Weekend Links:)

Here are a few things I have been reading/listening to and enjoying as of late.

A Mother's Day message I loved by Shauna Niequist can be found here.  I especially loved the part about having the guts and making the time to connect deeply with other women.  About having a tribe.  Knowing we are not alone and letting others know that too.  About walking with one another in both joy and sorrow.  And about bout caring for ourselves as Mom's.  Really challenging and inspiring.  I think I might listen to it again and take notes:)

Michael Hyatt's podcast on Authentic Leadership can be found here.  Super fun for me because I even got a question answered :)

this post on Summer Style at Simple Design.

I pretty much love anythign that Christine Caine has to say.  Her podcasts on women in leadership are beyond fantastic.

This post  on joy and gratitude was just the reminder I needed.

How about you?  Read anything great online lately?

TOMS

Check out this early birthday present that was shipped to my house this afternoon.



TOMS - Black Stone-Washed Cord Women's Classics

I've had my eye on a pair of TOMS for some time (pretty much since I heard Blake Mycoskie speak at the 2010 Global Leadership Summit).  Everyone is chatting about how comfy and stylish they are.  The  best part is that when you buy a pair of TOMS, you actually purchase 2 pairs of shoes.  One pair for yourself and one pair is given to a child in need in the developing world.

Here's what is written on TOMS website:

One for One Movement

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.

Why Shoes?

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.

•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.

•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.

Check out this short video about the One for One Movement:

If you have Christmas presents to buy, a pair of TOMS would be so great.  You can buy them for men, women, kids and even toddlers.  Or there's always a TOMS gift card :)

As you can see, I am in love.  Check out www.TOMS.ca