A Little Nudge Towards a Big Risk and Total Fulfillment

Dear Reader:

Today I am leaving to stay over at the Turners to help out with the grandchildren while John is gone…so I thought that an example of a random act of kindness might be just the thing to leave for each day I am away.

Like in today’s story (GuidePost) sometimes all it takes is a little nudge or encouragement to guide someone towards their purpose and passion in life…that is the case in this story.

(Courtesy Avi Loren Fox)

We all need that little nudge to take a big risk, and for Avi Loren Fox, the now-founder of clothing line Wild Mantle that push came from a well-intended friend.

“A few years ago, I was in a coffee shop with some friends talking about how I really wanted a hooded scarf. I had seen a few around but could never find one to buy in stores. We all mused about how you could totally make the shape by cutting up and sewing together some old sweaters. I guess I kept going on about it, because after a while one of my friends was like ‘Come on, let’s go!’ and marched me to a thrift store down the street and bought me a bag of cashmere and wool sweaters.

I went home that night and made a hooded-scarf. It turned out really well, and when I wore it out into the world, people noticed and said, ‘What is that? I want one!’ I started making and selling them, and now two kickstarter campaigns and a Tory Burch Foundation loan later, that first hooded scarf  turned into the company that is now my passion and work: Wild Mantle. I still think back to how that random act of kindness changed everything, and without it, Wild Mantle probably never would have happened. Thank you, Roni!”

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So until tomorrow…Encouragement is so important in life…just having someone who believes in you can turn your life completely around. We must, also, always be ‘encouragers’ to others and accept encouragement when given to us…it just might possibly change a life…including yours.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Yesterday I accompanied Mandy and Eva Cate for the long-awaited American Girl Performance at Gaillard Auditorium downtown Charleston. I have never seen so many little girls with their dolls in one place all my life. Absolutely adorable. Eva Cate took Gracie, her doll, all decked out like she was…in her fifties-looking dress Mandy found several weeks ago. The show was adorable and all about “Girl Power”…about being true to yourself and never giving up.

Eva Cate was so excited about going before we left and she was in utter blissful reverie following the performance.

The ceiling inside the auditorium is breath-taking….and the happy grin on Jakie’s face is equally adorable…but just this time…no boys allowed! 🙂

Mollie sent these precious picture of Eloise…before I blink it will be time for Eloise to go see American Girl…it happens too quickly!

***Extra Extra! Brooks Moore is the author of the book Chalk Talk ….(which contains the very popular Christmas story I put on the blog post around the holidays ….(Christmas and the Magic Pencil-December 20)

Brooks is having a Book Talk tomorrow night (Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 P.M. -Miler Country Club.) 80% of the proceeds will go to St. Jude’s Children Hospital. 

Brooks just finished fighting a very tenuous battle with cancer himself and it is what prompted him to write his book Chalk Talk...telling stories of his teaching days in the classroom.

I am just sorry I will be in Mt. Pleasant but please come out for this great cause and be thoroughly entertained with Brooks humor and nostalgic look at his personal teaching experiences You will be thoroughly entertained!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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2 Responses to A Little Nudge Towards a Big Risk and Total Fulfillment

  1. Sis Kinney says:

    Good Monday morning, Becky,
    Love the Wild Mantle story; will have to check out her company.
    Eva Cate looks so cute with her American Girl doll. I remember when my daughter, Natalie, had her doll, Kirsten, and then we got her the one that “looks like” her – blonde hair, brown eyes. She and her best friend were really “into” those AG dolls. Her Godmother even made a bunch of clothes for the dolls for Nat. And, yes, those days went by way too fast – as you are discovering with Eloise now.
    And how I’d love to be able to go hear Brooks Moore talk and/or to get a signed copy of his book. He was Principal of Rollings, but I think he was only there one more year when Nat entered Rollings in 7th grade. Loved him. He and Mike B. were the best principals and I feel very fortunate that Nat had them both!
    Enjoy your time with Mandy and the grands!
    Much love,
    Sis

    • Becky Dingle says:

      You are right…Mike Burrell and Brooks Moore were both so compassionate coupled with a great sense of humor…two necessary ingredients for principals. I will be sure to let him know and maybe he can mail you a copy! I so hate to miss it too!

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