Friday, April 11, 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,
4 comments:
There is so much irony in life...before I knew Jenni had a brain tumor, a woman at work told me for every one bad thing in your life, there are ten good things. I saw so much of that in Jenni's experience. The brain tumor- bad. The fact that her mentor knew neurosurgeons- good. The fact that Jenni knew her headache's weren't regular stress headaches- good. The fact that the doctors decided to re-look at the info- excellent! That Jenni went ahead with the surgery - good. This blog- good. I know Jenni is counting now - Austin is of course, a very big GOOD! There are so many good things that have come out of this terrifying experience. I have such an appreciation of people and their contributions now. Every chance we get, we should let others know they are doing a good job or that we appreciate them. It really is the little things that mean a lot.
Rosemary
Good morning!
I am going to pick up GO BIG business cards today. If you are interested in having some to pass out, please let me know.
I was kind of thinking they would be a way to reinforce people for an act of kindness. For example, Mr. X helps a lady cross the street and then we dart out and hand him a card. Then, Mr. X checks out the website, posts (or not), and tells all 10 of his friends. Or something like that... ;)
Hi Jenni,
Glad to see this is still going and so incredibly happy for your miracle. This weekend my daughter and I stuffed envelopes all morning for a charity benefit for the Children's Hospital. I am so used to thinking of you now when I do service that I wanted to pass it along. My daughter was so amazing as she told me "For everyone we do Mom thats another person I am helping. She was tireless and made me so proud. Not a complaint, not an ounce of teenage angst, Just quiet dilligence and a "thanks mom" when we were done "for letting me come with you" The rest of the day we spent together happy to be in each other's company.
Hi Jenni,
If this is a duplicate,please, delete.I seem to be having trouble delivering the e-mail.
I looked out the window of our house in the Mount Juliet woods and saw the largest, most beautiful peacock just strolling across the yard and into the woods like a king enjoying the his castle gardens. I consider this a special gift of beauty for me from God.
It reminded me of a saying that at least one of our native American poeples have for the world around them:"Beauty before me, beauty behind me, beauty all around me".
God bless you today and every day.
-Robbie
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