if not me...
If not us, then who If not me and you Right now, it’s time for us to do something If not now, then when Will we see an end To all this pain It’s not enough to do nothing It’s time for us to do something ~ Matthew West
It is 1995 and a boy sits alone at the lunch table. He's skinny and quiet, wearing a tattered Polo shirt. His name is Don. He typically roams the halls during lunch to avoid scenes like this, but today he is starved... So he eats, dodging occasional cheeto bullets from the next table. It is Friday so pep rally excitement fills the air. Don stares at his food, likely battling an internal voice yelling GET UP! RUN AWAY! And perhaps the voice almost wins. He's picking up his half-eaten tray when a cheerleader takes the seat beside him. She glares at her friends who sheepishly put their chips away as she starts a conversation. His behavior is often odd, to be sure, but he means no harm (years later he will be diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome). The bell rings and she rises to leave. He flashes a cautious smile and holds his head a little higher. They don't become best friends or eat together every day, but this is the last time he will feel humiliated and alone in the cafeteria. A line has been drawn in the sand, and a light cast on mean behavior that will no longer be glorified or tolerated. One girl, one small act of courage and kindness changes everything.
What did her parents do? Why, in the midst so much wrong, did she choose RIGHT? And how can we grow little humans who will become assets to humanity? Bullying, my friends, is alive and well... And not isolated to children. Social media has exacerbated the problem, allowing people to abuse one another behind the relative safety of their computers. And, good people, fearing they might be the next victim of widespread attacks, are unwilling to defend or protect the wronged. Like wildfire, negative news spreads, lies become truth, and wrongdoing is praised and passed on. Yikes. Thought it was hard being a kid in 1995? Good luck to our children if we don't make a stand now. We started Well Dressed Wolf with little more than a dream, a few sketches and our innocence. Somehow, little by little, our baby company started growing... and in just a few years has become something we never imagined. Along the way we have made friends (so many friends!). We've gained wisdom, honed our craft, learned valuable (sometimes costly!) lessons in business, and watched women come together for the good of each other and the world. We've celebrated babies being born and literally watched children grow up through pictures (wearing WDW!). In the early days, we jumped right into social media, joining the many groups that popped up in our name. Having never been involved in the underground world of children's clothing, it was a rush! Interacting with customers on such a personal level was thrilling and gratifying... Until it wasn't. Recently, we have stepped away from all groups (most of which are lovely places full of wonderful women!) because it was necessary. We didn't start this business to referee or participate in sparring factions of clothing lovers and buyers and sellers. We aren't politicians and have no desire to be. Our daily posts shouldn't be planned like a State of the Union address-- each word measured and monitored for potential hidden meaning or intention. We started this journey because we LOVE to design adorable things for your children and we LOVE getting to know so many good people who have rallied around our brand (and there are so many good people). In fact, a positive and inspiring community group will soon be launched exclusively for friends of Well Dressed Wolf. We hope you'll take part! We plan to pop in periodically and you'll get sneaks, make supportive friendships, take part in giveaways and have opportunities to help make the world a BETTER PLACE. It really is time to make social media a more positive experience again- for our children; for ourselves. Adults bullying one another and harassing businesses should never be okay.
As we tell our own children, you have CHOICES every day: seek darkness or seek light. Make a positive impact on the world or a negative one. Seek to inspire or to destroy. Do what you know is right- even when it isn't "cool". Don't seek revenge (no matter how much you want to!) and pray for the people who hurt you (this one is a toughie!). You aren't perfect and you'll make mistakes, so learn to apologize and forgive. Be honest, but be kind. Truth doesn't have to hurt... THESE are goals for our own lives (and business), and though we sometimes fall short, we are confident in the path we've chosen.
You're living the one and only life that God has gifted you, so make it count.
Love,
Sarah and Shannon
On that note, let's celebrate being good today. We have some sweet giveaways and links to happy places below:
- Our mantra for the day is BE A NICE HUMAN! And guess what? Our dear friend launched a company built to inspire just that! Our new favorite tank reminds everyone we meet to behave nicely in a modern, graphically pleasing font (bonus!). Danielle has generously offered a shirt, bag, candle and bracelet to one lucky person! Sidenote: you'll want to buy some for everyone you know, so here is their facebook page (where they happen to be hosting a giveaway of their own, so go check it out!).
- We are all works-in-progress. The Finishing School is a book we genuinely look forward to delving into! Several of our friends have also purchased the pre-order and we plan to work through the chapters together, encouraging one another along the way. Valerie of Val Marie Papers has generously offered a book for one of you!
- This little cardi/vest/sweater is the most versatile thing our my closets (yes, we both have one!). Dress it up, dress it down... Wear it as a long sleeveless vest or long-sleeved cozy cardi. Add a tank, skinnies & boots - and you're ready to hit the streets and make good things happen. One lucky winner will receive this beauty, but keep your eye on Buckle for restocks or similar items!
- Luxe by Virtue is a good friend's jewelry line. Tracy's pieces are stunning and available only through boutiques and high end retailers... and here for one lucky person! This brand stands for all of the things we love: goodness, righteousness, integrity, dignity, honor, nobility, purity and worthiness (a portion of all proceeds go to Giving Hope NOLA, dedicated to feeding needy elderly in New Orleans). We are so excited to share these pieces with one of you. You can see more of her glistening beauties by following her Instagram and you can purchase online at Shop Bella Vita.
Sorry, didn’t mean to post twice, it showed my first comment didn’t post. Feel free to delete the top post and this one if needed.
It is so important to raise kind children! I pray daily, multiple times a day, for guidance in all things, especially when it comes to raising my girls. They are young (8 months and almost 3) but we talk with them now about how important it is to be nice, polite, have manners, be thoughtful and considerate of others feelings. I also think it’s important to surround them with kind people as well. Littles look up to the adults they spend time with. Always use your words with care, little ears can hear and they will speak the same words you do. It starts at home. Be a good role model for your children.
I tell my children every day to open their eyes and see… see people, notice them, their behaviors, their signals and be that one person who affects people based on what they themselves see. Make interactions real and memorable. Be authentic and in return, you will grow a reputation of integrity and trustworthiness. A coward reacts to gossip, but the courageous create relationships based on first hand interactions. I am the proudest of my children when they are complimented for their respect and kindness ro others. That is the closest they can come in a sinful world to being the hands and feet of Jesus.
I was always taught to treat everyone I meet with respect, younger or older. And to remember back to a day when I felt my lowest, when I felt like everything in my world was gone and I couldn’t go on… I strive to treat everyone I meet as if they are in that lonely place, I always lead with a smile and positive greeting. You never know, one smile, one door opened, one hello could bring someone kout of their darkness.
Thank you for such a gracious post and for giving light to what is important! I received one of the best compliments I could have ever hoped for as a mother recently. After addressing a situation with my nine year old son (not bullying, just attitude lol), my mother told me that I am an amazing mother. I was so humbled that this amazing woman feels that I’m getting it right! I explain things to my children, especially when they have behaved in a less than desirable way. I want them to know that I expect respect, but that they are also deserving of respect even in the face of discipline. “Because I said so” will one day lose its power, and they need to understand that our faith is at the root of everything we teach them. I practice humility and am never afraid to admit to them when i have acted unfavorably also. Accountability is one of the greatest attributes we reinforce, and we never forget to show them how much they are loved. Especially when they have done something wrong. Let’s face it. ..as mothers we all feel at some time as if we are just screwing it all up royally! We pray that our decisions and actions are ones that empower our children in the most positive of ways and that they exude kindness, faith and logic into everything they do. Life is tough, and we always say that when it’s the most difficult get on your knees and give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon us each and every day! Sometimes that’s all the perspective any of us needs. May God bless each of you in everything you do!