Making Connections

The Autism Puzzle Project

The Autism Puzzle Project is a unique opportunity for adults and kids living with Autism to participate in Autism awareness and fundraising efforts.

Connections Jigsaw Puzzles for Healing is creating a special line of jigsaw puzzles featuring art by Autistic adults and kids.  These puzzles will then be used to create awareness of Autism, in a really positive way, and will also be used to raise funds to help individuals and families living with Autism obtain care and support.

Because the symbol for Autism is the jigsaw puzzle, we think that these jigsaw puzzles by Autistic adults and kids are a positive and meaningful way to raise awareness of Autism and are really the perfect tool to start putting the pieces together to finding better treatments and a better understanding of this condition affecting so many.

The Autism Puzzle Project is currently accepting art submissions by people living with Autism.  Art submitted may be turned into jigsaw puzzles that will be sold all over the world to raise awareness and funds.

To find out more about this unique opportunity for people living with ASD, please visit The Autism Puzzle Project at www.ConnectionsPuzzles.com/autismpuzzleproject.php

Smile on your Truckers!

Okay, something very important to improving your daily existence and the existence of everyone else is to practice random acts of kindess.  Practicing random acts of kindness:

1.  Creates good karma for you

2.  Makes other people happy

3.  Makes you feel good and makes your days more meaningful

We DEFINITELY need more random acts of kindness right now to counter act all the gnarly stuff going on in the world, so I thought maybe I'd give some direction for those of us just starting out.

I recently watched the movie "Big Rig".  This movie follows various truck drivers across the USA and exposes the "softer" side, if you will, of Big Rig drivers. 

If you think you're hurting from the price of gas... man!  These people's incomes proportionately drop based on the cost of gas.  So they're really hurting right now.  That, coupled with the amount of respect most truckers get, leads to a somewhat bleak outlook.

So here are some suggestions:

1.  Don't cut them off.  This is more like common sense than an act of kindness, but for us beginners, you've got to start somewhere!  And it could just save both of your lives...

2.  Say "Hey, Thanks!" to the truckers you see.  Everything you eat, drink and have in your home likely moved on a minimum of one truck on it's way to you.  So, make sure you appreciate those who've helped you get what you need and what you want.

3.  You could  offer to pay for a tank of their gas, but that could run you about $1200.00.  If you feel so moved... go for it!

4.  Smile.  Smile on your Trucker, smile on the guy or lady that just cut you off, smile on the baggers at the grocery store.  It's scientifically proven to make you feel better, it makes people feel appreciated, and, best of all, it's contagious!

Have fun.  Be Kind.  Be Random.