I Am Wearing A Story {a Noonday giveaway}

Our society breeds selfishness. 

It's so true. 

That's not to say that we are all selfish by any means, 

but it's so easy to fall into the trap that society so cleverly creates for us as women.

 It leaves us feeling less than and unworthy and self-conscious. 

The desire to look a certain way that world around deems as beautiful-- it's just a disaster waiting to wreak havoc on our inner sense of self-worth. 

The truth is, we are never going to meet the unrealistic expectations that the world sets for women. 

We will never be content if we are trying to reach an unreachable goal. 

And a year ago, I was society's ideal target. 

The world around me was telling me that I was too short. 

I had bad hair.

I was overweight.

I needed longer lashes and smoother skin and better nails.

I wasn't dressing for my body type.

The world was talking, and I was listening. 

I allowed so much of how I saw myself to come from what society told me via movies and TV shows and magazines and models...the list goes on and on.

I was so busy thinking about ME, ME, ME that I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about others. 

I didn't think about my purchases and who they affected. 

 I didn't give any thought to how or where something was made. 

In a desire to feel better about my appearance, I was unknowingly feeding the machine that often results in unethical work standards, child labor, and even slavery.

I didn't take into account that I could play a role in working to impact the way women see themselves and their purchases. 

And then I started with Noonday. 

And now, not only am more confident in my appearance than ever before, but I am working to help other women become more confident too. 

In that I mean, I want to see women gather their self-worth from what they are doing and how they are living rather than simply through how they are looking.
I fully believe that doing for others results in a happiness that we will never find when we are simply living for ourselves. 

Since starting my adventure with Noonday, my comfort zone has stretched.

 I CAN wear big earrings and pull off more than one necklace at a time.

Who would have ever thought?!?

 And while the physical aspect of Noonday is great, it's the power behind the Noonday purchases that keeps me coming back for more. 

When I wear Noonday, I am wearing someone else's story. 

I am helping a girl in India break free from the binds of debt and poverty. 

I am helping a man or woman in Peru provide food for their families. 

I am helping a child in Ecuador attend school for the first time.

I am helping a family in Vietnam have a place to call home.

I am helping a woman with HIV in Ethiopia find a sense of hope and purpose.

I am helping a mother in Rwanda afford to keep her child.

Society can breed selfishness all day long, but I'm no longer falling for it. It is so NOT about me any more, friends. And I fully believe that is what God intended. In fact, I know it is, as He tells us so many times in scripture to serve others.

 In fact, Noonday is named for Isaiah 58:10, which says, 

"When you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, your night will become like the Noonday."

Something as simple as buying a new necklace can not only help me feel beautiful but can literally change the world for another woman somewhere in this world. While I get to style women and help them stretch their comfort zones and feel beautiful in the pieces our amazing artisans have created, I also get the opportunity to share their stories. 

There is power behind our purchases, friends.

It DOES matter where and how something is made. 

And I have found time and time again that the less I think about me, me, me,

 and the more I think about them, them, them, the happier I am. 

There are so many more important things to spend my time and energy on other than how long my lashes are or if I have my first wrinkle on my forehead.

And I can honestly say that I have never felt more beautiful. 

Society can keep it's unrealistic goals and standards no one will ever meet. 

I have found so much joy in helping others find beauty and self-worth in thinking about others and how something as simple as a piece of jewelry can pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. 

And today, I'm partnering with some of my fellow ambassadors in an attempt to help others feel beautiful and recognize the power of their purchases through participating in the Noonday blog train, where everyday a different ambassador shares a story and gives away a piece of Noonday. 

Want to get caught up on the blog train? 

Check out yesterday's post from my dear friend Jenna and tomorrow's post by my friend Emily.

Up for grabs today is one of the new market totes made in Rwanda. 

See the cute red one? 

Well, it's for one of YOU!

To enter, simply follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter giveaway tool. 

The tool will automatically pick a winner on Sunday night. 

Good luck to you and you and you!

And please hear me when I say that you are so not defined but what society is screaming today. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway