Reflection and Renewal: The Power Within
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Julie Colombino-Billingham Author and Founder of Deux Mains
My own path began in the aftermath of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake. I arrived as a disaster response volunteer, hoping to help rebuild a country that was ravaged by disaster. What I found instead, was a community of women determined to rebuild what the earthquake destroyed. Despite immense loss, their courage was contagious and they changed my life. I was inspired to create something that could outlast the tragedy all around us, and we built a fashion business with independence and sustainability at the forefront.
That vision became Deux Mains, a fair-trade fashion brand handcrafting beautiful leather bags and goods in Haiti. Over time, we weathered political instability, natural disasters, and global supply chain disruptions. Each challenge taught us something vital, that reflection isn’t passive; it’s the birthplace of transformation.
Reflection: The Quiet Force Behind Resilience
Allowing for reflection can often be mistaken for pause, but in truth, it’s motion in another form. It’s the process that allows us to make sense of disruption, to extract meaning from hardship, and to chart a new way ahead. For Deux Mains, reflection has never been about dwelling on what’s been lost, but about recognizing what’s been gained: strength, clarity, and conviction. It reminds us that even when everything feels uncertain, purpose gives us direction. For me, reflection became the foundation of renewal, the moment when faith replaced fear, and service replaced scarcity.
The Art of Renewal Through Purpose
Renewal isn’t found in perfection, it’s discovered in the willingness to begin again. In Haiti, renewal happens in small, deliberate acts, in the rhythm of a sewing machine and the quiet confidence of an artisan who knows their craft can change the course of a life. Renewal is more than a guiding principle, it’s a lived experience. The brand may have been born as a response to economic hardship, but it has now grown into a sustainable enterprise built on empowerment.
That belief runs through every layer of Deux Mains.
It’s embedded in its mission to create lasting impact for the artisans who bring each collection to life. They earn fair wages, support their families, and invest in their futures, proving that when craftsmanship and compassion intersect, fashion can be both beautiful and just.
From Loss to Legacy
That message comes to life in my book, From Loss to Legacy: How a Fashion Business Rose from Haiti’s Rubble. It tells the story of how compassion, community, and conscious business can transform devastation into dignity. The book reflects not only Deux Mains’ evolution but a deeply personal belief, that rebuilding the world starts with rebuilding ourselves.
Every page is a reminder that renewal is not a destination; it’s a daily decision.
Living the Lesson: Renewal as a Lifelong Practice
As we close another year, I’ve learned that the art of renewal is less about reinvention and more about remembrance, remembering who we are, why we started, and what matters most.
If you’re standing in a season of uncertainty, start by reflecting on what has survived within you. Renewal often begins with a single act of courage: choosing to move forward, no matter how small the step.
Key takeaways for renewal:
Reflect, don’t react: growth begins with stillness.
Anchor your purpose in service and gratitude.
See renewal not as an outcome but as an ongoing practice.
Renewal is stitched into everything we make, a reminder that beauty can rise from brokenness, and purpose can be found in every new beginning. So, as you reflect on your own year, do it with grace. The challenges you faced weren’t detours; they were directions leading you toward your own unstoppable power within.
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