someone you know is a leader waiting to happen.
they may not know it themselves, but they're just the kind of person that other people really want to be around, emulate, admire. it's like that cool kid who doesn't much care if you like him, because hey, he has friends that don't mind it when he dorks out for fun. they never planned on being a leader. they never schemed to get to the top. they just have a charisma that won't let them hide in the shadows. they have a sense of integrity that won't let them stand by and do nothing. they have a joy for others that makes them important because they know you're important, too. they may as well stop fighting it - where they go, others will follow. so make them get the tools to do it well.
every day is a syk day.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Monday, February 04, 2013
neat-o journeys
someone you know is going on an adventure.
are you jealous? you might wish it were you, or hope that they fail and land right back where they were before so that you can tell them all about icarus in a roundabout way. you might need them to stay where you are because you're afraid they'll forget you. so what?!? get outta that and get on board with their new exploring. do some exploring of your own. bring back the best (and worst) parts of your own adventure and you'll have something to laugh about with them. whether it's an adventure going over geography, moving through time, or expanding other horizons, jump on and enjoy the ride. even if it's uncomfortable, as most journeys are sometimes, it'll be awesome.
every day is a syk day.
are you jealous? you might wish it were you, or hope that they fail and land right back where they were before so that you can tell them all about icarus in a roundabout way. you might need them to stay where you are because you're afraid they'll forget you. so what?!? get outta that and get on board with their new exploring. do some exploring of your own. bring back the best (and worst) parts of your own adventure and you'll have something to laugh about with them. whether it's an adventure going over geography, moving through time, or expanding other horizons, jump on and enjoy the ride. even if it's uncomfortable, as most journeys are sometimes, it'll be awesome.
every day is a syk day.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
stage fright
someone you know goes silent in the spotlight.
why are you staring at them?!? but seriously, just remind them to breathe. we all have to talk to someone at some point in our lives. whether it's a whole lot of someones, or even a small group of them, knowing that people are looking to you to know what to say is nerve racking. if they're a leader, they can put a nut in the joints. if they're a comedian, they could fall flat. if they're in a speech class, they could look up and see people picking their noses and sleeping in the back. whoever said to imagine everyone in their underpants was wrong for sure. ewwww. but we all have to go through the firing range on any given day, cut them some slack and be patient. above all... just. breathe. in. and. out.
every day is a syk day.
why are you staring at them?!? but seriously, just remind them to breathe. we all have to talk to someone at some point in our lives. whether it's a whole lot of someones, or even a small group of them, knowing that people are looking to you to know what to say is nerve racking. if they're a leader, they can put a nut in the joints. if they're a comedian, they could fall flat. if they're in a speech class, they could look up and see people picking their noses and sleeping in the back. whoever said to imagine everyone in their underpants was wrong for sure. ewwww. but we all have to go through the firing range on any given day, cut them some slack and be patient. above all... just. breathe. in. and. out.
every day is a syk day.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
competition
someone you know is about to compete.
give them some encouragement. don't let them be afraid to win or to lose. let them know you're behind them. even if you think they can't possibly win, be in their corner so that if they don't win, they can still have the chance to feel awesome afterwards. tell them they're a rock star. make sure they know how cool they are to be giving it a shot in the first place. after all, they could just sit on the sofa like a lump. but they're not a lump. they're putting themselves out there and they want to go for it. find a way to enjoy the competition, no matter what happens in the end. it's how you play the game, but it's also how you act after the game has been played, you know.
every day is a syk day.
give them some encouragement. don't let them be afraid to win or to lose. let them know you're behind them. even if you think they can't possibly win, be in their corner so that if they don't win, they can still have the chance to feel awesome afterwards. tell them they're a rock star. make sure they know how cool they are to be giving it a shot in the first place. after all, they could just sit on the sofa like a lump. but they're not a lump. they're putting themselves out there and they want to go for it. find a way to enjoy the competition, no matter what happens in the end. it's how you play the game, but it's also how you act after the game has been played, you know.
every day is a syk day.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
your mirror
someone you know reminds you of yourself.
is could be the way they walk, or they way they fall out of a chair by accident, or the way they move their mouth as they read. you can find yourself in things that you love and things that really bug the crap outta you. different versions of you come and go in your life, maybe when you don't expect it or even want it. esoteric as it may sound, sometimes you relate to another version of yourself when you don't even know the person. how do you relate to yourself when you is someone else?
every day is a syk day.
is could be the way they walk, or they way they fall out of a chair by accident, or the way they move their mouth as they read. you can find yourself in things that you love and things that really bug the crap outta you. different versions of you come and go in your life, maybe when you don't expect it or even want it. esoteric as it may sound, sometimes you relate to another version of yourself when you don't even know the person. how do you relate to yourself when you is someone else?
every day is a syk day.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
blank page
someone you know is a writer.
they may only do it for themselves, and it may be difficult to get them to share it with you. they may do it for a living. they may have to write reviews of spatulas to pay the bills, or maybe they get to help other people learn all the tricks that make them think about what they're writing. sometimes they're the one who doesn't talk much, but you know they have a lot to say. sometimes they're the one who talks all the time and you give them a pencil just to shut them up for a while. in any case, they have something to say. or maybe it's you who has something to say, so say it.
every say is a syk day.
they may only do it for themselves, and it may be difficult to get them to share it with you. they may do it for a living. they may have to write reviews of spatulas to pay the bills, or maybe they get to help other people learn all the tricks that make them think about what they're writing. sometimes they're the one who doesn't talk much, but you know they have a lot to say. sometimes they're the one who talks all the time and you give them a pencil just to shut them up for a while. in any case, they have something to say. or maybe it's you who has something to say, so say it.
every say is a syk day.
Monday, December 10, 2012
unplugged
someone you know took a cyber-vacay.
work, phone, email, posting, ding, ding, ding, beep. there are times when people just need to leave it all for a little while and be with people in real life. as has been noted by the teens in a studio recently, it's a HOO (hanging out online) versus HIRL (hanging in real life) kinda world, and rarely shall the two converge. try leaving your phone at home and going out for the afternoon, just to hear what it's like to operate without the dings and beeps for a few hours. see what life is like in real life for a day... then you can report back to your online peeps.
every day is a syk day.
work, phone, email, posting, ding, ding, ding, beep. there are times when people just need to leave it all for a little while and be with people in real life. as has been noted by the teens in a studio recently, it's a HOO (hanging out online) versus HIRL (hanging in real life) kinda world, and rarely shall the two converge. try leaving your phone at home and going out for the afternoon, just to hear what it's like to operate without the dings and beeps for a few hours. see what life is like in real life for a day... then you can report back to your online peeps.
every day is a syk day.
Saturday, December 08, 2012
white hats
someone you know wears a white hat.
In the old westerns the good guy would ride in to town wearing a white hat and save the town or rescue the maiden. Nowadays the white hat is harder to see but it still exists. The guy wearing the white hat might not be wearing white, a hat, or even be a guy. Heck, sometimes they don’t even know that they are wearing the white hat! But those people that make a difference in our lives still exist and we are thankful. Take a moment and share this with someone you know that wears a white hat and let them know you appreciate them.
Every day is a syk day.
In the old westerns the good guy would ride in to town wearing a white hat and save the town or rescue the maiden. Nowadays the white hat is harder to see but it still exists. The guy wearing the white hat might not be wearing white, a hat, or even be a guy. Heck, sometimes they don’t even know that they are wearing the white hat! But those people that make a difference in our lives still exist and we are thankful. Take a moment and share this with someone you know that wears a white hat and let them know you appreciate them.
Every day is a syk day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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