Thursday, February 18, 2016

Do something that matters

                                                   

A couple of weeks ago, while browsing books on Amazon, I came across, 'Start Something That Matters' by Blake Mycoskie.

My passion is discovering ways to find our purpose and finding God's plan for our lives, which is why immediately I had to order this book!

It has been so insightful and has encouraged me, as I continue to work towards identifying opportunity in using my business, to incorporate something that matters.

Timing is everything. A friend of mine recently contacted friends and family to ask if we would like to participate in her Kindness Crew. What this entailed was simple, initiate any act of kindness and write a brief story to be shared over Valentine's Day weekend in hopes to spread kindness.

Without a doubt, I knew I had take part in this wonderful project. I was inspired by the TOMS story and resolved that I would give one for one for every be brave, be kind bracelet I sold over the next two weeks, I would give a bracelet to a woman at the Survival House.

Visit my shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StampHaven1


Here is the story...



"My name is Tiffany and I strive to make a difference. My business Stamp Haven commenced about one year ago. My intentions for this business have always been about telling your story through jewelry and gifts that matter.

Recently, I have had more opportunity to spread positivity through the pieces that I create. Phrases including, Be Brave, Be You, Be Kind are simple, yet powerful words.

I chose to share kindness to Survival House, a safe house for women and children in our community who have suffered from abuse. I knew right away when I read about this organization that this was the place that I wanted to give, one for one bracelets to.

These seven wonderful women need many things. Clothing, toiletries and resources are a necessity for them and their children, and in the future I plan to help provide some of these items. Today, it wasn't about giving them what they need necessarily, but more so, a chance to give them a glimmer of hope.

I pray they know that are loved and worthy of a better life. Encouraging them to believe in themselves is the first step.




If there is an organization you think would benefit from one for one giving please contact me Tiffany Campione at tcampione27@gmail.com or at mysavingrace818.blogspot.com

xoxo,


Tiffany Campione

Stamp Haven: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StampHaven1

https://www.facebook.com/Stamp-Haven-358372354334108




Friday, February 5, 2016

How do we know...

I believe there is something greater than ourselves orchestrating the strings of our lives, but how do we know if we are doing our part to accomplish what God wants for our lives?

During my early to mid-20's, I was oblivious to this concept. I lived day to day for what would benefit me, myself and I.  I was a professional dancer and this passion of mine, took hold of my heart and was the center of my world.  I strategically planned everything else in my life around my dancing endeavors.  As a result, I missed important family events, my faith faltered, and along the way relationships slipped through the cracks.

I have grown since then.  I am stronger in faith, I have become a mother of two beautiful girls and I did the unthinkable and moved away from home with my adventurous fly boy.

Although raising our children has given me the most love I have ever known, I still have an aching inside of me, calling me to dig a little deeper.

While my husband Jake was deployed a few years ago at Christmas time, I climbed aboard a train with my 2 month old and my 3 year old. The three of us ventured 18 hours on that steam engine towards home, where we would be surrounded by loved ones during the months he was away.

At the time, we were living in Minot, ND, sometimes referred to as, The Magic City.  Minot had experienced a horrific flood the summer prior, damaging over 4,000 homes.  The flood thankfully did not damage our home, but for one reason or another the affected community weighed heavy on my heart.

One night while at my parents house, my Mom suggested, "Go take a break honey."  She had Gia cradled in her arms and Sophie was already sound asleep.  I took her up on her offer and did what sounded best at the time... I took a shower. Maybe some of you busy Mama's can relate!  That night while I was in the shower I started brainstorming ideas of how I could help.  In that glorious 10 minutes of quiet time, I decided I would put together a 5k on the anniversary of the flood.  I would only have 5 months to whip this up, but somehow the worrier in me didn't worry at all.

Let me be clear, I am not a runner and I have humbly participated in a whopping total of one 5k in my entire life!  I knew nothing about planning this endeavor, but I couldn't shake the idea.  I also decided in those few pertinent minutes, that I would name the charity event, Hope Floats Rebuild The Magic.

It has been awhile since that inner voice was so crystal clear to me, which makes my goal as 2016 begins this week obvious. I am working on one simple task more than ever...listening.

We were all made for a specific purpose.  We may cross paths with someone that only we can provide the comfort and hope that they are desperate for.  Sometimes it may be hard to explain or may otherwise be impossible, but His plan always comes to fruition.  All we need to do is listen.  We are a wonderful work in Him.  Be kind to each other, encourage one another and be the ears to listen to be called to greatness.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19


Thursday, February 4, 2016

Do we need love or choose love, that is the question...

In my life I have been single I don't know something ridiculous like a shallow handful of months since the ripe age of sixteen. It sounds completely horrible.  I am a serial monogamous. There I said it.  Isn't it all about taking that first step towards recovery? Anyway, I never participated in casual dating, random hook-ups, etc.  When I met someone I knew in an instance if it was going to be a long term relationship, and if not, adios.

I had always felt I needed a person in my life to fulfill some dreadful missing piece. I discovered the hard way that it's really more so, about choosing to have love in your life once you are secure on your own.

There were times in my life where I filled a void for the person I was dating by boosting their confidence and being their biggest cheerleader.  I have also needed in relationships, where I was feeling insecure and around the corner was Mr. Charmer, boom crisis averted! Or, so I thought.

This type of relationship is seriously dangerous.  It may help repair your troubled heart temporarily, but this quote below about needs in relationship says it all, have a look.



Isn't this fascinating?  It makes so much sense.


The 'meet cute' eons ago...

It was fall in good ole' 1998, just off the campus at EIU. My roommates and I were hosting an epic Halloween party(I never use that word by the way).  Jake showed up that night and would go on to tell you that he snatched a smooch from me, but I'm still not buying it.  I have faint memories of a hand full of conversations with him that semester, but in a flash I never saw him again. Unbeknownst to me Jake had left school to enlist in the USAF.  Now we hardly spoke that semester, but without a doubt, I know now that God was preparing something magnificent for us.

Nine years later...

I was twenty seven and was encountering a difficult period in my life.  I had gotten married prematurely, I had insecurities I needed to be fulfilled as did my significant other at the time and not long after saying, 'I Do' we were saying, 'Good bye.'  Though it was a rough chapter in my life, I had grown so close to God in spite of it. I decided during this time, to give the reigns of my life over to God entrusting Him with my life, so I knew I was in good hands.

It was a beautiful spring day when I received a friend request on MySpace.  MySpace, yes I know I'm decrepit. At first I didn't recognize who this tall, dark, and delicious, guy was.  I sent a message to him saying hello and asked him how we knew each other.  Jake wrote back explaining our acquaintances from EIU and it started to trigger my few memories of him. Jake also mentioned he was in a pilot training class in Texas, but would be back in Chicago the next week.  He asked me out on our first date to a Chicago Bulls playoff game.

I don't remember who won the game that day, or the names of any of the players for that matter, but I will never forget the way Jake smiled at me and the feeling of joy I had from the moment we said hello.

We had grown up since that first meeting when we were just teenagers.  It wasn't our time then.  Our needs had been met and we were choosing each other.  This choice came with it's challenges; a long distance relationship, unexpected deployments and plethora of zip codes, but over and over again I choose us every time.

Interesting food for thought:

Need: requirement, necessary duty, or obligation

Choose: something that is preferred or preferable to others; the best part of something

When I see the definitions of these two words, this is the analogy that comes to mind:

need to eat Brussel sprouts, broccoli and carrots, but I choose to eat a red velvet cupcake with extra cream cheese frosting.:)

For anyone reading this that is single, there is a person for you out there.  Dig deep using your mind, body and soul through spiritual growth, artistic expression, working out or all of the above which is really what makes my soul dance and the rest will fall into place. Your needs are for you and God to work out, but choose a person to be the icing on your cake.