Tory & Family

invisiblepeople.tv/blog

Ethical Holiday Shopping Guide

I know some of you have been shopping for Christmas for months now and others of you are saying "Christmas shopping?  It's still 2 months away!"  Whenever you do shop for Christmas, I encourage you to be a conscious consumer and buy ethically this year.  Yes, it does require a little more work, but consider the long term effects that your purchase could have.  Buying fair trade means that artisans are getting paid properly and can put food on their table and send their kids to school.  Buying products that are not made by slaves means that people are free to work and dream.  Food, school, work and dream - all things we expect in our own lives and I believe that everyone around the world should be able to expect of their lives.  Check out the 2012 Ethical Holiday Shopping Guide (especially Jolica's ad!) and see where you can start to make a difference this holiday season:

www.ethicalholidayshoppingguide.com

The Help

I started reading The Help over the summer and had to put it away for about a month when school started.  I picked it up again over Thanksgiving and have been plugging away to finish it up.  I definitely recommend the movie, as I saw that first, but if you are a reader at all, then I'm sure you'll agree that the book is even better.  If you haven't read it yet, find yourself a copy and before you even start it, know that you're in for a good read!

CNN: Debt Bondage in Construction Industry

 

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com

CNN: Debt Bondage in Shrimp & Tea Industry

 

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com

CNN: Debt Bondage in Carpet Industry

 

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com

my name is Amanda Todd

My time and use of the Internet is very limited, especially compared to the teenagers out there, including the ones I teach every day.  This blog is probably my biggest leap 'out there' as I'm not on Facebook or other social media sites.  And I'm ok with that - I've got my email and I check news online, etc - but I understand that for the students I'm teaching, the Internet has many other meanings and uses.  The theme of voices, specifically women's and girls' voices, has really come out for me this week.  So today, without her knowledge because she passed away this past Wednesday, Amanda Todd's voice (or at least her words) will be heard.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOHXGNx-E7E&safe=active

The Very 1st International Day of the Girl Child

I hope you will find some way to commemorate today with me - it is the very first international day of the girl child, as declared by the UN.  Perhaps you will go out and celebrate with the girls in your life; or maybe it will be a time of reflection, thinking about girls around the world who don't have opportunities, simply because they are a girl.  Either way, I urge you to get involved in some way.  More information at Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl website:

becauseiamagirl.ca/page.aspx?pid=4430

and check out CNN article India's Sex Slaves Face Lifelong Cycle of Abuse:

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/10/indias-sex-slaves-face-lifelong-cycle-of-abuse

World Sight Day

Tomorrow (10-11-12 for us number people out there!!) is World Sight Day and TOMS has a great piece on their website about it:

WE CAN CHANGE THE WAY THE WORLD SEES.

Head to www.toms.ca/world-sight-day and be sure to scroll through all their slides (look for the 7 dots at the top of the screen) for some great information.

So That Her Voice Will Be Heard

I have a long list of things to be thankful for in my life, especially as I reflected this past Thanksgiving weekend.  My cousin sent me this article and it once again reminded me that freedom of speech is something that I should not take for granted,  especially as a woman.  So I post today on behalf of 14-year old Malala Yousafzai and use my voice so that her voice will be heard.

world.time.com/2012/10/09/malala-yousafzai-the-latest-victim-in-pakistans-war-on-children

Gratitude ~ Louie Schwartzberg

I know that I just posted this a little while ago, but I thought it was appropriate to post it again as Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day today.  Even if it's not Thanksgiving where you live, may it be a day to give thanks for your many blessings!

"And so I wish that you would

open your heart to all these blessings

and let them flow through you

that everyone whom you will meet

on this day will be blessed by you.

Just by your eyes;

by your smile;

by your touch;

just by your presence.

Let the gratefulness overflow

into blessing all around you.

And then it will really be a good day."

movingart.tv

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) ~ Matt Redman

Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

Colors of Autumn

I know that some of my friends around the world are heading into spring right now, but in my part of the world we are in the middle of autumn - my favorite season of the year.  Something stirs within me when I see the trees start to turn color.  As I drive down my street, it is like nature itself decided to decorate and it's more beautiful than anything I could ever hope to create myself as I see yellow and orange leaves crowning the trees.  And the best treat is to find the red leaves, which seem to be more rare and the most beautiful of them all!  It certainly helps that we have had a few gorgeous days in regard to temperature and it's about making the most of it, because colder days are just around the corner.  So here's to celebrating the amazing colors of autumn!