Judith B Miller

Author, Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Mapusha Supporter

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There is Empty and There is Empty

October 20, 2017 by judithb Leave a Comment

Beautiful empty bowl

Of late I have been deep in the realms of ‘empty’ due to the death of a dear friend and the loss of a relationship with a man to whom I was wide open.

Happily, I am beginning to understand the grace of empty, the space it creates, the opportunity to dance in the unknown.

As I grieved my losses, I was also busy researching for a Tedx Talk I am preparing. It’s on the nature of hope. I’ve been writing and talking for a while about the wonders that occur when hope is merged with action. It’s a central theme in my book about my experiences in South Africa with the Mapusha Weaving Cooperative. Still, for the Ted talk, I wanted to know what others had to say on the matter.

In the realms of psychology and brain science, I found wide agreement on the positive impact of hope. Most agree that hope heals, expands and energizes us. Scott Barny sums it up well,

Hope is not just a feel-good emotion but a dynamic, cognitive motivational system.

Cambodian Buddhist monk Somnieng Hovern adds a fascinating perspective. He speaks not only of the power of hope, but of the synergy between hope and compassion. He suggests that we each do something simple with kindness—and in the process, create hope.

I reflected on my time in South Africa and remembered not just my own growth but the growth of Regina, Emerencia, Eulender…. I felt a new and deeper understanding of the power of hope not just within each individual but within the collective. To live in hope is a wonderful gift, but to create hope within others enlarges the reach exponentially.

hopeful yellow warbler against blue sky
photo credit Edward Celnicker
My own emptiness began to twinkle with schemes and dreams and imaginings.

I found myself envisioning not only my world, but our collective world expanding and beginning to sparkle as hope expanded hope. All that empty space became a canvas for what could be.

I’m inspired to participate with enthusiasm and vigor and gobs of compassion. I want to grow hope, gift hope and celebrate the power of hope to make a difference.

As my dear departed friend David Patient would say,

Lead, follow or get out of my way.

Do join me in growing and gifting the wonder of hope.

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From Judy…

Here I am once again in friendly, green Portland, Oregon, after fourteen years of community development work in South Africa.

My book, Hand Spun Hope, Making a Difference in Rural South Africa, is available on Amazon.

My Life Coaching practice is in full swing and enlivened by the lessons gleaned from my time in South Africa—trust and risk and then trust and risk again! My focus is on listening to your own inner wisdom, letting your hopes fly wide and then, bringing them into the world with action.

I am an inspirational speaker and appreciate any opportunity to share my message of hope and inspire you into action.

I continue to support the Mapusha Weaving Cooperative in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

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