Gives Me Hope.

     Over this past Summer, I have discovered a group of websites all belonging to the Spartz Network.  These sites include LoveGivesMeHope, OMG Facts, SixBillionSecrets, KidsGiveMeHope, and GivesMeHope.  On these sites, anyone can submit an entry.  On LGMH, you submit short stories that give you hope about love.  OMGFacts is just random facts that most people wouldn't believe and is sorta just for fun.  6BS is where people usually tell things they can't tell anyone else because they're afraid of judgement, reactions, or they don't have anyone that will listen to them.  KGMH is short stories about cute little kids that make people have hope in the world.  GMH, the first of the sites, is pretty self-explainable. 

     GivesMeHope was created in May 2009 in response to the site FMyLife, which is short stories sent in by people explaining why their day or life sucks.  GMH is pretty much the optimistic version of FML.  The Spartz Network team said they created this site because they were "completely exhausted by the negativity of the mainstream media.  We're tired of hearing about what's wrong in this world."  Also that the site is " where people share with the world their most hopeful, uplifting moments and allow others to draw strength from their experiences.  Because with all of the hurt and suffering in the world, who couldn't use a few more reasons to hope each day ?"
     I think these sites are great, they really make you think about things and realize things about people in the world.  The stories people tell on these sites can change your view of certain things in the world.

     My personal favorite out of these sites is SixBillionSecrets.  It's a place where people can express themselves, their true feelings and thoughts, and not be judged.  You're able to get things off your chest and have the feeling that someone actually listened to you.  Even if you don't know who's reading your story or if it doesn't get publish at first, you still feel like someone out there listened to you and they understood how you're feeling.  Most of the posts have a lot of emotions behind them and will probably affect you in some way.  It amazes me that some people can be so unaware of things around them and think major issues are just jokes.  For example, one entry - "When I told you I will go and see a psychologist, you asked me if I were that wrong in the head and joked about me being suicidal. You were right. Our times as best friends are definitely over.
And that makes me break down even more every day."  Sadly, a lot of posts are like that, depressing and about people misunderstanding each other and not realizing.

     I would like for a lot more people to be aware of these sites.  Hopefully it would make them notice things about the people around them.  Maybe they'll see that those people need help and that they should try to help.  Most likely if someone seems troubled to you, they probably are.  Trust your instincts.  Even if you don't think you'd be any help to them or have no clue what to say or do, just listen to them.  Sometimes all people need is someone to listen to them, someone that understands them, someone that won't judge, someone that makes them not feel like they're alone in this world.

 - Today, give a stranger one of your smiles.  It might be the only sunshine he sees all day. - H. Jackson Brown

   

- I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was.