You may be wondering who Caroline is. Caroline is a 16-year-old girl who has autism. A little over a year ago I got a job at a small school for children with autism, where I met Caroline. Though people say you shouldn’t play favorites, Caroline holds a very special place in my heart. I am forever changed because of her, and I wanted to share a few lessons I have learned from her.
1. Dance like no one is watching
Caroline loves to dance. If a song she likes comes on, she will dance no matter where she is or who is watching. I have always heard the saying “dance like no one is watching,” but the thing is, we are always aware that people are watching and will shy away from truly dancing because we don’t want to be embarrassed. Though Caroline knows that people are there, she will dance as if they are not there. One time at school, Caroline grabbed my hands to get me to stand up and began dancing with me. I joined her, really joined her, and it was one of the most freeing and fun things I have ever done. So, dance like no one is watching, even if they are.
2. Love yourself.
I often watch Caroline at her house on the weekends. At her house, one of the walls is made up of windows. As it gets dark, the windows become more like mirrors, and as Caroline walks past the windows, she catches her reflection. Caroline does not keep walking; she stops and stares at herself (or starts dancing). The same thing happens when she sees a mirror. Caroline seems to be fascinated by herself. She will stand in the mirror and laugh or smile or dance. Caroline likes what she sees in the mirror or the reflection in the window. Society seems to shame us if we like how our reflection appears or if we stare too long in mirrors. Yes, there is a line between liking what you see in a mirror and being vain, but I want to be more like her. I want to smile, laugh, and dance when I see myself in a mirror or window.
3. Be yourself.
Caroline has taught me a lot about being myself. When I am with her, I have no worries in the world. I don’t worry about what I look like with her because she doesn’t care. I often like or dislike things if I know my friends or family like or dislike them. I do or do not do things based on how people will react. Caroline has taught me to not care so much about what others think. It is really refreshing to be yourself in a world that tells us we should be “normal.” Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
Though Caroline does not talk much, she has taught me so much about life. She lives life day to day and does not worry about tomorrow. She has taught me not to take myself so seriously. We should all be a little more like Caroline. Dance, sing, laugh, look at yourself for a long time in the mirror, and love who you see.
