Judgin' - Guest Post by Sophie

I know everyone is guilty of it - I definitely know I am - but sometimes it's ridiculous how often people get judged. Today, I was very much aware of it as I heard some people talking bad about other people. A lot of times we're so quick to think, "She's weird." Or, "He's so obnoxious." Or, "She's so loud." Or, "He's too quiet." Or, "She's too awkward." These are just an array of examples of what people are quick to point out and talk about.

The thing is, though, everybody has their flaws. I know I do. And I am aware of them. And some of the characteristics are things I can't fix, that are just simply me. Or I don't want to fix it because it isn't necessarily bad (such as being weird). I like to have fun. And sometimes I'm awkward because I'm unsure of people. And I don't need to fix those.

And the other thing is: everyone (EVERYONE) has their own story. Nobody came to be how they are just by magic. I wasn't always seemingly shy. But when someone is so keen to how people judge and talk bad about people, it does make them less inclined to speak up.

Overall though, that is something I need to overcome. Because I shouldn't care about who judges me. I should only care what God thinks. And who are we, human beings, to judge others? Really? We don't know other people's lives, thoughts, or feelings- but we do know that they are God's people, and we should love them. And we most definitely shouldn't speak bad about them. Like, what purpose does that serve? Does it make us look any better? No. No, it doesn't.

This isn't a note for anyone in particular, but it is something that's been weighing on my heart, and I just felt like I should share it. Because way too often we judge, and it's something I want to work on, because even I was quick to judge the people who were judging others. So I just pray for the spirit of love from God and the spirit of humility to influence and breathe into my life, because without that, I am so lost.

I desperately need God, every day.

by Sophie Ando

"FOR WITH WHAT JUDGMENT YE JUDGE, YE SHALL BE JUDGED: AND WITH WHAT MEASURE YE METE, IT SHALL BE MEASURED TO YOU AGAIN."

30 Coping Skills

My counselor recently asked me what my coping skills were for when I feel stressed or tired or sick. She was astounded by how many coping skills I listed. Maybe you guys would like to try some of them, too, whether you're on the autistic spectrum or off of it. Here's the list:

1. Singing or humming
2. Singing while showering
3. Stretching while showering
4. Stretching the places that hurt until they stop hurting
5. Facebooking
6. Reading
7. Reading aloud
8. Crocheting
9. Cross-stitching
10. Making paper crafts
11. Watching my daughter play
12. Kissing my husband
13. Taking a walk
14. Drinking more water
15. Having a snack or a meal
16. Writing, writing, writing
17. Proofreading
18. Giving my daughter a sticker
19. Making a to-do list and checking items off
20. Praying to God, in Jesus' Name
21. Calling a friend
22. Going to the beach
23. Going to the library
24. Going window shopping
25. Going shopping for real
26. Playing table games with family
27. Folding laundry while watching TV
28. Playing favorite playlists or CDs
29. Watching an "oldie but goodie" DVD
30. Listening to sermons

"AND LET THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD OUR GOD BE UPON US: AND ESTABLISH THOU THE WORK OF OUR HANDS UPON US; YEA, THE WORK OF OUR HANDS ESTABLISH THOU IT."