Oh wait. Wrong blog. Let me try again...
I have two loves in this world: writing and making people happy (and girls and Puppy, but that's a completely different story...)
I've loved writing ever since I was kid; since before I loved girls and long before Puppy was born. I have notebooks full of short stories and incomplete novels. I have several journals. And thanks to the technology age, I also have a few blogs. In the recent years, I've become a bit of a Craigslist addict. In fact, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I've pretty much perfected the art of the Craigslist personal ad! The responses to my ads are part of my inspiration for this new blog. You see, between my Lesbian in Cincinnati blog and my CL ad responses, I've probably had a good fifty people over the past few years tell me that I have a knack for writing and that I should do something with it. My step-mom always told me the same thing, but I always wrote that off as "mom-talk." She loves me; therefore, she has to tell me that I'm good at stuff. So naturally, I ignored her and instead chose to listen to random internet strangers. Such as life in the technology age :-P The only problem was, I just didn't know what to do with my writing. My Lesbian in Cincinnati blog was fun, but I outgrew it. And while my CL ads are fun or endearing or entertaining or "adorable" (adorable is probably the most common adjective used - what can I say? Adorable will always be my curse), that type of writing isn't exactly commercial either. So I've just sat around letting my talents go to waste, except for the occasional adorable CL ad.
In addition to my love for writing, I also have a passion for helping people. I've always done it, often times at the detriment of myself. I can't help it. I have a compulsion to make others happy as often as I can. I just like connecting with people. I like getting to know people's stories. I like being able to give advice or an ear. I also have a heavy interest in humanity in general. People fascinate me. I'm always reading books from the cultural studies section or watching documentaries on culture or humanity. I'm a fan of inspiring documentaries. I like knowing that good exists in the world.
So, after watching one of my humanitarian documentaries tonight, I finally figured out what to do with my writing. I'm 29 and in a state of total flux right now. I'm in school full-time as a Social Work major (which I LOVE, by the way) and I'm working as a waitress. Like many people in my generation, I am pretty damn self-obsessed. I get wrapped up in my world and in my emotions and I lose awareness of what is going on around me. I focus on the fact that I'm 29 and single, or on how I always seem to have the worst luck with table rotation at work, or how it's fucking raining today when I finally have a day off. The more that I let myself get wrapped up, the more that I start to become depressed. But then I watch a documentary like "Craigslist Joe" (tonight's inspiration) and I remember how good I feel whenever I do something good for someone else. I remember how happy I feel when I smile at stranger and they smile back. I remember how awesome I felt that day a few years ago when I stopped and bought coffee and breakfast for a homeless man who was standing outside in the snow. I remember how good I felt when I left a $20 tip on a $30 check for a waitress who was new and struggling. I remember how people smile at me when I tell them about how I rescued Puppy and how exactly she came to be my soul mate. It's as simple as that. The key to creating happiness within oneself is to create it outside of oneself. Don't believe me? Then fuck you! Hahaha.. sorry. Just kidding. But seriously, studies have shown that people who volunteer have generally report a greater sense of overall happiness. I read it in a book once, so I know it's true.. hehe
Which leads me to THE PLAN
The plan has parts. Because I'm organized like that.
Part One:
My goal for each day is to find a way to make SOMEONE smile. It's as simple as that. Every day, a simple act of kindness. I will collect the acts of kindness and the stories around them and share them with you here in this blog. And I will share them with you in MY writing style. My aim is to make you smile, make you laugh, and inspire you to join me in my goal of making someone smile each and every day.
As for my acts of kindness, I already have several small and large ones planned out (I'm actually VERY excited to start doing some of these - and one of them even involves Puppy!), but others will just happen at random. Given that I am a busy bee, I can't promise I will write every day, but my goal is to post once or twice a week.
Part Two:
I don't want this blog to be just about me and my stories.
I want your stories! Tell me about your random acts of kindness! Tell me about connections that you've made! Tell me about the money you dropped in The Salvation Army bucket, volunteering at the soup kitchen, the random compliment you paid a stranger (unless the compliment was given in the hopes of getting in said stranger's pants - I'm not sure if that counts... haha). Tell me your past stories, but more importantly, tell me your future ones. Get involved! Make your day more memorable. Make your LIFE more memorable!
My goal here is to not only collect stories from family and friends, but also to collect stories from anyone and everyone that I can. I will talk to as many people about this as I can. I will spread the word. I want to fill this blog full of good karma so that any time you are having a bad day, or are feeling unloved or unwanted, or are finding yourself wrapped up in yourself, you can come here and be reminded of the good in the world. I want this blog to serve as a reminder of the overall good nature of people.
Part Three:
In addition to my stories and your stories, I will also throw in some froufy (I made that word up) shit like inspiration quotes, documentary and book suggestions, and volunteer opportunities.
So, what do you think? Comments/suggestions? I'd love any feedback that you'd like to provide. Please shower me with your knowledge!!
I'm really excited about getting this up and running. I can't wait to go out tomorrow and make someone smile. But, I suppose I should be going to bed for now. I'll leave you with this:
"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Come experiment with me! Hehehe... that sounds so wrong. I love it.
Have stories? Send them to me: teshishgoldfish@gmail.com
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