Continuing the Journey

I’m back at Messiah College for my final semester.  I can’t help but to feel a spark of excitement as I continue on this on-going journey.  Even though I know this the beginning of the end of something special and unique, there is much more ahead of me.  I’m reminded of the old adage, “a door never closes unless another opens” and I truly believe this.  Life’s road has many potholes, but in the end, it is all worth it! 

Happy Easter

This week, I want to express my deepest feelings about this time of year and what it personally represents to me as a believer of faith.  Easter and Spring always gives me a feeling of renewal and a new handle on life.  It gladdens my heart to celebrate the holiday with family and friends, knowing that this is an opportunity to be grateful for what I have in my life and that I am truly blessed.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Kelcie Can

Hi All,

I hope everyone had a good week.  I'm sooo glad it's Friday!  I thought I'd liven things up a bit by posting this awesome and very inspirational clip of a girl who has Cerebral Palsy.  It really goes to show determination leads to unchartered places.  I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend, and again, I welcome any comments.  Enjoy!

Courage

This week, as I write my blog, I think about the concept of courage and what significance it holds for me.  These three weeks, I have to admit, have been rough ones.  Finding a routine, managing to be prepared for class and finding the strength to write that paper, or study for that test, I must admit, is overwhelming.  Although I have done this so many times I can count, each and every semester, it is a test of my endurance: of what I’m made.  Everytime, though, I manage to see the “big” picture, once and for all through this incredible journey called Messiah College, and it is such an incredible journey!  Going through self-doubt only strengthens my resolve to strive harder, find the energy to type that final keystroke.  The word courage defines my on-going journey and that, in itself, gives me the courage to move ahead! 

Believe

Today, I saw an article that reminded me a person’s potential is never known until it is tested and how powerful believing in yourself can be.  Dr. Sheehan was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at a young age and doctors gave little or no hope she would be a success.  Contrary to their belief, she completed an undergraduate degree in psychology, (with honors), then received her doctorate in the same field.  Reading this article only made me want to strive harder in my life and make a difference to those dearest to my heart, like Dr. Sheehan.  As my internship with United Cerebral Palsy ends, I hope believing in myself caused an impact in someone’s life, (more than one, with a bit of luck) while I had fun along the way.  It’s been a great ride this summer!

Robert Frost

Today, I read some of the poems of Robert Frost and remembered that I wrote a poem in a reflection of one of his.  I thought I would post it for you.  Enjoy!

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

--Robert Frost, Excerpt from “The Road Not Taken, Mountain Interval, 1920”

View of “The Road Not Taken”

So many years have passed.

Life eternally presents many roads to travel by.

Youth pretends to be our friend,

displaying all the splendors of life

before our very eyes.

Then, one day we have to choose;

win or lose. 

Yes, the ‘one less traveled by’ is

the one, excluding much fun.

Are we happy with this plight?

Yes, because we know what is right and wrong,

thus, we do what is right.

A New Era

In my travels today, I found a very uplifting article about a girl with Down syndrome who is a swimwear model for a major designer’s campaign.  For me, it’s the sign of changing times; and it will usher in a new era.  It gladdens my heart this is taking place!  As I said before, I grew up with the underlying stigma of being “different” and somewhat of a novelty in school.  It is a great boost, not only to the disabled world, but also to the community at large to have special needs clients for this effort.  Change is afoot, and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

Hemmingway and Me

Below is a part of an essay I wrote a few years ago for a writing class.  Although it’s been in my archives for years, I think it signifies life’s journey: not only for me, but also for all.  Enjoy!

                                                                                                                      July 19, 2008

Dear Diary,

        Today is a day I think I will remember for the rest of my life.  Imagine me—a published poet!  It’s a great milestone for my 27^th year.  It’s hard to believe my thoughts and emotions are packaged with those of other poets in a book for the entire world to see.  It’s hard to wrap my mind around the magnitude of it all—and to think the poem was borne out of my spirit’s despair!

        I vividly recall how the poem first took seed in my mind.  About a month or two ago, I was feeling really low about my life, and about how it seemed I had made little progress.  The pace of my journey seemed so slow.  I pondered my fate as a writer, a college student, and as a human being in general.  “Where will this journey ultimately end up,” I asked myself.  I wondered if my trials and hard work would count for nothing and lead nowhere.

        Then, I began to remind myself of how very far I had come, just in the past two years.  Why was I in such of a hurry trying to accomplish my goals in such a short period of time?  I still have time. I have the rest of my life!

        Right now, the last stanza of my newly published poem echoes in my mind:

Hemmingway failed in

Life’s adventure.

Not Me.

Never me.

It was another awakening—just the beginning.  This summer has added another layer to my spirit.   I guess I’m ready and eager for life’s next adventure—no matter what it may hold and where it leads.