Tithing Tuesday, 040913: #EndItMovement

Modern-Day Slavery Is Rampant

27 Million Men, Women, and Children are Affected Everyday

Today's Tithing Tuesday post is about an issue that many people believe was taken care of long ago, kid themselves about or turn a blind eye to, pretending it's not really a problem anymore~ or not their problem, at least. =/ 

The EndItMovement.

Yes. Slavery still exists.  But, in this day and age, do people generally understand what slavery even is?

Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property ~to be bought and sold~ and are forced to work, against their will, and in the worst of imaginable circumstances... Deprived of rights, dignity, and free will.  It is human trafficking, it is bonded labor and indentured servitude, it is forced labor in numerous industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, as well as prostitution and sexual exploitation.

Slavery has been around in many forms since the beginning of recorded time.  And it is time we grew enlightened enough as a species to END IT for good.

Here in the United States, slavery is generally thought about when reflecting back on the beginnings of our brand new nation, during the Civil War Era, and the efforts of President Abraham Lincoln and others in the Abolitionist Movement to abolish and outlaw slavery and slave trade in and with our country.  

In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which declared that freedom from slavery is an internationally recognized human right, reading "No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms."

Even though slavery is now outlawed in all countries, there are more slaves around the world than at any other time in history.  27 Million men, women and children, in 161 countries worldwide~ INCLUDING The UNITED STATES~ trapped in less-than-human existences, in brothels, in factories, in fields, and in quarries around the world... All to make someone else more well off.  27 Million people.  That's basically the entire population of the New York City metropolitan area.  And that's obscene.  And it has to stop.

          

"As many as 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States annually. That’s nearly 48 people a day who have become slaves on the very same soil where it was abolished 150 years ago. And the average age of these people? 14 years old. Think about all the things you did when you were a teenager. Being sexually exploited probably isn’t one of them." [enditmovement.com] 

So how can you help?  How can anyone help??

It all begins with you, and me, and our friends, and their friends, and their friends.  Look, you know in your heart that slavery~ in any form or fashion~ is fundamentally WRONG.  And so do I.  Never underestimate the power of two or more people united together in a common vision...

"It doesn't cost you anything to get involved. You can fight for the release of those who cannot fight for themselves by taking up the cause and making people aware. You can give money, if you like, or energy or tirelessness. You can go fight through social media, through local or national government, or through the alarm bell of awareness. You can shine a light on slavery. You can END IT." [enditmovement.com]

Check out the #EndItMovement website... There is lots of information and resources to educate and arm yourself with.  There are tools and help on how you can spread the word and raise awareness.  You can donate there, if you're interested in doing that.  You can learn about the movement's coalition partners, all organizations working on attacking the problem from different angles, with real-world solutions- and how you can use your spending habits as a form of protest.  Also, you can visit the EndIt Shop and check out the merch that they have available, with all proceeds from the purchase of any product directly supporting the END IT Movement.

I pledged to Be In It to End It!  ...Will You Join Me??

Until next time... "X" : Shine A Light On Slavery

May your imagination light your way,
~xo~ StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower] 

Wordless Wednesday, 040313

Happy Wednesday!! =)

How's your week going??

A while back, I lived in a high rise apartment, and I saw some amazing sunsets from that vantage point.  I was thinking the other day that I haven't seen sunsets like I did there in a while~ and that got me going through old photos I have taken.  

Today's Wordless Wednesday is of one of those gorgeous sunsets! =)  I still love looking at them...

=)

Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,

~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

Tithing Tuesday, 040213: charity:water

Happy Tuesday! =)

What's on the tithing docket this week?

Well I was recently reintroduced to a charity I had been interested in previously, but hadn't yet researched:

 My fellow Get-Gluers will recognize the "sticker."  =) 

charity: water is a non-profit 501(3)(c) company that was started by Scott Harrison in 2006, after time spent volunteering in Liberia in West Africa.  The organization's mission is bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

The New York City-based charity works to educate people in the western world about the amount of struggle involved for people in developing nations to simply have a glass of water~ let alone a clean, safe one.  "One in nine people in our world doesn't have access to the most basic of human needs."  The organization asks us to imagine what that must be like- to put ourselves in the shoes of those "one in nine." ...Following them on their daily journey... Carrying 80 pounds of water in yellow fuel cans... Digging with their children in sand for water... Lining up at a well and waiting eight hours for a turn...  Even though that's not a likely scenario for most of us in our own everyday lives, for many in the world this is a daily ritual.

In addition, charity: water also aspires to raise funds to continue to help fund water projects around the world.  For about $20.00 per person who donates, they have already funded more than 8,200 water projects in 20 countries in the six years since its inception.  

My favorite type of fundraiser at charity: water is "The Birthday Project." =)  It's a great way to take something that you have passion for, and engage your friends and family in your quest to make the world a better place! =)  Give it a try- HERE. =oD  It'll be the best birthday present you ever gave yourself, I assure you!

In fact, that's how charity: water got started... For Scott Harrison's 31st birthday, the previously successful nightclub promoter threw a big bash to celebrate~ and he charged each guest $20.00 at the door... Just like old times. ;oP  It was a stroke of genius!  That soiree was the charity's first fundraiser- The Inaugural Birthday Project-  and raised $15,000 for clean water projects.  And the journey began~ a journey that is now six years in the making and going strong for Mr. Harrison and the staff and supporters of charity: water... =)  With his big birthday bash, Scott realized that harnessing the power of the fact that not only does everyone have a birthday, but that it comes around every year could serve as an amazing instrument in his quest to reach- and help- as many people as possible.

You can help, too, by pledging yours at charitywater.org/birthdays. They'll remind you when the time comes~ and help you start a campaign. Then all you have to do is set a goal, add a photo, and tell your family and friends...  Best part is: 100% of the money raised will go directly to water projects around the world, and they'll show you exactly where it goes and who it helps.

SO why not pledge your birthday, and start the cycle of good karma now! =)

Thanks! =)
Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,
~xo~ StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

Make Something Monday, 040113: Tippie Chicks

Happy Spring!! =)

Happy (belated) Easter ~Passover ~and April Fool's Day, too!! ;) 

So today being Monday, I have a new "Make Something Monday" for you! =)

Now I know that Easter came waaAaay early this year (I *know* I can't be the only one who thought that! ;oP), and this post idea was originally intended with Easter in mind, but I really think that this cute craft is great for the whole season of Spring, so here it is: Tippie Chicks!! =) 

First, your supply list:

• the cardboard rolls from toilet paper (paper towel rolls would work as well)
• paint
• tissue paper
• wiggly eyes
• scrap construction paper
• scissor, ruler, pencil
• glue, glue dots, or Mod Podge

Okay, cut your cardboard rolls into the size "chicks" you want (...for this tutorial, I used two T.P. rolls, as is, and cut three in half~ to make a little family... =) ).   

 

Now paint them in pretty Spring colors... 

Great! =)  Now, let's get ready to give these chicks some personality! ;)

 

Grab your wiggley eyes...

 

Take your construction paper, and cut out little squares (I chose 1/2-inch by 1/2-inch).

Once you have them all cut, fold them each on the angle, so you have triangles...

 

 

Now glue your chicks' faces. =)

YaY! =) 

Next, cut out small square of tissue paper...

(I cut them a couple-few inches across, square)

And add your chicks "hair."

(Technically, only baby chicks have "hair," but I thought the look was so darn cute, that I did the same for Mama and Pop, too! ;oP )

Happy Family! =)

In the post I came across that inspired this "Make Something Monday," the author used small brown paper bags to make "nests" for the little chicks (another super cute idea!), but I did not have any.  I DO, however, have a TON [not kidding] of packing paper that I keep to recycle, reuse, and upcycle whenever possible.... SO... =)

 

 

SOOO cute right?!? ;oP 

While doing this tutorial, I came up with all kinds of other ideas to do along the same lines, so don't be surprised when I break out the "Tippies" again!! HA! ;)

 

WHILE I was doing the chick family, I also did an adorable little guy, as well...

 After all, it WAS Easter Sunday! ;)

So that's a super fun craft to do, and I think the littlens' would go nuts over it too... It's very kid-friendly! =)

What do you think??

Please go ahead and leave me comment if you made any of these adorable little guys~ and don't forget to share this post with your friends, too!  Share the fun! =)

 

Thanks! =oD

 

Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,

~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

 

 

A Hug To Save Us All

The Hug Felt Around the World

I will not play at tug o’ war.
I’d rather play at hug o’ war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.
~Shel Silverstein

 

The Power of a Hug

Hugging has, in many areas of the world, become a normal, natural greeting.  A hug is usually a demonstration of affection and emotional warmth, sometimes coming from the of joy or happiness felt at meeting someone or seeing someone that you have not seen in a long time.  A hug can be conversely be given as an indication of support, comfort, and consolation, particularly where words are inadequate or simply don’t come, becoming a superior form of communication when rhetoric cannot measure up to the moment.

I’m a hugger, through and through…  Long lost friend~ and we meet again?  Hug.  Family I saw last week?  Hug!  Family I haven’t seen for awhile?  Big Hug!!  Meeting new potential friend for the first time?  Aaaw, come on~ bring it in…  Although I have noticed that I have tamed myself just slightly in the last few years based on other people’s hug “responses”, I realize now that, “Hey, I gotta be me!” ;)  And I’m a hugger… Always have been, always will be, and I suspect that I have my grandmother to thank for that wonderful gift~ she was the same way, too. =)  Heck, I’m even known for saying that “I don’t shake hands, I hug…”  I’ll even admit that I have a harder time connecting with or trusting someone who can’t or won’t reciprocate a hug.  Now, if a handshake is situation appropriate, alright then, but are there even times when it’s more appropriate to shake hands than to hug, anymore?? ;)

A Hug A Day Keeps the Doctor ~ and The Blues~ Away

Lack of touch on our lives is detrimental to our well being.  We need physical contact to feel connected to something other than ourselves, to feel like we are not alone in this thing called Life.  We especially want for those feelings of connection during times of distress and need.  Hugs are a great way to fill that want, and science even backs that up.  Study after study tells us that hugging not only feels great, but is great for you, too.  Hugging is healing; it has been shown that the act of a good hug can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and even boost memory.  Hugging fosters connection and trust.  It relaxes muscles and releases tension.  Hugs teach us about giving and receiving love~ and that the flow of love goes both ways.  In addition, a good hug spurs your body on to release feel-good hormones, improving your mood and creating feelings of happiness.  And the really great news? Both the ‘hugger’ AND the ‘huggee’ receive the benefits.

The Hug That Started a Social Movement

Someone who understands the importance of regular hugs in our lives is “Juan Mann,” a man from Australia that began a campaign offering “Free Hugs” to strangers in a busy public intersection in Sydney.  In this age of social disconnect and lack of human contact, his mission was simple: to brighten someone’s day.  And he did. =)  Many ‘someones’.  In fact, as a result of the original campaign, and the hopeful symbol that triumphed over controversy and political red tape, similar campaigns have been started in communities all over the globe.  You can read more about this journey here and here.  But if you watch the below video, you’ll “feel” what the movement is all about… And I dare you to not cry! =)

It was once said by American author and family psychotherapist Virginia Satir that:

 

 

I believe she was on to something there… I know I feel a difference in my very being when I haven’t given or gotten enough hugs for a while.

How about you??  Who have you hugged today?? =)

Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,
~xo~ StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

P.S. Want to know how I make money blogging about what matters to me??!!  YOU CAN, TOO!! 
Click the picture below, and I'll show you how...

Wordless Wednesday, 031313: ProjectLife365 Update

Happy Wednesday!! =)

How's your week going??

I recently realized that I have *literally* and officially "lost" a week already this year!! ;oP  ...And as such, missed a week on my PL365 weekly updates. =/  SO, for this week's Wordless Wednesday post, I am going to catch up, so when Sunday rolls around, I will be back on track (hopefully ;oP ).

Okay, SO: [drum roll please...] ~ Week 10 from the lens of my life. =oD

The project is currently in Week 11, so on Sunday, I'll be back to the schedule.  =)

It has been SOOO much fun!

Leave me a comment and let me know if you are doing a photo project (365 or otherwise). =)  How's it going?? 

Have a good (rest of your) week!  

Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,

~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]  

Tithing Tuesday, 031213: Sevenly's 7 Days of Change

Happy Tuesday! =)

Today's Tithing Tuesday is a two-fer, of sorts. ;)  The same awesome company, two ways to share in the awesomeness! =)

In case you haven't heard of Sevenly yet [where have you been?? ;oP], here's the scoop:

As their tagline says, "One week. One cause."  Sevenly is a company that began in 2011 when two amazing entrepreneurs came together, and with a driving directive to help a new generation become more intentionally generous by nature, said, "If we could help people give, we could get them to care."  =)  Sevenly was born.  Each week, the company features a new charitable organization, and partners with them to help raise money, awareness, and community connection.  For that one week, their artists create beautiful designs and themes for the apparel they sell specifically for that week's cause.  For each purchase made from their website, Sevenly gives $7.00 to that week's charity...  If they sell 1000 Shirts, they give $7000. 

The shirts they sell are not only gorgeous, but also well made and super comfie, too!  I own several, and even the ones I have had for a while now still look great, and have held up well.  And I wear mine a LOT because they ARE so beautiful and stylish AND so comfortable. =) 

Check them out, and make sure you sign up for their email alerts, so you never miss a week's new designs and new chances to help!!

So, Sevenly's "ultimate goal is to help people, fund worthy causes..." and change the world... With all of our help. =)  And they have experience a lot of success so far, raising over $1.5 million dollars for various charities, and starting a huge following on Facebook and Twitter, as well.

Now, Sevenly is taking on the biggest target audience of all- the network television audience.  And they need US~ you and I~ to help them get there.

I don't know about you, but I hate (I don't use that word lightly) reality TV... With a passion!  Between that genre of show taking over the airwaves, and big media feeding off and emulating it, too~ I pretty much have given up on television.  Movies, my Hulu, when I even have time, and when the Pats play ;) is the extent for me these days- that is about it.

But this is an idea I can get behind, and a type of show I would make time to watch.  I'll let Dale Partridge from Sevenly tell you about the cause, the campaign, and the change we can all make for a better world~ together. =)     

Now how about that??  Pretty inspiring, right?!  That's MY kind of "reality TV"... How about you?? =)

If it sounds like something that you would love to be a part of creating and seeing come to light, check out their Indiegogo campaign page to find out how you can.  Contributions start out as low as $5.00.

WoW! =)  LOTS of good stuff, yes??!  I adore everything about this company, and hope this little review has inspired you to check them out too! =)  They are doing great things, and we can all be a part of making this world better and better.  =)

Have you heard of Sevenly, or already own one of their shirts?  Leave me a comment and let me know which one is your favorite so far. =)  And don't forget to please share this with your friends, so they can help, too! =)

Have a great week!!
Until next time...
May your imagination light your way,
~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

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