Dare #18 - Cull it!

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To me, the quote above speaks volumes! And makes me smile at how silly we sometimes are.

That said, I am the first to acknowledge that wearing clothes is a good thing! But I sometimes wonder if we need as many as we have. Do our cupboards and walk in robes and drawers need to be full to over flowing? Do we need to keep everything we are not likely to wear again? Do we need to hit the shops - again - to buy more, even though we already have more than enough?

I spent in a year in Africa and saw some interesting clothes situations. One poor crippled man who roamed the streets all day bent almost in half, wore the same brown trousers and shirt every day. And the shirt was literally in tatters. I stopped the bus one day and ran out and have him 2 men's shirts I had bought. He wouldn't take them, so I left them in a bag at his feet saying 'God bless you.' (One of the crazier things I have done but I do hope they blessed him.)

I also met children who had 1 school uniform, 1 set of everyday clothes and 1 Sunday best outfit and you know what...they were still very happy!

So as I look at my over flowing walk in robe at the moment (and yes, the problem is exacerbated by being just out of maternity clothes but still not quite into my 'normal' clothes) I am challenged to clear the clutter. To cull the unnecessary clothes and to pass them on...perhaps someone else needs them, or maybe I can simply pass them on to the op shop so they can sell them and make a few dollars to help charity.

Either way, I am suggesting this new dare be about us taking stock of all that we have (clothes and maybe something else you know needs decluttering in your house - toys is another one for me - not my toys though of course!)...and then spend 10 minutes every day this week sorting through a little pile or drawer or rack and disposing of things we don't wear or need or like. And secondly, let's make a dare to NOT shop for clothes for the rest of June and through until July 24. That's a big one considering the sales that are coming up, but I reckon you can do it!

Pass them on....sell them...I don't mind, but let's just try to travel a bit lighter through life this week and into July.

Come on...I dare you!

Blessings -
K

Dare #17 - Accessorise!

Belt....jewellery....scarf....handbag....shoes....beanie.....coffee - what do these all have in common?

Yes, as far as this little non-fashionista knows, they could all be categorised as 'accessories'....well maybe the coffee thing is a little bit of a stretch.

This week's dare is all about adding one to your collection, but in a way that blesses someone else. (BTW, if you don't need another accessory, buy one as a gift for someone else this week.)

But in your buying, purchase something from an organisation that aims to help others so your hard earned (and spent $$) goes to a good cause.

Like...Destiny Rescue.  Check out their shop for some lovely jewellery, hair wear, scarves and coffee too!

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Or...Watoto. Jewellery, bags, dolls...you name it, they have it.

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Both these organisations help children in trouble, DR rescues girls from the sex trade and Watoto gives the vulnerable children of Uganda (in particular) the opportunity of a loving family and more.

You probably know of other organisations who sell accessories to help fund their projects. If so, let us all know through a comment on the blog or Facebook page.

So once again, the dare is....buy a accessorising product this week from an organisation that helps others...treat yourself (or someone else) AND be a blessing! Love this dare!

Blessings -
Kirsty

PS. Hopefully you will continue with Dare #16 right through June and be 'dressing' every day in the things that matter most - compassion, humility, kindness, forgiveness, patience, love, etc...

In every woman's wardrobe, there are certain accessories that cannot be separated from their back stories.  - Sloane Crosley

Dare #16 - Get Dressed

So this morning at 4am.....I did not have a baby.

But I did win the June round of 'pinch & a punch.' I AM BACK in the GAME! (After losing many a month already this year)!

However, more importantly than my win, the June dares are due for release!

On the Facebook page this week I hinted at dares revolving around our wardrobe...be it clothes, accessories, styles. I am still not 100% sure where these dares will take us because as most of you know, clothes and style are not my strong suit.

But as a starting point, I want to get priorities right. So here's a 4 fold dare to get us started out on the right foot as we head into month 6 of this great year...already??

Dare A....read Colossians 3:12-14 in the Bible. Whether you are an avid Bible reader or not at all, these words will resound with anyone who values the finer things in life, the qualities that will enhance our relationships:

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

J and I had these verses at our wedding and the message delivered by the pastor who married us revolved around them. I believe they are essential verses to live if you want to do life well.

Dare B....learn these verses this week so you can say them without sneaking a peek. Commit them to memory.

Dare C....write the verses out, or make/print a version of this:

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And stick it somewhere close by your clothes. 

Dare D....Each day, as you physically dress yourself this week, make the conscious decision to dress yourself in these qualities. You might even like to ask God for His help to be all these things this week. Then set about your day wearing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love. 

Will these dares CHALLENGE us? DO they have the potential to CHANGE us? If we accept the dare, will we BLESS others by living this one? You bet! 

So my friends, get out there and get dressed!

Blessings - 

Kirsty