In 1933, author F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote a letter to his 11-year old daughter. It was a list of things to worry about, things not to worry about, and things to think about. This simple letter from a loving parent to a young girl isn't just an interesting historical document; it has me thinking a lot about the things that really are worth worrying about.

Among the things Fitzgerald didn't want 11-year old Scottie to worry about? Popular opinion. Dolls. The past. The future. Growing up. Triumph. Failure, unless it comes through your own fault. Also on the list: parents, boys, disappointments.

He did want her to worry about courage, cleanliness, efficiency, and horsemanship. And among the questions he wanted her to think about was, "What am I really aiming at?"

Since reading this post, I've been touched by this simple letter. Fitzgerald's gesture is a simple one and a beautiful one--just a few statements designed to put his young daughter's mind at ease, and to help her focus on the truly important things in life. All of us, whether young or old, spend a great deal of time worrying about things that aren't much more than busy distractions. And even if they aren't as simple as dolls, boys, and growing up, they still occupy a lot of time.

If you were going to write a letter to yourself today, what would you tell yourself to stop worrying about? What would you tell yourself to worry about instead? I'm curious to read your responses, and would love to hear from you about the things that would make your 'things worth worrying about' list. Feel free to post below and get the conversation started!

By now you probably know that we're fanatics about spreading inspiration to people through kind words, uplifting statements, and thought-provoking questions. And we love to hear from our worldwide community when they write to us and say that we made a difference in their day, their life, or the lives of people they know.

We're always on the lookout for other people who are inspiring the world through kind actions, no matter how large or small. And as we head into the weekend, we thought you might like to hear about other people creating a web of kindness by giving small amounts of money to perfect strangers. Just a few dollars here and there can create some wonderful momentum.

Here's a beautiful article from the writers of good.is:

http://www.good.is/post/creative-microphilanthropy-good-staff-edition-30daysofgood

and here's a blog from a small-time philanthropist who's paying it forward every day:

http://ifoundmoneytoday.wordpress.com

(Image courtesy of ifoundmoneytoday.wordpress.com)

Have you ever done anything like this? Would you ever? If you have a few extra dollars to spare, this weekend might be a good time to start! Share your stories with us right here, or leave us a comment on our Facebook wall.

Our first Facebook post of the New Year was this quote from Neil Gaiman:

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something."

I typed that statement on our wall, but I paused before I submitted it. It seemed strange to start off the year by talking about making mistakes. I wondered if I should write something 'safer'--something about new beginnings or fresh starts or infinite possibilities. But I took a chance and posted. And then, the responses poured in.

I was stunned to discover that many of you, a LOT of you, wanted to hear these very words. And it makes sense! A new year is a time to make resolutions, to try something different, to make progress. But all that new trying, all those new hopes and new dreams are almost certain to mean we'll have a few setbacks along the way. And that's fine. Actually, that's better than fine. Because, just as Neil Gaiman says, that's how you know you're Doing Something.

So, just a few weeks into 2012, I hope all of us are still making the right kind of mistakes--the kind that show us where there's room to grow, inspire us to try harder, and push us in the right direction. There's still so much opportunity in this year for bigger and more fruitful mistakes than we've ever made! What a reason to celebrate!

Want to add your voice to the conversation, or share a story about a spectacular mistake? Feel free to add your comment below!

"Inspiration is everywhere" is something we say often at Compendium. It's a philosophy we live by. The thought always reminds me of children, for whom inspiration truly is everywhere. Children have a gift for finding opportunities wherever they go and special moments in ordinary days. They savor a single cookie, a bright rock, an unexpected feather. They find beauty wherever it lies.

When Compendium's CEO stumbled across artist Elena Targioni's studio while on vacation in Italy, her sculptures awakened in him a child's sense of wonder and delight. And when the rest of us saw her artwork, we had a similar reaction. Everyone wanted to hold Elena's soft and whimsical sculptures. And everyone was curious to know what was in store for these wonderful creatures.

After some long conversations, lots of writing, countless hours of design, and four days of photo shoots...

we created this:

our latest addition to the Compendium Kids line. ABC Menagerie is one of those books that's sure to enchant any child (and plenty of adults, too). Each animal is introduced with whimsical poetry, and pops off the page with personality and vivid texture thanks to the work of talented photographer Hank Drew and his assistant Genevieve Pierson.

Do you know someone who'd like to meet a new friend or two? Maybe a whole menagerie? Would you like to give someone a cheerful reminder of the sense of wonder we can take in the world around us? This book makes a beautiful gift for any child, or for anyone you know with a childlike heart. Ayo the aardvark, Brunhilde the bear, and Chione the camel tell us they can't wait to meet you!

As we enter into the holiday season, many of us find ourselves looking back over the year that has passed with a mixture of awe, amazement ,and gladness. It's a time to celebrate the people who have made us who we are. To reflect on the moments that have brightened our lives and sustained our spirits. And to remember the days that have been extraordinary.

But it's easy, amidst all the glitter and shine, to forget that the ordinary days bring their own miraculous gifts. We don't need to wait for a holiday to find that our lives are overflowing with possibilities, filled with endless choices and room for joy. What if we made the most of every day, as though it were a small holiday, with careful planning and open hearts?

This is the message of the 7 book, our latest addition to our life by the numbers series, and a gift book that all of us at Compendium are excited to share with you. 7 is a beautiful reminder to savor and enjoy every single day of our lives, and to treat each moment as special and significant.

What a gift to have holidays that remind us of the things that matter most. And what a challenge to begin living each day as its own amazing package of potential. I asked a few people around the office about the extraordinary everyday things that they feel grateful for, and was delighted to receive a number of wonderful messages in my inbox.

"I am grateful for my husband and family, a good job, and gas fireplaces on wintry nights," said our Wholesale and Web Sales Coordinator. "Tea, a simple delight I enjoy everyday!" said our Creative Director. And our Project Manager expressed gratitude that, during the years before she learned to drive, she relied on her husband to take her where she needed to go. "My delay in getting behind a wheel is actually one of the reasons we're a tight family," she said. "For this I am truly grateful."

Where do you find extraordinary things to be grateful for in the everyday? Tell us in the comments below, or post your comment to our facebook page at www.facebook.com/liveinspiredeveryday

This Thanksgiving, and throughout the holiday season, all of us at Compendium wish you extraordinary in the everyday. Here's hoping you find lots of reasons to be grateful, excited, and inspired each day of the week.

Most of us think of Halloween as a holiday for little ones--a day for kids to be enchanted with costumes and flickering candlelight and the prospect of free candy. But here at Compendium, we like to think of it a little differently. We think adults can get in on the fun. And since we're always on the lookout for ways to make each day more festive, we showed up to work last Monday looking like this:

After a morning of work and a potluck lunch, we set out to spread a little seasonal cheer by reverse trick-or-treating--giving away our books and journals to local businesses, pedestrians, neighbors, and passersby. We split up into four groups and headed out with baskets full of bright and inspiring treats to give away. We visited doctors' offices and cafes, retail stores, and banks...

and passed out goodies to cyclists, bus drivers, and people in their cars, waiting for the light to change.

We even tracked down a parking enforcement officer to share a little holiday joy.

Some people giggled and gave us high-fives. Lots of people needed to be convinced that we weren't selling anything. "No," we said, "we're reverse trick-or-treating. These surprises are for you." We got hugs from a stranger who was delighted to be given a gift with no strings attached. One woman from a dentist's office came out to thank us a second time and to tell us how much we'd touched her heart. Two women who had just spent their morning volunteering told us this was proof that the good you give to the world really does come back to you.

We returned to the office with empty baskets and stories to share. And in the spirit of sharing, we're passing this story on to you, along with a challenge to add a little unexpected joy to the world today. Your gesture can be a small one or something more extravagant. We'd love it if you'd share your ideas here. How will you add some joy and unexpected delight to someone's day? What can you do to pass it on?

You know her. Her spirit is the first thing people notice. Her mind always had a mind of its own. Her heart, though it has sometimes been hurt, bears a strong resemblance to a daffodil: it always flowers again.

We know her, too. She's the sister who follows her heart, the mother who lives such a beautiful example, the friend who's a constant source of inspiration. She's the coworker who brightens everything around her, and the neighbor who always knows when to stop by with a surprise. She's vibrant and spirited; she's brilliant and strong. And when we started thinking about it, we realized there are so many women like her that we set to work on a book that would celebrate and affirm these women and the wonderful things they add to the everyday.

Writer M.H. Clark and designer Heidi Rodriguez created I Am Her with their own favorite women in mind—mothers, sisters, best friends. They wanted the book to feel like a collection of ideas and beautiful things—a scrapbook of poetry, quotations, and images to prompt contemplation, creativity, and growth. It's a book to read, a book to write in, a book to ponder, and a book to share.

We're so excited about this book that we're giving away copies to five lucky winners who tell us who she is, and why she matters so much. Is she traveling the world? Is she making big changes in her life? Is she a bit of a dreamer, a dancer, a truth-teller? Nominate her here on our blog, or on our Facebook page. Just make sure to tell us about her by November 1, 2011 at 11:59 pm PST. Five lucky winners will receive two copies of I Am Her—one to give away to the person they nominate, and one to keep!

A good friend of mine had a dream in which he saw himself as a gently glowing beam of light moving endlessly through a huge crowd. Wherever he went, the light made life brighter and happier for those he happened to touch. It was such a hopeful dream that he eventually decided to adopt that vision as his philosophy of life, and he was never the same again.

What a world this would be if you and I, and the people who live or work down the street, and across the hall, and around the world, suddenly decided to reach out more often and brighten our little corners of the world for friends and family.

That's what Compendium's annual Friends & Family event is all about. First, it's our way of saying a sincere thank you for being an active part of our online community. But it's also our way of inspiring you to reach out and inspire someone else, who in turn will reach out and inspire someone else, and so on down the line from heart to heart.

Think for a moment. Right now, there's a certain someone (or several certain someones) in your circle of friends and family who would welcome a little beam of inspiration, appreciation, or celebration in their world. The right card, book, or message from you--out of the blue--would make their day and light up their life.

What's the "right" card, book, or message for the person you have in mind? Don't worry; you'll know it when you see it. Spend some time on our website and let your heart make the choice. While you're there, enjoy our 30% Friends & Family discount with our compliments, including free ground shipping on orders that total $50 or more with the discount applied. Simply use code thankyou30 during step 2 of the checkout process. You can verify that your code has been applied during step 4.

From all of us here at Compendium, thank you so much for being our customer and friend--and for lighting up your corner of the world.

All of us at Compendium will tell you that the work we do every day is about connecting. It's about creating products that bring people together in times of celebration, times of joy, times of challenge, and in simple, everyday moments. One of the greatest joys in this work is hearing from people who write to tell us how a book or product of ours has made a difference to them.

When Dan Zadra, our founder and senior writer, met Carrie and her daughter Skylar during a book signing at a local store, it was just the beginning of a unique friendship. Carrie and Skylar have been longtime readers of Compendium books, and had plenty of stories to share about the ways they live inspired in their own lives. When Dan found out that Skylar's 13th birthday was coming, he invited Skylar and her mom to the Compendium offices for a celebration. And they came!

We asked Carrie if she'd be willing to write us a blog post for us, and she graciously agreed. Want to share your own story with us about a product you love, or how you live inspired everyday? Feel free to comment below, or on our Facebook page.

Carrie writes:

When my 13-year-old daughter, Skylar, and I recently met Compendium founder, Dan Zadra, at a signing for the 2 book, we were thrilled to share with him how Compendium products have impacted our lives over the years.

Compendium's 5 book and video gave me the courage to move across the country from Cincinatti to Seattle to start a whole new adventure for my family. And the messages of kindness in Compendium's books have inspired Skylar to leave surprises on our neighbor's doorsteps and to hide notes in unexpected places for strangers to find.

After sharing these stories with Dan, he invited Skylar to tour Compendium's headquarters for her birthday so she could meet the creative people who give birth to the products we both love so much.

Our visit was an eye-opener, especially for Skylar. As we walked into Compendium, we were inspired by this place where creativity and collaboration are valued and where you can hold onto childhood whimsy and playfulness even as an adult. We loved how Compendium's space was filled with reminders...

to always celebrate your inner child...

to take your dreams seriously...

that creativity can be a messy process...

that no matter how important you are, making time for others is just as important...

...and to always tend to your soul and to others.

I am so grateful to Compendium for sharing these messages with my daughter as she officially becomes a teenager. Walking into Compendium's office was like walking into one of their books--joyful and inspiring. This experience has made Skylar and me more aware of the messages we send through our words and actions.

Thank you, Compendium folks, for taking the time to invite us into your world.

The Compendium offices are a colorful place to work. There are bikes to ride, candy jars to raid, and life-sized lions and polar bears on the walls. And occasionally, just occasionally, someone shows up to work looking like this:

That's Boogie Monster--the main character of our most recent children's book, and we're thrilled to be able to introduce him to you! When actress and author Josie Bissett approached us with the idea of a Boogie Monster sequel to her Tickle Monster book, we were excited right away. Dance is a great way for kids to get moving, develop coordination, and gain self-confidence; we knew that a book like this one would be a wonderful way for kids and parents to share the joy of dancing together. Josie turned her idea into a full-length manuscript filled with delightful rhymes and we knew this was just the start of something good.

So we contacted our friend and illustrator Kevan Atteberry, who made Boogie Monster into the colorful character you'll see on every page:

Along the way, our friends Recess Monkey got in on the fun, putting together a boisterous CD filled with fantastic back-to-back hits that guarantee a dance party. It's impossible to stay still while listening! The only reasonable thing left for us to do was to top off the fun with some furry orange leggings made for dancing. So we did! And then we packaged everything together in a gorgeous reusable gift box that's destined to become a family favorite.

Obviously, Boogie Monster has made things a whole lot livelier around here! And now, we'd love to share a little of that excitement with you! We're giving away one complete Boogie Monster Dance Kit, complete with book, CD, and leggings! Want to win? Just tell us which Boogie Monster in your life you'd share this gift with--your own child? A niece, nephew, or favorite neighbor? Maybe even someone who's all grown up? Post your answers here or write them on our Facebook wall by Monday, August 15 at 11:59 pm PST, and boogie on!