disorders and also non-verbal. Her mother Dianne did everything, what she could do to help her daughter. She went to several doctors to treat her physical symptoms and behaviors. She made every effort to make her daughter learn new skills, to attend school, not to institutionalize her and also to make new friends.

As Peyton was unable to express, Dianne had to guess everything about her daughter. She herself didn't know, what are her daughter's thoughts. She wasn't aware, what Peyton suffered in her absence and she was abused by her own relatives who were supposed to babysit her.

As Dianne was eager to do anything to help Peyton, she heard about Facilitated Communication (FC) when Peyton was 22 years old. Through FC, Peyton started to type with the support of facilitator. On that day, whole life was changed for her and her family. She was able to communicate now. She told everything to her mother, what are her feelings, likes, dislikes, desires, expectations etc. and also she told about what she suffered in her earlier life.

With the new technology of FC, she was able to study in the college and also passed the exams. She was able to make new friends, to meet people, to teach other children and was involved in various activities. She is now writer, poet, advocate for inclusion and also she has her own website http://peytongoddard.com/. Her wisdom is now sought by eductaors, parents, doctors and community groups. 

I like her saying "mute in speaking is not necessarily sign of mute in ideas".

The Secret

Few months back, I was so much frustrated and was in depression. It seems that everything was out of my control and I was not able to handle anything. I was very much upset. I kept complaining about my life whenever I talk to others. Then one of my friends suggested me a book - "The Secret" written by Rhonda Byrne. That book changed my life.

I got the book from the library and read it. As I was reading the book page by page, my thinking was also changing. I started to see same things with different perception. My all negative thoughts automatically converted into positive thoughts. My whole attitude towards life was changed. I could feel changes in myself and I found that others also felt same in me.

I am not changed, I am the same person. I am following the same routine and am doing same things whatever I was used to do earlier. Still, I feel frustration and stress, still I have complaints against life and people around me. Still, I get some negative thoughts in my mind.

But, my thinking process is changed. Now, I am able to convert my negative thoughts into positive thoughts easily. Now, I can easily control my frustration and think ahead. Still, I have complaints, but now I am more able to express my feelings without any negative comments.

Still, sometimes I face problems. Still, I get frustrated. Still, I get upset. When again this situation occurs - I know, I need to read the book again. I bought the book, read the book again. After seeing my changed attitude, my husband also read it. He also liked the book. I also suggested the book to my family, friends and relatives. Really, "The Secret" is a great book. It's a must read book.

Here are few snippets from the book -

Two important sentences in the book - "Like attracts like." and "Thoughts become things." It means that most of events in your life depend on your thoughts. And I also find that very true. Really, the author has explained it very nicely that your life depends on your thoughts. Whatever you think continuously, you will attract it.

But there is no filter for want or don't want. So, if you will say - "I don't want to do this". You will get more of that. So, think mostly what you want and avoid any negation in your thoughts. It is explained very nicely that if you want to receive something from the universe, you have to ask for it and believe it that you will get it definitely. Think, ask, have faith, be positive and act like you have received it.

Here are few lines what I like them very much - "Action is a word that can imply 'work' to some people, but inspired action will not feel like work at all. The difference between inspired action and action is this: Inspired action is when you are acting to receive. If you are in action to try and make it happen, you have slipped backward. Inspired action is effortless, and it feels wonderful because you are on the frequency of receiving."

"Imagine life as a fast moving river. When you are acting to make something happen it will feel as if you are going against the current of the river. It will feel hard and like a struggle. When you are acting to receive from the Universe, you will feel as if you are flowing with the current of the river. It will feel effortless. That is the feeling of inspired action, and of being in the flow of the Universe and life."

"Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want into your life. Be grateful for what you already have, and you will attract more good things."

Major Behavioral Updates

My sons - Tanishk (6 yrs old) & Tanay (2 yrs old) are having very different personalities. But, they both are great in their own ways. They both are handsome, lovely, affectionate and joyful. One year before I posted about interaction between them - Tanishk With His Little Brother. In this one year, they have got developed new skills and behaviors. Tanay is very particular about things. He fights with his brother for things and he doesn't want to share anything. Tanishk also fights for things he wants.

I was reading last year's posts when I started this blog - Tanishk, Tanishk's Birthday and Major Behavioral Changes. Tanishk has now started to understand his environment and other things. He now understands what is said to him. He has got new skills in writing words & numbers. He is now working on comprehension skills and recalling events. He has got more eye contact, calmness. He now listens carefully and does the task with his attention.

Tanishk has changed a lot. Now, he is so much aware of the environment. Sometimes, he also comments on things going on in his environment. The comments are not so often, but they are very appropriate. He is sometimes very much stubborn, but all kids are like that. Throwing tantrums and meltdowns are very less. He listens and understands most of the things, but he is not sure that how to react.

Both brothers fight with each other, but also like each other. First time I saw Tanishk to observe somebody. He observes his brother and tries to do the same thing. Two days back, they were fighting for playing with a red car. They wanted the same thing. First I told them to share the car. But they don't understand. I taught them to take turns - Everyone had chance to have car when I am counting till 10 and then give. Then they themselves started counting till 10 and gave car to each other. Next day, they were fighting for another toy. I heard that Tanishk was counting till 10 and he gave the toy to Tanay himself. He didn't get any prompts. He himself initiated and I was amazed.

In last 2 months, there were more incidents where Tanishk was behaving appropriately. He seems more connected and was talking nicely. I have mentioned one of those events in my last post - Hi Neera. He has also started to show his new interests. He likes to stand outside and watch all the cars. He likes to play basket ball. He sits in the library very nicely. He himself chooses the books to read. One day, we were in the car and I was sitting on the backseat with him. He looked at me and he was smiling continuously. There was a light in his eyes. I was also smiling at him. It seemed he was saying - "Mumma, don't worry. I am here with you. Just don't give up." I feel very proud of him.

Hi Neera

Sometimes, we find ourselves shocked at the moment we see unexpected behaviors in our kids - whether it is good or bad. Two days back I had such a good moment. I was really amazed to see this and felt very good about it. Such moments increase my hope and motivate me to keep going on.

Tanishk read my name somewhere on the book - "Neera". He suddenly started to say - "Hi Neera". He said it 2-3 times. I thought, he is just repeating as usual. But he came to me. He looked into my eyes. He said - "Hi Neera". And was still looking into my eyes and was waiting for my reaction. I was just shocked and laughed. He also felt happy to see my reaction and laughed. It seems that he was saying to me - "Mom, I am there. Please don't give up on me." Thank God, I have such lovely kids and family.