Changed, not ruined . . .

 

I had been an artist my whole life - spending much of my childhood imagining, drawing and creating art with whatever tools presented themselves to me. But art was not a viable career when I was growing up in the 50's and 60's. Especially not in my small rural town and especially not for a young woman. The only real choices in my world were to be a wife right out of high school, a teacher or a nurse. I chose nursing. Graduating at the top of my class, it meant a lot to me to be a good nurse. I loved my patients dearly and for many years I loved nursing - feeling fulfilled, useful and competent. There is nothing like the magic of meaningful work. 

 

       Through the nearly two decades while I was a nurse, I created a life which included all those things that every life contains: joys, successes, failures, mistakes, heartache, learning, growing, changing, wrong-turns, mis-steps and missed opportunities. The universal rhythmic dance of life: two steps forward and one step back. It would not be until I was in my mid-thirties that the voices I had missed for so long became too loud to ignore: You are on the wrong path. Let's go this way.

 

(Click to continue reading.)  

The more research we do into the nature of hope and how it manifests itself within our minds and bodies, the more we learn about what others are doing. It would seem the whole world is in need of hope and eager to find it.

Our recommended book this month is My Stroke of Insight by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor.

Here's the Amazon.com link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=my+stroke+of+insight

Here are some wonderful hope-related web sites you can visit:

http://www.hopecafe.net
http://www.ronnajevne.ca
http://www.thehopelady.blogspot.com/

And, of course, our own: www.TheHopeTree.com is a wonderful resource for hope, inspiration and clear explanations about the amazing physiology of hope.
You can also listen . . .

We've already told you how to us listen on the radio: The Hope Journal Show. And you don't have to be at a computer either. There are many devices that will stream via WiFi: Kindles, Nooks, iPhones or iPads, to name a few. Or check us out as an official radio station on www.Live365.com.

Find out for yourselves why Dr. Wendy Edey has earned such world wide respect. This dynamic speaker and storyteller was our guest on The Hope Journal Show on April 26, 2012.
Now, you can listen to that interview at:

www.CastleRockRadio.com/archives.html
Just find The Hope Journal Show listing and click on 4/26/12.

Another of her fascinating interviews about hope from several years ago is available at this location:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU 

 

 

Or watch . . .

We are trying to get Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor as a guest on the radio show. She is the author of our recommended book this month: My Stroke of Insight. She was a renowned neuroanatomist brain scientist when she had a massive stroke. She has recovered - but with a deeper understanding of life, purpose and our human potential here on Earth.

Watch her astounding story on TED:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU 

Or settle into a comfy chair and watch the inspiring documentary, The Amazing Story of The Hope Tree. Whether you are interested in how it was created, what it means or how it inspires patients, families and staff alike - it is well worth the break in your day to have a peaceful, inspiring time.  

  

Here is the free link: 

 http://www.thehopetree.com/documentary/ 

  

By now you have heard us talk about the amazing Liz Adamson. We encourage you to watch her wonderful one-woman show, Journey, available on You Tube at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa6aRjWtXdk

Or visit her web site at: www.lizadamsonencore.com