KEEPING QUAKER INTEGRITY On eBAY

"Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money. Don't be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them." Paul 5:2-4 

Keep It Fierce Girl - And Make Some Money

                                             

I want money. This is an example of Quaker simplicity in words. Let me define QUAKER BUSINESS FIERCITY (Yes, I made up 'fiercity' because I'm fierce.)

1. Fiercity is the profound knowledge that you're powered and protected by your inner Spirit. The Spirit makes no mistakes. What a force!
2. Quaker Business is the ability to take fiercity and integrity and apply it in order to make money. In short: Fiercity + Integrity = Quaker Business Fiercity qed (QBF)

I started an eBay business with my mom with the moniker FairTradeQuakers because we were fed up with no food at the end of each month. So, we decided to initiate a business venture and yardsale on eBay. Business ownership runs in our family way back to my great-grandparents. A fete because we are African-American and lucrative businesses run in the family. The lucrativity ended with my mom's generation. Through analyzing why this happened I came up with the hypothesis that by the third generation you feel entitled and the fierceness dissipates to "mine."

All our designer clothes, shoes, fax machines (long story), fine jewelry, old food processors, etc. In the last three months we have sold around $1700.00. We were not Quakers prior to our designer binges.  Food was bought and back medical bills were paid. But in the beginning nothing sold. I was frustrated and embarrassed that nobody wanted our things.

I centered down and realized that I did not have enough knowledge to even be fierce. The Holy Spirit guided me to study how to get a competitive edge. I youtubed success stories, studied eBay's business trend analyses and researched competitive pricing. My stuff started selling. This is common sense - for some.

I noticed that a small number of merchants price gouge on shipping and handling fees and some foreign Asian countries have a price advantage because of slave labor, etc. You can buy a counterfeit designer necklace for a buck. Finally I chose to ignore these practices and focus on how I can sell. It's comforting that I only purchase fair trade products and my money is not supporting slavery.

I focused on QBF and shoppers started buying. What an achievement. I found the secret code. Then came the buyer from the dark side. "Lisa" bought a pair of Ferragamo designer shoes that Mom purchased about 20 years ago. $920 original price. They sold for $175. 

"These are fakes and I want my money back and the cost of return shipment." the irate buyer emailed.

The customer is right, I reminded myself. Said shoes came from Neiman Marcus and are not fake. But I shut my mouth. "Sure, send them back for a refund and I'll pay your shipping." 

Nothing for 4 days. Then.

"My husband is in the Army and he said that its illegal to send fakes through the mail. I am a law abiding citizen. The postmaster is going to fine you and you're going to jail," spit the email.

She just pulled the husband card. Am I in 1956? I had enough and reported her to eBay that she will not send back the shoes and wants a full refund. eBay informed her about jail if she keeps the shoes. I got the shoes.

"Do not buy from FairTradeQuakers. They sent fake shoes and they steal your money," said my feedback. 

eBay sellers are rated on feedback. WTF. I want to inform all sellers about rude buyer. Then QBF quelled any fear and shock and I decided abort the mission because peace is a better option. I talked with eBay and they deleted her feedback.

I won over evil. QBF helped me to center into Spirit and consequently its force protected me. QBF gives me the ability to get up every day and keep this very small business going. Some people have an innate QBF and make money. I have to work at it every minute. FairTradeQuakers epitomizes Quaker Business Fiercity. Fiercity frees me from self doubt and fear of failure. The Spirit makes no mistakes. You might think they're mistakes but its guidance toward a more powerful force.

The Power of Peace in Turmoil with a Cup of Soup

We utterly deny all outward wars and fightings with outward weapons, for any end or under any

pretence whatsoever. And this is our testimony to the whole world. The spirit of Christ, by which we

are guided, is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil and again to move unto it;

and we do certainly know, and so testify to the world, that the spirit of Christ, which leads

us into all Truth, will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons, neither 

for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world.

-from A Declaration to Charles II, 1661

     Peace is tranquility, meditation, soothing, nurturing ... I want to sleep right now. For me peace is when my kid goes to the bathroom and you know you've got two minutes of down time. That prayerful interlude of God's worship keeps slowly, methodically, and teasingly jogs in front. Then the kid comes out; it's that bad dream so many of us have of trying to get a lifesaving object but an invisible force holds you back.

     I catch up and embrace these times as if quelling my inner rapids. Yessss! I got this. I got this prayer time. I Center Down into worship. Centering Down is Quaker parlance for clearing your minds and settling down to achieve a spiritual focus (see Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Faith and Practice). But then Life keeps disturbing the focus. Should I have given a bigger tip to the pizza guy? When is my next doctor appointment?

The Fierceness of Peace

DO NOT FUCK WITH ME

Before seeking a centered life, I was a mild mannered executive who'd step over your infant child to get to the top. And I had a stroke and my outward lust turned inward. A calling from God? Couldn't be. I focused on my only child who had to be brought up in the Roman Catholic faith. A given. It's just done that way.

I walked her to school each morning accompanied by my walker and decided why not stay for early rosary recitation and Mass. I have nothing else to do and my kid needed to see Mom do something. The recitation reverberates the body and the smell of incense calms and soothes like a caressing salve. Two years I did this and faith emerged fortifying my soul with an armored Humvee tank.I am Joan of Arc.Then my concern of the destruction of the Middle East piqued my interest.

Piqued. I looked afar and tsked-tsked at why the proven method of non-violent peaceful resistance was not implemented by all sides? Hello? Does Martin Luther King ring a bell? Obama is President of the Free World because of non-violent direct action. I witnessed the Arab Spring and wept. What a beloved sight of people gathering for peace and revolution. I cared. But I was still angry. And this is ok.

I can do something. It feels wonderful to participate in nvda and try to slowly change the awareness and policies of those I view are not keeping the health and well-being of people in their hearts. Turn my fierce anger towards peace. Its a lot more fun and rewarding.

My seeking Spirit has led me to Quakerism. My perfect mixture of fierce anger working for fierce peace.

Try this Yummy Recipe; Quite Easy

Scarlet Threads: Tasty Tuesday: Ginger Chicken Udon Soup: My mom called me this morning and told me that she was bored with food. The question: what to make for dinner? They aren't really known ...

Quaker Simplicity and Vogue Magazine: My Journey

."How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?"

- Proverbs 1:22

"Luxury is necessity where necessity ends."
- Coco Chanel

Can This be Quaker Simplicity in 2014?

-OR-

This?

     There are many answers to what is Quaker Testimony of Simplicity. I'm focusing on my journey to simplicity through the impact of fashion. Vogue is a great starting point and gives my trek a visual aid.

     My life was energized through the perspectives of fashion and partying. Quite a few of you remember these years from say 17 'til your first pregnancy and think back fondly (if you can recall). There is a routine to my life and no need for discerning if each purchase is rightly ordered. There MUST be a plethora of clothes for each club date (at least two per week), hangin' with friends, cocktail parties, work and the gots to have it moments. A six-figure salary between me and my wife continuously oiled our regular life of clothes, accessories, and make-up for me; whilst computers, rare books and an art collection for her. A $5000 Chanel bag - kaching. Wendy Stevens nickel plated bag and earrings a mere $650. All wives must have a two carat diamond engagement ring. You get the picture.

Blew My Mind

     Entering my mid-twenties my aesthetic steadily changed and Vogue started a more refined look with it's 1988 November issue. Anna Wintour truly has divine incite into my soul. This is my 23-year-old George Fox, Quaker moment. Here is a $10,000 Christian Lacroix top with a pair of $25 jeans.

     Wow, $25 jeans look great. Maybe other "regular" clothes can emit the same fierceness? The top is blitzgrieged with way too many jewels. I love it but I didn't require it in my closet.

     Oodles of money is not a requirement for attaining clothing glory. Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom's and designer boutiques were slowly replaced with Express and Ann Taylor. I started discerning between wanting and needing.

     I still was a practicing Catholic (some of the Bishops probably think this Lacroix is an ancient vestment) and generously gave to many charities. But you see Catholicism is based on communion with the Eucharist, which is the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. There is a two-fold aspect of sacrament and Sacrifice of Mass. Here, Jesus Christ is truly present in the bread and wine. Through this "outside" powerful prayer, I partook in the mysteries of the Holy Trinity.

     My Spirit began a leisurely journey that guided me toward the appreciation of simplicity within my environment. I had way too much, but I did zilch about implementing this outlook. And then I became a convinced Quaker and commenced redefining simplicity and Simplicity.

     I was in my late 30's with a pre-school daughter and my party life had ended voluntarily. What physical energy I had, I put into having a good time. Anyway, having a kid accelerated my embracing of simplicity. The Quaker simplicity testimony, found in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Faith & Practice,emphasizes using your possessions as God's gifts entrusted to you and sharing with others. I felt this belief to be a bunch of hooey because why share a $5000 bag and its MY responsibility to care for (at this time my fortune had poofed away and I'll talk about it in a later blog).

YSL Simplicity

     Catholicism is praying to the Triumvirate (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) and Quakerism is prayer within yourself. George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, said to" travel the world speaking to that of God in everyone." I'm praying in silence feeling the Holy Spirit, sometimes I read the Bible and other times I enjoy seeing fellow Quakers in worship and more energy fills me. Its an energy that flutters my heart, empties my mind of the mundane and creates the importance of the Light of God within my self.

     Gradually, I learned that self and others trumped my greed for material comfort. I remember my first Quaker wedding a co-worker invited me to. Mortal petrification because I was not dressed properly, had no gift, and knew that one extra mouth would throw off the seating arrangement and catered meal. Carolyn insisted there is no problem as she shoved a bag of homemade food into the back seat. We get out and Carolyn is carrying the bag of food into the Meeting house. I knew the wedding was small but where were the caterers? Other people arrived and they too had food. Its a potluck; instead of getting $25,000 in dept, members brought food to celebrate. How cozy and Simplistic and I didn't feel out of place.

     I'm thriving inwardly touching God within myself and others. My energetic involvement with purchasing anything I gots to have vaporized into a discerning calmness. I also found a Simplicity of thought that creates greater clarity in my ideas.

I continue fishing through my Vogue mag monthly for fashion and beauty trends. Clinique makeup is switched to Covergirl's Queen Latifah Collection, and found in drug stores. And before purchasing I studied Covergirl's social responsibility quotient (see http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2010/09/27/behind-procter-gambles-sustainability-vision). I opened a new energy source beating in me and I now see in others.

I can't believe I'm saying this but here it goes: "Less is more."

Top Ten Ways to Become a Vogue-ing Simplistic Quaker

10. Buy from Co-ops in Africa, Asia & S. America - Be your own Frida Kahlo

9.Rework those scarves - Don't be afraid to wear an assortment

8. Buy Fairtrade makeup, clothing, accessories & food

7. Repaint one room whatever color you fancy - my daughter did this and I didn't have to move

6. Volunteering your time is an energy booster

5. Buy a $600 Coach purse for $30 at a thrift store - owner didn't know the value

I know, where's my integrity

4. Get a free makeover at one of the beauty counters in the luxury department store - go to a drugstore

and beauty plagiarize

3. Do NOT get free perfume samples because many are allergic

2. Buy only at vegan shops

1. Only Purchase During the Yearly 75% Off Sale at Nordstrom.

Next Blog on Quaker Peace 

The Energy Unleashed by Quakerism

     I became a convinced Quaker about nine years ago. Before Quakerism, I walked with an affirming stride to Catholic Mass every morning. I was the lone Black woman at Daily Rosary and I'd smell that soothing mist of clarifying incense. St. Francis Xavier Church's school is were I dropped off my five-year-old daughter then up the hill to the church. Gurl, did I ever feel protected  by every Angel, Saints, and even a few Fairies. The biggest thing that irked me about my faith was at my daughter's school: if she needed a pencil $1, wanted to use a flag handed out during the Pledge of Allegiance $1 (what child wants to be left out), she forgot her composition book $1 for 2 sheets of paper, forgot her milk $2 with mandatory repayment or $1 per day penalty. There were so many fees that I died from being nickeled and dimed to death . There were so many casualties. Why not just increase tuition to cover all fees?

Warrior Daughter One Step at a Time

     After Mass I KNEW that being shot with an AK-47 would deflect from my prayer reinforced Teflon body. Holy Communion and the omnipotent Eucharist blockaded all evil from my world. Take your daily Eucharist and the Holy Trinity is with you.When I was having problems with my daughter, the priest said that firstly she is God's child and I'm only here to guide her. Boy , did this take a boulder off my shoulders. Four years later things changed s-l-o-w-l-y.

     Everything was all good at school until God left the building. I mean that the empathy and caring brought by the exit of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) order who managed the school. The Sisters left because there are so few for a plethora of ecumenical commitments.

     Move forward to 4th grade and the time of the devil. Mrs. Richards is classified as a bitch. Really, just google "bitch" and there is her biography and picture. Yeah, well this IS a positive post; out of pure evilness comes anger then forgiveness. I ain't at the forgiveness part but it does come. Richards mocked her about being biracial, her ADHD (which was under control), and laughed at her in front of the class about incorrect tests, homework, etc. She singled out my daughter the alter server and sweet kid. My daughter said, "She shouldn't have done that, right Mom." I cried. This teacher-who-must-not-be-named is known far and wide in my mostly Polish and Ukrainian Community as that mean, spiteful woman whose husband walked out.  But I'm not Polish or Ukrainian; I'm the strong black woman who knows how to fight. I can write a mean-ass memo, letters and a cohesive debate strategy. They knocked me out with each letter: The school did nothing. I went to our parish priest and nothing. Our area bishop and nothing. Even our Cardinal and nothing. I learned about the power of passive-aggressiveness.

     I snatched my daughter out and homeschooled her; Philly is not known for good schools. I continued Mass and daily Communion. But I felt my Teflon cracking like a bat to glass. Know one cared about the mental abuse of children. As if the world doesn't know. I felt stifled and angry. I asked myself, "Is all of this pomp and circumstance needed?"

     I came to a Quaker Meeting because of an agitated spirit. A spirit bottled up with no place to express itself. Volunteering would salve my hurt heart and I couldn't possibly volunteer at a Catholic agency because my wounds still festered. I called to volunteer at different Quaker agencies and no one returned my call -- NO ONE. Contemplation on volunteering my spiritual time to a denomination with a creed I could attest is hypocrisy. So I drove to a Meeting to find a person who might know of an organization I can lend myself and spirit.

     What freedom. Hearing my heartbeat, feeling the unleashed energy of my Spirit reenter me with each breath. The smell of incense I was so used to and told my soul its time for worship wasn't needed. I returned the next Sunday. Returning for months and years has unleashed my bottled Spirit. I required not a wafer in my mouth to commune with my God daily or each minute or second. Now going into Worship and seeing friends and Friends is my incense.

     These past nine years have freed me with forgiveness. My daughter and mother are now both convinced Friends. My personality doesn't always mesh with others (especially when yelling "beat him" during a football game) and this is what makes a community. We belong. I commune with the power of my own talk with God.

     Quakerism embrace my soul with beliefs that there is God in everyone (even that bitch Richards) and God within ME. Each day rewards me empowerment of and from the Light. The Light of God and Jesus.

     Quakerism has no creed but there is a sort of guide that leads my life.  I energize and free my soul with a commitment to Quaker S.P.I.C.E.S.; Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship. Quakerism has created an energy of caring and HOW I want to lead my life. What a wonderful power.

     Justice did happen for our family with the Catholic Church. The Bishop I pleaded for help with the abusive teacher is now jailed. He is imprisoned for child abuse because he never told authorities about sexual abuse. And the Cardinal was just fired from the Committee of Bishops at the Vatican.

Next blog concentrates on the energy and freedom of Simplicity.