The Hit List - Rise and Shine

When you are trying to do big things, small people will show up and try to pull you back down. Go bigger.

If you go against the grain, you’ll be told “that’s not right.” Keep going.

Share your gifts with the world and some will say it’s not enough. (It is.)

Stumble and they’ll hold their breath with gleeful anticipation. Get right back up and brush those shoulders off, playa.

When you succeed wildly, there will be applause. In that applause you may hear a murmur of “not fair” or “who does she think she is” or “she didn’t deserve that.” Tune that noise out and take your bow. And then, do an encore.

If you are living your dream, the dream killers will arrive by the dozens and try to convince you that it’s not real. Don’t buy into their reality.

Look around you.

Who is in your world?

Do they support your bigger vision?

Or do the deride it, complain about it, throw shade at it? Do they pray for your failure so that you can stay at the level they have chosen to remain at?

The company you keep may be very uncomfortable with your ambitions.

If that is so, it’s time to change circles.

Fumigate the pollution.

Move forward.

ELEVATE.

Rise and shine.

“Those not chasing their dreams should stay out of the way of those who are.” ~ Tim Fargo

Talk to the paw!

Other stuff:

I’m a fan of vintage photography. These pics that celebrate black women’s beauty are stunning.

Also see these old photos of the Ama divers from Iwase Yoshiyuki. (The Ama are slowly disappearing.)

And this is also brought to you from Japan: the history behind the “poop emoji”. Um…okay.

Worth exploring: Tiny houses might offer an alternative solution to homelessness.

Did you see the “Ship Your Enemies Glitter” thing? Well, apparently, that blew up and became a shiny nightmare.

I love this sweet post: a girl writes a letter on a balloon to her dead father. She gets an unexpected surprise. People can be wonderful!

Filed under the “now I feel old” file: Snoop Dogg is a grandpa.

Well played, Maroon 5. This is just awesome!

New from The Hermit’s Lamp: 22 Truths About Reading Tarot.

More tarot goodness over at Queen of Wands: What Does Tarot Do Besides Tell Fortunes?

I was just discussing vintage candy I hated (anise squares, circus peanuts, wintergreens) when I discovered Collecting Candy, a blog devoted to the retro stuff, both good and bad. Crispy M&Ms are making a return? HUZZAH! Fingers crossed that Willy Wonky brings back the Oompas. Oh, how I miss those!

Thought provoking: at Feministing discussing “bystander intervention” and the fear of community consequences for rape.

Just got into another discussion about Filofax with Paige Zaferiou and she directed me to this post over at Gala Darling’s hub. Must…resist…the lure…of another planner. ACK!

This might be my most favorite poetry slam ever: three fearless girls get on Queen Latifah’s show and spit poetry truth.

Great advice: 3 Things to Change (And 3 Things to Accept) If You Want to be Happy.

Got medical debt? Here’s some good news for you.

The biggest feminist issues of 2015. (And yes, I’m a feminist in case you had any doubts. I have no trouble with the F word.)

No secret that I love cats dressed in Victorian clothes. And then I discovered Mainzer Cats. This was a happy time waster, by the way.

The poorest counties in America. Mostly in the South.

Dear Hipster Son + Daughter: If I end up with a grandkid named Kale or Bear, there is going to be trouble around here.

These photos of a frozen lighthouse on Lake Michigan are stunning! MUST SEE.

I’ve got these three new goodies from Kari Chapin pre-ordered: Make It Happen!: A Workbook & Productivity Tracker for Getting Stuff Done, Brilliant Ideas Launch Pad (Kari Chapin): Generate & Capture Your Best Ideas and Project File Folders (Kari Chapin): 6 File Folders for Keeping Your Work On Track <-I can feel my productivity SOARING next month! Yeah baby!

What I’m Grateful For:

People whose ambition matches my own

The courage to go after my dreams