Twists of Fate

Happy holidays everyone! Wow, I didn't realize it has been two weeks since my last post. It has been pretty hectic lately with Christmas and traveling. We had a great holiday and we are looking forward to a comparable New Year!

So, I had a great post started today on one of my favorite authors: Malcolm Gladwell (Tipping Point, Blink) and his new book, Outliers. You can visit his website by clicking here. I was beginning to explain how he can compile and analyze data from the most random souces and break it down into the most interesting observations. Did you know that there is actually a "magic" number that almost every successful person has hit in number of hours studying, practicing, researching, etc. to be accomplished at their passion? I had no idea! Guess what that number is? 10,000 hours. Yes, ten thousand. Yikes!

I was making a comparison between feeling the impact of the hours I have had to put into my new life vs. enjoying the "process" of self-development simultaneously. I actually had some good stuff for you, however, as I was about to publish my post, the doorbell rang.

Nick went to see who it was and to my amazement it was a very nice man who had read my story in the Dallas Morning News and felt compelled to meet us. He has a friend who shared my experience and he wanted his friend to meet us also. He had a letter for us to read that was very moving. After he left left, my mind got distracted and I couldn't remember what I wanted to write in the post!

How many times have we gone out of our way to extend our thoughts to a stranger? He was doing a very thoughtful thing for his friend but also doing something that impacted both Nick and I tremendously. Things are so unexpected sometimes! Malcolm Gladwell and the man at my door are all examples of how every day can be a new experience if we just open our minds with optimism!

Peace,
Jen

Keeping Your Eyes Peeled

I have always had an affinity for the "local" scene no matter where I am and participating in the real flavor of my surroundings.

I like to go to local restaurants, markets, lectures, coffee shops etc. and experience what makes a community thrive.

By Nick and I doing this as much as possible, we have developed a curiosity for things that make me take a moment to go "hmmm..". ;)

Yesterday I was at the gym and looked around to find that Nick and I were by far the youngest in the place. I kinda laughed and thought we missed the memo.

But, as I was pushing the weights really hard and thought this is my last one (my arms were buckling), I looked up to see an approximately 80-year-old guy with a big grin, sweat band, jogging suit and the attitude of a college athlete.

He was working out like a madman! Nick and I both had a "hmmm.." moment. The old man gave that extra boost and I (barely) finished a few more sets.

Then, I started thinking about how many times we look so hard to find inspiration or a way to grow or change things; I thought how simple that "find" can actually be. We all gotta stop looking so hard!

If you think about it and keep your eyes open, it really isn't that difficult. Driving no more than a few miles from my house to the gym, I just started my day by being positive and keeping "my eyes peeled". :)

There is never a certain age, disability, gender or occupation that should stop us from making the best of the time we have. If you're 80 and want to lift weights and run, go for it! Maybe you're a CEO of a corporation and want to resign to run your own coffee shop, go all in!

I really feel like we hold ourselves back too often because of what society may think. At the end of the day, society isn't giving you hugs at night, words of inspiration or self-worth. It comes from within and how we learn from our local community and surroundings.

This week, find a local bakery, adopt a family in need, or just high-five the next 80-year-old you see working out! Supporting others is a great feeling. I know on a personal level how much I cherish all the support I've been so blessed to have. Happy holidays and I will talk with everyone soon!

Love,
Jen

Thanks, Love & Marathons

Still eating? :) We had such a great Thanksgiving and even tried some new things for the Vegetarians in the family. I won't repeat what we thought of it but we washed it down with such great desserts that we just focused on the not-so-vegetarian items and made it through. Did someone say Tofurkey?

Our family seems to grow and grow every year. The older I get the more I see how things have come to be. We have always had "extras" at the table and that is one of the things I love about the holidays.

We have always been taught to extend family support to those who need it (family or not). So, our table can be the best for story telling, but, beware because they are most likely going to embarrass!

Being raised with the value of making others feel welcome—no matter what their story—has provided me the foundation in which I feel so blessed to emulate and to learn from. Through almost all of my daily challenges, I can't express how thankful I am to have a circle of support.

On a concluding note—not such a great picture—Skyline and I were being photographed by the wonderful Mr. Nicholas and I decided to share it with you. Sky was really the one being photographed, but being as though he is a service dog, he wouldn't get on the couch without me!

He has been the best companion and he is a king to the family, and friends too, once you successfully introduced yourself. He is a rock star in some places when he is carrying a sack for me, television remotes, newspapers, car keys, etc. People just love him. For everyone who helped with Skyline: I THANK YOU! He is such a special addition to our family.

Chicago Half-Marathon: If anyone is interested in making the end of their 2009 summer a time to remember, think about contributing to our humble team representing the P.L.A.Y. Foundation, or just being a sponsor in any way you feel comfortable.

We have formed a team to do the 5K. People will most likely doing both, so do not worry about choosing one or the other. It is September 13, 2009. It will be a memorable weekend! Hopefully the following night we could hit downtown Chicago for a beer! Feel free to e-mail me at jgriffin@playfoundation.net if you want to go with us. Since we have plenty of time before the deadline, I will remind everyone again soon.

Love,
Jen

Sowing the Seed

The Ringler family is one of the most steadfast and compassionate groups of people you will ever meet. This is a short story that Sharon Ringler wrote to reflect on her brave journey to defeat lung cancer.

I spent the week of October 27th, 2008, in Houston for a three month check-up and the results did not look good. We were told it was highly probable that the cancer had returned since the area we had been watching near the lung now showed an increase in size.

The lab work supported this. I stayed two additional days for another lung biopsy. We all cried.

During this time, Glenn and I visited the chapel in the hospital. We entered with a service which had already begun. The African-American lady minister was placing her hands on individuals that were up front and anointing them with oil and saying individual prayers.

We just sat and listened. One of the ladies fell backwards and others caught her and she just sat on the floor. Glenn leaned over and asked me what had just happened. I told him I thought it must be an Evangelical service and that sometimes, folks collapse when they feel the Holy Spirit. Being raised a Lutheran, he was all eyes! The minister then turned to us and asked if we wanted to come forward for prayers.

I told Glenn I thought we had better do it. She asked who the prayers were for and since I wasn't together enough emotionally to respond, Glenn told her. She asked my name and asked why we were asking for prayers. Glenn said it looked like a recurrence.

She touched my shoulder, read from scripture and anointed my head with oil. She looked me straight in the eye and said "you do not have this illness." I just looked at her. At the same time, I had such a warm feeling from the top of my head down to my toes, I began to feel at peace with the whole situation. (No, it was not a hot flash!)

The minister said another prayer and then we went back and sat down. She concluded the service and then came over to us. She said, "Sharon, God spoke to me up there and you are to figure out what he wants you to do. You are to sow the seed. Remember that—you are to sow the seed." I just shook my head in agreement, not really understanding.

We finally got home last Sunday and knew we had to wait 3-5 business days before learning of the results. I finally called Thursday morning and left a message. I called Thursday afternoon and left another message. The nurse called me around 5:30 in the evening and said the doctor was aware of my phone calls, but the physician's assistant was checking to see if she could give me the results; or if the doctor wanted to talk to me directly.

I told her that didn't sound too promising. An hour later, the doctor called. She had been home ill with the flu. She just said they really don't understand it, but there is a small mass near the lung that is a pocket of fluid, which evidently my body has not absorbed since the surgery a year ago. She said both biopsies were negative and there are no signs of cancer. She and the surgeon could not believe it nor understand.

Glenn and I both agreed that we understood. We were blessed once again through the power of prayer from our family and friends.

So, after all the drama, I finally sat down and read the Salina-Journal that night. Each day there is a passage of scripture. That day it read, "Oh Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me." Psalms 30:2.

I've decided maybe telling my story is part of "sowing the seed".

Love you all,
Sharon

A Little Country Western

Country & Western music fan or not, tune in to the CMAs November 12th at 8/7 central! If you haven't been keeping up a lot lately, an amazing family friend, Shantel Grace, has designed an earring line called Jenny's Collection to benefit The P.L.A.Y. Foundation to assist young amputees.

The exciting thing about Jenny's Collection is that it will be worn by CMT's host Katie Cook and Kid Rock will be wearing her other line, Genuine Faux Fur, during the CMA awards!

Don't forget: through December, 50% of all proceeds from Jenny's Collection through Designs by Shantel will benefit the P.L.A.Y. Foundation and its mission.

Quoted from Shantel's biography:

"Shantel Grace is a farmer’s daughter from Kansas. Unlike most artists walking the streets of Broadway searching for a record deal, Shantel writes about the injustices of today’s American farmers, the truth about poverty in rural America, and in her latest poetic collection, she discovers life’s uncertainties in the ultimate story of love and heartbreak.

Never the cookie-cutter commercial country singer, Shantel made a name for herself in the alt/country acoustic rock scene. Her fans include record label executives from some of the major record labels in Nashville and Los Angeles, not to mention thousands of music lovers around the world.

After a period of introspection, Shantel began honing her musicianship by jamming in after-hours bars and writers venues showcasing her talents from Nashville to San Francisco. Her melancholy tone, complete with acoustic piano, guitar and her three piece band, proved a success in Nashville and on the road."

Check her out on itunes, Starbucks, eMusic (and many others). If your lucky you will see her live, catch one of her shows!

Love,
Jen