New day. New beauty.

Every now and again, I need a dose of perspective. It doesn't mean I tell myself I don't matter; it just reminds me that I have it good, even on my bad days. Despite unemployment, I'm not struggling to make ends meet. Despite having to move back home with my parents, I have a roof over my head. Despite them being scattered to the four winds, I have amazing friends. Despite nagging calf pain, I still have two legs to run and complain about. Despite my annoyance at the constant political bickering that happens in my country, I'm not in a war zone.

As we rush, rush, rush through the daily ups and downs of life, it's easy to lose the beauty around us in the busyness of a normal day. This is no new realization, but as I drove past a grove of flowering trees today, the newness and beauty of the season struck me once again. It served to remind me that everyday is new. And with that newness is the opportunity to begin again. To make a choice to see the good rather than the bad. To be thankful for what we have been given, instead of bitter over what is not there. Lamentations 3:22-23 echoes these sentiments: "...His compassion never fails. It is new every morning..." (paraphrased.)

For April's focus piece, I'd like to share about "fashionABLE." I was first introduced to fashionABLE through the Mocha Club. Like Mocha Club, fashionABLE funds projects in Africa. On a trip to Ethiopia, the founder of Mocha Club met with a group called Women At Risk. This group worked with survivors of the sex trade and industry. For those that know me, you know the fight against sex trafficking is a cause near and dear to my heart. One of the biggest challenges facing survivors of the sex industry is supporting themselves. Many of them got involved at a young age and using sex as their trade, they don't really have other options to make money and be independent. Teaching these survivors a new trade and connecting them with outlets to in turn support themselves is a huge part of the recovery process. Inspired by the Women At Risk group, fashionABLE was born. fashionABLE "creates sustainable business" while providing "opportunities for vulnerable women." 

In my travels, I talk to a lot of friends who are interested in helping somewhere, somehow, but are not sure how or where to get involved. I can identify with that. In my early years, I had a heart to help, but never felt a pull to a cause until my internship with Shared Hope International. Organizations like Mocha Club and fashionABLE are a good way to get your feet wet, so to speak, and I encourage you to check them out here: Mocha Club and fashionABLE.

fashionABLE has a wide selection of great scarves (HINT: just in time for Mother's Day!!) If you need gift ideas for the fashion-forward friend in your life, it's a great place to start! (For any of you Seinfeld fans out there, it definitely beats "The Human Fund.")

If you're in a place where it's difficult to fathom newness and second (or third or fourth) chances, I've been there. I'm sure I'll be there again. I don't want this to be a band-aid that says: "cheer up, buttercup!" or a brush-off like "get over yourself, it could be worse!" I don't believe in not addressing pain and failure; but I do believe in not dwelling on pain and failure. And trust me--I have to make a daily effort to renew my commitment to newness. I have to commit to not dwelling on pain and failure. Some days, like today when the sun is shining, it's easier than others.

I have found that I need to acknowledge and accept God's unfailing love and compassion on a daily basis. Every morning, it's as simple as waking up and saying "Thank you for staying true to me, even in my failures." Even on the mornings I don't feel like it. Or on days where I don't say thank you until after noon or the evening. If I accept this for myself, I need to be intentional in sharing it with others too. I have learned that this is a great theory but not always easy to put into practice. Which is why I am grateful that I get a new chance each morning to try again. 

Embrace the newness you're offered each day. The daily beauty offered with a new dawn. And the beauty found in new chances.