Hope For The Day list #1: Alternative Rep, Katie LaCroix
A couple weeks ago, AP introduced you to our new list series in partnership with non-profit Hope For The Day. Every other week, we will present a list of things that gives someone–whether your favorite artist, someone in the industry, one of your peers or (in the case of this week) one of our street-teamers–hope in an effort to build more positivity in our scene and help you reflect on the good things in your life. Our first contribution comes from Katie LaCroix, our Boston street team leader and “Alter-Native Rep” of the month for February.
Meet Katie:
HQ: Charlestown, RI
Twitter: @KatieLaCroix
How long have you been helping out AP?: I've been on the street team since it started in 2007, Boston street team leader since 2008.
What does “hope” mean to you?: “Hope” is what gives me the strength and encouragement that I need to get through any given day. It's those things that I believe in, the things that make me happy.
Things that give Katie hope:
Anberlin
A lot of people have a band or artist that has the ability to change their mood just by hearing a certain song or album. For me, that band is Anberlin. I have a lot of special memories associated with their music, whether it’s a show I’ve attended or a time when I was just driving around with friends listening to their music. No matter how awful my day is going, I’m able to put on one of their albums and I instantly feel 10 times better because I recall those memories. Music is such a special thing, and it has the ability to give hope to anyone in any situation.
Volunteering
Aside from working and going to school full time, I still manage to find time to volunteer at my local animal shelter, the Animal Rescue League of Southern Rhode Island. There are very few things in this world that make me happier than hearing a story about someone finding the newest member of his or her family because of something I did, whether it be speaking to him or her directly at a fundraiser for the shelter or posting about an adoptable pet on Facebook.
The Little Things
I like to take the time to appreciate the little things that happen throughout the day. Perhaps it’s someone letting you take the last available seat on the subway or bus, or maybe even something as small as a stranger holding the door open for you or giving you a friendly smile as you walk by with a frown on your face. Things like this give me a little bit of hope each time they happen, and help me realize that the world has not gone to complete shit.
My Pets
I could be having what I think is the worst day, but the second I walk through my front door, both of my dogs are there to greet me with wagging tails and big stupid smiles on their faces. When I’m lying on my couch because I’m sick, they are laying right next to me on the floor keeping watch. They’re always there by my side no matter what kind of mood I’m in. There’s a reason why dogs are referred to as “mans best friend.”
Positive Conversations
A single positive sentence can go a long way in changing someone’s life for the better. I try to surround myself with positive people. By doing so, it gives me hope that despite all of the negative things that are happening in our lives and in the world, we can make the best of everything by trying to stay positive. Sharing a positive conversation with someone can turn your whole day around—perhaps even change your life. That positive insight from whomever your are talking to could give you the motivation to do something that you’ve been putting off, that in turn might have a positive impact on your life. It’s happened to me a few times, and I couldn’t be happier with the positive decisions I’ve made as a result of these conversations.
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