1000 Awesome Things is just a time-ticking countdown of 1000 awesome things. Launched June, 2008 and updated every weekday. Full story here.
Also, I share the inspiration this site in this TED Talk:
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Some thoughts and reviews from around the horn:
“1000 Awesome Things might be described as optimism for the rest of us. Sunny without being saccharine, it’s a countdown of life’s little joys that reads like a snappy Jerry Seinfeld monologue by way of Maria Von Trapp.” – The Vancouver Sun
“Neil Pasricha is the guru of small joys.” – The Toronto Star
“None of what Pasricha shares is philosophical or heady. Similarly, his style is not a pontification on a single universal truth on how to live a more positive life, regardless of one’s personal circumstances. It’s absent of prescriptions that assume only changing the way we think will result in better outcomes. He merely brings to life — and reminds us about — the small occasions that will likely have you saying to yourself, “yes, that is so right. Why didn’t I think of that?” Pasricha doesn’t mandate a way to live well. In many simple ways, he just reminds us that we already do.” – The Huffington Post
“Pasricha finds fun in frustrations, going from grit to wit.” – Publisher’s Weekly
“Strangely heartwarming… perfect for rainy days.” – The New Yorker
“Laugh-out-loud funny, tinged with just enough sarcastic nostalgia…” – Wired.com
“Honors the little joys of life.” – USA Today
“Consumer angst has turned western civilization into a morass of grumpy old men moaning about shoddy battery life of iPhones or the annoying omnipresence of accident claims adverts when you just want to watch a daytime quiz show. So sometimes, it’s nice to remind yourself of life’s sweeter side and the pleasures to be had from the small things — like peeling the thin plastic film off new electronic gadgets or sneaking your own cheap snacks into the cinemas. 1000 Awesome Things deserves its recent Webby Award; life really is awesome after all.” – The Guardian
“1000 Awesome Things is the #1 awesome website.” – Frank Warren, PostSecret
“Laugh out loud. You feel like you’ve thought of these things a thousand times but just haven’t stopped to write them down.” – BBC South America
“A lovingly beautiful blog. It’s like being a three- or four-year-old and looking at the world for the first time again. Read it and you’ll feel good about being human.” – Jim Hedger, Host of Webcology, Webmaster radio
“Unrelentingly optimistic without being sappy. It’s less about awesome things than it is about seeing the awesomeness of the everyday.” – The Toronto Star
“Cool Site of the Day!” – The Kim Komando Show, #1 Weekend Talk Radio Show in the US
“One of the Top 100 Blogs of 2010.” – PC Mag
“One of the Top 100 Web sites of 2009.” – PC Mag
“One of the Top 50 Blogs of 2009.” – PC Mag
“Given the hectic nature of our lives, it’s easy to overlook the little things that make it all worthwhile. Thank goodness we’ve got this new site to remind us of life’s small pleasures. They’re just getting started with the list but we’ve already identified a few favorites including that pile of assorted beers left in your fridge after a party, locking people out of the car and pretending to drive away, and finding money you didn’t even know you lost. – The Record (San Joaquin County Daily Newspaper)
“A simple but brilliant idea.” – Fox News
“… the most optimistic, sunny blog online. You have to test your cynicism against this affirmation of all things and see if you can actually handle it.” – CBC Radio
“Sleeping in your own bed after a long trip, being able to carry all the groceries from the car in one swoop, that miracle of science when the amount of toilet paper left on the toll is the exact amount you need – these are just some of the quietly awesome things in life at 1000 Awesome Things.” – Mental Floss
“Best of 2009.” – All My Faves
“1000 Awesome Things should put itself on the list of 1000 Awesome Things. I’d hit it.” – Cheezburger Ben Huh, I Can Has Cheezburger? & FAIL Blog
“1000 Awesome Things is where the modern world stops to smell the roses.” – Ben Mercer, CFRB 1010
“Reading your blog always brings a smile to my face & I feel like I am talking to you.” – Email from author’s mother, January 12, 2009
“One of the best Pop Culture Blogs on the Internet.” – Make Five, “The Best Pop Culture Blogs”
“1000 Awesome Things is a case study on how to create an amazing contribution to the blogosphere. ” – Wikinomics, “How to build an amazing blog”
“1000 Awesome Things is absolute, pure joy.” – Q107, Calgary, Alberta, “The Terri and Patti Show”
“There’s something riveting about 1000 Awesome Things that makes you want to keep coming back. Aside from the great humor, it reminds you of the little things in life, and how awesome they can be.” – Zen Habits, Leo Babauta
“Internet humor is basically pissing all over things just for the sake of pissing on them, even if they don’t particularly deserve it. Fake outrage gets a little wearisome. 1000 Awesome Things, on the other hand, is taking the road less traveled and showing that loving things can be just as funny as hating them.” – Man vs. Clown!, Peter Lynn
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And now for the legal stuff: Use of this website is for personal, non-commercial purposes. Any other use is expressly forbidden. The authors of this website own all content together with any comments and suggestions, including those sent in by electronic means. Users choosing to make any suggestions or comments thereby release any rights to them. The authors are free to use, adapt or ignore any suggestions and are not required to acknowledge them in any form.
Just wanted to say great blog! And I can’t wait to get my hands on your book. Haven’t read a book in a gazillion years, glad it’s your book that had got me out of the rut!
Here’s our blog post about your book and blog. Kudos.
Saludos desde Mazatlan, Mexico.
TWO DANCING CHEFS
(Pamela and Leonique)
Just wanted to say great blog! And I can’t wait to get my hands on your book. Haven’t read a book in a gazillion years, glad it’s your book that had got me out of the rut!
Here’s our blog post about your book and blog. Kudos.
http://salsaandsalsa.wordpress.com/2010/05/29/awesome/
Saludos desde Mazatlan, Mexico.
TWO DANCING CHEFS
(Pamela and Leonique)
I love your blog! It is like a little ray of sunshine in an otherwise very un-awesome time. Thanks!
Someone years ago started a great thread on an online forum I subscribe to about ‘things that make you smile’. It was/is full of similar smile-inducing observations as have been documented on this great site.
With the World Cup coming up one of the awesome things I enjoy is watching disparate nations I haven’t been to do battle…Slovenia v Algeria anyone? Cameroon v Japan?
Hi Neil,
I am from India. Just wondering if you are also rooted from India ?.
I am following your blog from long time but started writing now only. No word to say that your blog is Legen—dary :) and the idea is so Awesomely simple.
And I am amazed to see that all the awesome things are so universally connected. I realize your blog is still not much known in India.
I am sharing it with all my friends and word is spreading , everybody liking it and thanking me for connecting them to your blog. :)
I wish that your book should get launch in India also. Hope it will..
Anyways keep spreading the word of Awesomeness.
Good luck Buddy !! and God Bless…
Hi Neil,
I am from India. After going through your blog I was just wondering if you are also rooted from India ?.
I am following your blog from long time but started writing now only. No word to say that your blog is Legen—dary :) and the idea is so Awesomely simple.
And I am amazed to see that all the awesome things are so universally connected. I realize your blog is still not much known in India.
I am sharing it with all my friends and Awesomness is spreading , everybody liking it and thanking me for connecting them to your blog. :)
I wish that your book should get launch in India also. Hope it will..
Anyways keep spreading the word of Awesomeness.
Good luck Buddy !! and God Bless…
I enjoy the little happy face hidden up in plain sight there. :)
I’ve been having a really rough time lately, and flipping through this site really turned an awful day (week, month, year) around. Thanks so much for putting this together.
hi,i am a chinese.so,my english is badly.can i make friends with you ?my name is leikang.
what is your name?
Howdy!My name is leikang. I am a chinese boy.I like your blog.It is very good.Have you a MSN or QQ?
Great work, it really did make me smile. Can’t wait for the remainder of the 1000.
Here’s something that’s equally awesome:
being able to shake the water our of your ear
Wonderful!
Thanks for the much-needed smile!
got the BOA for Father’s Day yesterday! Lots of laughs around the dinner table last night reading the entries to the kids!
Dear Neil, heard about The Book Of Awesome on the Gayle King Show. Started making my own awesome journal. I had 12 awesome things happen to me just today. But the most awesome one of all is when I got my blood drawn today, Nurse Jackie got it on the first try. Now, for those of us with tiny veins that roll. That’s awesome!!
I don’t remember how I stumbled upon your blog, but I’m glad I did! What a great pick-me-up whenever I need it.
Thanks for starting this up, Neil!
I took your idea and ran with it, now I’m making my own list of 1000 awesome things, and the best part about it is I get to enjoy my own awesome addition for the day as well as your weekday updates!
Keep making people happy!
Hi Neil…..My wife and I recently read your book. It was Awesome. It brought back so many small but great memories of our lives. The book was recommended by two very awesome people we met at a Gala event to raise money for Lakeridge Health. They were your very proud parents. I wanted to send them a thankyou note but I never got their contact info. If you could pass onto them our thanks that would be awesome. Take care.
Mike and Michelle Rodriguez
had a great nite with my sisters !
enjoying life, laughing till our ribs hurt!
hmmmm ribs……..awesome!
GREAT blog! You’ve actually inspired me to start my own uplifting blog, “1001 Things to Be Thankful For” (http://www.1001thingstobethankfulfor.com). Keep up the good work, this site is hilarious!
Just finished reading The Book of Awesome 10 minutes ago…AWESOME!!
I have been reading it before bed every night, and a few things made me cry, but mostly I would laugh to the point I had tears STREAMING down my face, and I would make my husband put down his book so I could read mine to him! This is an awesome idea, can’t wait to read the rest of the 1000!!
Thanks!
It’s AWESOME how everybody is smitten to the awesomeness of your blurbs. I especially love how your blog makes your readers’ day. I love reading your posts and then reading the AWESOME comments that readers leave:
1. how your AWESOME post made their day.
2. how your story made them smile or laugh.
3. how you remind us the subtle features in life we’ve forgotten because we’re always caught up with time.
Like my friend always says: 3 times the charm.
AWESOME
Neil, I just wanted to stop by and thank you for starting my summer vacation of awesomely! Your insights are mood-altering and I will definitely be back to follow the blog! I wanted to let you know that I plan on sharing one awesome thing from your book per day with my high school, English students. I think that they will start off each day with a kick of awesome that we all need! Please, take these other blog entries and turn them into Book of Awesome II! All the best!
Michael
At some point–unless you already wrote about it and I missed it–can you remind us how awesome it is, after a long day of playing outside, it get colder and someone older and bigger than you gives you their sweatshirt to cuddle up in.
Ahhhhhhh.
Thanks for your daily awesomeness.
Hey Neil!
Thank you for making my day a little brighter everyday! I am still jealous that my mom met you at the Toronto airport last week (Tuesday July 6th to be exact), but happy that she got your book signed for me! Super AWESOME!
Himani
I discovered your website about three months and I love it!!!! I was thinking today about an awesome thing…when you watch your gas pointer go up after coasting the whole way to the gas station.. :) my awesome thing of today
I love this blog, such a great idea!
Drinking the last bit of sweet milk in the bowl after you finish your cereal.
My dog died right around the time I discovered your book and blog. Awesome coincidence!! Having your dog snuggle up as close and tight as they can get under your chin when you are trying to read is Awesome!
After a few weeks of being a loyal, daily reader, I just set my homepage to 1000awesomethings. A distinct honor ;).
P.S. One thing I disagree with: long live The Fourth Plate.
I love this blog. Phenomenal. I agree with every awesome item listed – and I didnt realize I thought most of these were awesome until reading this.
I just stumbled upon it today and am very impressed. You have gained a new loyal reader!
You have been awarded The Versatile Blogger Award on my site, Kincavel Krosses. Please come and collect it. :)
http://kincavelkrosses.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/first-blog-award-the-versatile-bogger-award/
Dear Neil,
I’m on holiday right now and I always need a good book with me on vacation.
For this trip I chose the book of awesome.
The campsite have seen me laughing out loud while I’ve been reading it more than once.
it’s AWESOME!
Awesome is fresh sheets and shaved legs.
Oh yeah sure is!!
Here’s an awesome thing:
http://iwanttodrawacatforyou.com
Whoopy!
Subscribe to 1000awesomethings.com website.
Great website. Heard about it on Australian ABC Life Matters programme.
I thought of one awsome thing when I was cooking dinner last night: cooking from a recipe that requires chicken stock and knowing I have the right amount of my own homemade stock in the freezer.
Hi.. I’ve been writing some post about you and yours.. If you wanna see it, please visit it on my blog…
Hello Neil (and everyone else)
I am Yuri Doric, a freelance photographer, graphic designer and semi-itinerant. I’ve always been interested in collaborative and community projects. One of my more popular projects is the Seven Deadly Questions which I am bringing to your attention now.
Loosely corresponding to the Seven Deadly Sins my questions are presented as a fun way to potentially reveal our minor (and entirely forgivable) vices and sins.
In addition to having your answers posted you also have an opportunity to include a link to your website/blog/etc and generate some additional traffic your way.
I am actively soliciting people worldwide in the creative and communitarian based industries (amongst others) so you never know who will answer or who might view your answers (and site).
Please take a moment to view the site/blog and if you are interested in participating (for fun and potential profit) send me an email.
Thank you, Yuri Doric
sevendeadlyquestions.tumblr.com
I have an awesome thing if it hasnt already been thought of.
Awesome thing:
When you get a splinter thats a bit hard to get out but you work on it and get a hold of it with the tweezers and it slips out in one piece.
Awesome!
Cheers
Luke Sinclair
lacsinclair@yahoo.com.au
I have heard a lot about this website and I have seen the book in many different stores, so it made me curious to see what all the hype was about. After my first time visiting this website, I absolutely loved it. It really makes you appreciate all the small things in life. :)
Thanks & keep up the great work !
Cool website
I have been called a negative nancy, and seem to be very prone to think worst case scenario. I am trying to break that behaviour, and as part of that, I look at this website whenever i find myself leaning toward the “less than awesome” thoughts.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Daily joy, reminding me to remember all of the small, awesome things that happen all the time.
add
Love this site!!!