By far the question I get asked the most is "What is that Key around your neck for?" There are a couple answers people will guess. The older generation tends to ask if I am a latch key kid, if you don't know what that is, you probably aren't one of those people, but look it up. The other guesses I get are is it my house key or the key to my heart. The answer to all of the above is, no. I am not a latch key kid, it is not my house key, nor is it the key to my heart. Sorry to let any of your down. If you have asked I probably gave you a vagueish answer due to a lack of time to fully explain it. SO what is my key well, firstly, it is a Giving Key (http://www.thegivingkeys.com/). According to their website, "The Giving Keys exists to employ those transitioning out of homelessness to make jewelry out of repurposed keys that get sold and shared around the world. Each key is unique and carries a message like HOPE, STRENGTH, DREAM or COURAGE. When the wearer of the key encounters someone else who needs the message on the key, they give it away and then send us the story of their key being paid forward." My dad got me this key back at a Catalyst conference, the leadership conference we went to every year together, three years ago. I have worn the key everyday since. Now some of you probably just went "awwww" and others went, "Why?" and probably a few others said, "Do you wear it in the shower?" Well to the aww people, I wore the key everyday before my dad passed away, but I will definitely continue to wear it in his memory. To the why people, well that is kind of the whole reason behind this post. At the conference, my dad said he had to go to the bathroom, and was gone for a while and came back and that is when he gave me the key. On my key it says the word "INSPIRE". There were probably 20 different words he could have chosen, but he chose "Inspire". He constantly told me that I inspired him and would always point to the key. It has always meant a lot for him to tell me that I inspired him. If you were at his funeral, you know there was a 4 canvas painting that said inspire that everyone signed. The purpose of that was for me to have something tangible to see how many people that my dad inspire (p.s. if you weren't able to sign it, but would like to, let me know). He told me the reason he was giving me the key was so that everyday of my life I would be reminded to inspire others, like I inspired him. So I wear it everyday for just that, a reminder to inspire others. So that is the history behind my key, the reason behind the giving of the key, and why I wear it everyday. Oh and to the shower people, no I do not wear it in the shower, and I have to take it off for soccer but I wear every time but then, yes when I sleep, yes I know "that's bad", no I do not care. :)
Fun Facts:
1) My sister, Jennifer, also was given an inspire key, but it was a square key.
2) Catalyst has always been a highlight of my year! I am going to try to go this year, but I am not sure yet.
3) I have been able to share the message of inspiring others with hundreds of people because of my necklace. People will ask. I am glad that they do.
Music:
Every Heart by Sara Haze: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_QaBoDQrBg
I love this song. It is just a cool message that everyone has a story, and that all of them are worth listening to. One of the first questions I ask people is, "What is your story?" and some of those people are now some of my best friends. So your challenge for today is to ask someone what their story is and actually listen :)
Fun Facts:
1) My sister, Jennifer, also was given an inspire key, but it was a square key.
2) Catalyst has always been a highlight of my year! I am going to try to go this year, but I am not sure yet.
3) I have been able to share the message of inspiring others with hundreds of people because of my necklace. People will ask. I am glad that they do.
Music:
Every Heart by Sara Haze: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_QaBoDQrBg
I love this song. It is just a cool message that everyone has a story, and that all of them are worth listening to. One of the first questions I ask people is, "What is your story?" and some of those people are now some of my best friends. So your challenge for today is to ask someone what their story is and actually listen :)