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The Heroic Journal
Living Your
Resilient Life | |
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Welcome to another edition of The Heroic Journal, a monthly newsletter which features a variety of ways in which individuals, families, communities and businesses can and do thrive during difficult challenges.
This month's newsletter focuses on two "firecrackers" on their heroic journeys. Dr. Wilma Jensen and Mr. Dave Barr are both internationally known, and have inspired people around the globe. It was my great pleasure to spend time interviewing Dave Barr and Dr. Jensen who has been a personal inspiration of mine since the 1970's.
Although their stories are very different, they both exemplify courage, discipline, passion and tenacity as they faced myriad challenges. Volumes could be written about each of them, so today's newsletter just scratches the surface. Wilma and Dave, thank you for the reminder to keep going and to keep my eye on what's ahead.
With gratitude,
Missy Bradley
Stories Coming Soon:
"From High School Dropout to Psychologist" - Dr. Kristina Diener
"As We Listen, We Become" - Mary Schocke, LCSW
"From Sharecropper's Son to the Fortune 500: A Story About Jim Clayton"
"The Journey of War: Reflections on Healing"
And more...
If you have missed past editions of The Heroic Journal, archives may be found at
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 A Quote for the Journey |
No one can set sail and expect to forget the wind. First you stand in the open air, feel the wind touch your face, and take note of its direction and force. Then you set your sail to carry your boat toward your goal. And you continue to recheck the wind because it is ever changing.
We might wish we could nail down our achievements when we finally reach them, stop the march of time, or keep our loved ones safe where they are. Just when we think we have everything together, something changes. Children grow up, jobs change, new neighbors move in next door. Like a sailor, we must continuously fine-tune our life bearings. Whether a change is welcome or not, we must respond.
Our main choice is not what will change but how we respond. If we hold too tightly to willful thinking, we are not attuned. But if we make peace with change, we grow. We will be transformed into more than we could ever imagine. (from www.hazelden.org)
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The Passionate Disciple: Dr. Wilma Jensen
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by Missy Bradley
"The word discipline is related to the word disciple, one who follows what they love."
(Wayne Muller)
From the moment she arrived on the bench, the diminutive octogenarian was in complete command of the instrument. As a way to celebrate her 80th birthday on March 8, 2009, world-renowned organist, educator, arranger, and conductor, dazzled the full house of community admirers, parishioners, family and former students from all over the world. The stories of her life accomplishments could fill many volumes, but the behind-the- scenes story is the one which will inspire many of us for the rest of our lives.
As a young freshman organ and choral major at The University of Tennessee, I witnessed the buzz around the music department when Wilma Jensen was coming to do a Master Class. At that time I didn't recognize her name, but the anxiety and over-functioning of the many professors foreshadowed the coming of someone special. Having performed in Germany, France, England, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland and Austria, Dr. Jensen carried tremendous clout in the field. Once I experienced her professional skills, her depth of knowledge and her extraordinary techniques, I better understood their awe.
Now, 35 years later, I once again sit in awe. Although I have grown accustomed to her special talents over the years since I was able to be a part of her music ministry, I was now honored to witness an amazing milestone in her personal history.
In 2000, Dr. Wilma Jensen retired from her life passion after having been a long-time organ teacher, former tenured professor of music at Indiana University, Oklahoma City University, Scarritt-Bennett Graduate School and Choirmaster/Organist Emerita at St. George's Episcopal Church in Nashville, TN where she had served for nineteen years of her musical career. Complicated health issues, of a Parkinson-like nature, made it impossible for her to continue the demanding schedule she had kept for decades, particularly at the level of excellence she required of herself and anyone who was fortunate enough to work or study with her.
At that time, Dr. Jensen had to sell her home, move into an assisted living facility for two years and was going through a very difficult regimen of treatment when she took a terrible fall. She broke six bones in her hips, her pelvis and five crushed vertebrae. On top of her already difficult health situation, two procedures were completed. It appeared to some, that she would never be able to return to the life she had once known. Jensen described this time as very difficult and what the heroic journey might identify as the "dark night of the soul".
Those of us who had known her were nearly inconsolable as we saw the professional life of such a talented musician come to such a sudden and tragic end. It wasn't difficult to see ourselves in her story. "What happens to me when I can no longer do what I love?" Many of her followers had given her up for dead, not necessarily because of the health issues, but we worried about the death of her spirit when no longer being able to make music. When "Wilma" was not able to find her own spark, some loving admirers were determined to keep her going. She had clearly hit a Belly of the Whale period, which we will all experience in some form or fashion. It is a place of surrendering, sometimes to those things we hold most dear. Once we face our greatest fears and find the deepest wells of courage, we also find the will to keep going.
"Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1
During her recovery process, friends, students and other musicians came to her side in support. One, in particular, asked if Dr. Jensen would help her. As Jensen was comfortable doing, being a teacher and mentor, she began to meet with the young musician once a week. This act of helping another was the very thing which began to give life back to the natural educator. When asked what kept her going, she reflected that the musical discipline she developed by the age of twelve, helped her to keep going in the face of the this new challenge. Jensen began playing the organ at the age of six and by the age of twelve, she already knew her life calling. She stated she always had a sense of where she needed to grow, and would methodically tackle her weaker skills.
There were people among her many admirers who valiantly searched for new doctors who might bring a glimmer of hope, not only to Dr. Jensen, but to her community. Even if she were ready to accept the next stage of her life, the community wasn't. Many clearly understood how important making music was to Jensen's ability to worship. It was an integral part of her life spirit.
As she worked, weekly, with her new student, she began to get the emotional and physical energy to practice her music. Soon, she began to have people drive her to the church where she was now Emerita status, and then she began to drive herself.
Nine years later, Dr. Jensen is playing a recital to commemorate her 80th birthday and an extraordinary journey. Without conscious intention, her program on that special day represented the music of the heroic journey. She opened the program with a familiar CALL TO ADVENTURE, something most people recognize: Toccata and Fugue in d Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach. There were many complex and appropriate heroic works, such as Caesar Franck's Piece Heroique. In the middle of the program, she dedicated Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber, the piece first played at the announcement of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's passing, to deceased members of her family. The audience then asked to take a moment of silence in memory of those whom we had lost. Considering her story, perhaps it represented the mourning of unlived dreams she experienced when she thought her life of musical service was over. Then, The Fountain - by Eric Delamarter - which announced an awakening of spirit, much like her own. Following was a reclaiming joy and power piece, Meditation a Ste. Clotilde by Nashville-area composer Philip James and she ended with the triumphant opening Allegro from Widor's Symphonie VI. As if the celebration wasn't enough at this point, her encore was Gabriel's Oboe from the movie, "The Mission" an exquisite piece that has always been personally symbolic to me of the sound the heart makes when breaking open with pure joy or pain. Pain and joy collide and there is a breaking open which creates transformation. On this very special day, we were all witnessing a transfor-mation of someone held in such high regard. Dr. Jensen was showered by the love and admiration through a standing ovation, sobs and shredded Kleenexes around the large sanctuary. We had been changed forever by the 80-year-old powerhouse.
"In a dark time, the eye begins to see." (Theodore Roethke)
Heroes return to life with a wisdom and depth which simply cannot be read in a book, but must be experienced and lived. In the process of returning, the hero brings a profound message about our life. Whether the lessons are not to give up, to fight for what we hold dear or to accept the next step with grace and gratitude, there is always the opportunity for transformation. Although not all are able to come back from the belly of the whale period to reclaim their life passion, there is always an impact. Wilma's increased ease, humor and playfulness when speaking to the audience showed a wisdom which was not apparent before 2000, when the undertow of her work was tinged with anxiety and perfectionism. She has moved from being a driven professional to a passionate disciple and seemed more at peace than I had ever witnessed.
After being inspired by a book about Tiger Woods, In Every Kid There Lurks a Tiger, Jensen stated she wishes to continue teaching in order to enable musicians' "release of the soul into music." Dr. Jensen has continued her work, by conducting master classes at Eastman School of Music, Juilliard, Curtis Institute of Music, Westminster Choir College and a recital in Paris.
The heroic journey is not limited by age or great health, but by an attitude to keep going and creating. At the age of eighty, Jensen has powerful new goals and dreams. She is now making teaching DVDs and has many more concerts to give and students to mentor.
On September 29, 2009 at 7:30pm, Dr. Wilma Jensen plays a recital at European-styled Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, MN. Part of the program will be a collection of French Romantic selections just made for the appropriate acoustics at the Cathedral. As she thinks of that night of music, Jensen smiles and says, "For this I was born."
For more information and discography about Dr. Wilma Jensen, please go to website: www.wilmajensen.com
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Dave Barr: Riding Destiny's Road
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by Missy Bradley |
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If we don't take risks, face the fears and pain which comes in all forms (physical spiritual, mental or financial), then we don't step up to the plate and we will always have a piece of our life which will remain unfilled...a hole in your heart will always be there. (Dave Barr)
There are interview moments when I wish I could simply download the narrative of someone's entire life journey. My interview with Dave Barr was one of those times. To describe him requires a multitude of labels, none of which can fully define the person he is. Among the many labels are: father (of two), husband, decorated (57 AIR medals) Vietnam Veteran, helicopter gunner, professional soldier (served in four nations militaries), Two Time Guinness Book of World Record holder, author, skydiver, American Motocycle Hall of Fame Inductee, international documentary subject, inspirational speaker, foundation starter, and activist (for veterans and "disabled"). There are many, many more.
Barr is also a double amputee. As a result of an anti-tank mine explosion in 1981 which nearly took his life, Barr lost both legs. After he underwent twenty operations, skins grafts and grueling physical therapy, he volunteered to go back to complete his enlistment in the same combat zone where he'd nearly been killed. Author, Tim Hansel says, "One definition of a coward is simply, someone who makes a lot of excuses. Most of us have enough excuses to last a lifetime. The sooner we let go of them and get on with living, the better off we are." Dave Barr offers no excuses.
He didn't allow his physical challenge to slow his sense of adventure or purpose to serve humanity. In Barr's world, rugged adventure is a way to test his grit, while raising money to help others. "First double amputee skydiver in the world," "the first person to have ridden SOLO around the world on a Harley Davidson motorcycle" and the "first disabled person to have ridden around the world on a motorcycle" - which he wrote about extensively in his first book - Riding the Edge - are additional labels which can describe his accomplishments.
 From September 1990 to May 1994, his around the world trek on his 1972 Harley Davidson motorcycle spanned 83,000 miles. His uber rugged adventure took him through the Sahara, Namibia and Gobi deserts and through the Andes during avalanche season. He traversed six continents (he couldn't figure out how to get the bike to Antarctica). No one can ever accuse Barr of taking the easy road in life. As if the trip wasn't difficult enough if everything went smoothly, many of his challenges were dealing with equipment difficulties. This is nothing against HD, motorcycles aren't meant to be ridden in 18 inches of mud, snow, ice and desert sand or at impossible side hill angles - and don't forget the prosthetic legs!
The books, Riding the Edge and Riding the Ice are filled with story after story of daily, sometimes hourly, escapades and challenges too plentiful for this article to do justice. One of my favorites was as he traveled from South Africa to Zaire; he struggled with the sand, mud and motorcycle equipment. One day after torrential rain he got stuck in a mud rut. Dave tore his left (prosthetic) leg off when it was trapped between the mud wall and the motorcycle. He let go of the handle bars because he didn't want to chance poking the bone through the bottom of the stump. He was hundreds of kilometers from medical assistance. The motorcycle came to a stop leaning against the mud wall and Dave's leg is ten yards behind him. His pants were in tatters. Two Africans were coming the other direction in another rut and see the leg and begin to shout. "I needed to laugh," Dave says, "I had had a bad day so far. So I scooted back and put the leg on and stood up. That was too much and the Africans started to shout and pull their hair and ran off in the jungle. I got out of there as I didn't want to be around when they came back looking for the white Devil."
Story after story tells of trials, the human spirit of perseverance, courage and the hospitality of strangers in a strange land. Some of the most amazing stories describe the level of trust and acceptance of the challenges coupled with his singular determination. I was struck by Barr's focus on simply surviving the present moment. Perhaps his training as a Marine taught him that focus.
Whether it was his forty-four month adventure around the world or the one 13,000 mile WINTER through Northern Europe, Russian and Siberia (on a 1996 Harley Sportster), for his first Guinness Book World record. Barr was remarkably pragmatic and grounded in his feat. When asked what made him do what he did, he said "We are put here in life to serve something other than just ourselves, in some form, no matter how great or small. We all have a destiny, different than a dream, in our lives and if we don't take risks, face the fears and pain which comes in all forms: physical spiritual, mental or financial. When we don't step up to the plate, we will have a piece our life that will remain unfilled, a hole. I was never asked to do a trip, it was something I had to do, my destiny."
After having read his two books and anything else there was to read about him, I couldn't fathom what he would have found the most difficult parts of his life journey, there were so many from my vantage point. It wasn't serving in war, it wasn't being abandoned as a child or living in a foster home until he made a new home with Guy and Lucille Barr. It wasn't sleeping in 40 below weather in a tent, or being interrogated by authorities. Barr responded that the return from each journey was most difficult. Whether as a warrior or an extreme motorcyclist, after living in survival mode for years, he had a difficulty adjusting to ordinary folks "talking about silly things like curtains." "People only see the part of the world which is presented to them via the news. Once you have seen and experienced, you can never UNKNOW it."
He was so moved by the experience of his round the world trip, he felt compelled to continue. He lived all over the world in places "where history is being made," not where history was made. He wanted to be a where cultures and communities are learning from their struggles and overcoming obstacles.
"There are more good people out there than bad. Our attitude makes the difference of how we view the world. I have been interrogated for hours, yet left with shaking hands [with the interrogators]. The greatest camaraderie was with our 'enemies' - the Russians. They had a greater appreciation of life difficulties." Long after his trip, Barr was told that the Russians would never have let him fail. When he was running out of money during cycling through Russia/Mongolia, a $2000 check came out of nowhere.
"Motivation creates the spark. Inspiration creates the fire." (Dave Barr)
Dave Barr's extreme ruggedness and tenacity of spirit was evident in his interview and the words he wrote. Such level of focus is rare. It seemed that the harder a challenge was, the more it propelled him forward, to face down that challenge and to conquer it. He never seems to take the easy way in life. When asked if he had ever been tempted to throw in the towel on any parts of his life journeys, he said "Never." He said, "I was going to continue until I died or died trying."
The adventure philosophy which guides Dave Barr in all of the challenges he faces is based on three things: Commitment, Attitude and to Overcome obstacles
The commitment to our goals which are important to our destiny and purpose of serving others and challenging our spirit. Our attitude is essential to stay focused on the end goal. Dr. Stephen Covey's words apply to this part of Barr's tenant, "Begin with the end in mind." Barr seems to clearly see what part of the end result he has influence over and he delivers. And when he meets obstacles along the way, face each obstacle, single-mindedly and to refer to the Three Levels of Faith.
Barr speaks to groups, at length, about his Three Levels of Faith:
□ Faith in self
□ Faith in our vision
□ Faith in God to lead us to those that would help us make our visions a reality
Faith in self - to trust our skills and abilities to be able to face what life puts in front of us. Faith in our vision - trusting the goals and sense of destiny and life purpose which propels us forward to serve.
When asked who or what inspired him, he said his father - Guy Barr (Naval aviator in Pearl Harbor), adopted mother, Lucille (worked in an aircraft assembly plant during the war). He also had uncles who served in the military during World War II. "They taught me the meaning of honor." When asked about whether he had any beliefs in God or a Higher Power, he said, "At the age of 8, I became a Christian. There were times when I moved away from my faith, but never my belief in God." serve others and our Faith in God - the belief that we will prevail and guided by God's power.
Immediately before his round the world trip, Barr piloted his Super Glide on a 9,000 mile trans-continental ride to raise funds for the Leonard Cheshire Foundation, an international charity that assists disabled people. He continues to serve others, particularly by raising money for many charitable organizations. Dave Barr will take off from the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28th for a coast to coast ride to support military families (The Fisher House), Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, and 1st Marine Division Association. There will be an east to west route and a west to east route will be followed. There will be overnight stays in Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Texas and Northern California. A concert will conclude the event in Foothill Ranch, CA on September 5, 2009. Actor and musician, Gary Sinese and his band, Gary Sinese and the Lt. Dan Band will perform.
As the Honor Run website posts:
Today's technology mercifully moves an injured soldier from battlefield to fully-equipped hospital in less than an hour. What's this mean? It means the number of amputees we bring home from war has skyrocketed over previous conflicts. It means 1 in 4 injured warriors now come home with a traumatic injury of some kind. And the hospitals they come home to, while better equipped to handle them, are often ill-equipped to provide for their families.
What can we do? Here's what we can do. There's this thing called The Honor Run, a coast-to-coast ride that ends in Southern California.
The donations we raise will help a number of organizations take care of the men and women who took care of us. As well as their families. With pennies. Dollars. Jobs. Education. Care. Whatever we've got. There are no politics in these efforts. No Republicans. No Democrats.
If you would like more information about how to participate or how to donate your time or money, you may contact:
www.thehonorrun.org
The Honor Run
1st Marine Division Association
410 Pier View Way
Oceanside, CA 92054
For more information about Dave Barr and his charities please visit his website:
Website: www.davebarr.com
Email: ridingtheedge@hotmail.com
Dave Barr
POB 8633
Bodfish, CA 93205
1-888-213-2503
1-760-379-4941 |
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Stories of courage, tenacity and inspiration needed... |
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Do you have a story to tell? Perhaps you or someone you know has made it through a challenging time and would like to share about that experience with others. By telling your story, or even a PART of your story, you may inspire a person to take another step, to keep trying, to take a positive risk. Budding heroes need "old timers" to give those stories of hope.
If you wish to be interviewed for your story, rather than writing your story, that can be arranged. If you wish for your story to be anonymous, that can be arranged as well.
If you are interested, drop an email to heroicjourney@comcast.net |
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Authentic Living - Radio Show |
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Hear more about the heroic journey. On Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 1pm PST/4pm EST, tune into the Voice America Internet Radio Show "Authentic Living" (www.modavox.com/7thWaveNetwork) as Andrea Mathews spends an hour interviewing Missy Bradley about living your heroic life. Mathews has had such guests as: Neale Donald Walsch, Thomas Moore, Julia Cameron, Dr. Bernie Siegel, Dr. David Hawkins, Gary Zukav, Dr. Larry Dossey, John Holland, Joan Borysenko, Caroline Myss, Byron Katie and more. Her shows air every Wednesday.
Andrea Mathews is the also the author of "Restoring My Soul: A Workbook for Finding and Living the Authentic Self." |
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Other resources recommended this month: |
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Into the Wild
Nim's Island
Website:
Books:
Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home From the Moon - Buzz Aldrin
An inspiring book about Aldren's struggle with depression and alcoholism as he reintergrated into a life after a peak life experience
When You're Falling, DIVE: Lessons in the Art of Living - Mark Matousek
You Gotta Keep Dancin': In the Midst of Life's Hurts, You Can Choose Joy! - Tim Hansel
Tim Hansel shares a powerful story of living with physical pain after a mountain climbing mishap in the Sierras. He is the founder of Summit Expedition, a wilderness survival school for individuals of all ages who are seeking deeper experiences with themselves, others and a Higher Power.
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"We are all capable of overcoming seemingly insurmountable hardships. For able-bodied people, paralysis is a choice - a choice to live with self-doubt and a fear of taking risks - and that is not an acceptable one. Conquering inner space is hard and that requires some suffering - after all, nothing worth having is easy to attain." (Christopher Reeve)
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| A Heroic Journey seminar may be coming to you... |
| Get Your Clinical CEU's - Social workers, psychologists, nurses, psychiatrists, drug and alcohol counselors, pastoral counselors, marriage and family therapists, case managers, teachers, recoverying individuals and just interested heroes... |
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The Psychology of Resilience:
A Multi-Modal Framework for Thriving Using the Heroic Journey is coming to:
July 29, 2009 - Sioux Falls, SD
July 30, 2009 - Omaha, NE
July 31, 2009 - Des Moines, IA
August 12, 2009 - Duluth, MN
August 13, 2009 - St. Cloud, MN
August 14, 2009 - Minneapolis, MN
September 9, 2009 - Buffalo, NY
September 10, 2009 - Albany, NY
September 11, 2009 - Syracuse, NY
September 29, 2009 - Boise, ID
September 30, 2009 - Spokane, WA
October 1, 2009 - Portland, OR
October 2, 2009 - Seattle, WA
If you would like to see a brochure, you may find them at www.theomnibuscenter.com (under schedule 2009) or to sign up, call Cross Country Education 1-800-397-0180 or www.crosscountryeducation.com Seminars will be posted and available for registration approximately 45 days before the event.
The Psychology of Resilience is also available in a CD set (6.5 hours) for purchase through Cross Country Education - www.crosscountryeducation.com
Three Stages of Healing: Counseling Victims of Trauma
Clinical CEU self-study course
The self-study course "Three Stages of Healing: Counseling Victims of Trauma" is 6 hour (or 7.2 for nurses) for psychologists, social workers, case managers, marriage and family therapists, pastoral counselors and A & D counselors. This seminar is on audio CD's, you receive a 180 page manual and exam for CEU's. Three Stages is about moving from victim to thriver (Heroic Journey) after trauma. For more information, contact www.crosscountryeducation.com or Missy Bradley (developer and clinical trainer) at heroicjourney@comcast.net
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Melissa (Missy) Bradley, MS, NCC, BCETS, FAAETS
The Omnibus Center
www.theomnibuscenter.com
Seminars, EMDR, Performance Enhancement, Personal & Professional Development for Businesses, Individuals & Families
Brentwood, TN
615-377-6002
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