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!

In Motion

“Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.”  ~Chinese Proverb

Welcome to a new month!  Although it’s been a hectic week, it has been a good one.  As I flipped my calendar today, the above adage popped out and it certainly spoke to me at this time in the semester, but, more importantly, at this time of my life.  Overwhelmed with challenging courses and having a lack of energy, I sometimes have the inclination to shut off my mind, fearing the worst to come.  Fear has the ability to do that to everyone, to make immobile, but if it is pushed aside, something beautiful grows out of it.  This week proved to me if I keep going, something good always appears from my efforts.  The tortoise won the race, you know.  We all should keep that in mind, don’t you think?  :)

Have a good weekend, 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!

Faith

 This week, the subject of faith has been on my mind.  Confronted with a daunting semester in the upcoming months, my first reaction, I’m sorry to say, was to quake with fear and put up resistance.  However, today, I realized my faith will carry me, like it has so often before this week.  Why do we become so easily unraveled and question our ability to create positive out of a difficult situation?  That, I do not know, but I must say the very thought of my strength and determination as a student calmed my fears and bolstered my reserve to give my all this semester, which will only cement my faith in the end.

Thank you, readers, for tuning in every week!  I am continuously amazed by the support you show by following my blog.   That, in itself, means a lot!

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!

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!

Carolinian Land

Today, I rummaged through my old writings, and found this poem I thought you all would enjoy.  In it, I try to capture the land’s beauty.  Feel free to post any comments.  Again, thanks for tuning in every week and I hope you all have a marvelous weekend! 

Carolinian Land

How barren are you, 

The wind sweeping across your surface. 

Remnants of grass toss to and fro,

Making you a never-ending sea of shining, flexible, delicate thread. 

Nothing but that whimsical grass is seen playing in the soft breeze;

Evoking an enigma of your quiet, yet effervescent presence. 

You will forever be loved as my own,

Even though you are miles away.

A barren land that is so honored and

Cherished that you will never be forgotten or discarded.

May your beauty remain throughout

Eternity. 

An Uninteresting Life

Hi All,

For a Christmas gift, I received the PBS produced program about Mark Twain, and I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it twice.  One quote particularly stood out to me, so much I felt compelled to share it with you, and here it is: “There was never yet an uninteresting life.  Such a thing is an impossibility.  Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy.”

As we go through life, we think of our own as dull and uninteresting, but I’ve come to the realization that others perhaps might find it intriguing; just perhaps. 

On that note, I hope you all 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!  :)