Enjoying the Small Things

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So, Tell Me More About Rwanda

May 21, 2014 By Kelle

Last week, I shared about how this July I’m joining a group of bloggers to travel to Rwanda with Noonday Collection and International Justice Mission.

This is exciting and a completely new territory for me and Enjoying the Small Things, and yet so many things about this trip don’t feel new at all. The themes this trip embraces—women empowerment, style and fashion, justice, business partnership and social good—well, those have all popped up on the blog here before. But now, all in one place—and in Rwanda.

A little more about why I said yes to this trip:

As a blogger with a large group of readers, I get asked to partner with businesses a lot. Some of these work out to be a great fit, a lot of them don’t. Ultimately, I’m interested in things that fit with my beliefs, my interests, my tastes and my loves. Noonday fits that for me. I love the style of their products, and I love the way they’re using their business to empower women both internationally and here in the United States. I’ve learned about the work they are doing, I’ve hosted a Noonday trunk show in my home, I’ve worn their jewelry, and I’ve come to know Noonday’s founders on a personal basis. I’m interested and inspired by the passion I see—not to swoop in and save people, but to take all that is already in place—talent, women, economic and social needs and determination—and to connect those dots to create good.

Blogging comes with opportunities, the most significant–a voice that can reach a lot of people. I don’t ever take that for granted. I’ve been asked to lend my voice to this trip not to make you feel sorry for anyone or donate money or to tell sad stories of poverty but rather to be part of an empowerment movement. It’s the opposite of tragedy—Noonday Collection is creating wonderful opportunities for women in Rwanda, and these women are now taking care of themselves and their families. We get to design with these women, hear their stories, witness their talents and hearts and connect with them women to women—we’re all the same.

International Justice Mission is co-sponsoring this trip, and we’ll also be learning more about the work that they are doing around the world and how creating economic empowerment, like Noonday is doing, can change the way justice works for the poor.

Are we going to have fun? Absolutely. Are we going to a beautiful country? Yes. Will we laugh and make memories and longtime friends with both the women of Rwanda and the representatives going on this trip? You better believe it.

While the territory might be new for me, everything this trip stands for is part of my heart. I’m excited to learn more about how women are being empowered and how we can play a part in that continual forward global movement.

Noonday has put together a great FAQ to help answer any additional questions about the company’s practices and values. Click here to check it out!

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Wild and Precious Life, Part 233–Actually, I Lost Count

May 19, 2014 By Kelle

Lainey’s backpack signals the excitement of the close of a school year—projects that have been displayed in the classroom throughout the year are now coming home, calls for any borrowed library books are made urgent and plans for end-of-the-year parties are put together. As in, I should get on that—I’m half the room mom.

You can feel the sense that something good is coming. Like when we were little and it didn’t matter if we ever left our house come summer—the weeks leading up to it, you’d think we were all going to do the most exciting thing ever. Which, at seven, really meant nothing more than garbage bag Slip n’ Slide by day and several rounds of neighborhood Kick the Can by night.

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While kids geek out over The Cusp of Summer, I’m likewise energized by The Cusp of—something. Outwardly, I feel it in my uncontrollable urge to weed out things right now—clothes, crap piles, habits, anything that’s not working for me. Must. Make. Space. For. New. Or else New might come sweeping in and pass by, unable to stay because there’s no room for it.

This morning, I took an hour to delete every single e-mail in the inbox I’ve had since college. I’ve come close to doing it so many times before but opted not to, scared I’d delete something I intended to save—someone’s contact info or a sentimental piece from the past. And I feel like hanging on to those things is a theme that’s been lurking in other areas of my life, perhaps keeping me from what’s next. So I deleted the beast today—all the spam, all the stories, all the beautiful quotes I’ve been meaning to sort into folders for later. There is nothing wonderful in that e-mail box that isn’t already a part of me. And the fear of not having something or losing something—an opportunity, a piece of the past, a part of the future, a connection, a feeling, security, safety—is my biggest roadblock in freely moving forward and accepting life’s gifts.

“Dependence on the creator within is really freedom from all other dependencies.  Paradoxically, it is also the only route to real intimacy with other human beings. “ –Julia Cameron (The Artist’s Way)

I’ve felt a magnetic force for as long as I can remember towards God and my purpose, along with an incredible freedom to chase the avenues by which I’d fulfill that purpose–an open current of creativity and love, a willingness to make mistakes, a whole-hearted “thank you, I accept this.” I’ve mucked it up a bit, as we will do, and perhaps even done so in feeling so hell-bent on defining that source of purpose. Is it God? Is it the creative self? The Universe? By needing to define and label it and letting the fear of “stuff” (from simply losing an e-mail contact to the more significant “I’m afraid I won’t be enough”) grasp hold of me, I sometimes repel that force, both lazy and rebellious in following its course.

I do know that decluttering closets and e-mail and life opens up that current even more, and so does the simple act of posture. You know how I started my morning today? In a way I haven’t practiced in a long time—I stretched upward, opening my arms to the sky and physically aligning my body with how I aim for it to be mirrored inside—free and open and fearless. I stretched as far up as I could reach until hidden muscles tingled and my capacity for breath seemed to double.  How silly I forget how to do this. It comes so naturally.

And so, while desks are being cleaned out at school and bulletin boards are being stripped and readied for what’s next, I join all the kids in excitement—free, wild and childish excitement for whatever it is that’s in store. I’m making space for New—even if it’s as simple as the Slip n’ Slide that will grace our side yard. I will listen and trust the God that breathes inside, let go of defining it and accept the current of creativity and love that is meant just for me. The dots don’t need to connect. It’s abstract art.

And some wild and precious summer moments from past years to further invite the open current:

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Friday Faves

May 17, 2014 By Kelle

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For Your Ears: Discovered Hozier today, and it’s the perfect summer jam album. “Take me to Church” is so soulful.

For Your Eyes: Yarn Bombed Antlers (@yarn_bombed_antlers on IG) owners Ryan & Sarah forage for naturally shed antlers and vintage goods and sell their beautiful yarn-bombed creations. Use Code Kelle for 10% off anything in her shop.

For Your Nose: Super secret treasure: Whole Foods’ Auric Blend Love Perfume Oil for $8 (you can find it on Amazon too). It’s a sexy mix of woodsy and sweet. Can’t find a list of undertones, but I’m thinking sandalwood, amber, maybe a little tobacco and a touch of vanilla. I feel like goddess when I wear it.

For Your Kids: My friend recommended What Do You Do With an Idea to me, and I cried when I read it. A simple, beautiful read for children, but just as much for adults. It’s all about how our ideas–no matter how crazy people might think they are–can change the world if we believe in them and don’t let them die.

For Your Soul: Did you see Maria Shriver cover this story on the Today Show this week? A couple with Down syndrome getting married this summer. This is going to be NBD soon. We talk about what Nella’s wedding will look like. The dance floor won’t be able to handle what’s out there, I’ll tell you that much.

Happy Weekend!

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