Happiness?

I stumbled across a link to a website called the happiness project. So now it is a project to get happy? It reminds me of the old Partridge Family song "come on get happy". How I loved David Cassidy, well, anyway I'm showing my age and my daughters would say that is creepy. Back to happiness - I want to be happy, most days I am happy, I know I deserve happiness but I thnk it is tough in these times to be truly happy. Struggles, conflicts, worries. Apparently this woman tries to have a better outlook on things. I might give it a shot. I think I started last night when Tor got home from school and told me she accidentially threw away her monthly railroad pass valued at $235. I didn't freak out, no, not one tiny bit. I was a little surprised at myself. I even looked for the receipt, which prompted me to start to declutter my "desk". That made me happy. I went for a bike ride this morning, that made me happy. I've been able to stick to my diet or healthy eating plan but that doesn't make me all that happy. I miss the wine, I miss the chips, I miss the leftover Easter candy so no I can't lie I'm not really that happy. Although my son this morning tried to convince me of how lucky I was that I didn't have get up and go to school. I am happy to be able to sleep in. Actually the happiest moment may very well have been seeing his little shaved head right up in my face kissing me good bye.

Broadway

I had the privilege of seeing a Broadway show yesterday with my Toria. I say privilege because no where else in the country do they have such a place as Broadway in Manhattan. For those non New Yorkers who may never get to experience Broadway first hand, I offer you my sincere condolences. I literally could have made an American Express commercial yesgtereday it was that "Priceless". $100. for 2 third row orchestra seat tickets, dinner and starbucks while people watching in times Square, spending a Sunday in the City with your 18 year old daughter - priceless. These are the times I will remember forever. While we saw a rather "dark" show, it perhaps made me more aware of how lucky I am. Blessed in fact to have these beautiful young women to call my daughters. Blessed with my two boys and most of blessed to be here in New York and taking advantage of all that it has to offer me.

Autism awareness

Last night, just by chance while flicking the remote around, I found a documentary on autism. It involved a young boy, maybe 11 or 12, with a severe case of autism. The documentary travels with the family as they try to find out more about autism and what they can do to unlock their son, Keli, from his world of non communication. My heart broke for this family, to watch the struggles and see the parent's faces. The boy is adorable and I believe rather intelligent. I realized two sad facts from this presentation: 1-there are programs, really good programs out there for children with autism just not readily available to everyone and 2-there is not enough funding for research in autism. The family travelled to California where it seems there are plenty of programs. I found some very interesting points from the show and the work they are doing in CA. One on one work with these children is the only effective way to break through to them. You must start early. You should sit on the right side of the child when working with him. It was amazing to see these children able to communicate. They are transformed from non verbal misdiagnosed children to communicators. One young man was so brilliant he won 4th place in a google contest with stocks. His rate of return was something like 24% on the stocks that he managed. Amazing. And the doctors tell these parents to put them in institutions when they are born because they will never succeed. These children with aspergers are the genuises of the future. There was also a family in CA with three boys with autism and twin girls typical development. I found it disturbing to see the mother feeding the boys junk food with chemicals and processed food, and soda with sugar and caffeine. Maybe its me but I believe there is a connection between healthy, organic food and the way a child learns. Another interesting topic which was covered was the children who are born verbal and then for some reason at around 3 years of age suddenly regress. Why? Environmental? Vaccinations? No one knows. And unfortunately we might not know for a long time because of the fact that research is not funded the way research for breast cancer and alzheimers is funded. Adults have these diseases and working adults can support the research. However, because autism affects children whose parents are simply trying to cope with the hand they have been dealt and can't really donate to find a cure. That is why autism awareness is so important. A cure needs to be found - immediately. Im not saying stop researching cancer but these children are our future. Let's get them healthy so they can find a cure for cancer. Some of the brightest minds are locked up right now by autism. Let's open them up. If you get the chance, try and watch this documentary. It tops American Idol - anytime.