Random Acts of Creativity #3

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I get in trouble a lot for the “complement a stranger” one, just be careful, don’t go all the way to Hillbrow for someone you haven’t met, k?

A beautiful tribute.

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In a recent post I discussed how the loss of my pet cat and best friend affected me. I also shared that an incredibly talented friend of mine had started working on a tribute piece for me. I was having a tough night two days back and suddenly she surprised me with the finished product. I obviously cried my eyes out, but it was the good kind of cry. I never had the opportunity to bury my baby, and I finally have a sense of closure and remembrance that is worthy of what she meant to me.

Shané, you have been a blessing beyond my wildest expectations. I am truly touched by what you’ve done for me. Your spontaneous acts of kindness have brightened my life in such unexpected ways! And you’re a seriously talented lady, never stop making beautiful things! I am so proud to call you friend!

You can follow her on Twitter or Instagram to see her latest work.

Sharing.

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No one hides their insecurities as well as they think they do. And normally people see right through the strange and crazy things people do to “seem normal”. But the truth is everyone feels what they’re feeling differently. Schopenhauer said: “…the difference in individualities is incalculably great.” Even if you can see right through someone’s act, no one knows what trauma caused that person to wear leopard print leggings, or why she cries in cat food ads. Kindness (or mercy!) is severely under valued in our society. With the rise of trolls, critics, blogs, discussion forums, and memes, we all think we have the right to judge what someone else has put out there. To ridicule or scoff at another user’s honesty is a trendy past time. But just because we don’t get it, doesn’t make it less meaningful to who ever’s experiencing it.

There is a kind side to social media. I have been berated for wearing my heart on my sleeve online many times. But to be honest, I’ve received sincere feedback when I’ve felt really alone, and a tweet was more like a desperate plea sent out in to the universe. Stephen Fry thanked his Twitter followers for their support after his suicide attempt in 2012 and on Facebook a friend saved the life of a suicidal teenager from the other side of the Atlantic! Status updates are supposed to be personal, Facebook itself asks me how I’m feeling?! It doesn’t ask: “What competition are you entering today?” Why aren’t we allowed to say I feel like shit? My advice is to keep your FRIENDS on Facebook, the people who really care. The rest just find your ups and downs amusing.

You can not possibly know what battle is raging on their side of the screen. Why not reach out instead? I have experienced the healing power of a few kind words first hand and it’s a bit like magic for a sad soul. Post pictures of your kid eating peas, lament over the asshole that broke your heart, TYPE IN ALL CAPS, or connect with other people who cry when The Cure plays. Isn’t connecting what social media is all about? How can you connect if you’re not “sharing”?

It’s just cruel.

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I have always found the practice down right disgusting. Would you try to flush your pet cat or puppy? I think not… If something shared its life with you, and made you smile or feel less lonely, even once, why the hell would you flush it down the dirtiest thing in your home? I believe any living thing (except maybe a spider) deserves more than that. I’m not a kook, a full ceremony is probably unnecessary (although highly likely in my case) but I beg of you, PLEASE stop flushing your friends…