(n): A college graduate’s intentional practice of thankfulness for the opportunities one has been given; the readiness to explore unfamiliar places and gain newfound perspective by exhibiting thoughtfulness through one’s purposeful interactions.
Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.
while on a quest to walk around a city block with eleven different people, alexandra horowitz, an american author, records, "the other part of seeing what is on the block is appreciating how limited our own view is. we are limited by our sensory abilities, by our species membership, by our narrow attention — at least the last of which can be overcome.” so, before embracing crowded commutes, 11 a.m. coffee breaks, or the fact that our month-long winter break is gone, we decided to embark upon a journey of our own- with the hopes of exploring the unseen fascinations of a semi-familiar American world.
as two college graduates, the question of "what are you going to do with your life?" has constantly bombarded our hearts and minds from the moments after crossing that stage and claiming our diplomas. while searching for the next step, we bounce in between two mindsets: on one hand, we pressure ourselves to have a job to satisfy the answer to the question "what's next?" and on the other lies the reminder that we are a part of the energetic ‘twenty-somethings’ crew, a time when reality hits yet sheer opportunities certainly emerge.
while we revel in this current ‘post-grad phase,’ we have decided to pack up and peace out on a cross-country road trip, dedicating a month to meaningful, intentional, and purposeful exploration. we set out on this adventure, not just to blindly frolic across the states but rather to willingly get lost in the right direction- making unexpected connections, spreading some good, and coming home with a story that may just inspire.
on this site, you will find posts, pictures, clips, insightful words, etc. that illustrate the trip through our eyes. under the postgraditude page, you can explore our checklist of purposeful tasks we hope to accomplish. additionally, you can see our social project titled 'from:me to:you // the selfless stranger project,' basically, we are working to spread words of kindness, inspiration, and re-affirmation between complete strangers. click below to learn more about this gig.
as two college graduates, the question of "what are you going to do with your life?" has constantly bombarded our hearts and minds from the moments after crossing that stage and claiming our diplomas. while searching for the next step, we bounce in between two mindsets: on one hand, we pressure ourselves to have a job to satisfy the answer to the question "what's next?" and on the other lies the reminder that we are a part of the energetic ‘twenty-somethings’ crew, a time when reality hits yet sheer opportunities certainly emerge.
while we revel in this current ‘post-grad phase,’ we have decided to pack up and peace out on a cross-country road trip, dedicating a month to meaningful, intentional, and purposeful exploration. we set out on this adventure, not just to blindly frolic across the states but rather to willingly get lost in the right direction- making unexpected connections, spreading some good, and coming home with a story that may just inspire.
on this site, you will find posts, pictures, clips, insightful words, etc. that illustrate the trip through our eyes. under the postgraditude page, you can explore our checklist of purposeful tasks we hope to accomplish. additionally, you can see our social project titled 'from:me to:you // the selfless stranger project,' basically, we are working to spread words of kindness, inspiration, and re-affirmation between complete strangers. click below to learn more about this gig.
above you will find the current route & below you will find an information document that was sent to family and friends. it explains more about what postgraditude is, the social projects/experiments we hope to accomplish & how it all transpired. take a look if you are so inclined...
- go to a local library and write an encouraging phrase in ten random books, hoping that someone's day gets a little brighter while reading
- put a quarter in a meter, any meter, that’s about to expire
- buy someone lunch in a diner without letting them know
- while on the road, learn how to knit and then give the creation to a lucky stranger who looks chilly
- start a friendly game of soccer or football at an RV park
- give a box of donuts or bagels or muffins to construction highway site workers
- put a tip and iTunes gift card in a street musician’s jar
- find someone who is rocking sports paraphernalia and give them tickets to their team's game
- pick one day to say a sincere hello to almost every person you pass
- on Halloween, write a kind note to give with the candy
- while trying In-N-Out Burger for the first time, pay for all burger lovers behind us
- leave a wrapped goodie bag (with note) for someone hiking along a trail
- spend one day asking any and all people "what are you thankful for?"
- while shopping for food, buy an extra bag of goods and share it with our camper neighbors
- ask two people (who are willing to be filmed) to call their role model and remind him/her what they mean to them
- during the duration of the trip, go up to five (or more) people in a military uniform and thank them for serving our country and offer to buy their meal: Courtesy of Nick Snietka
- give a stranger the coat off your back [ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’]: Courtesy of Jordan Rose
- leave flowers at several neglected graves/grave sites: Courtesy of Betty Landry
- visit a nursing home(Assisted Living). Bring joy to someone's day by spending time in conversation: Courtesy of Todd Wolffis
