Chapter 1 / Chapter Notes
Keep Going, Keep Fighting, Keep Pushing Forward
Wow.
2020 has been quite a year so far and I’m sure I’m not alone when I say it’s been full of wild emotions with big highs and big lows. The past few months have been an incredible awakening of so much unlearning and learning, but it’s this awakening that also has us sitting at an extremely interesting point in time. A pivotal moment where we have the chance to really choose important change over complacency, wholehearted humility over ego, global community over self, and amazing courage over fear.
Today marks our second birthday and reflecting on all the above, I’m full of so many feelings. At the start of the year we had big plans to do so much for our second Chapter. And, then the world turned and everything went with it. For a little while I sank into worry and uncertainty. I questioned whether we were doing enough as a brand to give back to the community that truly means everything to us. I wondered if as a small business we would be able make it through a devastated economy. I was consumed and focused on finding ways for our platform to be better, to be more helpful, to do more for the world. My mind was constantly on overdrive, and to be honest, it threw myself into a cycle that was a bit overwhelming. But, what got me through, was all of you.
Although they were not part of our original ‘plans’, life has it’s way of showing us that beautiful things can happen out of chaos. With you:
• We overcame distance and connected via the Homebody Club.
• We supported each other and brands we love with our Somewhere Sunnier sets.
• We sparked curiosity about the magnificent oceans through our OCIN Viewpoints.
• We collaborated with dream teams to turn dream projects into reality.
• We learned and are continuing to learn, about our privilege, about antiracism, and the work we have to practice daily to be better allies for Black Lives and other marginalized communities that need us to amplify their voices.
• We donated over $4000 so far to seven non-profit organizations doing amazing work in support of the planet and people.
• We grew our global collective to over 5000, full of strong, thoughtful, humans, and are humbled every day that you choose to be with us too.
It’s hard to want to celebrate anything when the world around us is hurting, but you have reminded me that little wins and little positives like the ones above, are important to keep our energy positive and our minds clear. You have reminded me that this journey ahead of us is a life long one, a marathon, not a sprint, and we need to take things day by day. To be grounded in the slow and the conscious is important, because it allows for us to respond with grace and intention, not react solely out of instinct and immediate emotion. You have reminded me that when we are scared we need to focus on moving forward, and that although we still have a ways to go, that we’re not doing it alone. You have reminded me that passion and purpose is what drives us, and together, we are an unstoppable and limitless force.
I truly believe that the universe brings about everything for a reason, and it’s up to us to decide whether we fall back on old habits, or instead, take the time to acknowledge and absorb what we see and then respond from the heart. It’s up to us to push past the fear and go beyond what we think we know, to question more, and extend the limits of our curiosity and desire for positive impact, further.
The amazing Chadwick Boseman once said “Fearlessness means taking the first step, even if you don’t know where it will take you. It means being driven by a higher purpose, rather than by applause. It means knowing that you reveal your character when you stand apart, more than when you stand with the crowd.” (Rest in Power, King)
Thank you for being our strength to constantly be better. To challenge us to continue taking those ‘first steps’ into the unknown, and being right there beside us every step of the way. We won’t stop fighting the good fight to create a newer, kinder, more positive future for our Earth, our oceans, our animals, and all of humanity, together with you.
xCourtney
Human, Friend, Ocean Lover, OCIN Founder
To celebrate our 2nd birthday with you:
A little gift:
Please DM us @ocin a donation receipt of $50 to any organization in support of Black Lives and we will extend a discount of $50 off your next purchase with us.
A little project:
We are also planning an initiative to support young brands founded by the BIPOC and/or LGTBQIA2S+ community, as a way to give back to our fellow entrepreneurs. Follow along on IG for announcements.