Hello! Week 33 of The 365 Day People Picture Project is a wrap!
An interesting thing happened this week. I ran into 4 random people who have already been subjects in this project! One day, two separate and random subjects ended up at my work at the very same time! It was a pretty weird feeling and also one that I loved. This project has made my little world much smaller, or bigger, depending on how you look at it. I'm starting to feel a whole new level of connectedness and it's been such a pleasure meeting new friends. I'm meeting people whom I would have never had the opportunity to meet, had I not decided to just put myself out there and start talking to strangers.
Although I met some pretty awesome people this week ,and ran into a few people who I already knew were awesome, I could feel that I was having an off-week as far as the quality of the pictures I was taking. Instead of feeling defeated and like I want to give up, I've simply decided to chalk it up to being "off" for some reason. I'm not stressed. I know I can do better. If anything, I'm actually starting to feel a little bit of hope. If I can tell and see that I was having an "off" week, then that means I had been making progress! Yes!
Day 225 - Shanna
This is Shanna. She was hanging out with a girlfriend at Esther Short Park when I ran into her.
Shanna and I had actually met about a year ago at the Couve Couture Fashion Show. She's pretty unforgettable because, in addition to being beautiful, she's just soooo nice! She was one of the models in the show. Shanna is the type of person who just comes right up to you and starts a friendly conversation. It was great running into her again!
Shanna is a massage therapist and if you're in need of a massage, you can check her out at Natural Body Works Massage, in Vancouver.
I asked Shanna about the happiest thing happening in her life right now and she replied, "my beautiful husband and daughter, who I'm lucky to be a part of their lives." Shanna's act of kindness is that she just recently volunteered to start mentoring a lady to be a massage therapist.
I asked Shanna if she had a personal mission statement or if she could think of one on the spot. She replied, "to be involved with the community, to make this world and people more consciously aware of day-to-day life to live more fully."
Day 226 - Ed
This is Ed, of Ambiance Tan and Espresso. He makes the best Mexican Mocha in all of Vancouver! (Well, he and his Girlfriend are tied for the makers of the best Mexican Mochas in Vancouver.)
I asked Ed about the happiest thing happening in his life and he replied, "my relationship with my Girlfriend."
When I asked Ed if he's performed a recent act of kindness, he said that he bought milk and cookies for a little girl who had been in the shop. I also reminded him that the first time I came in, he had also given me a free coffee as well. I joked that I didn't know if that was an act of kindness or a means to get me hooked! (which I am!)
Ed was quick to answer when I asked if he could think of a personal mission statement. His personal mission statement, "do what you gotta do, to do what you want to do."
Day 227 - Natalie and Kate
Natalie (left) and Kate (right) were one of the few people at Mt. Tabor Park on Tuesday. The rain kept most people away, so we practically had the park to ourselves.
The happiest thing happening in their lives right now: Natalie, "I'm on spring break from engineering grad school." Kate, "I'm super excited to be healthy and able to enjoy the weather."
I asked Natalie and Kate if they had performed an act of kindness. Natalie helped a friend move, and Kate said that she was nice to somebody when she didn't have to be. We talked about that a little more...how when somebody wrongs us, it's not easy to take the high road and let things go, but it's the right thing to do when we can do it.
Natalie and Kate were both quick with an answer when I asked if they had a personal mission statement or if they could think of one. Natalie replied, "live in the moment." Kate replied, "survive and thrive."
After we had taken the picture and I asked the "interview" questions, Natalie and Kate turned the tables on me and caught me completely off guard. They asked me a tough question and now I'm determined to work on the answer. After asking a few questions about the project, they asked what I've learned, and what I've taken away from the project. I could only think of two quick answers but I'm going to compile a list in order to write an entirely separate post when the project is finished. After working on something for an entire year, this is something I must do and I'm thankful that Natalie and Kate made me realize that I need to start organizing my thoughts. I have a take-away nearly every single day, but I hadn't thought to sit down to actually articulate all that I've learned from this project.
Day 228 - Patrick and Polly
Patrick and Polly were taking a little walk at Mt. Tabor.
You've probably noticed by now that I've been spending a lot of time there lately. My friend and I hit the Mt. Tabor stairs after work, as training for the Race for the Roses Half Marathon which is in a couple of weeks. Although the location is the same, there are new and interesting people there every day.
I asked Patrick about the happiest thing happening in his life right now and he replied, "a deeper relationship with myself." When I asked if he had performed an act of kindness, he didn't give the specifics, but he said kindness is sort of his motto, so he thinks he's performed acts of kindness. Patrick's impromptu personal mission statement, "to be true to myself and true to others."
Day 229 - The Long Family
This is Mr. and Mrs. Long and they had just finished their workout at Tabor when I asked if I could take their picture for the project. They are about the sweetest lovey-dovey couple you could meet!
I asked about the happiest thing happening in their lives right now and Mr. Long replied, "we're going on the right track in our relationship with God. We put God first in everything we do." Mrs. Long added to that, saying she's also happy about "weight loss, and our anniversary." The Longs will celebrate their 1-year anniversary next week! Before telling me how many years they had been married, they asked if I could guess. I totally called it! I guessed this would be their first anniversary because they were still acting like newlyweds.
The Long's recent act of kindness is that they had met a man who just really needed someone to talk and listen to him. The man was in tears but they just listened to his story and now the man is going to attend Church with them on Sunday!
The Longs wanted to pass along information about an event happening at their Church, Highland Christian Center. There's a not-to-be-missed play happening on Saturday, April 5th at 4pm.
Day 230 - Frank and Jo Jo
This is Frank (left) and Jo Jo (right). This was such an awkward shot, given our positions, but Frank and Jo Jo agreed to let me take their picture for the project.
I asked about the happiest thing happening in their lives and Frank is happy about his March Madness Bracket. He's currently positioned to win about $800! Jo Jo is happy that his sons are "becoming their own personalities and finding themselves."
I asked the men if they had performed an act of kindness. Frank assisted a disabled Vietnam Vet by opening doors for him and helping him to get into his car safely. Jo Jo said that he bought a guy a beer and enjoyed his good conversation.
Both Frank and Jo Jo were ready with a quick response when I asked if they had a personal mission statement or if they could think of one on the spot. Frank replied, "it ain't bragging if you can do it!" Jo Jo replied, "to be better today, than I was yesterday."
Day 231 - Cassandra, Norris, Nanuk and Cotton
Wow, do they make a great pack or what? I had been sitting at the park for quite a while, looking for a subject. I was almost ready to give up and go elsewhere to find a subject but just then, I spotted Cassandra and her dogs. I knew it was going to be tough to get a good picture of them all, but I just couldn't resist!
Cassandra walks all three dogs with the same ease and control as one would walk just a single well-trained dog. Although all three dogs were quite well-trained, they would have much rather been walking than sitting still for a picture.
The happiest thing happening in Cassandra's life right now, is that she and Cotton are training for him to be a therapy dog. (Cotton is the one closest to her, on her right.) She's already taken the class and now Cotton is in the training program. When I asked Cassandra if she's performed an act of kindness, she said that she couldn't think of anything but she likes to talk and listen to strangers. I reminded her that she let me take her picture and that was an act of kindness, and also she and Cotton will soon be performing acts of kindness together.
When I asked Cassandra if she had, or could think of, a personal mission statement, she replied, "find your happiness."
Here's a summary of the personal mission statements from this week's subjects:
- "To be involved with the community, to make this world and people more consciously aware of day to day life to live more fully."
- "Do what you gotta do, to do what you want to do."
- "Live in the moment."
- "Survive and thrive."
- "To be true to myself and true to others."
- "It ain't bragging if you can do it!"
- "To be better today, than I was yesterday."
- "Find your happiness."
That's it for week 33!
Thank you for spending another week with me and the project!
If you've been a subject in this project, I can't say enough how much I appreciate you! Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to help me with this project! If you would like a copy of your picture, please don't hesitate to e-mail me and I'd be happy to e-mail it to you!
Thanks again! Wishing you a great week and that you'll "find your happiness!"