Jesus, Not Jesús: Finding The Divine In The Space Between Us.
  • Be Kind
  • About this blog
  • About the author
  • Contact
  • Be Kind
  • About this blog
  • About the author
  • Contact

KNOWvember: Day Ten - Cassie

11/10/2021

1 Comment

 
Picture
​​It was first a painted rock that caught my eye. Then a board with glitter and paint and some plastic kid jewels. Some popsicle sticks glued and painted. More rocks. And more boards. Each one inscribed with a positive saying. Each the work of an artist’s heart.
 
That heart belongs to Cassie, who’s signs, or what she calls “love bombs,” I had blogged about just a few months ago (read here). I love the positive messages and the guerilla-style method she employs to spread the good words. So I had to meet her. And get to KNOWvember her.
 
“I would place these rocks around the park in the mornings when it wasn’t too crowded. I didn’t like people see me put them out. I wanted to do it anonymously. I wasn’t looking for a pat on the back or recognition of any kind.”
Picture
​For a former actor, it seems strange she’d not want the spotlight herself, but on the good work, letting the rocks speak for her. “I wanted to reach the masses when we were restricted from being with the people.” After struggling to find the light within herself, these love bombs seem to be Cassie’s way of returning the light for others.
 
As we spoke, I found so many ways Cassie and I related to one another. We both have had those moments when the light around us seemed to dim a bit. And each time we clung to what little light we had to see us through – often coming out a better, stronger, and wiser because of it. This happened a few times to Cassie, who was honest and sharing with her truth. None of which will be revealed here. That’s her story for her alone to share with the world.
 
But here are some fun facts about her: As a young actress/singer/dancer she performed to the soldiers at Guantánamo Bay. And then returned to Cuba as part of a Beauty Brigade that provides facials female soldiers.  

When it comes to peanut butter, “Creamy. There’s a place for peanuts but not in my peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”  And she thinks soup is a meal. “Oh my gosh. Yes. I’m always wanting to know what the soup of the day is.” Her favorite lie is to play dumb when she’s in trouble. “I just say, ‘I didn’t know.’”
 
Raised in Palm Desert, CA she eventually made her way to Los Angeles at 18 hoping for that big break as an entertainer. But life took her in other directions. Sometimes up. Sometimes down. But with each step, obstacle, or barrier to overcome, Cassie began to evolve into the woman she is today. She loves where she is right now.

​“I’m in a good place in my life.” Still, if she could live in any other time in history, she said, “Well because I love the big band era singers, I guess it would have to be the 1940’s.”

Picture
What does Cassie what she likes to do with her hands? “I love to create and beautify.”  As a trained cosmetologist, Cassie said, “I love to make people feel good. I love doing their hair and makeup then watching the pep-in-their-step as they go away like that.”
 
And that takes us back to her love bombs that I keep hunting for in the park like a kid wandering around playing Pokémon Go!

​As it turns out, the idea grew out of an idea she had for her grandmother’s funeral. “She had all these rocks in her front yard. I thought instead of people giving flowers I thought people could paint her rocks and leave them as a memorial for others to see.”

​Cassie still had some of those rocks and paint left over when COVID put us all into lockdown. If you were stuck in quarantine with two young children, like she was, life can get a bit dull or worse, dark.  Instead of going there, Cassie decided to do something more light giving! She brought out the paints and began to change the narrative.  
 
“During the pandemic I knew the world was hurting. It was sad. The connection was minimal. I wanted to bring happy thoughts and smiles to people. I started painting these rocks. I would put positive quotes or words of wisdom on them. I would remind the passerby’s that there was love out there. I reminded them that their presence makes a difference to the world.”
 
Since no one knew who created the love bombs, Cassie could sit in the park and watch people noticed her work. But soon she noticed something else happening. “People took the rocks. I couldn’t have been happier. I love knowing that I touched someone’s soul. That the message I put out resonated with them. If I could make someone’s day a little brighter, that makes me so happy.”
​To use her own words, “This is what life is all about. Love. Lifting others. Spreading light in a world full of dark.” I couldn’t agree more. That’s my mission and calling. And it seems to be Cassie’s as well. I might argue that’s everyone’s job. It’s more than just doing a good deed here and there. It's about living into our own goodness all the time, so that others can know it's okay to live into theirs.
 
“These are daily choices I make because it’s just who I am and how I decide to live my life. I guess you can call them good deeds...I call it normal.”
 
The world could use some more of her kind of normal. Some more light. Some more honesty. Some more good vibes. The world could use more Cassie’s, who through the smallest acts of kindness chooses to make life better, by spreading love around – one sign at a time. 
Picture
1 Comment
Cassie Swain
11/10/2021 10:53:37 am

You’re the best 🌈
Thank you for everything 💫💫

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Ian Macdonald

    An ex-copywriter turned punk rock pastor and peacemaker who dedicates his life to making the world a better place for all humanity. 

    "that they all might be one"  ~John 17:21


    “Prius vita quam doctrina.”
    ​~ S
    t. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274)​
    * “Life is more important than doctrine.”


    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    February 2011
    December 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010

Be Kind

About this blog

About The Author

Contact

Copyright © 2011