A quote lovers' reflection...

I've always loved quotes. Visual reminders that fill your mind with positive thoughts, pushing out the negative like a bulldozer!  I've always had a knack for writing, words and language. That doesn't mean you should ask me about adverbs, adjectives or pronouns!  I mean, I know they add something to the structure of a sentence, telling you who, what, where, when, why and how.. yada, yada and so on. My love of words and writing began early because of just how powerful they are, and in this case, powerful for the good! I LOVE coloring! The adult coloring book trend will never go out of style for me! Is it because I can't draw anything but a stick person to save my life? Yes, but that's our little secret!  I love coloring pages that put good thoughts in your head and heart. I colored one not too long ago that said, "Life is Sweet" (the one that's pictured, in fact!)  That statement got me thinking. Sometimes that statement can mislead others into thinking that you must not have any problems and that everything is rainbows, unicorns and candy corn for you!!  But, that's not always the case.  Life is about choices. The things that shape you and the experiences you have gone through are many times dealt with privately, not viewed by the eyes of others.  When you have something that plaques you, whether it was years ago or more recent, it takes time to come to grips with pain, emotions and frustration.  Then it takes coping strategies that allow you to put things into perspective and move on stronger and more resilient then before. Granted, the negative emotions will rear their heads and you will have to work with that, but acknowledging those emotions is nothing more then being human....That's OK!  You can also be proud of how far you have come. Think about it. Whatever the mountain you are climbing or have climbed, didn't defeat you! It may have knocked you down for a bit, but you got back up and are still fighting, still breathing, your heart is still beating and just think of all those who love who you are and are cheering you on!  I'm writing this post to tell you I've been through every ounce of every feeling and emotion I've put on this digital page! I am here to tell you it does get better and even now, when the negative emotions do come, it's not so earth shattering. It takes constant effort, but the effort is well worth it.  So, the next time someone asks: "How are you?" You say "Good!"....you're really saying, "Life is Sweet" and I'm still a work in progress!

Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window, a podcast produced  by The Arc of Indiana

Behind The Mic Book Review UGLY by Robert Hoge

I absolutely LOVE when friends give me book reviews!  I logged onto my facebook page one morning and my facebook friend, Rita Shutes, whom I also know personally, had posted a picture of her daughter Olivia with this book standing outside a nursing home where she reads to the residents.  Rita has really instilled in her children the need to give back and make people's day a little brighter.  I have been a recipient of many of these gifts to make people's days' brighter, when I worked as a receptionist at Olivia's daycare!  When it came to this book, it also brightened my day!  UGLY by Robert Hoge is one marvelous book!!  As I got to know Robert through this book, I was moved by his courage and his fortitude to live life to the fullest, despite how different his appearance is from those around him!  He was able, at a young age, to go through a life changing surgery, yet understanding that the outcome would mean an easier way of living.  Unbelievably brave!  What was also brave to put in this book was the reaction of his mom after he was born.  She told Robert later that the reason for her reaction was pride.  She was worried about what people would think about the way he looked.  After working things out inside herself, Robert's mom's love for him grew strong and fierce!  What I really appreciated about this book is that it helps you to look outside your own comfort zone, coming to realize that you don't have to always go along with what society deems as "approved".  We are individuals, made up of different feelings, reactions, desires, dreams and abilities and we are not robots.  All human beings should be treated with dignity and respect!!  Robert gives this magnificent advice:  "If you're different from other kids, don't worry about the jigsaw puzzle.  Don't judge yourself by everyone else's seemingly beautiful picture.  And don't worry if your final picture doesn't seem clear or if the edges around your story don't seem sharp.  The solution is simple: Be unafraid of living.  The puzzle pieces will take care of themselves"

The sentences above are just one of the many golden nuggets you can keep in your "positive thinking" memory bank when you need it!!

Robert: Thank you so much for telling your story through this book!  It reinforces the adage that you can NEVER judge a book by its cover, but you can learn life changing lessons from it!

Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window, a podcast produced by The Arc of Indiana

Pick up Robert's book here: www.amazon.com/Ugly-Robert-Hoge/dp/0425287777/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523929546&sr=8-1&keywords=ugly+by+robert+hoge

Behind the Mic Book Review: A Beautiful Mind, a Beautiful Life by Lindy Tsang

"An unstoppable person is someone who is not afraid to make mistakes. An unstoppable person radiates confidence because they believe in their abilities. An unstoppable person perseveres by viewing life's obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow.  They don't just dream the dream; they live the dream" 

I feel like this book needs to be announced on the loud speaker at the drugstore, no, not "clean up in aisle 4"... more like "inspirational life lessons in aisle 4...oh, and while you're at it, you can pick up that favorite eye color you've been wanting."  Lindy Tsang uses the platform of makeup tutorials on her Youtube channel to help bring out your best outer beauty and this girl has major skills!  Her love of all things beauty is infectious!  Not only does she serve as an ultra adorable expert, but she's also realized that beauty is more than just about the face.  You can have a pretty face, but feel broken, unlovable and hopeless inside.  I love how Lindy is using her success to help other women succeed and start to love the image staring back at them in the mirror.  Lindy shares deeply personal insights into how she felt growing up.  When she said she always felt different, I completely and totally could relate, especially with having a physical disability and using a wheelchair. One day she decided to take control and change her mindset about the world around her and not put limits on the extraordinary potential inside her.  Her parents just expected her to follow in her family's footsteps of choosing a career as a doctor, lawyer or engineer, but a love of art was what she really wanted to tap into and see if it could turn into, not just a job, but a passion!  Before becoming the household Youtube star she is today, she had to climb from the bottom to the top, but she took steps to pave the way to being the best version of herself.. being unstoppable!  She worked at her parents Thai Chinese restaurant and when she started earning money and buying makeup, she eventually got up the courage to post a video on Youtube!  The flames of her extraordinary potential were being sparked!  Through this book, Lindy walks you through the process of bringing out your own extraordinary potential that could be hidden inside you!  She becomes your loudest cheerleader throughout this book!  I recommend this book becoming a part of your beauty routine!!  Thank you Lindy for writing this book and helping everyone find their own way to being UNSTOPPABLE!

Learn about this book from Lindy herself! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIUpOhu0oN8

To purchase the book: https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Mind-Life-Guide-Unstoppable/dp/1945293624/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window a podcast produced, by The Arc of Indiana

Zach Anner: Showing others that whatever life throws at you, make lemonade and show life who's boss!

 
To say I was just KIND of excited to interview Zach Anner at this year's Arc of Indiana Annual Conference would not even come close to adequately describing my feelings. Zach won Oprah's OWN tv show reality competition in 2011.  There were so many things I wanted to cover, but there was so little time. Let's face it, nobody has time for an overzealous "fan girl" anchor!  There were so many things that I respected him for, that I could not fully express because I didn't want him to feel uncomfortable or make it seem like I had an agenda or make it seem like the only reason that I was interviewing him was because he's a celebrity!  In this blog, as a thank you to him, I would like to tell you why I related to him in many ways.  It all started back in 2005, long before there were competition shows and a guy named Zach Anner.  I had graduated high school and really had no specific plans for myself and I was angry and depressed for several years after that.  I stayed stagnant for years...and then one day my vision cleared, and I thought, "being this depressed and down is not getting you anywhere."  Enter 2011, the OWN reality show and a guy from Texas who seemed so sure of himself... I also knew, from going through my own challenges and struggles, that Zach, who was so confident, poised, funny, brilliantly talented, and showing all his imperfections on NATIONAL TV in front of millions and in front of the most powerful woman in TV history, didn't just magically happen.  His being picked for the show, being a contestant in the competition, and winning didn't just fall in his lap. He worked for every last bit of the success he acquired.  In fact, his having cerebral palsy was giving him the opportunities that he had dreamed of.  Zach had the mindset that "these are the cards I've been dealt, I'm going to take this hand and beat the house with it!"  I saw that I could view my cerebral palsy that way too...and when I started to put my challenges and obstacles in a positive light, things went from looking bleak to opportunity galore!  Because of this mindset, his career has skyrocketed!  He has been a writer/guest star of Speechless, a Youtube star, an author, and there is no telling what else is in the wings for Zach!  Now that I have met him, it gives me even more motivation to redefine what it means to have cerebral palsy...take it by the reigns and NEVER look back!  Back then and now, he shows that it's okay to have flaws and imperfections.  You get through them, everyone does, and you won't die.  You may have a few scars, bumps and bruises, but nothing that you can't rise up from and THRIVE AND SUCCEED!  Now, it's time for me to confess something, I don't think I brought the best of myself to this interview.  In a attempt not to be giddy, I held back in being my usual peppy self and just letting the interview take on my usual conversational style.  I got in my head too much, I think, and if I would have told him some of the things that I wrote here, I think a little bit more of a connection would have been made so that the interview could have flowed a little more.  I regret that part of it, but honestly I had the best time meeting Zach, hearing his advice and his perspective on his life, challenges and success.  He came with his writing partner, Gillian Grassie, who is rockin' success too, being a singer/songwriter and harpist!  I really wish we had more time to talk because these two people are helping each other be the best they can be, and it has had a major pay off!  Love that!  Maybe someday we will all be together again and maybe we will just have a round of strawberry milkshakes! (that's a line he used in a Soul Pancake video where he interviews his grandpa). With all my thanks to Zach and Gillian for coming to the Arc of Indiana Conference and sharing with us your time and talent!  You both are AWESOME SAUCE!!

Take a look and listen to Gillian Grassie: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK04TKFfWek

Hear my interview with Zach here: www.arcind.org/podcasts/a-view-with-zach-anner

Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window a podcast produced by The Arc of Indiana