Friday, December 31, 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The connection.

We don't really talk to each other anymore. We talk to electronic screens. Text-messaging, instant-messaging, e-mailing.

When we walk down the street or into a store, we're hooked up to some noise. Some music is in our ears, and we don't hear the people around us.

We have built these walls around ourselves, individualized cells. In such a globalized world, we are more alone than we have ever been.

Reach out. Talk to a person, look them in the eye, reach out and touch someone.

Disconnect, so you can reconnect with what matters.

Adventures.

Have some great adventures. Do something you've never done before, maybe even something that scares you. And have fun.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

The courage of trying.

Don't be so afraid of making a mistake. And don't be so sad when you make one. How would we ever learn anything if we didn't try?

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Enjoy the stars.

Dance. It's a magical evening. Enjoy the stars of the winter sky. Make lots of wishes.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Superhero.

I know you might not always feel strong or brave, but you are. I know you might feel weak or scared, or like this is unbearable. I wish I could give you the strength of all the superheroes.

But to me, you are already a superhero.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Good things happen.

Sometimes good things happen. I hope there are lots of good things happening in your life. Trust that people care about you. Believe that you deserve all the happy times that come your way.

The bright side.

Look on the bright side. And if there is no bright side (because sometimes there isn't one), then please, please, take care of yourself. Reach out, if you need to reach out. Please.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Monday, December 20, 2010

Thank you.

Thank you. You might think that no one noticed, but that isn't true. Thank you so much for your simple act of kindness.

It means more than you could ever know.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Listen.

Listen. Really listen to the people who are talking. Hear what they are saying. Think about it. Consider it. And before you share your own thoughts, share your reflections on what they have said.

Let people know that their voice has been heard. Let them know you're listening.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Change the course of a life.

There are strong, resilient people in this world who have overcome tremendous difficulties to make it to where they are.

But no one makes it in this world all on their own. Even the slightest kindness; a couch to sleep on, a hug, even simple words of encouragement, make a world of difference. It can change the course of a life.

I hope that people show you kindness. And I hope that you show others kindness; you never know whose life it might change.

You are loved.

I don't know if it will be alright, so I can't promise you that. What I do know is that you have so much to offer. You are lovable and wonderful. You change people's lives, just by being a part of them. The world is a little bit more fantastic because you are in it.

I hope you know that. You know that, don't you? You are loved.

And my hope for you is that one day, you will realize that all of this was worth surviving.

The ones who need niceness the most.

I want to challenge you to look beneath the surface of what you see in people. If someone is short with you, or seems stand-offish or just plain mean, please be nice to them. You have no idea what they might be going through. Everyone has a story, even the people you brush off, ignore, or judge. Especially them.

And people who aren't so nice, are the ones who need niceness the most.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Monday, December 13, 2010

Change starts with one person.

And if there is something about your life, or the world, that you don't like, then change it. Be the change. It starts with you.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Think of it as an adventure.

Look at this life as an adventure. Whenever you're very afraid or the challenges before you feel insurmountable, try to think of it as an adventure.

Learn what you can.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Stay on your path.

Once, I lost my hope. I was going to give up. I thought, how can I save the world? I can't even take care of myself.

I told a friend that I was giving up on the path I was on. And he asked me, "On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you want to be on this path?"

I said, without hesitation, "11."

And he said, "Then you will find a way to stay on this path."

And you know what? I did. So whenever there's something you're afraid of losing, or can't see a way to make happen, whenever you're ready to give up, or think you won't ever succeed, evaluate how much you want this. Find a way to stay on your path.

My hope for you.

I hope that your life is fantastic. I hope that you just can't stand going to sleep, because you don't want the wonderfulness of the day to end. And I hope that you just can't wait to wake up, because you are so excited for the spectacularness of today.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Warm and safe.

May you always have a safe warm place to sleep at night. And if you do have that, I hope you are so, so thankful for it.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Coffee filter snowflakes.

We made snowflakes out of coffee filters. I wish I could pack up some of these snowflakes in your lunch box for you to have.

Make some snowflakes today. Fill your life with cheer.

Brighten someone's day.

Smile at a stranger today. Or pay for the coffee of the person behind you in line. Or volunteer to walk puppies.

Brighten someone's day. It will brighten yours too.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

I would give anything to have another chance.

Always tell the people in your life how much you love them and care about them. Even if you are upset with them. Just let go of your anger or sadness at them; it is not worth it. Don't let them leave upset with you without telling them that you care about them. Let them know that you love them, that they matter.

You never know when will be the last time that you ever see them. You never know when you might not get another chance.

So treat each moment like it might be the last. Because one of these times, it will be.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

You are precious.

Life can be better than you ever imagined it could be. Open your eyes, look at this wonderful world and all the fantastic people in it. You are precious, and every day is a miracle.

Make wonderful memories.

Every day is a new chance to make some really wonderful memories. Make some spectacular memories today.

Monday, December 6, 2010

The paper that owns us.

I wish money wasn't such an obstacle. I wish these pieces of paper didn't mean so much, and it means the most to those who don't have it. I don't want you to be homeless or without food or warm clothes. I don't want you to lose your hopes and your dreams for lack of these bits of paper.

If I had lots and lots of money, I'd buy us a big house where we all could live, safe and warm. We'd never go hungry or be scared or cold or trapped.

I'm wishing on stars for all of us.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Don't quit.

I know you might want to quit. But once you're through this, it will be over.

So just take one tiny little step. And then another little step...

Dance.

Dance like no one's watching. Even if it means looking ridiculous in front of a whole lot of people. This life is short, there's only so much time for dancing.

Scotch tape stories.

Scotch tape is banned in the building I work in. Why? Because it's nearly impossible to remove. It gets painted over, and becomes part of the wall.

So I make up stories about what the scotch tape once held up.

Once, I saw a paper sign that said, "Take as much as you need." And the rectangular tear-away strips at the bottom of the paper said, "Love" on them.

It was beautiful. I think about that, and I wonder if it kindled someone's heart, or touched their life in some way. Maybe they were feeling hopeless or sad, and it brightened their day. Or maybe it just made them smile. And I just think, what if the scotch tape that held it up is the only visible, tangible remnant of that? Why would we want to erase that memory?

Look at that, you get a story in your lunchbox letter today. =]

Saturday, December 4, 2010

All our happiest dreams.

My first snow wish was for us to wake up to a world made with all of our happiest dreams. And we'd all be warm and safe and nothing bad would happen to us ever again.

Wish on the snowflakes today.

Snow magic.

Wish on the falling snowflakes. Dance, make a snow angel. Have so much fun.

Friday, December 3, 2010

The best day ever.

You will never again have another chance at today. Ever. So make it wonderful. Make it the best day you've ever had in your whole life.