Having recently re-located to the South, I had forgotten to take time to look after myself. Every now and then I will get a newsletter email from Chrissy Foreman Cranitch she is an incredible Australian artist whose emails often feature the general theme of loving yourself and remembering to take time for yourself... After about four newsletters from Chrissy it finally sank in... I am NOT looking after myself. I have not taken time for myself in months and it was starting to hit hard.
This weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to a beautiful healing festival in NSW. There can't have been more than one or two thousand people on a thousand acre plot. There was no amplified music and one rule, be yourself and let others be themselves.
It really was quite magical. I didn't make any time for anything tangibly creative, I used all of the time to look after myself. I spent one particularly wonderful day bouncing around self-loving workshops. I found a beautiful women-only space and was mothered into a teary stupor. I took some time for guided yoga and guided meditation and slowly all the city and business stress began to fade away. I remembered to breathe, I learnt how to connect with my inner feminine and also with others.
A favourite workshop for me was the Cuddle Party. This was a guided space to give and receive affection with respect in a safe, non-sexual environment. I can't explain it too well, but I think it is something that needs to be experienced. I was fortunate enough to connect with someone and was able to continue to share their company for many hours after.
A highlight for me was a chance to lay down in an empty field with my new companion and watch the night sky. I saw six shooting stars within three hours and lay under the milky way contemplating many things. He introduced me to the idea of Social Enterprise. (Social enterprises are revenue-generating businesses with a twist. Whether operated by a non-profit organization or by a for-profit company, a social enterprise has two goals: to achieve social, cultural, community economic or environmental outcomes; and, to earn revenue. On the surface, many social enterprises look, feel, and even operate like traditional businesses. But looking more deeply, one discovers the defining characteristics of the social enterprise) {http://www.centreforsocialenterprise.com/what.html}
Pixie In The Park was founded on the belief that all parts of the process are crucial to the development of any project. For me in particular I have always been conscious of where my raw materials come from, how they are produced and how they affect the lives and health of ALL of those involved.
Do you consider the farmers, the locals, the dyers, the factory workers, the packers, the transport etc all before your garments are even constructed? This was part of the reason I have always chosen to use certified organic materials.
But I would like to extend the idea of social enterprise further through the business.
Have you heard of KIVA? KIVA.org is a micro loan initiative where you can help empower entrepreneurs the world over. You can be involved in a low risk lending cycle starting from just $25. The money is leant to the business owner who will use it to build up their business and then pay you back your 'donation' which you can withdraw or use to loan to another business of your choice. There is currently a 99% repayment rate, so what is there to lose?
Pixie In The Park has made the decision to loan the first $25 profit from all Markets to a business of KIVA. There will be an interactive process where you can decide where the loan is sent after each market.
I made my first loan today {http://www.kiva.org/lend/538215}
I hope you enjoy the extra reading.
Sunshine and Smiles.
