Last week something really exciting and really worthwhile happened all because I acted on a hunch.
I’m connected to a lot of people. I always have been. I love connections. I love connecting people with other people that I know would work well together or benefit just from engaging. I think my dream job would be just that – sort of like a matchmaker but with no specific goal in mind.
I acted on a hunch and made one of my most important connections yet! I want to share it because I want you to see how acting on a hunch, an idea, can really pay off.
I love non-profits. I love agencies supporting those who need support. I especially love when a single individual becomes motivated enough to see a problem that requires action and takes it upon themselves to do it.
I have met a few of those kinds of people. One in particular I met is Mark Horvath. (@hardlynormal on Twitter). I found him through some one else’s conversation and was immediately intrigued. Here is a guy roaming around with the homeless, interviewing them and sharing their stories. How awesome is that?
I also have met a wonderful woman (@GillianK) who happened to work for a PR company that represents . Yes, the Hanes underwear/sock people. Gillian is awesome. Super professional, patient and she understood and did not dismiss my impassioned plea out of the dark to pitch one of her clients just because I asked.
Homeless shelters, street advocates and Mark will tell you giving someone who lives on the street and spends their day walking, new socks is like handing them gold.
AH ha! Gillian works for Hanes, Mark advocates and assists for homeless people. It all made sense to me! It seemed like a win-win situation for everyone!
Gillian responded right away. I let Mark know and the idea took off! What a great fit! Hanes will be sponsoring Mark’s cross country tour by providing brand new socks for distribution in all cities his road trip takes him to. And, they will be promoting InvisablePeople.tv through their digital initiatives.
Sure I’m proud of making these connections and seeing something really wonderful happen as a result of it. I’m thrilled! But the thing I keep repeating is “you just never know….. ”
Take that chance, act on that hunch – do it.
Homelessness is not a new issue but the numbers these days are staggering. Follow @hardlynormal and you will learn about the real face of homelessness. Not just the statistics, which are important and shocking, but you’ll hear real stories from real people – just like you & me – who have no where to live.
When I first heard of Mark I contacted him through the email address on his website just connecting and asked him how I could help. He responded back by telling me a little bit about himself but the thing that I remember the most from that email was this:
“How can I help you?”
We CAN all help. It’s important. Do it. Act. What do you have to lose?
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s an awesome story, and a great lesson in just going for it! Good stuff.
Thanks Joel. You really can make a difference; however small, or big.
Thankyou so Much Kathryn ~ its people like you who make a difference to individuals but also communities. Understanding that we are all connected and in some way can affect others for the “better” is something we forget sometimes. You have been such an inspiration to me & a source of support.Thankyou & also for your example …you just never know where the story ends. : )
Eva – Thank you. Like minded people always seem to find each other don’t they?
I just love know we can all do something. We can. I feel the same.
Kathryn…
It isn’t just connections but *connections from the heart!* Such is your connection here and with so many others!
Thank you for being such an inspration and always reaching out to those in need.
I wish the world more people like you with stories such as this.
“To give is to expect nothing back; to receive is to suspect nothing for!”
I dedicate my above quote to you!
Dear Henie! *sigh* ! The same kind of connections YOU make with soooo many as well. We all have them – acting on them is the challenge! It’s an honor to be connected with you xo
So inspired and inspiring! Twitter is really becoming an amazing community the likes the web has never seen. It is defying all of the fears that the wired world would lose compassion and real meaning!
I agree! Thanks for joining in the conversation!
Love this post, love this blog, love that there’s a place where I can read your writing on a regular basis!!!! You are just awesome. I love your dream job description. I have one of those too…
Julie, Thank you so much!
That means a lot! Okay – now spill: YOUR dream job would be………???
WOW! You are an awesome matchmaker of sorts! Amazing what Mark is doing and even more beautiful to see someone like you step in and give recognition. You ROCK!
Jen – Thanks! You’re making me blush!
Mark is awesome he deserves the recognition and all the support he can get!
Glad you stopped by!
What a great story. And what you did represents all that is good about social media in one little story. Thanks for sharing.
Ron – I agree! Thank you for stopping by!
Kathryn,
I found this awesome post via Julie Roads’ tweet about it. I had seen InvisiblePeople.tv tweeted a couple of months ago. Thank you for writing about this important topic! This is wonderful!
Jeanne
Jeanne – Well I’m glad you dropped over. I love reading Julie’s work! Mark H. is doing important work – thanks for recognizing that
Wow. Just saw @sethsimonds tweet about this. This is what my coach friends & I call Inspired Action. You listened to your gut. And you did the next right thing… what you were drawn to do… without letting your head noise get in the way. Look what came of it!
Well done, Kathryn! The best thing we can do is to follow your example, not just talk about it.
Thank you! Sometimes that head noise gets very loud! I think people need to trust themselves more
Kathryn, my friend Jannie said something years ago that’s always guided me. She said, “When’s the last time listening to your gut got you in trouble?” The answer: Never.
Agreed. I’ll remember that
Mark and his project InvisiblePeople.tv are amazing. Thanks for highlighting his story here. So cool you made the Hanes connection!
Lisa – There are a LOT of amazing people out there doing amazing things – you’re one of them yourself! Thanks for stopping by. Can’t wait to learn more about you.
Thank you, Kathryn, for getting the wheels turning. I don’t have the hunch yet, but I’m much more likely to act on it when it comes, thanks to you. These are the little pushes we find through our connections here (there, and everywhere online) that make the experience so worthwhile. And which, I think, are changing the world in new and wonderful ways.
Just wanted to say congrats on the new blog and making the connection to Hanes for Mark and his roadtrip. I know his efforts will highlight the issue of homelessness to many whom the issue was “invisible” before. Thanks for the National Safe Place shoutout on Twitter. I’d love to talk with you more about work that Safe Place does to serve homeless, runaway and other youth in crisis across the country. Take care and best of luck on your new endeavor here.
Josh – I appreciate you stopping by. I think we must talk. I’m really interested in what you’re doing. I used to work at a shelter for Street Youth – it’s a cause dear to my heart.