Click on this link to watch and listen to the video presentation of the article: Feeling Like a Square Peg in a World of Round Holes Video Presentation
Below is a copy the written article
In a nutshell, Jake at the age of 2 started regressing in that he stopped engaging and communicating with his family. Naturally, his Mom and Dad were concerned and had Jake tested. The test results revealed that Jake was autistic — characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors as explained by Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism.
As the interview continued, attention was drawn to what occurred as Jake pursued the things that he loved – studying math and science. To make a long story short, Jake continued to get better and began attending grade school. Jake dropped out of the 3rd grade and began auditing classes at the university and began getting – on a regular basis the highest scores on exams in the honor programs at the university he attended. He excelled and obtained his undergraduate degree at the age of 14 and plans on beginning his doctoral studies at the university.
The interview pointed out that Jake continued to get better in his social interactions and ability to communicated as he pursued what he loved – math, science, and physics. To many Jake was probably considered to be a square peg at a very early age. What stood out to me in the interview was that Jake excelled in what he loved and by pursuing his “bliss” or creative passion, Jake got better and was proud to be autistic – as that enabled his to excel in what he loved to do in life.
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive.” Howard Thurman
My encouragement to you my friend – as I need to encourage myself – pursue your creative genius and what makes you come alive. By pursuing what makes you come alive – and you don’t have to do this perfectly – you may find yourself improving on fronts that you never deemed possible before. Each one of us possesses unique gifts, talents, and abilities that are of significant importance and value. By pursuing our creative genius, we may find ourselves improving on fronts that we never deemed possible. My encouragement to you my friend is to consider the possibilities.
Please watch my video presentation by clicking on the title, Feeling Like a Square Peg in a World of Round Holes Video Presentation and let me know what the presentation speaks to you. I look forward to hearing from you, my friend.
“Insist on yourself, never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another you only have an extemporaneous half-possession…do that which is assigned to you and you can not hope too much or dare too much.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“If we advance confidently in the direction of our dreams and endeavor to live the life that you have imagined…you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau
To watch the interview surrounding Jake Barnett completed by Morley Safer on 60 minutes please click on the following link and after a short advertisement the interview will begin Jake: Math prodigy proud of his autism
You have my permission to share my articles and or video presentations with anyone you believe could benefit, however, I maintain ownership of the intellectual property AND my articles, video presentations and eBooks are not to be considered OPEN SOURCE. Please also provide a link back to Second Chance to Live. In the event that you have questions, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions. I look forward to hearing from you. Copyright 2007 -2017.
Leave a Reply