Thursday, November 29, 2012

has a story to tell

someone you know has a story to tell.

most people won't just start telling you a story - well, except for the crazy guy that always seems to be talking to someone even if that someone can't be seen by you and me.  ask someone you know*  about something - where did that hat come from? how did you get that scar? what's the most beautiful place you have ever seen? - and listen to their story. ask follow up questions, let the story unfold. there is beauty in such a simple story - especially when you listen closely enough.

*or better yet, someone you don't know that well but want to know better

every day is a syk day.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

illiterate

someone you know cannot read. 

considering the fact that you're looking at this, i'm willing to bet that person isn't you.  it could be the guy who busses tables at a nearby restaurant or maybe a little kid who lives down the street.  maybe it's someone that grew up with a reading disability and just finally gave up on trying to learn.  reading can change the world for some people, giving them power that they never knew they had.  reading can make a difference to other people by changing the way they see the world, giving them the escape from reality that they desperately need.  reading is a beautiful monster of a tool and it never gets full or fails to make magic.

every day is a syk day.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

woof

someone you know is a dog.

woof woof arf, ruffrufrufrufruf woof.  arf woof whhooooooooooo arf arf grrrrr.  arf woof ruff ruff arrrrrrfff.  ruff.  grrrrr.  awwooooruff.

every day is a syk day.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

socks

someone you know likes socks.

like, really likes socks. No, not that kind of like - but they really like socks... squishy socks, stripey socks, warm socks, and even toe socks.  it's a little like a sickness, but not debilitating... it's kinda cute.

every day is a syk day.

Monday, November 19, 2012

piles

someone you know is a hoarder.

there is a certain archaeology to this.  it always has a beginning, whether it be from habit or trauma or some other significant event.  i bet you can find a distinct point in the piles with a very significant date on it.  find out what that date means.  find out what all the stuff means.  find out why they can't make decisions and have some bizarre notion of loss.  ask them why they're so scared of being imperfect.  they have their reasons, but they don't always know what those reasons are.

every day is a syk day.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

being better

someone you know wants to do better...

but they don't know how. maybe it is just ignorance, or maybe it is an addiction. maybe they are stuck in a certain way of thinking. some people don't know what it is that they are doing wrong or how to stop doing something.

every day is a syk day.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

cyber life

someone you know is being harassed online.

you can call it bullying, or maybe trolling.  it could be racism, sexism, or any other -ism you can think of.  maybe it's just that girl who's being torn down for her so-called perfect life, even though she's really in pain and lonely.  maybe it's a celebrity who catches hell, all because we think it's funny to insult someone famous in a very personal way.  honestly, does it matter who it is?  some people think that their computer is a shield that makes them anonymous, so it's okay to be nasty people with terrible hearts.    having a keyboard and a connection is no excuse to stop being human.

every day is a syk day.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

sad

someone you know is depressed.

no, i mean like really depressed.  it isn't just a bad day or teenage hormones or whatever other thing that leads those who are blissfully ignorant to say to them, "can't you just snap out of it?"  for the record, they're prolly glad you might not understand, because that means you've never had to feel so utterly depressed.  they also wish you could understand that they've been so down that taking out the trash is a major achievement.  try your best to get it without having to be it and you might just earn a hug from them.

every day is a syk day.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

mixed race

someone you know is a half breed.

they may not belong to either side...  or any side.  they may have more than two sides.  they may belong to all of those sides,  depending on what day of the week it is or what they just ate or however else they feel like changing their mind.  they may take it too seriously or just blow the whole thing off.  they may just think about it when other people notice or they have to check a box on a farm for money,  or maybe not at all.

every day is a syk day.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

block

someone you know has lost their creativity.

inspire them.  appreciate their works.  teach them how to have fun with it again.  share your own creativity until theirs kicks in again.  give their life color.

every day is a syk day.

Friday, November 09, 2012

transient

someone you know is homeless.

what if that person were you?  what if it's you right now?  when is the last time you didn't know where you were going to sleep that night?  how did you get to that point?  if your life's entire contents had to fit in a backpack, what would it contain?

every day is a syk day.

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

ouch

someone you know is in constant physical pain.

don't ignore it.  don't make a big deal out of it.  listen and let them whine a bit more than other people but don't let them wallow in it.  offer to lift heavy things for them, but let them do it if they decline your help.  ask what hurts.  realize they may look at a tall shelf differently than you do.  don't be afraid to laugh about it when they make fun of their ailments.  stop giving them tips on curative techniques unless they ask for them. 

every day is a syk day.

Monday, November 05, 2012

dropping out

someone you know is thinking about dropping out of school.

ask them why.  listen to their reasons.  figure out what they can do to further their education. help them see what school can do for them.  give them the long view.

every day is a syk day.