January Director's Message

New Years Day, January 1, 2008

Greetings,

Another year has passed into the archives of history, and now we look forward with anticipation to what 2008 will bring. I was speaking to a friend today as we discussed that it seems that so many of us, in addition to our family members, have experienced personal health challenges in 2007. We noted that as we are aging, or maybe as we’re gaining in Wisdom, we realize that less can be taken for granted and each new day offers the opportunity to count our blessings.

Two weeks before Christmas I was afforded one of those opportunities. My 23-year-old daughter Dana underwent a major surgery on the base of her cranium. She had been suffering a number of debilitating symptoms that had increased in intensity over the past several months to the point that she just couldn’t function normally. When her close friend suddenly died of a brain tumor she became increasingly concerned that her own symptoms might be the result of a brain tumor. The week after Brady died, Dana was getting intuitive messages, including a dream in which he spoke to her encouraging her to get a brain scan.

Dana went in for an MRI the very next day, and Dr. Todd Lanman, a good man and very talented neurosurgeon, diagnosed the problem and indicated that it could be corrected with a surgery. Without going into the details of the condition here, suffice it to say that we, as a family, went to full attention in assisting Dana to prepare for the procedure and what would turn out to be a 9-day stay in the hospital.

We put the holidays on hold and focused mindfully on Dana’s overall wellbeing. Friends and family members prayed and offered support in whatever ways they could be helpful to us. Dana came through the surgery and has been recovering well. Everyone agreed that this was the best present that we could have asked for this year.

My wife Fran stayed with Dana, sleeping in a reclining chair next to her bed for the 9-day hospital stay. This act of caring provided such comfort for Dana. Throughout the past more than 20 years, I have witnessed time and again selfless acts of compassion from this mother for her children. We have found that the love offered from family members, whether blood-related or spiritual, can make such a positive difference in one’s life, especially when facing a challenge or crisis.

People asked me if I was ever worried and how was I able to hold up through the ordeal. I would reply that I was concerned, but did not worry, and that my faith had bolstered me throughout. I had faith in Dr. Lanman, a man that I have known for 15 years, who had operated on my wife and other people in our community. And I have faith in the power of prayer and the unified focus of people’s positive thoughts.

Experiences like this one serve to remind me to practice the tools that I encourage others to practice. I’ve felt that my best teachers have also been the best students of life’s lessons and I have endeavored to follow their modeling.

I reflect on what I am to learn as I encounter each experience. I have realized that significant knowledge can be gained from experiences and that wisdom is the right use of that knowledge. In other words, wisdom is knowledge in right action. What good is a wise teaching unless we practice it? The series of Mindfulness Practicums and the Spring Call To Adventure Retreat this year will focus on practices that can bring more lightness, love and joy into your life even when dealing with life’s adversities. Watch for other workshops offered by associates of the Men’s Center on a variety of topics along the same theme.

At this time I wish to express my gratitude to all the men on the Wisdom Council and their family members who have supported the mission of the Men’s Center/Sacred Path community. I am grateful to those that have attended the retreats and workshops over the past year. It’s truly through your presence that we remain encouraged to provide the events that we believe can make a positive difference in your life.

Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy, prosperous and joyful New Year.

Peace be with you,
Stephen


PS: The flyer/application form for the Practicum is included here as an attachment and can be downloaded and sent in ASAP. Reservations will not be held without an actual commitment, so please make yours today by completing the registration form. Click HERE