Just over a year ago, Kelly Will decided to quit her career as a New York City gossip columnist, sell all of her belongings, and travel to all 50 states in 365 days to view what life is really like in the United States. After 164 host homes, 615 connections, and 36,000 miles driven, Will discovered how connected we are, and she is determined to share her movement of “One Person, One Community, One Nation.”
In her project, “Kelly Broadcasts America,” Will posts blog entries, videos, and narratives to document her newfound connections throughout her journey, and proves that we are actually more similar than we think. With a different perspective on life and more love for the people she meets, Will wishes to show that when we connect with each other, we are better as a whole and united with all.
With this life-changing experience under her belt, Kelly shares the ways she has grown since she was in her 20s:
1. Never take anyone personally. Every person we meet is going through things we cannot understand in a moment. I used to take everything personally. Every person was angry with me or didn’t like the way I looked or having a bad day because my work was weak. I was the ultimate sad narcissist.
When something is happening to those we love, a stranger on the street, our boss or a longtime friend, they might not be able to handle it with total grace and peace. We act out when we can’t deal with the physical, mental and emotional stresses in our lives. We can’t always process through the pain, fear and worry in a healthy way and we end up shoving it upon someone else, as a bad mood, a scowl on the subway or a rude response to anything.
I live by this mantra and I say it every day: I take no one personally. Each person is going through things I do not know about. What they say and do to me is not personal.
By quickly forgiving others of these personal moments that may be taken out on me, I have learned to change my actions when it is my turn to have the bad day and minimize the damage to those around me.
2. Every person you meet in a day has incredible value in your life and in the world. This year, I connected from one person to another person, until I built an incredible community that linked and supported me around our nation. It changed my life. My life is brilliant because I embarked on this journey. My heart is bursting with the kindness and generosity of every person I meet, because I let them in! I believe in people. No matter what is happening in the world. I think it might be the secret of life, but that’s just my opinion. Every person we come in contact with in a day deserves peace, love, kindness and generosity from us at all times. Enemy to friend to total stranger, we must be positive and kind to all. What we give each day we will get back. LIVE AWARE & CONNECT WITH PEOPLE.
3. Develop faith. I am not speaking of some deeply religious faith. Seek out a spiritual path that answers to your soul’s deepest desires. What fills you with joy, love and happiness? What do you want to do? What are your greatest dreams?
I dared to ask myself what I really wanted and then I began taking small steps to pursue my greatest passion for travel, people and journaling everyday life in America. It amazed me how easy it was to hit the road once I asked for what I wanted and began taking baby steps. Hundreds of small miracles occurred and within weeks, my dream was alive.
DO IT! Ask for what you want and go to sleep. Believe you can live in a world where your dreams will come true. Ask for what you need and live the day. Walk forward calmly and with joy and love in your heart. Know that what you are asking for is coming. Move forward there, in peace. That is FAITH. Have this kind of faith and you are unstoppable.
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