Sunday, September 21, 2014

Blessings from a Sacrifice

Lately, I have been overwhelmed at the number of blessings that have come into my life since making the decision to give up shopping for a year. What first started out as a sacrifice, has made my life so much richer.

First, the fact that I am writing a monthly column in South Carolina Woman Magazine. I have never been much of a writer - and it is not something I love to do. But this has given me a forum to share my journey with others. And at the end of the year, I will have a "monthly journal" to look back on and remember how far I have come.



I was also awarded "Grand Strand's Most Stylish" by GS Magazine. This was such an honor - especially to have received it in the year I vowed to abstain from shopping.



I have also been offered the opportunity to speak with various groups, including a Girl Scout Troop and a MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) organization. Being able to reach out to young girls and moms was such a rewarding experience for me.


I have had the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of artists, craftsmen, and companies as well. We have all worked together to raise money for charities. And, together, we made an effort to take less for ourselves and give more to others. Here are just a few...





I have recently been asked to join an amazing company called Beautycounter, whose approach to skin care is much like my own approach to shopping this year - "less is more". The company creates completely safe and non-toxic products for women, men, and children using less of the "bad" ingredients, and more of the "good". This biggest surprise for me has been the number of 1 Year Wardrobe Resolution Teammates who have joined me on my Beautycounter team as well. These are girls I would have never known, had I not made this sacrifice. It is incredible the connections and friendships that have been made. And I know that I will continue with these relationships long after this year is over.


But perhaps the biggest surprise is for me is the amount of peace I experience on a daily basis. I honestly hardly ever think about shopping now. For something that once consumed me, there is no longer a place for it in my daily life. I walk into my closest and choose something to wear without any stress. It is simple. It is effortless. I'm not sure if it is because I have programmed myself into knowing that there are no other options, or if I am just truly content and happy with the things the I already have. I am still working on that part. But in the grand scheme of things, I'm not even sure it really matters. Either way, my focus is no longer on having to have everything I see that I think I want. I have so many things to keep to me busy and productive. And I have so much more time to focus on the things that truly matter.


All of these blessings have come from making what seemed to be a sacrifice. Looking back now, deciding to give up shopping was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am not sure where I will go with this journey after December, but all I know is that I want to keep moving forward on the path I am on.

Take less. Give more. Be blessed and inspired.

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