Searching for Help for Special Needs children. Resilience?

Special needs children are 13% of our public school population. Moreover, Children who grow up feeling different are at least one in 5, (from various sources struggling single moms, fighting parents, poverty, chaotic neighborhoods, gender confusion, etc.) In total, these children are at least some 30% of our school population.

Few folk fairy tales speak to the needs of these children to find hope, courage, and resilience despite setbacks. Storytellers, librarians, teachers, parents and grandparents will want to have stories which can speak to the lonely struggles of these diverse children.

A new story has been developed over five years with coaching from special needs children and feedback from professional storytellers and published authors.

Lottie Mae: the Turkey who Could Not Stop Dreaming is designed for these children.  A revised Second Editions now underway, prepared for October release.

On the Shelf.

On the Shelf

My last spiritual challenge

Is to be "on the shelf,'

Not wanted or needed for any activity

While still wanting  to serve

With the heart of Jesus.

How shall I use these hours,

These nights, these days,

these weeks?

Do I still believe in the power of prayer?

Perhaps I am being called to

Become a contemplative,

To surrender, and keep on]

Surrendering to this Mystery

That has surrounded me, nourished me,

Sustained me, and which

Still envelopes me, known

Only  by hope and love.

Oh Master, grant that I may never seek so much

To be consoled as to consoled,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as  to love with all my soul,

For

It is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and

It is in dying that we are born to Eternal life.

Countless souls need my prayers   today.

I am still here by your grace, Lord,

And ready to serve in Your way

Now being  offered me,  Yes.

My heart can still love

Unreservedly.

Yes!

For all those dying this instant, today,

Whether by hunger, accident, illness

Torture, natural causes suicide,,

By terrorist bumming,

American Veterans committing suicide,

(an estimated 22 per day)

Asylum seekers dying enroute,]

Children dying by abuse or suicide:

Give one of them the grace of hope

In your mercy, love and goodness.

 Amen.

Paschal Bernanrd Baute, July 1, 2015

In honor of a particular friendship.

RESILIENCE CHECKLIST:: 16 Principles.

Resilience Checklist 16 Principles.,

Copyright, © Paschal Baute, 2015

Note: The relevance of each of these cannot be unpacked in this summary lists. References to other writings where this is explained and explored are footnoted.

1 Recognize all perception is selective. We do not see the world as it is but as we are, through the lenses of our life history and values. We can "setback," become more aware and see something from a new perspective. Our vision is always limited. We create the world we live in by what we focus upon. Becoming aware or mindful is the critical key. (1)

2. Become aware of how easily we are contoured an captured by the voices inside our heads.. Develop some mindfulness or meditation practice. Learn to listen to and sort your feelings. (2)

3. Knowing that you create your own world by what you focus upon, find and pursue your own dreams. Accept that your own journey is unique, unlike anyone else. Know that it is okay to be different.

4. In whatever you do, stretch yourself, do your best. Push your limits. Try to exceed your expectations and that of others. Remain curious.

5. Persist. Expect challenges and setbacks. We learn by our missteps and mistakes, by our failures and flaws. Know that failure is part of the game of life. Develop an internal GPS that can "recalculate."

6. Never ask the question "why me?" each of us is dealt in life a different hand of cards. What counts is what we do with the cards we receive., how we play them. Complain about what happens keeps one stuck. Never sit on "pity porch." .(3)

7. Do not take responsibility for others, for their feelings or success. Make sure you are not a "Rescuer." see Paschal's Rescuer's checklist. (4)

8. Forgiveness is always part of the journey. Refuse to give free rent inside your head to hurts received. Recognize that forgiveness of self is our greatest challenge. Check Paschal's 16 Tips for forgiveness.(5)

9. Accept oneself as a flawed, imperfect persons who is bound to make mistakes, even hurt others. Be open to feedback about yourself. (6)

10. Be generous with your time and talent. Look for opportunities to make a different n someone's life, some project that moves your heart.

11. Find a passion, a vision, a dream and then pursue it boldly, spending oneself.

12. Be thankful to all those who have given you a "hand up." Each of can access a circle of mentors and wisdom teachers"

13 Find and nourish a supportive social network, who will support and encourage you.

14. Discover a wisdom tradition that can nourish and sustain your dreams (7).

15. Be grateful of many blessings, underserved and unrecognized. Live with a grateful heart.

16. Keep on loving in your own unique way, no matter what. Accept every day as an undeserved  gift which, in reality, it is. Do not take anything for granted. .

NOTES

1.       See Chapter One. "the Rope is Not Tied to Me," and Appendix One: Six Blind Men and an elephant," in Resilience of a Dream Catcher (2014), Paschal Baute.

2.      See Appendix Four, "Who Am I?" in same Resilience book.

3.       See Appendix Three :"Letter to a Loved One Coping With an Incompressible Loss," in same Resilience book.

4.       See Appendix Ten, "Are You a Helper or a Rescuer?" ion same Resilience book.

5.       See Appendix Five "Forgiveness: When, How, 16 Steps, in same Resilience book.

6.       See two books Me and My Shadow Self (kindle, 2014), Baute, and Laughing at My Perfectionism, CreateSpace, Amazon (2014), Baute

7.       See Appendix Three "A psychologically Healthy Spirituality," in same Resilience book; alas explore Celtic Grace: Think Places, and both volumes of Where Do I Find "God" Stories? (2014, 2015) Baute.

Dr. Paschal Baute is a semi-retired pastoral psychologist, disabled blind Veteran and stage four cancer survivor of 23 years. With a VA diagnosis of "Catastrophically Disabled," he serves as chaplain to his local Blind Veterans Group. Trained by the Hines VA Blind Rehab Center in computers, he aims to prove the training is worthwhile an productive. Since training in 2012, he has published 14 books on kindle and eleven in print t on Amazon.

Now in his ninth decade at age 86,, his mission is to create a bookshelf for counselors and caregivers in wellness, resilience and spirituality. His website is www.paschalbauite.com. He can be reached by email at paschalthestgoryteller@gmail.com.

Resilience is unpacked in 29 lessons from a crazy quilt life, coping with much loss and abuse, Resilience of a Dream Catcher (2014), Baute, both kindle and print.

Breaking news onlinr, June, 2015

Catch latest story of Paschal’s work in his prison ministry:

Paschal has a piece of his story in the current February issue

of The Golden Domer, Notre Dame Senior Alumni Newsletter,

link Out of Darkness

At the end you will find an invitation to share your own story....

in a series I am developing. Volume One now published.

Where Do I find “God” Stories

Paschal is a disabled blind Veteran trained by FA Blinid Rehab Center computer program.

His aim is to demonstrate that blind Veterans can still be productive.

His goal is to create a bookshlef on total wellness for counselors and careivers.

My Spellbinder storytelling journey is told on Encore.org at

http://encore.org/story/paschal-baute-2/

A podcast interview can be found at Kentucky Voices and Views.

http://www.kentuckyvoicesandviews.com/2014/07/26/a-conversation-with-dr-paschal-baute/

Information and reviews of my memoir are found at

www.paschalbaute.com/resilience

for latest on Celtic Spirituality

For listing of my 13 books on kindle and nine on Createsapce, put

my name “Paschal Baute” in the vbrowser there.

Early Praise for Secrets of Intimacy

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

"With decades of careful observation and experience, Paschal Baute brilliantly describes human behavior in a way that truly "connects the dots." From published academic research to simple anecdotes, he reveals the essence of romantic and long-lasting relationships. With wit and enthusiasm, he describes the choices we have to be reflective and to love ourselves in order to succeed in loving others. Dr. Baute's chapters, and practical advice for navigating our common human shortcomings, result from his life's journey. In their analyses, these 'to-the-point' examples and suggestions tell the story of our basic nature. If only everyone (but especially our lovers, family members and world leaders) would read this book to learn how to triumph in self-love and healthy relationships!

--Robin Inwald, Ph.D., AP, author, Inwald Research Relationship Surveys

"I love this book. It's just what the doctor ordered. Paschal's many exercises on rebuilding intimacy are a godsend. This has helped me and my bride of 40 years renew our vows and refresh our life together. Paschal's skill as a counselor and font of practical wisdom is evident on every page. Highly recommended!"

--Michael Rivage-Seul is emeritus professor of Peace and Social Justice Studies at Berea College. He is the author of The Emperor's God: imperial misunderstandings of Christianity,

"Dr. Pascal Baute offers such a unique perspective on this subject matter.

His convergent wisdom as a family man who is deeply in love with his wife, as a pastoral figure, and as a clinical psychologist provides both the professional and lay reader with the experience of being guided by a mystical, down-to-earth sage. I so admire everything about Pascal's insights on these matters, and am delighted that he put these insights to the page!"

--Jamie Marich, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, Author, clinician, and founder of Dancing Mindfulness