this is my new genet scarf.  i’m pretty in love with it.  i love the colors.  the pattern.  the comfort.  and the courage i wrap myself in when i wear it.

yes, courage.  courage is a constant theme for me.  i’m always looking for it.  praying for it.  hoping for it.  wishing for it.  pondering it.  and lately, taking it.

most of the things that i’ve done, seen or been apart of that have been monumental in my life, i’ve been slightly afraid of.  you know the chances, opportunities, and situations that your heart screams yes to but your mind talks you out of.  this is how i seem to deal with anything and everything that is great, good, and full of potential.  me, myself, and i usually do an exquisite job of convincing, “no you can’t do that.”  i’ve taken many passes on opportunity.  adventure.  change.  and, on living life, really.  but lately, my heart has been whispering louder than my chatty mind.

i have a pretty amazing opportunity ahead of me.

little did i know that blogging about a scarf last fall would have me crossing the ocean and two continents to ethiopia this summer.

in august, i’ll be joining a group of bloggers and traveling to africa with fashionABLE and Mocha Club.  we will be blogging real time and sharing stories about amazing women that make these very scarfs and in doing so are making a better life for themselves and their loved ones.  finding and taking courage themselves.

i took the courage to say yes to ethiopia.  and, i’m honored, thrilled and so excited to go!!  but, if i’m honest, authentic and real with you than i can’t leave out the part about being a wee bit scared in the actual going.  i’ve been to africa before.  i’ve traveled near and far, many times and again.  maybe it’s the far factor?  far from my loved ones.  far from life as i know it.  and a far way on a plane (those that know me well, are probably in shock that i’m going just based upon the flight alone).  but this is one of those things (opportunity, just isn’t even the right word), that i know i’m supposed to do.  one could call the invitation coincidence, luck, or even chance.   but i don’t think those words work.  i just know, in my knowing, that this trip, is on my life map.  that the stories of the women that i’m going to meet (and share with you) will be a part of my story.  i’m not sure how all the dots connect but i know they will.  and so . . .  i’m going.

i’m going in the strength that i have.  and that is enough.

we only learn courage by couraging (as brene brown says).

i’m going to find, take, and learn more courage on this adventure.  i’ll take it in the going.  i’ll find it in the women i’m going to meet, who are no doubt brave in ways i’ll never have to be.  i’ll learn it by my traveling companions who will be new friends and have stories of their own to share.  and, then i’ll do some sharing.  i’ll share their stories.  the adventure.  the couraging with all of you.  and beyond that type of sharing, i hope to, in some way or form, share courage with those i meet a long the way.

while i was in london, i heard someone say, “we spend our courage in life, so we constantly need to be encouraged.”  as you are spending your courage away (in big and in everyday kind of ways) i hope these words encourage you.   that whatever you are up against, jumping towards, or saying yes to, that you will go in the strength that is yours.  it may seem like not enough (it always feels that way).  but when you do the thing, you’ll be taking the courage you need and find yourself couraging more and more (yourself + others).

there is more to this story.  more to share and more to, yet, be written.  i hope you’ll follow along.

xo . trina

and if you are feeling dis-couraged.  tired.  worn.  cold, even.  maybe get your own genet scarf.  wrap yourself in strength.  warm yourself in knowing you are not alone.  that someone an ocean away is finding courage, themselves, in making that very scarf.

p.s.   you can follow along on our travels by keeping up with this blog + following the hashtag #blogABLE

photos taken by my little la la!