As we wrap up 2017 there are so many different directions I could take this newsletter. I hope you'll bear with me for a moment to take a more serious tone. At the top of the year, I made a concerted effort to start giving back more intentionally. Not just donating an item or gift card to some silent auction I wouldn't attend, but giving my time and money with a lot of thought and care. It's been joyous. I will see a student travel to Ghana on study abroad this spring because I started a scholarship to help make that dream trip a reality. I spoke to a group of female UGA students, mostly first generation and on the commitment scholarship (most of the room was on a pre-med track!), and felt more inspired by them and their passion for becoming educated than I have in a long time. I found out that some UGA students are homeless. I found out that Clarke County has the fourth highest poverty rate in the state. I woke up to the fact that internationally, there's so much more that we can be doing for children. We are so lucky, y'all. I've given money to causes I'm passionate about: mostly making children's lives better across the globe. It not only felt good, it felt right. I implore you to take some time in 2018 for social impact. Be it volunteering your time, or stroking a check. Both have a tremendous effect in different ways. Mentor a student, take time to help someone in need, I urge you to make it a priority.
I'm not trying to be too heavy here, but I think it's important that we count our blessings and realize so many don't have it nearly as good as we do. We are all guilty of bitching about "how hard 2017 was." It wasn't. It was beautiful. I'm thankful for it. I'm thankful for a year of health, happiness, and prosperity. I wish each and every one of you the same in 2018 and hope that you're enjoying every moment of this holiday season. I can't wait to see where the new year takes all of my wonderful customers. Thanks for humoring me for a moment, now onto some fun!
