23
MISSION: Janitor Appreciation
Over the summer at my day job, a new cleaning lady started working in my building. Her name is Della, and I’m fairly certain that I love her. She is so friendly, so warm, so genuine. We talk about anything and everything as she comes through my office, emptying trash, dusting, vacuuming, and hauling our enormous recycling bin to the dumpster. She’s lived a life, you guys. I know about her kids, her grandkids, the husband she lost. And I feel richer and honored because I know these parts of her life. In short, I adore her and feel like my day is a million times better because she’s a part of it.
So when I got Affiliated Agent Y’s mission, I felt a swell in my heart, because it shows me that there are others out there who form connections with those who are often taken for granted. I’m honored to post this mission today.
DATE:
Sunday, 14 August 2011
OPERATIVE:
Affiliated Agent Y
LOCATION:
Office restroom
College Station, TX
TIME:
Evening
This mission is dedicated to the persons who I see and exchange casual greetings with every day. They are dedicated individuals who make public space clean, safe, and comfortable. From time to time, the secret agent Y had a chance to chat with them in the restroom and learn their dedication to work.
They deserve more appreciation for the role model work:
- They wake up and start to work before dawn five days a week.
- They are dedicated for intensive work with little break till 1pm.
- They always carry a nice smile regardless of the hard work.
The secret agent Y conducted some research to identify the appropriate timing to execute this mission through casual talks with a couple of janitors. A Sunday evening was identified as the best timing to execute the mission because there is little chance for office workers to be in the building. The secret agent Y hoped that a janitor finds the envelope on Monday early morning and have some refreshments with $5.00 in cash.
Yes, they deserve it. Their hard work reflects our workplace. Our workplace reflects our mood, motivation, and work performance. The secret agent Y would like to express sincere appreciation to the admirable hard workers.
18
MISSION: Walk Hard
Remember that time I was a brave secret agent {um, yesterday} and told even more of the world about my struggle with depression? And remember that time all these amazing, beautiful people left comments about their own struggles? And remember how those amazing, beautiful people showed me {and you} that there are so many of us struggling and that we’re not alone and that we’re loved and cherished and have value?
Yeah. That was an amazing time.
And now, I want to make it even more amazing.
I’m currently on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness {NAMI} Southwestern PA. And with this position comes not only the opportunity to really get involved in a cause I feel very, very strongly about, but it also carries with it tremendous responsibility. Today I had the honor of speaking at NAMI’s annual kick-off luncheon for their annual walk. I shared my own struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide, as well as my mother’s experience of living with schizoaffective disorder. Afterward, I had nearly a dozen people come up to me to share their own stories, to hug me, to offer support and love, and to just say thank you. Again, these actions just confirmed that there are so many people with stories. Staying silent is no longer an option.
A few years ago, I created a team to walk in NAMI’s annual walk. We called ourselves Team Laura’s Mom. Our t-shirts were pretty sweet, huh?
This year? I’m doin’ it again, y’all. Only this year’s team is Team Secret Agent L. And I want YOU to join me.
That’s right. I just asked you to do something. Again.
Now, I know many of you won’t be able to actually join the team and walk with me {and, subsequently, wear an equally awesome t-shirt, which I am in the process of designing, and which YOU WILL LOVE}. BUT. Do you think you might be able to give up that Starbucks latte some morning and donate the moolah to this important cause instead?
Yup. Less than $5. It’d make a difference. I promise.
Now. If you want to join my team {which would make me OH SO VERY HAPPY}, you can do so here.
But if you’d rather just donate $5 {or, you know, $50 or $500, or FIVE BAZILLION}, then you can do so here.
And if you feel like spreading the word, go ahead and link this post out to anyone and everyone in all manner of ways. Facebook it, Tweet it, blog it, Google+ it {I don’t even know how that works–something to do with circles maybe?}, etc. And if you’d like to have huge banners printed up and hung from overpasses on major highways, I’d be okay with that, too.
I will love you forever. True story.
From the bottom of my {and my mom’s} heart of hearts, thank you, thank you, thank you.
{Me and my adorable, loveable, sweet, favorite mom in San Francisco in June 2011. She is my heart. Recovery IS possible.}
17
MISSION: Back-to-School Kindness!
It’s amazing how many emails have made their way into the Secret Agent L inbox. Thousands, as a matter of fact. And this particular mission? Well, it got overlooked by accident. BUT, it’s so appropriate for this time of year that I thought to myself Better late than never!
DATE:
Sunday, 8 August 2010
OPERATIVE:
Affiliated Agent T
LOCATION:
Walking Track
Green Island, NY
TIME:
7:30 p.m.
Words cannot express the excitement I have had about doing my first mission.
First I went out and bought some inexpensive school supplies: Crayons, highlighters, pens, pencils, glue sticks and index cards. Along with that purchase I bought some small gift bags!
I loaded the bag with the school supplies and attached a little note and the famous business card…. then my heart started racing… “Is it realllly time to get this mission started?” I loaded the bag into my huge purse and headed out…
I drove by the local park but to many people were there. Next best stop is the walking track… I know people frequent it after eating dinner so I placed the bag right in the middle of the entrance to the track. I snapped a few pics and was off on my way! What a rush of excitement! I hope the person who finds it is able to enjoy it and it puts a smile on their face!
Off to my next mission……………………..
16
MISSION: Save a Life.
Yesterday I learned of the death of NHL player Rick Rypien. While I am not a fan of sports, I am a fan of people, and when I learned of the possible reason for his death, I was deeply, deeply saddened. Sources are saying that Rick’s death may have been suicide, a result of addiction and depression. I am praying for his family and friends as they grieve this loss. Lots of people were Tweeting about it, re-Tweeting the news, and the topic of mental health and depression were blowing up all over my Twitter feed.
This, to me, was a sign. I needed to be brave and speak up.
As many of you know, I am a staunch advocate of mental health awareness, and I currently serve on the Board of Directors for NAMI Southwestern PA. A very close family member of mine suffers from schizoaffective disorder, which is kind of like a cross between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In short, it is devastating. Three years ago, my family member overdosed in what appeared to be a suicide attempt. My loved one was on life-support for three days, and there were moments when I wasn’t sure if she’d make it. Thank God, she did make it. And her life has taken a dramatic turn for the better. Recovery. Is. Possible.
I write this post today to bring attention to the seriousness of and the possible devastation caused by mental illness. And to share something deeply personal with all of you.
One weekend a few weeks ago, I couldn’t get out of bed because I was so depressed. In fact, I didn’t want to live.
I spent two solid days seriously considering ending my life.
I suffer from severe depression. I have for many years. A few months ago, I slipped into depression so deep that I wasn’t sure I’d make it out of the other side. This depression is one of the main reasons I stepped away from the Secret Agent L Project. It’s one of the main reasons I stopped showing up on Twitter. It’s one of the main reasons that Vivian (aka Number Two) stepped in. And about a month ago, it all came to a head. I wanted to die.
I, Secret Agent L, wanted to die.
The pain of my depression was so deep that I couldn’t imagine carrying on another day. I didn’t think I could spend another day breathing and living and feeling the pain I was feeling.
Thankfully, my family and a couple of my closest friends stepped in. I talked with my doctor, am taking advantage of resources that will help me, and am taking one day at a time. And now, almost three months after the initial onset of this depressive period and a few weeks after seriously considering ending my life, I can see some light. It’s not blinding, but I can see it. And I feel like I might have the strength to walk towards it a little more each day, even if it’s only one or two steps a day.
The Secret Agent L Project serves not only as a way to encourage people to enact kindness with intention, but I’ve learned through the many emails I receive from people all over the world that the project also serves as a beacon of hope. We are hurting. We are struggling. We feel alone and helpless and hopeless. Many people write to me and share personal stories of their struggles, or the struggles of their loved ones and friends, that center around mental illness.
We cannot stay silent about this any longer.
We cannot accept the stigma. We cannot accept that mental illness means we’re weak, “crazy,” or less-than. We cannot believe that we are alone. Because we are not.
Today, I am asking you to complete a mission. I am asking that you do something today that centers around mental illness awareness. Maybe you’re struggling: please, please reach out for help. Maybe a loved one or friend is struggling: call them, often. Maybe you want to learn more about mental illness: learn more. Maybe you decide to give up buying that Starbucks latte and donate to help those who may not be able right now to help themselves. Maybe you feel like being courageous and leaving a comment on this post about your own experience with mental illness, whether it’s that of yours or a loved one or friend. Don’t know where to turn? Contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). They will help you with what you need. I promise.
We must come together on this. We must be there for one another. We must realize that mental illness is a real, legitimate disease. We must fight for more funding, more resources, more awareness, and, most importantly, more compassion.
We must.
I’m not back 100% here, but I will be stepping in when I can and when I feel up to it. I really, really struggled with whether or not to share this deeply personal part of myself with you. But I came to the realization that I cannot be the only one out there struggling with this illness. And so, I reached out. Because I love you. And because I want you and your loved ones and friends to know that you are not alone.
Today I have decided that I’m going to fight for my life. And I hope that you will fight for yours.
16
MISSION: Second Time’s the Charm
I like this mission because it shows the Affiliated Agent’s determination and super secrecy. Said Agent did not supply me with any information about the date, location, or time of the mission. Definitely super secret!
Well… with a pounding heart, I accomplished my first mission today! It was our first day back at school after summer vacation and there were lots of people on campus. I put a Starbucks card in an envelope and sat thinking about a good place to leave it… and brighten someone’s day. I figured the ladies restroom was the most likely place for someone to get a good look… so I placed my “package” on top of the t-paper holder, took a quick pic and got out of there. I checked back several times during the morning, but nobody had taken it…
Finally, on the way to another meeting I overheard someone (of course, I know her) asking another person if she left this little envelope in the restroom. They spoke about it for a few minutes, but must not have read the note or maybe they thought it was for someone specific and was left there by mistake… I went back in a bit later and found it on a little table in the restroom. Yikes! What to do? I scooped it up and put a note on it that said… “You found it first… it’s yours!” and put it in the person’s school “mailbox”. It was gone later in the day so I know she got it… hopefully, it brightened her day!
Now… to think of another mission…
Affiliated Agent C
15
MISSION: Playing Cards and Kindness
I have a confession to make.
I don’t know how to play cards.
I know, I know. Go ahead and laugh. I mean, I can play a mean game of Go Fish. But anything else involving cards, and, well, I really have no idea what I’m doing.
If only Affiliated Agent VR offered tutorials…
DATE:
Thursday, 4 August 2011
OPERATIVE:
Affiliated Agent VR
LOCATION:
Agave Public Library
and
local Starbucks
Phoenix, AZ
TIME:
12:00 p.m.
This is my very first mission and I was so excited to complete it. I decided I would do a gift of playing cards because my family is a game playing family and I wanted someone else to have the same fun we do. I had two decks so I wrote two separate notes, attaching a SAL card to each, and tied them to the decks with my adorable whale ribbon. I wasn’t sure how to sign the notes because this is my first mission so I decided I would dub Agent VR. When I was finished I could hardly wait to place them but it was passed midnight so of course I had to wait until morning.
At about noon, on August 4, I placed the first gift at a little white table by the window of the Agave Public Library. It was very busy so I had to be sly and put my purse in front of it while I took the pic. I then casually walked away, afraid the whole time that somebody would notice. Once I was out the door, I was so thrilled it had worked! Then I was off to a nearby Starbucks to drop off the second gift!
Again I wasn’t so lucky, there were quite a few people at Starbucks. I used the same sort of method and put the gift on the table next to one of the big chairs and quickly took a pic while I was waiting for my drink to be made. Then I walked away, no problem! My first mission was a complete success! I really hope whomever finds one of my gifts will take it home and play a game of cards with family! And, of course, I really hope finding it brightened his or her day!
14
MISSION: Drops of Kindness for Dads
My dad is one of the greatest loves of my life. He’s hilarious (oh my goodness), super smart, has a ton of integrity, and loves his family with a fierceness that cannot be thwarted. He’s also been an amazing caregiver for over thirty years to someone in our family who suffers from a severe and, at times, debilitating mental illness.
In short, he’s my hero.
It’s no secret that fathers play an important role in the lives of their children. And Affiliated Agent B took her role as an Affiliated Agent to the next level by honoring the men who hold their children’s hearts–and lives–in the palms of their hands.
I had the wonderful pleasure and honor of meeting Affiliated Agent B in person while I was in California a couple of months ago–she flew down from Washington State just to meet me!!! And let me tell you: she is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful people–both inside and out–that I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. She embodies grace and kindness and generosity.
In short, I adore her.
Tears in my eyes, you guys. Tears in my eyes.
DATE:
Sunday, 19 June 2011
OPERATIVE:
Affiliated Agent B
LOCATION:
local hardware store
Shoreline, WA
TIME:
afternoon
I actually got my husband to help me with this one == one of us held the camera and the other did the “placement.”
We went out and hit the local hardware store and placed one in the power tools aisle — then to the local nursery where we scoped out a car that had a “dad” parking so waited until he had entered the store……another one was in the planting tree section of the nursery…. and finally on the mailbox of a neighbor who I know not only takes care of 4 adult disabled men but also has 2 adorable daughters he is a great father to.
Fathering is a privilege and honor, not just a right — a job with so much importance — Happy Father’s Day to all of them!!
13
MISSION: Meditation Bracelet of Gratitude
I really don’t have words for this mission because, well, it’s just so perfectly described by the Affiliated Agent who completed it.
I simply LOVE the idea behind this. Thank you, Affiliated Agent M!
DATE:
Mother’s Day Weekend, 2011
OPERATIVE:
Affiliated Agent M
LOCATION:
Home Depot
Enfield, CT
TIME:
Afternoon
Hi Laura,
This was a mission I completed for Mother’s Day that combined many things I love, including but not limited to-performing missions.
My only daughter was not going to be home for Mother’s Day, so I was a little sad but happy that she was doing well with her college finals as she finished up her freshman year. My husband asked me what I wanted to do and since it was a beautiful weekend in CT, I wanted to get started on our garden. That meant a trip to Home Depot-YAYYYY!! I love that place. It was time for our annual plant purchasing, dirt, mulch and this year we are building raised beds too-so we got to buy lumber. I was channeling my inner “Tim the Tool Man Taylor” (insert grunts here)
But I am still a girl and I like “girlie things” too. And because of that, I started making my own jewelry. The idea started as a meditation bracelet of gratitude. For each bead, I meditate on something I am thankful for and then wear that bracelet for the day to remain “in gratitude”. So I decided, what better place and item for a mission. I will put together a feminine gift and leave it at Home Depot on Mother’s Day weekend. My thought was that either a mom would find it and be reminded how awesome she is, or a husband or child would find it and share it with a special mom in their lives.
My husband and I spent the whole afternoon walking up and down every aisle getting everything on our list and scoping out the perfect spot for the drop! It was ridiculously busy at the Enfield, CT Home Depot that day, but I finally found a place in the remodeling department on a beautiful wooden hutch.
I had a great Mother’s Day all the way around and my girl is now home to celebrate with me! I hope every mom had a blessed day and I know my mom is smiling down at me everyday.
12
MISSION: Hello Buttercup!
I love baths. And showers. And, well, bathing in general. Soaking away the stress of the day? Yes, please. Washing off all the yuckiness of the day? Affirmative, Captain.
And bath products? Oh, sign me up! I love Lush. I first learned about the company when I lived in London nearly a decade ago. Talk about a company that not only makes amazing, high-quality products, but that’s ethical, too?
Lush, FTW!
(That’s “For the Win!” for those of you who are unfamiliar.)
(Oh, and Pittsburgh friends? We have a Lush right downtown on Fifth Avenue AND one at South Hills Village Mall. Grab your wallets and go.)
Obviously, I love this mission from Affiliated Agent J.
DATE:
Friday, 29 April 2011
OPERATIVE:
Affiliated Agent J
LOCATION:
2nd floor women’s restroom
Charles Sherrod Library
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee
TIME:
2:30 p.m.
Hi L,
*I started this post back in May after I did this drop, but somehow got sidetracked and never sent it.
It happened April 29, 2011 about 2:30 p.m. on the campus of East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN), in the Charles Sherrod Library (2nd floor women’s restroom)
I ordered some Lush goodies as gifts during the holidays, and forgot that it “earned” me a $10 gift card for Lush. When I went to use it I thought, “well, I could use this for something I don’t really need to make me feel better, or I could get something to share and make someone else feel better, too.” I chose the latter. So, it was “free” to me, but a rad gift (a super-ethical company that helps pamper you – yes please!).
Next step – figuring out the drop. I’m in a town with a University and a couple of colleges (I know you know what that’s like), and it’s nearing the end of the semester, so stress is high. A perfect time for pampering (or saving it for post-finals celebration). But how to get this to someone in need of pampering? A drop on the campus? Perhaps a drop in a place where people go to study. So I decided on a women’s bathroom. And then I decided the best place was the library at East Tennessee State University. I carried the package around for three days before I got myself to the library.
I walked up to the second floor and into a women’s bathroom, and then paused in a stall to collect myself and be sure I was alone. I set the package out on the counter in-between some sinks, snapped a couple of pictures, and fled quickly, so I wouldn’t be caught leaving it. I’ve heard/read other people be flustered that way and thought it was unnecessary, but realized in-the-moment that it turns out, that’s how it goes.
I hope someone awesome found it and had a great, relaxing time. The stress on campus was palpable, and in a big bucket like that, even a small drop can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Affiliated Agent J
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