I was introduced to this non profit this week by my girlfriend and I want to share it with you! I think what it stands for is FANTASTIC! The slogan is 'Eradicating Poverty One Bead At A Time' and it does that is by buying beads that women in Uganda are making and selling them in the States and returning the money to them!
Most of the women who make these beads/jewelry out of recycled paper are single mothers and/or women with HIV. Bead For Life is a way for them to make enough money for themselves to buy the medication they need to stay alive, while also providing for their families.
These women feel a level of accomplishment and pride as they are able to live a life that they feared would soon be gone. Many also build the homes they live in with this income!
Please take a moment and check out the web site. There is also an amazing video if you have 5 minutes... it's worth watching! www.beadforlife.org
See if you can purchase the beaded jewelry in your town or if you can host a party or how deeply you can get involved! I doubt you will be untouched or disappointed!
the good, the bad, the ugly...
Friday, July 31
Food for thought...
Have you ever stopped to evaluate yourself and your acceptance skills? What I mean is, when someone is passionately expressing something that they love or feel strongly about how do you respond? Say the topic is something you know little about. Say the topic is something that you don't particularly agree with. What is your response...
I have been coming up against this a lot in my own life on my 9 month pregnancy journey. It is no secret that my husband is a chiropractor, we live in tree hugging Seattle and that I too love to push the envelope and do things more naturally. But you can't even imagine the responses and questions that I get from family, friends and even strangers.
I feel as if I've been writing a thesis for a Master's (me, I know right?!) and what I have concluded from both research and experience is that humans, especially women don't like to encourage one another. The competitive, cut-throat nature that is in all of us, often escapes our lips before we even realize it and smashes the others dreams, telling them that they can't!
I have NEVER been told that I couldn't do something as many times as I have, until I became pregnant. Here is just a short list:
-You will wish he's back inside once he's out
-You're having a natural birth... no drugs, no hospital? Good Luck.
-We'll see how long you cloth diaper
-You believe what about vaccines, circumcision and breast feeding?
and that's just a few! As discouraging as it's been, not to receive encouragement and have others share in my excitement, I have been empowered and inspired as HELL!
Women, we have let science take away our mind/body connection that God purposely gave us. It is innate and it's ready to work- we just have to believe in it. I have realized the last few months that my calling is in yoga, pre and post pregnancy and in teaching women that they are amazing beings with incredible strength and wisdom to BE. I have committed myself to learning more and I will be sharing it... so stay tuned!
On a lighter note, all of this just got me thinking... how do I listen, interpret and respond to others when they are sharing with me what they are doing in their lives or what they are passionate about.
Reflect on!
I have been coming up against this a lot in my own life on my 9 month pregnancy journey. It is no secret that my husband is a chiropractor, we live in tree hugging Seattle and that I too love to push the envelope and do things more naturally. But you can't even imagine the responses and questions that I get from family, friends and even strangers.
I feel as if I've been writing a thesis for a Master's (me, I know right?!) and what I have concluded from both research and experience is that humans, especially women don't like to encourage one another. The competitive, cut-throat nature that is in all of us, often escapes our lips before we even realize it and smashes the others dreams, telling them that they can't!
I have NEVER been told that I couldn't do something as many times as I have, until I became pregnant. Here is just a short list:
-You will wish he's back inside once he's out
-You're having a natural birth... no drugs, no hospital? Good Luck.
-We'll see how long you cloth diaper
-You believe what about vaccines, circumcision and breast feeding?
and that's just a few! As discouraging as it's been, not to receive encouragement and have others share in my excitement, I have been empowered and inspired as HELL!
Women, we have let science take away our mind/body connection that God purposely gave us. It is innate and it's ready to work- we just have to believe in it. I have realized the last few months that my calling is in yoga, pre and post pregnancy and in teaching women that they are amazing beings with incredible strength and wisdom to BE. I have committed myself to learning more and I will be sharing it... so stay tuned!
On a lighter note, all of this just got me thinking... how do I listen, interpret and respond to others when they are sharing with me what they are doing in their lives or what they are passionate about.
Reflect on!
Tuesday, July 21
Looking for a Chiropractor?
One night last week we were eating dinner minding our own business when we realized we didn't hear Tuff. We both turned around to see what he might be into but instead we found this. Tuff, silently advertising that his Daddy is the best chiropractor around (13128 Totem Lake Blvd. Suite 203, Kirkland WA. drdougendel.com in case you were wondering!). He clearly isn't a natural marketer or he wouldn't be sleeping on the job... but I guess we will keep him on payroll... or keep feeding him at least!
Monday, July 20
Welcome to my new home...
Those of you who know me well... know that I can not do any one thing for to0 long, before it's on to the next! So with that, I am moving my attention to blogging at this site.
I am about to give birth as you know and I also feel that at that moment I will give birth to a new me as well! This blog is going to be raw, uncut and unedited... (well, most of my work is unedited!)
I hope that it brings you laughs, tears and inspiration!
I am about to give birth as you know and I also feel that at that moment I will give birth to a new me as well! This blog is going to be raw, uncut and unedited... (well, most of my work is unedited!)
I hope that it brings you laughs, tears and inspiration!
Here I go again...
Those of you who know me well... know that I can not do any one thing for to long, before it's on to the next! So with that, I am moving my attention to blogging at this site.
I am about to give birth as you know and I also feel that at that moment I will give birth to a new me as well! This blog is going to be raw, uncut and unedited... (well, most of my work is unedited!)
I hope that it brings you laughs, tears and inspiration!
I am about to give birth as you know and I also feel that at that moment I will give birth to a new me as well! This blog is going to be raw, uncut and unedited... (well, most of my work is unedited!)
I hope that it brings you laughs, tears and inspiration!
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Chandra Endel...
Self. Wife. Mother.
My world was forever changed on 8/20/09. Every day I learn something new about myself and living my new life. Now, I am a mother and a kick ass one at that. Some days I am sane... and other days I sport a neon pink straight jacket! Here is my life because it makes me feel normal to share. And maybe my over dramatized & crazy stories, my hippie-vogue style & way of life, will give you joy, hope, inspiration or simply... laughs!
My world was forever changed on 8/20/09. Every day I learn something new about myself and living my new life. Now, I am a mother and a kick ass one at that. Some days I am sane... and other days I sport a neon pink straight jacket! Here is my life because it makes me feel normal to share. And maybe my over dramatized & crazy stories, my hippie-vogue style & way of life, will give you joy, hope, inspiration or simply... laughs!
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