All Souls.

Over the course of this summer, I have been totally blessed with TWO, count em, TWO retail jobs.

And as much as I appreciate the fact that I do have these jobs, I'm realizing a little more everyday that I was made for something so different than what society says is success.

“Once in a while it really hits people that they don't have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” 
-Alan Keightley

I stumbled upon this quote today, and it led me to want to write these words you're reading now.

I don't know when exactly I stopped believing in consumerism. It might have been when Ms. Brown, my former journalism teacher, and the woman who first told me about STN, showed me a Christmas video that called people to do something different than just give gifts.

It might have been growing up watching my mom work herself to exhaustion during the holidays in the hopes of having enough Christmas presents under the tree for me and my two brothers.

It might have been in my three months in Hawaii. Where a good, home-cooked meal would have meant way more than an unlimited shopping spree to any clothing store.

Or it might have been the nights I would stay up, angry, because it wasn't fair that I had so much, and others had so little. Others who I had maybe never met, but who I knew my life would intersect with one day.

So today, when I found this quote, it all clicked. 

I have been wired to live simply since the day I was born. It wasn't my mother's doing, because she probably wished I bragged a little less when I've hit the three day-no shower mark. But it's just the person I am. 

And it says a lot about the life I know I've been called to.

And as I'm writing all this, I'm realizing my goal to not be a consumer won't just be for this year of my life.

Because the truth is, you'll never see me in a store with a cart loaded with flip flops, or lotions.

And I'll probably never go back to wearing make-up.

And I don't foresee myself ever having a nice car or a house in the suburbs.

But I have a glimpse of what my future holds.

And what I see unfolding, I love.

Because it's passion that's been amplified, and a dream that's coming alive.

And I'm stoked for it.

P.s. if you'd like to join me in my year of living simply so that all may simply live, just message me, because I'd love to tell you more. 

Thank you all for your love.

-Casey Marissa

First of Many.

ALOHA!
So if you've found this blog, it hopefully means you've received a letter with lots of love from me in the mail.

The purpose of this blog is to keep all of you up to date on the amazing adventure that I know this next year will be. 

Also, here is a link to the Surfing The Nations Website. 

I stole this directly from their site to give a little more insight as to what the organization is about, and the awesome things they're doing.

SURFERS GIVING BACK

We are Surfing The Nations, a non-profit, humanitarian organization based in Wahiawa, Hawaii, who live by the motto of “Surfers Giving Back.”

Our desire is to see lives changed inside and outside of our organization. We are a community made up of people who believe in using their talents and passions – from surfing and beyond – to give back and bring the message of love and hope.

HAWAII

We have several projects running throughout the year locally. We are one of the largest food distributors for the Hawaii FoodBank, with our Feeding The Hungry program that caters to Hawaii´s needy, disabled, homeless, and working poor.

Our after-school kids’ program offers tutoring, mentorship, and performing arts lessons to the at-risk youth in our neighborhood. STN runs a surf club on the Waianae coast in which at-risk youth from nearby shelters are taught surf and swim and are mentored one-on-one with leadership skills.

Individuals from all over the world come to participate in two challenging and life changing programs: Internship is a three-month program in which young people can experience a lifestyle of giving back and learn how to be others-focused. Our Surfers Leadership School (SLS) is designed to equip individuals to become selfless and effective leaders as they are integrated as full time staff members.

INTERNATIONAL

We believe surfers have a unique call on their lives: to GO! To get out of their comfort zones and use their thirst for adventure to bring them to the places of the world that are in need. We aim to transform surfing from a self-seeking sport to a common ground on which friendships all over the world can be built.

We work with international communities in various countries in Asia and the Middle East to bring immediate relief by providing humanitarian supplies such as food and clothing, but beyond that, Surfing the Nations sees surf clubs as a powerful way to enhance communities.

We aim to empower local surfers to establish and sustain surf clubs. The surf club is created to be a place where surfers are leaders and caretakers of their community; where anyone can experience a sustainable culture of “aloha” in their part of the world and continue to help one another thrive.

So once again, thank you all. For everything.

And because I love quotes so much, here are a few to encourage you to take the jump and follow your dreams.

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

-Unknown

"We lose ourselves in the things we love. We find ourselves there too."

And my last bit of advice: If you haven't seen Big Fish, watch it. And then, if you're bold enough, be willing to live a life out of the ordinary. Everyday.

Much love.

Casey Marissa