All About You FRIDAY – You Are Beautiful

All About You FRIDAY – You Are Beautiful

In 2002, a young guy by the name of Matthew Hoffman designed and printed 100 stickers to spread a positive message in Chicago. Little did he know that 18 years later, when the world shut down and life became uncertain in unimaginable ways, I would spot a small sign with his message and it would change my world.

I was on my bicycle, meandering along empty streets through local neighborhoods, wondering about what the future held. My clinic had been forced to shut down for six weeks and I was trying to enjoy the time off despite the constant worry in my head. As I approached a stop sign at the corner of Oakshire and Oxford in Berkley, I saw this metallic sign attached to the post. You Are Beautiful.

I smiled. Thank you, I thought silently in my head. And rode on. I rode by that sign dozens of times in the next few months and each time it shifted something in my heart and made me smile. And then one day, it was gone. 

Weeks later, a friend walked into my clinic wearing a t-shirt bearing the same message. “Where did you get that?” I asked. And she told me about Matthew’s story and the sticker that has now made some positive noise around the world. 

You Are Beautiful now has a flagship store in Chicago where they sell the original stickers along with other merchandise bearing affirming messages. I am a proud member of their monthly sticker club, where each month I get 31 stickers: 30 originals and one artist rendition sticker bearing the same message. I set a pile of them at the front desk of my clinic and at the music school I attend and as I see the pile dwindle down, I know that somebody’s day will be getting better. I have some in my car and carry some in my bag. 

I have spotted these stickers all over Europe and the continental US and left some myself. Here’s one I put at the top of Mt. Srdj above the historic city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Do you see it?

I found this sign in Asheville, NC. 

And I just had to put one on my bike helmet.

YAB is so dedicated to spreading positivity that they will give you five free stickers if you send them a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). And if you stop by for a visit, I will gladly hand one to you because I’m pretty sure you make this world a more beautiful place. 

I’ll leave you with this video about the little sticker that changed my world. It’s been a long week, don’t forget to celebrate.

Until next time…