Stride On Without Fear of the Future

All About the Neutrals:

Sand Kenya Kikoy Scarf || Kikoy Scarf c/o All Across Africa

Provide education, training, healthcare, and financing to local artisans throughout Africa. Corporation B Certified.

Beige Sweater Cardigan || closet swapped

Why buy new when you can trade and borrow clothes from friends? Talk about sustainable.

Light Rose Long Sleeve Top || Threads 4 Thought via Ecolissa

Ethically and sustainably made in one of the world's most advanced water recycling programs in the world.

Hunter Green Stretch Jeans || AG Jeans

Sustainably made in America.

Ramsha Geometric Golden Leaf Long Necklace || c/o Raven & Lily

Sustainably and ethically made. Empowering a group of marginalized women in rural India. Corporation B Certified.

Gold Knit Fingerless Gloves || Anthropologie

Fair trade, knit in Peru.

Boots || closet swapped

Since I arrived back from Ecuador, I have been taking it easy. Wowzers is this weather frigid! For today's photoshoot, I am wrapped in this beautiful kikoy cotton scarf from All Across Africa (AAA). This organization is B Corporation Certified which ensured the business upholds their ethical and environmental standards. All Across Africa works in multiple countries across Africa and not only provides employment opportunities, but provides healthcare, training, and education. As they do this, they are investing long-term in poverty-stricken communities. This investment, not hand-out, is providing people the tools to create a strong, and stable future. I am planning on interviewing them for my blog, however, the team is currently traveling across Africa, working with their artisans! I have to say, I love love love learning about new Corporation B businesses; they renew my faith in the fashion industry. <3

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"She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future."

- Psalm 31:25

I have mentioned this bible verse on my blog before. It is one that a beautifully inspiring friend of mine, whom I miss very much, shared with me. Over the past three months I have been attempting to absorb this one into my life. Becoming a woman of God requires so much work, especially in this day and age. One thing I am learning is the importance of multi-area growth. Just like in business, it is important for a person to develop in many different areas. As I am learning to focus more inwardly, and become more gracious, I have found that it is easier to push people away. I suppose the moral of this story is, regardless of what happens in our lives we must not allow ourselves to become complacent in our successes. We must remember that our lives are made up of multiple facets and every area of our lives should grow and continue to develop- not only our careers, or our health, etc.  

I take from this, the realization that I need to stride forward with an open mind to change! Only succeeding academically, career-wise, or internally does not create a wholesome woman of God. As the saying goes, "We just gotta get the ball rolling then let it go." (I think that's how the saying goes..) Well, sometimes I work so hard towards one goal in one particular area of my life that I become one-sighted, or unable to adjust to an interruption in my path. I need to remember the importance of checking up on all facets of my life. Confidence in the present is great, confidence in the future is awesome! Reflecting back to Psalms 31:25, I consider myself a confident, girl boss who doesn't fear the future because I know that God always has my back. However, sometimes I close myself off to changes in certain facets of my life, to ensure that what is going well keeps going well. And that... is not good. 

Advice: Do not close yourself off, but do not stay too naive. Open your heart, but be cautious. Do not think something is wrong if too many things are going right. Build a support system around you that will help you decipher your path (spiritual, academic, career, relationship, personal care, etc.). Accept love from others, and always remember the love of Christ. 

If you actually read this far, congrats! I would love to know if you have ever become so comfortable in the present that you find fear in changes the future may bring?

Ready for Change,

Christine

P.S. Shout outs to my girls Tiana, Donna, Cammy, and Jackie! You all are inspirational...change is tough, but you all are strong!

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