pass it forward

you know how ellen degeneres ends every one of her shows with the simple, albeit powerful: 
"be kind to one another."


it hits me with the power of gale force winds each and every time. and not simply because she has given some very deserving person a house and i've cried along with them.


the older i get, the more i realize this is the secret of life. 
truly.


have fun. 
love. 
be kind.


honestly, i think that is what life is about.

{via}

there is so much hurt in this world. so much pain. everyone you interact with on a daily basis has a story. a story that is theirs, and theirs alone. it will no doubt be sprinkled with beauty, saturated in joy, but there is heartache at every turn as well. think about how much your day is turned around when someone extends a helping hand, a stranger throws your a lifeboat. whether it is a neighbor who invites your kids over to play when you have a migraine, a stranger in front of you at starbucks who pays for your order as you are coping with anxiety of an upcoming doctor appointment, every little thing adds up to big joy, great days that might have just been good ones, the fuel to keep it going, spreading the love, onward, upward, forward.


it tickles every vein in my body to see amazing, beautiful, motivating projects such as this, come to light!


new project: pass it forward



in ashley's words:

Pass It Forward was designed to get people to do little things, everyday, that makes an impact on the community around them. Pass it Forward is designed around a card (read card that I've attached now so you understand). Each card is given a unique ID number. Lets say we're at McDonalds, and I decide to pay for the person behind me in the drive through. I'd give the cashier the card, and tell them to pass it along to the next car when the give them the food that has been paid for. I then go home and log into the website that was on the card, and find my unique ID number. I log into it, and add my information... My first name, city, and a description of what I did....

Let's say the person behind me was you, you would pass it forward to someone else, and then would go home and do the same thing. From the very beginning, you will be able to track where your card goes, and how many people you affect just by doing one simple act of kindness.

*******

let's do this together. let's ease the pain of life and bring forth the joy. let's love one another. really, it is what we are here to do!

xo.

tahnie

littering positivity (or optimistic garbage)

the sun was sinking in the quiet sky and temperatures were falling softly. it was time to trade slides and grassy adventures for garlic and roasted veggie raviolis, baths, and pink polka dot pajamas. as i was leaving the park last night with my two loves, i told rory "hang on just a second; i need to do something!" he was buckling our precious cargo into her car seat as i took a sharpie and quickly jotted down some bursts of actions to invoke joy. i held my green post it in my hand proudly and dashed to a nearby tree. i pressed previously mentioned happy green post it on the trunk, snapped a photo and skipped back to the car.

his response?

"oh so now you are just littering positivity?"


love this man
he gets me.

this is the optimistic garbage i left on the tree:

nice, eh?

this was a part of The Shine Project's challenge to leave happy sticky notes at random public places. can i tell you how much fun i had and how refreshing it was?

 left this at the post office

 this one at the post office too

this one was at Old Navy in the clearance section ;)

it was funny because at first i felt like i had to be sneaky about it to make sure no one was watching, like i was doing something i shouldn't be doing. at the post office i used the self service kiosk to mail a package, then i stuck my post it on. an older gentleman walked up behind me to use the kiosk and i'm sure he thought i was slightly nuts. oh well. ;)

what did i learn from this challenge? it isn't possible to go into old navy and "just look" like i told myself i was fully capable of doing. oh! leaving happy post its morphs you into feeling like a happy post it.

 Sookie hopes you have some great shades to sport on this lovely friday!

Could you vote for us on topbabyblogs.com?
Thanks so much friends!

our little family hopes you and you have a happy post it kind of weekend! ;)

{big jumps} Ashley from The Shine Project

I am in San Francisco for the Cystinosis Family and Medical Conference and to attend to my duties as a  (proud!) member of the Board of Directors. And, to borrow some beautiful words from my second mother, Frankie, to spend time with those who understand my life the best, those that have walked before me and embrace those just embarking on this journey.

This is the first post in the big jumps; chasing your dreams guest blogger series. I am ecstatic to have Ashley from The Shine Project posting today and sharing her incredible story of rising above the ordinary. Her story will compel you to be your absolute best!

******* 

My name is Ashley, and I am living my dream.

Growing up, when people would ask me what I wanted to be, I would get laughed at when they'd hear my response. 
"You can't make any money being a writer...What will you do to actually bring in money?"

After years of hearing this, I started to believe what my opposition was telling me. Last year, knowing that I was almost done with school, I started studying for the LSAT. I decided I would go to law school. I kept feeling anxious, unhappy, and unfulfilled as I set writing aside. In January of this year, I realized something needed to change. So, I created a blog. A blog where I could write, and motivate, and make a difference in the world. It's called The Shine Project.

The Shine Project grew quickly. I put my heart into it, and in May, became fully self employed. I'm currently writing a book that I will send in for publication at the end of this month.

I'm also planning a huge event in October where I hope to raise $20,000 for an inner city high school in Phoenix, to send them to college. I can honestly say, I am working my booty off.

I'm normal, and I have fears. Wanna know what they are?

"What if after all the time and energy I put into my book, it gets rejected?"

"What if my business starts to fail and I have no more income because Im self-employed?"

"What if I don't raise $20,000, and no one comes to my event? It will be humiliating. Am I sure I want to take on this challenge?"

These thoughts cross through my mind at least once a day.

But guess what.

I have thoughts more powerful than those. Here's what they are:

"What if a publisher LOVES my book, and I get to reach people through my writing for the rest of my life?"

"What if my business continues to grow, and I'm able to change lives I otherwise would not have been able to touch?"

"What if i AM able to raise $20,000, and 8 student's lives are changed forever?"

I have fears, just like everyone else. The difference is that those thoughts aren't the ones that I listen to. The difference is, that I see the potential of my work, dedicate myself to make it happen, and live in a world where defeat is not an option. I've put my dreams aside before, and it made me miserable.

Take a leap, have faith in yourself, and Go Ahead, let the world see you SHINE.

change for change

are you ready for something amazing?
something huge.
something that you can be a part of?

something that will bring us together?
something that will change lives?

 {image source}

ashley from the shine project is pushing us all forward and challenging us to be better, to give back, to band together to make a difference. all of this in the name of helping out people who truly deserve a second chance at their dreams.

this video will give you chills.




the change for change project is about helping inner city kids reach their full potential in this life; through means that they most likely wouldn't be able to experience otherwise. ashley's goal is to raise $20,000 for the shine project scholarship fund by october. these funds will go to four students at Cesar Chavez High School in Phoenix, Arizona. this endeavor has two parts and the first consists of change for change jars.

 

aren't they cute?
if you are interested in starting your own jar and also asking local businesses to support this project, please email ashley at ashley.theshineproject@gmail.com and she will send you more information! in addition, if you or someone you know would like to donate items for a silent auction to be held in october, please contact ashley about that as well. check out her post for more information if you would like.

i'm excited to see this change lives. ashley is such a good soul and a ray of sunshine! she will be guest posting here too in a few weeks. so that is incredibly wonderful! :)

share this on your blogs, facebook, twitter, everything. let's make this a success!