Random Acts of Ice Cream Sandwiches

If you've ever tried something new that you've never done before, you understand the inner workings of vulnerability and courage. Those feelings of "what if"...what if I fail, what if I waste time/money/sanity, what if I don't have all the skills I need, what if I succeed and I can't keep up?

Three years ago, Chris and Chelsea had an idea to try something totally new: turn their 1974 Volkswagen Bus into the first ever vegan ice cream truck for the streets of Seattle.

Seattle has a large vegan community, but the challenges and risks were not unknown to Chris and Chelsea. The food truck business is competitive, and navigating the complicated maze of permits and food safety laws was new territory.

But, the couple decided to dig deep, quiet their inner "what if" gremlins, and, with the support of 446 Kickstarter backers, raised over $18,000 to start their dream business! Years in the making, Seattle Cookie Counter was born!

We've been following and supporting Chris and Chelsea since their Kickstarter campaign, but recently, their journey caught our attention in a different way.

Once you've called upon your courage and stepped out into new territory, the next great thing that happens is that the critics come out of the wood works. Sometimes those critics are friends or family (those who feel they are protecting us from the chances we are taking), sometimes they are strangers (those who cannot imagine why you are doing what you are doing), and sometimes it's our own inner critic with the loudest voice!

The Cookie Counter's Facebook feed picked up some criticism from a vegan activist that felt particularly prickly to us after they shared their plans to attend a farm animal rescue fundraising event. While we were discussing the debate at home one evening, we had the idea to collaborate with Chelsea and Chris to spread a little kindness to help counter the negativity.

We joined The Cookie Counter and spent one very hot and very joyful afternoon picking up the tab for random strangers' ice cream sammies, and handing out extra sammies to event volunteers and participants in the stands! Our only request--that they pay it forward someday when they had the opportunity.

The smiles and connections we made will not soon be forgotten. Several people decided to donate extra money to the animal rescue, one person gifted a sandwich to another participant, and some loved the sammies so much that they went back to buy more! (I cannot over-sell the tastiness of these wonderful treats--they are amazing!!)

What really worked its way into my heart was the way that a negative criticism could inspire such a positive experience. I believe I often have the tendency to look for inspiration in happy, loving and kind places...figuring that inspiration usually hangs out in the well-lit, safe areas of town. Instead, this experience reminded me of all of the ways that inspiration and kindness can be hidden in the dark corners, under piles of rubbish, just waiting to be discovered.

The next time that fear of criticism is the gremlin holding you back, think twice. Grab a flashlight and explore the dark to see what beauty might be hiding in the shadows. Remember, the dark does not destroy the light--it defines it.

If you'd like to know more about Seattle Cookie Counter and support their journey (and their courage to follow their dream!), connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. They tweet and post their locations, flavors and schedule regularly, as well as provide information about how to hire them for your party, event or wedding!