COULD THIS MARRIAGE HAVE BEEN SAVED?

One of my friends told me this story; it speaks to the power of Living Sensationally to become vernacular!

A family member just became divorced. She was sitting at the kitchen table with her former husband visiting. The man began straightening up the items on the table as they talked. His need to have everything 'just right' was a source of challenge in their relationship.

As they talked, she told him about Living Sensationally, and said she thought that it would be helpful to him. He immediately went to get a copy, and read it that very week. The next time they talked, the man said 'If I had known all of this information for the last 20 years, I don't think we would have been divorced!'.

I am so saddened for the challenges in their marriage, and I am so warmed by his comment that the information was helpful to him. Perhaps his life will be better now, and he can 'live sensationally'!

LIVING SENSATIONALLY TOUCHES A LIFE

In January of this year, I gave a talk to the Psychiatry Grand Rounds, an interdisiciplinary group of professionals who serve children and adults with mental health disorders. The talk went well, and we had a lively discussion about SEEKERS, AVOIDERS, SENSORS and BYSTANDERS in the work place, in our client populations and in ourselves and family.

When I returned to my office, I had the greatest email from someone who had been at the Grand Rounds. But is was not from one of the interdisciplinary team members, it was from the Media Technician who set up and ensured all our sound, slides etc. were in proper order for the talk. He gave me generous permission to share his comments [thanks!]

"Hello Dr. my name is David and I was the tech this afternoon on your event. I just want to say that it was awesome. I know that you are busy and my field is not in the area in which you spoke on however I have a question. Is it possible for someone to personally have the characteristics of an Avoider or a Sensor yet put on the face of a Seeker? Maybe personally comfortable as the Avoider yet professionally having to mask as the seeker? Perhaps a new genera called the "Faker". I was just curious. Again great presentation and thank you for your time."

If you are reading this blog, you know that one of my goals is for the information in Living Sensationally to become 'kitchen table talk', concepts that everyone understands and can use to explain themselves and understand others. Well David's comments are a clear step in that direction, and I told him that he made my day!

And here is what I told him in return:

"Of course you can do what you explained... if you like most of your job duties, but you have to put on your 'game face' to complete certain tasks, that is perfect. Most of us can rally resources to do what is needed. The core of you as a sensory being is determined by what you have to do before and after the 'game' face time... if it is really you, there wont be big differences; if it is 'game' face, you will retreat before and after to regroup and recalibrate.

This is actually a great strategy... the important thing is to understand that you are doing it for an appropriate purpose... not because something is wrong with you. You are making conscious choices to act on your own behalf! In your case, when you are making sure that a presenter's talk goes off without a hitch... [and we presenters appreciate you for both your skill and your attention to us] you need to rally your social resources to complete the task. Then you can collect yourself in a more comfortable [from an Avoider or Sensory point of view] context like a dark room with your computer and no one to bother you."

Keep that KITCHEN TABLE TALK coming!

ANOTHER BLOG FULL OF INFO

We ran across another blog that discusses Living Sensationally, and also contains lots of great ideas for our 'sensational lives'!

A big thanks to Beth and Lynda! And I cant wait to hear how you like the book!

http://hosmerot.blogspot.com/2007/11/living-sensationally.html

AUTISM ONE INTERVIEW

Here is the radio interview with Chantal Sicile-Kira:

http://208.109.40.198/broadcasts/012908chantal%20sicile-kira.wma

INTERVIEW FOR AN ARTICLE IN COSMO MAGAZINE

I got an email today asking for an interview to provide background for an upcoming story in COSMOPOLITAN magazine! The journalist wants to provide readers with information on maximizing the senses to keep the 'glow' going in relationships and sexual encounters.

We had a great conversation, and the article will appear in the May issue of COSMO. Watch for it-- I certainly will!

BOOK DISCUSSION AT PLAZA WELLSPRING SPA

This Wednesday evening, we are having a book discussion group at PLAZA WELLSPRING.
http://www.plazawellspring.com/

We will launch our discussions from stories and ideas from Living Sensationally; it will really be fun. This is my first chance to just talk about the ideas with a small group of people who are new to the concepts. I am really looking forward to learning how people respond to knowing about their sensory patterns. I am certain I will get some great stories from the participants.

INTERVIEW LISTED IN SCHAFER REPORT

Check this out! a web based newsletter telling people about the interview with AUTISM ONE radio

http://www.sarnet.org/lib/todaySAR.htm

BARNES & NOBLE BOOK SIGNING

What a way to spend Saturday afternoon! I sat in the front windows of the Barnes & Noble with light streaming in, people walking by and readers congregating to talk about my book... it was great. I really enjoyed everyone that stopped by to share their stories.

INTERVIEW ON AUTISM ONE RADIO!

Chantal Sicile-Kira interviewed me for a radio broadcast on AUTISM ONE radio. The original broadcast is scheduled for January 29th, and will be available for 6 months on their website so you can listen or download it for yourself.

The Real World of Autism, hosted by Chantal Sicile-Kira on Autism One Radio
www.autismone.org/radio/
Tuesday, January 29, 1:30-2:00 pm EST, 10:30-11:00 PST.

http://www.autismone.org/radio/?radio=schedule&archive&other
here is the link for the archived shows.

Chantal is the Author of Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum, the 2006 San Diego Book Award - Best in Health/Fitness, and Autism Spectrum Disorders, the 2005 ASA Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award.

THEY LINE THE SLEEVES DIFFERENTLY...

... did you know that? Many coats have different lining in the sleeves than in the body of the coat. If you didn't know this, perhaps you are a BYSTANDER!

A colleague of mine told me the greatest story today... she had been getting frustrated with her son because he couldn't find a coat that was acceptable. She wondered whether he wanted to be cool, and was looking for just the right coat, or whether he was just being independent.

Then her family read Living Sensationally and the whole family started talking about their patterns. My colleague started thinking about the coat situation too. The next time they went shopping, she stood back and watched her son examining the coats. He used his hand to feel down every sleeve; she realized that he was looking for the right texture for his daily activity of running his hands through the sleeve of his coat. They didnt find a coat that day, but she said she also wasnt upset with him this time.

This is a real tale of Living Sensationally... it's not about the fancy stuff, it's about the everyday experiences that comprise our days. She realized that part of what would make her son's day sensational was having the right feeling on his hands as he put his coat on each day.

Now THAT is VERNACULAR!

VERNACULAR

Last week in church we had a 'White Stone' ceremony. We discussed the new year, and making big dreams, dreams we cant imagine are even possible, dreams we can grow into. We each got a small white tile, and were asked to identify a word that would symbolize our dream.

I picked 'VERNACULAR' because that is my dream for the ideas in Living Sensationally. I want families to talk about being Bystanders and Seekers at the kitchen table, laughing about each person's quirky ways of doing things. I want coworkers to consider who on their team will be best to complete a project because they understand what Sensors and Avoiders contribute to the work's success. I want friends to plan activities together with their sensory patterns in mind.

Here's to our collective understanding of each other! ahhh, the vernacular...

INTERVIEW ON AUTISM ONE

On January 21, 2008, I am taping an interview with Chantal Sicile-Kira. She hosts a radio show called Autism One. She is the author of Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum which won a 2006 San Diego Book Award, and Autism Spectrum Disorders which was the 2005 ASA Outstanding Literary Work of the Year.

I am looking forward to this conversation since some of my research findings included people with Autism Spectrum Disorders; in fact we learned how the sensory processing patterns work because of the experiences of children with ASD and their families and teachers. Isnt it great that we learned ideas from them that we can now apply to everyone?

TV APPEARANCE

Just before Christmas, KC LIVE hosted me on their TV show. I was included in their health segment, talking about LIVING SENSATIONALLY. They were extremely cordial, very attentive, and the interview went really well. I am working on getting a link here so you can see and hear what I have to say, instead of just reading about it... Talk to you soon!

BOOK SIGNING AT BARNES & NOBLE

Barnes & Noble on the Plaza in Kansas City has scheduled a book signing for

January 19, 2008 2-4pm

I am really excited to have a chance to talk to the public in this way; this is a really busy store, so I am certain that I will see many people just running their weekend errands. What a way to celebrate everyday life: sitting in an 'everyday life' place on a Saturday afternoon. Life is good.

BOOK SIGNING RECEPTION AT KU

We had a book signing and reception for Living Sensationally at the University of Kansas Medical Center in December 2007. People attended from all over the university, and were so gracious and excited about the ideas in this book.

I am so grateful for everyone's interest and support.
Read the article about the event at this web address.

http://www.kumc.edu/news/publish/School_of_Allied_Health_13/KU_professor_helps_people_live_sensationally.shtml