Living in the Meantimes

Every Step Has a Story: Angie's Story

Every Step Has a Story: Angie's Story

Every Step Has a Story Walk Itinerary April 2011 ~ Every Step Has a Story Itinerary Greenville, TX Sulphur Springs, TX Sulphur Springs, TX (Rest) Mt. Vernon, TX Naples, TX New Boston, TX Texarkana, TX Hope, AR Prescott, AR Prescott, AR (Rest) Arkadelphia, AR Malvern, AR Benton, AR Little Rock, AR Cabot, AR Searcy, AR Searcy, AR (Rest) Wynne, AR Earle, AR Memphis, TN Munford, TN Brownsville, TN Humboldt, TN Humboldt, TN (Rest) Camden, TN Waverly, TN Dickson, TN Fairview, TN Brentwood, TN Nashville, TN Keep looking for updates on  the progress of the walk! I'm excited about the possibilities!

Dear Friends, As promised, I am sharing another story gathered along the way. Angie's story is perhaps more common than we might think~an adolescent thrown into an emotionally charged situation, frantic activity surrounding the event, poorly communicated instructions, assumptions and forgetting that a twelve year-old had been placed in an untenable position. All these and more contributed to a ripple effect of influence that reverberated through years of her life. I am hopeful that you will be both touched and enlightened by Angie's Story. . . Mark Angie's Story Angie timidly entered the room, hesitated, then turned back toward the door as if she intended to leave. Her hand rested on the doorknob as she stood there frozen by an unseen, internal battle. The brief pause allowed just enough time for a young woman already in the room to make her way to Angie, extend her hand in greeting and introduce herself. This unexpected demonstration of support caught Angie by surprise and jarred her from her introspection. The other young woman warmly welcomed Angie to the first session of an open-ended grief therapy group. After a few minutes of interchange, Angie and her new "friend" made their way to the circle. As the group dynamics guided the pace and direction of the initial session, I observed Angie as other group participants shared. She appeared uncomfortable. Often as group members shared, I noticed that  her lower lip quivered. Occasionally, she would nod in agreement with a comment from a group member. Always, she looked from one group member to another as they shared their thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Near the end of the session, Angie suddenly blurted out, "Do I have time to talk?" All eyes turned toward her and the unspoken invitation opened a door in her heart that had been closed a long time. As the door opened and she began to speak, an almost unbelievable transformation took place before our eyes. Instead of the sophisticated 24 year-old woman who walked in earlier, Angie became her twelve year-old self. Her voice noticeably changed in pitch and tone. Her vocabulary reverted to that of an adolescent. Her body posture and language projected that of an insecure, self-conscious pre-teen. I had never before witnessed anything quite like that in my life. I was fascinated to hear her story. Angie shared, in her halting twelve year-old style, how her mother had been ill with cancer since Angie was ten. She told the group that her mother spent many months in the hospital and that only recently had she come home. Equipped with IV drips, a hospital bed and constant nursing care, Angie had her mother home. At one point, Angie paused and drifted back to a scene buried deep in her memory, then continued. She indicated that she believed that her mother had come home to recover~that she would soon be well again. No one bothered to tell her the truth that her mother wanted to spend her final days in the familiarity and comfort of her own family and surroundings. It seems that on the night Angie's mother died, Angie was sitting at her bedside, holding her hand and talking with her. Without warning, Angie's mother began to experience distress. The nurse quickly jumped in to action and began barking orders and making calls. Angie stood and moved to the corner of the room watching in confusion and terror. Then, as quickly as the tranquil scene altered, Angie's mother was gone. As she died, she reached out her hand toward Angie and whispered her name. Although Angie did not want to believe it, she knew in her heart that her mother had died ~ and yet . . . The nurse came into the room and instructed Angie to place her hand under her mother's chin and stay there until she returned. Being the compliant child she was, she did as told. Angie stood there, dutifully holding her hand under her mother's chin to keep her mouth closed until the nurse could return. All the while, Angie spoke in soft whispers, "Don't go, mommy. Please don't go. I love you mommy, please don't go." Angie shared that the nurse apparently forgot her instructions to Angie and she stood there for almost an hour. Finally, her father came in, saw what Angie was doing and scolded her for touching her mother. The next few days and weeks were a blur for her, but the message was clear ~ at least to her. She had somehow done something wrong; she was not to talk about what had happened in that room; she was to pick herself up and go on with life . . . period. Members of the group that night expressed words of comfort, reassurance and support and slowly Angie returned to her 24 year-old self. I was afraid that Angie might not return after such a traumatic re-visiting of the death scene; however, she came the next week and then the week after that. Slowly, the group witnessed a transformation in Angie. Each week, she spent less and less time in her 12 year-old self and more in her present day self. As she talked openly  each week about the effects her mother's death had had on her through the years, she grew stronger, more self-confident and in touch with herself and others. When the group decided that it was time to terminate groups sessions, Angie took a few minutes during the final session to express her thanks to her fellow companions in the group for their sincere love, respect and support. I watched, a tear streaming down my cheek, as each group member hugged and promised to stay in touch. I don't know where Angie is now or how she is doing, but I have to believe that as a result of the powerful work done in that group, she has been able to construct a life of her own making. One not dominated by false guilt and shame, but a life guided by a secure self-awareness that healing comes through sharing. Angie touched my life and reminded me of the importance of being open, honest and supportive to children of all ages when they face the death of a loved one. Angie is one of my heroes. I am forever indebted to her for her demonstration of courage and determination. Angie was able to meet herself at the point of her deepest pain and take the necessary journey to healing through learning to mourn in healthy ways. May we all learn from Angie. Thank you for taking the time to read Angie's story. I am hopeful that you will pass it on to friends and family if you see fit. We are all together in this thing called life and need one another in order to make it through from time to time. Until next time . . . Peace!   Sincerely,   Mark Hundley Awaken Associates

Every Step Has a Story . . . And Then Some

Dear Friends,

So much continues to happen regarding the Every Step Has a Story project! Without fail, every person that hears about the project expresses excitement and asks what he/she can do to be most supportive! Simply Amazing!

In this issue, I will share yet another story from the many personal journeys of loss and grief of which I am aware. I am hopeful that you will find ways to share these stories with others you think might benefit from hearing them.

Thanks for your continued interest.

Mark

Daryl's Story

Mom Said It Was Only a Headache I will never forget the first time I met Daryl (not his real name) at his home. I had received a call from his father asking if I minded coming to their home to visit with Daryl. I was more than happy to oblige. Daryl was a friendly, energetic, articulate nine year-old boy. At first glance, one would never know that Daryl carried a heavy burden of grief. His winsome smile almost hid the sadness that lurked just under the surface . . . Almost! One look into his eyes revealed the pain and uncertainty that sought dominance in his life. The source of this pain? Daryl's mother had died only one month before our meeting. As I sat down on the sofa across from Daryl and visited with both his father and him, I sensed that Daryl was eager for his father to leave the room . . . eager to tell me something . . . eager to talk about his sadness. This eagerness was consistent with what his father had told me. It seems that Daryl was somewhat reluctant to talk openly about his feelings of sadness with his father and had asked his dad to find someone he could talk to ~ thus the call to me. After a few minutes, Daryl's father excused himself and left the two of us alone in the living room. Almost immediately, Daryl said, "My mom died and I don't understand why! Can you help me understand why she had to die?" Wow! What a tall order! I knew that I did not have the answers to that question ~ I'm not sure anyone does . . . at least in the ways he sought to know. Instead of tackling the insurmountable, I suggested that he tell me about his mom and he did so with passion, excitement and tears. That initial meeting was just the first of several over the next few months. It seems that Daryl's father and mother had divorced two years prior to her death. Daryl lived with her for the first year and a half after the divorce. During that time period, his mother began to experience frequent, excruciating headaches. Every time she experienced one, she was unable to function to the point that eventually she and Daryl's father agreed that Daryl might be better taken care of if he lived with his father. I recall as Daryl shared that part of his story with me that he stopped and his eyes focused on a faraway place and he said, "Mom said it was only a headache . . . only a headache." The weekend she died, Daryl was visiting her in her home in a state contiguous to Texas. She had been feeling better and was confident that the latest treatment for her headaches might be working. At the dinner table on a Saturday night, she suddenly collapsed, complaining of severe head pain. Daryl's grandmother quickly called 911 and the paramedics took her to the hospital. Daryl's dad was notified and he rushed to Daryl's side as quickly as possible. Before midnight that night, Daryl's mother lost her battle to what was diagnosed ONLY after her death as a brain tumor. Daryl was crushed! Although the doctors misdiagnosed her condition, Daryl believed that his mom "knew" she had a brain tumor. He also believed that his mom told him "it was only a headache" to keep him from worrying about her. He said, "She was just that way . . . never wanted me to worry." Daryl found himself struggling to understand the incomprehensible . . . to make sense of the senseless . . . to find meaning in the meaningless. He did so with the support of a loving father, a caring extended family and a community dedicated to lend invaluable comfort. In the few months that Daryl and I worked together, I watched him struggle, cry, laugh, remember, express anger, sit quietly and find a path for his personal journey. Daryl and his father began attending support sessions at the The W.A.R.M. Place in Ft. Worth where they both found comfort and healing in the presence of others who walked similar paths. I'm not sure what happened to Daryl and his father. That is so often the case with counseling; however, I am confident that they found reconciliation of their grief and continue to walk the paths of healing to this day~ Not because of anything I did, but because of their choices to mourn their loss in ways that bring healing. I will always remember Daryl's courage, vulnerability and determination and I will always remember Daryl. I am a better person for having known him. I am hopeful that you can learn from Daryl as well.

Every Step Has a Story

And the Beat Goes On! Plans for the Every Step Has a Story project continue with new developments almost daily. I have shared that I feel as if I have stepped on a fast-moving train that began its journey headed for a pre-determined destination and that I am just along for the ride! We have finalized the itinerary for stops along the way. I have worked it out so that I will rest each Sunday of the month of April 2011 and not walk at all on those days. Following is the itinerary by date and stop. If you know anyone in any of these towns/cities, please share this information with them. Perhaps we can connect in some way prior to the walk or as we make a stop. April 2011 ~ Every Step Has a Story Itinerary Greenville, TX Sulphur Springs, TX Sulphur Springs, TX (Rest) Mt. Vernon, TX Naples, TX New Boston, TX Texarkana, TX Hope, AR Prescott, AR Prescott, AR (Rest) Arkadelphia, AR Malvern, AR Benton, AR Little Rock, AR Cabot, AR Searcy, AR Searcy, AR (Rest) Wynne, AR Earle, AR Memphis, TN Munford, TN Brownsville, TN Humboldt, TN Humboldt, TN (Rest) Camden, TN Waverly, TN Dickson, TN Fairview, TN Brentwood, TN Nashville, TN Other items of interest being addressed: We are working on acquiring the use of a tour bus as our "rolling headquarters" rather than  staying in a hotel at each stop along the way. I will meet with the local "Smart Car" dealership to see about the use of a Smart Car as the official "chase vehicle" to follow along with me as I walk. Black River Media/Films will produce the first press release related to the event within the next couple of weeks. My publisher will distribute a press release tying Awaken to Good Mourning and Every Step Has a Story within a few weeks. The UNT alumni publication The North Texan will run a story in its next issue as well as one in the spring of 2011 just prior to the walk. They will also post an expanded story in the soon to be launched online version of their alumni magazine. I will share more developments as they arise! In the meantime, thank you for your positive response, encouragement and input! I welcome them all!

Awaken to Good Mourning

Book Added as Ancillary Text We are excited to announce that Awaken to Good Mourning has been added as an ancillary resource text for graduate level counseling students in the UNT Counselor Education Program! The book will serve as a resource for counselors in training during the on campus practicum class ~ a class that requires counselors in training to work with clients under supervision. We continue to find ways to incorporate Awaken to Good Mourning into similar programs in other counselor training programs. If you know of a university counselor training program that might be interested, please let us know! Thanks!

Thank you for your continued interest in the projects and work of Awaken Associates and Mark Hundley. Together we can make a difference in the lives of many children and families. I look forward to sharing more information and stories in the very near future.

Until next time . . . Peace!

 

Sincerely,

 

Mark Hundley
Awaken Associates

Every Step Has a Story: The Cooper Family

Every Step Has a Story: The Cooper Family

Awaken to Good Mourning Awaken to Good Mourning serves as a personal guide for the journey of grief. A portion of the proceeds from all sales goes to support the Every Step Has a Story project. Won't you consider purchasing a copy for yourself, a friend, family member or colleague? Price: $15.95 S & H: Included Please visit Awaken Associates to purchase your copy today!

Dear Friends, "Every Step Has a Story" and every story has a lesson. Each week, I will share a brief story from a child, adolescent or family who has been touched by the death of a loved one. Most of the stories will have positive endings; however, some will paint a picture of continuing uncertainty. I only wish that all stories could end well, but that is not reality.  Both types of stories drive the "Every Step Has a Story" project and my goal is to share both sides of the coin. I am hopeful that you will find this weekly feature to be helpful, informative and encouraging. Thank you! Mark Hundley   The Cooper Family Story I will never forget the day the Cooper family walked into my office at the agency sixteen years ago. Having read the intake form prior to their arrival did little to prepare me. To say that I felt inadequate and ill equipped was an understatement. There in the doorway stood Mrs. Cooper and five stair-step children ages 15, 14, 8, 5 and 2. I say "stood" when actually the two year old was in a stroller ~ right arm wrapped in heavy bandages and left leg in a cast to the knee. I noticed that Mrs. Cooper wore dark sunglasses and held tightly to the arm of her oldest, a daughter. I knew from the intake that Mrs. Cooper struggled with impaired sight. As I invited them in and assisted in finding places for each one, I breathed a desperate prayer for guidance . . . The horrific story outlined in the intake form was nowhere as horrific as the details as they unfolded in the first session. It seems that the patriarch of the Cooper family was a mean, cruel, controlling and violent man. Mrs. Cooper shared that her husband would often hold a loaded pistol to her head and threaten to kill her if she did not follow his commands. As the two oldest girls entered adolescence, his threats settled on their shoulders and into their respective psyches as well. The control he exerted over his family was complete and all-consuming. The lingering effects of that control was almost palpable as they sat meekly sharing their joint story. The reason for their presence in my office was that their husband and father had died a violent death only a couple of weeks prior to our appointment. It seems that one summer afternoon, the trailer in which they resided caught fire. They desperately fought to escape the flames that threatened all of their lives. In the midst of the inferno that swept the dwelling, Mr. Cooper grabbed the youngest two and tossed them through a small window in the middle of the trailer. Prior to that, he had made sure the others were out of harm's way. After he tossed the youngest out the window, he was overcome by the smoke and perished in the blaze. Mr. Cooper died a feared and hated hero. The conflicting thoughts, emotions and perceptions that tormented each surviving family member created immense challenges for their treatment and support. The task of providing appropriate support for the family was too much for one therapist to handle alone. After that initial session, we created a team treatment plan that included play therapy for the younger children, group for the older ones and a team approach with Mrs. Cooper ~ an approach where a female co-therapist worked with me to provide Mrs. Cooper the comfort, stability and support she needed. As part of the treatment plan, we also encouraged grief support group participation at an area grief support center that served families with children in the age ranges of the Coopers. As is so often the case, life got in the way. . . transportation became an issue . . . the necessities of daily living squeezed therapy out of the picture . . . and the Cooper family moved to another part of the country to be close to extended family. I often wonder how they are fairing.  The children are no longer children and the mother is advancing in age. I have no idea whether or not the interventions and support we sought to provide proved adequate enough for their desperately complex needs. All I can do is hope . . . and pray that a few seeds of comfort, love and encouragement were enough to serve as a foundation for healing and grief reconciliation. The lesson I learned from those encounters was that in every situation with which I am faced, I must do the best I can with what I have at the time I have it. I am reminded of a quote from C. S. Lewis that says, "The present is the point at which Time Touches Eternity." I must believe that those "present" moments spent with the Cooper family touched eternal moments that to this day, pay dividends for them. I can only hope . . .  May you become increasingly aware of how each "present" moment carries with it the potential of eternal significance. Until next week . . . Peace!   Sincerely,   Mark Hundley

Every Step Has a Story

Dear Friends,

I am often amazed at how rapidly life changes ~ how quickly the landscape in which we live alters around us! Since the last newsletter, so many exciting things have happened! I am anxious to share them with you and ask that you consider passing the newsletter along to friends and family members you think might find the news as exciting as I!

Here goes!

Mark

McKinney, TX to Nashville, TN~600 Miles/Thirty Days         

As you know from last month's newsletter, I've had one of those "crazy ideas" again! The Every Step Has a Story project I told you about is taking on a life of its own! I would never have dreamed that so much could happen in such a short time, but it has!

On April 1, 2011, I will depart McKinney, TX, headed for Nashville, TN ~ a 600 mile hike ~ averaging 20 to 25 miles per day. My plans are to complete this task on Saturday April 30, 2011! What would compel a 57 year old bald guy to take on such a project? Glad you asked!

Essentially, my passion to provide support for grieving children, adolescents and families drives me to pursue this task. Following are the three goals I have for this project:

• To raise awareness of the scope and impact of childhood and adolescent grief on a national level.
• To highlight organizations around our country that work to provide support for grieving children and families.
• To raise awareness of and funds for the Journey of Hope Grief Support Center regionally in the North Texas  area.

Now I must confess that as I contemplated sharing this idea with others, I thought I would be met with skepticism or discouragement. To my elation, the opposite has been the case! Without exception, everyone who has listened to the details of this project has been extremely excited and supportive!

In order to accomplish the goals listed above, part of the overall plan includes a town hall type meeting at each stop along the way where I will share my story and collect stories from those in attendance; media coverage ~ nationally, regionally and locally; capturing the walk on video so that a documentary film can be made; ancillary events that will support the primary stated goals of the project just to name a few. A group of volunteers has emerged to help me plan, promote and produce this event! There is no way I can accomplish this on my own.

In the brief time since the last newsletter, the following has happened:

• I was put in touch with two amazing men who will help coordinate and produce the documentary film. David Lyons of Lyons Entertainment and Travis Shortt of Black River Media/Films have latched on to this project with a fierce passion of their own! I am so excited!
• Travis Shortt has volunteered his Public Relations expertise to help promote this project.
• StatGuard Technologies will provide the technology to host and monitor a dedicated website for the walk that will allow 24/7 live streaming video of the event so that folks from anywhere can follow the progress.
• In partnership with StatGuard, Sprint has signed on as a sponsor to provide the phones and related technology to access and upload the video to the site!

I could go on and on, but for now, these  developments will suffice. I will update our progress with periodic emails so be on the lookout!

The First of Many to Come . . .

Donna's Story Between now and April 2011, I will be sharing stories from folks who have experienced the death of a loved one where children or adolescents were directly involved or affected. My intent is to reveal the extent to which children, adolescents and families are touched by the death of loved ones. Often, the stories will reveal positive outcomes. At other times, the realities of of life will find expression in hope unfulfilled. I'm hopeful that you will find this segment in each newsletter and email to be helpful in some way. A little over twenty years ago, I met Donna one day while working out at the YMCA in Plano, TX. I had just completed my first marathon to raise funds for a memorial scholarship in Christy's memory and honor at the University of North Texas. The local YMCA supported my efforts and in the process, posted my picture. Donna recognized me and we began to talk about her experience. Donna shared the following: "You know, Mark, I just celebrated my fortieth birthday yesterday. As exciting as that should have been, I was sad deep down inside." I asked her why and she continued, "Well, I was reminded that twenty-two years ago when I was eighteen, my mother died from breast cancer. I will never forget how empty and lost I felt, but that was not the worst of it all. I was the eldest of six children, the youngest being six. I will never forget the afternoon after my mother's funeral when my dad came into the room and addressed all of us kids. He said 'Your mother is dead. We will grieve for the next two weeks and then we have to get on with life. There is just too much to do to grieve any longer.'" She shared further. "Being the eldest and a female, I took on many responsibilities for raising my younger siblings. I graduated from high school but delayed going to college because there was just too much to do . . . and it was my job to see that all was done the way it needed to be done." I remember her eyes trailing off to some place in her distant past as tears formed in her eyes. She said, "Mark, I have been two weeks into my grief for twenty-two years now. What do I do to start healing?" Donna's courageous sharing of her story that day started her down her own personal path to healing and grief reconciliation. Sharing one's story ~ as often as needed ~ is just one way to begin the process of healing.

Speaking of Speaking . . .

On the Road I have been privileged to speak to many groups recently. In March, I traveled to Las Vegas to present a session on the "Compassionate Delivery of Death Benefits" to a group of life insurance professionals at the annual Life Agency Management Program. In May, I conducted a workshop with the Collin College Counseling Department addressing the "Integration Model of the Grief Process and a New Approach to Grief Counseling." Early July found me in Denton at the UNT Center for Counseling and Human Development spending time with some graduate counseling students and supervising professors talking about the "Integration Model of the Grief Process." The coming months will find me in the following places: September 15 & 16, 2010 ~ Mountain View, CA ~ Cusimano Family Colonial Mortuary ~ Conducting an evening session for the community and a professional development session the next day for counseling, health care, clergy & grief support professionals. October 7, 2010 ~ French Lick, IN (north of Louisville, KY) ~ Northwestern Mutual Agency Meeting ~ "Death Benefit Delivery: What Do I Do Now?" January 2011 ~ Collin County Council on Family Violence, Plano, TX ~ "The Specter of Disenfranchised Grief in Domestic Violence." I would love to speak in your community. In conjunction with the "Every Step Has a Story" event, I will speak to groups about the principles that drive such an effort and how those principles can infuse any business, educational institution, church or civic organization with renewed determination to move forward in tough times.

Awaken to Good Mourning ~ Bulk Purchase Discounts

Many groups and organizations have contacted me asking about bulk purchase discounts for Awaken to Good Mourning. Funeral homes, churches, life insurance agencies, colleges and others have discovered the value of having Awaken to Good Mourning available for their clients and members. Awaken Associates will offer the deepest bulk purchase discount on Awaken to Good Mourning to any individual or group through August 2010. Whether you purchase two or two hundred copies, the per copy prices will be $8. Contact us today for details. Our Price: $8.00 List Price:  $15.95 S & H: Included

I had such a great time with Diane Viere today on her Blog Talk Radio show. If you missed the broadcast, you may catch it at http://bit.ly/bAmqY7
Hope you enjoy the program and will share it with your friends and family! Thanks! Peace!

You are invited to read my guest blog post entitled "Response-Ability" on Dr. Jack King's "Servant Hearts" site @http://bit.ly/bs56qD

I'll Speak for Free!

Yes, you read correctly! I'll SPEAK FOR FREE!

Any speaking engagement booked during the month of May 2010 ~ regardless of the month of the scheduled event ~ I'm waiving my speaking fee!  The only two requirements I have is that the booking organization provide travel & lodging if necessary and allow for the sale of my book Awaken to Good Mourning at the end of the presentation! That's it!

Why in the world am I making this offer?  I'm glad you asked!

First, I have discovered that many organizations would love to book speakers but due to the economic stresses have chosen to forgo the expense of bringing in outside resources.  Second, I feel compelled to make this offer! You see, deep in the core of my soul, the desire to communicate with groups of people about the possibilities of powerful living in the Meantimes of Life drives me to seek audiences.  Finally, based solely on past experience, the messages that burn in my spirit connect with people at levels that defy explanation.

The other day a friend and colleague sent me her "endorsement statement" of my speaking.  I was both amused and deeply touched by what she said.  She wrote, "Mark Hundley's presentations are a tasty treat. He serves up delicious stories of real people and real life and adds big dollups of humor along with a dash of tears. You'll want seconds and thirds."  I'd certainly love to be on your group's menu!

I speak to multiple audiences. Following is a brief listing of a few of the more popular topics and the audiences to which they are directed.  Perhaps this will help you in deciding with whom you will share the information.

General Interest

• Life’s Journey and the Power of Belief – Life is a Journey and not a Destination.  Along the paths we travel we often struggle with challenges, difficulties and obstacles.  This presentation addresses the power available to us as we learn to Believe in the Journey of Life Itself, the Journey of Others and our Own Personal Journey.

• Successful Living in the Meantimes of Life – We are often thrown off track in life by the intrusion of “Mean Times” – events that create chaos and confusion forcing us to shift our focus.  This presentation explores ways to live successfully when the “Mean Times” occur as well as how to navigate the “Meantimes” – the intervening time between the event and the continuation of our life.  The ability to Acknowledge and Embrace the reality of the event; Take Inventory of our Resources; Acquire new Coping Tools: and Act with Purpose empowers us to live successfully through any Mean Time Life may throw our way!

Life Insurance Industry

• From Tragedy to Triumph: The Power of Life Insurance -- Mark’s personal story – both inspirational and motivational!  This presentation is guaranteed to infuse agents with certainty about the purpose of their work!  Mark details how the Product, Person and Promise components of life insurance create a powerful dynamic for dealing effectively with beneficiaries.

• Death Benefit Delivery: What Do I Do Now? – This presentation details simple, effective steps for competent, compassionate delivery of death benefits through the transfer of skills already a part of the training regimen for the agent.

Churches and Religious Organizations

• God’s Cycle of Comfort: The Key to Effective Community Outreach – Community outreach forms one of the core values of most churches; however, not all programs of outreach are as effective as intended.  This presentation examines God’s Cycle of Comfort by Defining its Cyclical Nature; Its Redemptive Purpose; and its Relational Impact.  Participants will discover that all the tools necessary for effective community outreach lie within the scope of their own personal human experience.

 

• The Good Mourning Sandwich – Long before McDonald’s created the Egg McMuffin, God outlined the path to healing from loss in His Mourning Sandwich model.  This presentation examines the components necessary to combine faith and action in a meaningful context thus creating a model of meaning-making through the process of mourning losses

I' hopeful that these brief descriptions provide you with information you can share with organizations of which you are a part.

Remember! May is "Speak for Free" month!  Any booking that takes place this month, I waive my fee!

Give me a call at 469-422-1638 or email me at awaken2@tx.rr.com

I look forward to heading to your neck of the woods!

Later!  Peace, ya'll!

Mark

Speaking of . . . Speaking!

It's What I Do!

Anyone who knows me knows that I could talk the varnish off a chair if given the chance. I love to talk ~ especially to groups of people! In fact, I can think of very few things I love more than speaking to audiences of all sizes and ages! I experience a deep sense of satisfaction and purpose when I communicate with groups of people.

In over 39 years of public speaking, I've been privileged to present for 12 state and regional conferences, 6 national conferences and 1 international conference! Speaking has taken me to 16 different states & the District of Columbia! Clients include over 25 life insurance companies or organizations, over 30 churches of various denominations, 5 counseling centers, 5 funeral homes, 15 civic organizations, 10 institutions of higher learning, 10 grief support organizations and 6 public school districts. Speaking has opened the doors for over 50 radio and 8 television appearances. I am truly blessed to have been a part of so many different life-altering events!

I recently read a statement that distinguishes motivational speakers from compelling speakers. The comparison goes like this: "Motivational speakers touch the mind and stir the resolve. Compelling speakers touch the spirit and stir action!" I strive for classification as a compelling speaker! Over the years, audiences have shared feedback. Some of the most meaningful comments follow:

* "Powerful message! You made me feel good about being a life insurance professional!"
* "Your presentation to the survivors was warm, honest and honoring! Thank you!"
* "Students don't spontaneously applaud speakers these days unless they do an outstanding job! You certainly did!"
* "I could have listened for hours!"
* Hearing Mark speak is like sitting at the kitchen table sharing a cup of coffee with your best friend."

I am in the process of filling my 2010 speaking schedule and ask for your assistance. As you reflect on the groups of which you are a part, I would be honored if you would include me as possible recommendation if your group finds itself in need of a speaker.

During the month of May, any speaking engagement scheduled will be a "Speak for Free" event. That means that during the month of May, I will waive my fee for any event scheduled ~ regardless of the ultimate date I speak. All that I ask is that the group provide travel and lodging if necessary. I also ask that I be allowed to offer my book, Awaken to Good Mourning, for purchase at the event.

If your group has an interest, booking information may be obtained by calling: 469-288-2694 or email awaken2@tx.rr.com

I am hopeful that our paths will cross sometime in the coming months!

Mark's speaking has captivated thousands! He subtly eases his way into the hearts and minds of his audience expertly administering compassion, humor, wisdom and insight in presentations guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, think and dream! He is a friend to educators; a valued resource for mental health professionals; a fresh perspective for the business and corporate world; an encourager of hurting hearts! You will be glad you contacted Mark Hundley!

 

Participant feedback from my recent LAMP presentation in Las Vegas is rewarding. Confirms that connections were made in compelling ways. Some of the comments~"I could have listened for hours!" "Should be a main platform speaker!" Brought things to light & provided first hand insight from a very unique perspective." "Very touching...from the heart!" "Speaker's passion translates well to a group!" Visit http://tinyurl.com/mrcbqx