I heard someone define courage as “rage of the heart.” I’m not clear on the etymology, but the point is: may we all live in such ways that, when we leave, a little bit of our heart rage stays behind. Chin up.
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) July 31, 2020
Saying something does not make it so. (Yes, the irony, I see it.) Chin up.
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) July 30, 2020
I must periodically remind myself: The fact that it is almost always easier to keep everything the same is not a good enough reason not to change. Chin up.
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) July 29, 2020
Something I forget too often: When we try to hide our selfishness by wrapping it in pretend kindness, other people can always tell. Chin up.
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) July 28, 2020
Confident, yes; arrogant no. Accountability, yes; shame, no. Kind, yes; pushover, no. Determined, yes; obsessed, no. Strong, yes; rigid, no. Solitude, yes; lonely, no. Every good and useful thing has a shadow. Chin up.
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) July 27, 2020
Being polite is a thing. I'm not saying above all else or when unmerited or some arbitrary definition of etiquette. But on the whole, manners are a good starting place. Chin up.
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) July 26, 2020
Knowing which things to do the same and how to make tweaks and when to blow it all up and start over, there’s some real wisdom in that. Chin up.
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) July 25, 2020
Something I know: True fortune is people who have my back, whose hearts can hold me up, whose hearts can carry the whole world. Don't underestimate love. Chin up.
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) July 24, 2020
#BirthdayChinUp
Today, on my 40th birthday, I asked my twitter friends to help me commemorate the milestone by sharing their own Chin Up messages. Here are some of my favorite messages of wisdom and encouragement from brilliant and generous people.
Hey, thoughtful and caring people out there: I get that the noise and vitriol and performative yelling we’re surrounded by makes you want to retreat into your shell. But that’s why we need your presence, your voice, your fortitude. Showing up beats showing off. Chin up! https://t.co/HJBFPTQ6JE
— Bil Herron (@bilherron) July 23, 2020
HOPE is a bargain we make with ourselves — buoyed by faith in any number of things (rituals, spirits, charms and mysteries) — we lean into HOPE when we need it most & lean on it always. The power of persistent optimism often sheds light where there is little. HBD @JDinRI #chinup pic.twitter.com/B8d9a7o4Ky
— Jock Hayes (@jock_hayes) July 23, 2020
In these times, where everything seems possible and nothing seems real, there's a lot to learn from thoughtful, caring and present people like @JDinRI. Happy birthday! #Chinup
— Gonzalo Cuervo (@gonzaloque) July 23, 2020
Welcome, welcome to the club JD, and a very happy birthday!
— Matthew Billings (@nativevtr) July 23, 2020
“Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” – Kafka
“Mercilessy” – chin, way up!
Wishing @JDinRI a happy 40th and doing my best #chinup as requested! Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter…” Keep marching and making your voices heard! Chin up!
— Angel Taveras (@Angel_Taveras) July 23, 2020
happy 40th @JDinRI! you asked me if it gets better, and i think it does but of course it’s complicated. my 40s have had moments of unexpected joy and heartbreaking devastation (and lots in between) i’ve been grateful for good company. welcome!
— Mary-Kim Arnold (@mkimarnold) July 23, 2020
Happy birthday @JDinRI! In honor of you:
— Megan Ranney MD MPH 🇺🇲 (@meganranney) July 23, 2020
We are heading into the most difficult autumn that many of us have faced in our lifetime. The only way through it, is together. #chinup
@JDinRI Happy Birthday! We just discovered our dog is afraid of flies. He's otherwise very rough and tumble. It made me think that sometimes you can run with dogs 3x your size. Sometimes you're afraid of houseflies & need a friend to hug you. You're still perfect. Chin up.
— Sue A (@AnderBois) July 23, 2020
Happy belated 40th birthday @JDinRI. Because some of us move at our own pace, hike our own hike, run our own race. One foot in front of the other. Chin up!
— Jon Pincince (@JonPincince) July 24, 2020
Life does begin at 40. The years before were a dress rehearsal. Live it up. Happy Birthday!
— Angela B. Ankoma (@ankoma_b) July 24, 2020
There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for (JRR Tolkien). Chin up.
— Mount Pleasant Library (@mtplcomlib) July 23, 2020
Happy Birthday @JDinRI. Birthdays can be markers for reflection: amazement at all that has happened so far and excitement for all the unknowable to come. I hope you are amazed and excited continuously for many more birthdays because you're inspiring to all of us. #ChinUp
— David Dadekian (@dadekian) July 23, 2020
As anyone riding a bike will tell you, a tiny downward slope is a delightful way to move forward. Enjoy the confidence, wisdom, and joy that comes from no longer giving a damn about what others think you should do/be. There will be a steep drop one day; may it only come late.
— Meercha: Assistant to the Junior Employee (@TheRealMeercha) July 23, 2020
Some days it’s just too hard to get up and go for a run. There are other days. Have a muffin. Chin up. Happy birthday @JDinRI 🥳
— Brent (@cbrunyon) July 23, 2020
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." Keep it unreasonable, @JDinRI – we depend on it! #ChinUp #HBD
— Toby Shepherd (@tobyshepherd) July 23, 2020
Chin up, the world need to see your smile.
— Deb Baum (@Deb_Baum) July 23, 2020
Schedule your mammogram….really. I turned 40, had one and they caught my breast cancer.
— Sarah Lopez (@dr_sarah_lopez) July 23, 2020
And Happy Birthday!
Jess, Put your own oxygen mask on first. Care for your own heart ❤️ so you have the strength to help the world. Chin up and happy birthday!
— Kathleen Malin (@rinpotech) July 23, 2020
I recently finished the book “Sudden Sea” about the hurricane that devastated RI in Sept. 1938. This was the book my dad was reading before he died; he didn’t get to finish it so I’m glad to finish it “for him.” Thanks to @JDinRI for the reminder—it’s her birthday today. HBD J!🥳 pic.twitter.com/yYSYRGVTWk
— Jason Major (@JPMajor) July 23, 2020
Sometimes the path is smooth and the sun warms you.
— David "Bear Feeder" Pollak🐈 (@dpp) July 23, 2020
Sometimes the path is rough and the wind is in your face.
Walking the path and meeting awesome neighbors makes the journey excellent.
Chin Up!
Happy Birthday @JDinRI !
Losing my fight to control the yellow jackets and poison ivy in my yard. But found homemade Toll House cookies in the freezer this morning. #chinup Happy 40th! To the intelligent and inspiring @JDinRI.
— Lois Kelly (@LoisKelly) July 23, 2020
@JDinRI You will never know all the people whose life you improve just by being on the planet. This is as it should be.
— The Oyster Farm (@theoysterfarm) July 23, 2020
To be childlike enough to imagine the world can be good – but mature enough to grind through the hard parts and slow parts – is where the action is. #chinup and happy 40th, Jessica! 😀
— Raman Shah Data Science, LLC (@rs_datascience) July 23, 2020
Sometimes that early morning run, or those additional hours at work, or that handwritten -instead of emailed- thank you note, or any extra effort…
— Andrew C Gobeil (@andrewgobeil) July 23, 2020
….just doesn’t seem worth it. Guess what? It is.
Happy birthday, @JDinRI #ChinUp pic.twitter.com/w0Cj6ABgm6
@JDinRI Happy Wonderful Birthday. Our bodies and earth were naturally built to heal, #chinup
— Kathryn Cantwell (@KateMCantwell) July 23, 2020
Wishing one of RI's best people @JDinRI a Happy xx-th Birthday.
— Kevin Essington 🏘🌳 (@citygreener) July 23, 2020
"Thus, everyone's task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it" – V. Frankel.
Chin up!
Happiest of Birthdays to @JDinRI! Remember, "you can't start a fire without a spark." Like I even needed to remind you of that one… #ChinUp pic.twitter.com/wvyuNgcDJU
— Brendan Kirby (@BrendanKirbyTV) July 23, 2020
Is an idea any good if it doesn’t go through a *what the holy heck was I thinking?* phase? Chin up.
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) July 22, 2020