Does your heart break as much as mine when you read an article like this one? Does the staggering reality shatter your heart to pieces?
There's always something you can do. Always. Purchase coffee the right way. Purchase clothing and goods that go above and beyond paying the laborer fairly.
My recent joy is found in a relatively new company to Central Oregon, Cauzal Coffee, founded by Don Jacobson. Check them out. Read their blog (updated by Dan Brose of World Relief). Then buy their coffee. Support a "Cauze" that stirs you.
Every little bit matters.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Ania Experience
When a bride walks through my door (or the door of a wine shop, or coffee shop...wherever we happen to meet), it's a big deal. A big deal for me, yes, but a big deal to her. She's trusting me with the single most important garment she will wear in her lifetime. That to me, is a huge privilege. In turn, she gets the best treatment I can possibly drum up. An experience she'll never forget. She'll feel like a queen, as she should.
The process is void of any pressure on her part, and full of relaxation and special touches just for her. It's an individual experience. That's what I love about it. One bride will not experience things exactly the same way as the next. It is not just a custom gown, but a custom experience.
On a somewhat related note, I am doing a little bit of peer feedback work with a friend, Jeff Marcoux, who is a business consultant up in Seattle. He's a natural at constructive criticism, which may sound a bit negative, but it's most definitely not, and it's rare to find somebody with honesty like his. Anyway, getting constructive criticism is something I like to subject myself to quite frequently to better my business. After a bit of chatting back and forth this past week, he says:
"I got excited about the Ania Experience and I'm a guy!!!"
I laughed out loud. :)
The process is void of any pressure on her part, and full of relaxation and special touches just for her. It's an individual experience. That's what I love about it. One bride will not experience things exactly the same way as the next. It is not just a custom gown, but a custom experience.
On a somewhat related note, I am doing a little bit of peer feedback work with a friend, Jeff Marcoux, who is a business consultant up in Seattle. He's a natural at constructive criticism, which may sound a bit negative, but it's most definitely not, and it's rare to find somebody with honesty like his. Anyway, getting constructive criticism is something I like to subject myself to quite frequently to better my business. After a bit of chatting back and forth this past week, he says:
"I got excited about the Ania Experience and I'm a guy!!!"
I laughed out loud. :)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
"The Unsearched Soul"
Lost, downtrodden, empty
She aches
Forgotten, oppressed, confused
She agonizes
Forgiveness she's never known
Embittered, her heart
She stands tall, shaking
Facing evil, staring at death
The eyes of her enemy show no mercy
The unsearched soul begs comfort,
Petitions justice,
Pleads healing,
Implores saving
Afflicted, abused, unknown
She cries
Alone, sobbing, lacking
She longs
The unsearched soul
Feels a breeze
Catches a glimpse
Hope that shines
Healing that cleans
Love that fills
The greatest void
Firm she stands
Truth she holds
Love she exudes
Forgiveness she extends.
My heart continually breaks for women all over the world. Particularly in Africa. Particularly those subjected to FGM. But injustice and violence against the human race in general sends me into tears.
I wish more people understood the magnitude at which these things happen daily. I think we tend to close our eyes and drown out sadness, because we feel like we have enough of our own problems, let alone thinking about somebody else's. I think this train of thought needs to stop. I think we need to quit being selfish. To see life with better perspective.
I see an opportunity to help create awareness through my company. Through whatever means I can find. To offer hope. To offer change. To show mercy. Hopefully each and every thing that I do serves toward that purpose.
She aches
Forgotten, oppressed, confused
She agonizes
Forgiveness she's never known
Embittered, her heart
She stands tall, shaking
Facing evil, staring at death
The eyes of her enemy show no mercy
The unsearched soul begs comfort,
Petitions justice,
Pleads healing,
Implores saving
Afflicted, abused, unknown
She cries
Alone, sobbing, lacking
She longs
The unsearched soul
Feels a breeze
Catches a glimpse
Hope that shines
Healing that cleans
Love that fills
The greatest void
Firm she stands
Truth she holds
Love she exudes
Forgiveness she extends.
My heart continually breaks for women all over the world. Particularly in Africa. Particularly those subjected to FGM. But injustice and violence against the human race in general sends me into tears.
I wish more people understood the magnitude at which these things happen daily. I think we tend to close our eyes and drown out sadness, because we feel like we have enough of our own problems, let alone thinking about somebody else's. I think this train of thought needs to stop. I think we need to quit being selfish. To see life with better perspective.
I see an opportunity to help create awareness through my company. Through whatever means I can find. To offer hope. To offer change. To show mercy. Hopefully each and every thing that I do serves toward that purpose.
Amazing Weekend
Yes, I'm going to post TWICE today. I can't help myself :)
Of course, first things first, I must tell you about my weekend. I had so much fun!! Once you get to know me, you'll begin to understand that I thrive on pressure and deadlines. All of my careers up to this point have reflected that. Ben Edwards called me about a week before the Tower had their big event last weekend, that much you know.
My insane story is this. The model I originally made this gown to fit wasn't able to do the shoot. So, I called a good friend Megan to stand in. My only problem, was that Megan was a bit too small for the dress. I'm talking two entire sizes too small. So Friday night before the show, I took the entire thing apart, cut it to size, and put it back together. I am thankful I got a nap that morning before the shoot!
It turned out fabulous.
We had a ton of fun. I also met some fun new friends at the show, Sara and Kerry from Mint Event Coordination and Design. They were super sweet, and they can really keep it together. And thanks to all of the amazing men modeling tuxes from Roberts on Wall Street! You saved my butt that morning. :)
So much fun, I'm totally looking forward to the next time I get to be in the same room as all of these amazing people. You rock!
Of course, first things first, I must tell you about my weekend. I had so much fun!! Once you get to know me, you'll begin to understand that I thrive on pressure and deadlines. All of my careers up to this point have reflected that. Ben Edwards called me about a week before the Tower had their big event last weekend, that much you know.
My insane story is this. The model I originally made this gown to fit wasn't able to do the shoot. So, I called a good friend Megan to stand in. My only problem, was that Megan was a bit too small for the dress. I'm talking two entire sizes too small. So Friday night before the show, I took the entire thing apart, cut it to size, and put it back together. I am thankful I got a nap that morning before the shoot!
It turned out fabulous.
We had a ton of fun. I also met some fun new friends at the show, Sara and Kerry from Mint Event Coordination and Design. They were super sweet, and they can really keep it together. And thanks to all of the amazing men modeling tuxes from Roberts on Wall Street! You saved my butt that morning. :)
So much fun, I'm totally looking forward to the next time I get to be in the same room as all of these amazing people. You rock!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Rockin' Out
This Sunday, November 16, the Kilns is hosting another concert. Two stellar dudes from SoCal are coming to grace us with some awesome tunes: Cory Joseph and Mike Vitale!
Join us at 55 NW Inustrial Way #55 in Bend, at 7pm. It's $5 at the door.
www.coryjoseph.com
www.myspace.com/mikevitale
Join us at 55 NW Inustrial Way #55 in Bend, at 7pm. It's $5 at the door.
www.coryjoseph.com
www.myspace.com/mikevitale
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tower Theatre : The Tower as You've Never Seen It
Exciting news friends - the Tower Theatre is doing weddings! Well, I think it's pretty cool. Talk about a fabulous place to have a wedding, and some pretty fantastic photos when the day is said and done.
I know, I yabber a lot about Ben Edwards, but I'm gonna do it again. Ben is going to be at the expo this weekend, and he will be shooting one of my gowns. So stop on by and take a peek if you get a chance. All of the info is available at the link below.
http://towertheatre.org/wedding/
www.benjaminimages.com
I know, I yabber a lot about Ben Edwards, but I'm gonna do it again. Ben is going to be at the expo this weekend, and he will be shooting one of my gowns. So stop on by and take a peek if you get a chance. All of the info is available at the link below.
http://towertheatre.org/wedding/
www.benjaminimages.com
Friday, November 7, 2008
Remembering
Lately I've been incredibly busy. I'm not talking working my 40 hours and having my evenings filled with fabulous friends and social events. I'm talking, working 50 hours a week at two jobs, plus running my business for another 30 hours of my week. And if I'm lucky, a cup of coffee at 6am with a friend.
I got so busy, that for a few days there, I was a robot. OK, most of October I was a robot. You called it. I looked forward to the hours I could put toward Ania each day, and that was about all that kept me going. But in the midst of everything, I began losing sight of my goals.
Sure, I want to give my brides the absolute service, and the most beautiful dress they could imagine. That's never wavered. But I was beginning to forget the mission of my heart - to offer a hand to those who are forgotten, oppressed, unloved. To show mercy.
I've started a little corner in my office to remind myself of the blessings I have, to remind myself to pass blessings on to others. Pictures. Maps. News articles. I'll have to remember to take a photo and post it here.
I got so busy, that for a few days there, I was a robot. OK, most of October I was a robot. You called it. I looked forward to the hours I could put toward Ania each day, and that was about all that kept me going. But in the midst of everything, I began losing sight of my goals.
Sure, I want to give my brides the absolute service, and the most beautiful dress they could imagine. That's never wavered. But I was beginning to forget the mission of my heart - to offer a hand to those who are forgotten, oppressed, unloved. To show mercy.
I've started a little corner in my office to remind myself of the blessings I have, to remind myself to pass blessings on to others. Pictures. Maps. News articles. I'll have to remember to take a photo and post it here.
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
