MoA - Day 26

Today was a crazy day.

So it wasn't until twenty minutes ago that I knew what my awesome for the day would be. Until I saw another vlogbrothers video.

The long and short of it is, that at Kiva.org in increments as low as $25, you can help support a small business loan in a third world country.

The site is extremely simple to use, you get to pick the type of business you wish to support and, as soon as you are repaid your portion of the loan, you can turn right back around and loan it out again. So one gift can help many people trying to make a living.

I think this is awesome squared, but am only sad that the laws in the states prevent it from happening locally.

I'm a BANKER!

MoA - Day 5

Today's awesome was mostly close to home. I decided to focus on a little awesome around the house. I did three loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen and did a lot of reading on a couple of health and art related subjects. 

I also helped out the hubby in the kitchen and spent some quality time with my hyper pooch. 

I also, want to admit when I fail to be awesome. After trying to be super awesome, I lost my patience with my hubby and we had an argument. It was stupid, it flared really hot for like ten minutes and then we were able to come back and talk about it (and ended up laughing at ourselves in the process)

So to make up for it, we went to see The Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Before we left, I had another small awesome idea.

A couple of quarters on a claw machine.

Hopefully they will win something awesome too!!

Have a great night and DFTBA!

MoA - Day 2

With more pictures!!!

Today I decided to give a little love to crafters! I took a blank watercolor greeting card, made a simple pattern and wrote a note to today's stranger.

I also had a $5 JoAnn's gift card I bought for a similar project I never got around to starting last fall and added it in there as well.

And then, I decided to stash it in with the polymer clay, one of my favorite and under visited sections of the store. I snapped a quick picture then scurried off!

It is a little sad that I don't get to see who finds these...but that is also part of the fun. Plus, it makes it that much more magical, to know I just put a little love out into the world and don't know where it will end up!

If you are contemplating doing a day (or week, or whatever) of awesome...let me know!! I'd love to read about it!!

MoA - Day 1

So, day one was brief. I was at the public library downtown and so I thought I could leave a few random notes stashed away in a few books. 

So, I scribbled a few notes of encouragement into tiny blank cards and stuffed them into three books around the library, two of which were self-help books. I told the library strangers that a stranger loved them and wished good things for them. That they were wonderful and the only person that needed to give them validation was themselves.

I think that knowing that someone where in the world, a complete stranger wanted to reach out to you was a good start to my month of awesome, even if it is subtle and I won't get to see the people face to face. 

I hope they know I wasn't joking. 

And I love all you wacky folk out there too...and I mean it too. Life is fantastic and even the worst parts of it can be made bearable when you have love around you!!

Have an amazing month of awesome!!!

<3 - Me

Charity

I am going to be a little verbose today. So I thank all of you for putting up with me in advance.

I am bi-polar.

I was diagnosed in 1997, despite the fact that I think I've been this way most of my life. That year was particularly stressful for me and I had a genuine, lock-yourself-in-a-dorm-room-for-several-days-crying-without-seeming-end, break down. I had a lot going on in that point in my life and I had been pushed past my personal coping point.

I didn't know what was going to happen to me and if I hadn't had a friend there at that time that had gone through similar things, I would have been in a lot of trouble.

Thankfully, I was shown a community of people all going through their own personal struggles with mental illness. And I was able to find (a few years along the way) several community resources and support groups available to help people coping with and supporting patients with Bi-polar disorder.

Joining Depression-Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), a peer-led Bi-Polar and Depression support group opened up my eyes to all the resources there really were for people with a mental health diagnosis. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) was a national organization who's purpose is to provide education, support and services for family friends and patients with mental illness.

Personally, the scariest part of mental illness for me, is not knowing what my options are. Not knowing where I can go if I feel things have gone too far. Not knowing if there are places for me to go, people to talk to in an emergency, or if there are places that can help my loved ones learn about what can be done to help me. And this is exactly what NAMI provides. Not only the resources, but the support and peace of mind for patients and those who care about us.

I personally know so many people who have benefited from the services they provide and am happy to support them however I can.

This year, I will be leading a team for the NAMI Walk, 2011, on June 4th. And I am so happy to support this charity that I have personally benefited from.

While I'd love to support this walk 100% on my own, I need help. If any are able, I would be thrilled for you to support me in supporting this amazing charity.

Thank you for your love, support and wishes!!!