In the waning days of 2010, I got a text from a friend that changed everything. It wasn’t a text of earth-shattering significance; in fact, it was the opposite of that. It was simple and surprising, the kind of sweet text that friends often send, but it had a profound effect on me. For days I thought about how touched I’d been by the unexpected connection, how simple it is, really, to spread love.
It inspired me to do just that, to spend all of 2011 consciously, unabashedly, fearlessly spreading love. I declared it publicly, on my blog. I published a manifesto and a list of monthly goals because I know how life (and fear, and personal demons) can get in the way of our most generous and heartfelt intentions. Having wrestled my whole life with shyness, I picked goals that I knew would stretch my boundaries, goals that would send me out into the world. And every Monday, I blogged about what was happening – the good, the bad, the hopeless floundering. You can read my year in posts here.
It isn’t an exaggeration to say that 2011 changed my life. The year and the original project came to an end, but I knew I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to. When I began the love project, I quoted Michael Chabon (as I tend to do), calling my plan for the year an “act of hopeless optimism in the service of bottomless longing.” In a world where cynicism and snark too often hold sway over heart and soul, it was my little rebellion.
It still is. I am more convinced than ever that if we tap into our unique human capacity to choose love over fear, anger and withdrawal; if we let love fuel our hunger to communicate and create; if we believe in (and surrender to) its power to break us open in astonishing and transformative ways… we can change the world.
That’s what I’m talking about at A Human Thing. Come talk with me.
Love the love page. Love John Irving, too. I never heard that quote before. Now I love him more. I love you, too. That’s five “love” words. Six including this one. Looking forward to where the project takes you.
I love the Love page. Love it! I can’t wait to start adding photos in the album! I have just been collecting them for now. I will do something at the end of the month for you…or perhaps…something else. Not sure yet. I am also doing something in honour of you this weekend. You will love it! A nd I have a special plan for Valentine’s Day that you will also LOVE!
You have inspired me to step even further outside of my comfort zone and for that I can’t thank you enough.
Today…is Day 11 of 365 Days of Hugging Fearlessly and it was a rather lack luster hug from a reluctant and somewhat unwilling recipient…and I noticed what a difference it made to my spirit that she was unwilling and reluctant. Boo. I will get another one and bring my spirit levels up a few notches.
Judy you are amazing.
Thank you!
xo
Utterly stupendous. I, like, totally adore this page. You’re going to change the world. And I love you. <3
You guys are so awesome. It took me a ridiculously long time to make this page. Thank you for taking the time to like it aloud. You rock, and I’m way luckier than all the people who don’t know you. <3
Hurrah for j’s Love Project and the page!
<3 <3 <3
Market some of this j, seriously. Put a page to purchase stuff up — the love manifesto and the secret alphabet words.
Brilliant! Radiant! Your clarity is refreshing. Thank you for these sweet and gentle reminders, I am loving your work. You lean in to the wind.
“You lean into the wind.” Thank you. I definitely try.
So inspiring!
Cynicism and snark are effective shields that deflect the uncomfortable and alarming cringing feelings that love, earnestness and authenticity can evoke. Thank you for being a gentle shield slayer.
You are a beautiful soul. <3
(I've added your badge to my blog.)
Oops, Marie, I somehow never got notified that you were here. Thank you for the words of encouragement! xo
This is my first knowledge. I hope I can find back pages.
This is one of the best ways to become more aware of how much love there is all around us and to be more giving ourselves. You’re an amazing Love Warrior, j, thank you for reminding us how important a small gesture of selfless love is!
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J, you awe me. :)
Wow. I’m humbled by your awe. Thank you.
I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not a touchy feely kind of person, but this…this I can do! :D Thanks for the inspiration, j. :)
I just told a friend yesterday that I sometimes feel lost in a world that finds love quaint. I’m fighting for something that isn’t quaint – it’s big and edgy and scary and transcendent. Thanks for giving me a chance! ;-)
You’re absolutely right! And you’re welcome. :)
Oh, wow. I’m totally, completely inspired by this….
♥ Julia
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Hi Judy
I live in Paris where the people, generally speaking, are horrible! They are rude, stressed, boring and broed.
I thought I was going to crack up because having been here for about 7 years I found my walls going up, slowly but surely.
Then I started working with this person who runs an art gallery. She is the friendliest, funniest and most open person I have met in this city. Here, that takes courage because you are constantly being snapped at and people tend to be aggressive.
So, to me, this person isn’t just the nicest person to work with in Paris, she is also the bravest and very, very honest!
Yes, she’s french and I have to find out more about her.
In my experience the good guy and gal get hit the hardest, mostly because they are isolated. It would be great to have a peer group who are unashamed, helping, supportive and honest. Who are who they are and do what they do, with love. Not the selfish hippy love, which is a remnant of the 60′s / 70′s (not that I experienced those years) but brave, honest, forgiving and strong determined love.
Ah but it’s a pipe dream :)
Anyway, I’m enjoying working with this brave person and I hope we can continue to work together for a long time.
I feel like that here sometimes, that the world is very receptive to glitz and snark and sarcasm, but very resistant (even hostile) to love. I’ve struggled from the beginning against my own ingrained response to discount the unironic and suppress my own sappy, my innately earnest heart. I agree you with completely. Putting up walls, drawing lines, focusing on differences, what’s in it for you and how to get ahead… that’s all easy. Choosing love is hard. Takes a badass.
I love your art gallery woman for being the light you noticed. I bet she’s got some bruises. One thing I’ve learned since starting this project… it’s not a lifestyle for the meek. I get braver every single day.
(Thanks for the note. I loved this!)
There wasn’t a place to comment on the Love Scene page, but, I wanted to say thank you for including me… today especially. A little rainbow of good feelings I didn’t expect to have at the end of this day.
Thank you for including me.
Wow!! This is great. I am committed to an “Uncovering Happiness” Project until next September…but after that, I think I’ll give LOVE try. And in the mean time, I will do my best to contribute in any way I can :)
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I want IN!!!!
How can i get involved?
Rita sent me. I will be forever grateful. 2012 will be MY YEAR of learning to love with abandon again. I also write at http://reverbnohollowness.wordpress.com and http://livingaquotablelife.blogspot com (currently on hiatus but where much of the damning evidence of my plunge into perpetual cynicism resides). I’m off now to devour the 2011 master plan.
This page may go away when the new site comes up, so I wanted to make sure I came over and commented. I just popped over to your reverb site and I’m assuming you wrote me a comment a) on your phone, b) in a hospital room and c) on morphine… which would all be more impressive if I didn’t know you also wrote an entire post in that condition. You’re a rock star, baby!
Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment. Feel better!
Thanks! I look forward to the new site and thank you for the inspiration! I am home now and rocking recovery. ;D
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