Jun
30
2008
Photo credit: Soles4Souls.org
Soles4Souls is a wonderful charity organization I recently learned of. This organizations gives gently used or new shoes to people in our country and around the globe who are in need. Most recently the Soles4Souls organization donated shoes for those affected by the Midwest flooding. According to the Soles4Souls website, they have a simple mission: “To impact as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes.” They have given over one million pairs to those in need from the Asian Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.
Soles4Souls website offers a place to put in your zip code and find the nearest drop off location in your area. Currently there are drop boxes in Finish Line Shoe stores, simply type in your zip code and you will see a list of local participating merchants where shoes can be dropped off. Their website is concise, easy to read and interesting. It gives a greater understanding of the good they are doing with this mission of providing shoes to those in need.
Another option is to purchase a pair of David Parrish honorary flip flops. For each pair purchased two pairs will be donated and sent to Africa for people experiencing hardship there. These shoes were designed by David Parrish and his sister before his death. For more on David Parrish click on the link above to learn about this amazing and giving young man.
Jun
12
2008
At times it hasn’t been easy finding a comfortable fit in my life. My life remains unusual, unorthodox, complex and confusing to many that I love. The direct result of this is a lifetime of feeling like I never quite fit. I’ve learned to accept feeling odd, feeling like I don’t quite belong in my family. I love my family deeply and I always look forward to seeing them and reconnecting; yet most times I’m left feeling like the pieces of our lives just don’t match up.
At times it feels like I dropped off some alternate planet and there is no one quite like me in my family; at times it’s a lonely feeling, With decades of the same feelings surfacing again and again I’ve learned to try to find similarities and moments to build on, at times it is far from easy. Most times I’m left recognizing we live radically different lives. As much as I am loved I’m absolutely not understood. The years and decades have brought me a realization that I can only be who I am and I have come to accept the melancholy I often feel when visiting my hometown.
There are many reasons that my life and lifestyle are radically different from those I love. Our experiences, my grief, my losses and my years of living overseas have transformed me from a midwestern girl to an adventerous, spiritual, spirit driven woman determined to make a difference in the world. It isn’t an easy path, at times it is deeply lonely and strangely satisfying. I love my life; I love the woman I have become. I wake up each day truly grateful and absolutely joyful. I feel blessed and try each day to step forward in some way toward my goal of helping others heal.
It’s taken decades to come to grips with my life. To accept my losses and to really appreciate the woman I’ve become. In moments I still feel alone, yet I feel almost giddy with joy, abundance and the gifts of my life and my healing. It’s a blessing I hope to share with many. In the meantime I hold my own council and trust I will find the means to share the beauty of my life and my healing.
Jun
07
2008
Suntouched 3 in 1 natural body candles are 100% vegan, all natural and free of animal testing. I’ve personally tested the 3 in 1 Suntouched Body Candles and I’m incredibly pleased with the properties of this product and the integrity of this company using only natural ingredients.
These candles are so much more than just beautifully scented candles, this candle melts into a sensual body oil that can be poured directly unto the skin. One can even dip a finger into the melting oil and feel nothing more than a warmth on the skin. This oil has a sensual feel on the skin and absorbs nicely into the skin with no residue. To read my more in depth review of this product you can view it at http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/blogs/hammockinparadise/
