Sunday, March 30, 2008
Going Big... Today!
How do we go big? We go big every time we place another's needs before our own. We go big every time we reach out and move beyond our comfort zone. We go big when we donate our time and energy to a worthy cause. We go big every time we act out of love and compassion. How will you go big today?
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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,
9 comments:
Hi,Jenni!
I hope today is a good day for you. Larry and I are "going big" today by visiting a young friend who has been hospitalized with a mysterious illness for over a week...spreading sunshine, spurred on by you!
Sending love,
Jane
Yesterday I was scheduled to give blood for the first time with my friend, also a first time donor. I was too sick to give, but not too sick to support my friend and witness a beautiful act of compassion overcoming fear. My generous act was my donation of my hand to my friend, a donation I hope to make in the future again, maybe with less nails next time though :) Today at church, one of my friends told me she has had lifesaving blood 3 times and thanked me for my, my friend's, gift. Thanks for starting something big Jenni!
For Jenni, and the others donating blood I would like to let you know what it is like to receive blood when you need it. I was always a blood donor until 14 years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer and had a stem cell transplant to treat the cancer. At that time you were able to line up family/friends for direct donation which I did for the transplant itself. However, unexpectedly I became very ill ahead of time and needed emergency transfusions from strangers, the general "blood bank". Feeling frightened and very ill, I was definately not expecting the OVERWHELMING gratitude I felt as the recipient of this special gift, the gift that seemed to say that we really are all tied together on the planet. The notion that strangers would do this for free was actually a very powerful and spiritual feeling, I was indeed very aware of this act of deep universal caring. I vaguely remember speaking about these feelings at our next church blood drive, and had forgotten the power of them until reading the GO
Jenni site. Giving blood is no small gift, that I'm still hanging around 14 years later is proof! Thanks to all! Sheryl
I went big by the gift of giving. Yesterday a I shared with a co-worker a book I was reading, she was so enjoying its' humor-laughing aloud, with tears streaming down her faace...she lead me to laugh just watching and feeling her joy. Well, on break I went across the street to the book store, and bought her her own copy of the book.
Sharing laughter
Aunt Tar
Saturday I attended the Fusion 2008 event for the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation. :)
Hi, Jenni!
I wanted to report my go big activity from yesterday. My husband's brother, sister-in-law, and their 3 children stayed two nights with us this weekend. So, yesterday, I got up and made everyone a special breakfast. And, while they were all at the science museum, I went to target and purchased the kiddos a few special treats to surprise them when they came back. My Aunt B., who is no longer with us, used to have a special treasure box filled with treats for her grandchildren when they visited. They would file into her house with eagerness and immediately hunt for the treasure box to see what new delight she had for them. At her funeral a few years ago, I was inspired by her acts and their fond remembrances of how she made them feel so special, and I especially want my nieces and nephews to feel welcomed and cherished by me. Anyway, GO BIG for Jenni!
I hope you are enjoying this lovely afternoon!
Take care,
Shelly
I volunteered to house some friends (and friends of friends) while they will be in town this weekend. Can't wait to share :) I know we will all have lots of fun.
I set up two great people on a blind date!
My roommate, Katie, cleaned out her closet and gave me a few of the things she no longer wears (and they're super cute!!!). The other day, I was thinking that I needed a few new skirts or pants to wear to work especially for the spring, but I did not want to spend a lot of money. I greatly appreciate Katie's kindness.
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