Mason Branstrator’s work

The last three weeks have gone by and honestly, I have felt unmotivated. I tried a dopamine detox two weeks in a row which seemed to have little effect. My physical therapists both coincidentally left at the same time for a couple of weeks, which was supposed to work out alright because I was going to get stem cells this week and go to Craig hospital in April, but the stem cell injection was postponed. I haven’t been sitting around doing nothing, but I certainly have been partaking in more leisurely activities.  Recently when I wake up I’m surprised that I’m paralyzed. I have never felt this before. Maybe this is because at this time last year I was just starting to be independent and have more alone time. Although I feel like there is something bigger at play here than just the time of year. I have been making plans with people and about half of them work out. I don’t know if this is normal or if suddenly people are just more flakey. Maybe I’m focusing more on the bad than the goo...

        Last Sunday I was looking forward to seeing my dear friend Zak. I had mentioned earlier that day we could make a podcast and he immediately took me up on it. When he arrived we spent several hours talking and catching up on each other’s lives. Then we decided to go on a walk where we spent another hour talking and enjoying each other’s company and the outdoors, both of us admitted it was the longest time we had been outside for a couple of weeks. After eating dinner it was finally time for the podcast.        Before embarking on the recording we had to set some ground rules. We decided to each write three questions with no particular subject in mind. Zak asked how deep the questions should be and I responded “deep”. It was settled we both wrote three “deep” questions and promptly started the recording.       It started off by me deciding we needed to agree on a name, at least a temporary one. Previously Zak had men...

What is a conversation? A conversation to me is an exchange of verbalized thoughts. It is its own story, made up of all of the involved personnel and their narratives. When partaking in conversations lately, I have tried to talk less and listen more. I have always asked a lot of questions, but I've been making a conscious effort to try and put myself in another person's shoes and truly listen.  I used to ask myself how much I should be talking. Now I ask myself how little I should be taking. I see more opportunities to learn by listening. Although I am a verbal processor this does not mean that I must always be talking to process the ideas at hand. I can process on my own and in conversation, but I do find that I sometimes come to greater epiphanies while sharing my ideas with another.  This week has been full of many conversations, some of which I was forced to be in the spotlight during. I had two interviews where I was asked many questions and expected to thoughtfully artic...

​ I expect to do more than I think I can. I know that everything I have learned about limits is from others and as a result the limits I put on myself are merely constructs of other people’s thoughts. Things I view as possible are merely what I have observed others achieving. Things I view as impossible are merely things I haven’t observed others achieving. I have always heard “don’t judge yourself based upon others’ success”. I now understand what they are talking about. I expect to do what is important. What is important to me? Helping people. How do I help people? Honestly, I am still trying to figure that part out. I have continued my journey of learning to walk again, which inspires people. I have also started doing a blog and audio journal every week to document my thoughts and ideas. This will help me write a book that will inspire people. While those have been obvious ways to help, I’m still trying to figure out the best way I can help.  I expect to do what is harder and n...