Friday, January 27, 2012

Pay It Forward Freebie: See Beautiful Bookmarks

There tend to be two camps of bookmark readers, those who execute their right as a reader to dog-ear a page when they come to a stopping point in a book, and those who would (gasp!) never fold down a page and always use some sort of bookmark instead. We support both camps because, of course, every reader has her/his own rights for reading. However, as we stare at the beautifully bound backs of books lining the shelves in the room where we write, we realize something significant, something special perhaps...

What we understand:
  • "No single literacy activity has a more positive effect on students' comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, spelling, writing ability, and overall academic achievement than free voluntary reading" (Miller, 2009, p. 18).
  • "Reading changes your life" (Miller, 2009, p. 18).
  • "Reading unlocks worlds unknown or forgotten, taking travelers around the world and through time" (Miller, 2009, p. 18).
  • "Through characters - the saints and the sinners, real or imagined - reading shows you how to be a better human being" (Miller, 2009, p. 18).
  • "To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life." ~ W. Somerset Maugham
  • "The man who does not read great books is no better than the man who can't." ~ Mark Twain
How we can Pay It Forward:

We need readers. Many of us are readers. What if we left a gift, a kind message, an empowering message to see beautiful within the woven words of bound pages? The bookmarks below are for you to cut and leave inside books for others to serendipitously stumble upon. Whether leaving the bookmarks in the pages of books found in a lovely, locally owned bookstore or a heavily paraded thrift store, imagine what the reader feels when turning the page to find a wonderful message. Simply expecting the next page in the unfolding story, s/he find a message from you. A message to leave the reader smiling and reflecting. A message that illustrates the power of written word and the caring of unknown others.

We are headed to the book store and can't wait to fill books with our wondrous words. We're targeting books that people might pick up who are doubting themselves. We're targeting books that young girls might reach to for help, solace, or empowerment. Within which books will you leave a bookmark? Will you keep one for yourself? That's fine too. Peachy, really. Just pay the others forward and share with friends and your book-loving neighbors, known or unknown.



P.S., If you would like a PDF of this document vs. printing the image above, please email lcrissmays@seebeautiful.com

Happy reading and spreading opportunities for others to see beautiful!
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Are you looking for a tangible reminder to see beautiful, or know someone who needs one? Check out our See Beautiful products (and feel good knowing a portion of proceeds from every purchase is donated to charity. This month a portion of all proceeds will be donated to The Dressing Room Project). Click HERE.  

29 comments:

  1. Such a great idea! Love it!

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  2. Thanks! I just sent you a (what I hope is) an exciting email. Happy Friday!

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  3. What an amazing idea.  I'm gona pop down to the shop and put them in magazines as well.

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  4. Oh, how wonderful! Thanks so much. Seeing beautiful is spreading already.

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  5. This is such a beautiful idea!  I love it!!  Definitely will be participating!

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  6. What a brilliant and beautiful idea you have here! And that comes at the good time as I am planning to go to the book store tomorrow, I will make sure to have them ready to use.
    Thanks for showing us beautiful so many different ways. Take care and enjoy a nice and cheerful week-end. 

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  7. Oh thanks! It makes going to the bookstore even more fun!

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  8. Yay! I'm so glad you'll be able to leave happy notes for strangers. So fun!

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  9. Great! Thanks so much! Wouldn't you just love opening a book to find such a message?!

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  10. Your bookmarks are gorgeous and inspiring! Thank you for sharing these at Friendship Friday - I hope you'll like this post to Inspire It Monday this week!

    Have a beautiful weekend!

    Ramona
    http://create-with-joy.com

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  11. Thanks for joining my Planet Weidknecht Weekend Hop!http://www.weidknecht.com/

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  12. What a great way to spread happiness to others by surprising them with a bookmark in a book! I'll try it out! - Bicultural Mama

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  13. I will find a way to share as well in the next few weeks.

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  14. What an amazing idea! I LOVE it! I plan to go to the bookstore asap and pay it forward along with a few friends who need reminded how beautiful they are and life is! Thank you.

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  15. I couldn't wait to share it with you! I just knew you'd love it.

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  16. Awesome! I hope it makes you giddy as you find a perfect book and place the bookmark inside. ;)

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  17. Yay! So glad you enjoyed it. I thought it would be something right up your alley!

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  18. Of course! Thanks for always spreading opportunities with others to see beautiful!

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  19. Wonderful idea. I hope once found they go to your website to find out more about the movement and relay their response of what it meant to them to find their bookmark...

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  20. Oh, what a great idea! That would be so special and wonderful if it all came full circle. We were just thinking about what magazines we'd put these in at the grocery store. I'd find the ones that defy natural images of beauty and help others see the beauty they inherently possess. Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. That's hysterical. Laughed out loud - for real.

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  22. Cassie @ Creative CassieJanuary 28, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Hello! I'm a new follower from the Weekend Blog Hop.  I'd love it if you would follow me back!

    http://cassiesgiveaway.blogspot.com/

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  23. This is so encouraging. I need to come back and revisit this post every now and then to make sure I am not ignoring my own beauty. Love it.

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  24. Thanks so much! We're always serving up ways to see beautiful, so please come as often as you wish. Acknowledging the beauty you inherently have offers so much strength!

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  25. Thanks so much for visiting and following, Cassie! We'll come check out your blog now.

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  26. I love your blog!  The bookmarks are awesome, thank you so much!  I look forward to visitng your blog in the future.  Im following you from Create With Joy - Inspire Me Monday.

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  27.  Thanks so much, Melissa! I can't find your blog url. Can you reply to this comment with it? I'd love to connect with you!

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts & helping others see beautiful too!