Pass It On

There I was. A feeling of excitement came across me but I suddenly got nervous. I felt vulnerable, exposed, unsure. In the same moment, I realized what's done is done. There was no turning back now! I had no idea that my picture and an introduction to my blog were going to be on the front page of Saturday's New Haven Register, but there it was. For all to see. I was about to hop on a train to NYC when I heard that I was in, so I picked up the paper. I was very surprised, excited, and hopeful. As my nerves calmed down and the views increased I realized I may now have a real audience and that I must fulfill this blog and keep it going in order to hook in these new folks, and some old loyal readers, for the long haul. Visions of the movie Julie and Julia came to me, where Julie is inspired by the work of Julia Child and creates a blog while cooking in her footsteps, that suddenly goes viral. Her life suddenly got busier as Julie had blogs to post, people to keep up with, and comments to read and respond to. I quickly brushed that off and reminded myself to relax, it's only day one! Let's take this blog one day at a time- one post at a time!

Already I know people are learning about me through this blog. One friend told me she had no idea that I had a blog, and no idea that I did yoga. Most of my family had no idea either. But the best reach out so far was from a girl that I do not know. She is a friend of a friend, and found my blog online without knowing it was recently in the paper. I received a very kind message from her saying, "I can't wait to read your blog and see what else you have to say because reading it today just put me in a feel good mood!" That completely made my day! By writing about my own experiences and positivity I was able to help at least one other person to feel better. She had such kind words to say that it really made me feel good, it made me feel like perhaps there is a deeper meaning behind this blog rather than just getting my own thoughts out of my head. It got me thinking about the places I find my own inspiration, about the people who motivate me. There are very many places to turn when someone needs a boost of inspiration, and one of my favorite places I am going to introduce to you.

When I lived in New York, one of my my roommates and I particularly enjoyed certain commercials that we saw on TV. These commercials were produced by the Foundation for a Better Life and provided a simple but strong message of pass it on. Each commercial played a nice song, "Break Away" by Kelly Clarkson was one for example, and showed people helping others, doing the right thing, showing love, kindness, and peace. At the end there was always a positive word, or value, and the phrase pass it on. The values include sportsmanship, dedication, perseverance, optimism- the list goes on. This taught us, as 20-somethings, to practice and repeat the values that we saw from the commercials and to pass them on to other human beings in order to make the world a better place. It's the little things that make a big difference in our world and every little bit counts. Gandhi once said, be the change you wish to see in the world. I believe that by practicing these simple values we can slowly make that change. The Foundation for a Better Life's website that they promote through these commercials is simply and fittingly called values.com. I suggest you check it out. Explore. Be moved. There are hundreds of values listed and each one has stories, pictures, quotes, and it's own motivation to go along. I have downloaded podcasts from iTunes from the Foundation for a Better Life and listened to some of the inspirational stories of the values from values.com. I receive daily emails from values.com that include a positive or thought provoking quote. These always seem to put my day into perspective.

Upon moving back to CT, I don't see the values.com commercials anymore but I have noticed billboards around the state. Each time I see one I am curious and I research to find out the story behind the picture. You may notice them too, along 95 or 84 or tucked along a back road. Each one has a truly inspiring story, one that can perhaps motivate or move you towards action and gratitude. The important message to learn from values.com is to observe and practice acts of kindness and to always

pass it on.