The cool thing is the same thing happens to the students who attend Blue Lake. What many people outside the creative world don't understand is our world can be a lonely one at times. They and myself are/were shunned at school, made fun and poke at because we are different. We tend not to see the world as others do. Our joy for art will have us working at home or school on projects for hours upon on upon hours. Here the students make connections, new friends and stay in touch with Social Networks, text messaging and other methods. I think it's pretty awesome that they do this. Many of the students have stated the friendships they make at BL are nothing like the friends they have back at home. You'll hear things like, "they get me" and "they're like me" and I have to say I, "get it" cause I was like them in school and still am today.
I see things different then the average person. I am 100% a right brained person and proud of it. I do know how to use the left brain but, I work hard at it and have had to learn how to overcome many of the obstacles in front of me because of the sometimes analytical world we live in. Though I've never been formally diagnosed by a Dr. that I have ADD, I do and am very proud of it. Yes, when I grew up we were told, "he's just hyperactive," or, "he just has a lot of energy." When I was in school I had to learn strategies that would get me through public school like: moving to the front of the classroom so I could focus on what the teacher was saying and doodling because it I like art and it was a form of a fidget. Which all of these things I now use on a daily basis in my life. The best part because I am like the students I teach on a regular basis's I can help guide them through their troubled moments.
Recently at one of my sessions here at Blue Lake I had someone try to talk me into what "they" thought was best for me stating, "I need to be medicated to get my ADD under control, because I have no idea what it's like to live." I am a unique person with a good heart just like my students and have learned to deal with my Learning Disability, and that is why I disposed of those thoughts immediately. I am tired of America and the first thing most people want to do is medicate everything. What happen to excepting us, me and you for who we are as people. Making adjustments to food intake, practicing Yoga or what ever technique works best for you. They say the average person will change their friends about every 5 to 7 years, I really believe this and I think biggest reason for me is because they become judgmental and try to change me/you into what they want you to be. I love who I am as a person, have a good heart and because of that I except my kids (students) for who they are and enjoy showing them strategies on how to use what they have to their advantage.
So, what is your gift?
Take care, and embrace every day with the gift that you were born with.
Linus