little red box.

Last night I signed into Facebook. And just as I expected I had a little red notification box. I'll admit that when I saw it, a sudden burst of tiny delight came to me.

Ah, the little red box. 

If you have Facebook, you know what I am talking about. Sometimes they have a number eleven or a number one in them. Either way, we all get excited about this little red box. A notification that someone is thinking about you. That somewhere in your Facebook universe something happened that Facebook thinks you should know about! No matter what your age, this happens. I have to say I feel embarrassed to even admit this. Why is it that this notification system can make us feel extremely special or seriously let down?

I'd like to think that something this silly, this small, does not have the power to make any person feel any one emotion. But it does. And I don't believe it's because you want to know how many people liked your status, or who said what on the photo you just posted. There is something deeper going on. A deeper longing we all have, to be wanted. Thought of. Loved. 

Because what would it look like if we no longer need that red box to tell someone else how pretty they are? Or that you wanted to hang out next weekend? What if I told you that that same sense of wanting to feel special and thought of, your mom wanted to feel too. Or your brother or sister. That someone down the street is sitting behind their computer wanting just one person to think of them. And that one person could be you. 

Sure it's fun to see that little red box. That may never change. But what is more fun, is telling someone to their face that you think they are pretty and seeing the joy in their response. YOU have the power to make someone feel that. Feel loved. Just by the words you say. 

So, what will you say today and to whom? 

Give a compliment. Get a compliment (No really, receive it and say thank you). 

And when this happens no box will pop up. No alerts. No notifications. Just the simple joy that your words made someone feel loved. That you may know you are loved.

#ShareSomething: let someone know they are loved...in person :)

starting now...

Hi there!

I am Tillie. Welcome to my new blog. I say it is MY blog but really I want this to be OUR blog. I want to create a space for young girls, just like you, to come share who you are and what you are up to. Your pictures, goals, music, life's thoughts, and ideas. Everything and anything POSITIVE, uplifting, joyful, and LOVING.

And guess what? You won't be able to "like" anything! This is a no liking zone. I believe an idea isn't great just because it has 64 likes or a picture isn't less pretty because it doesn't have any likes. So don't try to click your screen, it won't work. THIS space, is a space where we LOVE EVERYTHING. Not just like it.

 If you are reading this, you probably know how to work the internet. And well, read. So we are off to a good start :) I will talk a lot about goals over the next few months; setting them, creating them, and accomplishing them.  Scared or have no idea what I am talking about? Great, me either! Just kidding. Starting this blog was one of my goals and here I am, typing away. So since we don't know each other we will have to start somewhere. Here's a little of my story. I'll make it short and sweet, you know the cliff notes version.

I am a twenty-something girl from a small town in Ohio. It's that state that no one ever goes to for vacation. So yea, as you can imagine I love traveling. Any and every where. But mostly where there are mountains and water. I play the guitar and write songs but I also have these things called bills so I have to work at a real job. Good news is, it's an AWESOME job that I love. When I was your age, you probably could of found me making music videos with my friends. I LOVED being in front of the camera. I was always up for an adventure and playing catch with my dad was one of my favorite things to do after dinner.

I didn't have Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or any social media to entertain me. But I do now. So I get both sides. I've been where you are and I have probably walked in your shoes at some point in my life. And now I am a mentor and a friend to many young girls your age. I sometimes feel like I am 13 years old again, just looking for a new adventure. THIS will be that adventure. Because just like you I have to admit I am a little scared. What will people think? What if no one "LIKES" this? But it's a chance I am willing to take. For you. For myself. Because if I don't do this, then who will?

So join me. Write me. Upload with me. Create with me. Live a life you love with me. With complete strangers. Sounds crazy, right? Maybe. But there is so much beauty and creativity in this world just waiting to be shared. Without judgement. So let's share...starting now!

"If you never try then you'll never know..." -Coldplay 

Love&Light,

Tillie