Happy Anniversary Tara Cronica!
February 8th, 2010 · Jacquie's Posts, Tossed Salad
I just realized, whilst steaming milk for my latte, (I’m the one that includes excruciating amounts of unnecessary detail in her posts) that we must be at the one year mark for Tara Cronica. In fact, our first post was on January 30th of 2009 and Bonnie was the lucky author of that one. I remember back then we were all a little nervous about how our opinions were going to be received, whether our families would stop talking to us for fear of finding themselves lampooned here the next day and, most of all, whether we would be able to find something to talk about every single day. We don’t worry about that last one at all anymore. I think we found out pretty quickly that there’s so much stuff going on around us that we’re never at a loss for fresh topics. (I think this photo is us at a board meeting- out for coffee- discussing plastic surgery options)
Behind the scenes has been, shall we say, an interesting learning experience for us all as well. We are three unique voices, each with a slightly different take on how things should be done. Bonnie is the soft spoken voice of reason and calm. She never seems to get flustered (but I recently found out she is capable of a huge flare up when push against a wall, so she’s normal). She has a lovely spiritual gracious side to her that is honest and open. Tracy is the passionate one. Well, to be fair, she’s the one who wears her passion on her sleeve. Bonnie and I tend to keep it under wraps a bit more. Tracy thrives on activity, whether it be physical or mental. She drives me nuts when she mixes up ‘your’ and ‘you’re’ but I’ve finally figured out it’s not that she doesn’t care, it’s just that she really cares more about what she’s trying to say and I love that she’s so …well, passionate! Gawd, I hope she still talks to me after reading that! On Tara Cronica you never know what’s going to cause a kerfuffle! LOL Just like girlfriend relationships in real life, right!? Anyway, she’s out at the Olympic torch ceremony right now so she won’t see that for hours. ; )
Statistically there are quite a few more men blogging than women and I wonder why that’s true. Women love to talk. We’re sharers of community information. And women like, or maybe it’s need, to connect with others who have similar experiences or dreams or passions.
The girlfriends of Tara Cronica have been working on getting our Treasures page up and running for the last few months and it’s been frustrating at times but most of all it’s been illuminating. I’ve realized I always want to take the route of least resistance, throw money I don’t have at a problem and make it go away instead of figuring out how to do it myself. I am absolutely lost when it comes to HTML code and programming. I can read French so I’m not a total failure at languages but this one is soooo confusing! I don’t know how Bonnie does it. Thank goodness we have her on board! And Tracy is fearless! I spent the day with her last week and she was doing things in the Admin section I was sure would collapse our site with every click of the mouse. I’m chick’n poop when it comes to fiddling with that sort of stuff. I will mix stripes with florals in fashion or decorating so I guess I’m fearless in other ways. Back me up. ladies!
Yes, I feel we’ve come so far in one year but we have so much more planned for the future. We’re all still just as excited about going forward as we were the day we launched and that’s inspiring. Our little dream is still growing along with us. Can I hear a Woooo WOOO!
Message: Identify your dream, take baby steps towards it every day and you’ll eventually get there. The journey should be as much fun as the destination. Yah, baby!
→ 9 CommentsTags: girlfriend issues·Happy Anniversary·how to make your dream come true·jacquie janzen yee·Starting up a weblog·tara cronica·women and blogging
Svaha Spirit Series ~ The Beckoning of Lovely
February 7th, 2010 · Inspiring, Svaha Spirit Series~Sunday
Amy Krouse Rosenthal reaches out to the universe in this short but expanding film, a follow up to her debut short “17 things i made.”
Go here http://www.whoisamy.wordpress.com to submit your lovely thing.
→ 2 CommentsTags: Amy Krouse Rosenthal·Bonnie Johnson·The Beckoning of Lovely·video
Funny Super Bowl Ads
February 6th, 2010 · Bonnie's Posts, Humour
Ok. Time for some funny!
It’s Super Bowl Sunday tomorrow and although I am not a football fan (what do all those lines on the field even mean?) I plan to watch the game. For the half time show and for the ads. I love Super Bowl Ads. The funny ones anyway. I’m not interested in the politically charged pro-life commercial that apparently will air during the game tomorrow. What the…! Super Bowl Sunday ads have always been about the funny and that’s the way it should stay!
Here is a collection of previous ads that tickled my funny bone. Grab some nachos and wings and enjoy!
→ 1 CommentTags: ads·Ameriquest·Bonnie Johnson·Bridgestone·Budweiser·Cadbury·Doritos·funny·Superbowl Sunday
History of a Tattoo…part four
February 5th, 2010 · Tattoo, Tracy's Posts
African Tattoos or Scarification~
The history of tattooing in Africa dates back thousands of years. Until Otzi the Iceman was discovered, the oldest known tattoos belonged to the mummy of Amunet, a priestess of the goddess Hathor somewhere between 2160 BC -1994 BC. The designs found on her mummy, were believed to be symbols of fertility and rejuvenation.


Many men in West Africa undergo scaring or cicatrisation as a form of tribal initiation and bravery. This painful process begins for most young males at puberty and continues into adulthood. Scarification is done by lifting the skin a little, making a cut with a sharp tool such as a razor blade, thorn or anything with a sharp edge, and sand or ash is then rubbed into the cut to make the raised scar patterns anywhere on the body. The patterns followed are often local traditions which feel like braille lettering. Each tribe has unique designs, the man in the photo has patterns that identify his village and clan. He also has black magic symbols to help ward off evil spirits. These different designs often indicate social rank, traits of character, political status and religious authority.
For African women, scarification is most often associated with fertility. Scars added at puberty, after the birth of the first child, or following the end of breastfeeding, highlight the bravery of women in enduring the pain of childbirth. As if that wasn’t enough! Scars on other areas of the body such as the hips and buttocks, accentuate the erotic and sensual aspects of the female body.
Children are also included in this tradition of scarification when they reach different stages of their lives such as weaning from their mothers breast. Here in North America most tattoo artists will not tattoo anyone under the age of 18 without a parents present, however there are those who do.
In the past I have always added a video to my tattoo posts to really show the style of tattooing, this one will be no exception. However some of you might find this video graphic because of the nature of the topic. I specifically chose this one because it was filmed by National Geographic, which I grew up watching. Keep in mind as you are viewing this video that this tradition or ritual makes these individuals feel accepted by their community. Although I don’t agree with it when it involves a small child it could be compared to circumcision in North America. Technically there is no reason for either tradition or ritual. I look at these differences as educational. We are all connected as human beings regardless of our culture. I accept everyone for who they are and what they believe. It makes the world in which we live diverse in every way. This video is not for everyone. There is some blood and a quick clip of a child who is undergoing scarification.
Here are some African Symbols with their meanings ~

Warning ~This video has some graphic content!!
I think my next tattoo will be the African Adinkra Symbol ‘Sankofa’ “return and get it” the symbol of importance of learning from the past.

→ 5 CommentsTags: Adinkra Symbol·Africa·Amunet·braille lettering·bravery·childbirth·cicatrisation·clan·evil spirits·goddess Hathor·graphic·learn from the past·magic symbols·national geographic·Otzi the Iceman·puberty·return and get it·Sankofa·scars·Tattoo·tracy westerholm scarring·tribal·village
I am so NOT The Picture of Dorian Grey! Am I?
February 4th, 2010 · Jacquie's Posts, Tossed Salad
I make it a point to talk about whatever’s going on in my life in my posts, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable it might make me feel. Juicy kid gossip is out though, and sometimes that can be a bit frustrating. I need the distraction about now. I’m feeling quite uneasy about something and maybe getting it off my chest here will bring closure.
A few days ago I got sucked into filling out one of those ridiculous applications on facebook that a girlfriend had requested I try. As it was called ‘Which classic novel are you?’ I figured it was … a somewhat… educational time killing exercise… so I indulged said girlfriend and answered the stupid questionnaire. How bad could it be really? She was ”Gone with The Wind”, I believe. All started out well. Here’s how I answered a few of the multiple choice questions:
Where would you like to live? France (I didn’t say London, so there!)
Which of these words most appeals to you? Beauty
What are your friends like? Witty and decadent (this is where I may have gone astray. I should have picked ‘we all have a lot of fun together’ from the list of choices. Decadent is the wrong word to describe them. Earnest, loving and spiritual fits better. My bad. Again, I was feeling saucy)
Fancy a drink? Don’t mind if I do
How do you dress? Comfortable (that was the option, not comfortably. Pffft!)
There were more but I don’t want to incriminate myself by putting them all here. Anyway, the answer popped up that I am “The Picture of Dorian Grey”!!! Bite me, facebook app! I was shocked (and a bit embarrassed so I quickly removed all traces of having done the app from my profile page!)
If you’re not aware of the novel by satirist Oscar Wilde, it’s about a selfish, self-centered beast of a man who makes a deal with the devil in order to stay young and handsome forever. He commits MURDER, for crissakes! A portrait hidden in the attic is the only evidence of his true nature. As Dorian becomes more and more corrupt his portrait changes to reflect his incredibly hideous true self. Excuse my French, but WTF! I’m just a bloggin’ housewife who likes to find the beauty in everyday happenings. I’m pretty easy going, maybe too emotional at times and I love red wine. I am NOT Dorian Grey, thank you oh. so. MUCH! Damn facebook. lol… lol…. lol (she giggled nervously, feeling rather exposed).
I think I know what happened; I had had a bit of an episode, shall we say, with someone and lost my temper that day. I
was feeling a little out of sorts, a little ‘why me?-ish’. I think I unconsciously answered the questions in a bit of a screw the world mood and that’s how it turned out. I dare not even repeat the explanation blurb that came with the answer. Parts of it were ridiculously accurate, like horoscopes can be sometimes. I’m starting to get over the shock but it still haunts me. (I just told my husband what I’m writing about and he gave a huge laugh and a hug and said “you’re not a bad person, baby!” Gee, thanks.) Just goes to show that we can be many people at the same time depending on our frame of mind. We all have those times when we’re not at our best, a touch more acidic than alkaline. The duality of human nature?
“Some people believe that every human being has a good side and an evil side. “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is a classic story that illustrates and explains this view.
Some believe that every human being has a masculine side and a feminine side. I think that belief came out of the psychoanalytic tradition, via Jung. Personally, I think it would be simpler to conceive of a woman’s “masculine side” and a man’s “feminine side” as groups of psychological traits that happen to be common to both sexes.
Some believe that the left and right hemispheres of the brain represent, respectively, the logical and analytical side vs. the creative and holistic side. Most neurologists regard this “left-brain right-brain dichotomania” as oversimplification to the point of falsehood.
Not everyone believes that it is useful to divide human nature into two fundamental aspects. I don’t. To me, human nature seems too complicated to be reduced to a simple dichotomy.” ( from Ask Yahoo about the duality of human nature. I totally agree with the last line!)
I always saw myself as a possible Jane Austen heroine; a normal woman with everyday foibles. I guess the truth is out now. Good thing I’m on the path to enlightenment here at Tara Cronica and have my good friends around to keep me honest. Never know what kind of despicable acts I’m capable of (like ending a sentence with a preposition ; ) Can you relate?
Wellllll, I’m going to pour myself another port, slip into a designer smoking jacket and go upstairs to the attic to see how much I’ve aged today.
→ 5 CommentsTags: facebook apps·good vs evil·jacquie janzen yee·Oscar Wilde·The duality of human nature·the Picture of Dorian Grey
Ryan in Africa ~
February 3rd, 2010 · Inspiring, Tracy's Posts, Tripping
“So You Want To Be A Safari Guide. It’s what I thought when I was twelve, now I am forty one. Let’s find out. This is a loose record of my experience at ENTABENI NATURE GUIDES six month guiding course.” Ryan Ennis
This is how Ryan In Africa starts. That was the hook for me. In 1985 when the movie “Out of Africa” came out I totally fantasied about living there, not in the life of Meryl Streep’s character for obvious reasons, but for the beauty of the land, and being completely back to basics. I bumped into Ryan a couple of days before he was to start his adventure, I was blown away that he was actually doing it. No one usually follows through with things like this, it’s usually a pipe dream that we hear about for days, which turn into weeks, and soon years, until it’s not talked about anymore. Ryan is living a dream that usually stays just that for many of us!
I was sooooo envious that he had a one way ticket to an adventure of a lifetime! Being a Stuntman I think you naturally crave that adrenaline high, but this adrenaline would be completely different. Ryan isn’t on set in a controlled environment, first aid isn’t standing off camera, theres no craft service, nobody yells “cut” if things go wrong and theres no stunt trailer. Theres trained guides, mother nature, wild animals, and a massive amount of information to be learned!
Life should be about experience and that’s what I admired about what Ryan is doing. For those of you who don’t know Ryan, he’s one of the Best Stud (I meant to type Stuntmen/Coordinator) in the film industry, but I’ll leave that for the ‘Freudian’ lovers out there. Our paths have crossed on several different occasion, over 17 years, through friends, work and business. I love Ryan’s approach to life, he’s hilarious! It’s not everyday you get to read what it takes to be a Safari Guide, so enjoy escaping with Ryan as he shares his entertaining loose record of his experience! I know you will laugh out loud, contemplate life a little and ask yourself ”Am I living my dream?”
Here is an excerpt from Ryan In Africa~ “The Lion Walk“
“First we come across where the Lions killed a Wildebeest the night before. Knowing that they are well fed is a good thing, knowing they can always eat more is a bit sobering. So now we have the track and we know they are on the other side of some trees. We sneak through the trees like we are hunting rabbits. Big fucking six hundred pound rabbits with six inch teeth that want to kill us. It is a slow sneak. We soon spot the cats, six in all , we are almost outnumbered, not that it’s a fair fight. Did I mention the claws? Jesus! Cleverly, we move forward for a better look. Shortly after we arrive at a distance of about 125 yards the big male, lioness, and two cubs decide to move on, as they do so somehow they catch wind of our presence.
Now let me tell you there is nothing, NOTHING in this life that will burn itself into your memory like two huge lions with cubs to protect stopping in their tracks to turn and stare at you. A lot goes through your mind, like how your vehicle 300 meters away might as well be in Dallas, Texas for all the good it is to you now. The tension of that moment, with their eyes burning into the back of your head, burns all the silly useless thoughts that you waste your day with out of your head like an over cleaning itself. They decide that we aren’t an immediate threat and carry on, not without checking us out every ten seconds or so. We walked back when they were clear, I’m pretty sure that I floated back to the trucks and I bet there were no tracks behind me” Ryan In Africa.
This is just a taste of what happens in life when you make ‘critical choices‘ that lead to ‘defining moments‘. Be Safe Ryan, Not Careful!
→ 7 CommentsTags: Africa·blogs·course·Entabeni·ENTABENI NATURE GUIDES·hilarious·Ryan Ennis·Ryan In Africa·Safari Guide·Stunt coordinator·stunt man·Tracy Westerholm·Vancouver film Industry
Keeping Our Children Safe or Stifled?
February 2nd, 2010 · Bonnie's Posts
When you have kids you worry. A lot. It comes with the job and there is no way of avoiding it. Unfortunately these days I think we may have gone too far in many ways. We don’t let kids play dodge ball at school anymore…too dangerous. Today’s children will never experience the wind through their hair while they go full speed down a hill on their bikes. Helmets. And I understand why we’ve come up with all of these safety measures. (I agree with the helmets by the way) What parent wants to expose their children to hazards? It’s just that we risk limiting our kid’s ability to explore a wider range of experience by raising them in an overly cautious manner due to our fear that they might get hurt.
Last summer while Tracy and her family visited, my husband decided to let her eleven year old son chop wood…with a real axe. I was horrified and started to do the song and dance about safety. They ignored me however, and as I listened to John give instructions and saw the way this smart young boy listened carefully I relaxed some. And so, while I paced nervously, a good pile of wood was chopped by a young boy who seemed to grow into a young man before my eyes. He literally puffed out with pride at the good work he had done. And later that evening he was taught how to start a proper camp fire with the very wood he had chopped. He was thrilled. I was a bit of a wreck but I got over it and now that the axe has been put away I’m glad that he had the experience.
“We seem to think that any item sharper than a golf ball is too sharp for children under the age of 10,” says Gever Tulley.
So, Tulley, founder of something called the Tinkering School, a place where kids build things with power tools, has written a new book called, 50 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Children Do. (Number 46 is “Super Glue Your Fingers Together – Experience life without a thumb!)
When we round every corner and eliminate every sharp object, every pokey bit in the world, then the first time that kids come in contact with anything sharp or not made out of round plastic, they’ll hurt themselves with it. So, as the boundaries of what we determine as the safety zone grow ever smaller, we cut off our children from valuable opportunities to learn how to interact with the world around them.
The inspiration for his book began when he wrote a blog post listing six hazards and why kids should be encouraged to dive in:
1. Play with fire
2. Own a pocket knife
3. Throw a spear
4. Deconstruct appliances
5. Break the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
6. Drive a car
Here is some of his discussion on TED:
→ 6 CommentsTags: 50 Dangerous Thing You Should Let Your Children Do·Bonnie Johnson·children safe·Gever Tulley·TED·Tinkering School
Michael Jackson’s Earth Song Grammy Tribute
February 1st, 2010 · Inspiring, Jacquie's Posts
I watched the Grammy’s last night with a note pad in one hand and a half cup of optimism in the other. My plan was to scratch out a few comments on the fashions and the fumbles (like Beyonce singing Alanis Morrissette’s ‘You Outta Know’. Big miss! She’s not angry enough. You have to have conviction to pull this one off; you can’t dance through lines like “Are you thinking of me when you …… her?”, though I was thrilled she edited herself. Can’t say the same for Eminem and that Wayne-guy rapping. I’d guess at least half the song was bleeped out. I’m gonna sound old here but I was really liking the performance and was disappointed that so much was obviously obscene. Grow up guys and get your pants off the floor. This is 2010 and you’re looking dated) back to my main point, which was that it was one of the best shows in a loooong time!
The top performance, no, I’ll switch that to say the most inspiring, came from the Michael Jackson Earth Song tribute sung by Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson (still love his voice!) and Jennifer Hudson. Take a look… and you don’t need the 3D glasses!
Earth Song lyrics
What about sunrise
What about rain
What about all the things
That you said we were to gain…
What about killing fields
Is there a time
What about all the things
That you said was yours and mine…
Did you ever stop to notice
All the blood we’ve shed before
Did you ever stop to notice
This crying Earth its weeping shores?
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
What have we done to the world?
Look what we’ve done.
What about all the peace,
That you pledge your only son?
What about flowering fields?
Is there a time?
What about all the dreams,
That you said was yours and mine?
Did you ever stop to notice,
All the children dead from war?
Did you ever stop to notice,
This crying Earth its weeping shores?
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
I used to dream
I used to glance beyond the stars
Now I don’t know where we are
Although I know we’ve drifted far
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Hey
what about yesterday
(What about us)
What about the seas
(What about us)
The heavens are falling down
(What about us)
I can’t even breathe
(What about us)
What about everything
(What about us)
I given you
(What about us)
What about nature’s worth
(ooo, ooo)
It’s our planet’s womb
(What about us)
What about animals
(What about it)
We’ve turned kingdoms to dust
(What about us)
What about elephants
(What about us)
Have we lost their trust
(What about us)
What about crying whales
(What about us)
We’re ravaging the seas
(What about us)
What about forest trails
(ooo, ooo)
Burnt despite our pleas
(What about us)
What about the holy land
(What about it)
Torn apart by creed
(What about us)
What about the common man
(What about us)
Can’t we set him free
(What about us)
What about children dying
(What about us)
Can’t you hear them cry
(What about us)
Where did we go wrong
(ooo, ooo)
Someone tell me why
(What about us)
What about baby boy
(What about it)
What about the days
(What about us)
What about all their joy
(What about us)
What about the man
(What about us)
What about the crying man
(What about us)
What about Abraham
(What was us)
What about death again
(ooo, ooo)
Do we give a damn
Aaaaaaaaah Ooooooooh
→ 6 CommentsTags: Carrie Underwood·Celine Dion·Earth Song Grammy's 2010·Jennifer Hudson·Michael Jackson·Smokey Robinson·Usher
Svaha Spirit Series ~ Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha
January 31st, 2010 · Jacquie's Posts, Svaha Spirit Series~Sunday
I love finding new versions of the Tara mantra to add to my collection. This one is particularly pretty and very easy to listen to while surfing, reading or meditating. I hope you like it.
For a little bit more info about the lyrically beautiful Tara mantra and what it means check out our ‘ Goddess Arya Tara‘ page.
→ 2 CommentsTags: "Mantra of Joy"·Aryatara·Green Tara Mantra·jacquie janzen yee·meditation·Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha
Do you have a secret?
January 30th, 2010 · Bonnie's Posts
I think we all have secrets; some we are aware of and keep closely hidden and others that are so subtle we don’t even realize we have them.
I have been a fan of Frank Warren’s postsecrets for some time now. I have two of his books of collected post cards on my shelves. These post cards are often works of art and always a small peak into the human psyche. Some are humorous while others will break your heart. I like that they only tell a line or two of the whole story and yet that combined with the chosen artwork is enough to make a profound statement.
(I love that song – Breathe Me – by Sia.)
So if you have a secret that is burning to get out, why not put it on a post card and send it to Frank Warren anonymously…or you could always share it with us here at Tara Cronica. We won’t tell a soul. I promise.
→ 6 CommentsTags: Bonnie Johnson·Frank Warren·post secrets·video
“Calling All Angels”
January 29th, 2010 · Art/Talent, Celebrity, Charities/Cause, Tracy's Posts
There has been a lot of turmoil in our world lately, but it’s still important to stop what you’re doing and take a break from your daily grind. Whether you call a friend, sip on a warm cup of herbal tea, take the dog for a walk or paint, it’s a great way to get inspired to keep going. I like to stop and listen to music, I call it my “Musical Interlude”. ( like stopping to smell the roses but with your ears!) Press pause for a moment and listen to the words of the song “Calling All Angels” by Train .
I think we all need to put a call into our ‘Angels’ to help those in need right now.
Don’t forget to tune into Global for the 44 th Annual Variety Show of Hearts Telethon starting @ 7 pm Jan 30th, it’s for a great cause with lots of great inspiration!
Now crank it and enjoy this Musical Interlude with me ~
I just found this description of this song, it’s just PERFECT, here it is:
‘That in the time of great confusion, loss, and disorientation, one does not call for redemption, but asks for a sign of inspiration, for the courage to not surrender to despair. It’s a tome about hope against the odds, acknowledging vulnerability, and accepting responsibility to remain focused and critical enough to win one’s own redemption in everyday life, in order to become a better human being’.
→ 4 CommentsTags: Calling All Angels·Global TV·Inspiration·musical interlude·Tracy Westerholm·Train·Variety Show of Hearts Telethon
Let’s Be Honest…
January 27th, 2010 · Tossed Salad, Tracy's Posts
We all like to think we have honesty with our partner, friends, family and co workers, but do we? Are we being honest with ourselves?
You have to wonder don’t you. A vow is taken at a wedding, but still the divorce rate is approaching 80%. Spouses are trusted, yet affairs are almost common behaviour. Friends who were once trusted with deep dark secrets eventually blab to someone and show their true colours. Why are relationships failing? Everything seems to be disposable including relationships and I think it all comes down to honesty. I think people are afraid to be really honest with one another. They’re afraid to say how they really feel. If they do they take the chance of being judged and alienated for simply speaking the truth. How well do you really know your partner? Do you know and accept the good with the bad? Do you really know their passions and desires? If we are completely honest in our relationships, trust should be there. But lets face it, sometimes the truth hurts.
Trust; – noun: reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, ect, of a person or thing; confidence.
“Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people” I love this quote by Spencer Johnson.
How much confidence do you have in your spouse? Will they stand by you ‘til death do you part?’ I heard on the radio one morning about this study that was done when women in a marriage get ill. I’m not just talkin the flu or a virus here, I mean really sick. When women get an illness like M.S or Cancer 21% of men leave their wives. (That still leaves 79% that will stick it out, which is positive.) But if the rolls are reversed only 3% of women leave. The reasons given were that men don’t see themselves as the ‘caregiver‘ in a relationship. Men simply don’t multi task like women do, which would be necessary while taking on what would be required if their spouse was ill. This makes me wonder, if couples felt they could be more honest within their relationship, could these drastic measures turn into compromising ones? Could there be hope of working it out together simply because of raw honesty?
We all know how hard it can be to be COMPLETELY honest with anyone without hurting feelings somewhere along the line. But if you want real trust you have to start somewhere. I know this because I’ve been there. There is a huge payoff for honesty and that is friendship. Because of honesty in my relationship I have a best friend whom I trust more than ever. Scott is my best friend because of honesty. I will admit at times it was hard, but if you get rid of your ego and really put yourself out there, you get past the hard part and are left with trust.
When the truth is told it gives you the freedom to make decisions based on what’s best for you. It’s unselfish to speak the truth to those you love, whether the news is good or bad, the truth shall can set you free! The same goes with your girlfriends, although it is difficult to speak the truth to them at time, it is easier in the end if you do.
I think that as long as you have honesty, pure intention, you have trust.

→ 9 CommentsTags: ability·affairs·co worker·confidence·family·Friends·honest·integrity·intention·Mandala·men·reliance·Spencer Johnson·spouse·strength·Susan Bradford·Tracy Westerholm·trust·vow·women
Hallelujah
January 25th, 2010 · Charities/Cause, Jacquie's Posts
I was unable to watch the telethon for Haiti on Friday night but I was told by some friends about the highlights and the moving stories told by the celebrity participants. Thanks to YouTube I was able to find some of the incredibly inspirational performances. This one by Justin Timberlake is one of my favourites.
→ 4 CommentsTags: Justin Timberlake·Matt Morris·telethon for Haiti



















Goddess Tara
Jacquie Janzen Yee
Tracy Westerholm
Bonnie Johnson






