Get Action!

For the past few weeks, I have been captivated by the PBS Roosevelt series.  The quote below by particularly spurred my interest because it seems like a recipe for success, and the Roosevelts certainly embody many!

“Get action. Do things. Be sane. Don't fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody...”

Theodore Roosevelt

Something to think about as we go into the weekend!

T'is So Much Joy

This poem by (guess who?) Emily Dickinson caught my eye today and I decided to post it   Sometimes, we all need to take heed of the joy in life because we never know when it will be cut short.  Well, today is my day to be reminded of that…and who better to do this than my all-time favorite poet!  Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!

’T is so much joy! ’T is so much joy!
If I should fail, what poverty!
And yet, as poor as I
Have ventured all upon a throw;
Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so
This side the victory!

Life is but life, and death but death!
Bliss is but bliss, and breath but breath!
And if, indeed, I fail,
At least to know the worst is sweet.
Defeat means nothing but defeat,
No drearier can prevail!

And if I gain,—oh, gun at sea,
Oh, bells that in the steeples be,
At first repeat it slow!
For heaven is a different thing
Conjectured, and waked sudden in,
And might o’erwhelm me so!

A Life Lived Beyond Reason

I came across this article yesterday.  It’s somewhat old, but it spoke volumes about how the mind has to go beyond reason to enjoy life’s blessings as they are bestowed on us—one of my deeply held beliefs.  I hope you read and enjoy this article as much as I did.  It’s certainly worth pondering! As always, all comments are welcome.

Everyone have a good weekend!

http://chronicle.com/article/article-content/125242/

Miss Iowa

Today, I read such an inspiring news story that I felt compelled to share my thoughts with all of you.  It was about “Miss Iowa,” and how she does not let her disability define who she is.  I can definitely relate to this!  As someone who is differently abled, I know it’s very hard not to let my Cerebral Palsy define my thoughts and actions at times.  It dawned on me several years ago, though, if I dwelled on my disability, outwardly or inwardly, it would affect those who interacted with me, and I would become my Cerebral Palsy.  While I still fall into this pit at times, experience teaches me if I concentrate on life itself, it leads to a happier and healthier life.  So hats off to “Miss Iowa” because she is one of many who redefines what it means to live life with a disability!

It Begins...Again

 

Today, I embarked on another leg of my journey.  My internship with UCP Central PA with the summer of 2013 officially started, and once again, my mind was fraught with anticipation mixed with a little nervousness.  It suddenly dawns on me, though as I write this, the ultimate meaning behind UCP Central PA, not only for me, but also to all that benefit from it.  From my standpoint, the letters UCP signify an air of endless possibilities, and yes, hope (how appropriate) for so many, me included.  I feel so privileged to be a part of this; I only hope that I fulfill my duties to the utmost this summer.  Wish me luck as I continue on this wild and wonderful quest!

Friends

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I received a card today with this saying from a dear friend and it spoke volumes to me.  With the end of the semester rapidly approaching, I sometimes forget the value of friends.  Those friends give the impotus to carry on, no matter the burden.  They do for me, at least. and that keeps me afloat in daunting days.  Thank you for those who have faith in me, for it diminishes all barriers I face in this world!

The Journey Within

The only journey is the journey within.
Rainer Maria Rilke

I came across this quote today and thought it was fitting for an entry.  This saying is appealing because it is so true for me.  I feel as if I’m continuously growing, experiencing, and hopefully, going towards and knowing my inner light.  As humans, we, at times, forget we illuminate others with our own light, and if it dims slightly for a day, others can tell.  The above quote is true in one sense, but in another way, it is not.  I believe if we connect to just only one person in our lives, then our task as living beings is complete.  As I was reminded earlier this week, our inner light can illuminate others so much that the whole world sees it.  That makes it all worth it in the end.

Gifts

As you may already know, new adventures entice me, especially if it involves a different way of life.  This week, I had the privilege of visiting a Mennonite school, where my friend, Ann, teaches.  I have to say it was the most refreshing experience I had for a long time.  Ann teaches a special class, and her kindness and patience with her student amazed and even caused my heart to sing.

After leaving Ann’s classroom, I visited another, and to my amazement, the teacher displayed the same attitude as Ann.  Pondering my own primary school experience, I wondered if my educational quest would have been a more positive journey if the same attitude prevailed.  Leaving the school, I discovered a revelation, maybe one that I knew, but never put it in words.  The acts of kindness and patience carry a special gift to both giver and receiver.  It is a chance for a giver to watch seeds of kindness grow and take root, and the receiver gains the gift of faith, faith to show the world their inner self!  What precious gifts!

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!  :)

The Finale? Not Quite Yet!

It seems my focus this week is on endings; the ending of summer, my internship and a somewhat carefree existence.  Isn’t that what summer means: that bubble of time where you let yourself go?  As I think of the final weeks of this summer, especially the final week of my internship, sadness tugs at my heart.  It is the ending of something special and unique to me.  I enjoyed not only the tasks assigned to me, but making a difference in people’s thoughts, maybe even existence.  That was the most rewarding part of the journey.

Just maybe I learned a valuable lesson, also.  Even as a little girl, it fascinated me how words shape individuals’ thoughts and perceptions.  I guess as an English major, I realized the importance of language to a certain extent, but never examined it in much detail.  After writing so many literary treatises, words lost their glamor, and most importantly, meaning.  

During my internship with United Cerebral Palsy, I learned words, MY words, impacted so many people it still totally amazes me.  To be presented with the opportunity this summer to intern with UCP still boggles my mind.  What an amazing experience!  Even though I am grieved over its ending, I’ll think upon my internship with happiness and hope I will have the opportunity to be honored with the pleasure again!