Jenni spoke with her neurosurgeon today and found out that the tumor is benign. There will be more information to come, but for now we can all breathe a deep sigh of relief.
Please continue to post your "Go Big" activities here. Let this news inspire you to spread your own joy to those around you. Maybe it's a smile at a stranger in the supermarket, or maybe you go out of your way to help someone in need. It's the thousand acts of kindness that make the tough times bearable. You never know what your small act can do - it might just change someone's world.
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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,
28 comments:
YES! Yes yes yes yes! Yes!
Yea!! We are so excited, and I know you are too!!! I hope you are able to relax tonight....you deserve some peace and quiet after all of this chaos!
This week I packed up lots of clothes and gave them to someone in need. I also helped a friend move some furniture to her new house! Thanks for inspiring us all to put others needs before our own!
Amy B.
All I can say is I don't think I ever understood the saying "I was so happy I cried" until you called and told me your wonderful news today!
Oh and I put some change in a random parking meter today that was about to expire...got the idea from someone else who did that and posted it on the site!
I am sitting in my office with tears in my eyes. You are spreading happiness everywhere today, just by being you!
Sending love and heartfelt smiles,
Jane and the Cohen guys
YAY!!! That is such great news!!!!
Every Stacy is jumping up and down with happiness at this wonderful news!! start exhaling!!!
much love,
peggy, pat, megan, caitlin and jared
Jenni,
I love you and I am spreading smiles all around with your great news. You are an amazing human being! Make sure to take care of yourself, rest and heal up!
Tonight I will see your super cute nieces and I will give them big hugs and kisses for you!
Thinking of you always :)
WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
I am so thrilled and happy that you have such good news. I've been thinking of you constantly and am doing more good things in your honor. You are an inspiration to everyone.
Jenni, I am so happy to hear the good news....I try to do something good for someone every day. Last week I took my neighbor to Roger's Gardens. (she just lost her husband) and has found that is her happy place.
We love you and wish you a speedy recovery. Aunt Joyce
FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!!!!!!We are smiling ear to ear!!!
YES! Such amazing news Jenni!
xoxo,
Jenn (Detmer) Fearnow
Yay!! That's the best news I've heard in a really long time!
You never cease to amaze us Jenn!
Sending lots of love,
-Todd
God is good! I am sooooo happy for
you, Jenni!
I thought of you today as I stood in front of a very rushed cashier at Walmart whose computer/register would not work. I just stood there
calmly and thought,"Take your time.
It's ok." and when she looked up,she looked grateful that I wasn't impatient or upset.
I made peace my choice.
Happy Belated Birthday and many, many more.-Robbie
I'm very happy to hear that, you have been in my prayers. It is nice to see all the support you have. I don't keep in touch but I am very glad for you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers.
Tony Castillo
Jenni,
This is the most wonderful news!!! I'm very happy for you and so relieved. Have a wonderful day of celebration!
Shelly
Hey Jenni
God is SO good! I was positively thrilled when Caitlin called me with this wonderful news. Rest now, knowing that you are well.
With love, Rosemary
So good to hear!!! :-D
The Best Possible news. I cried tears of joy and let out a huge sigh of relief.
So, what are the odds of this...yesterday about the time you are hearing the great news, Alexandra is buying a burrito in Seal Beach...and against all odds she is handed back with her change, a $5 with GoBigForJenni.blogspot.com at the top of it. This family is beating all odds. I love it.
Act of kindness: today on my way into work, I stopped to pick up a few goodies for my US Captain- (the nurses on our unit have adopted a US Soldier in Iraq).
Love you as always, and feeling very grateful.
Aunt Tar
yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!! I couldn't be happier. You have inspired us all to continue spreading kindness. sending you much love
Whoops...somewhat deleted my comment. Let's try again:
YAY!!! Such great news! God IS good...hope you're celebrating!
Yesterday I gave up my window seat on the flight to DC to a 10 year old sitting in my row. It turned out he'd never been on a plane- he was so excited to see the monuments as we were landing!
Such fantastic news, Jenni!HORRAYYYY!
What a blessing!
Fantastic news. Our thoughts are totally with you. You will overcome this -- that, we're sure of.
-Jon, Olga, and Flora
Great balls of fire, Jenni! The chills I felt when reading your good news must pale in comparison to the sigh of relief you must be breathing right now. I must be getting old and cynical because I so often find myself shaking my fist towards the sky when I hear that wonderful people are hit with terrifying challenges...so it finally feels that all is right with the world when wonderful people receive the "good" they deserve. And while it may take you a while to get back on the train, let's not forget that you'll need to "Drink a beer, drink a beer, drink a beer like a Pi Phi can!" Love you. You're fabulous.
Yay!!!! Fantastic news--sending you love and good wishes from the west coast! :)
b9
I think go big for jenni t-shirts can now be made, just use the letter b and the number 9
b9
just an idea :)
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