Positively: Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota

On my walk over to the Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota there was a small floral shop; I thought it would be nice to leave some flowers around the waiting rooms along with some Positively Squares cards.  I was hoping to find some happy daises but all I could find were a handful of tulips.  As I continued on my way I realized that I had no clue as to what to expect or even what to write when I got to the hospital.  

When I walked through the front doors I slowly took in my surroundings.  Down the hall there was a woman being broadcasted with a puppet next to her both reading off bingo numbers (kids were calling in that won...this made me laugh to myself)  On the other side was a cafeteria where good moms and dads who had to take off from work were seated with their kids eating lunch.  As I sat from afar I studied their faces.  Moms and dads for the most part were extremely quite, looking across the table at their spouse in silence while their kids happily sucked down juice boxes...maybe not knowing what they were doing there or maybe knowing but in this tiny moment were completely happy with life, sometimes just being next to your parents can do that.   

Some nurses practically fell onto the chairs where they let out a sigh of exhaustion.  One nurse in particular had no expression at all on his face, either from numbness to whatever he was going through or it could just be he was in need of a bed and a pillow.  

As I sat writing I realized that these kids needed some positivity but more importantly I found out the staff and parents needed it more.  I went to five different waiting rooms throughout the Children's hospital, leaving behind 32 squares for parents, kids, and staff:   

The last message was my favorite to share.  Be silly, keep smiling.  Even if you are perfectly healthy it is an important thing to remember!  If you want share this and keep the positive message going please do!  And if you would like some squares of your own please email:  positive.square@gmail.com

This was an amazing experience and I can not wait to see where these squares end up next!

Write Positive.  Post Proudly 

- Kirsten

Positively Nadeau

Nadeau is a lil furniture store in Minneapolis that is full of wonderful, colorful, amazing things that makes me want to have an entry way to my own bed room (the amount of foyer tables in this place is incredible.)  About once a month I grab something carmel from Isles Bun & Coffee and walk next door to walk through a maze of bright yellows tables, warm blue chairs, and earthy green dressers.
(so long IKEA) 


As I venture through pretending I am in the market for a dinning room table I leave Positively Square cards here and there knowing that some lucky buyer will get an extra positive smile as they haul away their new belongings.  

I take my last sip of something camel latte and walk outside into the cold Minnesota air.  Though no yellow table is in my home (yet) I have a home full of positivity.

                                                                          ..which is all one really needs :D  

Write Positive.  Post Proudly. 

- Kirsten

Positively Cheapo

Cheapo (the one in Minneapolis) is a common place for me to go to when I want to kill an hour, which is something easily done when I am browsing the vinyl section.  I had a handful of Positively Squares in my pocket and as I pawed through stacks of album covers I left behind squares to artist worthy of a positive shout out.

One artist worthy of this is my best buddy Kevin.  Guy is an amazing drummer/song writer and as I was flipping through the Local section I came across one of his CDs.  It made me so proud and happy to see it, I wrote on the square "this album is crazy great. metal strong"  

This Kenny Loggins vinyl made me smile instantly.  On the back of the square I put "for $2.95 you can get amazing art work!"  Who can resist those flowing locks, well thought out typography and those 1990 geo shapes!! (whoa nelly) 
The best part about this vinyl is that there are 3 copies of it in the store...pick one up.  

  

If anyone knows me they know that I feel strongly about a few things: 1) Die hard is the greatest action movie ever made. and 2) hearing The Black Keys makes my unbelievably happy, and I will ramble on about them for at least the duration of whatever song of their's that is playing on the radio, bar, or commercial.  In between Rubber Factory and  Thickfreakness I wrote "you have awesome taste in music"  (and whoever picks it up does)  The Black Keys circa 2003...can't get any better (but some how they keep out doing themselves).  Alright Black Keys ramble over. 

Positively Square hasn't seen the last of Cheapo.  Till then though go pick up some Kenny Loggins and enjoy a sunny afternoon looking at that grin on your record shelf! 

Write Positive. Post Proudly. 

-Kirsten      

Unexpected Positively

The other night I was at bus stop going downtown, upset that I had a cold on New Years Eve.  A man who was waiting for the same bus started talking to me.  Like most common bus commuters I was stand offish and uninviting when he started listing what happend to him that day.  He was sore from a bone marrow donation he did for his 19 year old niece who was diagnosed with Leukemia recently.  He talked about how he would cut off his leg for her, that no one that age deserved what she is going through.  


I didn't know how to respond.  What words would offer comfort for someone going through this emotional and physical pain?  The bus rolled up and before I could say something of substance we were sitting on opposite ends.  I felt so ridiculous only moments ago I was feeling sorry for myself being sick this time of year when things could be far worse.  Then it hit me, I now carry Positively Square cards with me at all times.  I pulled one out and wrote on the back "Whatever happens, I hope everything works out"  As I left the bus I handed it to the man and walked off.  His story he shared with me was just as unexpected as my note was to him.   


Positively Square cards I created to impact other's lives but it is also impacting mine and making me see there is so much to be positive and simply happy about in my own life. 


Write Positive. Post Proudly. 
-Kirsten