There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work… THERE ARE NO LIMITS. ~ Michael Phelps
courage
Today’s Poem: Courage by George Chapman
Courage
George Chapman
Give me a spirit that on this life’s rough sea
Loves to have his sails filled with a lusty wind
Even till his sailyards tremble, his masts crack,
And his rapt ship runs on her side so low
That she drinks water, and her keel ploughs air;
There is no danger to a man that knows
What life and death is, – there is no law
Exceeds his knowledge: neither is it lawful
That he should stoop to any other law.
Navigating the Grief Swamp: Lessons from My Childhood
Listen to my Podcast, Journey from Grief to Healing, Episode 118 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 118
Episode 118: Navigating the Grieving Swamp – A Personal Journey
In this heartfelt episode of “Journey from Grief to Healing,” I take you back to my childhood in southeastern Massachusetts, where summer days were spent picking wild blueberries in the Hockomock Swamps. These memories serve as a poignant metaphor for the journey through grief—a path often filled with loneliness, fear, and uncertainty.
Join me as I recount those early experiences of wandering the swamps, sometimes feeling lost and alone, much like the overwhelming emotions that accompany grief. We’ll explore the powerful lyrics of Brenda Lee’s 60’s hit “All Alone Am I” and how they resonate with the feelings of isolation many experience after a loss.
Through personal anecdotes and reflections, I’ll share how gratitude has been a guiding light out of the swamp of grief. Learn about the importance of moving forward, even when the path is unclear, and the transformative power of connecting with others and expressing gratitude.
Discover practical steps to embrace gratitude daily, inspired by the uplifting words of American poet e.e. cummings, and find encouragement to continue your journey toward healing. This episode is a reminder that, while the grieving process is deeply personal and often solitary, hope and recovery are possible.
Today’s Poem: Keep A-Goin’!
Keep A-Goin’!
Frank Lebby Stanton
Ef you strike a thorn or rose,
Keep a-goin’!
Ef it hails, or ef it snows,
Keep a-goin!
‘Taint no use to sit an’ whine,
When the fish ain’t on yer line;
Bait yer hook an’ keep a-tryin’—
Keep a-goin’!
When the weather kills yer crop,
Keep a-goin’!
When you tumble from the top,
Keep a-goin’!
S’pose you’re out of every dime,
Bein’ so ain’t any crime;
Tell the world you’re feelin’ prime—
Keep a-goin’!
When it looks like all is up,
Keep a-goin’!
Drain the sweetness from the cup,
Keep a-goin’!
See the wild birds on the wing,
Hear the bells that sweetly ring,
When you feel like sighin’ sing—
Keep a-goin’!
Today’s Poem: A Song of Hope by Felicia Dorothea Hemans
A Song of Hope
Felicia Dorothea Hemans
Droop not, my Brother! I hear a glad strain—
We shall burst forth like streams from the winter-night’s chain;
A flag is unfurl’d, a bright star of the sea,
A ransom approaches, we yet shall be free!
Where the pines wave, where the light chamois leaps,
Where the lone eagle hath built on the steeps,
Where the snows glisten, the mountain rills foam,
Free as the falcon’s wing, yet shall we roam.
Where the hearth shines, where the kind looks are met,
Where the smiles mingle, our place shall be yet!
Crossing the desert, o’ersweeping the sea,
Brother, brave Brother! we yet shall be free!
From Gym Encounters to Deep Connections: A Journey Through Grief
Listen to my Podcast, Journey from Grief to Healing, Episode 113 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 113
In Episode 113 of “Journey from Grief to Healing,” we delve into a profound encounter at the gym that brings unexpected connections and shared experiences of grief. Host Ray recounts a chance meeting with Mark, an acquaintance from two years ago. Mark’s story of recent personal tragedies reveals the deep, unspoken bond formed through shared suffering. This episode explores the emotional weight of grief, the significance of empathy, and the universal truths found in John Donne’s poem “No Man is an Island.” Join us as we discuss the power of simple words, shared understanding, and the healing impact of kindness, inspired by the poetry of Edgar Guest. Listen and discover how our personal pain can become a gift to others, fostering connections and offering solace in times of need.
Today’s Quote: Make Sure It’s Your Path
To find a mountain path all by oneself gives a greater feeling of strength than to take a path that is shown. ~ Karen Horney
Navigating the Grieving Road: Choosing Life Over Waiting
Listen to my Podcast, Journey from Grief to Healing, Episode 111 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 111
Welcome to Episode 111 of “Journey from Grief to Healing” with Dr. Ray Calabrese. In this episode, Dr. Ray draws a powerful analogy between the challenging road of grief and the frustratingly congested Loop 1604 in San Antonio. Both paths are filled with uncertainties, delays, and the necessity to keep moving forward despite the obstacles.
Dr. Ray explores the critical juncture we all face on our grieving journey, where we must decide between waiting in despair or choosing to live fully. Drawing inspiration from Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” and quotes from notable authors like Stephen Fry and Elizabeth Gilbert, he emphasizes the importance of making a conscious choice to embrace life.
Join Dr. Ray as he encourages listeners to rise above self-pity and isolation, to open the gate to new possibilities, and to let in love and life. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that healing is possible and that choosing to live is the key to finding joy and purpose again.
If you find this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend who is also on a grieving journey. Subscribe for notifications of future episodes and check out Dr. Ray’s uplifting blog at dancingalone530.com. Have a story of hope and strength? Email Dr. Ray at ray.breeze@gmail.com. Stay strong and never give up.
Finding Light in the Darkness: Hope and Healing Through Grief – Episode 109
Welcome to Episode 109 of “Journey from Grief to Healing” with Dr. Ray Calabrese. In this episode, Dr. Ray delves into the profound feelings of loneliness and despair that accompany the loss of a loved one. Drawing inspiration from Walter D. Lamar’s poignant poem “Alone,” he explores the metaphorical ‘winter’ that engulfs those who grieve.
Dr. Ray discusses the importance of shifting focus from inward pain to outward connection, using analogies to illustrate the healing process. He emphasizes the role of patience and hope, quoting insightful thoughts from Daniel Goleman and Father Henri Nouwen .
Listeners are encouraged to embrace the light of hope and patience, guiding them from the darkness of grief to the light of healing. Join Dr. Ray as he offers comforting words and practical advice to help you navigate your journey of grief and find renewed joy in life.
If you find this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend and subscribe for future episodes. Visit Dr. Ray’s’ blog at dancingalone530.com for more positive and uplifting content. Have a story of hope and strength to share? Email Dr. Ray at ray.brese@gmail.com.
Stay strong, never quit, and remember: love always wins.
Today’s Thought: Do You Have the Juice?
Sometimes we want something so badly only to be disappointed. Disappointment doesn’t mean we lost or failed. It only means the one specific thing we wanted wasn’t available to us at this moment. It was some one else’s turn. A different way to think about it is to reflect on why we wanted it. What was it that excited us? If we still feel the juice for what we badly wanted, we can ask ourselves what we are willing to sacrifice to get what we wanted. If we’re not willing to make the needed sacrifice, we don’t have enough juice. It’s best to cast aside the disappointment and search for something that sets our hearts afire.
