Thank you for stopping by! We got off-schedule on the blog post, but we're back on track now. Remember, I post each daily picture on Instagram and if you'd like to follow along, my username is @missellanea. Day 56 - Geraldine
This is Geraldine. She had just finished the Portland Marathon when we met.
I asked Geraldine the happiest thing happening in her life right now, and she answered, "Everything! I'm just so very grateful right now!"
I asked Geraldine if she's recently performed an act of kindness. Geraldine said that she said thank you to the volunteers on the marathon course.
"Do what you feel is right," Geraldine answered, when I asked if she had a personal mission statement.
"Living a happy, healthy life, and being really grateful," Geraldine answered, when I asked something about herself which she would consider to be a success.
After we finished with the picture and questions, Geraldine pointed over to the rest of her family. It's become a bit of a tradition for them all to do the marathon together! Congratulations to you and your family, Geraldine!
If you'd like to read more about the Portland Marathon, check out the post prior to this one.
Day 57 - Jennifer, Winter and Sunshine
This is Jennifer, and her dogs Winter and Sunshine. They were an impossible trio to miss.
I asked Jennifer the happiest thing happening in her life right now, and she answered that she was recently offered a new job and she's feeling hopeful about the future.
Jennifer's recent act of kindness is that she gave a few dollars to someone on the street.
"To be a good, contributing person," Jennifer answered, when I asked if she had a personal mission statement.
"My relationships," Jennifer answered, is something about herself which she would consider to be a success.
Jennifer and I visited a moment longer, long enough that I got to give lovins to Sunshine and Winter, and then we were on our separate ways.
Jennifer is such a natural beauty and when I was taking her picture, I was struck with how much she reminded me of my mother-in-law. Well, a younger version of my mother-in-law. They are both so sweet and gentle and they remind me of a cross between Meryle Streep and Martha Stewart. After getting home and preparing Jennifer's photo for instagram, I thought I should have done better. I always need to remember that just because a beautiful person is in front of the lens, I can't just phone it in. I need to be present and mindful.
Day 58 - Jason
This is Jason. I spotted him sitting on a bench, reading a Portland Mercury, with his sketchbook sitting beside him.
I asked Jason the happiest thing happening in his life right and I could tell he was giving the answer serious thought. He said things have been interesting lately, and a bit of an uphill battle. Jason then reached into his backpack, retrieved a book and handed it to me and said that it was making him happy right now. The book was called "De: Tales," by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba.
I asked Jason if he's recently performed an act of kindness. Jason explained that some of the customers at the store where he works, are either mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or a combination of the two. He's always sure to give them extra care and attention and tries to visit with them, knowing that for some, it may be the only conversation and human interaction they may have for the day.
"To do the things that I love," Jason answered, is his life's purpose. Jason is an artist. At one point, I asked if I could have a peek at his sketch book. I don't know the right words to use to describe his work, but the thing that came to mind is that his style is noir comic. In looking at his sketch book, I could envision Jason publishing a graphic novel in the future, and hope he achieves that someday soon. Regardless, I hope he's able to do the things that he loves.
I asked Jason something about himself which he considers to be a success and he answered, "I'm more present these days."
Day 59 - Megan
This is Megan. She was outside the Hollywood Theatre when we met.
I asked Megan the happiest thing happening in her life right now and she explained that she's in art school and in a new program, in which the entire project is to do whatever you want. She already has a few ideas for her project and is happy to get started.
"I pick up trash when I see it," Megan answered, when I asked if she's recently performed an act of kindness.
"Stay true to yourself," Megan said, his her personal mission statement. She added that people try to change who you are, but we shouldn't let them.
"Family," Megan answered, is something about herself which she would consider to be a success.
Day 60 - Senor Selleck.
This is Señor Selleck. He was walking his dog, Bud, when we met. I was totally bummed that I didn't get a nice picture of Bud and Señor Selleck. Bud was one of the coolest dogs I've met.
I asked Señor Selleck the happiest thing happening in his life right now and he answered, "I've got some kids in my life that are pretty special."
When I asked Señor Selleck if he's performed an act of kindness, he explained that he didn't want to say too much, but again mentioned the kids in his life, saying, "working with those little people."
"Just be kind," Señor Selleck answered, when I asked if he had a personal mission statement or life's purpose.
When I asked Señor Selleck something about himself which he would consider to be a success, he explained that he was able to learn how to play the bass, quickly, and play in a spanish-speaking band called Caguama.
Day 61 - Mike
This is Mike. I spotted him from across the street, peeping in the window at Dania, a furniture store. Believe me. It is impossible to walk by Dania and not stop to peep in the windows to admire and appreciate the cool furniture. I knew my chances were good that I would be able to make it across the street in time to ask Mike if I could take his picture. The poor guy is on crutches because of a broken leg.
"My wife," Mike answered, is the happiest thing happening in his life right now.
I asked Mike if he has a personal mission statement or life's purpose. "To share my experience with other people, in a way that helps us both," Mike answered.
When I asked Mike something about himself he would consider to be a success, he explained, "I overcame seeing my wife as my mother."
Wishing you a speedy and full recovery, Mike!
Day 62 - Samara
This is Samara. She's one of the amazing ladies of Sweet Spot Skirts. I headed down to Sweet Spot Skirts to try on a sample of one of their new products and Samara agreed to let me take her picture. (Samara is not the only Sweet Spot girl you'll meet...I've been saving some of the other ladies for a rainy day and you'll meet them in the future.)
I asked Samara the happiest thing happening in her life right now and she answered, "Everything's so happy right now! I feel like I'm in a great spot, have great friends and family, and a job that I love!"
After we had taken the pictures and finished the first question, a couple ladies came into the shop so we paused so that Samara could help the customers. It took all of my restraint not enthusiastically chime in and tell the shoppers they definitely needed to pick up a skirt or two and that they'll wear them daily/weekly! Yes, Samara has a great job! She gets to meet cool women and sell an awesome product which women absolutely love. I would agree this is pretty much a dream job! Even the cute little mailman piped in when he could see the customers were considering whether or not to make a purchase. The mailman told the women that the skirts must be great, because he mails out a ton of them!
After the customers selected their skirts and finished their transaction, we resumed with the "interview."
I asked Samara if she's performed an act of kindness or if she's been on the receiving end of an act of kindness. Samara explained that her brother just surprised her with a gift of Yoga classes, which she had considered having to cancel until they fit with her budget. Samara would also like to become a Yoga Instructor some day. Her baby brother surprised her with a gift certificate for more classes! I could imagine this gesture from an older brother, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear it was her younger brother who was so thoughtful.
I asked Samara if she had a personal mission statement or a life's purpose. Samara answered, "To love those around me, travel as much as I can, and to spread a little bit of joy."
When I asked Samara something about herself which she would consider to be a success, she answered, "my passion for connecting with people." The warm and inviting smile you see in Samara's picture, is the same exact smile you'll get if you ever meet her in person. She really does have a way with connecting with you, to make you feel as though you're old friends, or brand new ones.
Here is a summary of the life's purpose and personal mission statements of the subjects from this week:
- Do what you feel is right.
- To be a good, contributing person.
- To do the things that I love.
- Stay true to yourself.
- Just be kind.
- To share my experience with other people, in a way that helps us both.
- To love those around me, travel as much as I can, and to spread a little bit of joy.
Thank you to our subjects for the week and thank you for following along!
Have a big week!