Life Tips Daily

While reading the always inspiring blog of Emma, I came across this Hope Revo project and I was instantly inspired. However going from inspiration to action always takes a decade for me (I have severe procrastination issues) so I still haven’t done much more than the brainstorming that I did on the first day that I saw read the site and found out that the idea of the project is to create notes to hide around your city, notes that people will find and hopefully be encouraged and strengthened by. The notes can be short or long, they can be simply written or be a decorated. Here are some of the messages I’ve come up with:

Thanks to my crafty tendencies, I have a whole bunch of supplies that I could use for this project and I can share how the process goes on Getting Crafty. First I need some dedicated time where I turn OFF the computer and refuse to read other blogs and get messy with my scissors, glue and perhaps even glitter.

If you live somewhere where the snow has been coming down nonstop, and more snow is predicted in the coming days, wouldn’t joining this project be a perfect way to brighten the days of neighbours, fellow commuters or others who are probably thinking “will this snow ever end? Will spring ever come?”

Some places where I will be putting my hope notes:

• bus shelters
• in the elevators at work
• in the bathroom at work
• at the self checkout station for library books

Got any more good places I can hide my notes?

A smart woman that I met late last year when I was feeling particularly uncreative and uninspired told me that she believes strongly that people meet for a reason, and sometimes just for a season. I’ve always thought that when you meet someone, find some common points and become friends, as long as the mutual like and respect remains, your friendship has to grow deeper, and if that means you have to work hard to make this happen, so be it.

However recent events have me having second thoughts. Maybe it is possible for someone to come into your life for a brief period of time and accomplish what they were meant to do in your life—give you a new perspective on life, answer a question that has been plaguing you for ages, support you at a time where you feel that nobody around you is there for you. Maybe these fleeting friendships aren’t meant to get any deeper. And most important, if that is the case, that is ok.

If you are faced with such a case, where you felt a need to reach out to someone going through a rough time despite that person not being your usual “friend material”, or if you are touched by somebody who doesn’t seem interested in being anything more than acquaintances, I encourage you to hold on to the lesson you have learned from the person. Long after you’ve forgotten the name of the person who believed in you enough to sponsor you, or the coworker who always asked you how you were doing, the memories of how their presence improved your life will remain. You won’t always be able to remain close friends with everyone despite your very best intentions, and sometimes, a deep friendship isn’t the goal. Keep the lesson close to you, and you may be able to be there for someone else, be it for a season or for a lifetime.

We’re only one week into the new year, and perhaps instead of being inspired by a new year, you find yourself seeking something to excite you: a resolution you’ll be motivated to keep, or a project you’d like to tackle. Well you’ve come to the right place! Below are four things that you can use to inspire you in the new year.

Other people
Talk to friends and family members and find out what they are looking forward to in the new year. Read the blogs of your favourite writers. You may discover something that you forgot that you also find exciting, or your memory might be jogged by something from someone else, even if it’s something completely different from your own goal.

Magazines and books
One thing that is inevitable about January magazines is they will be full of ways to help you accomplish resolutions, from saving money to losing weight. Magazine headlines will try to grab your attention by using words that make you believe there is new information that you don’t know and perhaps by reading an article or two, you’ll discover something new and inspirational.

Similarly, reading a book, even one that isn’t of the self help variety, can get your thoughts churning, and perhaps you’ll be suddenly tempted to start saving money for a trip to Tuscany, or for cooking lessons, or to learn all that you can about crocheting. Go for it!

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Since I don’t often receive dilemmas for my usual Friday feature, Your Turn, I may instead start featuring blogs that I think make the world a better place.

If you’re seeking inspiration on how to live a happier life, be a kinder person or improve yourself somehow, I recommend you visit the following bloggers.

Andrea Scher of Superhero Journal (I know, I’ve mentioned her before )
This blogger is blessed with the ability to capture beautiful scenes on camera, but the words she adds to her entries are just as powerful as the images. I still have a question she asked last week in my head: What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Think about it: what would you do if you knew it would be a success, that you would succeed. Would that completely change the path you’re on? What would you do differently?

I will stop there, because the possibilities that my answers bring up are so exciting. Think of how many more brilliant ideas would be in the world if people weren’t afraid to try.

Sherry of Sage and Thyme
I recently discovered Sherry’s blog when she stumbled across Getting Crafty. As an inspiration, one does not have to look much further: a breast cancer survivor, Sherry writes with an optimism and way of looking at the world that makes you smile. Her mission statement on her site, is the following:

It is my hope that the thoughts, ideas and memories that I share here will inspire, encourage and offer comfort and strength. If something I have shared stays with you and makes a difference in your life, then my goal and my purpose for being here has been achieved.

and she does this through the words on her site, but that’s not all. When she leaves a comment on your blog, or responds to you by email, you feel like she’s talking to you in person. Her messages are always encouraging, with a goal of making its recipient feel special. She has a warmth about her that is palpable.

Another blogger whose photography and words (usually not very many) are captivating is Chookooloonks. She designated her blog as a Kind Blog and encouraged others to do so with their own blogs. By displaying the Kind Blog button on your site, you declare that you will never intentionally hurt anyone on or through your blog, and that you hope to make someone’s day a bit better after they click away from your site. Spreading positivity on the internet is a great idea that has caught on.

If you’re seeking positive insight into life, you can’t do much better than checking out these blogs. If you’ve found a blog that has made your day, please share it in the comments below.