With each breath that I take, every step that I make, and every conversation I engage in, I am made more aware of just how perfectly imperfect I am.
This week I was reminded of the beauty of imperfections from the basket of tomatoes I got from the farmer’s market to the health and lifestyle magazine that featured companies that were anything but healthy. Then there was the “buy” of the week that perhaps turned into “bye” of the week. I was at the store and came across a beautiful fully lined dress by Joe Fresh. I looked at the price tag and my jaw nearly dropped when it said, “$1.94” I know. I was shocked and then I got excited because where in the world can you get a dress for $1.94? So what did I do? I bought it naturally. What I didn’t realize was that I didn’t just buy a dress, I bought something that would challenge me to the core of my being.
I started thinking about the person who made the dress on the other side of the ocean. If I paid $1.94 for this dress, what was he/she being paid? Up to this point, I am ashamed to admit that I have closed one eye when it comes to clothes/shoes (it seems like more apparel companies than not are using sweatshop labour). Earlier this week, I shared my thoughts about organic food (you can read that post here) but when it comes down to it, are the principles and values any different between food and apparel? I sometimes wish I could turn a blind eye because it would be a whole heck of a lot easier…but I can’t.
So where does that leave me? It leaves me thinking about my purchasing decisions moving forward. It leaves me hungry to learn more and find companies who are doing good and doing well-companies like PACT Apparel (organic, fair-trade AND affordable especially when you use the coupon code FAMILY40 to save an additional 40%) and Oliberte (fair trade certified footwear founded in Oakville, ON by Tal Dehtiar). It leaves me considering the impact and influence I have on others and this world.
I am reminded of this quote:
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
This journey that I’m on is not easy…it’s inspiring.
ODE TO OLIBERTE (@oliberte)
A PACT to DO GOOD (@wearpact)
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