The Free Thinkers

Life is not what you think it is going to be. You plan things, you make assumptions. Whether consciously, or unconsciously, we do it. We assume all the time. We assume we will be alive tomorrow, we assume the grocery store will have food, and we assume our pay checks will come in on time. In short, we assume life will maintain a steady rhythm. Until it doesn't. As much as we like to think we lust for adventure, we strive for stability, predictability.
It takes a strong heart to break away and pursue the unknown, to lust after the abyss. But there are a few who succeed. Some who are so out of the box we can't wrap our minds around them, so society shuns them. They are the ones so bizarre, so out of common character, they cant possibly be one of us. When in fact they are the best of us.

I've been lucky enough in my life to meet several people who have broken the chains of normality. They are a precious encounter. These people inspire me to break free of general ideas. To contemplate the unknown, the unspoken. These people rebel simply by being. While multiple minds might fervently agree on a topic, theses people pause. They reflect and analyze. And when they point out a flaw, or a different idea, they are given strange looks. They are banished from social circles. But they are blessed with a lens that strips away lies and facade.

Some of these characters are well known, moral celebrities. Others never reach fame. The social outcast rarely lusts after it. But they don't need to, these individuals have a way of attracting attention from the masses. Whether you chat getting a coffee, or meet intentionally, one thing is for sure, these genius free thinking minds are one of humanities gems.


Have you met a free thinker?

Enigma

Halloween

So I know its a bit late to talk about Halloween, but I wanted to take a step back and savor it before the plunge into the holidays. I have to say Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Its the one day out of the year you can dress as outrageous or ridiculous as you want. Towns turn into weird supernatural dimensions filled with zombies, vampires, and adult sized elmos.  And besides the excellent motivation of receiving mounds of candy, it encourages creativity.  One thing I look forward to every year is seeing the unique costumes others put together. The Halloween mood is just the right blend of fun and spooky.

As a child, my family never did Halloween, there was no costumes, candy or decorations. Regardless, I loved the holiday. My friends would go out trick or treating and I wished I had a way to join. I lived out in the boonies, so there wasn't much of a neighborhood set up for trick or treating. I remember being so excited, admiring all the spooky things that popped up around that time of year. Probably because of my Halloween deprived childhood, I now throw myself into  Halloween with a fever passion to make up for all the time I missed. Trick or treating, costumes, and pumpkin carving, I do it all. This year I carved a record of four pumpkins. Not to mention binge watched my favorite Halloween Tim Burton movies, and put together  a costume. I think its safe to say I went all out.

The point is, make sure to savor those moments. Were often so busy with daily life we don't take the time to appreciate simple, and even childish fun. Were so worried about being ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we forget about the fun family moments Halloween  can bring. Stay spooky!


Enigma

Paraeducator

Paraeducator-One who works alongside an educator

In the beginning of November I received an amazing opportunity to become a paraeducator at a local school. With an interest in teaching and working with kids, I quickly accepted. I was placed in the preschool as a one on one with two special needs children. One in the morning preschool class, and one in the afternoon. Outside of the preschool,  my duties range from watching the upper grades during recess, to tutoring kids who need a little extra practice.

My daily focus however is on these two specific children. Working with and being able to interact with the kids has been a life changing experience. It has made me humble, and optimistic. children have such a unique way of viewing the world, and being able to glimpse that is truly a joy.

Working one on one with the special needs children has been even more rewarding. Though they express things in a similar manor, they are highly individual. They require a quiet listening ear, and an open understanding heart. But if you allow them the opportunity, they will show you their brilliance and creativity. They are kind without fail, and they're intellect is quick to absorb every bite of information they can attain.

I am a strong believer in acceptance and inclusion, however this ongoing privilege to be able assist these kids has really shown me what it means to be human.


For those who want to learn more about children on the spectrum or with special needs:

Special needs - Wikipedia

Special Needs Resources | Resources for Children with Special ...

What It Means When a Child Has "Special Needs" - Verywell

Autism Spectrum Information:

Autism spectrum - Wikipedia

What is Autism? - Autism Science Foundation

10 Tips on How to Communicate with Autistic People | Autismum

Highways

I have a conflicted relationship with highways. To me, they're a blissfulness tinged with danger, euphoria shrouded in anxiety. Like balancing on a tight rope, and knowing if you make one mistake, its over.
Maybe that's a serious exaggeration. But I'm from a tiny town off the middle of nowhere. Our local grocery store is in the next town over. So for me, a highway is almost something from a sci-fi novel.

 The thing I love about highways is the freedom. I think ones first experience on a highway is like getting your first car. Its a strong taste of independence that sticks with you for a long time. There's a magical quality to them, the feeling of floating through time. Knowing you can get anywhere with a car and a road. The expanse of possibility laid out before you.

For some danger and highway don't belong in the same sentence. Its something that doesn't enter their minds, after all, there are less accidents on the highways then on street roads. For others, myself included, the highway holds great potential, but also conscious danger. There is much to keep track of and a busyness that can be over whelming. Its all too easy to imagine something going wrong.

This doesn't stop the highways being used or their necessity. However it is a euphoric experience that many do not realize or appreciate. The ability we have to travel and access an abundance of information is often forgotten. Certainly, the reward of travel is worth the risk.

Thoughts, Love, and Stories welcome down bellow,
Enigma

Eye Contact

As bizarre as it sounds, I wish staring was a more socially acceptable behavior. As a writer and artist I yearn for connection in the people I encounter. Although I myself am reserved it seems nowadays that the very act of two gazes touching is forbidden and to be avoided. I've had many silent smiles and glances to and from strangers that brighten my day. A one second relationship. Maybe its the vulnerability of eye contact that turns us off. But that answer just begs the question, why is the majority of our society afraid of openness with others?

 For me, the answer can be summed up in a word; judgment. I believe in the inherent goodness of human kind, however, everyone has negative thoughts and opinions. And for some, the fear of the negative thoughts of others is crippling. But its odd to imagine a large fear trickling down to such a small expression as eye contact.

On the other hand it isn't so strange. The eyes have long been viewed as the "windows to the soul". So having our fears reveal themselves in such a prominent vulnerable place makes sense. And if our eyes really do reveal our souls, perhaps it isn't bad to be particular with who you look at.

Thoughts, Love, and Stories welcome down bellow,

Enigma

Small Talk

I wish it was more acceptable to be blunt in modern society. As someone who deals with mild social anxiety I wish the expectation and pressure of small talk was less prominent. I wish when someone asked how my day was, they actually wanted to know. They weren't looking for a generic happy answer. I could say "I'm having a horrible day." And if they didn't want the emotional weight of my true answer, that didn't have to ask. I feel our society could benefit greatly from that.

 

 There seems to be a stigma around the word "blunt" that tinges it with negativity. But being blunt doesn't have to be rude or condescending, it can be helpful and compassionate. Bluntness is often closely related to openness and honesty, and sometimes its hard to be open without being blunt. I for one, would prefer people not to ask how I'm doing unless they really want to know. So that I don't have to answer a pointless question with a pointless answer. Just to appease a social expectation.

 

It's not that there is no value in greetings or small talk, just the overabundance and pressure of it. I do see the value of greetings between family, friends, and coworkers. However I don't see the value of the social pressure to chat with the cashier at the grocery store, or even the pressure to greet every coworker you encounter. To me, a smile and nod do the job just fine. For many this may seem ridiculous and even rude. But for others, simple social interactions are exhausting. And the pressure to make unnecessary conversation just adds to the drain. Maybe we should be a little more conscious and conservative with the exchanges we have with other people. And give a little more thought before we speak.

Thoughts, Love, and Stories down bellow,

Enigma

Midnight

 

 

 

To me midnight is a separate dimension. It is a place of peace and thought, coating everything around it in a blanket of calm. It slows the world down and never rushes you; midnight always has plenty of time. Yet somehow it is also buzzing with energy and potential. I am always most struck by the urge to create when the day is closing.

Sometimes though, midnight can be brutal. It can be a time where you're forced to face yourself. When you've been holding down the pain for too long and it wont be silenced any longer. But other times it is the sweet whisper of wanting to take a walk in the stillness, or settling into a good book. It is the feeling of solitude, but also of content. Like your the last person alive, or the only one who knows a special secret.

Midnight has a magical quality to it. Whether you're in bed and you know its late but you have to finish the chapter, or you just cant stop watching the stars. I think it is a time and sensation that is under appreciated, and sometimes completely missed.

Thoughts, Love, and Stories down bellow,

Enigma

Consideration

Its frustrating how little people think about how their actions will affect others. People go about there daily lives ignorant and unaware as to how there actions trigger ripple affects in those around them.  Whether its being overly loud and boisterous, or making an unnecessary rude comment to an acquaintance, many people we encounter on a daily basis are oblivious.

 Our culture encourages and insinuates many of these self absorbed mentalities, however that doesn't take the blame off of individuals, myself included. I often do many things that irritate others yet continue to do so even though I am aware of the effect. I believe everyone has a hypocritical side, its just a matter of becoming aware and managing it. Even little things such as blasting music while others are reading, or repeatedly interrupting someone who is speaking, these small things can make someone fell unvalued and disrespected.

 It may seem irrelevant or small, but just as a simple act of kindness can make someones day, or inspire them to keep going, so too can a harsh word discourage or take the energy out of their day. I think its important to be aware of how we interact with those around us. As a society we've become so oblivious to the pain or discomfort of others that's its considered normal to ignore. And we are so focused on ourselves that we don't stop to consider that others are struggling too.

 Its all seems to come back down to the golden rule "Treat others the way you want to be treated." Now that being said its important to take into consideration not every personality will want to be treated the same. Some don't mind playful teasing, while others are highly sensitive to it. Empathy is key. Imagine how a particular person's personality would react to the situation or action, not just your own. Becoming more self aware is a major key in helping to lower the amount of human struggle in the world. While the past of human history by no means sheds a bright light on a proper way to treat fellow humans,  there are times I wish we could bring back some of the chivalry and manners that that were expected in that past.

Thoughts, Love, and Stories,

Enigma

Hi, I'm Dysfunctional Enigma...

Musing is defined as a period of reflection or thought.

 

Here, I will share my thoughts with you,


As a life long admirer of out of the box thinkers I have strove to become one myself. With the wonderful creation of the Internet, a wealth of out of the box information is available at your fingertips with just the touch of a button. And being a social yet highly introverted individual, I wanted a place to be able to reach out and share with others. A blog seemed ideal. I love stories, and I love telling them, just not with my mouth. I hope I can find others who like the same.

The term dysfunctional came to me in a bitter yet humorous way. It was a comical word to sum up the struggles of my daily life. Yet it also came to mean something precious to me. Being dysfunctional isn't always the curse we claim it to be. Doing things in an unconventional way, even if it is perceived as negative can sometimes lead to internal and external discoveries.

Enigma seemed like such a powerful word, full of animosity and wonder. I feel that enigma is an excellent word to describe a majority of people. Humans in general tend to be puzzling, mysterious, and difficult to understand. And no matter how hard we strive, no human can ever fully comprehend the workings of another. But I believe we must never stop trying.

 

 

Together, these words summed up tightly many of my perceptions of life, while also leaving open a whole universe of explanation to be explored. I hope some of you will stick around for my stories, and I look forward to yours too.

 

 

Stories, Thoughts, and Love welcome down bellow...

 

Enigma