A Quick Post

Just a quick post to tell my readers that I'm going out of town next weekend, so I will not be blogging next Friday.  Thanks to all who read my posts and my latest article for The Capabilities magazine.  As you know, your support means a lot!

Have a good two weeks!

A Powerful Reminder

I came upon this quote by Thomas Edison and thought it worthy for today’s blog.  These are words to remember when things do not go exactly our way.  

“The greatest weakness lies in giving up.  The most certain way to succeed is always to try one more time.”

~Thomas A. Edison

Again, thank you so much for following my blog.  I greatly appreciate it!

The Journey of Hope…Continued

I want to thank the outpouring of support everyone has shown me after my first column appeared in The Sentinel last Sunday.  It’s just another step in the Journey of Hope for me, and what a journey it is!

Have a blessed weekend!

A Poem for Hope

I saw this poem and thought it was a good one to post for the week.  As always, but especially at this time of year, I want to thank you for your support.  It is a time to reflect and prepare myself for the final push of the semester, and as all of you know, this is my last!  Your readership means the world to me, so thank you for investing your time and effort in this.  It means so much!  And now for the poem!

An Inspirational Thought, 

Motivational Thought Poem for Hope 

by Catherine Pulsifer 

As long as we have hope, we have direction, 

the energy to move, and the map to move by. 

We have a hundred alternatives, a thousand paths and infinity of dreams. 

Hopeful, we are halfway to where we want to go; Hopeless, we are lost forever. 

Hope is the anticipation of an event or an occurrence. 

Our own individual hopes are our own desires,

or could be considered our wish for the future. 

Hope can give us a feeling of optimism when we are feeling discouraged. 

As Diogenes once said, "Hope is the dream of a waking man." 

Hope is one of the prime differences between successful people and those who can only see failure.

Successful people have hope because they can clearly see their goals. 

People who only see failure have no hope because they see no light,

they set no goals, and they see nothing accomplished. 

Successful people see alternatives and are willing to try different ways.

People who only see failure are unable to see another way and give up to easily. 

With hope you are halfway to where you want to go; by setting your goals, and taking the action to achieve them,

you will see your hope turn into your reality! 

The Purpose Driven Life

I know it may sound cheesy, but I saw the quote below on Facebook today and fell in love with it.  It spoke directly to me, not only as I embark on another semester at Messiah, but about life’s principles in general.  Coming upon this quote seemed auspicious at this juncture in my life as I anticipate what my final fall semester will entail.  I thank everyone for their support as they continue to follow my unending journey.

"You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work. You don't have to always be 'in charge.' The Bible says, 'Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him,' Psalm 37:7a (GWT). Instead of trying harder, you trust more. You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to defend yourself. Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You don’t edge others out, you don’t demand your rights, and you aren’t self-serving when you’re surrendered."

From The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

From a Cocoon to a Butterfly

Today, as I reflected upon my internship with UCP during this summer, an image of a beautiful butterfly floated into my brain.  It seems to me, at least, I finally broke out of my tightly wound and protected cocoon and emerged as a free, unfettered butterfly; able to affect change wherever I go.  I must say my time at UCP afforded me the biggest gift of all, the gift of confidence.  As I embark on my final fall semester at Messiah College, the wondrous image of that unfettered butterfly will stay at the forefront of my mind, but more importantly, in the center of my inner being!

Thanks to UCP’s staff for letting me be that butterfly…You’ll never know how much that means!

A View of Anne Frank

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” –Anne Frank

What a wonderful sentiment to live.  Although a fan of Anne Frank since a young age, I forgot her words of wisdom until I came upon the quote today.  In this fast-paced society, we sometimes don’t realize the power each of us has to change our world; whether it is via action or word, and how little it takes to accomplish.  I am, sad to say, guilty of this as well.  I’m reminded, though; we can be used as instruments of good if we have that purpose in the forefront of our minds!

As I leave you with that deep thought, have a great weekend!  And thank you for continuing to follow my blog.  It really means a lot!

Ernest Hemingway

Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.

~ Ernest Hemingway ~

Today, I found this quote and think it’s pertinent to all of our lives.  We all meet our demise in someway, but it is the impact while we’re still here that matters.   Food for thought as we travel on the road called life.

Thank you all for following my blog.  It means so much as I finish the last few weeks of the semester.  I hope you have a great weekend!

Happy Spring

Hi All,

I’m posting today as I am going on Spring Break tomorrow.  Ahh, I’m ready for break and a renewal of the spirit!  I want to say how very grateful I am towards each and every one of you for faithfully following my blog.  Journey of Hope has been an anchor for me as I continuously explore what life has in store.  Happy Spring to you all!

Continuing The Journey

This week, I re-discovered the powerful impact a message has if spoken in the right venue, at the right time.  Yesterday, a fellow college student/friend and I were asked to speak at an event named, “Quality vs. Quantity: Providing Wealthy Education in a Time of Abundant Information,” one of a weeklong series of events discussing how students’ lives can be enriched by the education process at Messiah College.  Our presentation focused on writing and disabilities and how, if given a chance, individuals with challenges can accomplish the same as their counterparts.  It was heartwarming to see the room filled with both interested and attentive staff and students.  As they listened, I saw a spark of interest, and then understanding on their faces.  A refreshing site to witness as I discover new and ever-changing ideas that challenge my perspective.

Thank you for joining me on my ever-interesting life’s journey!

Friendship

This week, friendship seems to be a theme for me.  Faced with a hectic schedule at college, trying to gain my footing during these past few weeks has been difficult and challenging, yet with a few devoted friends, I think I found my rhythm again.  It is funny how we sometimes think tasks are insurmountable, but with others’ persistent belief in us, we always find a way to complete the most formidable demands.  Therefore, I wish to thank all of the individuals who are my friends and have faith in me.  I could NOT do it without you!

Everyone have a good weekend!

Education

I happened on this quote by accident, but I thought it a fitting one to be today’s subject because it is my first week back on Messiah College’s campus after a long break.

“Education is the movement from darkness to light.”  Allan Bloom

After considering how the insight above pertains to my life \ story, it is true that my pursuit of a college education brought me from darkness to light in so many ways; more ways that I can count.  Receiving an education gives me the tools to break into my own light, plus, the wherewithall, I hope, to help others move into their individual light.  An envigorating idea to ponder as I embark on still another leg of my journey and insentive for me to reach for the highest stars in the sky!

Thank you so much for tuning in!  Have a good week!

Capturing The Essence of my Blog Experience

Hi all!  This week, I felt compelled to share something with you I wrote last semester.  Below is an excerpt from an essay about my blog writing venture.  Although it applies to theories we studied in the classroom, the snippet I include captures the essence of my overall joy in my experience in writing “Journey of Hope”.  I hope you find as much joy in reading my blog as much as I do composing it!  Thank you for reading and your continuing support! 

"…In retrospect, I think my blog embodies the Expressivist view, discussed earlier in the semester.  This theory takes a subjective view of reality in that truth is found within, and is discovered through internal apprehension.  It also posits that truth is conceived as the result of a private vision that must be constantly consulted in writing.  I always have a vision before I write, but I also invent as I write my blog.  For me, discovery happens when I write, and every time I create a new entry, I discover something new about my writing.  We all have our own personal idea of what reality is, but when I put that reality in writing, then my reality becomes permanent.  If I discover a new revelation, or a new truth through my blog, I write about it.  

Finally, another theory my blog embodies is the New Rhetoric approach, which takes the social constructivists’ view that “reality is found through interaction of subject and object with language and audience as mediating agencies.”  Even though I am not an intern at United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania anymore, positive comments still appear on my posts.  It is an honor for me to be the shaper of reality in my blog.  I only know when I write my blog, truth has power, and readers respond to that power!"

P.S.  I welcome all comments!  :)

Year-In Review

It’s Friday—that time of week again.  After a few days of contemplation, spending time with family and friends and reviewing the past year’s events, it amazes me how far I’ve come in only a short time.  The highlight of my year, I must admit, was my summer internship with United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania.  My time spent there reinvigorated my quest to do well in my classes as a college student so that I could make a difference in individuals’ lives, and even hearts.  In my blog and other materials written for the company, I saw my words and actions impacted the lives of such a vast audience; it was an awakening for me to strive harder.  I, again, thank Lynda Bowen and the rest of the UCP staff for seeing my potential and wisdom for signing me on as their summer intern of 2012!  It was an exciting journey.  Merry Christmas to all and I hope your dreams and wishes come true this holiday season as mine did this year!

Meaning of Christmas

Hi All,

Well, it’s that time again; one week closer to Christmas and I’m getting so excited!  I love Christmas for that special feeling I always have way deep inside my heart.  Christmas represents many things for different people.  I guess what I love about Christmas the most is that it represents a promise of a renewal of spirit, and yes, hope; hope that maybe we can change the world one attitude at a time.  To me, Christmas represents that sentiment and my wish that it does for all of you!

Thanks for tuning in this week, my last at Messiah College for 2012!

Goals

Hello,

I hope all of you had a good week.  Five minutes ago, something inspired me to write this poem.  Again, I thank you for visiting my blog on a weekly basis, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!  Have a good weekend, and survive the storm!

There’s a goal within my reach—

which I have waited

With baited breath,

Sighs,

Tears

and laughter—

A goal—

Only a reflection in my mind—

A goal I held so dear

no one knew my silent dream—

And now, now, it is here—

Here, never to be relinquished—

Never to be mind again; never to

Dwell in the darkness of my soul—

Never to take refuge in my innermost heart—

A goal, which the entire world will see;

To hear and heed—

I only hope I have the strength to confront

That goal.

Will it swallow me with its great with enthusiasm—

Or will it lap at my heels—

Friendly and kind?

Only time will tell—

Only time will tell!

Living Life without Limits

Tonight, I would like to thank all of those who subscribe to the UCP’s Central PA Life without Limits Newsletter.  This magazine is always a source of inspiration, and a reminder to me anyone can achieve their goals if they believe in themselves.  I always think of this after reading stories similar to mine.  So, I was honored to have my book review published in this month’s newsletter.  While in the rat race of college life, I sometimes forget its purpose and its intended outcome in the grand scheme of things.  It is a wonderful thing to see my name in print and that I affect the lives of so many individuals in a positive light.  That gives me determination, not to just move ahead in my studies, but to thrive on them.  Thank you, UCP!

Thanks From Hope

This Friday, I want to thank all for the out-pouring of support for my fundraiser for United Cerebral Palsy.  It certainly means a lot and is for a great cause!  Wishing you a great weekend.