“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”
Rudyard Kipling
Inside My Reality
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
Leo Buscaglia
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you for listening.
Inside My Reality
This is by far one of the most difficult posts I have ever written. But my heart is telling me it’s time. Passion Squared is about truth. The truth about our lives and our businesses. When I saw that my friend, hairdresser, photographer and film maker Damien Laliberte started the Inside My Reality documentary project, I knew it was time to share one of my darkest secrets.
A little over 6 years ago, I almost took my own life. I have suffered from mental illness since I was a child, but did not know the depths of my condition till it was almost too late. I was one of the lucky ones. There is so much more to be done. I still struggle every day of my life. But I am alive and can do my part to help the millions of others that suffer as I do.
This is my buddy Damien. I sat down with him to learn more about his project. This is his story.
Nina:
Tell me a little bit about Inside My Reality.
Damien:
It’s an independent film project voicing the every day reality so many of living under the shadow of mental illness feel. It’s not happy, it’s not sad, it’s just honest life.
Nina:
Why are you so passionate about this topic?
Damien:
I suffer from a mental illness, a lot of friends and family do, and there have recently been a string of suicides in my small rural town that has really made me realize that something is wrong with how we’re handling these topics.
The materials and education (if any) we give to young adults on these topics is so often laughably bad – my favorite example is to reference the anti-marijuana movies from the 50’s and 60’s, like Reefer Madness. That’s how off the mark the stuff we’re giving kids today is, and they KNOW it. So of COURSE it’s not helping.
Nina:
Why should I support this project?
Damien:
Unlike a charity, I’m not out to endlessly raise money. I’m not trying to raise awareness, sell ribbons, sell t-shirts – I am making something. Something that once made, will exist and be available and will not come back asking for donations next year to fund more ribbon and t-shirt sales.
Nina:
How are you using the social + digital space to fuel this project?
Damien:
This project is almost entirely fueled by the social networks I travel in over the Internet! I’m a big Twitter guy, but my YouTube video first got attention by being shared around town. Then came a website, which got too much traffic, so it was replaced with a Facebook page which is almost up to 800 likes as of writing this.
It’s how I communicate with people about this project, it’s how people reach me, it’s how teens and people who want to be part of the project reach me, it’s how my project material is disseminated into the world. It’s how I’ve been reached for interviews and professional connections. None of this would have been possible without the extreme power of having networked connections online.
“I think it’s time to start listening to them.” Damien Laliberte, Inside My Reality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZOBKbM014&feature=share&list=UUYK7Jdj5YBlGBPXotnnG5JQ
Thank you Damien, for your friendship, your courage and your commitment to making a difference. I love you. Infinity and beyond.
To be part of helping our future generations who suffer from mental illness like Damien and I do, visit Inside My Reality, make a donation and share if you feel inspired. You can also keep up with Damien and Inside My Reality on Facebook and Twitter.
We thank you for your support.
If you or someone you know suffers from depression or has suicidal thoughts, there is help. A few of the groups I support are The Trevor Project, It Get’s Better, National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
(shared with LOVE from Nina + Damien)
The Social Awesomeness Manifesto
“Always be yourself. Unless you are a unicorn. Then always be a unicorn.”
Unknown
Here is an audio recording of this post. Thank you for listening. <3
The Social Aweseomeness Manifesto
The world has changed. And change can sometimes mess people up. As an artist of business, with a huge passion for engaging, I created a manifesto of sorts for those seeking some guidance on how to be socially awesome on social platforms. I like many am not one for rules, but I dig manifesto’s, so I made one.
One thing I really think we need to understand is this is real life. The new real world. The same “rules” apply online as they do offline. So when in doubt, just remember this is about people. And I know you know to engage with people. It’s what you do every day.
A Squared
Be awesome. Be authentic. I am smart, at least that is what my mama told me. I can see right through you. Do you. Keep it real. And I promise to do the same.
Caring Matters
If you cannot or do not care to listen, engage, respond and reply, you are not ready to engage in the social space. If I ask you a question, I will be waiting for an answer. If I give you a shout out, a simple thank you goes a long way.
Chill On The CAPS LOCK
You really think I want to engage when I am being yelled at? Does anyone want to listen when being yelled at? No. Be cool, chill on the caps lock.
Nobody Likes A Litterbug
Spamming my wall with your product, event or political agenda only makes me want to hide you, delete you or block you. And I love you, so please be mindful of littering on my wall. If you ask nicely, and are offering something I believe in or see value in, then trust, I will share it, buy it, or like it.
Don’t Bleed The Feed
Whether its Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, be mindful that when you post 17 pics of your dog, baby, Starbucks, etc. in a row I may get hostile and stop following you or hide you. Same goes for hitting the share button. Post. Then chill. Share. Then chill. Inspired by the awesome Instagram i love you vid by Casey Neistat.
Link Love
If you are trying to lead me somewhere, like your website, event, your salon, or a blog post, please include the URL, phone number, email, Morse code, whatever in your post. It’s super helpful if you actually want me to do something.
Check One Check Two
And while we are on the topic of links, check your links on your social pages. If you are a business, and you want me to check you out, working links (on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, YELP, etc.) will get me to you much faster. In fact, if your link does not work, you may have lost me, forever.
Hide And Seek Is Fun But…
If you are a human, please share that with me in your About section on your social + digital pages, profiles, etc. The Internet may seem like a super secret shield, but if you are hiding from me I will be scared and hide from you too. Marketing is about stories. Tell me one.
Sharing Is Caring
But taking credit for someone else’s stuff is lame. If you see something that inspires you, and you know the source, like someone else’s page, just hit the share button (or repin, or #repost #regram) and credit the source. It’s good karma. And the right thing to do.
Quote This
If a quote came from you, awesome and congrats. If it came from someone else, like Thomas Edison or someone cool like that then give them credit. If you don’t know, Google it. If anyone reading this knows who created the unicorn quote, please share, I have Googled for days, but no luck so far.
To be continued…
Have something awesome to add? Know someone who is socially awesome? Please share in the comments below or with me, I’m listening and I care.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)
Look For The Helpers
Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr
Here is the audio version of the post. Thank you for listening. <3
Look For The Helpers
It is so interesting to me how this world works sometimes. How in the blink of an eye, everything changes. That is what happened as I was boarding my plane yesterday afternoon. My heart was full, after spending the weekend in San Jose at the Spring Style Show, sharing my passion with the people that I love. Then I saw the heartbreaking news. And everything changed.
My Love + Prayers for Boston
I had another blog planned for this week, and normally I post it on Monday mornings. But this week, I chose to wait till this morning. As I turned on my computer, my heart told me my previous blog could wait. There was something more important I needed to share.
So today, I dedicate this post to the people of Boston, to the precious lives that were lost, to the beautiful souls injured, to their families and friends, to this community of Passionistas who choose light over darkness, and love over hate.
Look For The Helpers
You see, no matter what happens in this world, in our lives or in our business, what matters is how we respond. And over the last 12 hours, we have all been witness to so much love both online and offline, but we have also seen so much hate. I choose love. I choose to “look for the helpers”, as Mister Rogers so awesomely said.
Within moments of the tragedy, helpers were everywhere. Google Person Finder helped people locate their loved ones. Over 1000 residents opened their homes to those affected. Southwest Airlines stepped up to help people get home safely. Airbnb immediately took action to help those in need.
Here are some ways you can help.
Choose Love
We have a choice everyday when we wake up, a choice about the energy we bring to our world. In the salon, in our community, and our family, both online and off. We have a choice to be hateful or loving. Our world needs more love. Our businesses need more love. Our families need more love.
As my hero John Lennon said; “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” Love is the answer, it always has been. And today, I choose to do my part to bring more loving energy to myself, my family, my friends, my business and my world. Will you join me?
(shared with LOVE + PRAYERS for Boston from Nina)
Unsubscribe
“Follow those who follow something – an idea, a belief, a vision, a cause. Avoid those who need to convince us to follow them.”
Simon Sinek
Please enjoy the audio version of this post if reading is not your thing.
Unsubscribe or Subscribe. Your Choice
In today’s world, we can get so wrapped up in all the “noise”. Whether it’s the news, social networks, TV, e-mails, phone calls, etc. But one thing many of us forget is that we have a choice. We can subscribe and we can unsubscribe.
I Took A Stand
An interesting thing happened on Facebook on March 26, the day the Supreme Court began hearings on Prop 8 and DOMA, two issues that are very near and dear to my heart as a gay woman.
