So, this is it. A Human Thing’s inaugural post and as I write it, my stomach’s doing this (vaguely nauseating) dance of anticipation. It’s my body’s reaction to uncertainty, to my decision that it’s okay (more than okay, actually) not to know exactly where this road will lead. I have plans for projects, collaborations, a store, an amazing multi-media collection of love stories. I’m ready to dive deep down into white-knuckled-no-holds-barred conversations about love (fear, heartbreak, trust, honesty, loneliness, joy).
Building this site has been both a leap of faith and a labor of love. I’m not a web designer. I don’t know my CSS from my FTP from my HTML, and more than once I’ve wanted to wrap my fingers around the neck of that cute little mail chimp.
And yet…
I’m excited. I want you to explore, click around, join in on my “41 6-Word Days” project with Julia Fehrenbacher. I want you to read the new manifesto and see the word art I created from it. Grab a new badge based on the gorgeous header art by Pam Carlson, who said yes when I asked her to design something for me without any direction at all. I love how the kite has both zebra stripes (a nod to our Zebra Sounds roots) and a heart. Pam Carlson, you have mad talent, my friend.
I’m antsy like a little kid gets antsy, wanting to show you what I made. I want to tell you to check out…. well, everything! Click everything. Comment, contact, subscribe, join the mail list.
True confession: I’m jazzed to have a mail list, and not just because it took me a long time to figure out how to set that baby up. I like the idea of meeting you there, in your inbox (not often, but sometimes) to say things that maybe I’m not saying here. Or maybe I’ll say them there first, explore them with you, then bring them back here when they’re full-grown and badass. Whatever happens, we’ll have fun. I promise.
So, yeah. I’m excited. I could go on and on, share a thousand thoughts, a thousand ideas, but instead, I’ll just say this.
I made you a video…
JUDY! I am crying as I type this because I just finished watching your video and I am blown away by who you are! And that I get to share this big, beautiful, world with you! And don’t think I’m not counting sleeps till I can hug you for real! Because I am! I LOVE this1 I LOVE everything about this. Being fearless. Loving through the fear. I just wrote a post a few days ago called Alive and flourishing about heartbreak. My own heartbreak and my coming alive and flourishing. And Judy, YOU are one of the reasons I flourish now. YOU are one of the reasons that my heart holds more love than I EVER dreamed possible! YOU DID THAT! WE DID THAT! One heart at a time. OMG! I am SO EXCITED! You are a beautiful human Judy. And don’t you ever forget it. Every single person in my life is grateful to YOU…and please know that. xoxo
Rita, you are so sweet. Thank you! The feeling is mutual, my friend. <3
What a gorgeous video! I was so happy that I recognized so many of the participants. I share your eagerness in this wonderful endeavor.
Thank you, Miguel. It was really fun putting the video together. I’ll recruit you into the next one.
shine… shine …..shine
love the way the love oozes out of you
<3
can't wait to see this unfold
Laughing. I love the word “oozes” as used by you in this comment! xo
Wow! This is gorgeous! Gratz j! I went to sleep too early, like 6, and so I’m up WAY too early, but was so happy to find the debut of A Human Thing in my inbox! You’ve done a wonderful job here, j. ( I got all click happy in my enthusiasm :). I love Pam C.’s art! Love the video! All of it is perfect. I’m excited for you, and completely agree with Luna, “can’t wait to see this unfold” :D.
Me too! Here’s a behind-the-scenes bit of coolness. I was nervous about the site early on because when I started designing it, I realized how much I don’t know about designing a website. There may have been tears.
Then I got Pam’s art in the mail, and as soon as I saw it I felt myself relax. I thought, “Well, the site will be gorgeous, even if nothing else works out.”
Congratulations, Judy!! It’s a beautiful website and the video is phenomenal! I love what love has led you too. Love was my word of the year for last year and I have a new project too. Love has that effect, doesn’t it? Here’s to you, brave one! I wish you nothing but goodness in your new endeavor. XO
I just popped over to your site and saw your 90-days to change the world project. So cool! I think the upside of our wars, and our terrible economy, and our ineffectual politicians is that “regular people” are hungering for meaning and compassion and true connection. Ever the optimist, I feel change is in the air.
I wish you nothing but goodness too! xo
Wow! Thanks, Judy! I appreciate you taking the time to look at it. I’d love it if you’d agree to be a contributor. Email directly if you’re interested. Either way, I’m grateful to be on the same path with you! XO
Welcome to your new space…the video was clutch. Bravo!
Will you still love me if I admit to looking up “clutch” in the urban dictionary? I am old. But I’m also clutch! (Did I use that right?)
Beautiful. Stunning. Badass.Courageous. Yay J! I love this site and I think I may bookmark your video and watch it every morning. Love the Juliana Finch song, one of my favorites of hers. I am looking forward to this site, to these new amazing things you are about to do, I feel almost like I’m there with you. xox my friend. xox. *dances off into the sunset* :o)
It’s my favorite Juliana Finch song too – the first one I ever heard, and I was so wildly happy when she gave me permission to use it. Thank you so much! I was going to point out to you that your hat is in the video, but hippiechick beat me to it. We need to do a video where she and I wear our matching hats! xox
Oh and how on earth could I forget to say: YAY PAM! Gorgeous art! Ok, I’m done now. :o) *dances less gracefully into the sunset* ;)
THIS is a perfect beginning.
Thank you!
I love the video! The site looks marvelous. The word art is cool. You did a stellar job. Brava!
I’m so glad the postcards I made worked for you. I’m smiling goofily from the compliments.
Looking forward to the big loving roar this site will make.
I’m hoping for many more collaborations with you this year. I have big ideas. Brace yourself. (Settle the hell down, j, is an acceptable response at any time.) Thank you so much for coming through for me, and without any guidance. You are truly amazing to me. xox
Now, you did give me guidance: you said you didn’t think you wanted the art to be blue. :p
Haha! That is true. I forgot that. Sheesh. I practically did it for you. ;)
I’m standing by in awe, J. Truly, you are creating such beauty and magic here. Bowing to the light in you. (I really didn’t mean for that last sentence to be six words but it seems it is.)
My heart is overflowing with love for the love project–for you.
<3 Julia
That made me laugh. I keep thinking of things to tell you and then thinking, “Damn. I need 7 or 10 or 36 words.” Our project requires such linguistic distillation! I think it’s going to be so fun. I’m looking forward to rearranging that page into your 41 days and mine… I think it’ll be revealing. What were we (and anyone who plays with us) noticing, thinking about, welling up with.
I’m excited. Can you tell?
xox
Wow! New place, and this is looking awesome. This is a wonderful start Judy, and believe me, wonderful things are just around the corner for you.
You are pure love, and I know you will be able to help the world share that same love! :)
Thank you so much, Alex! xo
I am such a fan! More than a fan! I love what you have created, J. I love the video, the message, the theme and the focus. This is so exciting both in its inception, and where this can and will go.
TPM
PERFECT response, TPM! I think “where this can go” is exciting (and daunting, but mostly exciting). SOOO happy to see you here.
Hey, this is the first thing I’ve read this morning and I’m smiling! Morning smiles are rare until I’ve had coffee! Congratulations Judy on following an inkling of your heart. What a difference a blog makes! Thanks for the hard work and the video. Especially the video. Awesome. ^5 Annette
Thanks, Annette. Making you smile pre-coffee is high praise indeed! <3
Hi Judy:
I just wanted to give you a big HIGH FIVE!! Wow, I loved your video and the thoughts behind your message…I really agree. I also wish you luck as you embark on this new journey and I look forward to reading and contributing more.
Yes, do indulge your reading/contributing impulse! :) And thank you. The video took a long time to create. Just gathering footage was a many-weeks-long challenge. But I work with words so much, it was really cool to play with images. Looking forward to that doing more.
Love the video and you’re courage!
Thank you, Jenny. xo
Cool, digs, J. Love the video and your beautiful smile that I’ve come to know and love (actually, it was love at first sight, so I should change that to “I’ve come to rely on.”) I’ll be giving myself a tour now.
Awww, sweet talker. That’s why I’m crazy about you. Thank you, Tricia.
This is beautiful and exciting and filled with all sorts of possibility..and – love. Looking forward to observing..to joining in..to seeing where it all may lead. YOU GO GIRL!!!!
Oh, Marcie, you are a target of my big 2012 desire for collaboration. Expect me to come knocking on your virtual door soon. In the meantime, thank you!
LOVE the video. Great job!
Thanks, Terre!
Oh!My!God!
I am so glad that I have today off because I have spent my morning immersed in the love here at AHT! I am so in love, feeling the love, ready to give love, be love, have love, it’s all about the love baby! *I think all my sentences may have to end in an exclamation point as I am THAT excited and I would rather write with those than ALL CAPS, if you get what I am saying*
First off, LOVE the banner! It is so beautiful and I feel it captures the spirit of AHT perfectly. Pam Carlson rocks!
Signed up for the email list, the mailing list, subscribed to the rss feed for my Igoogle page, liked the page on FB, already following on twitter, added a comment to the 6 word day, read the love manifesto (and smiled big), checked out the word art (and fell in love), checked out the galleries (so much love) – let’s see, have I forgotten anything?
Last but certainly not least, watched the video and can I just say BRILLIANT! (some things just need caps, what can I say) The song (just like the banner) captures the soul of AHT and I have liked it on youtube as well as added it to my favorites because it is definitely a favorite and something that I will watch many many times. Juliana Finch is tres talented – thanks for introducing me to her music!
My sister just texted me saying she hoped I was having a great day and I replied “So far it is lovely” and that is mainly because I found some love when I wasn’t expecting to and that is always the best kind – unexpected love!
I am so so happy for you j and am looking forward to a year of loving fearlessly and wholehearted with my dear friend ♥
Next up, sharing the love on FB!
xoxo
Christie
Wow! I can’t ask for a better welcome than that! I think the one thing that makes the birth of this site extra special is that I didn’t do it alone. My friends and family not only encouraged me, but they donated their time, expertise and art so generously. No one I asked for help said no. And some people, like Dillon and Pam… Well, I owe them BIG time.
That’s the momentum I want to ride into the rest of this year – that sense of this being so collaborative, a community of the like-hearted, hell bent on wielding love.
A community I am VERY VERY (all caps) happy you are part of. xoxo
Some things are worth the wait more than others. Sugars big reveal next month? No longer seems like a big deal to me, frankly. This is way more exciting. Congrats, j. Can’t wait to see where we end up…
Silly (awesome) you! Nothing is bigger than Sugar’s outing (I’ve got my ticket!), but I’ll happily occupy the second spot.
I can’t wait to see where we end up either.
Well, if I could actually BE THERE, it MIGHT be more exciting. As it is, I’m pretty sure I know the Sugar secret, so in the absence of the party, the reveal will just be anticlimactic. So you still win. :)
Love the video (and the surprise cameo!), and I can’t wait to see where the project goes from here. Congrats!
Danny! Yes, well, you’re one of us. Even if you are “a cynic.” (That picture in that spot always makes me laugh.)
Hey J,
Lovely video. Uncertainty is my road of choice. It goes to all the juicy places.
I hope this program can get in front of governments who can’t seem to show each other love.
Think we’d have some peace in this world if they’d sign up for your “A Human Thing” mailing list.
Enjoy your new venture. Think I’ll mention it on me blog tomorrow …
Giulietta
Hey back, G.
I’d be honored to be mentioned on your blog. Thank you! And I’ve thought that a lot of times, watching stupidity and small-mindedness take center stage on the political scene. There is distinct lack of compassion in our political machine… but it is finally being met now with a hopeful (and in my opinion, love-filled) rebellion.
Come to think of it, that’s what I think A Human Thing is. A hopeful, love-filled rebellion.
Oh my god! The video is absolutely stunning, Judy, as is the site and all that lies behind it.
I left the house at 6 this morning, without even peeking at the computer at all, for a breakfast meeting, followed by a funeral, followed by another breakfast, followed by going to see my BFF and seeing a movie, followed by dinner with her lovely family. I had a day filled with love, and now it’s ending on this high of seeing what you have in store for all of us. I’m ever grateful that I found ZS, you and your lovely community of seekers, searchers, sages and lovers. I’m tipping the scale with LOVE, baby, with you on this journey all the way.
Wow, that is a roller coaster of a day you had. (I LOVED your 6-word version on Facebook.)
And, for the record, you can’t possibly be any more grateful than I am that you found ZS. We simply have to break cheesecake together sometime.
J,
I called it Love As Rebellion. Since rebellion is my theme it spoke to me …
G.
LOVE your post! I’m in (in a way I hadn’t thought of before, so thank you)!
Oh yes, we *will* have cheesecake together before the end of 2012! I’m committed to making it happen :-)
Atta girl! <3
Judy,
Your site is amazing and offers so much inspiration. Your love and talent shine right through. The video blew me away. Please be proud and take the bow you so deeply deserve.
So glad to be a part of your journey.
I couldn’t have asked for a better launch. At some point, working on the site, feeling overwhelmed, I thought, “This amazing community wants me to be successful,” and that thought calmed me down totally. Thank you! xo
Beautiful. Can’t wait to follow you along this journey :)
Getting a “beautiful” from you is quite an honor. Thanks, Josh. I want you to take my next bio pic, because if there is beauty to be had, you and your camera will find it.
Because I am *joy*, and love and laughter and fun absolutely light my being..and because your video made my heart leap in celebration of life and connection…and fill with gratitude for the love I have shared and experienced…
I am so “in” to your site!!! Thank you for your courage to take that leap and share your creative expression with World!
Thank you right back! I wonder if you’d have turned out differently (a grump, or pessimist) if you’d been named something more plain… oh, like, Judy, just as an example. :) (Must be why I make people call me “j.”)
Your video praise just made my day!
j, this is an amazing beginning post for a Human Thing. You couldn’t have been more spot on, I think, which is one of your greatest talents and I love you so much for it!
I found myself daydreaming, as I was busy these days, about clicking everything around here to discover all the beauty hidden behind the links :) It was worth the wait!
Thank you so much, Estrella. You will find your own touch here and there when you click around. xo
Blown away! What an AWESOME video!!! Everything about it is perfect.
Thank you, Milli! It was really fun (and challenging) to work in a visual medium so much. I felt very confident about the manifesto, but I learned so much sitting next to Dillon while he played with images and transitions. I want to do more videos!