Man has skills. (via Swiss-Miss)

Hope in Action.

Ah, graduation. I distinctly remember baking in my black cap and gown under the hot New York sun like it was just the other day. For me, graduation was a bittersweet celebration of four years at a college I loved and the anticipation of the unknown of where life would take me next. It was exciting and yet terrifying all at the same time.

Now, as two years have passed, I look back and realize that the journey my life has taken me on since has been one that I could never have imagined. It has been full of questions and uncertainties for sure; however, it has been full of new experiences, learnings, and opportunties that have made the past two years some of the best.

What I love most about the season of graduation, with all of its endings and beginnings, is the chance it offers for reflection on life. How are you going to live that life? Where will you chose to go and what will you chose to do? Here is one of my favorite commencement speeches by the late brilliant David Foster Wallace. It is packed full of wisdom to return to again and again, and a reflection on a life well lived, for wherever your journey will take you.

‘Learning how to think’ really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed.

If you ask almost anyone where they’d like to visit most in the world, chances are they have a ready answer: some uncharted destination, some future hope to travel into the depths of a desert, to the heights of the tallest mountains, basking in tropical heat waves, wandering through the subzero tundra. (It’s true, people want to visit there, too.) Our world is a massive mystery. It seems, to the untrained eye, a place that contains such vast differences even from one block over let alone counties and states and nations away. Imagining the things we could learn from a new place and a new perspective is enough to leave us struck with silence, in awe of this ever-changing planet we all inhabit together.

Part of the Manifesto urges us to travel often. When I think of this particular reminder, I am able to think back on the handful of places I’ve been lucky to see around the world and remember the experiences, the challenges, and the beauty of each place. Digging deep into what other places have to offer us is a crucial step in being open to newness, open to being changed from the inside out. As people we have an unexplained tendency to reject things we don’t understand, to walk away from something if it’s too different or too unsettling. I think the point of being somewhere new is to feel a little uncomfortable, a little lost, and always prepared to adapt.

This particular video of a 12,000+ mile drive around America is a stellar example of what the concept of wandering, of losing yourself in the journey, can look like. (Lombard Street in San Francisco!) Where will your next cross-cultural (or cross-continental) adventure take you? Approach your next destination, whether near or far, with intention, with high hopes, without inhibitions, and with the anticipation of discovery. 

The stories pouring in for the My Life project are amazing. So many different experiences, places in life, reflections, and powerful inspirations are included among these posts. We could not be more honored to share them on this site. Thank you to everyone who has graciously shared a piece of their lives with us. 

A few highlighted stories:

I am happily coming to terms with this incredibly rewarding lifestyle - embracing risk, establishing relationships on a deeply human level and grateful for the challenges that have brought me this far. - Jeff Tomczek

I think sometimes if we are open to the signs (they are everywhere) and listen to the little voice in our heads (that will not go away, so just listen to it for goodness sake) and keep pushing ourselves (do something that scares you everyday- this is a good motivator) then the world opens up and we take this life, our life, into our own hands. - Kristin Ritter

There’s an unexplainable energy that when you start “following” or “building” your dreams, without expectations: the universe will revolve in a surprising way that it will cure; it will reward. - Lucia Pivas

Looking back, it’s pretty funny that it took this poster for me to finally realize how ridiculous it was to be doing something that made me so unhappy. It finally got me out of my rut and gave me the courage to take control of my situation and believe that I deserved to be happy.  - Shannon Dunbar

Do you have a story to share? We are accepting them on a rolling basis here.

“For every big decision, we make sure that we don’t only look at the numbers but also think about why we’re doing it in the first place.” -Fabian Pfortmüller.

Many thanks to the wonderful people at Mashable for this awesome feature! 

The most beautiful thing about the spread of the Holstee Manifesto has been the stories that it has helped to create. We have been honored and amazed by the most powerful response we have received since we put these words to paper: “Hey! This is me.” 

Mother’s Day is only ten days away and what better way to celebrate Mom than with a gift that does good? We are pleased to feature the Somaly Mam Foundation and the amazing work that they are doing to empower survivors of slavery throughout the world. See how you can make a difference this Mother’s Day and learn more about SMF:

The Somaly Mam Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to the eradication of sex trafficking and the empowerment of its survivors as part of the solution. Founded by two 24-year old American men and Cambodian survivor and activist Somaly Mam, the foundation takes a multi-tiered approach to the issue by supporting victim services for rescue, recovery and reintegration, empowering survivors as advocates and activists, and mobilizing a passionate network of young professionals, students and supporters to say ‘no more’ to modern day slavery via grassroots campaigns and events.For Mother’s Day, the girls in the center for the youngest rescues personalized 300 cards with drawings and poignant messages. They did this during a visit from a team of cyclists: SMF supporters who fundraised in advance of a 10-day cycle challenge through Cambodia’s cities and countryside. When the team showed up at the Kampong Cham center, they brought packages of blank cards ready to be given a final touch by a survivors’ creative hand.

As part of the recovery process for a woman who may have spent many of her developmental years in a brothel, residents of the centers learn to make silk beaded necklaces, woven bracelets and scarves: handicrafts that are then sold on SMF’s online Empowerment Store. Part of recovery also offers choices when they formerly had none: a girl starts to learn independence and self worth when she realizes her choices - and life -is of value.

You can support these brave survivors by buying a gift or card (or both) for Mother’s Day.