{communic-8}

Alright. So, we're light finding now, right?  We're seeking out those moments of soul saturation.  With deliberate hands stretched out, we are grabbing purposely for those subtle & simple snippets of sweetness present in our everyday lives.  We're cognizant they're there; we're not letting hustle trump the BIG that makes up our little.  I am.  I am so hoping you are too, peeps.  

Last week  I began the #lifeisbiginthelittlechallenge.  Through the use of blogs, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, emails & texts too, I issued a quest.  I wanted us all to look for the little things in our lives that make BIG of life that much sweeter.  Using this hashtag, it has been such a treat to see other's entries into this challenge.  It's almost like a social media pep rally for the soul.  Seeing other's littles, has made my heart smile and reminded me of the wonderful & diverse out there touching us all as we go.  Silly smiles, yummy meals, old pictures, bright orange pumpkins, coaches bonding after practice, beautiful skies,  Fall sweaters and bonfires, too.  Oh, yes.  Life is BIG in the little.  Thank you so much for joining in this challenge.

The image you see below was the catalyst for this week's challenge.  Last night while scrolling through the #lifeisbiginthelittlechallenge set on Instagram, I found an entry from a former 3rd grade student of mine.

Her words describing this magnificent Fall sky were beautifully written.  I was so joyful to see this memory collected & preserved.  Now this?  This is social media at its best.  I left her a comment you can read below the image.  She then responded back.  It was in this transferral of thoughts I was moved.  She made me better.  She strengthened my passion; she lifted my love for writing.  And, this all happened because we shared words with one another.

Sharing words isn't hard.  It's more than just hitting the "like" button we have all become so accustomed to.  Don't get me wrong, the "like" button does make a connection.  I think we all somehow want the people around us to press the "like" button on our lives.  We long for love.  We look for validation whether we like to admit it or not.  It's not wrong.  It's human.  What I want to offer up as a challenge this week is one louder than the "like" button.  I want us to give and get the gift that Jamie so preciously wrapped for me without even realizing it.

In this day and time, we are able to instantaneously connect.  Like breathing, we can communicate with one another.  Social media and Steve Jobs has spoiled us all too sweetly, don't you think?  And, I know all too well the whirlwind of grumblings out there that gives both Steve and social media a bad rap.  If we aren't careful our lives become virtual instead of actual.  It is a slippery slope of social indeed.  

But cold turkey and "turn it all off" is not practical.  It's just not.  That's why I want us to spin social media and Steve Job's rockstar inventions for good.

Below is a text transaction from Kenny and me just yesterday.  He was gone to football planning from 1:45-9:45 PM yesterday.  It's Morristown West week.  He is determined to win.   Simply put and swiftly transacted, his words lifted me.  And, I am hopeful my words encouraged him as well.  This communication transpired within about a 4 minute timespan.

Just yesterday I left a comment on a friend's blog I enjoy reading:

I live one trillion miles away from her.  But, the effort of her words shared resonated with me.  I wanted her to know it too.  My commented response took about 4 minutes.  Add an extra minute to that as I kept typing in the wrong security code to publish the comment.  Ahem.  Meg's eyes are NOT what they used to be.  I did more than "like".  She encouraged me with her honesty.  I needed it.  I like to think my words back to her were needed too.

Last week I was thinking about a teacher who inspired me and really changed my life in the world of numbers.  I decided to look him up and send him a quick email to let him know how much I appreciated him.  My email took about 5 minutes to write.  Here is what I sent:

And, guess what?  He wrote back.

I shared words.  He did too.  And, we each were lifted up because of it.  

And, then I sent this just this morning to my Dad.  It took about 30 seconds.  He lives 3.5 hours away.  His response filled this daughter with love and a smile.

Share words.  Do more than "like".  I am not saying a copyrighted dissertation needs to be written.  But, connections can be deepened, better yet hope can be handed out, if we'll just go one louder.  I have no doubt your heart tank will fill up just as fast as you empty it.

So, this week:

1.  Send a special text.

2.  Write a handwritten note and send it via snail mail.

3.  Email a loved one.

4.  Leave a comment that lifts or encourages on a Facebook status.

5.  Comment on a blog post that you resonates with you.

6.  Send a friend a pin that reminds you of them on Pinterest.

7.  Share a memory with a snapshot on Instagram.

8.  Tweet something encouraging on Twitter and link it to someone who might need to hear it.

Share words.  Simple, sweet & swift.

Using my Instagram account, I am going to begin a #sharewordschallenge.  Feel free to use this hashtag to house your shares if you so desire.  The #lifeisbiginthelittlechallenge is still in full effect too.  Like heaping handfuls of Halloween candy dropping in jack-o-lantern buckets, hand your hope out this October.

I feel like I need to have Michael singing this song as the background music for this post.

Happy Monday y'all!

.mac :)