Happy Holidays Retro Roadmappers / Every Little Bit Helps in the New Year!

Hoping this missive from Mod Betty finds you with some downtime in this busy holiday season!

This photo is one of my faves, as it is so simple but says so much, and I wanted to share it with you.This tree is in the window of Larry Buruschkin my/our tailor here in town.
His wife made the decorations from old wooden thread spools (perfect for a tailor!) and you can see Larry peeking out from behind it.
He’s been in business here over 60 years and they just don’t make ’em like him anymore.

I often think of what shops will make me sad when they close, and Larry’s is one. So I stop by and let him know I appreciate him (and his handiwork with my clothes!) while he’s still here. We all know nothing and no place lasts forever, even though we wish it did.

Which makes me reflect for the next year and beyond:

In this chaotic season of “stuff” – buying, getting, wanting, do I think about where I get my stuff,
and what that means to the bigger picture?

Do I buy my stuff locally at an independent shop
(and help keep them open)?

Do I drive a bit and buy my stuff from a vintage mom and pop shop, enjoy the trip
(and help keep them open)?

If what I want is not available locally, do I buy it online from an independent business,
artist, author or person (and help keep them in business)?

OR do I go to chains just b/c it’s a habit or “convenient” or “cheaper”? 

Does the little bit that I save by going to the chains (or Amazon-!!) really make a difference to my life…?

Or could my entire purchase happen in a (cool vintage, independent, mom & pop) place
that I would be sad about if it closed?

If a business I said I liked closed, could I honestly reflect and say I did my part to help keep them open,
or did I just say I liked it, but never made an effort to visit and shop there?

At the end of the day, am I the change I want to see in the world,
am I doing my part no matter how small that may seem?

This is something I’m going to be more mindful of in the coming year, and I hope you’ll think about joining me. No matter how much money any of us has, we’ve all got power in our pocketbooks, so it’s good to think about where we can wield our power. Every little bit helps, and that help expands exponentially with every person who decides to make a difference in small simple ways.

As we go into a new year I want to share with you with this hopeful message:

“Spend your money where your heart is,
and you’ll be investing in the kind of world you want to live in”