'Tis The Season

In keeping in step with this political season, here's an article will warm hearts (hopefully) on either side!

Have a good weekend, everyone.

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/10/25/man-on-the-spectrum-public-office/22930/

Our Deepest Fear

A friend posted the following quote on her Facebook page and I liked it so well that I decided to use it for this week’s blog.  It’s powerful beyond the words themselves.

Happy Mother’s Day!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to SHINE, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson

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! 

Grief

"My grief, I find, is not desolation or rebellion at universal law or deity. I find grief to be much simpler and sadder... All the things he loved tear at my heart because he is no longer here on earth to enjoy them. All the things he loved!"
- John Gunther

This is a quote from Death Be Not Proud.  For those who do not know, the story chronicled the struggles of Gunther’s teenaged son, who passed away from cancer in the 1940s.  This week, when visiting an ill friend and hearing of a passing of another, I thought about the quote and how it echoes truth—about death and how it leaves such a void in the heart everytime—a void in the inner being and how we miss them so.  It is a grief that is always there; that always surrounds us in our wake.  We can only find strength to move beyond that saddness in the belief that they find rest and peace when they are no longer with us.   It is definitely that Hope that sustains me when I lose loved ones that are dear to my heart.

Have a good weekend!

Hold On

Hi all.  It’s Friday again!  T.G.I.F.  This week, a friend read a poem I found very inspiring, so much I thought I’d share with you all.  It’s a feel-good piece.  I hope you find it as moving as I did.  If you feel the urge, please comment.  Everyone have a wonderful fall weekend!  And without further ado—the poem.

Hold on my heart

Hold on, my heart, in your believing—

Only the steadfast wins the crown;

He, who when stormy winds are heaving,

Parts with his anchor, will go down;

But he who Jesus holds through all,

Will stand, though Heaven and earth should fall.

Hold on!  An end will come to sorrow;

Hope from the dust will conquering rise;

The storm foretells a summer’s morrow;

The Cross points on to Paradise;

The Father reigns!  So cease all doubt;

Hold on, my heart.  Hold on. hold out.

Confirmation

Today, I’d like to express my utter joy I felt this week as I looked at UCP of Central Pennsylvania’s quarterly magazine.  It contained a book review I wrote during my time as an intern there this summer.  As a writer, I cannot express the true sense of accomplishment I felt as I read my words on the page.  That magazine article added clarity and purpose to my mission as I complete my final leg of my college journey.

Thanks to all!

P.S.  I just realized this is 100th blog.  Woo-hoo...What a fitting milestone!

The Key to Happiness

“Independence is happiness”

~ Susan B. Anthony

Today, I stumbled on this quote by accident and thought it would be good blog fodder.  I’ve always been an admirer of Susan B. Anthony and her quest for women’s rights, but this quote stretches beyond her cause, I think.  If there is independence of the mind itself, it causes the greatest happiness—the greatest worthiness in oneself.  Sometimes, we lose that happiness—that omnipresent freedom we only find in the celebration in our uniqueness.  So, honor your independence, for it is the key to happiness!

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Monet’s Garden

Today, I came upon an article I thought fit nicely with the post I wrote about Emily Dickinson’s garden a few weeks ago.  As we try to calm ourselves in our fast-paced world, it is nice to know nature is always there, waiting for us as a refuge.  I have always loved Claude Monet’s artwork and found a certain peace, as I look at his various works.  I hope this article speaks to you as it did me!

Have a good weekend, and if you feel so compelled, comment!

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/homestyle/what-we-can-learn-from-monets-garden-20130721-2qces.html

Whispering Hope

Last night, I attended a hymn sing with my friend, Alta.  Although all the songs were beautiful, one stood out in my mind.  As the singers began “Whispering Hope,” a familiar happiness washed throughout my soul.  Even though the song bears my name, it holds an even more symbolic meaning for me as I become older.  Whether it is pre-destiny or coincidence, I believe some names determine personalities, at least, it seemingly does mine.  To me, my name embodies the spirit of everlasting determination and the continuing faith I posses.  When I hear the song, these feelings rise to the forefront of my entire soul.  I only HOPE I live up to my name everyday and am a gentle reminder of what His promise holds for all of us.

Fanny Crosby

 

This week, I learned about Fanny Crosby, a visually impaired poet and lyricist who lived in the mid-1800s.  We sing her songs at most of the Mennonite gatherings I intend.  Needless to say, my curiosity finally won over and I began researching more on her life.  To my astonishment, she wrote almost 9,000 hymns!  It amazed me to imagine a person who lived with a disability thrived in that society so long ago.  I think of it as a true testament of what a person can overcome if they truly believe!

On that note, have a great weekend everyone!

A Writer’s Quandary

 

In today’s world, it’s all about emotion; feeling—we say what we think and lay it out in plain view—for public consumption—it’s all at our fingertips (or toe tips) as they say.  We continuously feed off other’s views, and, yes, even beliefs, subsequently morphing and adopting them as our own.  Some, though, are reticent, not wanting (or willing) to give the world a window into their disguised soul.  Recently, through other’s critiques of my writings I discovered I am one of these individuals, and consequently, wondered why. 

One of my favorite pastimes is the study of American History.  I guess why I love it so much is because the reader (or viewer) has to sort through words alone to glimpse the writer’s intent on a given matter, but rarely feelings, like a stoic puzzle waiting to be fit together.  Even in more recent personal history, for instance, most of my grandparent’s generation maintained an emotional distance.  Personal matters close to the heart were off the radar, emotional ones even more so.  They, in their infinite wisdom, managed to go through life happy, for all intense purposes.

I’m rambling, I know.  Please forgive me!  My question is this: how do writers meld the old and the new, reveal the very sacred and yet not divulge themselves to the outside world?  I welcome all comments or suggestions!

The Perpetual Flyer

Here is a blast from the past.  This is a poem I wrote over ten years ago, but I thought you would enjoy reading entitled The Perpetual Flyer.  It gives me pause to think I could write so well at an early age, as I prepare to embark on my second internship with United Cerebral Palsy.  I’m so excited.   

Have a fabulous weekend!

Sometimes in slumber, one dreams that all bodily limitations are cast away with the wind.

Feeling no physical restrictions that inhibit the body in the waking hours, the mind is free

to float through a labyrinth of uninhibited passageways all through the mystifying trance

of sleep.  One cannot describe the exhilaration.

that one feels actually flying.

It is as if the soul is free from any bondage it encounters in life.

Air whistling close to the ear, the cool sensation of air flowing over the body and the

overwhelming sense of freedom is all part of this fantastic experience.

Free from the body garb that hinders one in waking hours, one can feel what it is like to

be so alive in spirit.

It is a refuge from daily physical barriers that one encounters.  This feeling is to be locked

away deep in the heart of hearts and cherished for a lifetime.

--January 2, 2002

Joy

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.”

~Helen Keller

Although writen almost a cenury ago, Helen Keller’s words ring true to this day.  As I continously grow in age, (and hopefully, widsom,) I find that a happy spirit repels difficulties and ensures a joyful life.  I’ve reconized the power to be happy lies within myself, not others.  Useful words to keep in mind on this beautiful spring day!

A Heartwarming Moment

Hi All,

I just found a video that really inspired me.  It’s these little things in life that feed the soul!  I hope you all enjoy this clip as much as I did. 

Have a fabulous weekend!

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!  :)

Christmas Revelation

I hope you all had a splendid Christmas Day.  I know I did.  Surrounded by the warm and familiar love of family and friends, I delighted in their presence and the spirit of Christmas.  This week was a reminder of what the holiday always represents to me…a time for rejoicing and celebrating in how good my life truly is!  I just love those times when we discover how blessed we are.  It makes it all worth it in the end.

Happy New Year!

Holiday Poem

Hi All,

Today, in my travels, I came across the poem below and thought it fitting for this time of year.  I hope you all had a blessed week as we draw closer to the holiday season.  It was a good one for me as another successful semester ended, and a period of rest and relaxation began.  Let the holidays proceed!

There's More to Christmas

There's more, much more to Christmas
Than just candle-lights and cheer;
It's the spirit of sweet friendship
That brightens all the years;
It is thoughtfulness and kindness,
It is hope that is reborn again,
For peace, for understanding
And for goodwill to humans!

~ Unknown Author

Blessings

Everyday, but especially at this time of year, I consider all the blessings I have in my life.  Usually, the list includes a great Mom, wonderful friends and overall a super life, but there is one thing about Cerebral Palsy that affects some who have the condition.  It is not one of the challenges I face.

In my English class, we were assigned to do an “Interest Group” project.  My partner and I decided to research the link between literacy and Cerebral Palsy.  Going into the project, I assumed everyone with Cerebral Palsy had the same literacy abilities I have or close.  Surprisingly, though, I came to the realization that this was not the case.  Sadly, literacy for some who have Cerebral Palsy is a dream, which never comes true.  This week, I feel especially lucky that I had grandparents who taught me the value of the written word and that they were there every step of the way through my early educational life.  One of my many wishes this month is for those who have Cerebral Palsy, or are generally disabled to have a guiding force in their life, such as my grandparents were in mine, to show and share the power of the written word.  Hopefully, I will see that goal realized within my life span.

Emily Dickinson Video

Hi All,

I just found a really cool Emily Dickinson video and wanted to share with you.  I hope you all had a good week and have a truly wonderful weekend!

My Voice

I hope everyone had a good week.  I've decided to post a newly written poem I created for my English class this week.  I hope you all enjoy and comments are welcome.  Have a fantastic weekend! 

My Voice

It was summer; the summer after high school graduation,

all the fanfare gone,

all the anticipated success gone—

There I sat in my bedroom—

Waiting for what was to come—

Waiting to hear my voice—

A voice that could not be heard

Over the static of my own inhibitions—

Lost in a crowd of my mind,

I reached out to find my own voice—

A single, solitary voice that was mine. 

Diminished by imaginary voices, I reached towards my authentic being—

My real voice—

Traveling to that place, I felt in awe of my power—

My own rhythm—

My own sense of myself—

It was a new world—

A new, uncharted land.

At first, I was afraid,

Afraid to unleash that voice inside.

I knew was always there,

Like a friendly apparition—

Looking at a blank slate—

I fervently prayed for my voice to come—

To free itself from self-imposed chains—

It finally came, to my astonishment and relief.

And, oh, did it come in a torrent of thoughts and feelings—

Of those I did not know existed and they swam in my soul—

As I let the words flow,

I felt a release—

A release of my inner self that asked to be revealed

Throughout my life—

The friendly ghost finally freed—

Never to be held captive again.

To the surprise of all, that voice has remained to this day—

Strong in its desire to be heard and acknowledged—

That has a new thought to impart everyday—

My authentic voice is now audible—

For the world to heed!