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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,
10 comments:
Jenni,
I'm so tickled that you're resting and recovering at home now. You have been and continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you have a beautiful, restful day!
Shelly
After John's attempt at giving blood didn't quite go as planned last week (a little fainting never hurt anyone though!), we are back on track and working on doing more good deeds. We love you so much Jenni and are thrilled that your surgery went smoothly!
Jenni,
We are all so glad that you are resting comfortably at home with your family and friends around you! Here's to your continued recovery!
Valerie and Chuck Black
Jenni, We are so happy that everything went so well with the surgery, and that you are back at home. We have been constantly thinking about you and praying for you. We look forward to seeing you soon! Get some rest! lots of love and many hugs, justin, laura, and caroline
Hi Jenni!
I'm so glad that your surgery went well. It's great that you're resting at home.
My good deed for the day was to surprise Steve by trimming trees in our back yard while he's at work today. He's been working really long hours, and I don't want him to have to worry about doing yard work on top of that.
I hope you're having a great day!
Lori Orth
The Talla family is thrilled that you are able to rest in your own home with your family and friends around you. Healthy wishes. Love, Mona, Michael, Brett and Jared.
Hey Jenni -
The fact that you're home is such incredibly great news. I am of course thrilled that everything went so well. You had one of the largest support systems I've ever seen. Nice to see karma in action. Hope to give you a big hug in person one of these days.
Love,
Elaine
Jenni, You have been in my prayers.
I'm so glad surgery went well and you are home.
Have a blessed Easter, certainly a time to rejoice for many reasons!
Sending a hug!
MJ in VT
Jenni, we're glad to hear that you are home resting up. you have been in our thoughts. sending lots of love and support.
Debbie and Tish Glaser
I just talked to Jenni who is doing well and continuing to encourage us all to GO BIG for one another. I told her that I was feeling like I don't do enough "good" for others - that I don't do enough things worthy of posting on this site. She reminded me of something we tell our parents to do with their children: catch 'em being good! Giving attention to children's good behaviors leads to an increase in those desirable behaviors (yes, good ole behavioral theory). This site serves to do the same for us - it's an opportunity to give attention to our desirable behaviors - our acts of kindness- no matter how big OR small - and this will serve to increase our own acts of kindness as well as those of the people around us. As Jenni pointed out, for some reason our world is more interested in paying attention to tragic and evil acts than to hopeful and good ones. Let's use this site to reverse that - for Jenni and for the good of our world! Remember to post your acts of kindness - no matter how small they may seem. Jenni wants to see them! We could ALL use to see them!
My little act - I worked double over-time to keep my son's Easter outfit clean throughout the morning so that my mother-in-law - who bought him the outfit - would be able to enjoy how cute he looked in it.
Oh, and my husband just reminded me of another act of kindness - that my son was wearing a sweater that a friend's mom gave him when he was born. Driving home from church I saw my friend's mom in her driveway, slammed on the breaks and did a huge U-turn to tell her thank you and let her enjoy how cute he looked in her kind gift.
Peace and kindness be with you all,
Emily
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