Last evening I was watching a thriller on TV. During one scene, a frightened man says to the protagonist, “Were done for, it’s all over.” The protagonist responds, “No. You don’t know that.” The protagonist’s comment struck me as profound. He was spot on. Even though the odds may seem stacked against us, we don’t know what lies ahead. All we have is this moment, our mind, and a skill set. If we don’t quit, if we keep doing all that we can do, we can turn the odds in our favor. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but what we do today can greatly influence what tomorrow brings.
hope
Finding Healing in Unexpected Places: A Vegas Journey of Connection ~ Episode 92
Welcome to Episode 92 of “Journey from Grief to Healing” with Dr. Ray Calabrese. In Episode 92 of “Journey from Grief to Healing,” we embark on a poignant trip to Las Vegas, a city once filled with memories of love and laughter. Solo amidst the vibrant lights, our host shares profound insights gained from navigating grief, embracing connection, and finding solace in unexpected encounters. From savoring healthy meals to engaging in heartfelt conversations with strangers, the journey unfolds, revealing the transformative power of human connection. Amidst the bustling casinos and diverse crowds, a chance encounter with a fellow traveler sparks hope and inspiration, reminding us of the beauty in resilience and shared experiences. Through shared moments of laughter and reflection, we witness the healing journey transcending individual sorrow to embrace the universal tapestry of human connection. Join us as we explore the profound truth that amidst grief, there lies the potential for renewal, joy, and the rediscovery of life’s vibrant tapestry.
You can listen to Episode 92 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 92
Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to receive notifications of future episodes
Today’s Inspiring Quote: Never Fear Starting Over
Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist but in the ability to start over.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald
Today’s Thought: The Power of Kindness
Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light. ~ Albert Schweitzer
NOTE: It’s a human experience to get knocked down. Most times we can bounce back. Every once in a while it’s tough to bounce back and you wonder if it is all worth it. Then, in moments of deepest despair something happens. Something you didn’t expect. It might occur in the form of a call, a text or an email. It might be a colleague or supervisor stepping into your space. Everything changes in that moment. It is as if new life was breathed into you. Some may call these moments miracles or grace or luck. It happens. I’ve had a number of them in my life. I didn’t see them coming, they kicked down my door and walked in. I’ve learned, we have the power within us to be the source of new life for other people. A kind word, a kind action, the simple act of listening thoughtfully all carry the power of infusing new life into another.
Today’s Inspiring Quote: Live With Hope-Filled Expectations
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” — Walt Whitman
Podcast Episode 87: Life’s Unanswered Questions: Harnessing Hope in the Aftermath of Loss
Welcome to Episode 87 of the ‘Journey from Grief to Healing’ podcast by Dr. Ray Calabrese. In this episode, Dr. Ray explores the parallels between the hope of winning the lottery and life’s emotional investments. Buying a Powerball ticket is a small gamble on dreams, yet our emotional commitments—to love, marriage, and children—are the ultimate bet on hope. We enter these life lotteries with optimism, not expecting life’s sometimes harsh unfairness.
During the course of the episode, Dr. Ray shares his personal experiences of loss, grief, and anger, providing listeners a window into his own journey of healing. He underlines how tragic experiences can prompt us to question life’s unfairness, and why bad things happen to good people while, seemingly, bad people sail through life unscathed.
He delves into some of the most heartbreaking and existential questions surrounding suffering, loss, and unanswered prayers.
Reflecting on personal loss and unanswerable questions, we find solace in poetry, drawing strength from the words of William Wordsworth and Ellen Bass. They teach us that even when life strips away the dreams we hold dear, the human spirit’s resilience can find hope and the ability to love life anew. This episode invites us to embrace the power within to dream again and believe in a hopeful future.
This episode culminates with a powerful reminder, reinforcing that despite our deepest loss, our best days are still ahead of us. Dr. Ray continues to inspire with a constant message: ‘Never quit, never give up.’
ou can listen to Episode 87 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 87
Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to receive notifications of future episodes
I Am Not Alone: A Poem by Gabriela Mistral
I Am Not Alone
Gabriela Mistral
The night, it is deserted
from the mountains to the sea.
But I, the one who rocks you,
I am not alone!
The sky, it is deserted
for the moon falls to the sea.
But I, the one who holds you,
I am not alone !
The world, it is deserted.
All flesh is sad you see.
But I, the one who hugs you,
I am not alone!
Thinking Out Loud: Good Things Are Coming Your Way
The rain will stop, the night will end, the hurt will fade. Hope is never so lost that it can’t be found.
NOTE: Hope is the miracle elixir that pulls us up out of a bottomless pit. When darkness and despair close all the doors, hope opens a window and the sunlight shines through and on us. When all is lost and there seems no way out, hope hollers to us, “Tomorrow will be brighter than today.” If we have hope we can conquer any why. If we have hope, we have a chance, we haven’t given into the forces of darkness. Never give up. Never quit. Keep hope alive in your heart and turn it into a roaring fire. Yes, tomorrow will be better than today. Good things are coming your way.
Hope: A Poem by Langston Hughes
Hope
Langston Hughes
Sometimes when I’m lonely,
Don’t know why,
Keep thinkin’ I won’t be lonely
By and by.
