This time last year, I launched this site with the intention of honoring some of the incredible people in my life. The premise was simple: write essays about 31 of the people who inspire me the most, and ask each of these 31 to choose a charitable organization or cause for me to donate to on their behalf. This proved to be a really powerful exercise for both me and those I wrote about; I was amazed to witness how much people were moved by my gestures of appreciation, and humbled by the reverberative effects I felt within my community.
This year, I will spend the majority of my holiday season overseas. My journeys take me to Africa and Asia, where my schedule will be full of wild variance and, inevitably, days of questionable connectivity. However, I have a plan as to how I will revive The Generosity Chronicles. There will be two chapters: one during the first half of December, while I am still in Portland, and one while I am away.
Chapter 1: Shout-Outs
It has recently become undeniably apparent that I have some absolutely magnificent creators in my life–and I believe the fruits of their creative expression are vital for the future of our world. Shout-out to Brené Brown, because she says it better than I ever could:
Art has the power to render sorrow beautiful, and make loneliness a shared experience, and transform despair into hope. It gives pain–and our most wrenching emotions–voice, language, and form, so they can be recognized and shared. The magic of all art is the ability to both capture our pain and deliver us from it at the same time….And no one more than artists can call bullshit on the things in the world that are unkind and untrue. Because creatives bring truth to us in a way we recognize our own humanity. – Brené Brown, Braving the Wildnerness
With that in mind, I’d like to take some time in early December to name some of the extraordinary artists and visionaries in my life, and shine a spotlight on the beauty they are bringing to the world. Get ready to be introduced to brilliantly inspiring musicians, space curators, visual artists, and more! For each one of these people, I will either be making a donation to their organization, or a different project of their choice.
Chapter 2: LOVE LETTERS
While I’m overseas, I’ll write one letter a day to my original Generosity Chronicles crew. My plan is to write these digitally, rather than by hand, and post whenever internet connectivity allows. (Voyeurs, delight!) (Isn’t that what the internet is for, anyway?)
This will serve as a way to document my travels, while simultaneously connecting to a tribe of people at home. I can’t imagine anything better than having a daily pocket buddy to whisper to about my day’s experiences!
I’m so excited to journey with you all over the next couple months. Buckle up your seatbelts — I have a feeling there will be lots of ups & downs in store.
The Generosity Chronicles 