Positively Loving Bicyclists!

My friend Shaina shared the following story with me: (click the link to read more) 

Melbourne's Bikers are Victims of Artist's Guerilla Thank You Notes

This inspired me to start thanking Minneapolis bikers!  When I moved here two years ago I knew Minneapolis was a clean healthy city but had no idea how bike friendly it was.  I don't own a car and find it amazing that I am able to bike when it is 20 degrees out and can travel from my home to downtown safely in half the time it would take to drive.  

So this post is to all the bikers who:
would rather spend their gas money a smarter way
bike year round
don't own a car
will bike when it is raining out simply because of how great it makes them feel
love fixing & building bikes
want to make their city a healthier place! 

                                

                           

Thank you to all who bike to make your city a healthier safer place with one less car on the road! 


Write Positive. Post Proudly.
Kirsten

Positive each place I go

Last week I was having a terrible day.  Missed my bus, work is out of control, I didn't get to the bank in time, toothpaste is on my sweater, I just want a sleeve of girl scout cookies days.  The next day I decided to make each part of my day positive.  Positive for me and hopefully for the stranger who found the square I left behind.  

Here is my day day in squares: 

Busing to downtown Minneapolis to run some errands: 

At the bank: 

In the skyway having lunch: 

At Target: 

 At Target looking at the latest games (OPERATION Star Wars!!) 

 At Barns & Noble flipping through design books: 

 Busing back to Uptown

At LA Fitness

 (this was the fastest I have ever seen someone pick up a Positive Square!) 

Last stop of the day...grocery shopping!

Little Cuties now makes juice!

Life sometimes is hard.  Isn't it supposed to be?  It makes the days where you realize that life is positively fine...positively great...positively wonderful just that much better.  And believe me...finding OPERATION Star Wars was positively great!   

Write Positive.  Post Proudly.  

-Kirsten

Positively: Your Turn To Be A Square! (CONTEST!)

A little over three months ago I started Positively Square and it has been so wonderful.  I have received emails from so many of you and sent out Positively Square cards to 11 states all over the country and today I just mailed squares over to Singapore!

There is a bar called Muddy Waters just down the block from me that I go to often and the other week two of my friends and I left behind three Positively Square cards to our waitress who gave us beyond amazing customer service (and also a slice of some wickedly awesome cake..on the house!).  Today I received a text from my friend who works there saying that the squares were up on the wall at Muddy Waters!  


As I read this text message the biggest smile was on my face.  Positively Squares are slowly making their way around!  Last week I got a message via Pintest from a girl who lives in Montana saying that she found a Positively Square card in a museum!  I love it. 


So what inspired all of this was the book Start Something That Matters written by the founder of TOMS shoes Blake Mycoskie.  I was given two copies of this book and was chosen to write a review of it and to come up with a contest to give away the second copy.  I started something that matters and now I want someone else to read this amazing book.  It tells the story of TOMS and how he started it all with just a simple idea.  There are so many other success stories that are shared, such as how Method got started (Target shoppers would know this cleaning brand!)  This book is just..simply inspiring.  It is not just for entrepreneurs, this book is for anyone that wants to read about good people doing amazing things in this world.  That you can do whatever you want to do and that you can start doing that something right now!  


T H E   C O N T E S T: 


1) Take a Positively Square card (you can make up a square if you don't have one or I can mail some out to you!) write a positive message on it for a stranger or for someone you know.


2) Take a picture of your square as you are about to leave it behind.  


3) Upload it to Positively Square's Facebook Page. (or email it to positive.square@gmail.com).  


4) Vote by "liking" on Facebook  what Positive Square picture /story you enjoyed the most!  (tell your family and friends about Positively Square to get their votes!) 


The photo / story that receives the most "likes" on Facebook by 3/15/11 will get their own copy of Start Something That Matters!


Thank you all so much for supporting this simple idea and for making it matter! 


Write Positive.  Post Proudly.
-Kirsten

ˆ

Positively: Suds & Giggles

Some things will never change.  Such as the love I have for my family, shamrock shakes, spending the day in yoga pants, and laundry mats.  Coincidentally laundry mats never change either.  The one four blocks from my house still has a laundry detergent dispenser from 40 years ago.  It could be the clean scent of lemon and lavender that makes going to the laundry mat so great, or the fact that it is 100% acceptable to be out in public in your grossest sweat pants you own without judgment.  In addition to these things it also brings back memories of my mother and sister on Saturday afternoons spent laughing over Women's Day magazines and counting down the minuets till we could leave to go get a Culver's custard cone as a reward for folding towels and being mom's little helpers for the day.

Both of my parents were pretty smart.  Mom would give us treats for helping out while my dad would turn the worst part of laundry into the greatest.  Socks.  Growing up with two other sisters there would be about 20 pairs of socks in a load and of course all different cuts and sizes.  My dad started up a game called Sock Connection (there is a whole song that goes along to this...I will sing it for you sometime if you ask)  Every time there was a sock with out its partner we would put it in this basket of lonely socks and once it got full enough we would do Sock Connection and wouldn't you know it..we would walk away each with a few more pairs of socks!  

Now I am all grown and only folding my own socks (however I still manage to lose a few each time...).  As I sit and wait 24 min for my wash load to finish I look around to a place that hasn't changed decades.  The soda machine with a generic Orange label made me giggle to myself....I hope that never changes.  

What I am getting at though is love what you love out of life, no matter how small or silly it may be.  And though you may change as your life goes on take comfort in the fact that somethings never do :D 

Write Positive.  Post Proudly.  

-Kirsten 

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

500 Squares of Positiveness

I saw the Fedex truck today outside my window and ran downstairs to greet him with the biggest smile I could give the guy.  Positively Square cards are here!  500 cards will be sent into the world in the up coming months.  Already today I put one on a jeep from South Dakota and wrote "hope you are having a great time in MN!"  I am looking forward to see where else these cards will show up and who they may impact....     

Start Something That Matters inspired me to do this and I hope this may inspire you do to the same!  

Friends, family and people I have yet to meet, if you would like me to mail you some Positively Square cards instead of making your own email me me your home address to Positive.Square@gmail.com and I will send a handful your way!  

Write Positive.  Post Proudly

-Kirsten 

the first square

"Barista in orange this latte made my day better. yum!"

And there is the first Positive Square I put out into the world, a simple start!  As word slowly grows I look forward to seeing more people post their own squares and share their stories of passing along the positivity!  In the upcoming months I plan on going to go to local hospitals and middle schools to leave squares around for kids to find, in hopes of making their day better in some small way.  

Stay tuned!  till then

Write positive.  Post proudly

- Kirsten    

Starting Something That Matters.

April 2009 I bought my first pair of TOMS shoes.  I was in awe of how great it felt to support such a great cause by doing something so simple.  For the next two years I followed TOMS closely, "liking" each new shoe design on my  Facebook wall while anticipating their new product, TOMS sunglasses.  The one for one program gives people in need glasses and or surgeries for their eyes with every pair of sunglasses you buy.  But I wanted to do more than just buy products from TOMS I wanted to get involved.  

A few months ago I signed up to be apart of TOMS Books for Blogger Program and was over joyed when I received two copies of Start Something That Matters along with this note: 

STARTING SOMETHING 

I am a Fine Arts major.  I never took a business class, my grammar is terrible, I'm not a leader by nature nor am I an entrepreneur.   However after I read this book I saw myself as a writer, a leader, and a person that has enough passion to start up their own movement.

THE INSPIRATION 

Middle school and high school were painful times for me.  I ate lunch on the floor because there wasn't any room for my friends and I to sit...uh well that's a lie because the real issue was I was too shy and scared to talk to the "popular" kids.  Why?  Why didn't I tell the girl next to me in math class that she had the coolest sweaters, or  why didn't I tell that boy he made US History my favorite class to go to.  It is a simple complement that can open up conversations with others, hell just knowing that people are genuinely nice in the world can restore your faith in it.  

Few years ago I stopped holding back and just let the positivity come out of me unexpectedly.  I would complement strangers on their shoes, perfume, hair, smile, whatever dazzled me about them I would come out and say it; even if they were just smiling at me because I was coming off as a weirdo...least they were smiling!  As I was reading Start Something That Matters it hit me...being positive does matter.    

HOW IT WORKS 

1) Take a square piece of paper and write a positive message on it.  On the back write  

    @positivesquare or Facebook PositivelySquare (so others can learn about it!) 

It can be anonymous or you can let it known to the world it is from you!  Your square can also be for someone you know "Mom your pancakes are wonderful!"  or a stranger out there needing something to make their day a little bit better "You might have a the greatest smile ever.  Show it!" 

2)  Send it out into the world for another to find! 

Leave your square:  in a park, library book, restaurant menu, bus stop, locker, hospital front desk, a folded sweater in a store, cash register, car cup holder, a mitten, doctor's waiting room, cafeteria lunch tray, etc.  

3) Post it (optional) 

Upload your square and let the positive message grow even more! 
Facebook: facebook.com/PositivelySquare
Twitter: @PositiveSquare

THE CONTEST 

"Like" Positively Square on Facebook (facebook.com/PositivelySquare)

Post a photo of the positive square you sent out into the world with the caption as the message you put on the square.  Whoever has the most "likes" on their photo wins the copy of Start Something That Matters.  

Thank you for reading about this exciting new endever I hope it will be a success with your help.  Please post and follow Positively Square on Twitter and "like" it on Facebook.  

Your support is a positive thing all on its own!  

Write it positive. Post it proud

- Kirsten Zache