Begin with an introduction of self, something we should know about you that might not make the first impression list when meeting you for the first time:
It's fairly obvious that I'm shy when I first meet anyone, but one (or two or three) things that I freely share with friends, strangers, and strangers that are on their way to becoming friends are hugs, kisses, and possibly weird things like face licks and butt grabs (in a wholesome and silly way if the air allows it without any offense taken). I dig cuddling and enjoy sharing my warmth with those around me. I, simply, like bringing smiles to faces and these [odd] activities tend to bring smiles during roller derby bouts, convention appearances, and random friendly encounters.
Now that we've been introduced (a little bit) we should move onto some questions that drop that feel good vibe like a hot summer block party with old soul music playing in the background and everybody dancing under the spray of an opened fire hydrant. It makes you feel warm and gooey in the center like a fresh baked fruit pie straight outta mom's oven. Let's get to it!
1) Which Pokemon suits your personality? (It's perfectly okay to cheat and use Google to pick one - this isn't a test)
I know everyone chooses Pikachu (he's so cute and cuddly in the anime series with Ash Ketchum) and I'm likely to do the same, but I've definitely warmed up to Eevee in the past year as I've played a little Let's Go Eevee on Switch as well as bringing him into my team several times in Pokemon Sword.
2) Name a flower (or plant) that inspires you (and why)?
Lotus. I'm not very plant familiar beyond admiring the general beauty of a variety of shapes and colors when visiting botanical gardens or on nature hikes, but the band Better Than a Thousand turned me onto the lotus with the lyric "and as a lotus unaffected by the mud from where it grows". The song is about co-existence and I buy into that way of life.
3) An author (poet, playwright, etc) that inspires and why?
It's tough to choose one, but Robert Frost and his "The Road Not Taken" has always been an inspiration in life. The poem inspired "Unknown Road" by Pennywise (which is my go to tune when I need inspiration) and it feels... good. I think we all need to take a road less traveled once or twice in life (at the very least) to truly find ourselves and see what the world has to offer behind the glitz and glam of the bright lights and city lives. There's a lot behind the curtain when you open it up and look beyond the drama we think we know as our lives.
4) An actor/actress (director, stuntman, person in the film industry) that inspires and why?
My go to actor is almost always Ryan Reynolds. There are many great people that direct amazing thoughts from behind the scenes, many actresses that are amazing mothers, and so many names I could drop that have inspired or done something to make a change in the world, but something about Ryan's humor and his ability to remain humble hits me just right. His playful feud with Hugh Jackman is not unsimilar to some of my own friendships. He's no Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with his donations, but he's invested a great amount of time and money in making this world a funnier, healthier, and better place for our playful natures. I know I could choose a director or writer than created a powerful film examining racial tensions or an actress as light-hearted as Saoirse Ronan (a huge crush of mine, by the way), but I am a playful comedian [of sorts] and I choose laughter as the cure to bring about a more positive world around me.
5) A musician that inspires and why?
Jesse Leach (of Killswitch Engage). As someone who suffers with depression and anxiety, he's an advocate of mental health awareness. He takes time after shows to chat with fans about mental health which is really cool. He expresses his battles with the demons of depression in his lyrics as he examines how faith and a positive atmosphere helps him one day at a time. As a songwriter he's been gifted with a curse that he chooses to use positively. Killswitch Engage helped me through many dark days and they'll be there for many more as I seek to keep my own path lit walking forward.
6) An artist (sculptor, painter, etc) that inspires and why?
Jim Mahfood brings color, energy, and emotion out in his graffiti-like art. I enjoy a good classic painting, admire the grand sculptures of ancient Egypt, and partake in plenty of ooohs and aaahs with artists like Dave McKean or other artists of varying styles, but FoodOne is that go to art when I need visual pick me up to go along with some good hip hop or funk music. It just feels good. It's a colorful dance of ink and paint that remixes the daily grind into something positive and enlightening. It's my drug without the drugs.
7) An animal that inspires and why?
Maybe it's my lifelong ownership of cute little kittens or the way Lion King hit me the first (and hundredth) time I've watched it, but the majestic lions and their "pride" offer me a sense of that pride. I could dig into the sweet melody of a pair of monogamous life-mate birds or a fearsome pack of wolves, but the sense of family and standing tall to face down any fears is inspiring. It's not about a blood bond, but that connection to someone that promotes fearlessness and love. It's the pride in who we are and can become as we pave a better future for those choosing to be part of out pride. Plus, lionesses are pretty kick ass as the hunters of the pride. They're pretty awesome mothers and I'm sure some of us might be able to compare our own mothers with lionesses when we really examine everything they've done or do for us from cub age all the way to adulthood.
8) Something a friend or family member said that impacted you to become the person you are today?
On random days I might say random quotes I remember or thoughts I borrowed without the exact words recalled, but one simple word my mother continues to say to this day is "love" and I take it to heart every day. I struggle with depression, deal with stress, and have plenty factors in life that attempt to destabilize my thoughts and actions, but love is something I try to offer every single day in any way I can to those around me. Whether it's friends, family, or a stranger, love is something that can brighten anyone's day. It can be a hug, words of affirmation, a helping hand, an understanding conversation, or any such combination of activities that can lift spirits and bring some warmth upon a chilly day. It's an important word that I seemingly use too often, but never do I use it lightly when I apply it to the people that surround me in any way.
9) What word (or phrase) inspires positivity whenever you read or hear it?
I already used the word love above, but there are plenty words to fit into this positive little pocket. Perseverance is a word that might not immediately instill sunshine on a rainy day for most people, but that single word is important to any of us that struggle. We persevere to find love, a better job, or to make better lives for ourselves. We push forward and up into the sky like astronauts conquering fears and reaching beyond our means to make our world bigger and better. Perseverance is our continued effort, despite opposition, to achieve our goals. If that goal is love, not just romantic love but true make this world a better place love, then it's worth every ounce of energy input, every tear shed, and drop of blood dropped.
10) What color makes you happy? (Not necessarily your favorite color)
I love purple and get giddy when I purchase or see things that are purple, but I'll have to go with pink. I look great in blue, wear lots of black, and throw rainbows up on social media posts, but pink is that bright neon in your face sugary sweet bubblegum color that turns me into a little boy or girl or some form of happy being. Pink hair, pink lingerie, pink drinks... Sunny yellow may do it for some or going full goth may do it for others, but pink just make me happy. I'm not even sure I know why.
11) An inspirational lyric (single/multiple lines)?
"But I manifested this. Failing's how you grow and learn your lessons, kids. Take the worst and try to make the best of it. 'Cause when you fail just know that it's a test and if you can learn to pick yourself back up again and train your brain to not be such a pessimist. It's okay to make mistakes, just don't forget that there's a high road but I skip the exit when I'm lost" - NF "Lost"
12) A piece of clothing, makeup, and/or jewelry that makes you feel confident?
I don't know if I own anything specific, but when it's a nice fitting outfit that makes me feel like my physical activity put me in a little better shape I'm confident. Simple as that, right?!
13) Share your ray of sunshine (a piece of advice you would give to a friend or stranger that's hurting/struggling).
It's always going to rain, but that hydrates the flowers. There's always going to be a shadow, but that means the sun is ahead of us. There will always be pain, but that means we're alive to feel something beautiful. It won't always be perfect, but how do we know perfect, how do we know love, happiness, or any great sensation if we don't know what the opposite feels like? Sometimes we even laugh so long and hard it hurts our abs to the point we might vomit. A hug doesn't happen without the effort to lift and wrap our arms around someone. We get wet in the rain and pick ourselves back up after we fall off our skateboards. There's a warm house, homecooked meal, and love right inside the door if we take the effort to walk up the street.
14) What activity helps you find/maintain a positive mindset?
Listening to music. Playing roller derby. Laughing with friends. Skating trails alone with nothing but the sounds of nature and the sun's warmth on my back. Eating good food.
15) What is something you do to spread positivity locally?
I'm shy, but I do try to make people laugh. I try to help people in whatever way necessary if they're struggling mentally or physically. I put myself out there to be a friend when people need and offer the best service I can to help people's health in my [pharmacy] job. I would love to do more and will hopefully be able to as things open up once this pandemic thing takes a big decline from the spread and panic. Laughter, however, is usually my big super power.
16) What smell(s) makes you happy?
Tough one. Pizza usually makes me happy. A nice, calming tea perhaps. This is a question I am not good at answering.
17) Name three people that made you smile recently.
My mother, my boss/friend (we had good conversation and chicken wings the other day), and my meme-friendly gamer friend that always sends me entertaining text messages.
18) Share something positive/inspiring about yourself.
Although it doesn't always feel like enough, I try to offer as much love as possible to the people around me. When a friend needs a hug, words of encouragement, or someone to unload stress upon to lighten their load to a stress-less evening I am always there. It's simple, but I try to offer some love and a positive light to cheer up the moods of those around me. I like a light-hearted, fun atmosphere so I try to provide the same.
Tag 5 people to take the questionnaire:
@niffler @gnomi @olgakulaga @diamant @kungfury
- Xander
@rambo @missy
