by Kiersten Homalon | Jan 8, 2016 | Learn + Grow
Sex Trafficking is a subject that many find, well, distant. Not the word you thought I was going to choose huh? What I think strikes me the most about sex trafficking is that it is not something that effects only third world countries. It is not something that just effects a certain ethnicity, religion, societal status or even age. It effects everyone, its right under our noses and its time that awareness is made. I started learning more about human trafficking after being inspired by Lisa Bevere’s book Lioness Arising. Her first hand accounts of meeting these girls and the destructive cycles that happen within the Trafficking world opened my eyes to something completely new, something I had never even thought about, and something that I never realized I would become so passionately driven to effect change in.
Human Trafficking is on the rise. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry, falling just below drug trafficking. A lot of these victims stem from run aways, something that blew me away. As a mother, to not know where your child is unimaginable, but to know how devastating the statistics are for the young girls that do run away is, heart breaking. According to the National Runaway Safeline 80% of ALL runaway and homeless girls have reportedly experienced some sort of sexual or physical abuse, and one of every three children on the streets are lured into commercial sexual exploitation ( Department of Health and Human Services.) I believe it is so important to educate adults on this matter. People often see things such as social media, porn, strip clubs, violent or sexual movies and video games as harmless, when in reality it is adding fuel to the fire of Sex trafficking. These industries feed this mindset, and I would even say feed this sickness that merges sex and violence, and it must be stopped. On top of that, bringing awareness and education into high schools, and possibly even middle schools if done appropriately will allow young women to protect themselves and their friends from the realities of the risk that is out on the streets and on social media.
This social injustice is something that we all can play a part in to stop. There are many organizations that are working to fight against sex trafficking! There are probably multiple in the state you live in alone! I personally work diligently with Ho’olanapua to stop sex trafficking here on the Hawaiian Islands! Some of the women I work with alone have been victims of Sex Trafficking. Each organization is constantly in search for advocates, volunteers, donations and more people spreading the awareness about this atrocity! Please research the various options you have to become apart of this fight! Dressember is a large organization that is also dear to my heart and works hand in hand with the International Justice Mission. The holidays are a great time to remember the “Reason for the Season†and so to sacrifice our time and efforts for others sake is the most magical part of the Spirit of CHRISTmas. Below I have included a link to a website that has a list of International Organizations fighting against Sex trafficking. I also have a link for Ho’olanapua. We appreciate generous gifts of donations and of course spreading the knowledge and awareness! Mahalo Nui Loa, and together lets make a “Brighter Future for our Children†(Ho’olanapua).
“Our Lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.†Martin Luther King Jr.
Proverbs 31:8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.â€
http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/united_states_of_america/international_orgs
www.hoolanapua.org
www.dressember.org
www.ijm.org
Have Grit Sweet Ones,
Kiersten
by Torrie Oglesby | Nov 17, 2015 | Learn + Grow
Dear 20 something soul,
Something #7
APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE.
The sad truth about this life is that we never know when it’s going to end. Life is completely unpredictable and who is by your side today could be gone tomorrow. That’s why it’s absolutely vital that you learn to appreciate the people who are in your life and make your life better!! It could be your parents, your sibling’s, your friends, your grandparents, your husband, your fiancé, or maybe even your children! These are precious people in your life and even though it seems like we will all live forever we won’t. Take the time to show these people how thankful you are for them and how you appreciate their presence in your life. Write a thank you note, take someone out for a dinner that’s on you, pay for a spa day, or even simply spend time that is 100% dedicated to them and not you checking your social media accounts. People matter, take the time to let them know it.
Till next time,
20 something soul
by Altimese Nichole | Nov 17, 2015 | Learn + Grow
In life, it’s so easy to express appreciation and gratitude when things are going well, all of our loved ones are healthy, and the journey is going smoothly. However, what about the times when it seems like our backs are against the wall, our children are sick, and it appears as if there is no end to the chaos?
Here are some tactics that can help you maintain a heart of gratefulness while dealing with moments of difficulty:
- Mediate on Good Things
When facing hard times, we often worry about the outcome which leads to us speaking about our concerns. This actually places more focus on the issue instead of minimizing its presence in our lives. When going through a trail, be intentional about your thoughts. Cast your cares and mediate on the good things in your life—even if that’s simply focusing on the gift of life in your body. By mediating on good things, your problems will receive less of your attention and your gratitude will supersede its presence.
- Be Intentional with Time
Difficult circumstances make it hard to maintain positivity and focus on the other great things in our lives. It can be easy to simply flow through your days but these are the times that intention matters. Going with the flow creates an environment that is reactive vs. proactive. Come deliberate with your time and what you choose to focus on. Spend more time reading books that address how successful people overcome and less time watching reality TV drama. Become self-aware of the thoughts you have—cast down the negative ones by replacing them with counter thoughts that create positivity. If we truly attended to personal growth and development as we should (in addition to our normal roles and responsibilities), we would have no time for condemnation and self-pity.
- Volunteer
A few years ago, I volunteered at a women’s shelter in the city of Atlanta. We provided a nail spa day for the ladies and many of the women shared their stories with the volunteers. One woman shared with me that she graduated from Howard University with a Communications degree and worked at some of the most reputable household and entertainment brands. During the course of her career, she connected with a group of people who introduced her to drugs (one of those drugs was crack/cocaine). As a result, she lost her home, her job, and ultimately the life she knew. Through it all, she had such a huge heart full or gratitude. She spoke with me with tears in her eyes through the pain and a smile on her face because of her gratitude. She said that she no longer gets to pamper herself, especially with manicures so my attention toward her made her day.
Spending time with her and many of the women who had similar stories reminded me of grace and mercy. Through all of my situations that I was facing, it was only because of grace and mercy that I wasn’t me. I am no different from her. WE are no different. That one experience changed my perspective for the better, helping me realized that we should never take anything for granted. Even when things seem at their worst, we can always find a glimpse of hope and gratitude.
- Create a Gratitude Jar
Have you heard of a gratitude jar? It’s a DIY project that can spark creativity while taking your mind off of today’s issues. Additionally, once the actual jar is designed to your liking, you write thing that you’re grateful for on little sheets of paper. Do this whenever you think of it and have the time so when you need a pick-me-up, you can reach for your jar and read the things you’re grateful for. I put dates on mine to help me remember the great things through my journey.
Here’s an example of a gratitude jar. You can also create a gratitude journal (these actually exist for those who are not DIY’ers) or a faith book which highlights favorite scriptures, faith testimonies, and answered prayers.
What are some of the things that help you maintain gratitude through difficult storms?
by Altimese Nichole | Nov 3, 2015 | Learn + Grow
Have you heard of The Law of Attraction? It’s a thought philosophy that like attracts like. This simply means that in life, we attract the things that we are within us. Whether good, bad, or indifferent—we attract the things and people that are merely a reflection of what’s within.
Although the theory is debatable by many, I am a firm believer that that is true because I’ve seen it play out in my life personally. Additionally, the philosophy has a foundation of belief – which further reinforces truth behind the concept that we attract what we put out. For example, in the word of God, we’re told to BELIEVE FIRST and we will SEE it manifest later. Regardless of the circumstances, we’re told to stand on faith and believe that our perception will become our reality. It all starts within.
I’ve lived this out for years. A professional mentor (that’s a CMO of a globally recognized company and home brand) share with me one of her secrets to success:
“I don’t think about where I am. I visualize where I want to be. I go beyond visualizing through living my life as if it’s already happened. For every promotion, I’ve found someone in the company that had the type of role I wanted next. I would observe and study the person’s behaviors, how they interacted with peers, and learned more about their work ethic… and I would imitate them. I’d put my one personal spin one what I found as my next professional stepping stone. You can’t have what you don’t believe you deserve or you can see. If you can see yourself there, then it’s yours.”
From marriage, to career moves… her wisdom has held great truth for me. I’ve taught myself to live my life through the lens of my future self, and my physical and current circumstances will simply align with time.
Have you experienced the Law of Attraction in your life? Share with the STRONG leaders how it’s had an impact on your life.
by Torrie Oglesby | Oct 25, 2015 | Learn + Grow
Dear 20 something soul,
Something #6
BE THERE FOR YOUR FRIENDS
Time is too short. Life is unpredictable. The time you have with your friends now may not be there forever. People move, get married, get promotions and time vanishes. While you have the time be there for your friends. Boys come and go. Unless He has put a ring on it, don’t ever pass up a moment to be with your girlfriends for him. He can wait. Your friends matter. How you treat them matter. If you want to be close in your thirties then care about them, make time for them, and be there for them in your twenties.
Till next time,
20 something soul
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