The Girl Makes the Clothes (Project 333)

Early one morning as I hurriedly prepped my four year old daughter for the day, she began to meltdown.  

"My skirt isn't sparkly," she sobbed.  "I won't be beautiful."

I quickly searched my mental files for how best to handle this - ignore it & continue readying ourselves or stop for a teachable moment.  I opted for the latter.

"Big girl... Do you know what truly makes your outfit sparkly?" I asked.

She looked at the floor, then me, & responded curiously, "No."

"Your spirit makes you sparkly - when you're friendly, generous, adventurous, happy,...  That makes you beautiful big girl."

This resolution seemed to calm her in that moment, & we still revisit the concept from time to time.

*   *   *   *   *

I recently began a challenge called Project 333 (www.TheProject333.com) - the concept of a wonderful simplicity writer named Courtney Carver.  In short, you only utilize 33 items in your wardrobe for 3 months.  For more specifics, please check the website.

"Why?" You may ask.  "What's the point?"

I was raised to be a shopper - a bargain hunting fashionista.  I consumed mountains of magazines selling clothes & accessories that would make me beautiful & attractive.  Subconsciously, my self image & my clothing became intertwined.  

As I become more confident in my true self, I realize that fancy outfits, kick butt shoes, & designer labels have absolutely nothing to do with true beauty & attractiveness.

My spirit makes me sparkly - my friendliness, my generosity, my sense of adventure, my attitude,...

I make my clothes.  My clothes don't make me.

Therefore, I can wear the same 33 items repeatedly in different ways, & it shouldn't make any difference whatsoever.  

My wish for my daughter (& myself) is to not equate self worth with the material that covers our spirit.  It took me 33 years to grasp this concept so she has a 29 year head start thank goodness ;^)

Leap of Faith

In 2011, I seized the opportunity to travel solo to Bali, Indonesia.  I envisioned staying far from tourist spots.  I used Bali-Homestay.com - a family run business in the Tabanan region.  Their website promised airport pick-up, room, all food, tours, hikes, bikes, cultural lessons, and more for an extremely reasonable price.

I had one of the most unique & wonderful experiences I've ever had.  Everything they promised they delivered - with a smile.  I was the only tourist that I could see, & I always felt safe, respected, & comfortable.

People repeatedly ask, "How did you find them?"  I reply, "I typed 'Bali cultural exchange' in the search box, & it was the first and only thing I found."  Inevitably, the next question is, "How did you know they were legit or safe?"  My response is, "I didn't." 

I trusted these strangers half way around the world with my life, & they provided everything plus more.  They were not out to cheat, hurt, or lie to me.  

When I recount my adventures, people often bristle at the idea of trusting so many strangers - fearing the worst.  In fact, it's quite the opposite.

Because I trusted these individuals, I hiked through rice paddies, biked through native villages, learned how to make offerings, visited temples, ate delicious, home cooked meals, & interacted with real, local people.  I truly had a paradigm shift based on these interactions.  

Between my ability to trust & intuition, I have happened into an ever growing pool of new friends & amazing adventures.  Start local or start global, either way, the world is full of genuinely good people waiting to be met.

*  I have countless examples related to this topic.  I will write more on it because I am that passionate about breaking the fear & distrust of others.  

*  Please feel free to share in the comments if you've had similar experiences.  I'd love to read & share them.

***  Also, if you enjoy my writing, please feel free to share the link.  I am unsure if I will continue writing due to low levels of readership - despite my joy of writing.  Thank you for reading, & I look forward to many more.  

- Sasha  *** 

Leap of Faith

In 2011, I seized the opportunity to travel solo to Bali, Indonesia.  I envisioned staying far from tourist spots.  I used Bali-Homestay.com - a family run business in the Tabanan region.  Their website promised airport pick-up, room, all food, tours, hikes, bikes, cultural lessons, and more for an extremely reasonable price.

I had one of the most unique & wonderful experiences I've ever had.  Everything they promised they delivered - with a smile.  I was the only tourist that I could see, & I always felt safe, respected, & comfortable.

People repeatedly ask, "How did you find them?"  I reply, "I typed 'Bali cultural exchange' in the search box, & it was the first and only thing I found."  Inevitably, the next question is, "How did you know they were legit or safe?"  My response is, "I didn't." 

I trusted these strangers half way around the world with my life, & they provided everything plus more.  They were not out to cheat, hurt, or lie to me.  

When I recount my adventures, people often bristle at the idea of trusting so many strangers - fearing the worst.  In fact, it's quite the opposite.

Because I trusted these individuals, I hiked through rice paddies, biked through native villages, learned how to make offerings, visited temples, ate delicious, home cooked meals, & interacted with real, local people.  I truly had a paradigm shift based on these interactions.  

Between my ability to trust & intuition, I have happened into an ever growing pool of new friends & amazing adventures.  Start local or start global, either way, the world is full of genuinely good people waiting to be met.

*  I have countless examples related to this topic.  I will write more on it because I am that passionate about breaking the fear & distrust of others.  

*  Please feel free to share in the comments if you've had similar experiences.  I'd love to read & share them.

***  Also, if you enjoy my writing, please feel free to share the link.  I am unsure if I will continue writing due to low levels of readership - despite my joy of writing.  Thank you for reading, & I look forward to many more.  

- Sasha  *** 

Blank Slate

Last night, I walked into my home at 11:15pm after a whirlwind 48 hour business trip.  Everyone was asleep.  I was exhausted from a flurry of awesome adventures - personal & professional.

The house is already minimal with furniture, clean, & smells of hyacinth I bought for Easter.  All my daughter's toys were put away, my husband's electronics were simply slid back into their place, & not a dish was in the sink.

Ahhh... 'this is my blank slate' I thought.  The place I come to recharge.  I return to my self & my family - my priorities.  It's the foundation for the life I choose to lead - ready for anything.

I'm not tied down by maintaining unnecessary belongings or cleaning knick knacks.  I simply maintain what we truly need & possessions we value.  I'm not visually or mentally distracted with belongings that really do not matter.

At first glance, some may think our home a bit sterile or lifeless.  I see a completely different picture.  On this blank canvas, we can paint any scene we choose.  My daughter can put on an impromptu dance show.  We can have a full blown soccer game.  I can whip out my laptop with piles of paperwork for business.  We can host 10 people in our modest townhome for a party.  I'm also untethered to maintenance so I can plan my next adventure.

Our home is a template to live in.  It does not define us.  We define it.