Being positive does not mean ignoring the tough bits, the rough patches. It means finding the strength to get through it, and doing so without losing your sense of self. It means acknowledging the worst, letting those feelings be felt and then moving forward.

A positive attitude can make all the difference in the world.

I cannot tell you how to be happy. Or the secret to success. I can’t tell you how to live without regret. But I can tell you that there are smiles and laughs in your future. I can encourage you to keep going until you succeed. I can remind you that mistakes make us human.

This project is about constantly reminding myself of the beauty and hope in this world. There might be words of encouragement or gentle reminders to keep swimming. There might be tough love or little jokes.

In the summer of 2012, I designed 18 posters with the reminders that I needed most often to cope with my chronic illness, and this site is a continuation of that experiment. Even though this project started because of illness, doesn’t mean that this site is only for people who are sick. It is for everyone who ever suffers moments of self doubt, sadness or fear.

I will be posting a new posters regularly and throughout the course of the project I will share stories from people who inspire me.

And now that I take ballet, I will be sharing that journey as part of this project. Dance is, after all, another art form. A physical expression of the hope that the CRPS is not allowed to take.

If you have suggestions for quotes, please feel free to send me a message.