Category Archives: Mindful mantras

Sooooooooouuuuuuuuuulllllllllllllll traaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin.

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Cheesy baked layers of lasagna. Hearty beef stew on the stove-top.  Warm apple pie à la mode. Gooey, chocolaty fudge brownies. Raw vegan oat bites. Comfort food.

Some even say, soul food.

B.B. King. Marvin Gaye. Billie Holiday. Bedtime songs. Church hymns. Dave Matthews.

Music for the soul.

Whether it’s that delectable morsel or that detectable music, a home-made dish or a certain note, no matter how you feed your soul; it’s the guaranteed comfort and full delight that keeps us going back for seconds, or more.

Close your eyes. Think about that feeling and what memories come to mind. Think about the people who surround you and the emotions that fill you up. Ride it out. Think about the sense of satisfaction that you receive. Think abooutttt what you were wearing?

Yea, think about that. Clothing can be a connection, too; it can be treasured. Have you ever had that resurgence of a remembrance of a certain time, another place, or another state of mind, after pulling on your favorite cozy sweater or after pulling out a not-so-favorite ex’s tee-shirt?

Over-sized baggy sweatshirts. Worn-out flannel pajama bottoms. Delicate lacy under-things. Soft, old Chamois button-up shirts. Clothes that, when worn, transport you in comfort, physically and mentally. Some even say, emotionally.

Soul clothes, could they be?

Here’s to wrapping up in the chunkiest knitted cardigan and savoring the moment.

May this holiday season wrap you in warmth and feed your soul.

Give thanks for good.

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No turkey, no family, no stuffing, no American football, but still, many thanks given. Even though I’m unable to partake in the traditional Thanksgiving festivities (I’m more of a soccer fan myself anyway, but that’s beside the point), I’m able to remind myself to be thankful. Historical Thanksgiving controversies aside, the holiday’s modern meaning is to give thanks while sitting alongside family and friends for a fall feast. The storied original barter was a three-day exchange of food for goods. Today’s exchange is one of thanks and three days that surround the harvest holiday.

The first day is for those who choose to work off their tryptophan trance running around like a chicken—er, I mean, turkey— with its head cut off on Black Friday. Fearing for their lives, others may be more inclined to recline and shop online the second day, gobbling up Cyber Monday’s digital deals. Why not round out the trifecta or opt-out of the other two days for good the day after Monday with Giving Tuesday or Fair Tuesday? Good health, supportive friends, and little luxuries—even though Thanksgiving isn’t necessarily a religious holiday, it does teach us to be grateful for life’s many blessings. Sanitary drinking water, basic primary education, and a safe shelter are necessary to live—yet many are not so blessed.

#FairTuesday aims to:

  • Empower artisans & farmers
  • Support communities
  • Protect the environment

On November 27th, 2012, “Buy one fair trade item to improve lives of a whole community” from one of the 40 women-led artisan groups supported by @GlobalGoods. Want more ideas for fairly traded items? These fair-trade retail guides can help you find that perfect product. Perhaps you prefer to buy local products, in which case Small Business Saturday is more your market and Giving Tuesday is a social movement to make a charitable contribution. FINCA and Oxfam have unique gift catalogs that give high-impact to a community abroad, keeping your own community intact. Have your pumpkin pie and eat it, too: think locally, act globally.

Similar to how many of us are trying to introduce new, healthier food options into our eating habits this Turkey Day, let’s infuse new, fair fashion options into our purchasing habits every day; this compliments the idea of everyday big business for our small businesses. An early morning binge or virtual spree on marked-down goods could be replaced with a thoughtful purchase of a value-added good, like those offered at the 1st ever Give Good Market. “Shop for Change” and “Take Action” are two sections of Global Goods Partners’ website. Combine both into a mindful recipe of your own gifted gratitude and have a sustainable season.