Thursday, March 20, 2008
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My Vision for Go Big!
On March 7, 2008 my life got turned upside down. I was unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumor which was so not on my to do list! Equally unexpectedly, I had neurosurgery on March 20 and the results of the biopsy indicated that the tumor was benign. Thank God! Along this journey, I have taken solace in the fact that this is a huge opportunity for us all.
I am a clinical psychology doctoral student at Vanderbilt University. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to make a huge difference in the world. For a couple of days, I actually feared that I had wished this scary and chaotic experience on myself and my loved ones, but then I was reminded that "life prepares life" and it all started making a bit more sense.
In a whirlwind of pre-operative appointments, Dr. Kyle Weaver, my neurosurgeon, told me that I should "hold onto my blood" which was a huge blow to me as I try to be a regular blood donor. Without skipping a beat, however, my advisor, Dr. Bruce Compas, made me an offer to "pick up the slack" which I believe was the impetus for this whole GO BIG challenge as it struck me then that perhaps we can all be doing just a little more.
As a person who hopes to make a profession and a life of helping children and families, I'm committed to helping others in the best way I know how. Consistently, I work with parents and children teaching them to praise the good and ignore the bad. Not my idea, but it is a behavioral principle that works. Now, don't get me wrong--I'm not blind to the evil in this world. In fact, I'm struck by our culture's fascination with drama, hurt, despair, and scandal. It absolutely blows my mind that these negatives suck so much of our attention that we can relatively easily forget all of the 1000's acts of kindness that are going on right this very minute.
My hope is that this website can be a central location for all of us to capture all of the really awesome things that we are already doing and that we can all be inspired by each other's goodness. It's not an original or courageous idea (although some have called it that), it is just an opportunity to do something that I've always wanted to do. And, I'll bet that if I'm anything like you, I'm just doing the best that I can in this moment. Sometimes that means that I offend people. We are all imperfectly perfect and I know that that is where the true beauty lies.
There are no absolute rules because I couldn't possibly predict the creative and imaginative ways that we can each help one another. Well, that's a lie. There is really just one rule: do what you feel in your heart! Try not to feel like what you do doesn't matter. It does! If you don't believe me, read the postings for yourself and see what you think. To somebody in that moment, you will have made a difference and for that I am eternally grateful.
So if you feel it in your heart or your head or whatever pushes you to act, try to do something. Nothing is too small and nothing is too big. Just put one foot in front of the other, and if you wish, take a risk.
Overwhelmed with a sea of emotions and an outpouring of support from our community, Austin, the love of my life, and I have felt so very blessed. I believe that there is always meaning out there in this precious world of ours, sometimes you just have to squint to find it. This past several weeks has been a truly rock ride and my guess is that life always will be. So, step aboard if you are up for the challenge and let's see how far we can get this good to spread.
With great gratitude,
33 comments:
Thanks, Lynette! We are all waiting together in the lab to hear more.
YEY!!!!!! Go Jenni!!!!!!!
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!
WONDERFUL NEWS! Thank you so much for your updates. Great help for those of us in California.
Elaine
God Bless Jenni! I hope she will be better soon!
YES!!! I just did a little dance at my desk. :)
I am so happy to hear that Jenni is doing well!!! ;)
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's the best news! Go Jenni!
That is such great news! We were all cheering out loud in the lab when we read this update! So glad to hear that all went well!
Wonderful News!!!!!! Go JENNI!!!!
Hooray - thanks for the update! I'm sure you'll get messages from the other VT team members, but wanted to write and say I'm thinking of you, and anxiously waiting for 3/28 when I can donate again. You go Jenni Girl!!
Hooray!! You are on your way, girl!!
TC
Hooray!!!!! Great news! Jenni, I hope you can picture all of your friends and family and those who've been touched by the blog, spread all across the country, cheering for you simultaneously :)
Kari
What great news!!!
what wonderful news!
I am smiling from ear to ear and trying to continue to help others do the same:)
Cheering for you!! Such good news!
:) Bek and Phil
This is fabulous news!!! Jenni, go you!!! You are a rockstar! :-D My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you as you recover.
Alright, Jenni!!! So good to hear the news!! Thinking about you.
Madeleine
fantastic!!
Maybe all of our prayers helped. We are so thrilled to hear the news.
Sending strength and love,
Jane and Larry Cohen
I'm so pleased to hear your surgery went well, Jenni! I will be thinking of you and hope you have a swift recovery.
Love,
Allison
WOOO-HOOOO!!! That is fantastic news!!! Keep it up Jenn!
WOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
You give us all reason to smile
Yeah!! So happy to hear the good news!
-Lisa
Thank God! The power of prayer .....
Speedy recovery Jenni!
Love, Caitlin's Mom Rosemary
Amazing! Jenni Champion only does it one way. the right way. all my love and a speedy recovery.
Dominique Howard xx
Glad to hear it! You have been in my prayers this week.
Ian
Thanks so much for the update. Jenni, just keep wiggling those fingers and toes. Lots of love from NC.
YAY Jenni!
Yeah! Jenni - great news!
So happy to hear --
XXOO Anna Marie Natalie and Michael
Hugs to all.
That's such great news and a big relief! Thanks so much for keeping us updated....Jenni you are in my thoughts!
Glad to hear that you're recovering nicely!
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