“To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground.” ~ Stephen Covey
Eight people met for the first time this past Saturday night. A few minutes before 7 p.m. no one knew what to expect, but by the end of the evening eight people had made an unexpected connection.
It wasn’t fate that made this unexpected connection; it was the power of the human spirit.
Three years ago Mary Beth had brain surgery to repair a Chiari Malformation which is a rare defect that results in brain tissue extending into the spinal canal. Without surgery, my wife’s physical symptoms would have continued deteriorating. While life-threatening, the surgery gave Mary Beth her life back.
Since her surgery, my wife has found other Chiari survivors on Facebook. It encourages Mary Beth to connect with people, who understand the pain, and the fear, she once faced. The connection makes my wife feel like she’s not alone.
The journey is the reward. – Chinese Proverb
Life is a remarkable journey that is travelled no matter if we like the road conditions, or not.
And even though our journeys may take separate paths, I think most of us want the some things in life – we want to be loved, to be happy and to make the most of the time we have.
By sharing our journeys, we provide inspiration, hope and a sense of connectedness that goes beyond how we might otherwise see each other. Simply put, the journey to becoming ourselves is a little less intimidating, and a little more empowering when it is shared. There’s strength in numbers and the collective wisdom of many is more enlightening than the singular wisdom of one.
So, here’s my journey. I share it minus the millions of details that I could have added, but as a properly-sized window into my life so you won’t feel alone as you continue on your own special, beautiful journey – road hazards and all.
When the world says, ‘Give up,’ Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’ – Author Unknown
Article written by contributor Jarrod Clark of Optimistic Journey.
Once again, we’ve entered into a season of new beginnings, and we’re facing the same yearly traditions. Many people are reflecting. Some are letting go of things. And others are making plans to set resolutions and bring about positive change into their everyday lives.
It’s great to set goals and resolutions for the future. But what happens if you slip off? What happens when things don’t go the way you want them to? What happens when unexpected obstacles come along the way? Do you forfeit your resolutions until next year?
These are all questions that we should ask ourselves. But what’s more important, are the answers we come up with.
Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely. – Buddha
Enjoy Every Sandwich: Living Each Day as If It Were Your Last
Lee worked at the well-known Preventive Medicine Research Institute. As medical director of the Institute, he helped thousands of patients to overcome their fear of pain and death and to embrace living life with joy every day.
In his own life, happily married and the proud father of two remarkable children, Lee was similarly committed to living life fully and gratefully each day.
Lee’s beliefs were tested in July 2009, when he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
As Lee and his wife, Kathy, navigated his illness and treatment over the past two years, he discovered that he did not fear death. Instead of fearing the future, he took the time to practice gratitude, connect with his loved ones, and make every attempt to live a full life with each breath.
Enjoy Every Sandwich: Living Each Day as If It Were Your Last
Lee Lipsenthal died on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. It is now my honor to spread Lee’s message with this special book.
The Giveaway
There are two ways you can win 1 of 3 copies of this life-giving book:
“Peace – that was the other name for home.” ~ Kathleen Norris
After spending more than two weeks in Florida (for both fun and work), I sat exhausted on a Southwest Airlines flight last Friday night. When the pilot announced the flying time would be three hours, it had the same effect on me as if he said the flight would take an eternity. Both measures of time felt the same in that moment.
But mingled in with my tiredness was the excitement of one last thing to do – come home.
I couldn’t wait to come home.
While traveling is fun, by the end of each trip I feel the twinge that reminds me I’m not home. I think I’m becoming a home body as the half-century milestone lurks closer.
Beyond enjoying the curve of my pillow, knowing where the extra toilet paper is kept or sitting on my favorite side of the couch, my home is the safest place I know.
It’s more than the stucco and lumber that is in constant need of repair; my home is the place that reminds me what matters most.
My home is where I watch Emily practice her sauté before leaving for dance class. My home is where I indulge in my guilty pleasure of enjoying a glass of Malbec while watching the game. My home is where I find the space, and time, to write. My home is where I’m part of a family.
If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. – Thomas Edison
Article written by contributor Tess Marshall of Take Your Fear and Shove It.
Editor’s note: Scroll down to learn how you can win a free copy of Tess Marshall’s powerful new ecourse, Take Your Fear and Shove It. Reading by email? Click here to visit the site to participate.
Everyone struggles with fear.
It is healthy to admit when you are afraid, worried, or anxious. To do so requires strength.
You will never get rid of fear.
If you are alive you have fear. You have two choices. You can deny your fear and fail to take action. Or you can face it and do what it takes to dissolve it.
One choice brings misery. The other brings happiness. It’s that simple.
No one has ever become poor by giving. – Anne Frank
Article written by contributor Harriet Cabelly of Rebuild Your Life Coach.
I recently heard a rabbi give a sermon on Giving of oneself and doing good deeds (the Hebrew word is ‘hesed’ meaning loving kindness, acts of kindness).
I started off half listening thinking, one more speech on the subject. But I started tuning in as I heard some new words being emphasized – comfort zone, personal agenda, narcissism. The sermon was starting to have a different twist. I leaned forward to listen with extra effort.
Two questions about our giving
1. Are we giving according to the needs of others, or are we doing our good deeds in alignment with our own needs?
2. Are we doing for others even if it creates discomfort in ourselves or are we simply doing what makes us feel good and worthy?
And when he used the example of not visiting a sick person in the hospital because of the personal difficulty for the visitor, I was immediately hooked. When my daughter was in the hospital on a respirator there were a couple of people who meant a lot to our family who apologetically said they could not come because they could not bear to see her like that.
The rabbi’s response – do it anyway, visit anyway; get over it and go.
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