Living with purpose, intention, and gratitude can be difficult in a society that values material wealth over other forms of success. We are constantly measuring our worth with status symbols and meaningless objects that bring little value to our health, wellness, and common good. I felt a strong imbalance in my life as I approached 40 and felt called to return to Guatemala, a place that previously inspired me to become fluent in Spanish and study social work. My soul needed this trip and I was thankful to share it with my husband.

We met with Hrvoje Njirić on a mild inland day in Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. The well-known architect was on a deadline and expressed remorse for, in his words, “only being able to spend an afternoon with us.” We were hoping for a quick tour of his studio and perhaps a few minutes to learn more about his work. An entire afternoon with Mr. Njirić was the best surprise on our journey. The intersection of social work and architecture was on full display as we toured the city with our guide.

Neurodiversity is a term that many researchers, advocates, and clinical practitioners use to describe how brains can be wired differently - They argue diversity in the brain is a normal reality and shouldn’t be deemed pathological. Neurodiversity language stemmed from the disability rights movement. Autism, ADHD/ADD, neurodevelopmental disorders are examples of diagnoses that fall under this umbrella term. I am often private about our family’s neurodiversity journey - I felt compelled to share given how misunderstood we often feel as parents.