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Finding Blessings in Adversity
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Professor Matt Gage When I think of finding blessings in adversity, my mind automatically jumps to Professor Matt Gage. I first met Matt in 2005. He and his wife Michel had taken a leap of faith, moving their family of four from Iowa to Utah to begin working on a PhD. Although Matt and I worked closely over the next four years, I realized I didn’t get to know him as well as I thought. While interviewing him last week, I learned more about his story. I’m excited for you to get to know him a…
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An Olympian Who Chose to Get Back Up
Written by Jeremy Hawkins An Intriguing Story 2024 was an Olympic year. I didn’t watch as much of the Olympics as I have in some years, but I did catch some of it. One story that intrigued me was that of Olympian Kenneth Rooks. On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Rooks surprised the steeplechase world by winning a silver medal. And while he ran an awe-inspiring race that day, I want to focus on another aspect of his story today. National Championships For those unfamiliar with the steeplechase, it is a 3,000-meter race (1.86 miles) that combines running with obstacle jumping. …
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The Puzzle We Call Life
written by Jeremy Hawkins As a university professor, I love graduation. It represents the culmination of years of hard work and it launches students into whatever comes next. In our most recent December commencement ceremony I enjoyed listening to Sonia Gutierrez share some thoughts as one of the commencement speakers. She is a remarkable individual who exemplifies resilience, dedication, and a strong commitment to her community. After successfully contributing to her family’s tortilla factory, she built a career in real estate and co-founded a concrete company. Alongside her professional achievements, Sonia actively serves her community, locally and at the state…
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New Year, New Perspective
written by Jeremy Hawkins Living a Good Life Like many, I begin each new year with resolutions or goals I hope to accomplish. My efforts this year are centered on living a good life. This is a personal mantra I recorded in one of Lynnie’s gratitude journals last August. One area I find myself particularly focused on is my physical health. I had a birthday in October – I am working on being closer to 50 than 45. At that point, I felt pretty comfortable with what I was doing for my fitness. Unfortunately the scale wasn’t changing in the…
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A Thanksgiving Reflection on Giving & Receiving
Written by Jeremy Hawkins A Good Story I am a sucker for a good story. As Lynnie and I discussed what to post this week, we thought it might be fun and fitting to share this Thanksgiving story from over 80 years ago. What Does Turkey Taste Like? The family always gathered for Thanksgiving dinner. Gladys put the turkey in the “big oven” over at Annie’s, and the sisters took turns checking its progress. Spence had charge of setting the table after he got home from four hours at the print shop and before he and the boys went to…
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Choosing a New Normal
Written by Jeremy Hawkins It’s All Good! Lynnie and I had the opportunity to hold a Zoom interview last week with Paula Cooper, a friend and local Social Studies teacher. The text thread shared minutes before our Zoom interview represents Paula well and is a fitting way to start this post. Lynnie told us she was running behind, getting dinner on the table, and needed a few more minutes. Paula and I told her to take her time. A minute later Lynnie asked for a little more time. Paula was quick to reassure her that she did not need to…
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Pruning Stimulates Growth
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Cutting Things Back With fall fully upon us, the focus in my yard has turned to cleaning out the garden, winterizing the sprinklers, pruning things back, raking leaves, and the like, so that everything is ready to grow again next year. The idea of cutting things back to help them grow has always been intriguing to me. It reminds me of this story told by Hugh B. Brown in 1971: The Currant Bush A Little Clump of Stumps “I was living up in Canada. I had purchased a farm. It was run down. I went out…
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Choosing the Light Path
choosing the light path
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It’s Time (To Write Your Own Eulogy)
If you were to write your own eulogy today, what would you say about yourself? Family Passing On My last two grandparents passed away in 2020. My mom’s mom, Grandma Hadley, passed in July, and my dad’s mom, Grandma Hawkins, in December. You all will remember that we were amid a global pandemic then, so their funerals were a bit different out of necessity. We held viewings for both at funeral homes, being mindful of how many were present (my family didn’t accompany me to either due to capacity limitations). The services themselves were held at cemeteries with appropriate social…
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Father to the Fatherless — A Dream Turned Into Reality.
Written by Jeremy Hawkins. Mathias Mulumba is currently a student at Colorado Mesa University studying business management and entrepreneurship. He is also a father, a husband, a survivor, a fighter, a dreamer, an entrepreneur, a builder, a believer, and so much more. This is his story. Long & Difficult Days Mathias grew up poor in Uganda. His parents could not afford to feed him and his 7 siblings, let alone provide them with an education, so he went to live with a wealthy aunt around the age of nine. His aunt had multiple children who lived with her. Some were…
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Blooming in Different Seasons
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Blooming Patterns The other morning I was out in my yard after a workout when I began to think about things blooming in different seasons. I noted that our limelight hydrangea was getting ready to bloom. Down the fence line, the butterfly bush was in full bloom already. Our knockout roses are in their second bloom (so to speak), as the rose petals from a few weeks ago have fallen off and new flowers have taken their place. Pastel zinnias have begun to bloom in our garden area and will last for the remainder of the…
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God is in the Details
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Jade Jade Duckworth is a former student of mine, having graduated nearly a decade ago. For better or worse, Jade was unique in the CMU athletic training program – she is black and CMU is a predominantly white institution. Because of the relationship that Jade and I developed, her entire senior year she and I had a standing appointment on Fridays at 11 am. That time was set aside for questions and frustrations. It was also safe place for Jade to sit, study, or just be. Jade and I have stayed in touch over the years…
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The Loads We Carry
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Many Hats Two hats I wore at Colorado Mesa University this past academic year came with the titles of Assistant Vice President of Academic Innovation and Director of Graduate Studies within the Office of Academic Affairs. At a university, an Office of Academic Affairs oversees the education side of things – faculty, courses, curriculum, assessment, etc. – for the entire university. My role within this office was to work with various academic departments on program development and program review as well as to champion the cause of graduate education across campus. Two additional hats that I…
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Sometimes You Just Have To Go Through It
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Sydnei Littrell is currently a second-year graduate student in the Master of Science in Athletic Training program at Colorado Mesa University. I have worked with her as a professor and a mentor for a few years now and was grateful for the opportunity to interview her for this blog post. Inspired by her positivity and strength, I came away from that interview with an excitement to share those things with you. Emotions Weren’t A Thing Sydnei grew up in northern Montana. Coming to school at CMU last fall meant diving into the unknown and leaving her…
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Hurricanes – A Blessing or a Bother?
Written by Seth Hawkins Since he first started collecting house plans in high school, Seth Hawkins has been fascinated by the way people interact with the places and spaces in the world around them. Through a varied career that has spanned everything from financial planning and human resources to operations, product, event, and program management, this theme of the human experience has been a common thread. Seth is currently a Senior Project Manager at Turner & Townsend Heery, a firm that manages large construction projects on behalf of public sector clients, building schools for the next generation of adventurers. The…
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You Don’t Know How Far They’ve Come
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Bikes & Buses Throughout most of my education, my wife and I only had one car. We routinely found places to live that were either close enough to campus for me to ride my bike or that had easy access to public transportation so that she would not be without a car. As a result, I biked and bused a lot of miles. They Could Have Used Some Pointers I remember one bike ride in particular. I was working on my PhD and had to ride approximately 2.5 miles to campus. As I neared campus,…
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There is Joy To Be Had
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Mel Armendariz is married to a ‘husband with wings’ and is the mother of two beautiful children, a 9 year old daughter and a 6 year old son. This is Amazing! “Jeremy Hawkins this is AMAZING and simply how I’ve been living daily for the past 10 months.” This was Mel Armendariz’s reaction to our introductory blog post. I responded with an invitation to share her story and she graciously accepted, and in doing so, she taught me that regardless of our circumstances, there is joy to be had. Baseball Connections I first became acquainted with…
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Girls Basketball
written by Jack Rolfe Jack and his wife Lexie have 5 children and 15 grandchildren. They raised their family in Las Vegas, NV, and St. George, UT, and now live in Amman, Jordan, where they work as humanitarian service volunteers. They have a love and passion for helping others and enjoy doing that full-time as they work and serve in the Middle East. Deeply Disappointed Several years ago I coached a youth girls’ basketball club team that participated in the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) organization. The director of our club, Hadley, was a good friend of mine. We enjoyed working…
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Finding Your Flecks of Gold
Flecks of Gold Years ago I heard this story and the message has stuck with me. “Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849 was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them. “Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks. Discouraged and broke, he…
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Language Barriers: A Blessing or a Bother?
Written by Lexie Rolfe Lexie and her husband Jack have 5 children and 15 grandchildren. They raised their family in Las Vegas, NV and St. George, UT and are now living in Amman, Jordan, where they are working as humanitarian service volunteers. They have a love and passion for helping others and are enjoying being able to do that full-time as they work and serve in the Middle East. A Minor Challenge My husband Jack and I have been working in the Middle East for the past 10 months as Humanitarian Service Volunteers. We spend our time here supporting non-government…
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Headaches: A Blessing or a Bother?
Freaking Out A Bit I think it was somewhere around 5th or 6th grade when I got my first migraine headache. I remember it freaking me out a bit. My arm and part of my face went numb and I had a hard time forming a sentence. Since then I’ve learned to pay attention to things that may trigger a headache. I also watch for the aura I get when one is beginning. Sometimes I can take medicine and maybe get a quick nap in to lessen the effects of a migraine. Sometimes, I can’t and I experience the migraine…
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[New Series!] Perspective: A Blessing or a Bother? Welcome! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jeremy Hawkins. I work at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) as an athletic training educator and have known Lynnie and her family for over a decade through our shared faith community. I got to know her personally in 2020 when she and I participated in a self-help group on emotional resilience. We began working professionally together a year ago when she approached me about using her gratitude journals with students at CMU. It is through that connection the idea of this blog series was formed.…
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Do Compliments Make a Difference?
Introduction In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, one simple yet potent tool stands out for fostering connection, spreading joy, and cultivating a positive atmosphere—compliments. A sincere compliment has the power to uplift spirits, strengthen relationships, and create a ripple effect of positivity. In this blog post, we will explore the numerous benefits of complimenting others and delve into the transformative impact it can have on both individuals and communities. Compliments serve as a powerful confidence booster. When we receive genuine praise, it validates our efforts and achievements, contributing to a positive self-image. Whether it’s acknowledging a job well…
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Daily Acts of Kindness
Introduction In a world that often seems fast-paced and filled with challenges, there is a simple yet profound antidote – daily acts of kindness. These small gestures have the power to create a ripple effect, spreading positivity and warmth throughout our communities. They impact both individuals and society and can contribute to a more compassionate and connected world. The Power of Small Gestures Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. A smile, a compliment, or holding the door for someone might seem inconsequential, but they can brighten someone’s day and create a sense of interconnectedness. Small gestures…
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Dreams & Vision Boards
One powerful tool for bringing our dreams to life is the creation of a vision board. This visual representation of our goals serves as a reminder of what we want to achieve. It can be a source of hope and inspiration throughout the year. The Basics of a Vision Board A vision board is essentially a collage of images, words, and affirmations that represent your goals and desires. It can be created on a physical board with cutouts from magazines, photographs, and personal items, or digitally using online tools and apps. The key is to make it a reflection of…
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The Power of Gratitude During the Holiday Season
Introduction: The Power of Gratitude The power of gratitude is evident four-fold at this time of year. As the holiday season unfolds, adorned with twinkling lights and the joyous melodies of festive tunes, there’s an undeniable magic in the air. Beyond the hustle and bustle of gift-giving and feasting lies a profound opportunity to reflect on one of the most transformative emotions—gratitude. Read on as we delve into the significance of gratitude during the holiday season. Take note as we explore how cultivating a thankful heart can enrich our lives in meaningful ways. The Gratitude Ripple Effect Gratitude acts like…
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Making Journaling Fun For Kids!
Introduction Journaling is a valuable activity for children that can help them develop essential writing skills, foster self-expression, and improve emotional well-being. However, convincing kids to keep a journal can be a challenge if it feels like a boring chore. To make journaling a fun and engaging experience, here are some creative ways to get kids excited about expressing themselves on paper. Ideas Start by letting your child choose a journal with a vibrant cover design or even encouraging them to decorate their own journal. Personalization can make the journal feel special and uniquely theirs. Stickers, drawings, and photos can…
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Journaling for Mindfulness: Exploring the Lesser-Known Techniques to Enhance Your Practice
Introduction Do you find your mind racing with thoughts, making it hard to focus or relax? You’re not alone. In our increasingly busy lives, achieving a state of mindfulness – being fully present and engaged in the moment – can be a challenge. One effective tool to help cultivate this state is journaling. In this article, we will dive into the world of mindfulness journaling techniques, highlighting some lesser-known techniques that can enhance your mindfulness practice. Understanding Mindfulness The Concept of Mindfulness What is mindfulness? In simple terms, it’s a mental state achieved by focusing on the present moment while…
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The Benefits of Journaling: Why Everyone Should Try It
Introduction Journaling is a simple yet powerful habit that can transform your life in numerous ways. It’s an activity that requires minimal investment but positively impacts your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. In this article, we will explore the many benefits of journaling and why everyone should give journaling a try. Mental Health Benefits of Journaling Stress Relief Journaling is a fantastic tool for managing stress. By putting your thoughts and feelings down on paper, you allow your mind to declutter and process your emotions. As a result, you can gain a better understanding of the causes of your stress…
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Unlocking the Power of Visual Journaling: How to Combine Art and Writing for Personal Growth
Introduction to Visual Journaling We often turn to writing to express our thoughts and emotions. But did you know that there’s another powerful way to connect with your inner world? Visual journaling is an expressive and transformative practice that combines the power of art and writing to help you grow personally. This article will guide you through the world of visual journaling, providing techniques, prompts, and insights to help you unlock its potential. What is Visual Journaling? Visual journaling, also known as art journaling, is a creative practice that incorporates both visual and written elements into a journal or sketchbook.…
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