“I started this project in 2009, when people across New Orleans wrote their “love notes to the city.”
We learned that you can never lose your voice and over the past three years, I’ve looked into the eyes of thousands. They’ve shared the hopes and fears, their losses and joy with me regardless of their religion, race or language.
We ask people to share one meaningful message with family, friends and strangers.
Dear World is part business/art project/social experiment.
We explore stories of hope. Stories of struggle. Stories of a brighter day.
Our next step? We’re working towards a beautiful, wonderful world where more people send a message to family, friends and strangers in this way.
Where people get that we’re connected and that you can build something fast alone, but to build anything great you have to go together.
Love,
Robert”
They are currently doing a college tour where they are going to college campuses and helping the students have a voice. I think it is an incredible project and it really is so smart to do it on a college campus because this is a time when people so badly want to feel heard by someone… by anyone.
Today in the process of getting my arm written on and getting my picture taken, I was able to share my story, which many of you already know. Sharing my story is one of my favorite things to do because it helps me relate with others. It helps others see that they are not the only one feeling a certain way. I mean I am constantly sharing my story and I thank you all for taking the time to listen. In the process of everything I was able to show off my first Southern and Thankful shirt also. One thing that really stuck out to me was when they said, “We aren’t changing the world, but we are taking pictures of people who are.” I mean that was so powerful.
From someone who didn’t know confidence was something that could be gained before coming to TCU, having someone tell you that gives you confidence to last a lifetime. I consider myself beyond blessed to have been a part of this today.
TCU students, go tomorrow to the Library from 9 to 3 and say hey to Dear World. They will be there taking pics and listening to your stories. They are doing such an incredible thing and I encourage you to take advantage of that!
I wanted to write multiple things on my arm, but I only had room for one. When you, like me, have lots to be thankful for it is hard to narrow it down to one, but as you can see below I picked “thankful for: God’s plan” because it is what I constantly have faith in. All the time. No matter what. It has gotten me to this very point and it will take me as long as I will continue to trust in it. That is what makes me thankful because that is at the core of who I am.
Thank you Dear World and you all for listening. I consider one of my best leadership qualities to be listening and I thank you for taking the time to listen to me!
YoursTruly,
Southern and Thankful
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