Sand Forests on the beach in Seaside, OR

Last month we took a 3-day weekend to relax in Seaside, Oregon. During one of the daily beach jaunts I saw this young boy building something completely original. He wasn’t building the usual sand castle, but something more like a forest, made of twigs and feathers and stones. Only assisted by his father in what appeared to be merely a gathering of goods.

I was struck by awe. And joy. What a wonderful, original work of art.

It also brings me great hope. Hope for our children and the possibilities that are before them–and before us. Endless possibilities for creative thought and unique expression.

What amazing and unfathomable worlds are yet to be ours?  After all, everything is possible. Isn’t it?

Although The Fun Theory has been around for a year now, thanks to Volkswagen, I was just introduced to it last week by my mom.

The Fun Theory is simply that having fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior for the better.  To prove it, Volkswagen ran a few “tests”.  You know, I think they’re onto something.

I’d love to know how to turn the stairs in my house into a giant keyboard. With that kind of fun I might just be able to put on those skinny jeans that have been sitting on a shelf in my closet for a year now. Or maybe two…

You're Beautiful!

I heard about Operation Beautiful, but I hadn’t yet seen it in action.  Until today.

On the corner of 14th and Yamhill in Portland, Oregon, I found You’re Beautiful chalked on the sidewalk.

What a joy.

No matter how you feel about yourself, seeing those words, knowing they were intentionally written to remind you–all of you, which means everyone–about your innate beauty, touches your soul on levels felt and unfelt. 

I felt the message in my bones. And somewhere, I’m sure, that message got imprinted on a subconcious level. And the whisper of “you’re beautiful” echos still in the air around me.  I’m beautiful.

You’re beautiful.

Spread the word.

Bejeweled heart cast

While getting my son’s arm in a more permanent cast than the ER version that allowed for tissue swelling, we saw all kinds of broken limbs move in and out of the casting room. We saw purple casts and pink casts and orange casts. And then we saw this one. Pink with purple hearts and accented with bling.  I almost fell out of my chair rushing over to look at it.

“I had to do pink and purple for her,” said the woman pointing to her 9-ish-year-old daughter. I oohed and ahhed and gasped when I saw the purple hearts were not painted on, but were actually made of plaster. “They weren’t this busy when I came in here the first time,” she said.

I told her how much I loved it, and how joyful I thought it was. She didn’t mind a bit when I asked to take a photo of the happy artwork that was helping her leg heal.

How absolutely wonderful.

I have no idea how she broke her leg, I never asked her. And she never hinted at how it most likely was making it difficult to keep up with two young children under the age of 10. We just reveled in the beauty she created out of what I’m sure caused a great deal of pain.

No rain, no rainbows. No broken bones, no bejeweled pink and purple heart casts.

Life is good.  All of it. If we let it be.

Spreading love in Portland

Graffiti is a word that carries a negative connotation in our society. But sometimes graffiti can be good.

Just a couple of days ago I was walking around Portland and saw this trash can had been tagged with a heart. “Yes,” I thought to myself, “love.”

Who would have thought you could spread love through garbage? Certainly not me, but there it was. Plain, simple, clear as day. Love. Love thy brother. Love yourself. Love your life.

Love.

The truth is that we are already everything. – Alan Cohen

I think this quote from Alan Cohen should be posted on every mirror in every bathroom. We really are already everything–we are whole and complete and every single thing is inside of us.

Whenever I’m feeling discontented it’s usually because I’m searching for something outside myself, looking for more than what I think I am. Driving home tonight it occurred to me that my life is pretty darn awesome. And in realizing that, really realizing that–you know, like in your bones–I felt amazingly joyful and at ease.

I have everything because I am everything.

And, my friends, so are you.

License plate spreading joy

I saw this great license plate on the way home from work today.  Nearly stopped traffic to take a photo of it.

Be happy.

Words to live by.

Leap of Faith

I was going through the saved photos on my camera and came across this lovely image. I can’t recall where or when I took the photo, but I think this might be a painting in the window of a store front. I vaguely recall something like that. Maybe.

The image alone is eye-catching to me. But I am also struck by the quote from Margaret Shepherd:  Sometimes your  only available transportation is a leap of faith.

Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.

The older I get the more I believe that faith is incredibly important. It is essential for the growth and development of the human soul to believe in something–to be able to believe and trust in something outside of ourselves–whatever you choose that to be. That belief, that faith, can act as an anchor.

I have faith in kindness and love. I have faith that there is good inside every single living thing, even if it’s really hard to see. I have faith that every experience we have can make us better, if we let it. I have faith in our ability to create meaningful, joyful lives. I have faith in the healing power of laughter and that a smile can work magic. I have faith that if we remain true to that which we believe in, miracles can happen.

Portland, OR - SE 82nd Ave, 100 ft north of Ogden St

As you’re driving to work or a board meeting or a dentist appointment today you might see a big yellow billboard reminding you to choose joy. Or maybe one nudging you to believe in yourself. Or maybe one boldly declaring You are totally awesome!

Believe your eyes. You can choose joy, you can believe in yourself, and yes, you really are totally awesome. Totally.

There are 8 bright yellow billboards boasting positive messages going up in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, sometime today through Friday.  They’ll be up for 4 weeks. In that time over 2 million sets of eyes will have seen them. That’s 2 million impressions for joy.

The Joy Team is spreading joy, optimism and inspiration to millions. Want to join us?

Bumper sticker

I saw this bumper sticker today and thought, “how wonderful!”

God bless the whole world. No exceptions.

What a fabulous declaration of unconditional acceptance. It’s true. It’s kind. And it feels warm and cozy. You know, the broken-in-soft-and-fuzzy-Sunday-morning-sweatpants kind of cozy.  Love that.