Ok, so I did find something in the otherwise-depressing discount store. I'm calling this my Hipster Princess hat. It's completely ridiculous and I love it.
This week (today may be Tuesday but it feels like the weekend to me because it's the first day we've had any down time in 9 days) was long long long and exhausting. I keep getting bogged down in despair over how completely illogical and unempathetic many people can be. Pissed-off drive-through people who give mean gestures and glares instead of the benefit of the doubt, parents mired in fear who disrespect their children in the name of discipline, random people making mean remarks about other folks' weight or worries or mental status. Oh, what an awful, heart-hurting week. So I'm putting on my Hipster Princess hat and laying down my weariness, and I'm going out to find some beautiful, sparkly, hopeful things for y'all. And then I'm going to feel refreshed and ready to go be an ambassador for compassion again, ok? Ok.
♥ First, if you haven't seen Amy Krouse Rosenthal's "thought bubble" about kindness yet, go check it out. Then, go even farther back in time and listen to sweet little Sophia's advice. If a kid can get it, the rest of us have no excuse, right?
♥ Listen to Nataly Dawn's sigh-worthy, goosebumpy cover of the Magnetic Fields' "The Book of Love".
♥ My friend Lynz wants to start a letter-writing project: think of somebody (she suggests somebody on your Facebook friends list) to whom you haven't spoken in a long time. Send them something in the mail. Anything! It's up to you! Just connect!
♥ I discovered earlier this week that the grocery store has mini versions of those Lofthouse cookies I love so much (I know, gross, but I do). Buy a pack and feel abundant as you share and share and share teeny sprinkled cookie goodness.
♥ Take a peek at a parenting card and get a boost to your mama (or papa) mojo.
♥ Love me a good parody. Choose out-and-proud Alejandro-based "You're a Homo" or Old Spice send-up "Study like a scholar, scholar" or Star-Trekky "I am Beautiful."
♥ Yeah, this is more like it...a beautiful secret.
♥ Oh, do I ever love stop motion. And stop motion combined with graffiti, animation, repurposed recyclables, and evolutionary theory? awesome. Xxcept maybe not quite the uplifting tone I was going for. Hmm. Ok, one by kids. Hooray!
♥ Awww, see what happens when you work to overcome misunderstandings?
♥ Wouldn't you love to receive one of these pencils? Or to give them away?
♥ I love love love this love project. Send in an address or start your own. Love art more than hearts? Nominate somebody to receive real small art.
♥ Oh! Magnets for a compassion project! Everybody hit the craft stores and DIY, ok? How fun to make repostable messages to spread around your town.
♥ Photographers, what do you think about this 100 Possibilities project? Nifty!
♥ I don't know how he did this, but it's cool.
Ok, so happy, sparkly hat back on. Afternoon of alone time accomplished. Once more into the breach!