Worlds Apart, We Are the Same

Jogging down memory lane yesterday, I remembered a time in my life when I attended college for a semester in a foreign country, the Holy Land, to be exact. The university was nestled into the rocky terraced hills on Mount Scopus and from my room balcony, the Dome of the Rock and the strong walls of the Old City of Jerusalem were visible. 

Aladdin (al-a-deen),
the money changer

The weathered cobblestone on the narrow streets easily supported the thousands of steps taken by street vendors, shop keepers, locals, tourists and those on religious pilgrimage. 

Hundreds of people packed every small pathway in and out of walled City, and thousands more lined up at the gates to gain entrance. Smells of breads and spices wafted through the air at every turn, piquing the interest of my taste buds.   

The hillsides were more than dirt mounds; they were tels, dry grass-covered knolls sitting atop of ruins of homes, towns and cities of once great glory. Passing by, you could see only a few stones, barely visible. Yet, theywere broken remnants of lives as real as my own.

            

Omar, master wood carver

As much as I recall the sights, sounds, smells and scenery, my most poignant memories are of the people.

“Erika, Jodi, come in, come in. You need shekels for shopping today?”

The moneychanger, Aladdin, was quick to learn names. He loved the students; we were loaded with American dollars and he was happy to give us a good rate and a smile in exchange for our business. On his shop walls were years worth of letters from past students, whose names and faces he still recalled. I hope my letter to him, and my wedding announcement, is still on his wall today.

Down the street, Omar’s hands were worn, but exact in every cut, as he gently turned olive wood logs into nativities and decorations.

“You like wood case for your Bible? Maybe a statue of Je-sus for your mother?”

He was a businessman who knew his clients well and catered to their wants, but his tender care of the wood demonstrated the master within was much more than a salesman. I bought five nativity sets from him, studied and marveled at each.

            Beautiful tanned-skinned children were often part of the landscape. One little girl, with curly hair matted to her head and skin, was more quiet than the others. She put her hand out like the rest and repeated, “shekel, shekel” probably hundreds of times each day. Her dark eyes seemed to mirror her soul.

             It has been 17 years since I saw her in person, but when I came across a picture of that little girl, I realized she is a woman, 20 or 21 years old. I can’t help but wonder what she looks like now, perhaps with long dark flowing hair, or gentle curls still blowing in her face. Though I would never know her now, I only hope her  eyes are the same.

            If I could see her today, I would tell her this:

You don’t know me, but for a moment, 

you spoke to my soul. 

We are sisters, from one creator, 

and though we were born miles and years apart, 

we are the same.

Our eyes reveal the light within. 

Thank you for sharing your light, 

now part of you radiates through me.

There are more than 7 billion people in the world, and I am fortunate enough to have shared a moment with her. More than ever, I know there is no such thing as coincidence. 

Boston Marathon: Hope in the Face of Tragedy

Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air,  but only for one second without hope. -- Author Unknown

We will all remember where we were the moment we heard the news about the bombings at the Boston Marathon. There are a few moments in life, like this one, that are etched in our memories forever. These events are tragic, but they do something that cannot be done in many other ways: they tie us together, help us connect, love and reach out to each other. And, they cause us to ACT. 

Action, in the face of tragedy and despair, creates hope. Hope that justice will be served. Hope that hearts, bodies and minds will heal. Hope that there will be some good to come out of something so bad. Hope that tomorrow the sun will come out and create a better day. 

For hundreds of years, great thinkers, philosophers and survivors have told us about the importance of hope. The difference between life and death can often come down to whether or not someone can look forward and hope for something better. To have hope that life will improve can literally become a life-saving, self-fulfilling prophecy.

Hardship, accidents, loss, insecurity, illness and untimely deaths are part of life, but if Hope is also part of life, everything else can be overcome.

Out of tragedy rises greatness. Out of this tragedy, I have much Hope that greatness will rise again.

My Hopes:

We will remember God. We will remember Good. 

We will remember Gratitude. We will remember Giving. 

As Superman, Christopher Reeves, said, "Once you choose hope, anything's possible." Hope on. Journey on. 

Hold Me Accountable for My Stupid Dream

Why is it that the things we most desire to do are often the things we put off doing the most? Richie and Natalie Link Norton explore this idea in their new book, The Power of Starting Something Stupid. (Click HERE to visit their website or go to amazon.com to read great reviews about this #1 selling masterpiece.) While this isn't a book review, I have to admit, the advice in the book did make me examine myself and what I know I REALLY should be doing with my time. Not only is it what I should be doing, it is what I have always wanted to do, so why haven't I done it yet??

The Nortons explore the concept of procrastination in a way I have never thought of before. "Procrastination is the counterproductive act of choosing to postpone doing something important for a later time." Ouch, that hits close to home. Why do we procrastinate the things that mean the most to us, or the things that we really want to do?  

To make it very personal, why have I let fear and procrastination keep me from writing a book when I know in my heart it is my dream and what I want to do?? 

Thanks to many encouraging family and friends, and to the Nortons for some incredibly motivating reasons to get going, I am finally going to do it. I am jumping in with 2 feet to fulfill my "Stupid" dream. 

Another thing I learned from the book is that all of us are more likely to keep personal commitments when we are accountable to others. (That is why I always complete my work for my employer, but don't always complete the things on my own wish list.)

I am now publicly admitting that I am writing a book. 

It still terrifies me to declare it openly, but now I can ask YOU to hold me accountable. Feel free to check in from time to time and ask me about my project and the progress I am making. Better yet, give me some deadlines for chapters, and I promise, if you ask for them, I will email you a draft to read.

Here's to getting in high gear and moving forward with my Stupid dream. What dreams do you want to realize?? Read the book if you are in need of a kick-start to your next project or idea!

American Heroes: Meeting Veteran Lyle Green

Meeting Lyle Green

Jodi Orgill Brown

November 2, 2012, Approx 1:30 – 1:50 pm

I met the most amazing man today. I stopped at the Wells Fargo Bank branch in Roy, Utah, and as I was walking into the bank, I noticed an older gentleman walking toward the door, wearing a “U.S. Air Force Veteran” hat.

I looked at him and said, “You are a veteran. Thank you for serving our country.”

He quickly grabbed my hand, shook it, looked me in the eyes and said, “You’re welcome”. He then grabbed out his wallet and pulled out a few laminated photos and showed me a much younger man, in uniform, serving in the Korean War. He flipped through the pictures and said a word or two about each, then placed them back in their appropriate well-worn spot in his wallet.

He asked if I had any family members in the military and I replied that my brother and father-in-law had both served in the U.S. Marine Corps. I told him that one of the proudest days of my life was when I went to Camp Pendleton with my parents, sisters and brothers, and we watched as my brother “graduated” from boot camp and became a United States Marine.  I hardly recognized my brother that day, he had turned from a scrawny kid into a strapping, responsible military man. I smiled at the memory.

I looked at him and said “thank you” again, and he nodded with a look of gratitude. It’s funny because he had a look of thanks, yet I was trying to show my gratitude to him.

He then went to grab the handle of the door for me, but I got there first and opened the door for him.

Surgery Update

I can hardly believe this week is nearly over, and my trip to California and surgery are now in the history books. The first order of business is to thank my Heavenly Father and Savior for yet another series of blessings and prayers answered. The next order of business is to thank all of you, my dear friends and family, for your prayers, fasting, faith and help. It is your prayers on my behalf that were answered this week. Your faith, love and friendship has changed our lives forever.
We have had good friends and neighbors helping our family at home, as well as praying for us in CA. My dear mother-in-law, who stayed with the kids, was blessed by the many helping hands who car-pooled, watched kids, gave rides and helped keep everyone going where they were supposed to be. THANK YOU!

We arrived at Dr. Levine’s office in Beverly Hills on Tuesday morning. I met first with Dr. Narula, an optometrist, who did an eye exam, tested my vision, and dilated my eyes. She was a kind, lovely person and we hit it off immediately. I felt as though we could be dear friends, if given the chance.

Dr. Robert Levine, taking post-op photos of my eye

Medical Update
Vision: The results of my tests were not surprising to me, though a tiny bit discouraging. My vision in my left eye is still 20/20, but my right eye is dismal, because of the constant irritation, dryness and discharge accumulated in my eye.

Tear production: My eye is still clearly impacted by the paralysis in my face. My production of tears was tested and the results were worse than I expected. My left eye produced 27 tear drops in 3 minutes, while my right eye produced only 2 tear drops! Yikes, that certainly accounts for the constant dryness and irritation. The first solution was to try a moisturizing contact lens, to protect the cornea and keep it moistened. This is a 30-day lens, so I can try it for a month and see how it goes. Having never worn a contact, the first few hours drove me crazy, but I am getting used to it.

Surgery Time!

My best friend and hubby, Tolan, and I are headed to California today for surgery for my facial paralysis. My eye isn’t working well, I no longer have the ability to open and close it at will. Dr. Robert Levine, who implanted the spring into my eyelid 2+ years ago, thinks it COULD mean I am getting some more movement back, which is changing the way the spring functions with the muscles in my eye. It is always a bit scary to move forward and have the faith to put my face and life in the hands of another, but I am also grateful for people like Dr. Levine, who have trained and spent their whole lives using their expertise to benefit others. He has helped many, many people with facial paralysis, and I am so grateful for his help.

We have the pre-authorization from our insurance, which includes all sorts of potential procedures, from correcting the spring, to creating a new spring, to doing a brow lift, facial implants, collagen implants and all sorts of other “possible” options. This will allow Dr. Levine to have the flexibility to do the right thing to help me with the functioning of my eye, and for the symmetry and functioning of my face. We will not know the actual plan until after our day-long pre-op on Tuesday.

Celebrating Life: The Night I Was Dying, 3 Years Later

Three years ago today, on Sunday June 7, 2009, I laid in my hospital bed experiencing what I believed were my last hours on Earth. One year later, I posted this on my blog, remembering my experiences of that painful, sad, spiritual, miraculous night. As I go back and read it, I think I will post it every year on June 7, just as a reminder to myself, how precious life is!

The following thoughts are extremely personal and are normally guarded with great care. I am choosing to share them now in hopes of helping others learn as I have.

Time has brought new perspective to those "final" moments, but they remain in my mind as a spiritual, emotional, and physical experience.

I pray the physical pain of that day will never be matched in my lifetime.

Losing a Friend: Mitch Shaw

Yesterday was one of those "I will never forget where I was when I heard the news" days in our home. Early in the morning, we received the news that our dear friend, neighbor and local church leader, Mitch Shaw, had been killed in a work-related accident. The grief set in instantly and the tears started to flow, and honestly, they kept flowing most of the day.

Mitch's wife is one of my dearest friends. I love his children and have taught them at church. He was our Stake President, the leader of our church for our whole city. He was a wonderful example of Christ-like love and service. He was a supportive, loving husband. He was a super-hero father to his children. He was my friend.

I cannot imagine the feelings his sweet family is experiencing, I can only hope and pray the Lord will pour out His spirit upon them with great abundance. They do not know how they will go on yet, he was self-employed and their provider and protector.

Most of you do not know Mitch or his family, but if you are able to help at all, even a little, please go to this  fundraising website to give. Every little bit will help make a difference to this beautiful family who is in so much pain right now.

We all go through trials in our lives, but some are much bigger than others. God will never leave us alone, He will always be there, but He also expects each of us to help lift the burdens of those around us. Please help us, help them. Thank you. And, remember to go home and tell your spouse you love them, and give your little ones a big hug and kiss.

Three Years Later: A Little Screwy in the Head

This week is the start of 8 weeks of "anniversaries" for me. Yesterday, April 10, was the three-year anniversary of my brain tumor diagnosis. Some would call me grim for remembering such an occasion, but I still feel fortunate to be alive, so being able to remember that painful day gives me reason to celebrate.

So, where am I now?? Well, I have come a LONG way since my diagnosis. In many ways, I don't feel like the same person I was then. The course of my illness changed me, and I hope I am a better, more loving, more patient, more grateful person today than I was then.

While I am doing better, I am not "better" in the sense of being completely recovered and healed. I often wonder if that day will ever come. I have faith that it will...even when the doctors tell me otherwise.

For now, I am in a good place, albeit, a little screwy in the head. These X-rays were taken last week when I started treatment with a new doctor. When I saw the screws actually sticking out of my skull, it sure explained a lot! I still have extreme sensistivity there, and I cannot sleep on my right side, or put pressure on the right side of my head because of the pain. Now I can see why.

Mormonism 101: Jeffrey Holland speaks at Harvard Law School

With current media attention closely following the political process to select the Republican nominee to run again President Obama, much time has been spent analyzing the impact on the Mormon faith of the frontrunner Mitt Romney. Harvard Law School recently invited The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (aka the Mormons) to present information on the religion. This video is Church leader, Jeffrey R. Holland, presenting the basics of Mormonism and its similarities and differences to other modern-day Christian churches. This is one of the best "summary" talks I have ever heard to describe the tenets of my faith. If you want to read the full transcription of the speech, click here: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/harvard-elder-holland-mormonism-remarks . 

What did you think? Does this clarify the mystery and confusion surrounding the beliefs of the LDS Church? Please comment and share your thoughts (please no inappropriate language or demeaning comments).

Richie Norton: Sheer Genius -- and a Ton of Inspiration

Richie Norton, author, entrepreneur, speaker, consultant,
 husband, father and all-around happy guy

I have many passions in life, things that really grab my attention and my time. As seen here on my website, one of my passions is INSPIRATION. I love to see/read/hear what inspires others and put it to the test in my own life. While we all choose some of our own adevntures in life, others are given to us, without a choice. People that reach, achieve and inspire seem to be blessed with a sense of direction on the journey, even when their path is not one they chose.

Richie Norton is one of these achievers. He is a believer, a thinker and a doer. His bio shares the achievements he chose, as well as the experiences he didn't, and how they changed his life. He and his wife are both simply amazing (see a link to his wife Natalie's blog on my Feb 8 post). Richie just started a blog and a newsletter that can change your life, if you let them. If you sign up in the next 2 weeks, you will also receive a free download of his bestselling eBook "Resumes are Dead and What to Do About It", and be entered to win a Kindle Fire.   Visit Richie Norton's Blog and see why best-selling author, entrepreneur and consultant, Stephen Covey, calls Richie's book "sheer genius" for today's climate.

You're Still a Seed: Lesson on Personal Potential

My young son just started a new sport: Tae Kwon Do. After his first few classes, he is very excited, but also overwhelmed by the enormity of material there is to learn. He is brand new white belt, and right now, the elusive black belt seems ages a way. He cannot imagine how he will ever become like the boys and men who instruct him, but luckily, he is still excited to try.

With that, and a recent conversation with my mother, I was reminded, yet again, of all the potential we have within ourselves. I've written on this topic before, as it is one that gives me hope and makes me keep reaching for more. This little video clip from A Bugs Life sums it up nicely.

How high our tree reaches is up to us, once we plant the seed! What do your kids dream of becoming? What do you want to become and what are you doing to get there?