Hello Every Body,
We've been thoroughly enjoying our summer over here. We've been in the backyard staring up at the sky or watching the grass grow. Our fruit trees have been busy, which means so have I. I've been out in the garden every day, and making jam with friends on the weekends. Before I came to my desk I was wrapping up bundles of plums still cold from the fridge, carried them in a basket I swung as I walked, and put them in my little roadside pantry for the neighbors. Now, as I type, there's a bird in the tree outside my window, chirping with her awkward teenage babies.
There is so much about the world right now that is chaotic and terrifying and hard. These simple sensory pleasures are how I restore myself when so much is out of my control.
I learned this from Atticus. While he was still a baby we learned that there were certain sounds, sights, textures, tastes, that were straight up painful to him. A decade before his autism was acknowledged we had to learn what sensory triggers to avoid in order to prevent meltdown and suffering. We didn't understand what was happening, but I knew that there were some sensations he had to avoid at all costs, but other sensations that brought him so much joy it was contagious. We built our whole world to maximize the positive and mitigate the negative. When we finally did learn about autism, everything made sense.
Autistic folks often have senses that are far more sensitive than neurotypical people. Sensory Overwhelm is that painful experience from negative sensory experiences, but Sensory Euphoria is that beautiful experience that can come from positive sensory experiences.
Seeing Atti's more extreme sensory experience made me realize how powerful it is to cater to my own senses. Sometimes the volume needs to be turned up before you recognize the song.
There is so much about the way my body functions that puts the usual sources of pride out of reach for me. But even when your body doesn't look or function the way you wish, your body is still coming through for you and offering you gifts. Through your body you have access to sensation, connection, communication, and pleasure. No matter your age or ability, no matter your heritage, health, or access to opportunity, right up until the bitter end, your body will be there with you. Holding out the gifts of your senses. Making it possible to feel someone's touch, heartbeat, energy and create connection. Being the vehicle to express your thoughts and create understanding. Offering you the rewards of pleasure.
These simple joys are what we have to get us through the hard parts of being a person. The hard and the good will always be mixed up together. But you can make a choice to pack every available corner and cranny of your life with the good wherever possible.
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