She is so right. Being intentional with our finances is hard and often times overwhelming! We have so many demands in our lives and pocketbooks, not to mention options. Buying local, organic, natural, sustainable, fair trade, etc., combined with meeting daily needs and saving for emergencies, college and retirement. PHEW, just thinking through all these things can be draining and guilt ridden, and acting on them is time-consuming and expensive!!"I want to be intentional with my purchases, but am often discouraged by the time and expense that this involves."
So, how do we choose where to spend our time, energy and finances, when the reality is - we can't do it all?
First, I think it is really important to acknowledge and accept that when it comes to ethical shopping (and life in general) we can't do it all AND that is ok! We are covered by the GRACE of an amazing savior who has already done it all. All we have to do is respond to the gifts that He has given us with love and the rest will fall into place. I expanded more on how I learned this lesson in my post Confessions of a Chocoholic. Ultimately, in this journey I have learned that:Being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the world's problems is from the enemy.
Being moved by our ability to make small choices that positively impact those in the world and around us, is exciting, empowering and joyful!
When deciding how to use our finances, it boils down to doing small things with great love and trusting that the love in which that action was done will go out into the world with a ripple effect. This week I will share a series of posts explaining how we try to purposefully apply this concept to our shopping. I'm calling it How to Shop Beautifully. This is by no means a comprehensive guide on ethical shopping ,but rather me sharing how our family has decided to approach these challenges and how we guide our shopping decisions. Like all great conversations, this one will be so much better if it is two-sided. We have so much that we can learn from one another. So, please teach me along with other readers! Share what you do and the ideas you have with us in the comment section!
How to Shop BEAUTIFULLY!
Let's start at the beginning, the First Step we take before buying something new is to run through this series of questions. I made this sweet flow chart for your viewing pleasure, but keep reading because I elaborate on these questions below.
