Here's Jen. She's a beautiful ninja.
I don't know her personally but she is far, far more than this short story: a few years ago, Jen rescued herself and her Littles. Then she got up and started a charity called the Beauty Bank.
Jen gives life's little luxuries to women in need. She takes the unused beauty items we ALL have lurking in our bathroom cupboards and wardrobes and packages them beautifully to give to our sisters.
Share, share, share our stuff
I don't need to give reasons for why we should help. We know.
Some of our sisters are worried about getting shoes on their kids' feet. Or they're trying to find a safe way to leave...so they are not exactly buying themselves scented soap or mascara or cute earrings. We have extra hidden in our drawers; we can bless the universe. You see how this works?
Find a box & fill it
You ready? It's not hard.
Get a box, walk to your bedroom / ensuite.
Put in all your unopened soaps, body wash, make-up samples, candles, jewellery, pre-loved but lovely scarves, belts, handbags etc (see full list here). Or throw a few new items in your cart when you're in the cosmetic aisle. Easy. Jen will make beauty packs for women in need.
Go to the post office (Cost: $10)
I know.
The queue.
But while you're there, think about this: you are a good egg. You are blessing the world. You are doing what you can for somebody who is scared or lost. She may be a stranger. She may live next door. (Or...she may even be you. If it's you and you're reading now, reach out. Take a baby step forward. Here's the number in New South Wales for domestic problems: 1800 65 64 63 and the website is here. People are ready to listen.)
BEAUTY BANK PO Box 991 Sutherland NSW 1499. (Postage costs $10.25 within 50km of Sydney for a box under 22 kilos)
Let's rescue some beautiful prisoners
A little kindness (body wash, mascara, scarf, earrings) goes such a long way when life is hard.
Can you see -- we're not giving soap, we're rescuing prisoners? We're dropping keys into their laps.
Thank you, Easter chickadees
Thank you, Aussie girls. And for all you overseas readers, Dr Google will show you a charity in your own hometown that does the same thing. Please say you will.
Sending big hugs. I hope you pilfer all the mini chocolate Easter eggs you desire this weekend.
Catherine xo
ps. Thank you for following my Happiness Blog. I hope you feel inspired to be yourself and love your world. If you like it, there's more here!