To Purchase with Thought and Purpose

I never really used to think about the things I bought, where they came from, who made them. Normally you go into a store see something you like or need, buy it, and take it home. Simple enough right?

Well, one of the things I want to work on this year to become more aware of what I buy. Behind every object that surrounds me at this moment there are people who made it. Remember that about half of the world's population lives off $2 a day. I don't know, but to me that just doesn't seem fair. A lot of people have the mindset of, "Well I'm only one person, how can I save the world?" Well, I know that I live in the wealthiest, well fed (over fed in fact), and most resourceful country in the world and I do have the choice of where my money goes.

I was looking on the site that I was introduced to not too long ago, www.free2work.org and it seems like an easy enough start to me. It takes only a few minutes to see how the money I've spent is being used to treat the people whose hands labored for all that surrounds me. I was surprised at some of the name brands I saw on there. In my mind, this site is an amazing tool that they have created to bring awareness to people on what is happening globally in the lives of innocent hard working people. If you have a moment, check it out.

Another thing I want to work on is buying with purpose. I have many friends who are so artistic and have so much talent, and who actually use the gifts that God gave them to make a living. I truly believe that we need to support each other in this. I would much rather purchase something that I know was crafted by gifted hands and that maybe my money may be able to bless them even more than to buy something that means nothing at all. Trade as One has a great site to support those people who come from all over the world to bring unique products directly to you. You can click on Trade as One to go directly to the site or click on the link at the side of this blog.

I plan to focus more on this topic later. I will be spot~lighting people in my own community who have some amazing gifts of their own. I plan to support them as much as I can and hope that you will too.

Thing to remember: There are lives behind every purchase.

Tomorrow: To Utilize My Skills and Resources