I don’t have a lot of regrets in my past, I know that I wouldn’t be who I am now without the choices that I made and things I did. However, there are THREE things that I wish I had really learned before 40. I know some of these you’ll hear over and and over again and I’m kinda sorry, but I’m making a point.
- Meditation. I know, I know. Again with the meditation! I never gave this a real shot because my mother referred to meditation and energy and the law of attraction type things as “witchy-poo” things, so I never even gave them another thought until I was 40. Oh, how I wish I could turn back time on that one! Thank you, Cher, for the lyrics in my head now. I hope the singing stops soon. Let’s carry on…
- Lesbianism. While my first crush ever was on a girl, I tried to play on the straight team… but their uniforms were NOT as cute. And my Ashy happened at the perfect time that she was supposed to. She’s really too good for me, but my plan is to change that before she figures it out!
- Menstrual Cups! I heard about these from some Candian friends back when I was a consultant at Passion Parties. I put my nose in the air and left the table in disgust! (Maybe not in disgust, I think they’d just put out some hors-d’oeuvres!) I didn’t understand it or fully get the purpose until a couple of years ago! 85% less cramps, no odor, no leaking… even if you’re a heavy menstruator, you can still participate in archery and ride a horse! Tampons are toxic and our bodies know that so 85% of the cramping we feel during our very special time is our body contracting in an effort to push the toxic item from us to protect us. Tampons also make you bleed more in some evil voodoo sort of way. You need to set an alarm on your phone for every 12 hours to remind you to empty because you WILL forget that you’re even on it! Best. Thing. Ever! I have some pretty amusing stories that go along with this particular product. So many that I think our next blog about it will begin The Cup Chronicles. My personal story with this is one of the funniest moments of my life and will give you a very clear view into my relationship.
Since joining the ranks at Bedroom Kandi, I have learned so much about the world on a more global level. I am admittedly one of those people who can barely see past the end of her nose. Just handling myself and my issues has been about all I could handle without some sort of a mental breakdown (again, the meditation would have been a handy tool!) so I’ve always kept myself on track in life as best as I could and rarely thought about or worried about people outside of my own circle. It wasn’t even from lack of interest, it was just self preservation.
One thing that BK has opened my eyes to actually has to do with a woman’s menstrual cycle. BK offered a special bundle when I first came aboard that tied in with women’s hygiene. I remember reading training material or seeing an insert about it and it piqued my attention. In Africa, a girl’s period is an incredibly painful source of pain and shame. Without the financial ability to have hygiene products, school-aged girls are unable to go to school during her cycle. These young women are forced to stay home and miss school and many of them miss so much school that they’re unable to catch up and they end up dropping out and not finishing their education. Because they got their period. This led to many Google searches, researching article and really thinking this through to a point that it made me want to do something. I know, I know. I’m just one crazy chick, what can I do? On my own, not much. But with your help, we could ALL have an impact. The president of Bedroom Kandi just happens to be married to one of the coolest men I’ve ever met and he happens to be a reverend. He frequently makes trips to Africa to visit an orphanage as part of his ministry work and he’s our “way in”! LOL Hang on, I’m going somewhere with this! I have found a manufacturer of The Cup who is selling them to us at $20 for 2 of them! If you’d like to help us make our goal of sending 100 cups to Africa this spring, all you have to do is purchase one! For everyone one that you purchase, I’ll be able to put one in the care package headed to Africa in the next couple of months! How COOL is that?! Do you realize the impact that could have on those young ladies?! The Cup is reusable, easy to clean, made of soft silicone and has the potential to LITERALLY change someone’s life. And yours, too! Did I mention that the use of these cut down the length of your period?! Oh yeah! 6-7 days is now becoming 2-3 for MANY!
When I think back on my life and how I took for granted so many opportunities that I had, it’s heartbreaking. I was the girl who was “having female problems” through EVERY gym class from middle school on. Just so I wouldn’t have to change clothes, get dirty and sweaty (I was SUCH a girl!) and have to shower in stalls that were used by strangers – did I mention I was kind of a snot too? So, to all the gym coaches out there who had serious concerns for me and my health, sorry about that! Once I realized that excuse worked with VERY little follow up possibilities, I rode that thing until the wheels fell off!! Have I ever told you that I’m a high school dropout? Oh yea. Proud moment. I was lacking 2 PE credits to finish so I dropped out of high school in my senior year. Hmm. I had “female problems” a little too often. It’s OK, I have a masters degree now, to help me not feel uneducated – I’ll let ya know when that takes effect… I only graduated in 2008, so there’s still time.
I can’t wait to write the T&A Musings of The Cup Chronicles. That post will be happening sooner, rather than later, I promise!
I also will be keeping you all caught up on our goal to 100 cups to share some love with some young ladies in Africa!! That will be SO exciting! There’s ONE cup so far! I know this will be huge and I can’t wait to see something so small change your life and the life of someone you don’t even know at the same time!
Do you already have a cup?! Please leave a review on the website below to let others know how your Cup Chronicles played out!
Much love,
Tren XOXO
Regarding the period cups – I can imagine this cuts down on the amount of waste going into landfills and/or down the toilet “accidentally” and causing thousands of dollars in plumbing repairs. I personally don’t have periods anymore, but I will be mentioning this to my friends who still do. Especially friends who are environmentally conscious. “I see you with your reusable water bottle and silver straws…how about a period cup?”
YES!!! It cuts down on so much cost… both individually and environmentally! 🙂