Hello! Thank you for checking out week 38 of the 365 More People Pictures Project. This is my second 365 Day Project in which I'm taking a picture of a person, every single day, for an entire year. I completed my first 365 Day Project last year and I just couldn't stop. Without missing a day, I continued on to year two. I should mention, I'm not a photographer. Until getting my first DSLR just a few weeks before starting the first 365 Day project, I had never taken any classes and I didn't even know how to operate my camera. There's just so much to learn when it comes to photography, and I haven't even scratched the surface.
I'm not sure what the future holds after this current streak is finished. I've considered going for 1000 straight days. 1000 days seems impossible - but really, it would only be another 270 days after this project.
These pictures are taken fresh daily. I don't stockpile images. The majority of the subjects in this project are strangers and usually we only get to spend a few moments together. Also included are a few family, friends and co-workers.
I post each daily picture to Instagram. The blog is currently behind a couple weeks from real-time, but if you'd like to follow along daily, my Instagram username is @missellanea.
Day 259 - Adrian
This is Adrian. We met on the street, and he was in a bit of a hurry.
"I just got a job," Adrian answered, when I asked the happiest thing happening in his life right now.
Adrian's recent act of kindness is that he had just bought a soda for a homeless person at the gas station.
"That's too hard, I'm too young," Adrian replied, when I asked if he had a personal mission statement or a life's purpose.
When I asked Adrian something about himself which he would consider to be a success, he answered that it was his success in school, and his job.
Thanks, Adrian.
Day 260 - Joe
This is Joe. We met at Starbucks, where I pretty much just invited myself to sit down at his table. Have you noticed that I tend to do this often? Wow! I never imagined I'd live a life where it was pretty common to walk up to a stranger and then sit down to have coffee with them. This project has been so amazing and I can't even imagine going back to living an isolated life where I spent my time lost in my own thoughts.
"My family is healthy and we're spending a lot of time together...good family time," Joe answered, when I asked the happiest thing happening in his life right now.
When I asked Joe if he's recently performed an act of kindness or if he's been on the receiving end of an act of kindness, he explained that he received community-wide support in coping with a situation at the organization he runs. The community stepped up and gave support during a very difficult time.
When I asked Joe his life's purpose, he answered, "to help people grow." Joe laughed and explained that actually, "I push. I push people to grow." I'm glad for people like Joe. Some of us are very good at accepting help from others, and some of us need people like Joe around who push us to grow when we think we're unable to.
"My drive," Joe answered, when I asked something about himself which he would consider to be a success. "I like the process of getting things done," he added.
Joe and I visited for a while longer while we enjoyed a perfect spring evening on the Starbucks patio. I wish everyone could experience what I've been experiencing with this project. It feels like every day I get to meet a new friend, and every day I get to feel a little more connected with this big city of ours. If the subjects I meet each day feel even a fraction of what I feel each day, then I will feel like this mattered.
Thank you, Joe. Keep up the excellent work in all that you do.
Day 261 - Chrissy Boo Bad
This is Chrissy Boo Bad. We only had time for one question before CBB's bus arrived.
The happiest thing happening in Chrissy Boo Bad's life right now is, "spiritual enlightenment and personal development."
Thank you, CBB!
Day 262 - Lilly
This is Lilly. The happiest thing happening in her life is that she had just spent two weeks in Mexico with her family.
When I asked Lilly if she had recently performed an act of kindness or if she had been on the receiving end of an act of kindness, she explained that the trip was actually an act of kindness because her parents paid the for the vacation. It was hard for her, but Lilly accepted their assistance and generosity.
"I just want to be happy...that's the goal at this point," Lilly answered, when I asked her life's purpose.
When I asked Lilly something about herself which she would consider to be a success, she said that she's successfully lived without a car for 4 years and counting. She was on her bike when we met. I admire the huge population of bike commuters in Portland.
Thank you, Lilly. Wishing you happiness!
Day 263 - Sanjay
This is Sanjay. The happiest thing happening in his life right now is that he and his wife just adopted/rescued a dog from Poland. The rescue/adoption process was quite the ordeal, and I'm so happy for Sanjay and his new little family.
When I asked Sanjay if he's recently performed an act of kindness (other than rescuing the pup) or if he's been on the receiving end of an act of kindness, he told me that he works for Mercy Corps. Sanjay's entire life is spent helping others. Sanjay had just returned from a work trip to Nepal just a day or two before the devastating earthquake.
"To live by my principles," Sanjay answered, when I asked if he had a personal mission statement or life's purpose.
When I asked Sanjay something about himself which he would consider to be a success, he answered, "I've come a long way." He meant that figuratively and literally, explaining that he came from a small village in India, "and having been through a lot, I can now influence and help others all across the world."
Thank you, Sanjay. Thank you for being in the project and for all the good work you do personally, and with Mercy Corps.
Day 264 - Manny
This is Manny.
"I was sick, but I got better," Manny answered, when I asked the happiest thing happening in his life right now.
"I always perform acts of kindness," Manny answered, when I asked if he had recently performed an act of kindness or if he had been on the receiving end of an act of kindness. He jokingly added that he let me take his picture! I love it when people realize this. Some subjects have trouble remembering if they've performed an act of kindness and they actually start to stress about it, not even realizing that they're actually performing an act of kindness as we're speaking. When you think about it, it's pretty remarkable for a person to allow a stranger to take their picture and "interview" them. It is an act of kindness to open up and take a few moments out of their day to visit with a stranger.
"To make a difference in at least one person's life...and make that person's life a little better," Manny said, is his life's purpose.
When I asked Manny something about himself which he would consider to be a success, he said that he's a College Graduate. He's currently looking for work, but he's confident he'll find a job.
Wishing you the best of luck, Manny! Hoping you find the perfect job!
Day 265 - Thom
This is Thom. He's one of the owners of the Hoodsport Coffee Co. When we make the move to our little cabin in the woods, I'll be seeing a lot of Thom and Hoodsport Coffee Co.!
The happiest thing happening in Thom's life right now is the shop, and that he gets to work with his wife.
When I asked Thom if he had recently performed an act of kindness or if he's been on the receiving end of an act of kindness, he said that he just purchased groceries for a woman at the grocery store who was unable to pay. The woman and her children were in the check-out line ahead of him. When she was unable to pay, Thom stepped in and paid for everything. He didn't want the family to go without.
"To provide community here," Thom answered, when I asked his life's purpose. Thom is definitely fulfilling his life's purpose. Hoodspoort Coffee Co. is the most happening place in town and what little time I've spent there so far, I've been able to gather that it really is the pulse of the community. In addition to Thom and his wife, every time we go there, we always end up visiting with locals or tourists passing through. The first time I ever went there, I felt that sense of community. Someday soon, we will be joining this little community. I'm grateful for Thom and his wife and the Hoodsport Coffee Co. for more reasons than just their coffee and friendly service! When the time comes to move and if I want to continue this project or something similar, this is the best place in town to meet people!
Thank you, Thom! Thank you for being in the project and building community.
Here's a summary of the life's purpose or personal mission statements from this week's subjects:
- To help people grow.
- Spiritual enlightenment and personal development.
- I just want to be happy.
- To live by my principles.
- To make a difference in at least one person's life...and make that person's life a little better,
- To provide community here.
Thank you to every person in this project, and thank you again for following along!