making of

the season

Yesterday, for a little project that I am supporting, I was searching in google for “pictures war Syria”. Don’t. Just do not google this. Quelle horreur.

I was looking for  a picture that sort of says “we need help”. Well, you know: It is the season and I think… X-mas: It is the perfect occasion for us to try to do good. And sometimes, sometimes we have to give to the beggar or the junkie on the street, because our heart tells us to do so although our brain tells us that we won’t make a big difference or that we actually shouldn’t because we are perpetuating a situation.

Anyhow, I was also preparing for the upcoming advent days over the weekend, and this year, I will do things differently there. I decided that I will not do a draw for fragrant goodies every day during the advent days Dec. 1- 24, but that I will also do some charity and that I will invite my readers to do the same. You know: What we experience these past few weeks/months/years is – I think- an epoch-making change, and maybe an invitation to consider relooking at some things.

Quite a while ago, on facebook, there was a post on Looking Feeling Smelling Great, that made me think. It was not a good post, it was sarcastic, and of little help, by some guy who ‘s not part of the community, but the underlying thought was good. The post was removed pretty soon. Basically, the guy made a link between our spending for perfume and children dying in Africa because there is war and not enough food. A critical topic.

I thought a lot about it since then. Because: I am convinced that people actually want to do good. Most of them. You just have to tell them how.

Anyhow, I was thinking about it, and I have not really decided yet how to do it: A “donate 1% of your perfume purchase” button might work. Or a link in a post-sales mail. Just a friendly invitation; and maybe – sort of to motivate the donors- a promise that we will do the same.

Actually, thinking further, it would be super cool if every online perfume store would do so. And it would be even cooler if someone would take the idea and sort of institutionalize it, simplify it and make sure that the donations go to the right place. etc… to be continued.

Today’s picture: A boy, sad and in need of help.