Would You Say That Too..

Today I was watching an interview where the actress had been given a bad review for her physically messy appearance in a movie. When faced with the person who had written the article, she asked him about this scenario: "If your daughter one day comes home from an interview and was told that they wouldn't hire her because she was not attractive enough, would you say 'oh that makes sense?'" Upon hearing this the author was appalled and proclaimed that he would never say that! The actress looked at him and said, 'just remember that when you write a bad review because of a woman's appearance in a movie, you are also tearing down girls who are reading it'... I think we just get into the habit of tearing people down and we need to build them up."

While the words may not be exactly what she said, Melissa McCarthy had a very good point. In today's society, women are still judged by their appearance; for all that we advertise and promote beauty within. There are still people, child or adult, who say negative things about woman's appearances, wittingly or not.

Celebrities do take a hard hit with this. One artist, a Mrs. Kelly Clarkson, has been on the brunt end of a lot of negativity with her weight gain after having her baby girl. Her response in an interview to the criticism is also encouraging. "I think what hurts my feelings for people is that I'll have a meet and greet after the show and a girl who's like bigger than me will be in the meet and greet and be like, 'Wow, if they think you're big I must be so fat to them.' You're just who you are. We are who we are-whatever size."

Both Melissa and Kelly are brilliant in their opinions when it comes to body images. I'll be honest. I've struggled with my body image for a good chunk of my life, still do in fact. This is made all the more fun now that I am pregnant and starting to show. It's hard to change your perception of your body when, for so long, you thought a certain way; and society encourages it to a large extent. But now I have more incentive to work on changing how I think. Now, I turn sideways when I'm in the washroom and I look in the mirror and I smile because my shirt is no longer able to hide my growing stomach. Rather than fluffing out my shirt so it drapes nicer, I'm pulling it in tighter to see how much my kid has grown since last week.

It does help that I have fantastic men in my life who, rather than criticize me for my size, are constantly telling me how beautiful I am. If you are a woman and there is a man who is telling you otherwise then ditch him! My father called me, and still does, gorgeous all my life. It was his nickname for me. I used to roll my eyes and say that he was supposed to think I was because I was his daughter. He would smile and say "that doesn't make it any less true." My husband is also quick to call me beautiful and affirm me whenever I complain about my looks. He actually gets exasperated with me if I argue with him! So, while I know that beauty is self confidence in yourself, words do carry a lot of weight!

So, I challenge you with the same thought that Melissa had. Before you speak negatively about a woman, or even yourself, think about your future or current daughter... would you say that negative thing to her? Would you want her to feel that way? Let's be comfortable as we are, no matter appearances or size. Let's look in the mirror and at each other and say "you are beautifully gorgeous"... and mean it.

A time of Change

Spring is here... or so we hear... and with spring comes many wonderful things. Rebirth of beautiful tulips, sprouting of leaves, new grass growing, and, of course, Easter. This is a time for new beginnings and new births and new experiences. This year, that is particularly true.

To start off with, the hubby and I are expecting our first mini us. This is a huge change. though a welcome one. We are starting to adjust our habits and plan for a future little mouth to feed and clean. As a result I'm frantically trying to get things done before the little one comes. I'm trying to get Christmas presents done and finish my novel and get rid of things that will harm the baby. I'm a busy person it would seem.

Then, on top of that, the contract for the company I was working for was up. As a result I had to find a new job, to which I start on Monday. That means meeting new people, learning new things, dealing with new stress. All of which while I'm pregnant. To say the least, this was not a welcome change.

Life is full of these changes and they never stop. Sometimes they are fantastic changes, things you were hoping for. Other times they are devastating and heartbreaking to think of. It's hard to deal with them but deal with them we must as life caries on no matter what.

It is at times like these when I need to remind myself that there is one thing I can always count on; one thing that will never change. That is that Jesus died for me, came back for me, and loves me. For as long as I live, for as many changes that happen, that one thing remains the same. No, God does not promise us an easier life by believing in him. He doesn't even promise that bad things won't happen to good people. But he does promise to love us always and help us through these changes. "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."- Psalms 23:4

So spring is here, even if we are still buried under snow. With it comes new beginnings and endings. I will strive my best to celebrate every positive beginning, hand to God my mournful endings,and know that my God loves me through these times of change.

The Old Story Teller

“Tell me a story,”

The old story teller said.

“Fill it with glory

Through which I can be led.”

“Tell me a journey,”

The old story teller asked.

“Where do they start firstly?

Which villain is masked?”

“Tell me a quest,”

The old story teller encouraged.

“What experience attested?

What fears acknowledged?”

“I’ll tell you a story,”

I did so reply.

“I’ll fill it with glory

Such that none can deny.”

“I’ll tell you a journey,”

I did so say.

“With a villain so thorny,

Only One can slay.”

“I’ll tell you a quest,”

I did so tell.

“of amazing love impress

Or so I will foretell.”

“But be very careful,”

I did so warn.

“This story is wonder-filled

The listener will be reborn.”

Choose Happy

I have a confession.... I stress and worry. Yup, I stress the little things and worry the big things. I tend to focus on things that are so far out of my control that I loose sleep. I happen to feel as if I have to please everyone and heaven help me if I disappoint one person. I can be told great things all day long but I'll remember is the one negative thing that was said in passing. My heart clenches in fear whenever something happens that upsets my peaceful life and I find that I have the incredible urge to curl into a ball around a stuffed animal and have a good cry. Never mind the fact that I'm twenty-three, have had a job (for the first time in my life) for almost a year and that I'm happily married with my first draft of my first novel finally complete (four years in the making). Sometimes I still feel like I'm five years old with monsters under my bed, in my closet, and around that corner. 

What's interesting is that, whenever I find myself in these situations, crying in my car on the way to work or locked in the bathroom on the floor, I hear a voice in my head. I don't often listen to it but it does give me incentive to stand up and get on with the rest of my day. It's my dad's advise that he used to give to me growing up. 

"You can choose how to act." 

You can choose how to act and how something is going to affect you. No doubt it's hard as all get out when all you feel is scared and alone, but the end result can be liberating. It can help you handle those large mountains and small ant hills. I'm not saying that life will be easy, and you won't find yourself in your car, sobbing over something. But it can help dictate how you treat other people. Rather than taking my fear of the unknown out on family and friends, I smile and skip down the isle at work, fist bumping fellow coworkers as I go. It's not always easy, but it sure is worth it. 

So that is my New Years resolution. Sure, I want to get in shape and eat healthier. Yea I'd love to publish my novel and make enough to build my own hobbit home. I want to have children someday and be a fantastic mother. All these things, thus far, I don't know if I can or will be able to do some day. But, for right now, what matters is today... and even if I get discouraged, or feel at the end of my rope, stressing those small things and worrying the big,  at the very least I can choose to be happy right now and as a result, maybe spread a little happy to other people.

Welcome 2015 and may you be a blessed year.

A Man from War

The teens filed into the class

each one excited to see the TV

the class would go by fast

Each one wondered what they would see

The teacher turned off the lights

each teen sat back to enjoy

Some hoped for fun, others for knights

thrills in each girl and boy

The screen sprang to life

the scene started to unfold

a face filled with strife

terrible images to behold

The teens leaned away

This was not what they wanted

what would their parents say

when they woke, dreams haunted

The images of war glared

faces filled with determined fear

each teen mind, not prepared

closed eyes, regardless of peer.

Near the end of the class

the teacher turned it off

"This has gone and pass,

and to watch is tough"

"But we must never forget,

You are able to watch these

because of these vets

who enabled you to be free"

The teacher walked out

each teen sat still

of none was there a shout

the memory of the killed.

Jo-Anne was the first to speak

"We should learn much more"

all agreed, from jock to geek

to speak with one from war.

It soon became a class project

To find someone with a story

every family was thoroughly checked

Until they found a man named Lori

His tale was not of victory

but of friends, long since gone

The theme quite contradictory

To make friends till your last dawn

"If you have good close friends"

Lori's voice did rasp

"War inside you will quickly end,

something some people don't grasp"

He said that war would be for not

if they did not live this way

"do not accept your own lot"

he would repeatedly say

Each student took this to heart

this class became so close

making friend they all did start

kindness and compassion they showed

Now, as adults they speak,

"We must do this and more"

all agreed, from jock to geek,

to remember those from war.

Refine Me

Life has a knack for tossing us around. Some days it feels like the whole world just lands on your gut at the first moment your eyes open. It seems like God's no where to be found, and you're not just up the creek without a paddle, but you're in the middle of the ocean in the row boat, and there's a storm going on around you and it's all you can do to not drown. You can't see any light or land for the rain and you feel beaten and abused. 

And then something happens, be it a phone call from your parents are a hug from a friend, and it's like God just placed you in the eye of the storm. Around you is still gray, and you still have issues and the world to deal with, but for that moment, you look up and you see a glorious deep blue sky and the warmth of the sun gives you relief. How much more you appreciate that moment of peace and quiet after you've gone through the storm.

God always has you in his eyes, even if you can't see him for the rain. Some times it's Satan, dumping buckets of water on your head and all you need to do is step to the right to see God. Sometimes, there is a colossal storm and for that moment, even if you can't see God, you have to trust that he can see you. But for all that the world and Satan tries to tell us otherwise, God can turn absolutely ANYTHING around for his good. He's always got a plan, no matter what. And he allows us to go through hardships so that we can be stronger in Him, and His glory can be brighter. 

If you want to be fit or loose weight, you exercise. It's a pain in the butt and for days you feel sore and stiff. Faith and Trust are the same thing. They are like muscles that this world had forgotten to use and they need to be exercised. Unfortunately, we, even as children, learn consequences through pain. I am not belittling natural disasters or famine or flood. I am saying that God allows those things to happen so that we can grow in him and be an example of him. In order to grow stronger and healthier in faith and trust, we need to be tested. Only then will they become healthy. 

We need God to refine us, even if it means suffering. We are crude coal and he sees diamonds in us. Let him mold you into his plan. I promise you, even though the storm is great, and you are tired and hurt, the end result will be far better than any other exercise you can do.  

Faith Fall

Hey everyone!

So a friend of mine got me onto this website called Describli.com. It gives you a choice of four prompts and you get to pick on and write a short story based on it. It's great because it gives a author a chance to get some peer reviews as well as co write something with another author, which is always fun.

The only snag about this is that you have to have an account set up in order for to view other's writings. So if I share it on FB, that means that the person who clicks on it has to have an account set up. That part sucks. Anyway, I have a couple people who want to read my short story (YAY) so I decided that I'll also post them here, that way, if you don't want an account on Describli, then you can check it out here for no hassle :). So here is my first story for you. Enjoy!

*~*~*~*~*

Faith Fall

The cry of the gulls echoed off the cliff side. The sun was just a rim of red that was shooting off it's last rays of light in to the wisps of purple clouds. The fire crackled, shooting out sparks to join the waking stars. A slight breeze brought with it the scent of the ocean far below. All was silent as the pair gazed out at the last breath of day.

"Papa?"

Baza turned to little Kirna, his youngest girl. "Yes, m'dear gi'l?"

Kirna held her hands out to the fire. Her long cloak was wrapped tightly around her with her fur lined hood on her little red head. When she looked up at Baza the hood fell back a little. Her green eyes were serious. "Why is this place called Faith Fall?"

Baza smiled at the little girl. She was his most curious child of the four. Rana, the oldest, was much like her name sake, his sister; adventurous and rambunctious. His twin sons, Tifro and Tisko, were more like his wife, Emer; stubborn with a thirst for knowledge. Kirna, however, was the carbon copy of Baza, aside from the slightly pointed ears of her mothers elfin heritage. She was serious about things she was curious about or found wrong, but otherwise she laughed easily and loved openly. Baza gazed at the little girl for the moment that it took for all these thoughts to cross his mind. How did he get so lucky?

"Well, m'dear gi'l," Baza said, using his nickname for her alone. "It's because this was once a tragic place with very little hope. You remember the story from your lessons?"

Kirna scrunched up her face in concentration and then shook her head, looking at him innocently. "Will you tell it to me again? I can't seem to 'member." she slipped back into her lisp that she had long since outgrown but used whenever she was playing innocent.

Baza chuckled and pulled Kirna onto his lap for the telling. "Once, year-turns ago, there was an evil weapon. It wanted to control everythin' and whoever held it would soon do whatever the sword wanted. It sound's strange for a sword to want or do anythin' without a master, but this was a magical sword. It was made by the elves many year-turns before this story; the method long since lost. This sword soon had a master that grew twisted enough to try to command all of Lyrose." Baza paused to take a deep breath.

Kirna snuggled into her papa's chest, nestling her head under his chin. Baza held her tight. "That bad man was Risaran, right Papa?"

Baza nodded against her head and took another deep breath. He was grateful that his children were safe. "That's right. And Risaran would brin' anyone he deemed too dangerous to this cliff, where he had a bad camp built. At that time it was called Cursed Cape. It was known all over Lyrose and feared by many, for good reason. He would bind the captives hands with a length of rope between the wrists and then tie the feet tightly together. Then he would hang them by that length of rope and hold a torch over it, just close enough to singe and slowly burn. Eventually, the prisoner's rope would snap and they would fall to the waves below."

Kirna shuddered and snuggled even closer to Baza. She had heard this story many times and hated this part. It made her angry and hurt for those that had died. "Papa, if it was such a bad place, why is it now called Faith Fall? Why is it not cursed anymore?" Ever the determined girl, she was not going to let him dwell in the past.

"Well, m'dear gi'l," Baza said with a slight smile. "Because this was also the place of the greatest rescue." Kirna wiggled a little. This was her favorite part. Baza chuckled. "See, your mama was once a prisoner of Risaran. She decide not to wait for him to bind her. She just turned and looked at Risaran and said 'I have faith, where you have hate.' Then she turned and jumped." Baza took a deep breath and shook his head at the memory.

"And then she flew, right Papa?"

Baza laughed and started tickling little Kirna. "Yes, you little tiger. You knew this story all along."

Kirna's high sequels could be heard at the homestead just behind the pair. Emer came out of the house and walked over to them.

"Mama!" Kirna jumped off Baza and into Emer's waiting arms.

"What have you been up to little red elf?" Emer asked with a smile.

"Papa was telling me about how you flew! You just jumped into thin air and showed all them bad guys that they needed a little faith." Little Kirna summed up the whole story in her little sentence with so much glee that Emer laughed.

"Well, why don't you head to your mat and dream of flying. Papa and I will be there to tuck you in shortly." Emer said with a smile. Kirna nodded, hugged both of her parents and skipped into the homestead.

"You never grow tired of that story, do you my dear?" Emer asked, shaking her head.

Baza stood up and took his wife into his arms. "I will never forget how you taught me to fall on faith." He kissed her nose and then they turned towards the homestead together, holding each other the whole way. The fire sent its last sparks to the sky.

*~*~*~*

Yes I did use characters from my novel in progress. It's surprisingly difficult to create new characters when you have been so focused on one set of main characters for so long. This one I had fun writing, taking my characters into a new setting. Next stories, however, I'll work on different characters so that I can become more versatile. Hope you all enjoyed!