Avon calling...

so. it's that time of my life right now. we're out of college, married, have a few years of "career" under our belt and now taking a step out of the rat race to be mommies. that leaves a gap in many women's lives, both ambitiously and financially. to answer this, companies like avon, mary kay, arbonne, silpada, amway, usborne books, discovery toys and others have made their mark. they are founded on good family values, Christian ethics and the American Dream...being independently wealthy without having to put your child in day care.

i have been regularly invited to these various "parties" for a few years now. and i always politely refuse. i've gone to a handful of mary kay/avon parties and one arbonne party. my parents did the amway thing when i was in middle school, and they did it whole-heartedly. i believe these companies can be good for some people, i know the business knowledge and freedom to dream big has seriously benefited my dad, even if he never got to buy a yacht of his own.

but. they're not for me. they represent a lifestyle that just isn't...me. because of that, i'd rather just skip the party (though not without guilt of appearing unsupportive of my friend's venture) than take up space and try to keep my reserve up to not spend money i don't have on things i don't need.

first, i'm not a spender. i'm really not. (ok, if my bank account had a higher number in it, i might be..) but i'm struggling to get by while staying home with my baby too..what makes you think i have $60 to spend on face lotion? but regardless of my financial ability to spend money, since i've been out of the rat race, my mind has changed on just what is reasonable to buy.

this brings me to my second reason. i may have a million dollars, but am i really to spend it on lavish, luxurious things for ME? (or am i called to give it away?) many of these meetings with their highest level sellers seems to simply be a platform for them to brag of their material wealth and possessions. the more i strive to be Christ-like and pray for the persecuted church and think on consumerism/sweat-shop labor and other things, the less i can stomach someone flashing their diamond-laden watches and day-of-the-week furs at me.

third..i just don't want to. i don't want to invite friend to come be in my downline. (and stress the friendship if they don't want to, or agree but don't sell enough to boost my income) i'm not a salesman. if i'm going to spend time on building a business, it's going to be my wedding/event business. THAT'S my passion and dream and that's where my work time will be spent. i don't want to spend money going to meetings telling me what i can have if i just call 10 friends who call 10 friends.

there's nothing *wrong* with any of this. making money is not wrong, i just enjoy living a simpler life. i can never win the rat race, therefore, i have learned to be content by stepping out of the rat race. building these businesses are not wrong. many women have found purpose, business skills, friendship and even supplemental (or substantial) income through these outlets. good for them. i just don't have that need. but i do worry about the self-esteem or frustration of friends who go for this full throttle...and never make it to the "diamond" level. it's a pyramid for a reason...listen to these people's stories..most of them were highly successful even in their J-O-B. some people are simply going to be wildly successful at whatever they do. most are not.

most just get by. and that's ok. because life isn't about how financially independent we were, life is about loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. it all hinges on that. if you happen to have 4 houses, 15 luxury cars and 150 carats of diamonds, great for you. but i have no jealousy. i'm enjoying the lessons i've been learning in discerning "needs" from "wants" and lavishing in the simple, everyday pleasures.

so if you call me for one of these meetings, please accept my apologies for saying i'm not available. it's nothing personal, it's just not ME.