2.1 INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the two ( Ahsley and Travis) posts below.
Ashley
Dr. Dave was on a quest to regain laughter, joy, and meaning in his life. He traveled and did some bucket list items in order to gain clarity of purpose. He worked for a month on a movie set in Michigan, gaining movie-making skills, but felt the unpredictability of working on a film set wasn’t for him. Next, he regrouped back home for more reflection, following his breadcrumbs of inspiration. He met an interesting woman at a coffee shop, a laughter yoga teacher, and had serendipitous conversations with her. She confirmed his intentions of loving life, being grateful, and laughing more. He realized he was confused and uncertain about his faith and wanted to explore this aspect of his life. He spent two weeks in a monastery and was encouraged to sit in silence and be patient while listening to the gentle whisper of God. Feeling cooped up and needing some socialization, he went stargazing with a monk and his friend. Dr. Dave had a revelation while out that night, looking at the stars and hearing how the monk and his friend were motivated by the pure beauty of stargazing. Dr. Dave listened to them speak about the Hubble telescope that looked into a tiny dark spot in outer space where there was nothing, but then thousands of galaxies appeared, and he had an epiphany that maybe his faith journey was similar. With time, focused patience, and silence, perhaps spiritual wonders would gradually unfold for him as well, and he would be able to see beauty and light in what appeared to be darkness at first glimpse.
I’ve had an interesting journey in the last two years. Almost two years ago, I lost my best friend and the love of my life to a sudden heart attack. However, we were not together at the time and had not been together for several years, as he had taken a job in another city and there were some other unfortunate circumstances at play. As I have reflected in these courses, I have written extensively about him and the grief I felt, which is somewhat unusual as we were not together; however, we never stopped loving each other. I thought I should be with someone new by now and have gone out on some dates. The one thing that has kept coming back to me is the whisper of God telling me this is my time. This is my time to heal, grow, and pursue my dreams unencumbered by someone else. I have needed this time for healing. This program has taken me longer than normal because I took four months off in the middle when I was moving and facing some health struggles. Yet, I picked it up and kept my promise to complete the program, all with the gentle but persistent urging of God. After I moved, my daughter did not move with me, and my home has been very quiet for the last 10 months, giving me ample time to ponder, listen, and be patient in the silence. I hope that what could only be seen as darkness at first glance two years ago will somehow be transformed and that I will be able to see all the galaxies, light, and beauty that are there from God, just as Dr. Dave did.
Travis
Dr. Dave’s willingness to step outside of his comfort zone and travel all the way to Michigan for a month is inspiring and shows we must be willing to go to a place or places that facilitates our happiness. His willingness to be open and not guarded allowed him to meet a wonderful woman named Fran in a coffee shop who ironically ended up being a Laughter therapist is not a consequence. Another important note, is that we must also strike and balance in life too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Case in point, living in silence was liberating to some degree, but also very challenging and so Dr Dave felt to need to venture out the monastery and connect with people.
Echoing the ideas presented in 1 Kings 19:12-13, the story implies that joy normally lies in silence. Just like God’s voice comes in silence, perhaps joy can show up in quiet and subtle ways, inviting us to stop and listen.
There have been times of turmoil when I searched for clarity and direction, struggling to discern His presence amid chaos. In the stillness I sought, I felt a profound peace wash over me, accompanied by thoughts of hope and renewal. I realized that God’s voice often comes not in grand gestures but in quiet, intimate moments. Every time I go to God in silence meaning I pray and then I just sit for good while and listen, I get a special gift each time. God never sends me away empty handed.
Dr. Dave has expressed that joy is not just a passing feeling, but an essential part of our overall health that has impacts on the body as well as the mind. This adds to the notion that one’s happiness goes a long way toward healing.
Ultimately, the documentary and the scripture both resonate with the mantra that joy and healing can go together, and that joy can often be found in the most vulnerable or still places, inviting you to dig into it deeper in your own life.
