Everybody could use a few more reasons to have hope

I have some very exciting news!

Everybody has heard of FMyLife.com, where people post stories (“FMLs”) about the event that completely ruined their day. FML is one of the top 300 sites on the internet, and it has one million followers on Facebook.

FML is hilarious. But as fun as it can be hearing about people's misfortunes, it can be a downer.

So I, along with my like-minded HTML-literate lifemate Gaby Montero from DailyCute.net, decided to create the anti-FML: GMH – GivesMeHope.com

On GMH, people share with the world their most hopeful, uplifting moments and allow others to draw strength from their experiences.

Here are a few examples that tugged at my heartstrings and filled me up with hope for the future:

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Four years ago, I tried to kill myself by swallowing a bottle of painkillers. My online friend, who I'd never met, was the only person who knew. He called 911, they pumped my stomach to save my life. Today, I got my bachelor's degree in sociology. I'm starting grad school in August. GMH

Freshman year, there was a crippled girl bound to a wheelchair. For 4 years, she did physical therapy and progressed to crutches. When we graduated a few weeks ago, she handed her crutches to an officer and walked across the entire stage. The applause from the seniors was deafening. She cried the whole way. GMH

Two years ago, my husband and I were planning to get divorced. My mother was dying of ovarian cancer and didn't know we were separating. Her last wish was for us to work out our problems and not get divorced, so we agreed we had to at least try. I've never been happier. I've never looked back. GMH

For years, I have been donating $10/month to sponsor YMCA memberships for poor kids, but never seeing the results. Then during a basketball game I coached, one kid asked if he could play just the second half. I asked why. “Because my brother is wearing the shoes.” His brother is on the on the other team. They share one pair of shoes. GMH

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I don't know how big GMH can get. But with all the suffering and misery in the world, I believe GMH has the potential to be a much-needed source of hope and inspiration. GMH is a breath of fresh air from the negativity of the mainstream media and dealing with life's hassles.

It's like Chicken Soup for the Soul – the 21st Century, Twitter-style version.

I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is. GMH a cause I believe in strongly, and I will do whatever it takes to get the word out about this resource. I am going to donate every penny I receive from sales of MuggleNet's new book to raise awareness of GMH.

I need your help. If this is a cause you believe in, please take 17 seconds and click here to digg it! (You can now log in using your facebook account.) If enough people digg it, and we get it on the front page, it will get tons of exposure.

Props to Ben for the tech assistance. On a side note, now that I'm done with school, I'll have more time to work on MuggleNet!

Thanks, guys. If you enjoy GMH, please spread the word and tell all your friends and family! I really hope you find the stories as inspirational as I do!

UPDATE: News is spreading like WILDFIRE! It's now the #1 STORY on digg.com – ROCK ON, fellow optimists!!