INSTRUCTIONS: Read and respond to the three discussion posts (Ashley, Diamond, and Travis).
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6.1 12 Months to Live-Thank-You
Ashley
Summarize key points from the documentary for this week
This past weekend, I watched Dr. Dave’s video to put all the little clips together and make a complete story. I enjoyed the video in its entirety very much, and it made more sense altogether.
In his final trek, Dr. Dave goes to Australia to work and takes time by the ocean to reflect on his yearlong “walkabout,” which he describes as a spontaneous journey through the wilderness in search of greater clarity and peace. He thought about his original goals: wander, write and record, and live in awe and wonder. He came to a mental, emotional, and spiritual place of peace, guided by love, beauty, and truth. Dr. Dave slowly but surely found his joy again.
Once back in the States, Dr. Dave contacted his mentor, Dr. Joy, to discuss his journey and renewed perspective on life. Dr. Joy discussed the importance of integrating the pain and tragedies of life with our joy. Life doesn’t stop being joyful when there’s tragedy, just as life doesn’t stop being painful when there’s happiness. I love what Dr. Joy says about persevering and not giving up (to suicide) by incorporating the painful times with your emotional being. Thus, you can become an “unparalleled authority.” Someone who knows pain and heartbreak can more readily help someone else through it and offer hope.
Dr. Dave finished out the video with his ‘dude night’ conversation. In it, his friend talks about how after his dad got divorced, he experienced a greater closeness and friendship with his father in a way he had not before. His friend had always wanted to have an adult friendship with his father, and it wasn’t possible until his father was broken. The friend’s dad observed that a broken heart is an open heart; sometimes, that’s what it takes to open.
Write about one major aspect or point of the program and your project that you sensed God’s presence or leading. Consider how even the darkness may have been a part of God’s plan
I can relate to Dr. Dave’s journey to find his joy again as I have a similar grief story. I have written about it extensively in this program and have been on my own “walkabout” and quest for joy for the past two years. A week ago marked the second anniversary of the death of my best friend and the love of my life. It’s still hard to wrap my mind around the fact that he’s gone; it was so sudden and very unexpected. Being able to write about my grief experience has helped me to process my feelings as Dr. Dave did in his video. I no longer feel I will never be happy, but I don’t know if I will ever love anyone like that again. We shall see. I know God has a plan for me, and I eagerly await what the future may bring.
Take a moment to write a prayer of thanksgiving and celebration for all that you have accomplished in this program, for God’s hand of guidance, protection and grace
I have felt God’s guiding hand and gentle whispers of encouragement to continue and finish this program. It’s been an incredible experience that is hard to describe. I am forever grateful and feel a surge of thankfulness, relief, and happiness, tinged with sadness, too; that’s its ending. I’m also not ending with my original cohort, and that’s a little bittersweet, but I want to say that this group has been outstanding and uplifting. You are exceptional scholars, and I loved what I’ve learned from you. I know you will do great things out there and be a shining example of what it means to live a good life of purpose, meaning, and joy.
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Diamond
This week’s final segment of Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh was a powerful conclusion to an incredible journey. Dr. Dave’s reflections on reconnecting with mentors, honoring his progress, and seeing the hand of God in even the darkest moments deeply resonated with me. The most moving part was when he acknowledged that while he initially sought joy in laughter, what he truly found was a deeper sense of peace, purpose, and gratitude. The Psalm 139 passage beautifully expressed his realization that God’s presence had been with him through every twist and turn guiding, protecting, and never leaving his side.
As I look back on my own Capstone Project and the program as a whole, I can clearly see God’s hand at work especially during moments of doubt and exhaustion. There were times when I questioned my ability to finish, when balancing work, school, and life felt overwhelming. Yet, in those moments of “darkness,” I found unexpected strength, clarity, and reassurance. One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned is that God doesn’t just meet us in joy He’s also present in our struggle.
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for walking with me through every step of this journey. Thank You for the strength You gave me when I felt weak, for the wisdom You placed in my heart, and for surrounding me with people who lifted me up. I praise You for every challenge, every lesson, and every joyful moment of growth. Lord, may I carry this knowledge and this faith into the next chapter of my life. Amen.
Travis
• Summarize key points from the documentary for this week.
It’s awesome that Dr. Dave had the means to travel in assisting with his self care and therapy to find his laugh again. His trip to Australia would be his last major travel in the documentary where he went to do his walkabout, serve and reflect on his journey. But I wonder where Dr. Dave would have ended up without the means to travel.
Anyhow, it was refreshing to see him reconnect with his mentor Dr. Joy back in the States. Dr. Joy is still very active and full of zest in his old age.
• Write about one major aspect or point of the program and your project that you sensed God’s presence or leading. Consider how even the darkness may have been a part of God’s plan.
For me, I almost quite the program which may come as a surprise to some, but I felt like giving up or at least hitting the pause button. I started this journey when everything in my life was shifting, career, home life, health etc. However in the stormy moments of doubt, I felt God nudging me to push through. I knew I had to keep forging ahead, stay in prayer and God would strengthen me and He did. Dreading a process or focusing on how long something will take to achieve can by a catalyst for giving up. I’ve been learning to embrace time, be patient because what other choice do we have anyway?
• Take a moment to write a prayer of thanksgiving and celebration for all that you have accomplished in this program, for God’s hand of guidance, protection and grace.
Father God, in the name of Jesus, I thank you once again for coming through for me. I thank you for leading me, and always showing me your face, when I need you most. I realize that after each triumph in life, there’s always another boss that needs to be defeated and through Christ and I can slap them all silly! 😊 In Jesus name, amen!!
I believe God has a sense of humor.
