Random Acts of Kindness

Hate creates problems, but never creates solutions. - #Love #Acceptance #Life #Peace #Equality #DiversityMatters #Diversity https://www.instagram.com/p/CbF9olSO5Hr/?utm_medium=tumblr

“Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists; it is making a new space - a better space for everyone.” - George Dei — #Diversity #Inclusion #Equality #Love #DiversityAndInclusion #Culture #Community #DiversityMatters #Unity #RepresentationMatters #Equity #InclusionMatters https://www.instagram.com/p/CUvIGZWA8XG/?utm_medium=tumblr

“FIX YOUR LITTLE PROBLEM AND LIGHT THIS CANDLE.” - Alan Shepard —— @oknotok.jpg was the winner of the last giveaway! And today’s my birthday! So I’m giving away one of my favorite designs in a size for stickers and cut-outs (check the ‘Digital Files’ tab on Assistees.com). — #NASA #astronaut #galaxy #space #autismacceptance #asd #autistic #neurodiverse #neurodivergent #neurodiversity #autismspectrum #differentnotless #autisticpride #aspie #star https://www.instagram.com/p/CQwg84Nsszk/?utm_medium=tumblr

Before the movie debuted, Star Wars made people nervous. The concept was so weird that the team didn’t know how to market it. Even screenwriter/director George Lucas was worried that it’d bomb at the box office. They went through several revisions of promotional material - one of which is the infamous triangular poster (that’s featured in the second slide) - because they didn’t know if the world would accept or even understand such a big concept. And yet, the movie became a phenomenon upon release. They took a risk - and the world loved them for it. If you’re worried about the future and the world’s acceptability of you, remember Star Wars. Think of how different those characters were. Think of their bizarre worlds. And think of how much viewers cherished it. You’ll be okay. You’ll be accepted. Just go with the Force. I recreated the above design based on the rejected Star Wars poster from the 1970s. The PNG is available for free on Assistees.com (check under Digital Files). - #neurodiversity #autism #autismawareness #neurodivergent #actuallyautistic #autismacceptance #asd #autistic #neurodiverse #autismspectrum #aspergers #adhdawareness #differentnotless #autisticpride #autisticadults #inclusion #aspie #starwars #yoda https://www.instagram.com/p/CQg0fv6sB8U/?utm_medium=tumblr

“Nothing outside yourself can cause any trouble. You yourself make the waves in your mind. If you leave your mind as it is, it will become calm. The mind is called big mind.” - Shunryu Suzuki - I try to make a new design every week, but I’ve been enduring a creative block for the past few days (hence my silence on social media). So I started studying artwork and re-discovered one of my favorite paintings of all time, The Great Wave (Kanagawa Oki Nami Ura). It is the best-known work by artist Hokusai Katsushika (1760-1849), who is one of the greatest Japanese woodblock printmakers, painters, and book illustrators. This time, I decided to research its meaning. I learned the wave in the foreground and Mount Fuji in the background symbolize the unpredictability of life. Or how one element does not always promise another. Mount Fuji signifies stillness and eternity; it is the symbol of Japan and, as a sacred object of worship, holds a significant place in Japanese beliefs. The wave signifies the power and erratics of nature. They’re two contrasting elements that clash against each other to form this amazing sight. It’d be uncommon to see a wave of that size next to the real Mount Fuji, but that’s the beauty of Katsushika’s work - it unveils the changeability of normalcy. The cool thing about artwork is its ambiguity; anyone can look at this painting and interpret it in their own way. To me, this piece symbolizes those who are considered different, those who stand outside of normalcy, and those who are meant to take the world by storm like a wave riding past Mt. Fuji. It’s okay if you disagree with me, but I hope we can both agree that a giant wave next to a mountain is a beautiful and welcomed sight. ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’ Tee Now Available on Assistees.com — #neurodiversity #autism #autismawareness #neurodivergent #actuallyautistic #autismacceptance #asd #autistic #neurodiverse #autismspectrum #aspergers #adhdawareness #differentnotless #autisticpride #autisticadults #inclusion #aspie #japanese #japaneseart https://www.instagram.com/p/CQZHtBZs0vv/?utm_medium=tumblr

“Love: always inclusive, never divisive” ― Renae A. Sauter, An Empowered Life: Mind/Body/Spirit Empowerment — Love is inclusive. It is not exclusive. It doesn’t exclude people who are different. And if you don’t understand them, love them anyway. Because loving others is understanding them. The more you love them, the more you will come to know them. Know every person you meet. Love every person you meet. Don’t exclude your love. Because love is inclusive. Love Is Inclusive t-shirt now available on Assistees.com —— #love #disability #disabilityawareness #disabled #wheelchair #inclusion #autism #specialneeds #accessibility #autismawareness #love #invisibleillness #disabilityadvocate #disabilityrights #disabilities #handicap #disabilitypride #anxiety #abilitynotdisability #disabilityinclusion https://www.instagram.com/p/CPQr492sWoZ/?utm_medium=tumblr

“The sky is not the limit. Your mind is.” — Lynette Simeone —— Blastoff to Neurodiversity Kids shirt now available on Assistees.com —— #neurodiversity #autism #adhd #autismawareness #neurodivergent #actuallyautistic #autismacceptance #asd #autistic #neurodiverse #autismspectrum #mentalhealth #aspergers #adhdawareness #differentnotless #autisticpride #inclusion #anxiety #aspie #autismfamily https://www.instagram.com/p/CO_IxMwMkm2/?igshid=1wp0jgjqx1dx3

“A shan shui painting is more like a vehicle of philosophy.” - Ch’eng Hsi —— This design was inspired by Shan shui, which is a traditional Chinese style that depicts scenery with a brush and ink rather than conventional paints. I think it’s my favorite type of art - it’s stunningly beautiful despite only using simple brush strokes and subdued colors. Studying this style made me grateful that we’re celebrating Asian American Heritage Month. A lot of our country is built on Asian culture, which makes it infuriating that we’re currently living in this climate of racism. Ch’eng Hsi once said, “Shan shui painting is not an open window for the viewer’s eye; it is an object for the viewer’s mind.” This could be used to understand a perpetuator: Their attacks are driven not by what they see, but what they think. It’s their toxic thoughts that poison their sight, which prompts them to lash out. Some may wonder why there’s an infinity symbol in this design - but I likened the symbol to perseverance. Or overcoming adversity. If one is neurodiverse, it means they’re striving in an ableist world that hasn’t fully welcomed them - and yet they persevere. Every single day. Right now, this country may not seem like it doesn’t welcome Asian culture - but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. When the racists realize they must change their thoughts to see with their minds like Shan shui teaches us, this country will persevere. Every single day. Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and #StopAsianHate. —— #asianhistory #aapi #apahm #neurodiversity #autism #autismawareness #neurodivergent #actuallyautistic #autismacceptance #asd #autistic #neurodiverse #autismspectrum #aspergers #differentnotless https://www.instagram.com/p/CO3LZb2M-cS/?igshid=o83aw3b0ak7d

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” — Wilma Rudolph — Peel back the layers of neurodiversity and you’ll find greatness. Neurodiverse Mind T-Shirt now available on Assistees.com — #neurodiversity #autism #adhd #autismawareness #neurodivergent #actuallyautistic #autismacceptance #asd #autistic #neurodiverse #autismspectrum #aspergers #autisticpride #inclusion #aspie https://www.instagram.com/p/COyMjuCM1SP/?igshid=sewwwk4cthfu

“Loneliness is not lack of company; loneliness is lack of purpose.” - Guillermo Maldonado — One of the hallmarks of autism is the desire to be alone. Being alone can be a way to settle minds and soothe senses, like how a baby happily plays with their toys in a crib - all alone in their thoughts. They do this for their own pleasure. Autistic people like to be alone - because space brings them peace. Sometimes, I Need Space T-Shirt now available on Assistees.com — #asd #autism #autismawareness #adhd #autismacceptance #specialneeds #autistic #aspergers #autismspectrumdisorder #autismfamily #autismsupport #autismspectrum #sensoryprocessingdisorder #autismlife #autismlove #actuallyautistic #differentnotless #neurodiversity #anxiety #spd #mentalhealth #autismdad #autismo #autismadvocate #sensory #disability https://www.instagram.com/p/COa03jYsYr5/?igshid=1ao3lb01ca0dw

“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.” - Unknown —— Autism Awareness Month is coming to a close, but it should continue throughout the year. Regardless, the only awareness that we need is within ourselves. Be aware of the power that rests in your mind. Accept the light that shines in your heart. And, eventually, the world will see the glow emanating from you - regardless of the month. The Light Within Shirt is now available on Assistees.com #autismawareness #autism #autismacceptance #autismfamily #asd #specialneeds #autismlife #autismspeaks #autismlove #autistic #autismsupport #autismspectrum #autismo #autismspectrumdisorder #aspergers #adhd #actuallyautistic #disability #differentnotless #love #neurodiversity #autismadvocate #inclusion #autismcommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/COQQu8sMTBl/?igshid=1so57iswmng2i

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” - Audre Lorde —— The events of this week have proven that the world is actively working to end discrimination. We’re all uniting to help victims of bigotry and intolerance. Our past consisted of segregation and inciting violence against those who were considered “different.” But our future is looking to celebrate those differences. We will celebrate what makes us the minority. We will take pride in our divergence. We will live in peace. While the world isn’t perfect yet, we’re certainly going toward a future of diversity. —— The Future Is Diverse T-Shirt now available on Assistees.com #diversity #inclusion #love #equality #diversityandinclusion #culture #community #diversitymatters #art #pride #unity #equity #leadership #fashion #inclusionmatters #peace #women #disability #disabilityawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/CN-TkdPMM4z/?igshid=15dkc6y9tt7ig

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” - Martin Luther King Jr —— This week, don’t consider your disability as a hinderance. Don’t consider your idiosyncrasies as “flaws.” You were born with an insight that most people don’t have. You have skills that the world doesn’t even know exist. You may not be able to fly, but you can certainly move forward in an ableist environment that wants to hold you back. So just move forward. —— Crosswalk T-Shirt now available on Assistees.com #ableism #disability #disabilityawareness #disabled #disabilityadvocate #disabilityrights #disabilityjustice #bias #intolerance #invisibleillness #ableist #actuallyautistic #accessibility #disabilitypride #disabledandproud #disabilityinclusion #autismawareness #autismacceptance #advocate #discrimination https://www.instagram.com/p/CNqLYcwM69U/?igshid=6gqveegvnkxs

"Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows." - Helen Keller —— The world is a little cloudy, but the sunshine is on its way. The thing is - it won’t come from the sky; it’ll come from within us. Make your day a little brighter today by helping those in need, checking in on your loved ones, and trying to smile even when you have no reason to. Neurodiverse Sunshine T-Shirt now available on Assistees.com #neurodiversity #autism #adhd #autismawareness #neurodivergent #actuallyautistic #autismacceptance #asd #autistic #neurodiverse #autismspectrum #mentalhealth #aspergers #adhdawareness #differentnotless #specialneeds #mentalhealthawareness #dyslexia #autisticpride #autisticadults #inclusion #anxiety #autismmom #adhdlife #adhdsupport #adhdproblems #aspie #autismfamily #redinstead https://www.instagram.com/p/CNkhiJBMCgt/?igshid=1epg2mudf7exv

"Every single astronaut who has come back from space comes back determined to do more to protect it." — Richard Branson ——— ASL is important in ASD. Some kids with autism have a hard time connecting spoken words to objects, so teaching sign language may help develop open communication skills. It can also provide a way to convey needs without tantrums, thus eliminating stressful behaviors and promoting more effective communication. Today, try to learn your name in ASL. It’ll open a galaxy of opportunities. ASL Space Force T-Shirt now available on Assistees.com —— Description: A girl wears a shirt with a graphic of a rocket and the ASL text: “Space Force.” —— #asd #autism #autismawareness #adhd #autismacceptance #specialneeds #autistic #aspergers #autismspectrumdisorder #autismfamily #autismsupport #autismspectrum #sensoryprocessingdisorder #actuallyautistic #differentnotless #neurodiversity #asl #deaf #signlanguage #americansignlanguage #deafcommunity #learnasl #deafeducation https://www.instagram.com/p/CNSkGKeMB6k/?igshid=1h3s7fcnj9fx6

“And I suddenly realized the molecules of my body, and the molecules of the spacecraft, the molecules in the body of my partners, were prototyped and manufactured in some ancient generation of stars. And that was an overwhelming sense of oneness, of connectedness. It wasn’t ‘them and us,’ it was, 'that’s me, that’s all of it, it’s one thing.'” — Edgar Mitchell —— Happy Autism Awareness Month! I know it’s a polarizing time, but I see it as the only month dedicated to the acceptance of autism. We’re all composed with beautiful molecules that were manufactured by stars. Autism acceptance is a prerequisite to an inclusive society because - like Mr. Mitchell said - there is an overwhelming sense of oneness between all of us. So, sure, be aware, but better yet - be acceptive. Not just this month, but every month of every year. ASD Shuttle Tee now available on Asssistees.com —— Description: A woman wears a shirt with a NASA badge and the text: “ASD” #autismawareness #autism #autismacceptance #autismmom #autismfamily #asd #specialneeds #autismlife #autismspeaks #autismlove #autistic #autismsupport #autismspectrum #autismo #autismspectrumdisorder #aspergers #adhd #autismparents #actuallyautistic #autismdad #disability #differentnotless #love #neurodiversity #autismadvocate #inclusion #autismcommunity #autismparent #autismrocks #autismawarenessmonth https://www.instagram.com/p/CNIjFGqshlq/?igshid=1adkkx8awktpr

“The gulf between awareness and understanding is as wide as any ocean. Awareness efforts present us as a problem to be solved. Awareness is easy. Acceptance requires actual work. Acceptance comes from a place of understanding. Understanding isn’t generated by soundbites and posterchildren. Understanding takes work. To accept us, people first need to acknowledge us as individuals-as three dimensional, growing, developed characters. We are not all the same, and we are not but a collection of deficits.” - Kassiane S. —— Autism Awareness Month is in a few days, but it’s important to remember that we need acceptance to enact real change. Being aware doesn’t secure the inclusion we need. Only acceptance can achieve that. Neurodiversity Awareness and Acceptance shirt now available on Assistees.com #autismawareness #autism #autismacceptance #autismmom #autismfamily #asd #specialneeds #autismlife #autismspeaks #autismlove #autistic #autismsupport #autismspectrum #autismo #autismspectrumdisorder #aspergers #adhd #autismparents #actuallyautistic #autismdad #disability #differentnotless #love #neurodiversity #autismadvocate #inclusion #autismcommunity #autismparent #autismrocks https://www.instagram.com/p/CNAtnbyhYcI/?igshid=13egqsw63r43n