The Courage To Grow

Acton Academy: The one-room schoolhouse for the twenty-first century Seeking a 21st century education for their children, Laura and Jeff Sandefer jumped off the track of conventional school and created a new model for learning. They created Acton Academy as a better school where learning is made practical and meaningful and where students begin a lifelong Hero's Journey to discover their true potential. Using the Socratic method, elements of the Montessori approach and state-of-the-art online instruction, Acton guides students toward independence and self-motivation, helping them find the courage to grow into the person they were meant to be. Soon, other parents wanted to start their own Acton Academies, and less than a decade from the seven founding students' first Socratic discussion, Acton has spread around the world. ​Courage to Grow is the Sandefer family's personal quest for their own children's education and happiness. Their story also contains a path for other parents who want to give their children the freedom to take ownership of their own education and to start their own school. The treasure at the end is much larger than Laura ever expected--a quickly growing network of dedicated, curious young people and parents who are not afraid to set them free.

Here is Barbara Crafton at her best—funny, warm, direct, honest, and vulnerable—on aging. “I think growing older is both funny and sad, but mostly it just makes me grateful to be alive and able to reflect. I have been an Episcopal priest for 33 years and have had extensive experience in ministering with the elderly. Now, I am growing old myself. I hate it when people are ashamed of being old. We should be proud!” she proclaims. Join her in this celebration of life!

"This book is for teachers who have good days and bad -- and whose bad days bring the suffering that comes only from something one loves. It is for teachers who refuse to harden their hearts, because they love learners, learning, and the teaching life." - Parker J. Palmer [from the Introduction] Teachers choose their vocation for reasons of the heart, because they care deeply about their students and about their subject. But the demands of teaching cause too many educators to lose heart. Is it possible to take heart in teaching once more so that we can continue to do what good teachers always do -- give heart to our students? In The Courage to Teach, Parker Palmer takes teachers on an inner journey toward reconnecting with their vocation and their students -- and recovering their passion for one of the most difficult and important of human endeavors.

The Courage to Go Forward shows that individuals need to think differently about creating supportive communities to help each other set and achieve goals, both individually and collectively. Those interested in making a positive impact on society need to consider how to complement societal programs designed for the “average” person with customized approaches tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of every individual. Focused on the inspirational relationship between Cigna, a global health service company, and Achilles International, a nonprofit focused on encouraging disabled people to participate in mainstream athletics, The Courage to Go Forward demonstrates the power and triumph of the human spirit and provides valuable insight into the formation and importance of micro communities. David Cordani, president and CEO of Cigna, and Achilles International founder and president Dick Traum come from very different backgrounds yet share a similar set of passions that eventually brought them together, forming a relationship that has positively impacted communities ranging from inspired employees to thousands of disabled athletes competing at the highest levels. Filled with wisdom from two impactful leaders, a collection of inspiring profiles of Achilles athletes, and stunning imagery, The Courage to Go Forward offers a combination of powerful inspiration and important business lessons, including the potential power of partnership between for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and should be required reading for anyone who wants to drive positive societal change, and to encourage others—or themselves—to achieve beyond their perceived limitations.

"Extraordinary, wise, and hopeful... nearly poetic meditations."—Boston Globe What if imagination and art are not, as many of us might think, the frosting on life but the fountainhead of human experience? What if our logic and science derive from art forms, rather than the other way around? In this trenchant volume, Rollo May helps all of us find those creative impulses that, once liberated, offer new possibilities for achievement. A renowned therapist and inspiring guide, Dr. May draws on his experience to show how we can break out of old patterns in our lives. His insightful book offers us a way through our fears into a fully realized self.

"It takes no courage to sign up as a Protestant." These words begin this bold new work -- the culmination of David Wells's long-standing critique of the evangelical landscape. But to live as a true Protestant -- well, that's another matter. This book is a jeremiad against "new" versions of evangelicalism -- marketers and emergents -- and a summons to return to the historic faith, defined by the Reformation solas (grace, faith, and Scripture alone) and by a high regard for doctrine. Wells argues that historic, classical evangelicalism is marked by doctrinal seriousness, as opposed to the new movements of the marketing church and the emergent church. He energetically confronts the marketing communities and their tendency to try to win parishioners as consumers rather than worshipers, advertising the most palatable environment rather than trusting the truth to be attractive. He takes particular issue with the most popular evangelical movement in recent years -- the emergent church. Emergents, he says, are postmodern and postconservative and postfoundational, embracing a less absolute understanding of the authority of Scripture than traditionally held. The Courage to Be Protestant is a forceful argument for the courage to be faithful to what Christianity in its biblical forms has always stood for, thereby securing hope for the church's future.

Whatever it is, He's bigger. Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's choosing faith instead. But courage usually comes into our lives through hard choices. Will we choose what's easy or hard? Sacrifice or selfishness? Feelings or faith? The difference between courage and cowardice is found not in our own strength but in God's and in our ability to trust Him. In these moments we decide whether we'll do what the Bible teaches, or go our own way. We'll find security in God's promise to always be with us. . . or look elsewhere.

I wrote The Courage to Come Back book to offer some hope and inspiration to other brain injury survivors and also to their family members and to also let the general public know about the benefits of hyperbaric chambers.I also hope that by sharing my story with others, it will give them the fire within to keeping fighting for every inch and every step in their journey of rehab and recovery.I hope that my story inspires people to be the best that they can be to other individuals and that they appreciate fully what others have done.As a result of my injury, I am in a very good position to share my experience with others, as many doors have closed behind me and now I must open up new ones, create new friendships, and other contacts.I have created The Michael Coss Brain Injury Foundation to assist children undergo HBOT therapy as I was given a second chance at life and now it is my turn to give back to others.As a result of my injury, I feel that I am a better person, stronger, and better equipped to deal with life's curve balls and my experience with a TBI, I see as nothing but a speed bump along the road.My book was written to pass along key learning's as to what it is like to have sustained a brain injury to other brain injury affected individuals and their families. It will also give hope and inspiration as the road back is a long, frustrating journey, with many speed bumps along the long winded road. And lastly, it is to educate the benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy to the general public and to spread the word on The Michael Coss Brain Injury Foundation.The journey back is a long frustrating journey for TBI affected individuals and their loved ones. If I can simply take their mind off their current situation for a short brief moment and interject a little distraction, maybe even perhaps a little bit of humor then I will be content giving back to society with my key learning's and story.Unfortunately, there is no magic solution or a pill that one can swallow to ease the pain and discomfort caused by brain injuries. Affected individuals must surround themselves with a positive loving atmosphere that will allow affected individuals to continue to grow, be independent as best they can, and will return to a more normal way of life.I am very fortunate that my parents decided to relocate to Vancouver from Quebec City, leaving family members, and friends behind as they felt that I would need all the support that parents and loved ones could offer me.Thank you Mom and Dad for re-locating to Vancouver to offer my family and I, the very best of support, both physically and emotionally, I am forever grateful and indebted to the both of you for offering me a second chance at life.Your son, Michael