If You Find Me...

"To whom it may Concern;

I am chronically human.  If the following signs are observed, I am not emotionally disturbed or dying:

• If you find me stumbling and falling, I may just be trying something new – I am learning.

• If you find me sad it may be that I’ve just realized that I have been fooling myself and making the same stupid mistakes over and over again -- I am exploring.

• If you find me terribly frightened, I may just be in a new situation – I am reaching out.

• If you find me crying, it may be because I failed – I am trying.

• If you find me very quiet, it may be that I am planning –I will try again.

• If you find me angry, I may have just discovered that I was not really trying – I am erring.

• If you find me with a strange self-satisfied smile, I may have just discovered that I have everything I need for growing – I am knowing.

• If you find me ecstatically happy, I may have finally succeeded – I am growing. 

These are life signs of beings of my nature.  If prolonged absence of the above indicators is observed, do not perform an autopsy without first providing a fertile opportunity for life to emerge. "

This is from Personal Achievement Skills Training, at the Arkansas Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at the University of Arkansas.  I thought it captured a certain openness of the emotional human condition.  I had to share.