That's why I love creating custom Carry Courage bags. With a few thoughtful choices, we can design something that is not only beautiful and functional but also uniquely you. Whether you're dreaming up a fresh color combination or adding a small personal touch, here are five ways to make your bag truly one of a kind.

1) Choose Your Perfect Color Combo

Cork comes in so many gorgeous shades, and mixing them is one of my favorite ways to make a bag feel personal. Whether you are drawn to soft neutrals, rich jewel tones, or a pop of unexpected color, we can pair the body of your bag with contrasting or coordinating accents until it feels just right.

 

2) Pick a Lining That Makes You Smile

The inside of your bag is like your own little secret, so why not make it special? You can choose from solid colors, playful patterns, or even a fabric with personal meaning. Every time you open your bag, you will get a tiny moment of joy.

 

3) Select Your Hardware Finish

Hardware is like jewelry for your bag. It can completely change the vibe. Gold feels warm and luxurious, silver is sleek and classic, and antique brass adds a vintage charm. The right finish ties the whole look together.

4) Adjust the Functionality

A bag should work with your lifestyle, not against it. That is why we can make changes such as adding extra pockets, adjusting strap lengths, inserting a divider, or swapping a magnetic closure for a zipper. It's all about creating a piece that fits your everyday needs.

5) Add Special Details

Sometimes it is the little things that make the biggest impact. A fun zipper pull, decorative stitching, or a small monogram can turn your bag into a keepsake. These tiny details make it feel truly yours.

 

Ready to Design Yours?

Customizing your Carry Courage bag means you will own something made to last, designed with your life in mind, and handcrafted with care.

Getting started is easy. Send me an email at support@carrycourage.com and let's dream up something beautiful together!

Start Your Custom Bag →

Understanding the Importance of International Women’s Month

International Women’s Month (IWM) occurs every March, with International Women’s Day on March 8th marking the focal point of the month. This global observance ignites discussions around gender equality, women's rights, and women’s empowerment through various activities worldwide. 

Historically, IWM began in the early 1900s when women were advocating for better working conditions, right to vote, and the end of discrimination. Moving forward, it has evolved to encompass broader issues and highlight women across various cultures and sectors. 

The Role of Women in Society: Shaping Our Future

Women have consistently played a vital role in social, political, and economic spheres. Yet, challenges abound, including wage gaps, stereotypes, and lack of representation. Here are a few key areas where women are making significant strides:

1. Leadership and Business

Around the globe, women are breaking barriers in leadership roles. Women like Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, and Ginni Rometty, former IBM CEO, exemplify female empowerment in business. They’ve reshaped their companies to think sustainably and inclusively. 

Brands that embrace diversity in leadership not only reap business benefits but also cultivate a culture that values varied perspectives. Their influence often leads to innovative solutions that benefit both the company and the community. 

2. Environmental Advocacy

Women are at the forefront of environmental justice and awareness. Studies have shown that women are more likely to advocate for sustainability, promoting green practices and fighting against climate change. Women-led organizations have initiated significant movements focusing on conservation and sustainable development, addressing both local and global challenges.

3. Health and Wellness

Women in health are instrumental in advocating for gender-specific health research and policies. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in women occupying key positions in health sectors, influencing decisions from public health to personal wellness. Their voices ensure women's health issues are prioritized.

The Impact of Eco-Friendly Fashion: A Case Study of Carry Courage

As consumers become more conscious of their purchases, brands like Carry Courage step into the spotlight. Carry Courage, which specializes in bags made from sustainable cork fabric, is redefining how consumers approach fashion while promoting eco-friendliness. 

The Use of Cork Fabric

Cork fabric provides an innovative, sustainable alternative to traditional leather and plastics. As a renewable resource, cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming the tree. This process ensures the trees remain healthy and continue to absorb carbon dioxide, contributing to a healthier environment. 

Sourcing sustainable materials allows brands like Carry Courage to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute positively to the planet. Additionally, these practices showcase how fashion brands can lead discussions on sustainability and responsible consumerism.

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

By focusing on a fair trade and sustainable approach, brands like Carry Courage also uplift women in their supply chains. Supporting female artisans and entrepreneurs is essential for fostering economic independence. 

When women have access to fair wages and opportunities, they can improve their lives and communities dramatically. This empowerment is crucial in eradicating poverty and achieving gender parity. 

How You Can Support Women and Sustainable Practices

To honor International Women's Month, consider taking action in your community and beyond:

1. Support Women-Owned Businesses: Look for companies led by women in your local area or online. Purchase from brands that back female entrepreneurs and foster equitable work practices.

2. Educate Yourself and Others: Familiarize yourself with issues surrounding gender equality and effectively advocate for change. Share your knowledge with peers to raise consciousness.

3. Engage in Local Initiatives: Many organizations focus on championing women's rights in communities. Get involved in local events, volunteer, or donate to causes you believe in.

4. Promote Sustainable Practices: Support eco-friendly brands and practices. Understand how your choices affect the environment and promote sustainable living among peers.

Conclusion: Where Do We Go From Here?

Recognizing the achievements of women while advocating for their rights is essential, especially during International Women's Month. Every step taken towards equality and empowerment brings us closer to a world that values the contributions and voices of all women. 

By supporting sustainable practices and female entrepreneurs, like those at Carry Courage, we can make a tangible difference. Remember, when you choose to support brands that uplift women and the environment, you are part of a movement that walks hand-in-hand with courage and sustainability. 

Shop our collection of bags that inspire you to carry courage in your daily life. Visit carrycourage.com to explore how you can make a difference through your choices. Let's carry courage together into a sustainable future!

Valentine’s Day is February 14. In the weeks leading up to that, people that have affection for one another plan the perfect way to express their feelings. They think up the most perfect gift for their loved one.

When the day arrives, so the stereotype goes, it is filled with flowers, chocolates and words of love. It truly is a sweet day to celebrate if you have someone special in your life.

But what happens on February 15th and after?

Are those sweet words and acts of kindness forgotten? Do we go back to rushing around and forgetting to express our love to those who matter most to us? 

The analogy that comes to mind as a maker of sustainable purses and handbags is a comparison to our love for the planet. Bear with me. 

An enduring love or a sustainable one?

Many of you in my tribe share my passion for being kind to the planet – and I really appreciate that about you, for the record! But sometimes I fear that our love for taking care of this place we call home gets tokenized and reduced down to sentiments. Maybe only actually celebrated on a few designated days each year – like Earth Day, Arbor Day, etc. 

Just like relationships can swing back to the status quo on February 15, genuine gestures of environmental stewardship can go by the wayside after special occasions. 

• We still buy cheap items of clothing and accessories that either don’t last or get thrown away without much use
• The Amazon Prime culture has increased our consumption of things, which generates a lot more plastic and wasteful packaging that is thrust into the ecosystem
• Landfills continue to get larger as these trends skyrocket

Fast fashion is responsible for a lot of waste. Too much. Just in case you are unfamiliar with the term, fast fashion is defined as:

“inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends.”

Here are a few stats on fast fashion that blow my mind, from earth.org:

• We discard 92 million tons of clothes-related waste each year!
  To put that into perspective here is a visualization:
  

• Fast fashion produces half a million tons of microplastics each year!

Do those stats disturb you? They sure do me. In fact, my disgust for the whole thing played a role in my decision to start Carry Courage. I talked more about how the company came to be in this post.

Can we make a difference in fast fashion’s cycle of waste?

Of course we can! That includes you. :)

As I’ve gotten into my journey of making eco-friendly bags made from cork fabric, linen and other sustainable products, I’ve connected with many of you who are passionate, concerned people that care about the earth.

People like my customer Jeannie, who recently bought a few MINIMALIST valet trays, ENTHUSIAST insulated coolers, and EXPLORER luggage tags. Jeannie has recognized the beauty of not only buying sustainably for herself, but for her loved ones also. 

She says in her recent review: 

“If you're on the hunt for functional yet eco-friendly gifts, look no further than the MINIMALIST Valet Tray and ENTHUSIAST Insulated Cooler. Both items embody sustainability, practicality, and style, making them the perfect duo for anyone who appreciates quality craftsmanship and thoughtful design. And the EXPLORER Luggage Tag makes an excellent gift tie-on, adding a touch of personalization..”

Jeannie has caught the vision, and I love it. The vision is that giving sustainable gifts is a practical way you and I can fight back against the fast fashion pollution machine. 

These bags will be able to be used for so much longer than a cheap purse from Target, and they are made from earth-friendly materials. And they support a small, woman-owned business to boot. :)

Bringing it back to love

We started out talking about love, and that is how I’ll finish. 

For the ones we love, we go out of our way to express it on February 14th. I celebrate that! I also see the value in taking the time to express our love and appreciation regularly throughout the year.

For the world we love, the same applies. 

I challenge you to think about your consumption habits. Are you contributing to the fast fashion mess? This is not to shame anyone - just to get you to think. The planet deserves our love, too. Right?

I would be glad to get your thoughts and questions in the comments below. Meanwhile, take good care of the loved ones who have been entrusted to your care!

Cheers,

Marisa

In the Christian tradition, which I hold to, there is a reason for all the sentiments we practice. You likely know this, but remembering and honoring the birth of our Savior, Jesus, and the gift of salvation He gave us is the reason behind all our celebrations. 

Much of our culture’s emphasis on holiday generosity comes from that. And for good reason. So let’s talk about giving back, since “‘tis the season.” 

As we consider “why give back to the community?,” we’ll look at the following:

1. What I am doing to give back
2. Why you should consider giving back

What I am doing to give back

Because I am moved by Christ’s generosity to me and motivated by His example and instruction in being generous, I’ve chosen to model my business accordingly. Here’s how.

1. A monetary and service donation for cystic fibrosis research in December 2024.

The recipient of those donations is the Vivian Lee Foundation, which supports those living with cystic fibrosis and the quest for a cure. 

I’ve told the story on social media about my dear cousin Lauren, who succumbed to CF. We spent a lot of time together growing up and were quite close. It was eye-opening for me to see how she struggled to breathe, and startling to witness the loud, disruptive machine that made the process easier for her.

I choose to donate a portion of my web sales for CF support because of my front-row seat to her struggle, and my desire to help others who suffer as she did. 

I welcome you to join me in my quest: if you’re considering a purchase on CarryCourage.com, doing so in December will mean a donation to this cause close to my heart. 

      2. 100% of profits from Norboo bag sales go back to Norboo all year round.

If you’ve followed me on social media for any time, you’ve heard me share my love for Norboo, its founders, story and mission. 

The short version: the founders, based in China, founded the company with the mission of lifting single mothers in neighboring Tibet out of poverty. How do they do it?

They routinely visit Tibet to build relationships with women and single mothers in communities where job opportunities are scarce or non-existent. Then they select women for employment making these beautiful bags, and they teach them how to sew if they don’t know already. 

The women then create these beautiful products and make a living doing it! 

Because I believe wholeheartedly in the mission, I offered to be a distributor of these bags in my shop, and to give 100% of the profits back to the company. So they can continue providing a living for these otherwise impoverished Tibetan women.

I don’t say that to toot my own horn. Rather, I want to bring awareness to the opportunities I’ve embraced so I can bring it back around to you.

Why should you consider giving back to the community?

We all have our own set of values and priorities. The causes you cherish probably won’t be the same as mine, and that’s OK. But considering the emphasis on generosity this time of year, I thought I’d see if I might challenge you to get into a “give back” mindset.

We find ourselves in a challenging economy right now. I get that. Something I’ve thought about is, that if the average income earner is having a more difficult time in this economy, that is surely affecting the finances of many charities that rely on donations for their existence.

The way I look at it is (not to get preachy), no matter how bad life gets:

1. There are always abundant blessings to consider
2. Others out there have it much worse

For that reason, I delight in the opportunity to contribute some of what I do have to help make the lives of others better. 

Are you with me so far?

What giving back does for you

When you choose generosity, you:

• Get the soul satisfaction of knowing you improved someone else’s life
• Unite with something bigger than yourself – a larger and more noble purpose
• Spread joy to others, which inevitably comes back to you
• And, to be pragmatic, you also get a tax write-off

What would you add to the list?

My challenge to you, in closing

If you haven’t already this season, I encourage you to think about the charities or individuals who are doing good work for a cause close to your heart. You may even need to brainstorm what those causes are!

Once you’ve identified a few, decide to which you’ll give and how. 

Maybe it’s a one-time donation. Perhaps monthly. Maybe volunteering is the thing for you. There are so many wonderful organizations making a life-changing impact – the toughest part is narrowing down what to do! 

If you want to drop a comment and let me know what you’ve decided, I would be delighted to hear from you!

To a joyful and generous holiday season!

Marisa

Those who shout “Fallelujah!” are often portrayed as Pumpkin Spice everything enthusiasts, who eagerly pull out their sweaters, seasonal candles and fall decorations the day after Labor Day. They disdain the last days of sunny warmth September brings and pine for sweater weather.

If you’re one of those people, I see you. Your enthusiasm is admirable.

As I mentioned, there are many things to savor about fall. I’d like to briefly discuss the practical (changing wardrobes with the weather) and the less obvious philosophical/organizational aspect of changing seasons. 

The practical: changing seasons, changing wardrobes

Fall is the time of year when many of us move our summer clothes out of the dominant places in our closets and replace them with those sweaters, cardigans, and pullovers – all the things to keep us cozy during cooler weather. 

We may also, for those of you who are more fashion-forward, take this time to consider our accessories – belts, shoes, hats, bags, purses, etc. You may contemplate if that old belt is serving you anymore. Maybe your fall purse is getting a little ratty, and it is time to replace it. (Spoiler alert: I can think of a good place to get one. ;))

The change of seasons presents us with an opportunity to gear up for what’s ahead, whether with fashion, decorating, or settling into the fourth-quarter hustle heading into the holidays. 

This brings me to the less obvious benefit of fall and the changing seasons.

Using fall as a springboard (no pun intended) for things to come

We’ve talked before about the transition to fall in terms of getting organized. 

I like to view it as a time to get my head back in the game after the “lazy” days of summer. (They’re not actually lazy, but more laid-back.)

That’s where I invite you to think about how you can use this time of transition to colder weather for your strategic advantage.

Let the rearranging of your closet serve as a metaphor for making overdue changes in your life.

There’s the obvious stuff we talked about, like deciding if you need new accessories.

But there is so much more. Consider:

• So you never wear that cardigan anymore. Donate or repurpose it!
  Is there anything else that needs to be evaluated to see if it still deserves space in your life?
  A bad relationship? A toxic “friend”? Allowing disrespect from those closest to you?
• Is there an item or two that makes you feel self-conscious? Perhaps it's time to address the feelings behind the feelings, and give yourself a chance to air them out and heal.
• Perhaps it's time to look for a new job opportunity.
• It could be that you’ve been holding back on a dream, and now is the time to take a step toward it.
• Are you feeling frazzled and disorganized? Now is an excellent time to take a deep breath and start building systems that will help you get ahead. Maybe that means hiring a professional organizer or another type of coach. 

 Do you see my point? Fall can be a strategic time to set right that which has fallen into disarray. Even to acknowledge it, write it down, and make a plan to address it. Then, the next step is to take action. :)

I’m always delighted to help you with the accessory side of fall planning. I also have a network of friends, media and retail partners that will get you the physical tools and inspiration you need. 

But even more importantly, I want to see you thrive as a person and live life to the fullest. Using the change of seasons to get started is one of the best ways I know!

Thank you for reading! Drop a comment with any questions or thoughts. 

Warmly,

Marisa

Courage is one of my favorite topics, as you might have guessed by the name of my company. :) Let’s talk about how you can choose courage by mastering your fear.

As I’ve discussed previously, I come by my passion for being courageous honestly. Because of the blessings I’ve been able to see unfold in my life as a result of some difficult, courageous decisions, I never tire of shouting from the rooftop the freedom that comes from choosing to be bold. 

Here are some guiding principles that I use to help me - hopefully they will help you, too.

Define your fear 

Sometimes fear is a matter of not knowing what will happen when you take action on your plans. If you think about it, how could you know what will happen? You can’t see into the future. So since you don’t know anyway, why let fear stop you?

Ask yourself, “what exactly am I afraid of?” Then answer yourself. :) 

Write it down, or talk it out with someone you trust. You may find that the big shadow your mind is creating is cast by something tiny that isn’t intimidating once you name it.

Move forward despite your fear

Maybe your fear is significant and legitimate. You can still conquer it. Remember this:

Fear is a liar. By the way, that is also the title of a great song. 

Fear tells you that you can’t do whatever it is you want to do because — (fill in the blank). But if you begin to think of fear as a liar, you can treat it like any other liar – with disregard, and a hearty dose of side-eye. Liars can’t be trusted. 

Be bold in your actions

If you know what you want, and you are convinced that your dream is worth pursuing, then take decisive action. To quote another song, “If you’ve got a dream, chase it, ‘cause a dream won’t chase you back.”

We waste a lot of time being indecisive. Careful planning is essential; I’m not suggesting you act impulsively. I am saying that if you are convinced in your mind, push the go button with all your might. Start. Take action. 

Remember, confidence comes with action

Here’s where it gets fun! You take that deep breath and move forward in faith. Only then do you feel the exhilaration that comes from making a move. You realize that the first move wasn’t as scary as you thought. 

Congratulations, friend. You have just earned the badge of courage. How does it feel? 

Fear comes easy. It’s natural. But courage is something remarkable that must be earned by action. The bad news: taking steps of courage is an on-going process. We’re never done staring down fears.

The good news: once you take that first step, the subsequent times get easier. 

I want to encourage you that YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to be courageous. Do you believe that?

I’ll leave you with this final quote:

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You can say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along."

Eleanor Roosevelt

What is something for which you are mustering courage? I would love to hear, to be a sounding board. Let me know in the comments.

Thank you for reading this! Have a courageous day. 

Warmly,

Marisa

As the days get a touch shorter and the back-to-school buzz fills the air, it's time to strike that delicate balance between savoring the remaining summer moments and preparing for fall. 

Are you prone to let the impending autumn rush dampen your summer spirits? You don’t have to! Let’s talk about some savvy strategies to transition smoothly into the busyness of fall while still relishing the magic of August.

1. Create a "Summer in Review" Activity

Before you dive into fall planning, take a breather and reflect on your summer experiences. Create a "Summer in Review" activity where you jot down your favorite memories, accomplishments, and adventures. Whether it's a scrapbook, a photo album, or a journal, capturing these moments will help you bid farewell to summer with a sense of gratitude and closure. 

Bonus: put your favorite photos on a thumb drive and play them on your TV in the background, so you have those amazing memories top of mind!

2. Prioritize and Organize

As you gear up for fall, it is a good idea to prioritize your tasks and commitments. Make a list of what you want to accomplish before summer ends and categorize them based on urgency. This way, you can enjoy your remaining beach days while still ticking off important to-dos.

You don’t have to admit defeat, you can squeeze the most out of August!

3. Transition Your Wardrobe Gradually

Does the idea of boots and sweaters make you a little sad? Part gently with your summer wardrobe without a heavy heart. Start incorporating fall pieces into your outfits while still enjoying your favorite summer attire. Pair that sundress with a light cardigan or those shorts with ankle boots. For accessories, you can transition that open tote bag to a messenger bag. This gradual transition will not only keep you comfortable but also get you excited about the upcoming fall fashion.

4. Plan Mini Adventures!

August is the perfect time for weekend getaways and mini adventures. Explore local attractions, try new restaurants, or embark on a short road trip. These mini escapades will help you recharge while infusing your routine with a touch of spontaneity.

Even surprising the kids with a trip to get ice cream or order takeout to eat in the park can be considered a mini-adventure, and another memory to savor. 

5. Embrace Time Management Techniques

Transitioning into fall means getting back to a more structured routine. Explore time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or the Eisenhower Matrix to manage your tasks efficiently. This way, you can make the most of your time without feeling overwhelmed by the shifting seasons.

What is your favorite time management practice? I’d love to hear!

6. Set Realistic Fall Goals

As you gear up for the fall hustle, set realistic goals that align with your priorities. Keeping them realistic means having a good gauge of what’s possible (by using those time management techniques), and not overcommitting yourself.

Whether it's acing a class, launching a new project at work, or pursuing a hobby, these goals will give you a sense of purpose as the autumn leaves start to fall.

7. Capture the Beauty of the Changing Seasons

August doesn't mean the end of outdoor beauty. Capture the transition from summer to fall through photography or art. Spend time in nature, capturing the changing colors and textures. Not only will this help you stay present, but it'll also create a visual diary of the season's shift.

8. Incorporate Fall Flavors Gradually

While you still have access to the juicy fruits of summer, slowly introduce fall flavors into your meals. Blend those last peaches into smoothies, or enjoy a watermelon and feta salad. Gradually incorporate pumpkin spice or apple cinnamon into your recipes to make the seasonal shift smoother.

9. Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude

We can’t say this often enough! Amidst the hustle, remember to practice mindfulness and gratitude. Take a moment each day to reflect on what you're grateful for. This practice will help you maintain a positive outlook as you navigate the transition between seasons.

Do you already have this practice going? How has it helped?

Conclusion

August is that unique bridge between summer's leisure and fall's productivity. By embracing these strategies, you can smoothly transition into the busyness of fall while still cherishing the joys of summer. Reflect on your memories, set your fall goals, and embrace the changing scenery. As you bid farewell to the warmth of summer, welcome the excitement of fall with open arms. Remember, life is a beautiful blend of seasons – and you're making the most of every moment.

Which tip is your favorite? Any that you don’t see yourself doing? Your thoughts are welcome in a comment.

Thanks for reading!

To your delightful remaining summer days,

Marisa

I get the question often enough that I thought it fitting to write about it. Plus, it is one of the things I am most passionate about, so I also love to talk about it.

Courage is defined as:

the ability to do something that frightens one:
"she called on all her courage to face the ordeal"

Or

strength in the face of pain or grief:
"he fought his illness with great courage"

So what does that have to do with sustainably sourced handbags? Allow me to explain. :)

You’ll see the “COURAGE” or "carry COURAGE" badge attached to all the products Carry Courage makes. The most simple answer is, I want every customer to be reminded to be courageous each time they pick up one of my products. 

Why?

Because having courage is not only a guiding principle for me as a female founder but it is a virtue that I hope to inspire other women to carry with them. Pun intended. 

I truly believe that when inspired women choose to be courageous in fighting through fear to pursue their dreams, it starts a chain reaction that makes the world a better place. 

I’ve been inspired by courageous women throughout history, and their boldness is partly responsible for motivating me to start my company back in 2018.

The founder’s recollection + inspiration

As I’ve written about before, it was a huge endeavor of courage for me to start my company. I found myself in a tug-of-war with conflicting desires.

On one hand, I had a comfortable job. As jobs sometimes go, it was becoming less enjoyable over time.

On the other hand, my discovery of a passion - sewing - and my realization of a need I could fill with that skill had me extremely excited about the possibilities. 

Enter the conflict. Should I stay in a stable job that paid the bills, that I had fallen out of love with? Or should I take what was starting to feel like a calling and do something with it? 

Have you ever felt a similar tension? If I had to guess, I’d say you probably have.

Finding and spreading courage

After a series of twists and turns, living with this mental friction, I decided to take action. I started Carry Courage amidst a boatload of doubts and uncertainty. I knew that I had to at least give it a try, or I’d always be asking, “what if?”

There is certainly a lot more to the story, but those are the high points. :)

Despite fear and the looming unknown, I took a chance. After taking that leap, and thinking a lot about the concept of courage, the name of the company came to me pretty naturally.

A reminder for you

From the COURAGE badge on my products to the way I conduct myself for my family, friends and customers, it is my goal to remind all those dear to me as well as many I’ll never meet in person, that having courage is a choice we can make every day. 

From the little things - such as choosing a piece of fruit over that slice of cake - to the bigger things like dealing with that earth-shattering diagnosis or stepping out in faith to pursue a big dream - courage is available. It’s what I hope you will think about when you look at that Carry Courage bag on your shelf. 

My wish is that you can find a way to stare down your fear and choose courage today. 

Thank you for reading! I appreciate you.

Warmly,

Marisa

To start off, I think you and I are on similar trajectories. We both care about the environment, leaving the earth as good as possible for our children and grandchildren. (At least, I suspect you care about that, if you’re reading this blog! ;))

Farm to Fashion is a way of sharing my story of how I ended up making sustainable handbags and purses. You, as the reader, are part of this story. So, let’s look at the “A.C.T.” of honoring the earth. 

It starts with awareness, continues to course correction and ends with transformation!

A. Awareness

Growing up on a farm, I witnessed my family's agricultural practices. I learned that the better you care for the soil and animals, the better the quantity and condition of products they will produce in return. Quality in, quality out. 

Take that in tandem with my early love of sewing and interest in fashion. As I began to look into the fashion industry more, I learned so much that broke my heart: wasteful production, throwaway garments, unjust labor conditions and more. 

It all began to come together for me. The connection between my farm lessons naturally led me to choose to build a business based on the same principles—treat the process, materials, and people involved well, and good things will come back.

If you’re on a similar journey of making meaningful consumption and fashion choices, can you pinpoint where your journey began? (I’d love to hear your story in a comment!)

C. Courage to Course Correct

Yes, that’s three Cs. It works. :) 

Going down the traditional path of unconcerned consumerism is the norm. Not thinking about where or how clothes and accessories are made, and by whom. 

Once you learn, as I did, how many black marks there are in the fashion industry, you have a choice to make. Will you continue with your previous purchasing patterns or change your ways?

I’m not trying to be judgy or imply that one should never buy a piece of clothing from a chain store. I’m stressing the choice that gets presented once you know. 

For me, I couldn’t unlearn it. I knew I had to do something different. My mission, as a purse maker with a zeal for caring for the earth, was sealed. It wasn’t easy, but I knew I needed to summon the courage to change course—to do my part.

You may not be involved in creating accessories or clothes, but perhaps you’re facing the dilemma I described. The decision on the consumer side is similar. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the matter.

T. Transformation

Bringing this “ACT” to a close is transformation. There are so many small pieces to this that make a beautiful long-term whole picture.

It’s about sourcing regenerative and earth-friendly materials for our accessories, creating beautiful, unique pieces that contribute to the local economy. 

For our customers, the satisfaction of investing in quality, environment-friendly accessories that support our local small business is a big win-win. 

Our products might be a little more expensive than something you’d find at a big retailer (not always!). But the long-term impact endures—longer lasting, more sustainable, and supporting a circular economy.

In closing

The lessons I learned on the farm have stuck with me. 

Just as watching the positive cycle between caring for the elements and the animals yielded a better outcome, building a business that honors the earth and supports other creators makes for the long-term outcomes I seek. 

I’m grateful to have found a tribe of like-minded business partners, friends and customers. We are making the earth a better place—one creation and purchase at a time. 

Thank you for your part in the journey, and for reading my story!

If you love giving gifts, or even if you do it more out of a sense of obligation, there is a fine art in giving, which lies in considering the receiver. 

Gary Chapman's book The Five Love Languages describes five general ways people express and experience love. That was the original context. Let’s look at giving gifts through the lens of the Five Love Languages.

They are:

1. Acts of service
2. Gift-giving
3. Physical touch
4. Quality time
5. Words of affirmation

The month of May (when this blog is published) holds several occasions to give gifts: Mother’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Week and high school graduations. Whether you’re celebrating a loved one’s birthday, retirement or other special occasion, some strategic thought ahead of gifting can make all the difference.

Here are three ways to make this work:

1. Determine your default way of giving, expressed in your love language
2. Try to identify the love language, need or desire of the receiver
3. Give something that will be meaningful once you’ve thought about #2

Let’s explore applying these ideas.

Determine your default way of giving, expressed in your love language

Do you know which one or two of the five make you feel most loved? Have you noticed that the gifts you give tend to reflect those? 

For example, quality time is one of my love languages. So I am usually delighted to hang out with friends and family. I seek out time with them, because it fills my cup. It’s a win-win for my friends who have the same love language.

Identify the love language, need or desire of the receiver

However, if one of your besties is an introvert who works a demanding job dealing with people all day, that is a clue. She may not want to hang out immediately after work on a Friday. If you know she needs some time to recharge, a call or a text saying you're available at a specific timeframe during the weekend would be a better option.

With a bit of sleuthing, you can figure out what their love language is. 

Do they light up when you compliment them? 

Are they wildly appreciative if you wash their car for them?

Does it make their day when you find just the right, thoughtful present for their birthday?

Are they a hugger? 

Is it them reaching out to spend time with you more often?

By noticing the things that mean the most to them, you will be well on your way to identifying how to delight them with your gifts.

And even if it’s not tied to a love language, noticing what is going on in their life and giving a gift that would help them the most is top-notch friend material.

Give something that will be meaningful once you’ve thought about #2

Identifying the love language or need is the hardest part. Now, you’re on to the fun stuff—figuring out how to bless them best! 

For that friend that always calls you first to hang out, determine to initiate an outing you know they would enjoy.

If you have a buddy with low funds, you could treat them to dinner.

Did your sister-in-law or co-worker recently have a baby? How about volunteering to clean a portion of the house or babysit so she can nap or run errands?

You get the idea. 

Here’s a story from my life to illustrate. 

My son is graduating from high school this month. I recently discovered some coupons he made me many years ago that I could redeem for gifts.

I found one I treasured that I hadn’t cashed in: the one for time = unlimited. 🤗 

He didn’t put an expiration date on it, so since his days living under my roof are limited, I’ve been taking advantage of it! His gift of time these last few months has been so precious. 

I will never forget what it has meant to me to spend time in the garage with him, hearing his stories of boy antics with his friends, and watching him dismantle mechanics and teach himself how to assemble an engine. 

All those years ago, he didn't know how much that coupon would bless me. But it has.

Conclusion

As the gift giver, you are uniquely positioned to delight a loved one. 

By determining your default way of giving, expressed in your love language, identifying the love language, need or desire of the receiver, and determining to give something that will be meaningful, the potential to show love has no bounds.

Who do you plan to give a gift to this month? How will this help you plan what to give? I’d be glad to hear your thoughts in a comment.

Thanks for reading! 

Happy gifting,

Marisa

Finding and living out your purpose is unbelievably powerful. It’s a gift we should all give ourselves. In the next few paragraphs, I’ll talk about what a visionary is and how to use vision to find your purpose in life, as I have. 

Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

What is a Visionary?
The dictionary describes a “Visionary” as “a person of unusually keen foresight.”

Being a visionary means seeing what could be so clearly that you are drawn to take action to achieve the vision.

Visionaries are not passive dreamers; they are active creators. They use their vision as a compass, guiding their decisions, actions, and paths toward their desired future.

The Development of My Vision

My purpose has been identified by a vision refined over time. Here it is:

"My purpose is to use my gifts and talents of compassion, wisdom, and creating beauty to encourage others to use their gift of courage to take action even when we're afraid."

-Marisa Hilarides

Getting to this point of clarity in purpose has taken time, prayer, deep self-work, and reflection. Furthermore, my business coach, Julie, and her business, Life by Design Leadership, have helped me immensely. She has helped me hone my vision and discover my purpose.

Becoming a visionary isn't about seeing the future. 

It's about shaping it with intention, creativity, and a profound understanding of your values and desires. It's about crafting a life that not only reflects your true self but also empowers you to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.

Finding Your Vision

Finding your vision starts with introspection. It requires you to ask yourself what you truly value, what ignites your passion, and what legacy you want to leave behind. 

To find your vision, allow yourself the space to dream without limits. Imagine a future where you are living your best life. What does it look like? What are you doing? Who are you with? How do you feel? These questions are the seeds from which your vision will grow.

Using Your Vision to Find Your Purpose

Your vision and your purpose are deeply intertwined. While your vision is a picture of the future you aspire to create, your purpose is the why behind your journey—the driving force that propels you forward. 

Your purpose gives your vision depth and significance. It transforms a beautiful dream into a compelling mission.

To find your purpose, look for the intersection between what you love, what you are good at, and what the world needs. This intersection is where your deepest passions meet your unique talents and the contributions only you can make to the world.

Time is Precious: Making Your Vision a Reality

Understanding that time is our most precious resource is crucial. Every moment is an opportunity to take a step closer to your vision and make your dreams tangible. 

Here are five ways to harness your vision and make the most of your time:

• Set clear goals: Break down your vision into achievable goals. What can you do this year? This month? Today? Small, consistent actions add up to significant achievements.
• Stay focused: Keep your vision at the forefront of your mind. Create a vision board, write down your goals, and review them regularly to stay aligned and motivated.
• Seek learning and growth: Embrace every opportunity to learn and grow. The journey towards your vision is as important as the destination. Every challenge is a chance to gain wisdom and strength.
• Build a supportive community: Surround yourself with people who share your values and support your dreams. Collaborative opportunities can amplify your impact and bring joy to the journey. That may mean hiring a coach, like I did. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself!
• Take action: Vision without action is merely a dream. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.

Using Your Vision to Inspire Others

While I don’t claim to have it all figured out, I can say that I am proud of the work I’ve done to identify and pursue my vision and purpose. 

The practical outpouring of me living out my vision means creating beautiful products and inspiring other women to step out in courage in building the life of their dreams.

As you pursue your vision, you inspire others. By living your purpose, you contribute to a world where more people are empowered to create positive change, care for themselves and their families, and pursue their passions with conviction.

Conclusion

Becoming a visionary is about more than just dreaming of a better future; it's about making it a reality through intentional action and persistence. It's about finding your purpose. Time is precious, and every moment is an opportunity to move closer to the vision you've crafted for your life.

My vision started with a passion for eco-friendly fashion and a desire to support my family. It has grown into a business and a community that reflects my values and inspires others to pursue their dreams. 

What will your vision inspire? Start today. The world needs to hear your unique contribution.

Remember, the journey towards your vision is as beautiful and valuable as the destination. 

Live with courage, create with love, and inspire others to do the same. Your best life—a life filled with purpose, passion, and positive impact—is waiting for you to claim it.

If so, I want you to meet a fellow adventurer, Sarah. You might be surprised by how applicable her lessons are, so keep reading!

Some might call Sarah a “wild child.” She prefers to think of herself as a free spirit. 

Sarah mostly ditched the corporate world about seven years ago, because it was too stifling for her creativity. She’s now primarily self-employed with a budding side hustle but works a few hours per week at a remote office job to keep a reliable cash flow coming in.

She is grateful for the remote job's income, but going full-time with her side hustle is the actual dream. 

But enough about work. Let’s talk about how Sarah lives her life as an adventurer, and what it could mean for you.

The adventurer lives in the moment

As much as Sarah would like to be a full-time digital nomad, she knows that’s unrealistic. Her family needs her, and none of her friends would be able to join her adventures. Plus, traveling all the time is expensive.

So instead, she takes a more practical approach. She is always planning and saving for her next adventure. But in between them, she constantly finds mini-adventures by appreciating her surroundings.

Sometimes, she stops what she’s doing to step outside for several minutes to watch a stunning sunset. 

Other times, she spontaneously takes the long way home from errands because there’s a road that she doesn’t know where it leads. So she checks it out! 

Sarah realizes that being present and seizing the moment is key to untold adventures, so she expects them and lets them happen whenever possible.

The adventurer prioritizes wellness

Sarah, our adventure girl, knows that to maximize opportunity, she has to be physically prepared for all sorts of conditions. 

That beautiful rock formation off the coast requires a rugged 2-mile walk. The most scenic spot in the National Park is at the top of a mountain, best viewed at sunrise. Getting to the remote, private lakeside beach with a gorgeous swimming area is only accessible if you kayak in half a mile.

Many of the things she longs to see, to photograph, and to experience require a level of fitness. So she prepares herself by exercising regularly and eating healthily. She also gets plenty of sleep, because she knows that all these things keep her in the condition required to capitalize on adventure when the time comes.

The adventurer is prepared

It’s a social media world, and Sarah wants to document her adventures for all to see. So she packs her backpack with all the goods: tripod, phone mount, even a mini ring light and lapel mic. If you make that much effort to take adventures, you might as well get fantastic footage, right? 

She also has everything she needs to look good: makeup, cosmetics, hair supplies, etc. She wouldn’t consider herself vain, but she is a content creator, and looking the part is important. (As an aside, Sarah always travels with her aptly named Adventurer cosmetics bag, so she has plenty of room to pack her beauty supplies.)

You won’t catch her without the other essentials, either: plenty of hydration, snacks, the right footwear and clothing, the works. Sarah is ready for just about anything.

Conclusion: The adventurer is … you?

If you’ve been following Sarah’s story, with the thirst for adventure deep in your heart, I hope you’ll be inspired to embrace your desires!

Somewhere deep inside, most of us long for adventure. Or at least excitement! We want our lives to be full of satisfaction, and exploring is a way to scratch that itch.

So if you long for adventure, you can be like Sarah. Living in the moment is a practice you can adopt. You can develop muscle memory to make it more natural if it seems challenging.

Prioritizing your wellness is ideal, regardless of how exciting life is. Loving yourself and treating YOU well enhances the quality of life, and makes you more adventure ready.

Finally, being prepared for the paths you travel make each step more enjoyable. Perfect preparation isn’t always possible, but it’s an area that can constantly be improved.

How much of an adventurer would you say you are on a scale of 1-10? Where would you like that number to be? I hope you’ll get there!

Here’s to your next adventure!

Marisa 

But I’ve noticed something.

The focus on the “love” of Valentine’s Day is so often self-centered. 

“What will he get me?” 

“How will she show her affection?” 

“Where will he take me to eat?”

I want to challenge you to go beyond what you can get. Life and love are much more rewarding when we focus on what we can give. Jesus Himself is quoted in Acts 20:35 as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Let’s look at three attributes of a giver and how we can imitate them.

The heart of a giver knows that she has all she needs and more. Realizing that she has plenty, she sets her mind toward helping others who are less fortunate. 

Perhaps it is volunteering for a cause close to her heart. It may take the form of donating canned goods to a food pantry or watching her neighbor’s kids after school for a few hours because their mom works two jobs and can’t be home. 

It can even be as simple as listening carefully in each conversation and actively recalling what is said with the intent to bless by following up with an encouraging word.

Many of us have all of our needs met, plus some. The challenge is identifying how we can use our abundance, whether financial, time, emotional, or otherwise, to be a blessing to someone else. 

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ll ask Dave for that. He owes me a favor anyway.”

I have, and that mindset always puzzles me. On one hand, it makes sense if you’re highly ambitious, “going places,” and eager to climb a societal ladder.

But in the giver economy, it’s a head-scratcher. You see, someone who gives from the heart doesn’t do it calculatedly, expecting a tit-for-tat return on their investment. They give out of a genuine desire to help someone else. 

Sure, there are instances where others may take advantage of a giver, and a big pile of favors may warrant some reciprocation from time to time. But the type of giver I aspire to be, which I’ve seen modeled so often, has no ulterior motive in their giving. 

That’s what I consider a genuine giver.

As we outlined earlier, the heart of generosity can express itself in many ways. It isn’t strictly about giving financial gifts. It’s so much more than that.

Being a giver at its basic level means sharing your gifts with the world. Artists share their gifts through crafts, songs, writing, music, film, etc.

Some contribute financially to causes, while others volunteer or accept low-paying jobs out of a passion for the subject matter. 

Still, others who have achieved much in their career invest in those coming up behind them through mentorship and encouragement. 

I heard recently of an influential author who poured his enthusiasm and talent into budding authors who have since become well-known. Sadly, he passed away recently. But his legacy of giving was evident in the many respected figures who shared detailed accounts of how he encouraged them when they started and along their journey.

That is the kind of giver I aspire to be. What about you?

Conclusion

As we make our way through February, the month of love and Valentine’s Day, my challenge is to think of how you can focus on giving rather than receiving. Not just in February but every month after that.

The spirit of giving is the inspiration behind my Giver card wristlet. It’s the mission I hold for my life and business. I hope yours is focused on generosity, too!

What’s a meaningful way you’ve seen someone be generous? I’d love to hear in a comment.

Thank you for reading! 

Whichever camp you are in, I want to inspire you to embrace what the future holds to make this a year of growth.

I’ll do that by sharing my word and outlook for the year, as informed by an inventory I took to round out a solid 2023. Are you ready?

 My word for 2024 is momentum. I’m sure you know what momentum means, but let’s examine  the definition: 

momentum /mō-mĕn′təm/

noun

1. A quantity used to measure the motion of a body, equal to the product of the body's mass and its velocity.
2. The force or energy exhibited by a moving body.
   "The ball did not have enough momentum to reach the goalposts."
3. The driving force or advancing strength of a development or course of events.
   "The effort to reform public education has been gaining momentum."

I bolded number three because it most applies to the force I am describing. What I want for you and me.

2024 is going to be a year of continued growth. Let’s look at how the development started, and then we’ll wrap up by applying it to how you can see growth and momentum in 2024. 

“You can’t pour from an empty cup,” the saying goes. If you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing to share with others. But here is where it gets interesting: everyone has something. Probably a lot more you think, that you can use to bless others.

To exercise living from abundance, I centered on gratitude and realizing I have everything I need without lacking. Realizing my abundance, I sought to be generous. In being generous, my abundance was not depleted but maintained and even grew!

Have you ever had that happen, where you give something and find that what you receive is more than you gave? It’s a fantastic experience!

Furthermore, I found abundance in the richness of friendships, faith, family relationships, and more. But we’ll get to the “more” in a minute.

Abundance does have a material element. But a key to it is mindset. If you focus on your blessings, more emerge. Have you ever found that to be true?

But it's not all roses.

2023 was a banner year for business and relationships. But it didn’t start that way. One of the things I learned was that when I was lacking in an area of opportunity, I sought it out. 

I’ve been down a dark road and come through on the other side joyfully. 

The economy is tough, but I grew Carry Courage despite that. 

How? By seeking opportunity. 

I invested in vendor fair opportunities to meet like-minded small business owners and the lovely ladies who buy our products.

I made connections with small local shops to create mutually beneficial retail arrangements. 

Whether I felt like it or not, I kept posting content online to share my journey and find others who resonated with it. 

The sum of my efforts equaled growth over time. 

But I’d be remiss to skip over the final critical component.

Many people build companies through sheer discipline and self-will. Those are critical ingredients, to be sure. But prayer for my business was the key to bringing it all together.

Why do it alone when you can petition the Almighty on your behalf? I prayed diligently that God would cause my business to grow, and it did. Coupled with the efforts I put in.

Personal development can’t be overlooked either. I’ve been investing in a coach that helps me focus on growing personally and professionally. That equips me with the right mindset to forge ahead despite setbacks. 

Building on momentum in 2024

Now that I’ve shared with you my playbook on how 2023 turned into such a wonderful year, let’s look at what it means for this year.

I will continue to live from abundance and be generous. Cherishing my friends and family is now embedded in my daily life. 

Doing uncomfortable things to generate different results? I’m used to it now, so I’ll continue. My investment in services that help build my business has yielded a substantial return, so I will maintain those also!

Conclusion

I hope sharing my journey has helped you. Even if it gives you one idea you can use to make 2024 better than last year, it is worth it.

I'd love to hear what you’re dreaming of in the new year. Feel free to drop a comment.

Thank you for reading! Here’s to your momentum in 2024!

In the Christian tradition, which I hold to, there is a reason for all the sentiments we practice. You likely know this, but remembering and honoring the birth of our Savior, Jesus, and the gift of salvation He gave us is the reason behind all our celebrations. 

Much of our culture’s emphasis on holiday generosity comes from that. And for good reason. So let’s talk about giving back, since “‘tis the season.” 

As we consider “why give back to the community?,” we’ll look at the following:

1. What I am doing to give back
2. Why you should consider giving back

What I am doing to give back

Because I am moved by Christ’s generosity to me and motivated by His example and instruction in being generous, I’ve chosen to model my business accordingly. Here’s how.

1. 10% of web sales will be donated to cystic fibrosis research in December 2023.

The recipient of those donations is the Vivian Lee Foundation, which supports those living with cystic fibrosis and the quest for a cure. 

I’ve told the story on social media about my dear cousin Lauren, who succumbed to CF. We spent a lot of time together growing up and were quite close. It was eye-opening for me to see how she struggled to breathe, and startling to witness the loud, disruptive machine that made the process easier for her.

I choose to donate a portion of my web sales for CF support because of my front-row seat to her struggle, and my desire to help others who suffer as she did. 

I welcome you to join me in my quest: if you’re considering a purchase on CarryCourage.com, doing so in December will mean a donation to this cause close to my heart. 

      2. 100% of profits from Norboo bag sales go back to Norboo all year round.

If you’ve followed me on social media for any time, you’ve heard me share my love for Norboo, its founders, story and mission. 

The short version: the founders, based in China, founded the company with the mission of lifting single mothers in neighboring Tibet out of poverty. How do they do it?

They routinely visit Tibet to build relationships with women and single mothers in communities where job opportunities are scarce or non-existent. Then they select women for employment making these beautiful bags, and they teach them how to sew if they don’t know already. 

The women then create these beautiful products and make a living doing it! 

Because I believe wholeheartedly in the mission, I offered to be a distributor of these bags in my shop, and to give 100% of the profits back to the company. So they can continue providing a living for these otherwise impoverished Tibetan women.

I don’t say that to toot my own horn. Rather, I want to bring awareness to the opportunities I’ve embraced so I can bring it back around to you.

Why should you consider giving back to the community?

We all have our own set of values and priorities. The causes you cherish probably won’t be the same as mine, and that’s OK. But considering the emphasis on generosity this time of year, I thought I’d see if I might challenge you to get into a “give back” mindset.

We find ourselves in a challenging economy right now. I get that. Something I’ve thought about is, that if the average income earner is having a more difficult time in this economy, that is surely affecting the finances of many charities that rely on donations for their existence.

The way I look at it is (not to get preachy), no matter how bad life gets:

1. There are always abundant blessings to consider
2. Others out there have it much worse

For that reason, I delight in the opportunity to contribute some of what I do have to help make the lives of others better. 

Are you with me so far?

What giving back does for you

When you choose generosity, you:

• Get the soul satisfaction of knowing you improved someone else’s life
• Unite with something bigger than yourself – a larger and more noble purpose
• Spread joy to others, which inevitably comes back to you
• And, to be pragmatic, you also get a tax write-off

What would you add to the list?

My challenge to you, in closing

If you haven’t already this season, I encourage you to think about the charities or individuals who are doing good work for a cause close to your heart. You may even need to brainstorm what those causes are!

Once you’ve identified a few, decide to which you’ll give and how. 

Maybe it’s a one-time donation. Perhaps monthly. Maybe volunteering is the thing for you. There are so many wonderful organizations making a life-changing impact – the toughest part is narrowing down what to do! 

If you want to drop a comment and let me know what you’ve decided, I would be delighted to hear from you!

To a joyful and generous holiday season!

Marisa

What is a guardian?

guard·i·an

/ˈɡärdēən/

noun

1. a defender, protector, or keeper.

A story to illustrate:

It was a typical Sunday morning. My friend Stephanie* (*names changed for privacy) was at church, sipping coffee, waiting for some of her girlfriends to show up. She thought of a specific friend, Anna*, and couldn’t get her out of her mind for some reason.

Stephanie decided to do something uncharacteristic: she picked up the phone to call Anna and check on her to say hello and ask her if she was coming to church. Anna answered in her typical chipper tone, “Oh…yes! I’ll be there!” Stephanie would later come to learn that the cheery tone was an act.

You see, a few days later, Anna confided in Stephanie that at the very moment she got her phone call, Anna was contemplating suicide, and closer to doing it than ever before. Her dark thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of the telephone. 

Stephanie was flabbergasted. And delighted that her innocent, unknowing gesture had been so impactful.

That, my friends, is guardianship in action–taking the time to check in on friends when they cross your mind. You never know when someone is suffering silently, fighting battles you know nothing about.

Sometimes you know, but many times you don’t. That’s why guardianship is so vital in today’s fragmented world. My friend acted as a guardian almost accidentally, but I suggest doing it deliberately would be even better. 

Each of us benefits immensely from having a handful of people looking after us, and from deciding to do that for others, too. 

Who are the guardians looking after you?

Who are you looking after? 

As we enter the holiday season, this is a different spin on imparting “the Christmas spirit” to others. A lot of energy is spent on giving to charity and helping those in need during the holidays–and that is fabulous. I’m not suggesting we should stop doing that. 

I do suggest that with the increasing chaos, darkness and uncertainty of life in the 2020s, paying more attention to those we know can only help.

With that in mind, here are a few ideas of how we can be a guardian to others, as well as accept the caring guardianship of someone else.

How to be a guardian to someone else

• Encourage. Let the people in your life know you are there for them and believe in them. Offer them your support and encouragement, especially when they are going through tough times.
• Offer guidance and advice. When people come to you for advice, be honest and straightforward. Share your knowledge and experience with them. Help them to make good choices.
• Be a role model. Strive to live a life that showcases your values. Set a good example and show your friends how to set a high bar for themselves.
• Be a friend and confidante. Be someone that those close to you can trust and confide in. Be there for them to listen and offer support, even when it isn’t convenient.

Can you identify 3-5 people that you can be a guardian for?

How to accept guardianship 

• Be honest about your feelings and needs. It’s easy to suppress negative feelings out of fear or discomfort in expressing them. If you have a guardian, practice trying to be honest. A true friend will support you as you air your thoughts.
• Reach out when you need help. Guardians are happy to offer guidance and advice. Sometimes, it can be difficult to ask, but it’s worth it. Guardians often have more life experience than we do, and they can help us to make good choices and avoid bad ones.
• Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. If we can get past the hump of opening up, guardians help us to grow as an individual. They challenge us to reach our full potential if we let them help us.
• Accept their love and care. Guardians create a safe and loving environment for us. They make us feel like we belong and that we are valued. It is a wonderful feeling.

What’s a time that someone made you feel cared for?

In the spirit of celebrating those who are guardians, I named my latest product the GUARDIAN belt bag. It fits snugly around your waist or shoulder, like the warmth and comfort of knowing that someone is looking out for you and cares deeply about how you are doing. 

It can be as simple as sending a text or commenting on a social media post to show love and encouragement. I’d be delighted to hear about how someone has supported you, or vice versa. Drop a comment or send me an email!

To loving others well,

Marisa

― Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

Let me tell you a story about daydreaming. But first, a question for you. 

Do you ever find yourself lost in daydreams about where or who you want to be or where you want to go? I’d be surprised if your answer were “no,” but I must ask.

Depending on who you listen to, you can be discouraged from dreaming. If you’re fortunate, you are ENCOURAGED to dream. I’ve always thought that daydreams are a precious space where you are not limited to what is. You are free to imagine what could be. 

In my case, my daydreams led to where I am now, which is the story I want to share. It began many years ago in California. I was working in an office job that left me feeling uninspired. I was dispassionately putting my hours in at my 9-5, knowing that there was something better out there.

The tension of daydreaming

That’s not to say I was ungrateful for my job. Stability and a regular paycheck are nothing to scoff at. But as my mind began to wander, the possibilities started rolling around. Self-employment, sustainability, fashion and sewing were all things I was passionate about. For quite a while, I wasn’t quite sure how it all fit together.

Then, one day, I was carrying around a purse I had made, and I got a compliment on it. That was the first lightbulb. I decided to make a few more and go to a tradeshow. The results and feedback I got from that experience was the second, big lightbulb.

Daring to daydream

At this point in my story–maybe yours, too (?) – where a collision of daydreams are met with a real possibility – that is where things get interesting. Or scary.

I say “daring to daydream” because it feels like a risk. The skeptic in my head assured me this emerging dream was a waste of time. It would never work. But I’m just courageous enough to sass back to that skeptic and question the validity of its claims. (I hope you will be, too!)

Long story short, in the ensuing figurative wrestling match between the daydreamer and the skeptic, the former won. The pieces of my passions that had begun to coalesce into a vision were far too powerful to suppress any longer.

I just knew that I could build a sustainable (pun intended) business making purses and handbags out of eco-friendly materials and use it as a means to contributing financially to support my family while living life on my terms. 

Let’s move our daydreams into reality

This is where it got real. As you’re reading this, I hope you're following my journey while thinking about your dream. I knew I had to do it. There was no putting it off any longer.

In the midst of that process, my family and I moved to Oregon, and the dream I couldn’t put down became Carry Courage. 

Fast forward a handful of years, and my dream is alive and well. 

I even get to support other women entrepreneurs in many ways: through retail and wholesale partnerships, and my favorite: supporting Norboo, which provides jobs to single mothers in Tibet. In fact, last month I launched yet another one of their products, the Lolo Sling Bag, named after Lolo, a delightful young girl whose mother works with Norboo. 

The fact that I get to help this worthy company with its profitability (selling in the US yields a greater return for them than selling locally) just adds to the joy and satisfaction of doing what I love.

Has it been easy? No. There have been seasons of extreme difficulty on the journey. You bet I’ve questioned whether I should continue on more than one occasion. 

Has it been worth it? A resounding YES!

Let’s talk about your dreams

I share this story because I believe in the power of dreaming. I hope that I can inspire others to feel free to daydream and see where it leads.

What’s a dream you’ve been dwelling on? Is it feasible? What’s stopping you from going all in on it?

If you want to share your thoughts in a comment, I’d love it!

Thank you for reading!

To your daydreams,

Marisa

This little girl is named Lolo, and she is a sweetheart. She just started kindergarten in Tibet, but we’ll get into her educational journey more, shortly.

Lolo is being raised by her mom, Zici. Zici had Lolo out of wedlock and has struggled to make ends meet for them. But she loves her daughter immensely and will do anything for her. Where they are from, in a rural Tibetan village, it can be very difficult to find meaningful work to make a living. 

Stories like Zici and Lolo’s are not uncommon in that part of the world, sadly. To add to their difficulties, Zici is also responsible for caring and providing for her elderly parents–all in a dire financial situation. 

When on the verge of being completely destitute, Zici, her parents, and Lolo were given a chance at a new life. 

New Beginnings

They were discovered by the founders of Norboo–the makers of the Tibetan handbags I talk about so often. Ruth and her husband, owners of Norboo, discovered the family as they were visiting the villages where they employ single mothers, providing them with life-sustaining job opportunities sewing these beautiful bags. 

Ruth offered Zici a job sewing, which included training on how to make the bags. Not only that, but they formed a special bond, and were offered the opportunity for all four of them - Lolo, Zici, and her parents - to move in with Ruth! This was truly a God-send for this struggling family, as not only were they financially strained, but Zici’s elderly mother had fallen ill. 

This generous provision allowed the stability of a roof over their head while Zici cared for her mother. Ruth picked up the slack, helping out with Lolo during that time. 

It was a dark time for the little family. All the while, Zici had daydreams that things would get better. The good Lord provided for her in the kindness of Ruth and her husband. 

The Connection From Tibet to the Pacific Northwest 

Bringing this story back closer to home, Carry Courage just launched the Lolo Sling Bag, with the precious little girl not only being the namesake but a beneficiary of it. You see, with each purchase of the bag, a portion of the proceeds will go to sending Lolo to school this fall. 

Giving back to causes close to our heart is central to the Carry Courage ethos. We’ve partnered with Norboo since the early days, and are pleased to continue supporting brands like this that are providing jobs, and therefore livelihoods and hope, to vulnerable single women. 

Conclusion

It’s not a story with a tidy ending, wrapped in a bow like a Hollywood film. The reality is that Zici’s mom recently passed away, so they are dealing with that. The family, as well as Norboo, continue to fight difficulties at many turns (don’t we all?). 

Living in a messy reality is a shared experience for most of us across the globe, from comfortable suburban neighborhoods to rural villages overseas. No matter what our plight, we all have daydreams of what could be. As we live, day in and day out, let those dreams inspire us. And let the difficulties of others keep our hearts soft, with a willingness to understand. Perhaps even to help when we can. 

In the meantime, keep chasing your dreams!

To the power of potential,

Marisa

As the days get a touch shorter and the back-to-school buzz fills the air, it's time to strike that delicate balance between savoring the remaining summer moments and preparing for fall. 

Are you prone to let the impending autumn rush dampen your summer spirits? You don’t have to! Let’s talk about some savvy strategies to transition smoothly into the busyness of fall while still relishing the magic of August.

1. Create a "Summer in Review" Activity

Before you dive into fall planning, take a breather and reflect on your summer experiences. Create a "Summer in Review" activity where you jot down your favorite memories, accomplishments, and adventures. Whether it's a scrapbook, a photo album, or a journal, capturing these moments will help you bid farewell to summer with a sense of gratitude and closure. 

Bonus: put your favorite photos on a thumb drive and play them on your TV in the background, so you have those amazing memories top of mind!

2. Prioritize and Organize

As you gear up for fall, it is a good idea to prioritize your tasks and commitments. Make a list of what you want to accomplish before summer ends and categorize them based on urgency. This way, you can enjoy your remaining beach days while still ticking off important to-dos.

You don’t have to admit defeat, you can squeeze the most out of August!

3. Transition Your Wardrobe Gradually

Does the idea of boots and sweaters make you a little sad? Part gently with your summer wardrobe without a heavy heart. Start incorporating fall pieces into your outfits while still enjoying your favorite summer attire. Pair that sundress with a light cardigan or those shorts with ankle boots. For accessories, you can transition that open tote bag to a messenger bag. This gradual transition will not only keep you comfortable but also get you excited about the upcoming fall fashion.

4. Plan Mini Adventures!

August is the perfect time for weekend getaways and mini adventures. Explore local attractions, try new restaurants, or embark on a short road trip. These mini escapades will help you recharge while infusing your routine with a touch of spontaneity.

Even surprising the kids with a trip to get ice cream or order takeout to eat in the park can be considered a mini-adventure, and another memory to savor. 

5. Embrace Time Management Techniques

Transitioning into fall means getting back to a more structured routine. Explore time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or the Eisenhower Matrix to manage your tasks efficiently. This way, you can make the most of your time without feeling overwhelmed by the shifting seasons.

What is your favorite time management practice? I’d love to hear!

6. Set Realistic Fall Goals

As you gear up for the fall hustle, set realistic goals that align with your priorities. Keeping them realistic means having a good gauge of what’s possible (by using those time management techniques), and not overcommitting yourself.

Whether it's acing a class, launching a new project at work, or pursuing a hobby, these goals will give you a sense of purpose as the autumn leaves start to fall.

7. Capture the Beauty of the Changing Seasons

August doesn't mean the end of outdoor beauty. Capture the transition from summer to fall through photography or art. Spend time in nature, capturing the changing colors and textures. Not only will this help you stay present, but it'll also create a visual diary of the season's shift.

8. Incorporate Fall Flavors Gradually

While you still have access to the juicy fruits of summer, slowly introduce fall flavors into your meals. Blend those last peaches into smoothies, or enjoy a watermelon and feta salad. Gradually incorporate pumpkin spice or apple cinnamon into your recipes to make the seasonal shift smoother.

9. Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude

We can’t say this often enough! Amidst the hustle, remember to practice mindfulness and gratitude. Take a moment each day to reflect on what you're grateful for. This practice will help you maintain a positive outlook as you navigate the transition between seasons.

Do you already have this practice going? How has it helped?

Conclusion

August is that unique bridge between summer's leisure and fall's productivity. By embracing these strategies, you can smoothly transition into the busyness of fall while still cherishing the joys of summer. Reflect on your memories, set your fall goals, and embrace the changing scenery. As you bid farewell to the warmth of summer, welcome the excitement of fall with open arms. Remember, life is a beautiful blend of seasons – and you're making the most of every moment.

Which tip is your favorite? Any that you don’t see yourself doing? Your thoughts are welcome in a comment.

Thanks for reading!

To your delightful remaining summer days,

Marisa

The year is now half over, so it is a perfect time to evaluate where you’ve been so far, set a course for the rest of the year – and take a breather in between. 

Are you taking in some self-care and making time for things you love? Considering that some of us, especially my fellow moms, can easily get lost in the rhythm of raising our kids and attending to their needs–it’s important to remember yourself. Let’s talk about how. 

Here are three ways to attend to your self-care this month, and why you should.

Self-care starts with understanding and honoring the signals your body and mind send you. With July's sunny and vibrant energy, it's time to tune in and truly listen. Embrace the art of mindfulness and self-awareness to decipher what your body craves and your mind needs to find solace. 

Are you feeling tired or discouraged? Like you are running around more than you’d like? 

It’s been said often, but it bears repeating: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” You won’t have anything to share with others if you're drained. So fill up that cup! How?

Prioritize rest: Amidst the summer excitement, make room for restful moments. Ensure you get adequate sleep and create a calming bedtime routine to help you wind down. Remember, saying no to late-night plans is OK if your body craves rest.

Engage in peaceful activities: Take time daily to engage in mindful activities that bring you peace and joy. Whether it's meditating or praying under the shade of a tree, exercising, or simply sitting in silence, these moments of reflection will bring refreshment.

Cut back on digital consumption: Set boundaries with your screens and avoid excessive exposure to social media. Give yourself the gift of uninterrupted time with yourself and your loved ones, entirely in the moment. 

It seems like everyone is on vacation in July. Projects get delayed due to people being out of the office. That makes it the perfect opportunity to take some chill time. 

Here are some ways to embrace your passions.

Reconnect with hobbies: Recall the hobbies that used to fill your heart with joy and dust them off this month. Whether painting, playing a musical instrument, gardening, or dancing, indulging in these activities will reignite your creative spark.

Plan adventures: Explore the world around you by planning mini-adventures. This could be a hike in nature, a day trip to a nearby town, or even a spontaneous visit to a local museum. 

Learn something new: Use what’s left of July to learn a new skill or delve into a subject that intrigues you. Enroll in a workshop, attend a virtual class, or pick up a book that challenges and fascinates your mind.

Surrounding yourself with positive influences and building a support system can enhance your self-care journey. Here are a few ideas to jumpstart the process:

Share your intentions: Openly communicate your self-care goals with your loved ones, friends, or colleagues. When they understand your needs, they can better support and encourage you on this path.

Engage in meaningful conversations: Initiate discussions with those who uplift you. Sharing thoughts, dreams, and experiences with like-minded individuals can inspire personal growth and foster a sense of belonging. Who comes to mind? Reach out for a coffee date!

It’s OK to seek professional support: Don't hesitate to seek professional help if you face challenges or need guidance on your self-care journey. Some of our “putting ourselves last” habits are deeply ingrained. Therapists, life coaches, or mentors can provide valuable insights and help you navigate difficulties.

Conclusion

July is the midyear checkpoint that invites you to embark on a journey of self-discovery, joy, and inner peace. By taking one or all of these suggestions, you can build self-care into your schedule! 

Remember, investing in your well-being is not selfish but rather a powerful act of self-love that empowers you to be the best version of yourself for others. Embrace the gift of summer and savor every moment of your self-care journey.

Happy nurturing!

I want to talk about why I think it’s important, give some examples, and explain why I think everyone should be an advocate.

But first, let’s define it.

Noun, 1: a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.

Noun, 2: one who pleads another's cause, who helps another by defending or comforting him

Verb: to publicly recommend or support.

For this post, we’ll use all of the definitions! 

Why be an advocate?

I believe that it is important to live for causes bigger than ourselves and our little world. My passion for this is rooted in my personal faith in Christ. Many other faiths and walks of life also believe this, and for a good reason. Living only for ourselves can become stale, sad and limiting. 

Choosing to look beyond ourselves and use our voice, time, talents and resources to help other people not only adds meaning and vibrancy to life, it is true to the heart of our Creator. 

What cause are you passionate about? To get your creative juices flowing, let’s look at a few case studies.

Examples of advocacy

One that I love to rally around is Norboo. This might not surprise you if you’re familiar with my content. :) 

This maker of hand-crafted purses chose to extend their business model to teach sewing skills to a group comprised mostly of single mothers in a remote village in Tibet. By doing so, they gave these women a chance to earning a living, when they otherwise may have been stuck in poverty. Not only do they make beautiful purses and wallets, they improve lives in their community. This couldn’t resonate more with the ethos of Carry Courage.

Because of that, I decided to partner with Norboo as a distributor. This allows them to make a higher profit margin than selling their products locally. More profit for a great cause, and everyone wins! 

Another example of advocacy is a service that offers financial guidance for women considering separation or divorce. It’s a scary place to be in a relationship that is deteriorating. Even worse, if your husband is the breadwinner and you are unsure of your financial standing.

Healing House Solutions helps women figure out how to build their financial hope amid those circumstances–charting a way to take the next step in life, with financial clarity. 

More than just a financial plan, they offer relational advocacy during what can be a scary time. Amy, the owner, shared a story with me that I found extremely enlightening. One of her clients was so fearful and beaten down that she couldn’t articulate what she needed initially.

Amy was able to talk her through it. At the end of the session, she could speak and say, "This is what I need." That, to me, is a beautiful example of being an advocate for someone who desperately needs a voice but can’t find it. 

How do I become an advocate?

Being an advocate can take many different forms. It starts with discovering a cause you are deeply passionate about. What is a group of people, cause, or policy issue needs change? 

The next step is to find ways to publicly support that cause. Maybe with your time volunteering. Perhaps through donations. Or educating others on the cause and its needs and beneficiaries. 

The good news is, there are no shortage of causes that need a champion (or many champions). The challenge is picking one or two and going all in.

I firmly believe that looking out for the good of others is a necessary pillar in supporting a meaningful life. Would you agree?

I’m always delighted to hear from you. Let me know in a comment the cause or organization that you support or are considering supporting.

Thank you for reading!

The early years

Growing up, my mom was always so much more fashionable than me. For the record, she still is. She always told me, "You're such a terrible shopper." It was said with love, of course. She meant that I was more random with what I purchased, clothing-wise. Mom was always super strategic, ensuring every purchase had a purpose in the grand scheme. 

It wasn't until I grew up that I realized it wasn't just about the clothes she wore, but how she wore them. She was so detail-oriented regarding her personal style, and it showed in everything she did.

Wedding prep with mom

When I was getting married, I fell in love with the first wedding dress I tried on. It was perfect for me, and I was ready to buy it. My practical mom reminded me, "We have five other appointments to look at more dresses!" I went along with it because I knew she had a point. What’s your guess as to which dress I ended up with? Keep reading to find out!

Fashion and more, mom style

My mom always looks impeccable. She knows what to wear, which gives her confidence. And that confidence is contagious. When she walks into a room, heads turn. It's not just because of what she's wearing, but also because of how she carries herself.

She always knew what she wanted, and she went for it. It was that confidence I always admired in her. In many ways, she helped me find my confidence. Not only in what I’ve developed as my personal style but how I’ve blazed my own trail as an adult. 

But my mom is so much more than her fashion sense. She has always been someone who supports me no matter what. Isn’t that the way moms should be?

Through all the stages of my life, she has always been there for me. That is one of the things I really appreciate about her, now more than ever. 

Flashback to the good old days

When I was a younger adult, we lived next door to each other. If I needed help cooking when we had company over, she was always there to lend a hand. I took her support for granted. But now that I'm older and live out of state, my mom has taken on more of an emotional support role–whereas before, it was more physical support. 

Have you heard it said that the older we get, the more we relate to our moms? I’ve found that to be true in my adulthood. And as I've gotten older, my mom has become more than just a support system. She has become an inspiration to me, even in my fashion journey.

Impacting multiple generations with her style & support 

When I was younger, my friends would frequently compliment my mom's outfits. And now, as an adult, I find myself taking inspiration from her wardrobe. My 14-year-old daughter sometimes says of one of my outfits, "That looks like something grandma would wear!" I take that as a compliment. :)

I may never be as fashionable as my mom, but I hope to be just as supportive of my own children as she has been to me.

To conclude my tribute to my mom for Mother’s Day

My mom is not just a pillar of my support system but an inspiration in all aspects of my life. From her impeccable sense of style to her unwavering support, I am grateful for all she has done for me. She has shown me that confidence is key and that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Thank you, Mom, for being such an amazing role model and inspiring me to be the best version of myself. I love you.

If you’re reading this, and you still have your mom with you, consider calling her as we approach Mother’s Day. Not that you need an occasion!

Joyfully,

Marisa 

P.s. About the wedding dress–what was your guess as to which dress I chose? If you guessed, “I went with the first one that I knew I loved,” you would be correct!

Growing up on a Central California farm taught me the importance of living and creating sustainability. As a maker of sustainable handbags and purses, I am deeply aware of the impact of fashion on the environment. My mission is to reverse some of the damage done by doing business.

It is essential to look at the good and the bad parts of the impact to discuss this topic in a balanced way. Since I prefer not to be negative, let’s get the bad details out of the way first!

The bad parts of the environmental impact of the fashion industry:

1. Raw Material Extraction: The production of leather and other textiles, such as cotton, often requires toxic chemicals, such as hexavalent chromium, which can contaminate water sources and harm human health. In other words, when you wear that cheap T-shirt, it might expose you to unhealthy chemicals!
   
   In addition, the extraction of raw materials also contributes to deforestation and land degradation. Careless deforestation contributes to the rise in greenhouse gases, which is bad news for the environment.
   
   
2. Manufacturing and Waste: The manufacturing process of handbags and other textiles involves using energy, chemicals and water, which contributes to carbon emissions and water pollution. The disposal of waste from manufacturing can also be harmful to the environment, as many of the materials used in clothing production are not biodegradable.
   
   From Forbes: “The fashion & textiles industry is a major water polluter at all stages of the value chain, from the agricultural runoff from cottonfields causing algal blooms that choke rivers, to the dying process releasing a cocktail of toxic chemicals and the washing of clothes releasing microplastics.”
   
   
3. Overconsumption: The fashion industry encourages overconsumption, leading to a culture of fast fashion. This results in increased waste and pollution, as consumers buy more items than they need and quickly dispose of them.

As you can see, the problem is significant. So let’s look at some of the good from the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

The Good:

1. Sustainable materials: We, along with a growing number of fashion manufacturers, take great pride in sourcing materials for our products that are friendly to the earth. Cork fabric, linen, and organic cotton, to name a few. We wear our passion for sustainability on our sleeves (or shoulders, when it comes to our purses!).
   
   
2. Recycling: Many handbag makers, such as myself, are adopting sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials in their production process. This reduces the need for new raw materials and reduces waste.
   
   Carry Courage uses 100% recycled and recyclable packaging when shipping products. The company’s processes are essentially zero-waste, as cork scraps are used to make EXPLORER keychain luggage tags. Any scraps smaller than this are responsibly recycled.
   
   
3. Durability: Our handbags and other higher-quality clothing items are made to last and to be used for a long time before replacing them. This reduces the demand for new products and decreases the amount of waste generated.
   
   
4. Education: The fashion industry is becoming more aware of its impact on the environment and is taking steps to educate consumers on sustainable practices. This includes promoting reusable bags and encouraging consumers to recycle their old handbags. I suggest checking out Remake’s Fashion Accountability Report for more information on this topic.

The philosophical bottom line - and what YOU can do

As a handbag designer, I am committed to creating sustainable and beautiful products without compromise. Handbags should be made to last and quality materials and craftsmanship are key to achieving this. It gives me great pleasure to associate with and know of many other brands equally proactive in sourcing, manufacturing and recycling with minimal waste. 

As consumers, we can take steps to reduce the environmental impact of our own wardrobes. We can take care of our clothing and accessories, repair them when damaged, and donate or recycle them. By carrying reusable bags, we can also reduce reliance on single-use items, such as disposable plastic bags.

By working together, we can make changes to reduce waste in the fashion industry. We can be good stewards of what we have to leave the planet a cleaner place for our children and grandchildren.

Thank you for reading! I welcome your questions and comments!

Warmly,

Marisa

I want to talk about building community as an introverted female. For me, a subtext of that is doing the same as a female entrepreneur. 

Do you have a community you can lean on? Whether it is a group of friends, co-workers, peers in business or otherwise, having a crew makes all the difference in your quality of life. At least, that’s what I’ve found.

It’s not always easy, especially as an introvert. When left to my own devices, I tend to work and live in a vacuum, talking to very few people. I don’t think that’s healthy.  But I’ve gotten out of my own way the last few years and expanded my comfort zone to let more people in–and it’s been fantastic. 

If you struggle with finding a crew and want to build a community as an introverted female (or in general), here are two things I’ve found helpful.

1. Be open to possibilities

Sitting at home and cutting yourself off from the world is easy. If you’re lucky, you’ll begin to see that there are more fulfilling ways of living and that accessing them is easier than you think. 

If you meet someone whose company you enjoy, see where it leads. Ask them questions. Open up and tell them about yourself. Not every social encounter will hold lasting meaning, naturally. However, the best conversations have to start somewhere, and the closest friendships come through conversations and shared experiences. 

As a personal example that blends business (they can become inseparable when you’re self-employed), my relationship with Ruth, the owner of Norboo, began naturally when talking to a childhood friend about life and examining a larger purpose than just selling bags. 

My friend, who had moved to China, knew Ruth and her inspiring story of what she was trying to do for single mothers in Tibet. She introduced us, and we became friends. From our friendship grew a realization of a common purpose that ultimately led to our business partnership. It grew out of a conversation and an openness to try something different. That was not something I could ever have planned.

2. Be courageous

Being open to possibilities isn’t always easy, especially for an introvert such as myself. I made my personal and business mantra “Carry Courage” because of all the years that passed by doing the opposite. I can’t get those years back, but I can choose to be intentional with the present. So can you.

Some practical examples of being courageous and open to possibilities:

💚 Yesterday, my friend down the street texted me to see if I wanted to go for a walk. I was deep in production mode and almost said no. But I decided to accept, and I am so glad I did. It made all the difference in my mood and energy for the rest of the day.

💛Ready to decline an offer for a social outing or networking event? Why not say yes instead, and make it your goal to attend and positively impact someone else’s day? You’re likely to be glad you did.

💚I’m sure you can think of some examples too. What would you add?

Final thoughts on building a community as an introverted female

I don’t presume to suggest that I have a perfect social life or have it all figured out. I don’t. But I have learned that these principles put into practice through consistent effort have yielded me a group of girlfriends and business peers that add immeasurable value to my life. 

You can do the same. I believe in you!

If you have thoughts or questions, I would be delighted to hear them in a comment. Thank you for reading!

Cheers,

Marisa

The concept, which was groundbreaking in 1992, suggested that each of us is prone to feel most loved by one or a combination of these “languages,” and we tend to express our love for our partner in the same way we prefer to receive it. 

The five love languages are:

1. Acts of service
2. Gift-giving
3. Physical touch
4. Quality time
5. Words of affirmation

The concept has since been expanded to include our relationships in other areas of life, such as with children, co-workers, etc. 

To distill it down to one sentence, relationships thrive best when we know how to best love each other in the way that is most meaningful to the recipient.

But how about applying the five love languages to yourself? I want to talk to you about how we love ourselves. 

Have you ever gotten into a mode where you forget to love and care for yourself because you are too busy meeting the needs of those most important to you? For all my lady friends and fellow moms, the answer is likely a resounding, “YES!” 

So what do we do about it?

I’m glad you asked! I have a few ideas. 🙂

As I’m going through this season of transition that I’ve written about before, here are some things I’ve thought about that can help me – and hopefully, you, to love yourself.

1. Once you’ve identified your love language, don’t be shy about telling those closest to you what it is, and giving specific examples of how they can support you.
   
   E.g., your language is words of affirmation. You can say, “It would really mean a lot to me if you would tell me or write me a note telling me what you appreciate about me.”
   
   If your love language is quality time? “You know what I would really appreciate? If we could take time once a week to (insert an activity that is valuable to you). Phones out of sight, just us doing X.”
   
   

But that doesn’t mean that we should neglect ourselves. On the contrary, many have wisely suggested that we have to “fill our cup” so we have something to share with others. A metaphorical empty cup can’t bless anyone! 

That is the worthy challenge before us each day. How do we care for those entrusted to us while remembering to honor our needs too? I think remembering is a big part of the battle. 

I was inspired to write about applying the five love languages to yourself because of where I am in life right now and where many people I know are. We live in an ever-increasing world of fragmentation and selfishness, but we needn’t let that affect how we live.

Let us love one another well, and remember to love ourselves well in the process! 

Thank you for reading! I’d be curious to know what YOUR love language is. Let me know in a comment!

In my last post, I let you in on what I had been keeping private about the difficult year I had in 2022. Going through a divorce, anarchy with my teenagers, and all the emotional pain such things bring. 

Not only was that an excruciating season but being vulnerable and open about it was something I had to work up to. Something I had to pray for courage about. Because I’ve learned a lot through it, and I want to share with you some of the lessons. I think they might be helpful, because they apply to many of life’s challenges.

The topic at hand is how to find lasting joy after deep sorrow. I fully believe you can, because I have. Here are three things I’ve learned.

To make such an outrageous claim requires faith in something greater than myself. I do have faith in God, and His word demonstrates to me that life doesn’t have to be perfect to experience true peace and joy. The transcendent truths of God’s story, and how He has worked in my life, show me that no matter what happens to me, I am in His hands. 

To give more details might border on preachy, so I’ll leave it at that for now. I’d be curious to know if you’ve found the same to be true in your life.

It’s impossible to separate my faith from how I live and perceive things, so I’m taking the risk of telling it to you as I see it. I hope you don’t mind.

As I’ve struggled this past year, a particular passage of scripture has been particularly comforting to me:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4

That passage has taught me that while I am deep in the midst of hard times, God is making a way. He is developing my character and making me a more resilient person. Learning that has been so encouraging. 

My difficulties are not wasted! Nor are yours. God is making something beautiful through them! How wonderful! That alone provides a rock-solid perspective to keep my chin up on the toughest days.

Chuck Swindoll famously said, “We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for the day. Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. Our attitude is everything.”

Embracing that as a frame of reference has helped tremendously in navigating dark days. 

The kids are acting up? What can I teach them that will help them be better future adults?

I’m feeling many complicated emotions due to filing for divorce from my husband? 

It was the right thing to do, and feelings are temporary. How can I focus on the personal healing I’m experiencing and the bright hope that the future holds?

Conclusion

I could come up with many more examples, but you get the idea. Life is challenging. Some seasons offer more gloom than sunshine. 

But knowing that circumstances can’t steal my joy (unless I let them) is reassuring. Leaning into God’s care for me, and who He is making me to become because of the challenges gives me hope to keep going. Finally, knowing that I can choose how to respond to what happens to me is highly empowering to put into practice.

I hope these principles have helped you think about your challenges in a different way. I believe that no one should face their trials alone. If you need help, ask someone that cares about you. If I can offer you any further encouragement, reach out. I’d love to hear from you!

Thank you for reading!

Warmly,

Marisa

How was 2022 for you? Outstanding? Terrible? Somewhere in between?

I think it’s important to reflect on each year, to sift through the memories carefully. Why? Not just because it is “the thing to do” at the end of the year. There is a very strategic purpose to it. 

In carefully reflecting on the year, we can recount the good and the bad. The victories and failures. The pains and healing. 

I believe that it is only through careful analysis of where we’ve been that we can chart a meaningful course for where we are going.

For that reason, I’m going to share with you some reflections on how my 2022 went. I’m terrified to do it, but there is freedom in vulnerability, so here goes nothing.

My 2022

2022 has been very difficult for my family and me. We’ve gone through some painful transitions. Most notably, my husband and I divorced, ending our 18-year marriage. Without going into unnecessary details, I will tell you that this was a costly decision emotionally and relationally. It has been very tough on me, but also our two children, ages 14 and 16.

The decision to end our marriage was not made lightly. And though the pain endured as a result of it has been substantial and has left scars, it was the right decision. The silver lining is my children and I have walked through it together, and we are learning resilience and how to manage change. I am proud of us for that.

Speaking of the kids

Raising teenagers is never easy. Doing so within the context of the raw emotions amidst our transition has amplified the challenge to a degree that is difficult to describe. 

And yet, we move forward, one day at a time. Committed to each other, allowing our love to guide us as we navigate uncertain terrain. 

Business and looking ahead to 2023

We have so much to be grateful for amidst life’s chaos. Business has been steady this year, which is always a blessing. There are many dear people who share my vision of investing in beautiful handbags and purses that honor the earth and add to one’s fashion. I am endlessly thankful for having that tribe in my corner, supporting my business and telling other like-minded people about it.

For 2023, for my family and business, the vision I have elicits imagery of a baseball being unwound to its core (to see that in action, watch this video). It can be put back together again, but it will never be the same as it was before. In being taken completely apart, we see everything it is made of.

As an unwound baseball being put back together, envisioning the new version of my life, things will look different. 2023 is a chance to rebuild with intention. I see healthy boundaries being a foundational part of that. Not only that but intentionality in being present with my kids and other meaningful relationships.

I’m looking forward to starting fresh in 2023 - to building our life in a way that honors our values and forges a new path full of hope and anticipation. 

What is your vision for 2023? I’d be glad to hear it!

Thank you for reading!

Warmly,

Marisa 

November is “National Gratitude Month.” You’ll find a lot of content on the internet containing people expressing thanks for various things, especially as we get closer to Thanksgiving.

Why express or acknowledge gratitude? That is, expressing thanks or appreciation for something.

To answer that question, let’s look at three things:

1. What are the benefits of gratitude?
2. How do we practice gratitude when we don’t feel it?
3. How can focusing on gratitude or positivity change the outcome of your circumstance?

What are the benefits of gratitude? 

According to Healthline, when you express gratitude, you can reap the following benefits:

• Improved immune system
• Improved mental health
• Better relationships
• Increased optimism

With that list, I’m already interested in exploring this topic further!

How can we practice gratitude when we don’t feel it?

Do you have days where you feel like there’s a gray cloud over your head that you can’t get out from under? If you answered “no” I want to chat, because that’s incredible!

Since you and I are human, we’re going to have those bad days or seasons - when we feel like we are failing or drowning. What to do?

Go to the fundamentals of life. No matter how bad life is, you can always dig deep enough to find a blessing.

Do you have a roof over your head? Food in the fridge? Clothes in your closet? Someone in your home, or even in your life if not at home, to love and care for? Enough money to put gas in the tank (even if it is painful)?

If you can answer yes to most or all of those questions, you are already blessed beyond many people, both currently living in this world, and certainly those who have gone before us in history.

Thinking about the provision of the basics, and what you do have, provides a better starting point than worrying about what you don’t have. Would you agree?

It helps to divide all the physical things that fill up your life into “wants vs. needs” to get a better perspective. If your needs are accounted for, that is a basis for being extremely grateful. 

Here’s an example. Your friend Steve is a software developer that just got laid off from his job. He is tempted to wilt into despair, wondering how he will pay rent next month. What are some things Steve has that will help him move forward? He likely has, in his home, an internet connection and a computer with which to apply for more jobs (and post on LinkedIn that he is available for work). He likely has colleagues that can keep their ear to the ground for him. He probably also has all the basics we listed above. Whether he realizes it or not, he is in a very favorable position.

How can focusing on gratitude change the outcome of your circumstances?

You’ve likely heard this quote before:

“Life is 10% circumstances and 90% how you react.” 

- Charles Swindoll (similar quotes by many others)

The attitude behind that quote is incredibly empowering, and will change your life dramatically for the better if you act on it. 

By choosing to be grateful (counting your blessings), and refusing to be a victim of your circumstances, you can change your outlook, and therefore, the trajectory of your life. Because your outlook defines the trajectory of your life. 

One little hack I like to use is editing myself from saying, “I have to” to “I get to…”

• I have to clean the kitchen = I get to clean the kitchen, which is evidence that I had food to eat!
  
  
• My kids are disrespecting me; I have to punish them = I get to have a tough conversation with them that will help them become better humans. It may be difficult but also character building for me, too!
  
  
• I have to do a tough project at work! = I get to stretch my boundaries and learn something new!
  
  
• My friends never call me; I have to find friends that care about me = I get to reach out and see how my friends are doing; I haven’t heard from them in a while.
  
  

I could do this all day - hopefully you get the idea. 🙂

Ultimately, it is owning that 10% rule mentioned above and reframing things in your favor. Doing this will shift your mindset into one of empowerment and gratitude. And good things happen naturally when you have a positive, grateful attitude.

Have you seen this play out in your life?

An example. When you encounter someone who is grumpy, you try to get away from them as quickly as possible. But when you find someone who is smiling or laughing, you are attracted to them and want to be in their presence longer. That person is giving out good vibes, and giving them in return. 

In conclusion

This is the time of year when counting your blessings is popular, and rightly so. But it doesn’t need to be limited to November. I think you’ll find that when you focus on the positive, and what you “get to” do, you’ll get out of the slump you might be in. Be careful though - you might even find yourself smiling and passing cheer to others!

Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject, or a time when reframing your attitude helped you get out of a bind.

Happy National Gratitude Month!

Warmly,

Marisa

Those who shout “Fallelujah!” are often portrayed as Pumpkin Spice everything enthusiasts, who eagerly pull out their sweaters, seasonal candles and fall decorations the day after Labor Day. They disdain the last days of sunny warmth September brings and pine for sweater weather.

If you’re one of those people, I see you. Your enthusiasm is admirable.

As I mentioned, there are many things to savor about fall. I’d like to briefly discuss the practical (changing wardrobes with the weather) and the less obvious philosophical/organizational aspect of changing seasons. 

The practical: changing seasons, changing wardrobes

Fall is the time of year when many of us move our summer clothes out of the dominant places in our closets and replace them with those sweaters, cardigans, and pullovers – all the things to keep us cozy during cooler weather. 

We may also, for those of you who are more fashion-forward, take this time to consider our accessories – belts, shoes, hats, bags, purses, etc. You may contemplate if that old belt is serving you anymore. Maybe your fall purse is getting a little ratty, and it is time to replace it. (Spoiler alert: I can think of a good place to get one. ;))

The change of seasons presents us with an opportunity to gear up for what’s ahead, whether with fashion, decorating, or settling into the fourth-quarter hustle heading into the holidays. 

This brings me to the less obvious benefit of fall and the changing seasons.

Using fall as a springboard (no pun intended) for things to come

We’ve talked before about the transition to fall in terms of getting organized. 

I like to view it as a time to get my head back in the game after the “lazy” days of summer. (They’re not actually lazy, but more laid-back.)

That’s where I invite you to think about how you can use this time of transition to colder weather for your strategic advantage.

Let the rearranging of your closet serve as a metaphor for making overdue changes in your life.

There’s the obvious stuff we talked about, like deciding if you need new accessories.

But there is so much more. Consider:

• So you never wear that cardigan anymore. Donate or repurpose it!
  Is there anything else that needs to be evaluated to see if it still deserves space in your life?
  A bad relationship? A toxic “friend”? Allowing disrespect from those closest to you?
• Is there an item or two that makes you feel self-conscious? Perhaps it's time to address the feelings behind the feelings, and give yourself a chance to air them out and heal.
• Perhaps it's time to look for a new job opportunity.
• It could be that you’ve been holding back on a dream, and now is the time to take a step toward it.
• Are you feeling frazzled and disorganized? Now is an excellent time to take a deep breath and start building systems that will help you get ahead. Maybe that means hiring a professional organizer or another type of coach. 

Do you see my point? Fall can be a strategic time to set right that which has fallen into disarray. Even to acknowledge it, write it down, and make a plan to address it. Then, the next step is to take action. :)

I’m always delighted to help you with the accessory side of fall planning. I also have a network of friends, media and retail partners that will get you the physical tools and inspiration you need. 

But even more importantly, I want to see you thrive as a person and live life to the fullest. Using the change of seasons to get started is one of the best ways I know!

Thank you for reading! Drop a comment with any questions or thoughts. 

Warmly,

Marisa

Courage is one of my favorite topics, as you might have guessed by the name of my company. :) Let’s talk about how you can choose courage by mastering your fear.

As I’ve discussed previously, I come by my passion for being courageous honestly. Because of the blessings I’ve been able to see unfold in my life as a result of some difficult, courageous decisions, I never tire of shouting from the rooftop the freedom that comes from choosing to be bold. 

Here are some guiding principles that I use to help me - hopefully they will help you, too.

Define your fear 

Sometimes fear is a matter of not knowing what will happen when you take action on your plans. If you think about it, how could you know what will happen? You can’t see into the future. So since you don’t know anyway, why let fear stop you?

Ask yourself, “what exactly am I afraid of?” Then answer yourself. :) 

Write it down, or talk it out with someone you trust. You may find that the big shadow your mind is creating is cast by something tiny that isn’t intimidating once you name it.

Move forward despite your fear

Maybe your fear is significant and legitimate. You can still conquer it. Remember this:

Fear is a liar. By the way, that is also the title of a great song. 

Fear tells you that you can’t do whatever it is you want to do because — (fill in the blank). But if you begin to think of fear as a liar, you can treat it like any other liar – with disregard, and a hearty dose of side-eye. Liars can’t be trusted. 

Be bold in your actions

If you know what you want, and you are convinced that your dream is worth pursuing, then take decisive action. To quote another song, “If you’ve got a dream, chase it, ‘cause a dream won’t chase you back.”

We waste a lot of time being indecisive. Careful planning is essential; I’m not suggesting you act impulsively. I am saying that if you are convinced in your mind, push the go button with all your might. Start. Take action. 

Remember, confidence comes with action

Here’s where it gets fun! You take that deep breath and move forward in faith. Only then do you feel the exhilaration that comes from making a move. You realize that the first move wasn’t as scary as you thought. 

Congratulations, friend. You have just earned the badge of courage. How does it feel? 

Fear comes easy. It’s natural. But courage is something remarkable that must be earned by action. The bad news: taking steps of courage is an on-going process. We’re never done staring down fears.

The good news: once you take that first step, the subsequent times get easier. 

I want to encourage you that YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to be courageous. Do you believe that?

I’ll leave you with this final quote:

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You can say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'

Eleanor Roosevelt

What is something for which you are mustering courage? I would love to hear, to be a sounding board. Let me know in the comments.

Thank you for reading this! Have a courageous day. 

Warmly,

Marisa