We Are All in This Together

How about those Cowboys? I'm writing this as if I'm a real sports buff—not. I went for coffee this morning and I can just hear the buzz. I was at Matthew's basketball game last night (which they won!) and a few people had their iPod going so they could listen to the game. Have you ever wondered what it must feel like for the players to have so many people mad at you? Yikes.

Anyway, on a non-sports related issue, I wanted to thank the Dallas Morning News and the Park Cities People for such a great week. I enjoyed meeting you all and I truly thank you for allowing me to share my story in hopes of helping others.

I have received so many e-mails from people expressing their sweet thoughts in addition to telling me their story. I titled this post "We Are All in This Together" because after the experience this week and all of the e-mails and comments I have received, it's so clear.

We all reach out to someone or something for comfort or to fulfill a need. Just remember a person may not be in your life just for you—it may be for them. Give a piece of yourself. Even if it's for 5 minutes. We need a piece of everyone around us, whether we know it or not.

One question that I have been asked a lot this week is how I stay so positive or have the outlook that I have. The easy answer is that it's just all a mind set. But, the real answer is that I have a lot of support, I have had several angels step into my life, I have accepted my situation, and I really really want to be happy—no matter the obstacles.

I of course, have my days and have moments that I question. But, before this happened, I was always a believer of the power of energy and tried to surround myself with people who had a good attitude about life and who could laugh at things they do—not take their self too seriously.

Then, when I became sick, I think everyone who knew me established that energy between them and it started to snowball into prayers across the country. I just recently found out that I had a prayer list going in third world countries. I am praying for them everyday, I guess it just proves that we are all in this together.

Love,
Jen

P.S.

The most obvious thing that keeps me going is that I am alive. Being able to experience things like my husband's voice or hear family say they love me, is the gift that the mystery above has given me. That is a much bigger gift than having hands or feet. I can still walk and do things, but do it just a little bit differently than you do. :)

Some Thoughts

I just got to bed and decided to play on the computer a bit. I have found such great websites. By the way, for those who don't know Gladys from the Ellen show, you have to watch this video below. She is the most honest, funny and refreshing person. Push the play button on the YouTube window. One of Gladys' best quotes: "I love Jesus, but I drink a little."



Speaking of honest and funny, I highly recommend seeing Juno. Such a great flick. The honesty of the characters is something you don't find anymore. There were people sitting in the aisle it was so crowded. I am a huge movie buff and that is one thing I can still do with no problems. :)

So, I really just feel like venting a bit so here it goes. Why do grocery stores (ahem, Target) have motorized carts when they never work. Honestly, it's ridiculous. Every now and then I may need one in the event my legs are tired. But, they never work. Next time your out, take a look at them and see if the are even plugged in. You might as well bring your own scooter to ride through the store. They should just have a drive through, might be a lot faster.

Why are we so aware of what Britney Spears & Paris Hilton are doing (or not doing), but we aren't aware of what the person next to us is doing?

Also, why s my old car company asking me if I want to extend my warranty. Hello? I sold that car 5 months ago. The Dallas Morning News calls today giving me a great rate. I said hi and was pleasant and then shared the following "we are already customer, have been for some time now, please check your membership list before calling."

Why do people park in handicap spots when they don't, in any way shape or form, fit that description. I love to see the occasional fake limp, that is my favorite. If you really need the spot, just give me a ring and I'll get you a great spot anywhere you need to go.

Okay, and lastly, I have to ask about living in an IKEA store. Have you seen this guy. He is a comedian living in IKEA for a week while his place is fumigated. Cool for him. He gets free rent, meets new people, creates free advertising for them, etc. I'm just waiting for someone to come up with a reason why they need to live on an airline and get free travel. :)

Am I done venting you ask? Yes, but, I'm asking you to pay attention to details that may be important to others and try something completely out of the ordinary without holding back. It's good for the soul.

Love,
Jen

Keep the Change

It's about 9 P.M. on Sunday and I am sitting outside on our deck listening to a really annoying dog and eating ice cream. I had such a great weekend visiting my brother with little Matthew. Hubby had to work so we took a quick road trip. My brother, Matt, and I are only one day apart as far as our birthdays are concerned, but 3 years in age. My other brother Ryan and I are 12 years apart. I have the best of friends in both of them and have had so much fun being their older sister.

As new year resolutions go, I wanted to share mine with you. Have you ever wondered about the logistics of me making purchases? Well, it's not always flawless. If I make a cash purchase and I have change coming back to me in the form of coins, 99% of the time I say "keep the change" regardless of the amount (because of my situation). Coins are a bit of a balancing act and I have yet to learn how to balance. :)

I have been thinking about this more lately as I feel I should be making my difficulty a positive for someone else. So, rather than telling someone to keep my change, I'm going to make this year "All About Change" and start utilizing what I can't as a way to create change.

For the next year, I'm going to be saving all of my change. The first $200 that I have will be donated to a special charity, of which I will share with you. From that point on, I will be looking for a special person or cause to provide my change to.

I have a much larger dream for this idea and hope to provide you updates as the year progresses. However, as of today, if you know of anyone that should be on my change list, please let me know. I'd love to have a list to send to by the end of 2008. Always feel free to e-mail me at griffinja123@gmail.com!

I hope u all had a great weekend. It's all about the change you can make! :)

Love,
Jen

Follow Your Own Guidance and You Will Never Be Alone; Trust Your Own Truths and Blue Skies Will Follow Wherever You Go

Every since my life was altered, I have had a constant internal battle with direction. The battle is having someone or something direct me versus figuring this out on my own, day by day. When I started to realize that I needed a different direction with rehab, I became in search of that "thing" that would bring me fulfillment that I was moving forward. I felt as if I needed a greater challenge but we couldn't figure out what that was. Again, is it my therapists job to guide me or do I take it to the next level on my own?

I started to work on my makeup, then driving, then stairs, then computer stuff. I even worked on a paint-by-number (it's on display at the Tate in London, haha). Then, I stopped looking so hard and I started to follow my heart.

I have mentioned before that I really enjoy yoga, however, my body no longer moves the same way and I can no longer bend like a pretzel :) So, as most of you know, my rehab is now Pilates & swimming. Pilates, even though different, has given me the great yoga-like feeling.

What I wanted to share with you is this, because I went back to what I know, I have been asked to participate in a wonderful pilates workshop in February. The information is www.optimisticrealism.com/pilates. There will be wonderful people from all over the world. My awesome trainer will be there to show others how this has worked for me and hopefully we can help others. I am looking forward to it.

Because I started to guide myself and have had an amazing trainer (along with an amazing friend who introduced us), I have never felt better about my accomplishments. This is hard work but in less than a year I have learned how to have the discipline I should have had all along.

I have had times of just wanting someone to give me a crystal ball and show me that it will all be okay. But, then I think that everyone thinks this way. Experiences are the way of life. If all else fails, go with what feels right. I am finally directing my rehabilitation and its great. Never take anything as it is. ou have the power to change and make it what you want.

You can't know wisdom. Wisdom you have to be.

Love,

Jen

Spiritual Mop

As we head into the eve of the new year I just had a little food for thought: a skeleton goes into a bar and says "I will have a beer and...a mop, please." Haha!

I thought this was cute but also very fitting for the occasion. How many times do we do things thinking we can cover up the holes or voids, only realize we can't, and we grab the mop to clean it up.

Some may have the view that God chose me because of something I did along the way and this is a form of punishment. OR others may have the notion that God chose his experience to fill up my voids and make me whole in other ways.

Whatever the view, just remember that we are entering a new year of which we can make many choices. Start to purge your thoughts, soul, spirit and change what you do this year. Make the holes smaller and smaller. The drinks are too good to be mopped up. :)

Additional food for thought: we are all "normal" until someone reminds us otherwise. I was at a store this week and got into the checkout line where my nickname became "dude." Mind you, I was so far removed from the idea of not having hands and was focused on getting to my next destination. The sales guy proceeds to say "dude, what is that called?"

My thought was "dude, my name is Jen and I have no idea what you are asking me." He was 20 something which gave me pause so I just smiled and said "uh, I don't know what you mean." Long story short, he was asking me about my hands. But between all the "dude" comments I wasn't so sure. We got to the bottom of his investigation and he finally told me that a good friend of his was born without hands. He told me his story and we got a quick surfer-bonding dude moment. :)

After I got in my car, I sat and thought about it. I really wasn't aware that he was referring to me. My point? I have a long way to go, as we all do in self-development, but having a day where you forget about the obvious feels really, really good. At the end of the day, we are all just moving parts to making the Earth a place we want it to be.

Make a difference! As I said below, look forward to a new blog, kids perspectives, how we have made our team, my upcoming surgery, and the continuation of this wild journey!

Love,

Jen