Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Stride On Without Fear of the Future

Raven and Lily, Ethical fashion, All Across Africa
Sustainable, Ethical, Kikoy
Winter ethical fashion blogger
cotton, ethically made scarf
raven and lily jewelry, ethical scarf, beyoutiful hope
threads for thought, raven and lily, all across africa
ethical fashion blogger, latina
All Across Africa Kikoy Scarves
latina fashion blogger
corporation b certified
sustainable fashion blogger, american
All About the Neutrals:
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.
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!



Join me on Instagram & Facebook! Let's inspire and bring change!

5 comments:

  1. Wow these photos are so stunning! Beautiful look and background! <3

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  2. First I read all the way through Christine... yes I have been complacent, not looking forward to change... that has changed this year, I know I have to be open to change and embrace it. Is it easy, no... not at all... but I know that it is the only way I can grow.

    I love all the shout outs you do for clothing businesses that actually help people to be better and not just give them hand outs... I think that is important as that saying states something life give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach him how to fish and he will be able to care for himself... (something like that... :) ... Anyway, I think it is a wonderful thing to do for another person xox

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  3. Thanks for the shout out Christine =) your are a very inspiring person too. In fact i really admire you, your faith and your strength. I am very2x lucky to know you and even if we are worlds apart you're like a sister to me. thank you for the friendship <3 http://anotsosecretlife2011.blogspot.com/

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  4. Lovely photos. The lighting is perfection!
    <3
    katsfashionfix.blogspot.com

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  5. Such incredible layered look! Love the way the sun is coming in!!! Stunning photography, babe!
    kisses
    xoThe Beckerman Girls

    www.BeckermanBlog.com

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Thank you for the lovely comment. God bless & stay Be-you-tiful!