Mirror Neurons (draft)

MIRROR NEURONS!!! 

3/7 3:21 am woke up thinking about a man I met and how after I said something wishing him luck about the girl he was having dinner with, he made it where I cannot see his Facebook (although that may not be the case at all but she was so excited about it she had posted something on his Facebook but then never explained how good their dinner was). It makes me curious why people put things on Facebook and then don't like when someone says anything about it because this also happened with my ex-fiance who apparently wanted to get back together after he called it off. Awesome, this is the perfect segue into what I wanted to write about later on today... Living vicariously through others. Since I have been blessed with a gift of life after a near-death experience, things have to be done differently. I can hear people saying well that's only because you want things to be different, but quite the contrary. (Side note it is now later and I am somewhat proofreading this and adding information to complete the story). If you took away certain abilities you may think life wouldn't be different, but it is. I have been told this by people who had something taken away but only for a limited time. The story that comes to mind is Bid. She had to give up her car for a little bit and that was enough for her to get a taste of my new life. I already hear people saying well it's been over 20 years it's not new (I hear these things because I have been told them), and you are completely right, but this (true) story is new to some people. A person really has to live in this situation, and apparently, when it happens only a little while, it helps a person realize how different life has to be. I have also had random strangers come on to me when I'm sitting in my wheelchair at Starbucks empathizing because they had surgery and aren't able to walk for a time period. To all those people who have come up to me and mentioned something saying they empathize with me, I totally appreciate that! I am crying happy tears writing this because people have been expressing that they know that their situation is nothing compared to my life change but their honest recognition is huge. I totally didn't mean for this writing to go here but I am finally wearing the gift! I have my wheelchair at Starbucks because I can't drive so I drive my wheelchair. I had to use the restroom and Maria S saw me when I got up from my wheelchair and offered to help me in anyway she could. There's something about the sincerity of people who have faced death, had their life changed, or even those who have a disabled friend/family member that makes them recognizable, sometimes. Maria has experienced something I would consider far worse but is an amazing survivor. She shared part of her story that day and we connected. She made me these sunning green earrings and sent them to me-- she was actually just passing through the day we met, talk about a DEVINE APPOINTMENT!!! I don't like to whine about things but it's not easy however I think I have a pretty awesome life! I can barely mention the truth without thinking "Kimi, get over it!" You may wonder what brought this up. After wonderful things are happening in my mom's life and I was able to vicariously experience the excitement of Baristas getting hired at Starbucks, I realized that this life is pretty awesome--seriously. I enjoy experiencing the excitement with others because it honestly fills me with excitement like it was my own, and my understanding that is what a vicariously means. I had recently been told by family, a random person at Starbucks, someone out of the blue, and even my distant neighbor that I seem to be an empath. Not knowing what that meant, after her description that didn't seem like me but I think it is me more than I realize. It is so unfortunate that so many people don't know how to handle a person like me. When I try to celebrate good things that are happening in their life with them, just because it was decided that God had better things for each of us, me being excited for them is not okay. I am so thankful for the amazing people that I have crossed paths with that have no problem with me being excited for them after our paths went different ways. It has been absolutely wonderful to share in the blessings R and K and precious little M! (Oh my goodness I started out with one story and now it's a completely different train of thought, but I am leaving it because someone might struggle and my honesty how about difficulties I shall on Facebook is proving to pay off! As I was writing this a friend and I started talking and she said "That must have taken forever! But it is so relatable for me with my own disability. I look up to you for your sunny disposition considering all you have gone through! I on the other hand am far too cynical and depressed. So I will continue to live vicariously through you! Lol" Oh my goodness! I am so thankful that I was just told that because that means this really is my job! You guys have no clue how many friends I've made and people I talk to at my office that describe how they either don't know why they wanted to talk to me or they saw God in me. Writing this makes me feel so wonderful about the people who have disabled communication, praise God for removing people that can't handle my (sometimes somewhat distorted) way of shining God's light! I can see how some people think that it only makes me feel better and put others down, I'm not putting others down I'm just explaining exactly what happens. If you could please explain how I'm putting others down let me know. This is just an absolutely wonderful epiphany in the middle of the night. Well, it was the middle of the night but now it's early in the morning. God blesses me with wonderful ideas when all the noise of the world has shut out. This might be changed or updated when I'm more awake and I'm on my computer. I am so excited because I was just talking to bed about writing and I was explaining how it just comes. And for her birthday I got a present the gift of a writing topic! Thanks for the encouragement! 4:46am ADDED after researching a little bit I am so excited to be reminded that mirror neurons are the contributing factor for this excitement. When I was in college and then first learned about this type of neuron I didn't know it was such an important part of my brain injury recovery. But here it is over 15 years later and my job is getting those neurons to fire! Oh my goodness I am so excited, how am I expected to fall back to sleep now?

7/24 just woke up and found out that this was a draft that had never been published. I haven't even proof read it or anything I'm just going to publish it so I can look at it later. Careful consideration

MOST MARVELLOUS MEANEST MONDAY!!

12:50 a.m. MOST MARVELLOUS MEANEST MONDAY?

Searching for a word that means the last I stumbled upon meanest.... concluding.... the last.

Many have been marvelous and we'll forget the ones that have not

as we enter the meanest (last) Monday of the year

twenty twenty-one flew by

as global warming has kept this Christmas season oh so hot!

Internally I am shaking with high expectations for today,

as it is the year's last Monday,

filled with excited anticipation for the fabulous things that are coming my way!

I I am so thankful for the amazing family I have,

My cousin reminded me where I obtained the resilience I possess

and not to let any situation of this world, my progress regress!

Let this Most Marvelous Meanest Monday be the best of the year,

as 51 others may have been wonderful,

today, 

it is this poem's title that I plan to adhere!

2:02am

Trying to Take Life From God's Hands to Mine

Ever since I became disabled I have thought "I must not be on the same level parse spiritually as Christian men so I might as well settle for any man I can get. I prayed and prayed that God would bring the perfect man into my life. Years went by and I wasn't getting any younger.

Full Day's Work!

I'm not sure how old it is but I just found it in my drafts and wanted to clean up

Excitement is overflowing as my day has started out so amazing! I didn't spring out of bed, I woke up and waited to get out of bed until my thoughts were settled and I was ready to get started. I decided that I better use the bread that was in my fridge however that was after I decided to make a fried egg. Could I use my wonderful sandwich maker to make an egg sandwich?! It took a lot longer than I'm sure it takes the unbrain injured person, however I did it!!  I made it to the office on time for my first appointment of the day with Rhea from BIAC, breakfast sandwich in tow ready to order my morning drink! 

When I first arrived at the office I was a little early for my first meeting. This was  good because there was another meeting taking place at my desk! What in the world? What were they thinking? Come to find out they were some of the head honchos from the IT department of District 11! I was also given the opportunity to chat with a former co-worker, Karley Ford. When my meeting time  finally came, the meeting was AMAZING! Additionally I got to chat with Pastor Brian after his meeting and I got to see Liz from Young Life. I know I have met someone before when they've come up with me and they say their name without anything else. Or when they walked into the office and say why I have to sit here in your name but my name is this. Then John Brown came and we had a great discussion. 

Although I'm wanting to go home and take a nap I just thought man just hang out so I did and it was a good thing because JR happened to stop by early!

We had tons of fun with all of the Matchbox minis, Tonka Tiny's and Drivens and I got to learn a little bit about JR's school, situation and I found out his mother is an E6 in the Army and drives an 18 wheeled vehicle! Wait for it….

On my way home going at the typical speed of a wheelchair I get up to the crosswalk light and I was here sounds like it's dragging something. Going down the ramp my wheelchair made more noise. I finally realized that the strap that holds up the footplate came loose so I put the footplate on my lap and continue on my last stop. 

Today one such a neurologically stimulating day I am wiped out! Consequently I'm not proofreading this but I might look at it tomorrow.

Smooth(ie) Sunday/ THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT/ Reflection/ Kimi’s Kitchen

Smooth(ie) Sunday

Last night I wrote this title but I did not have a poem,

I prayed to heaven and thanked God-- assured that something meaningful would come.

Opening my eyes entirely way too early, with the day's tasks already circling in my mind--

I had to scurry out of bed because I wouldn't want to get behind!

“It's Sunday Kimi, it's Sunday, just lay your head back down”

The fruit, the yogurt, all the ingredients, even the spinach that you found!

Enough with food, today will be adventurous and filled with lots and lots of fun,

There will even be a friend virtual dinner date, you should gather me and myself--

I know they are welcome-- you are always together-- your bond can never truly be undone

 

THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT

“The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”

Number 6:26

You've undoubtedly seen those infomercials featuring the most amazing products that you never knew you needed! One day I found myself wanting to order an EZ Egg Cracker. Having discovered that this device existed, how could I possibly continue to crack open eggs with my own hands? But, I realized, I was content cracking eggs by hand until I saw that infomercial...

Life is a little like that, isn't it? We are relatively content until we hear about the next gadget, update, house, car --and we need to have it! In fact, every marketing campaign out there is designed to make me discontent, until I have that thing.

The apostle Paul, however, found contentment not having any infomercial product, but in the toughest of situations - while he was in prison. That's because real contentment never can be found out there; you only can find contentment in Christ.

The grass is not greener somewhere else; it’s greenest wherever you water it. If you nurture and water your relationship with Jesus Christ on a daily basis, you will be content regardless of your circumstances. You already have complete, full access to the secret of contentment: His name is Jesus.

 

Jesus, Your peace and contentment is such a countercultural trait! But how freeing. Please help me to be content, consistently nurturing and watering my relationship with You.

 

Unshakeable by Christine Caine

 

Reflection

It is early in the morning and I woke up and felt completely content free of so many thoughts that I have been stressing over lately. My conscious mind did not remember  dictating  the devotion last night although I didn't think really hard. When I scrolled through my Prayer Journal to see what my plans were for the day and the devotion was there, I was shocked! I was even more shocked when I saw the title of the devotion-- The Secret of Contentment!

After I opened my eyes and looked at the clock I was thinking “Kimi, it's Sunday go back to bed!” But my brain was already revving up like an engine vroom vroom!! I wanted to make a smoothie today, I had planned that last night because I found something very special (see video)- I think planning out meals and knowing what I should be hungry for ahead of time is part of my secret to contentment - if I have it in my head what I will be eating, I crave that and eating it satisfies! I didn't plan to tie the food into the Bible study but it just happened!.

 

Kimi’s Kitchen

Sunday Splash

• Triple Berry Frozen Fruit

• Fresh cantaloupe

• Fresh watermelon

• Spinach

• Banana

• Hemp hearts

• Flaxseed

• Almond Milk

• Tiny bit of beet juice

• Squirt of Hershey’s Dark Chocolate

Mathematically Intelligent, Eh?

Mathematically Intelligent, Eh?

I always thought I was pretty mathematically intelligent and

before I could sleep I had to make sure that Barbara was really 96 years old. To figure out her age I had to count. Well my head counts by ones but that would be hard to count from 1935 to 2021. Probably the most efficient way and the way that I still use to this very day- counting by tens and using my fingers.

For every group of 10 I put up one finger. Having the minimal extent of sign language knowledge I do expands my finger counting limitations, I can count to 20 with two hands (YES!).

 

Still sitting in the dark it is now 4:41 a.m., I start: thirty-five to forty-five is one (up goes a finger), forty-five to fifty-five is two...I am on 9 when I get to 2025 and swear I am counting wrong because I thought she is 96. I look at her birthday on her profile and start counting again…. thirty-five to forty-five is one (up goes a finger), forty-five to fifty-five is twoIn my mind I remembered that she is close to Bachan's age, but 96 is a whole 13 years older! I finally flip out the calculator And realize she is 86…3 years older than Bachan….That sounds much better and now thay I have it all figured out And typed this on my cell phone one-handed, it is 5:12 a.m.

 

Tlhe Midnight Laughter Doctor

The Midnight Laughter Doctor

 

I just woke up at 1:45am realizing that several months ago (actually over a year ago) when I thought a mouse was in my bed, it was probably me. 

The mouse was tickling my foot and I "saw it." Meaning I saw my blanket moving. After much time has passed I'm just realizing that I finally caught it! "The mouse" was probably my right foot tickling my left foot. My corpus callosum is damaged, which is the thin membrane between the right hemisphere of your brain and the left hemiphere. It took years of college to subconsciously realize that the "mouse" that I thought that was under my blanket was probably my other foot!