Empowerment: One Day at a Time

It’s really easy to let life unravel us.

The last few weeks have been really hard for me. In some ways, they were amazing — I live-blogged the Oscars, for god’s sake! — but I lost what had thus far been my most significant writing gig, and instantly found myself struggling to make ends meet. I’ve also seen people who I value tremendously drift away from me, and sometimes, it all feels like a little too much.

Avon.com

This morning as I was making tea, I went to pick up the tea kettle…and the handle fell off in my hands. I instantly burst into tears. Was I so attached to the kettle? No, it was two years old and purchased for under $15 – but it also was the first thing I bought when I moved into my own apartment, and thus the one item I own that I consider symbolic of my independence.

It’s really easy to feel our lives unravel, and it’s not always for the most rational of reasons. I’ll get another job – and I still have a pretty solid roof over my head – and yet I’ve been feeling my self-worth propel on a downward course. And instantly, it changes everything — from how we look at ourselves in the mirror, to how we interact with other people.

Obviously, women throughout the universe have way bigger problems than me, and it’s so easy to let things explode. Just take one evening to watch the DVD of “Precious” and suddenly, you will realize just how not-bad you truly have it.

And I think we can feel better about our own world – whether it’s life, or money, or job stress – or a fun combo of all the above – to make a difference for someone else. To that end, Reese Witherspoon launched the The Avon Empowerment Fund’s infinity-themed Empowerment line of accessories and clothing, including a new Empowerment Ring and T-Shirt. 100% net profits from the sale of the bracelets, necklaces, rings and t-shirts (which range from $3 to $15) benefit efforts to eradicate domestic violence.

So, yes, money is a little tight for me right now – I won’t be recreationally ordering sushi takeout for a little while. But new opportunities are already abounding, and I’m leaving on a press trip to Cancun in the morning. Life isn’t so bad. And you know what? Ordering an empowerment ring (shown above) and knowing I am doing something to make someone else’s life — someone much less fortunate than me — better? It goes a long way toward making me feel like myself again.