Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Autism Answer: Worth Working (Not Fighting) For

 
Working together


I would love to suggest, in the interest of creating a culture of acceptance and love, that we see our hopes, dreams, skills, children, loves--our overall vision of what we want in the world--as worth working for. Rather than worth fighting for.

I think, if we see these things as worth fighting for, right there we automatically lose a huge chunk of what we hope to accomplish. Well, except for those that want to accomplish fighting. I'm not judging you, I just don't agree. 

For those of us working for a world where peace and acceptance are our foundation and diversity is our breathtaking beauty, "fighting for" already contradicts it. "Fighting" evokes a need for adversaries and side choosing. Sure, we have to work hard against currents and dangers sometimes, but working evokes a more innately inclusive mood, doesn't it?

If we know our beliefs are worth working for, we won't give up or give in (so, don't worry fighters, I'm not suggesting we throw in the towel!) we'll follow clues, invite ideas, ask for help, offer help, acknowledge our successes and never give up. It will be work worth doing, and because we're working not fighting, we'll never make the mistake of believing that it's okay for some people to get hurt, for some people to be marginalized, ignored, or beaten. Instead, we'll go back to the drawing board and invent new, fresh, brilliant ideas! All this while working together rather than fighting with or against. 

There are so many diverse and smart people using their time, money, and creativity to impact our world. Imagine if "harm no one" was always the axiom? The absolute? The deep understanding?

Just a thought.

Oh, also, let's remember to acknowledge and recognize how many of our hopes, dreams, skills, loves, and overall visions for our world have already been accomplished because of our work! Rather than live in a perpetual state of feeling like we must work, work work, all the time (who else heard Westley from The Princess Bride in their head?) let's be willing to work while living in a state of knowing we've done it and are doing it and can continue to do it!  

And that it is fun!

Just another thought.

Hugs, smiles, and love!!!
Autism Answers with Tsara Shelton (Facebook)