Rose of Sharon Jewelry

Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month: help find a cure! Rose of Sharon Jewelry donates 10% to the CF Foundation, you get 10% savings! We love to share and what better way than to share our jewelry with you at a 10% savings plus share with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. During May, Rose of Sharon Jewelry will make a 10% donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in your name when you buy any our our one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry from our store. You’ll find your 10% sale price listed on the main Rose of Sharon Jewelry web site by each piece of jewelry. At the end of the month, we’ll send each donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and we’ll send you a thank you card! Learn more about Living with CF

Thanks for stopping by again. Don’t forget to check out the newest releases in the Rose of Sharon Jewelry store.

Today is International Women’s Day! Since 1911, women have been standing up on March 8th for themselves. Are you using your power as a women to help other women? Yes, I mean YOU!

Within every women is a power so great that violence, degradation, starvation, humiliation and discrimination cannot stop it. As a woman of  the 60s, I learned to stand up for what I believed in and I believe that every single woman can make a difference.

I know you’re busy raising a family, paying the bills, making dinner and keeping up with the demands of a job. But I want to encourage you to find some time on a regular basis to make a difference. Here are a few ideas and resources you might explore to help other women.

Start Young

Become a Big Sister – The Big Brother, Big Sister organization matches you with a girl at risk. Extend a helping hand to a young girl and you’ll be able to positively impact generations! My daughter-in-law Dawn is a “Big”. Her “Little” is an adorable 9-year-old from an at risk family. I can tell you that Dawn probably gets as much from the pairing and sharing as her “Little” does. Contact Big Brother, Big Sister online to locate your local chapter.

Stop Violence

Answer a phone – Women’s Hotlines around the nation need people to answer their phones and assist women and children in crisis. You will be required to undergo training but imagine the power of helping women escaping violence. Contact your local police department to find active organizations within your community.

Support Women Entrepreneurs

Build financial security – Many problems women face around the world center on a lack of financial security. War has devastated many countries leaving women with little resources to fend for themselves. As little as a $50 loan can help a woman launch her own business or the donation of a goat can create a cottage industry where milk is sold, goat hair is used in resalable crafts and the meat can eliminate starvation. Heifer International concentrates on self-sufficiency through farming. WorldVision Microloans help women start businesses.

 

Whatever you find that suits your schedule, talents and interests will reward you beyond what you commit to it. I guarantee it!

I’d love to hear how you support women and encourage others to do likewise!

 

Other Resources

• Women for Women International
• Kiva - microloans
• National Organization for Women
• Foster Grandparents – find your state program here
• Accion – microloans

Share your valuable resources for supporting women worldwide by leaving a comment below.

A recent Scientific Mind article pondered reasons why depression has increased in the Baby Boomer and younger generations. It seems that moving away from work activities that engage the hands and mind plus result in a tangible reward may be a cause.  And one potential “treatment” may be crafting!

In the not too distant past, we physically raised our own food, chopped our own wood and made our own clothing.  The rewards of a healthy, tasty dinner, a warm place to sleep and enjoying a soft new sweater were a direct result of our actions!

Studies have shown that this action/reward pattern stimulates the parts of the brain that relate to happiness and our feelings of well-being. Work has become disconnected from rewards.

We now earn money (that we never even hold in our hands) in a less physical manner and our brains miss out on the rewards. We run for take-out, pay the electric bill, shop online for shoes while we collectively feel more unhappy or depressed.

The rewards we are giving ourselves aren’t as fulfilling now and simply don’t last very long. That’s why scientists who study happiness believe more and more people overspend. Don’t we all know someone who has a dress or two in their closet that has never been worn? The high evaporated before they got home.

Rebuilding the action/reward connection may be as simple as starting a new hobby that requires your hands, multi-step learning and complex brain activities. What better way to do that than to craft?

So get off the computer, turn off the TV and get out the knitting needles or pick up a pair of pliers. Knitting, crocheting, polymer clay work, intricate beading and other crafts can be a great way to ward off depression.

As my Granny always said “busy hands mean happiness.”