Every day we visit work, school, churches, cities and businesses. We sit next to one another on trains, on buses and in cars. We take care of our families and friends, and of ourselves. Every day, we choose what we expose to one another...
I believe that it is our capacity for being human that is truly our great equalizer. For a moment, it doesn't matter if you're a business person, a student, a homeless person, a secretary, a teacher, a child, a doctor, a traveler, a mother or a father—we all share something common. We can be people and we can invite those around us in, and for a moment, we can share something real. Every person that you pass on the street has a story to share. We are all just waiting for the right time for someone else to listen.
Nearly half of the 4000+ entries have been collected face to face outside of coffee shops and on the street. The other half come in from around the world through this website. Here you can read transcribed entires, view handwritten stories, listen to people's voices, and share your own story. You can also get a behind the scenes view of the project at the blog.
I believe that everyone has a story worth sharing. When I started the project in 2009 I had no idea I'd still be collecting three years later. Every time I sit outside and ask people to share their stories, dozens of strangers stop and share a part of their lives that we might otherwise miss.
As people began sharing these stories about their lives, I knew this was something that had to continue. I knew that these stories should be shared, and that people should have a place to share them.
Want to share your own story? You can add your voice to the project by either typing it, scanning it, recording it, or even calling it in. Head over to the collection page to share your own story.
Hearts, Minds, & Flesh is a collection of 693 hand-picked entries from the project. Order the print version and have it shipped to your house or download the entire book for any price you want!
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"I ordered your book and it came in today. I work on an ambulance, so I had plenty of time to dive in. With this book, I’ve really learned to see things from other people’s views. We’re all human. Who knows who might end up one of my patients some day? Now I try to get to know them. I reach out. I love them—every last one."
"I read some of the entries and I felt the emotion people put into their stories. This is an amazing project and I hope it travels far. I hope people keep reading and others keep writing their story. I will be here, reading these stories and enjoying the release of emotions in these articles."
"Wow, I read this and got chills. I feel like it was something I wrote."
"I’m hooked. It just makes me want to talk so much about everything I’ve been through, but I’m just so afraid."
"I just wanted to say that I love what you’re doing! I think life is all about capturing and appreciating each moment for what it is, and your projects are great reminders of that."
"There is something so compelling about reading these journal entries. This book is beautiful in it's concept and its simplicity. I've watched this project from very early on and couldn't wait to get the book and I was not disappointed. I had a difficult time putting it down to write this review. Something about it makes me want to read more and more and more."
"I ended up reading every entry that there was at around 1 in the morning. It was beautiful. Every once in a while, you hear or see something that just gives you a great sense of connectiveness with the rest of the world, and this was one of them. This probably sounds really corny, but your project sort of gave me a sense of a deeper insight into other people."
"These entries are truly inspirational. It’s amazing how much we as human beings are all willing to share on a piece of paper and with complete strangers but keep so many secrets from those closest to us. Perhaps, if one person read them they would learn to be more open with themselves and in turn with others. This is one of the most beautiful projects I’ve seen."
"Instead of packing my luggage like I should, I read every single story that was listed. I giggled, and I sobbed, and I came to the conclusion that I need someone just to talk to. Someone who doesn’t know me, who I have never met, who is just there to listen and to share stories of their own."
Last night at around 2 AM, the 500th entry of the project was posted. What an amazing ride it’s been over the past three years collecting your stories. Since the start of this project I’ve been able to meet thousands of amazing and interesting strangers. Continue Reading…
Typed entries are a mix of transcribed handwritten entries and stories submitted online. A new typed entry is automatically posted every six hours. Typed entries can be sorted by themes.
Handwritten entries are collected in person and scanned in. These stories contain the original handwriting, coffee stains and all. New scans are added once a week.
A fan favorite, the random button will pull up a random typed entry from the archive. Handwritten entries are currently not included in the random button.
This collection exists because people like you decided to share their story with the world. We're looking for anything as long as it's true. You can type it, scan it, or record it any time and as many times as you'd like.
Share Your StoryWhen I was 7 years old, my cousins and I saw each other constantly during the summer. We played by the beach a lot, building sandcastles, eating slushies, and generally being hooligans. My cousin dared me to eat a minnow. I did. I was paranoid for weeks that Iʼd get sick from bacteria and die. And my cousins STILL tell this story. Donʼt take dares, kids!
So, I love this guy who is leaving for Afghanistan in 35 days.
I cry myself to sleep every night wondering “what if he decides he doesn’t love me anymore?”
I know he wanted his last few days here to be fun and stress free, so I don’t tell him.
I never knew I could be so in love yet so alone.
