Making a Difference is Easier than Scratching a Lotto Ticket

Have you ever stopped and thought, “Do I make a difference in the world?” It sometimes can be very ethereal and far removed because we can often think, “The world is such a big place. How could I possibly change it?”

I was walking down the street and there was an older man sitting at a bus stop. As I went by I noticed that he was scratching off lottery tickets, the big, card type. He had a thick stack of them and after he’d scratch one off, he would chuck it into the street. The street was littered with about 20-30 big lottery cards. I walked on by, not sure what to say. I got about a half block away and thought, “He must really be hurting and missing something deep down.”

I then heard a still, small whisper inside of my brain, “Go talk to him.”

“No!” I reacted. “How awkward!”

However I debated for a little while and finally went back. “Wow, you must be rich!” I kidded.

“Is it a crime to have money?!” he shot back at me. I thought about saying, “No, but littering is,” but I didn’t. I didn’t know what to say. I just said something like I wanted to let you know that God cares about you and loves you.

“God doesn’t exist,” he retorted.

“Yes, God does exist”, I explained. “He told me to come talk to you, and I didn’t want to. I told Him no, but He persisted.” He went on to tell me that he can give me three good reasons why God doesn’t exist… He then named three Latin-American countries. We talked for a little while longer and it was obvious he couldn’t be reasoned with, but I was glad that I had talked to him and at least attempted to brighten his day leaving him with a “have a good day”.

The world is hurting. Maybe instead of “How do I change the world?” the question we should ask ourselves is, “How do I make a difference in someone’s life today?”

At the end of the day, we can ask things like, “Did I make a difference in someone’s life today? Did I show them love? Did I make them laugh? Did I comfort them? Did I rejoice when something good happened to them?”

Even if they reject our love or comfort, did we show compassion to the best of our ability?

Oftentimes it is hard because the world can also be appalling. A car next to me at a stop light was blasting rap music and the chorus of the song was, “You want child support? Pull it out of your a**, b****! You want child support? Pull it out of your a**, b****!” As catchy as choruses are, that was running through my head for the drive home unfortunately.

Now, I like rap music, so I’m not attacking the music, but it is insane the thoughts we as a society have and decide to dwell on. Thoughts of anger and hatred lead to heartache which lead to more anger and hatred which lead to more heartache, and so the cycle goes.

The only way the world can change is if we start small and say, “How do I make a difference in someone’s life today?”

Happy birthday to Sky Pie Apparel!!!

Today marks our One Year Anniversary!!!

They say that most businesses don’t last more than their first year, so I’m happy and proud to say we are still in business! We lasted longer than Kim Kardashian’s marriage! (Sorry. We love you Kim!)

Starting any company is filled with ups and downs, excitement and slow times, happiness and times you wonder why you didn’t use all your money to buy a year’s supply of Twinkies, but I definitely feel like our first year was a success!

With the launch of Sky Pie Apparel, I was trying to do something fun and something that could make a difference.

One year ago today, I launched the website which is our main way of being accessible to the public. Shortly after that we were able to sponsor the Hope in the City fashion show. This year had our First Annual Spring Launch Sky Pie and Tee Party which was a delight. We were able to add new shirts, especially for the Men. Also, we had our first photo shoot which gave us stunning photos for the website.

I’m even more excited about what the future holds! I have a ton of more fun ideas! We have just started pre-ordering a hilarious, new shirt which you get a discount on for pre-ordering. (For more info on that, talk to me or sign up on the website for our email news letter.)

I want to personally thank everyone of you who helped us in some way. Whether it was helping with the website or photos, buying a shirt, liking us on Facebook, or just saying, “that’s cool” when you heard my ideas. I’m glad we launched right around Thanksgiving. It really helps me to keep things in perspective and be thankful. I couldn’t do this without you guys!

As well as Thanksgiving, I find it kind of ironic that our one year anniversary falls on the new “Cyber Monday” (the equivalent of Black Friday for the internet). Christmas is coming up and you can buy a Sky Pie shirt for a loved one right from the comfort of your own home! We need your support! Not only that, but you can tell them part of the proceeds went to stop human trafficking as well! Go now!

We hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, we are thankful for our One Year Anniversary, and we hope that we will be able to serve you for many more years to come!!

Skyler Payne
Creator

Thanksgiving

Another Good Year

We thank you, Lord, for food and friends
And for all of the joy this holiday lends;
It’s Thanksgiving Day and we can see
The blessings you’ve provided our family.
Thanks to you, Lord, for another good year;
When you watch over us, there’s nothing to fear.

By Karl Fuchs

T-shirt Flow Chart

I thought our friends would enjoy this. Not exactly sure where it originated, but thank you whoever you are!!! Click on the pic to make it bigger!

What's New, Suzy Q?

There is more new with our website and products than meets the eye!

The most obvious is our new shirt designs. The Tough Respect design shows people you aren’t joking around when it comes to respecting women and others. Respect is what people should have and you’re there to say it! It is in a women’s fitted shirt in Paratrooper Green and a Unisex shirt in Airstrike Green.

The Unisex Keeper shirt says that you are a keeper but you are hard to catch! It is available in Storm Cloud Gray and Texas Sunset Orange. These shirts have the logo stylishly displayed on the sleeve.

Also new, Unisex shirts!! For men and women! Men, you’ve been asking for shirts and these are wonderfully fit for a man. Women, you have been asking for shirts that aren’t too snug and these are perfect for you!

Sizes!! Most of our shirts are now available in 2XL or even 3XL sizes!

New colors! The Women’s Keeper is now also available in a beautiful Twilight Purple!
A lot of people requested green. We have two different shades in the Tough Respect shirt: Paratrooper Green and Airstrike Green!

Come see what’s new! Our summer sale is almost over!

www.SkyPieApparel.com

UPDATE!!!

It’s finally here!! We’ve had our first official Sky Pie photo shoot and we’ve updated the website!!!

See all of our shirts in living color!

To celebrate we are having a SUMMER SALE!! All our shirts, including the new ones, are on sale for a very limited time, so snatch some up now before they go back to regular price!! Every shirt is now $20 and part of that money goes to stop human trafficking!

SkyPieApparel.com

Let us know what you think!!

True Independence and Freedom!

Hi there! I hope you had a wonderful weekend celebrating our nations independence! (Or just enjoying life for those fans not in this country.) I had an amazing Fourth of July weekend. One that started as possibly one of the toughest in my life and ended as one of the best!

Sky Pie Apparel’s tagline is “Clothing that Gives Life”. I was so encouraged by this weekend and found it so life giving, that I am willing to allow you to peer into a nice sized window of my soul. I don’t know what your background or beliefs are, but I hope it blesses you no matter where you are on your journey.

If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with life, or striving for the approval of others, or just wondering what it’s all about, take a gander at the Note I wrote:
FREEDOM!