TGIF: Are You There, World? It’s Me, Tina. Without Makeup.

On Angelina Jolie’s leg, posing for Facebook pictures and exposing the “real me.”

by Tina Francis | Twitter: @teenbug
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It’s been an AWESOME week to be a woman.

Apart from the insane media coverage of Angelina Jolie’s leg at the Oscars (epic low for humanity), I have enjoyed watching women stand up and stick it to The Man.

I want to take a quick minute to say:

Source: baubauhaus.com via Tina on Pinterest

Dear Angelina,

Haters gonna hate.

I’m so sorry about the spoofs, Twitter account, “Legbombing” Pinterest page, memes and TV shows making fun of your leg.

I say this sincerely and un-ironically: it must suck to wake up every morning and hear that your leg is on the cover of yet another newspaper, when women are being raped in Congo.

Ignore these bozos. Let one of them win an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and be named Hollywood’s highest-paid actress by Forbes; then they can talk.

Love you girl,
Teen
__________

Coming back to task at hand …

Women were such rockstars this week. They are:

1. Speaking up.
   “Dear Oscar: Women Have Stories, Too“
2. Gathering allies.
   “Tumblr Takes Stand Against Eating Disorder Blogs”
3. Standing up for each other.
   “Why We Should Stop Snarking On Angelina Jolie’s Thinness”
4. Embracing their imperfections.
   “Want to be happy? Stop trying to be perfect“
5. Telling the truth.
   “My Journey with Weight Control.”

The last link is a revealing ballsy piece, written by our very own SheLoves writer, Claire De Boer.

Here’s an excerpt from her article that made me choke on my afternoon apple:

“I can’t count the number of times I have sat around a table with girlfriends, a delicious selection of mouthwatering finger foods under our noses, and listened as most of us have justified our decision to eat or not eat the food.

I went for a run today.
I didn’t eat dinner, so I can indulge.
I’ve been good all week, so I deserve a night off.
I shouldn’t … I really need to lose a few pounds.

Whatever the response, so many of us are sitting around that table justifying our decision to eat or not eat. I have never heard the same conversation around a table of men.”

Mid February (coincidentally on my birthday), another SheLoves writer, powerhouse Sarah Bessey wrote, “For Shame or Freedom?” “Shame is insidious, ” she says, “because it can sound reasonable to our own ears, but it always ends in the same place: a prison.”

She goes on to say that as women:

“…we weave a banner of love as nouns and verbs to guard and protect,
to trail-blaze, for our mothers, our daughters:
you are beautiful, you have worth, you are valuable – NOW.
I love you, I see you, I hear you, my sister.

Facebook Me vs. Real Me

Sarah’s words, “I see you,” jumped out at me. I thought about how rarely, I let people see the real me. I hate being seen. I hate been photographed. Maybe I’m extra critical because I’m a photographer. If it’s not the right angle, the right light and the right posture, I want the earth to open up and swallow me whole.

This fear is magnified with the magic of Facebook. Anyone can upload and tag a nasty picture of me with a double-chin, back-fat, eyes closed and mouth wide open. Sure, I could “untag” myself from the picture, but I’ll always know that it’s still floating out there on the scary Internet.

Like most mortals, I’m guilty of putting up a cute but not too pose-y picture of myself as a profile picture, like so:

Please note, the flattering soft light coming from my window making me look like a cast member of “Touched by an Angel.” Truth be told, I often worry that people who I “meet” on the internet, will be disappointed when they meet me in person. Alas, I can’t bottle that gorgeous light to follow me around!

I read an article this week titled, “Almost Half Of Women Don’t Like Their Faces Unless They’re Spackled With Makeup.” Dude … that just makes me sad. Spackled?!

And hey, if this is what Supermodel Kate Moss looks like without makeup and Photoshop, then why do I give myself such a hard time?

If more of us women stopped hiding behind our staged “Perfect Profile Picture,” we could start to reverse the cycle of self-hate and fear, and run wildly into the arms of love and freedom.

Some of you might remember that my One Word for 2012 is “enough.” I’m learning that I am: strong enough, smart enough, brave enough, loved enough …[squirm] … even beautiful enough. Just as I am.

“We can’t look to the world to restore our worth; we’re here to restore our worth to the world. The world outside us can reflect our glory, but it cannot create it. It cannot crown us. Only God can crown us, and he already has.” — Marianne Williamson

In a moment of pure insanity I thought, if my beautiful friend Claire can be honest about how many times she has weighed herself, I can be honest about what I look like without makeup.

So this is the real me …
Glasses
Pimple on my cheek
Angry Vein on my forehead
Bags under my eyes
Ratty pajamas
No makeup.
No Photoshop.
No flattering angle.

BOOM.

And this is (round-faced) me, after I realized that this idea was totally crazy and I was going to regret it in the morning!

Guess what? It’s morning. And, I don’t regret it!

“A tulip doesn’t strive to impress anyone. It doesn’t struggle to be different than a rose. It doesn’t have to. It is different. And there’s room in the garden for every flower. You didn’t have to struggle to make your face different than anyone else’s on earth. It just is. You are unique because you were created that way.” — Marianne Williamson

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OH-OH-OH, I have a crazy idea!!!

Dear ones, I (lovingly) dare you to take a picture of yourself without makeup and:

a. Post it on our SheLoves Facebook page.
b. Share it on Twitter. You can copy/paste this tweet:
“Hey World! It’s Me, _____[insert name]. Without Makeup. #iamenough [insert picture] ”
c. Or “Pin it” on Pinterest. #iamenough

Gleep! I’m so excited. I would seriously love to see your beautiful faces, just as you are.

Together we can define a new standard for beauty; one that celebrates our curves, stretchmarks, scary veins, wrinkles and laugh lines.

Love you more than Ginger Grapefruit Curd,
xoxo,
Teen

To read more TGIFs from Tina: Click here.

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My name is Tina. Loved ones call me: Teen.

Words are my chocolate. Music, my caramel. Photography, my bread. Girlfriends, my butter.

Confession: Some girls dream about Manolo Blahniks or their next Hermes bag. Not me. I dream of freshly baked bread, perfectly barbecued meat & steaming bowls of Pho. My dream lover *cue Mariah Carey song* is someone who would read out a menu to me in Barry White’s baritone voice.

I celebrate food, ask for help, interrupt conversations, laugh and cry hard, acknowledge the elephant in most rooms, fight for the underdog and believe in the power of storytelling.

My word for the year is “leap.” If something scares me, I do it.

I was born and raised in Dubai and currently live in the beautiful city of Vancouver, known for some of the best sushi in the world.

Upcoming Conferences & Events

 { for women with hearts + brains + hands + feet } 

We want to mobilize and empower women to transform our world. Therefore, every month SheLoves magazine will update our list of upcoming conferences and events for women around the globe. If you have an event or conference you think we should add, please contact us.

2012 Events, Campaigns & Conferences

Free Them: Campaign to Fight Slavery, Feb.

Here ‘s the Free Them 29 Things PDF to download: 29 Things

The Justice Conference: Feb 24+25, Portland, OR

Illuminate: Feb 24+25 (Youth) Victoria, BC, Canada

LifeWomen Conference: May 3-5, Surrey, Canada

Amahoro Gathering: May 21-25, Bujumbura, Burundi

Mercy that Makes a Man

“I saw young women experience Christmas for the first time as free women.”

By Alan Koller

I was the guy who was always told, “Nice guys finish last.” I almost got it tattooed on my arm. In Grade 6, I was voted the best boy in the class, in a secret “Girls Only” poll. Three perfect scores. Thank you very much. That should give you a clue into who I was when I was young. What inspired my heart towards Mercy Ministries, however, started in college after two ex-girlfriends’ lives took some difficult turns, following their relationships with me.

Were these situations my fault? No, would be the response by most standards. The message from God, however, was different.

He simple said: “Their hearts were not yours to play with. Their hearts were placed in your hand to honour and respect first and foremost.”

[Insert photo of hand of God cuffing me in the back of the head here.]

Now add the fact that, after college, I spent 14 years bartending in Vancouver’s high-end hotels, seeing the male/female bar scene at its best and its worst. I learned how hard it was to tell who needed help. I wanted to at least try and do something, and cooking at Mercy Ministries, a residential program for young women who deal with life’s controlling issues, has become the way I am serving the cause.

So, what is it like for me to cook at Mercy?

-It is an honour of course.

-It’s fun.

-It’s emotional, definitely.

Each time I walk through the door I have to remember in this home are young women who have been emotionally and physically abused, mostly by men. Many of them have developed eating disorders as a result of the abuse. And there I am as a single guy, walking in the door with lots of food. Interesting, indeed.

Last year I got to cook dinner for the staff and girls at the Mercy Christmas party. It was an amazing night. One I will never forget for various reasons; some great and some not so great. Unfortunately at one point I stood next to a young woman, listening to another girl tell her story about what she was thankful for at Christmas. That young woman had to walk away from me, and I watched her starting to wring her hands with so much anxiety, I felt it necessary to return to cleaning up the kitchen. I stood in that kitchen and thought to myself, What happened to that young girl so my presence would cause her that much pain? I wish she knew I would never cause her any pain and if anyone tried to hurt her when I was around, she would be protected.

That night I saw I saw another girl, upon receiving a Christmas stocking, ask: “What is this?”

How is it possible that a Canadian girl would have no idea what a Christmas stocking is? I couldn’t understand it. I grew up with great parents and had a wonderful Christmas every year. To think a world like hers exists doesn’t make me sad, as much as it makes me angry.  I wished I could go back in time and visit each one of these girls and personally ensure those responsible pay and pay dearly for their involvement in causing a need for places like Mercy.

But as usual God showed up again and pointed out some more things I should be noticing at Mercy.

- I saw young women experience Christmas for the first time as free women.

- I saw tears of joy as they opened their gifts.

One of the gifts was cash for each of the girls. They were given strict instruction that the money was to be spent buying gifts for themselves. [Slightly emotional moment.]  One of the girls asked if she could use some of the money to tithe with. [Emotional moment times ten.] Praise God.

- To see young women so afraid of food, eating and enjoying life at a dining room table was incredible.  Oh and these girls can sing, and sing very well. Best Christmas carols I’d heard in a long time.

- To be sitting in the room as one of only three men and have one of the girls say to the three of us: Thank you for what you do, because for many of the girls here, their experience with men has been horrifying, and for the first time we can be around men and feel safe.  “Thank you,” she said, “It means a lot to us.”

[Insert a moment of feeling completely OVERWHELMED here.]

Words truly cannot express what I experienced that night or any of the other days I have been in the Mercy home. I do know this: I will not stop serving at Mercy. There is too much at stake to sit back and do nothing. What God has ultimately shown me is as much as I would like to find the source of the abuse for each one of these women and introduce those abusers to the wrath of God at my hands, God has shown me that Mercy is the answer, instead. Through Mercy God is building an army to defeat this evil.  The soldiers in this army are the young women who walk through the doors of Mercy. They will be able to help countless other women fight and overcome their own battles. They are going to be the ones who lift others out of the darkness.

My job as a man is to make sure they have the tools they need, the encouragement they need, the protection they need and, most importantly, the love they need to know they are not alone in this fight.

__________________________________

About Alan:

I grew up in a small town in BC and had a great childhood. My culinary side was cultured at a young age; I still remember standing on a chair in the kitchen stirring custard with my mother. Even though I have always had a passion for food and for cooking, I have never cooked professionally or trained. I just watched and learned. I am very blessed to be able to cook now purely for the joy and love of it and I am honoured to use my gifts to help build Mercy Ministries.

Freedom Starts with Me: 21 Things We Can Do Today to End Sex Trafficking

By Michelle Miller

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the United States. Today we stand for Freedom by looking at ways we can be part of the change, starting in our own hearts.

21 things we can do today to end sex trafficking:

1. Address the brokenness in my own life.
2. Oppose the legalization (total decriminalization) of prostitution.
3. Stop viewing pornography.
4. Make lifestyle choices that don’t further global inequality.
5. Educate myself and others about human trafficking.
6. Become an abolitionist.
7. Promote gender equality and human dignity in your daily life.
8. Directly ask the men in my life if they pay for sex.
9. Give women the same opportunities as men.
10. Partner with the efforts of REED and other organizations who fight for freedom.
11. Advocate for just immigration policies and safe paths of migration.
12. Pray for the freedom of men and women affected by brothels in my city.
13. Question the norm of “sex for sale.”
14. Support the education of women and girls, especially in developing countries.
15. Protest the proliferation of the “pimp ‘n ho’” culture.
16. Seek freedom from a lifestyle of consumerism.
17. Contact my governmental representative with my concerns about trafficking and prostitution.
18. Become a foster parent.
19. Do not stigmatize prostituted women.
20. Challenge those who make sexist “jokes.”
21. Pray for healing to come in the area of trafficking and sexual exploitation.

QUESTIONS & CONVERSATION:

• What idea moves you to act today?
• Where will you start today?

About Michelle

Michelle Miller is Executive Director of REED (Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity). Founded in May 2005, REED stands against trafficking and sexual exploitation through outreach, advocacy and education.

Photo credit: Hong Kong street sign by Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department.

A Mercy Christmas: Generosity Up Close

“I’m certainly one of those thanking God this Christmas, because of an up close view of generosity at Mercy.”

By Musu Taylor-Lewis | Twitter: @mercycanada

I love Christmas.

I love the festive decorations everywhere. I love hearing worship songs at the grocery store. I love the anticipation of getting together with family and friends and trying to figure out what they would most appreciate. I love seeing the story of Jesus told and pictured and sang in unexpected places.

This year, I am particularly struck by the spirit of generosity that comes out at Christmas.

It is amazing how much people really want to give. They want to give gifts that delight, they want to give gifts that provide and want to share in a way that relieves the sting of poverty, loneliness and hurt. At Christmas people give to those they personally know and love, but also give to those outside their circles who are in need. They give as individuals, in groups, in secret and openly. They give in expected ways and in creative ways too.

The supporters and friends of Mercy Ministries are a great example of this. Mercy has a tradition of celebrating with the residents before we break for Christmas. In part, because for some of the young women in our home, Christmas can be a time of unhappy memories of neglect and going without. Supporters join in the celebration by providing gifts that are joyously unwrapped by very appreciative young women.

In Canada this year, we started the Mercy-filled Christmas project just after Thanksgiving–a gift registry for our residents that allows anyone to choose a gift to purchase for a girl in the program. We aim to have enough of each item so that each girl receives one. Well, the response was so fast that we quickly filled almost all the items on the list. While we were very careful to choose items that would fit all budgets, the last item to be filled was the least expensive item on our gift registry!

Within a day we had all twelve cash gifts and iPod shuffles snapped up and provided for by individual supporters who wanted to remain anonymous. Then there were those who decided to get creative in order to give. One supporter put the challenge out to readers of her blog in order to raise money for gift cards. She raised three times as much as she asked for in less than a week! Another supporter put together a fundraiser at her church to collect the money for music CDs and pyjamas. Members of her church in Calgary collected twice as much as they had aimed for and will be able to sponsor a few days of Mercy in addition to giving the gift of warmth and music.

There is more.

Even before we started the Mercy-filled Christmas project, we got a call from a women’s ministry pastor in our area wanting to know how many study bibles they could send over for Christmas this year. And then there’s the December bride who has asked her guests to give A Day of Mercy or Half-a-Day of Mercy in lieu of wedding gifts. I could go on about the families who will host residents from out of town and unsafe homes, and the always generous supporter who is providing and preparing the whole Christmas dinner, but I’m sure by now you have the idea.

To paraphrase 2 Corinthians 2:12, generosity like this not only meets the need of people, but also causes many people to thank God. I’m certainly one of those thanking God this Christmas, because of an up close view of generosity at Mercy.

__________________________________________________

About Musu:

My life is lived out of the calling “to advance Christ-centred work.” I am currently Director of Marketing and Development at Mercy Ministries, working to get the word out about the life-transforming work that takes place here. Prior to my work at Mercy, I directed a Crisis Pregnancy Centre, studied Christianity and Culture at Regent College and co-led women’s programs at my local church. I have four great children and am married to Steven, a gift to me from the Creator.

SheLoves: Christmas Card Project for Famine Relief in East Africa

What if we all did something?

By Daniela Schwartz | Twitter: @dannyschwartz

We were sitting at family dinner and I was trying to get my eight-year-old boy to eat his food. I heard the words leave my lips: “Owen, you should be thankful for the food you have, there are starving children in Africa.”

My husband added: “Actually, there’s a famine in East Africa.”

We explained how there’s no rain and no means to grow or raise food. That unless aid is sent, people will starve to death. I could see the concern on Owen’s face, but that is where we left it. Later that night, in bed, I was surfing on Pinterestfor home decor and my baby boy’s first birthday party ideas. Then, in the midst of looking at a sea of beautiful things, I saw this image:

REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

The image disturbed me to my soul. Dinner with my son came to mind. I laid in bed that night thinking, Who am I? What am I really teaching my kid? Am I saying: Feel guilty … and eat your food, because that will help the people of East Africa? Am I a women of action?

Do I want to teach my kids that bad things happen and someone else will take care of it? That’s so not who I am and Owen is capable of doing something.

As that moment I was two days post running in our SheLoves Half-Marathon for Living Hope. My body was still in pain from the beating it took during the 90 days of training and I was tired, but I knew this was an opportunity to teach Owen.

I emailed the image to my friend, Idelette (the editor of SheLoves) and we began to talk about what we could do. She was also two days post half-marathon, but she had been equally moved/haunted. We also prayed and giggled a little at our gumption. (Sidenote: Isn’t “gumption” a fantastically under-used word today? )

We birthed the idea of a Christmas card project. The children would design the art; it was important to us that the children be part of this project.

The next night I was tucking Owen in and I told him about the idea. I saw the little wheels turning in his head; then his eyes lit up and he said to me: “That is actually a pretty good idea, Mom.”

[Yes, Owen, your mother is no slouch.]

He was so excited to get started and said, “Just wait! I’ll get my markers and some paper.”

Bingo!

Empowered.

The Project

We have put together a collection of ten pieces of art, created from the hearts of our children. These have been printed up as Christmas cards and we are selling these packs of cards to raise funds and awareness for the famine happening at this very moment in East Africa.

My prayer is that our children will know that no hands are too little in God’s hands.

All proceeds from this project will be donated to World Vision to support their efforts in East Africa. There are 10 million people in desperate need at this moment and we have the power to help.

Here’s what I know: We can’t do everything, but we can all do something.

Here’s my something … because I am a woman of action.
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Would you consider joining us in doing something, by purchasing these Christmas cards? 

• To buy online, please visit our etsy shop:

SheLoves Christmas on Etsy

• Christmas Cards are also available for sale at the Relate Church Bookstore, located at 6788 152 Street, Surrey, BC.

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About Daniela:
Daniela is stepping into the role of stay-at-home mom. She loves Jesus, her husband and kids and jumps feet first into opportunities to serve in her community. Daniela lives by this statement, “Preach the gospel always, use words when necessary.” She loves to live life big and laughs a lot. She blogs with her twin sister Trinity at Lime in the coconuts.

What One Girl and Her Decals Can Do

“When I see numbers in the millions and billions, it’s so easy for my eyes to glaze over and think it’s too big.”

By Danielle Hardy | Twitter: @hardydanielle

_______________________________________

I have to admit, I feel like I’m putting myself “out there” by showing you my excuses internal dialogue:

I don’t like to admit I have excuses that stop me from helping people; and they certainly aren’t intentional. Am I the only one who has thought these things? I guess I look at the facts that 27 million people are presently being trafficked in a 32-billion dollar industry. Those are intimidating numbers. These numbers represent a whole lot of women and children who are trapped with no voice and no way out.

When I see numbers in the millions and billions, it’s so easy for my eyes to glaze over and think it’s too big. But the reality is, this is happening, this is real, these are vulnerable children’s lives and I know I need to do something.

I have to do something.

I have no excuses.

God is bigger.

End of Story.

I look at these statistics:

* Every two minutes a child is exploited in the sex industry

* 200,000 American children have been sold

* One in three runaways is approached by a trafficker within the first 48 hours of being on the street

* 1.2 million children are enslaved worldwide in the commercial sex industry

* Sex trafficking is estimated to be a $32-billion dollar industry; it’s the second largest illegal crime

* 1,000,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year (80% are women and children; 50% are minors)

(Statistics from CNN Freedom Projects and Abolition International)

Then I read what the Bible has to say:

This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, “Here I am.” –Isaiah 58:6-9 MSG

Here’s how I changed my perspective:

I figured I do have something in my hand … 

I have an etsy store called Urbanwalls where I sell wall decals.

Two-day Sale with ALL proceeds for Abolition International:

For two days next week–on November 29th and 30th–Urbanwalls will be donating 100% of the profits towards abolishing child trafficking. All of the proceeds will go to Abolition International, a non-profit organization committed to abolishing child trafficking. I would so appreciate your support in helping me make a difference in these kids’ lives.

Urbanwalls: To view all the wall decals, go here: www.etsy.com/shop/urbanwalls

I also realize not everyone may want or need a decal, so I would also be grateful if you could help me spread the word.

Please retweet to your followers on Twitter and share this with your friends on Facebook (Please copy from below).

Twitter: Purchase an Urbanwalls decal from @hardydanielle Nov 29+30. All profits go to @abolitionintl to stop child trafficking! http://etsy.me/exe0Hc

Facebook: Purchase an Urbanwalls decal on November 29 & 30 and 100% of proceeds are going to Abolition International to abolish child trafficking! etsy.com/shop/urbanwalls

I’m so very THANKFUL for this opportunity. So very THANKFUL that I DO have a voice and I CAN use it. So very thankful that God is on my side and so very thankful for amazing men and women who will come alongside to make CHANGE happen. Thank you!

About Danielle:

Danielle Hardy lives in Surrey, BC (we’ll refer to it as Cloverdale). She is a wife to Paul and mommy to two of the cutest “Hardy Boys” around. She is owner and creator of Urbanwalls, Etsy seller, Graphic Designer, aspiring blogger and thrives in awkward moments. She blogs a uwdecals.com and tweets at @hardydanielle

TGIF: The Final Countdown: On exquisite blueberry tarts, epic writer’s block and savouring the moment.

by Tina Francis | Twitter: @teenbug
____________________________________________________________

Okay.

Epic case of writer’s block.

Hence, the chipmunk rambling below.

I’m reeeeally nervous about being on video.

Be kind.

So my SheLoves peeps, I have 2 simple thoughts *cough* asks *cough* this week:

1. GIVE: If you have been following our journey and not yet given to this incredible cause, we’d love for you to be part of this beautiful story we are all writing together. You can donate: HERE!

If you are thinking, “What is she talking about?” Read the story: HERE

Now, you have no excuse.

You can donate: HERE
($5, $10, $20…. $200 anything! We’re not picky. We’ll take it!)  

2. PRAY: Please keep the girls running the half-marathon in prayer. We would love your words of encouragement! We need you to be our cheerleaders during the final leg of this journey.

Mind over matter. Faith over logic. Love over all else.

Alright my little cupcakes, I love you more than the exquisite blueberry custard-filled tart that I was lusting after on the skytrain,
xoxo,
Teen

To read more TGIFs from Tina: Click here.
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SheLoves Half-Marathon for Living Hope
- How it all got started? Read the story: HERE
- Donate: HERE
- Facebook Event Page: HERE
______________________________________________________

My name is Tina. Loved ones call me: Teen.

Words are my chocolate. Music, my caramel. Photography, my bread. Girlfriends, my butter.

Confession: Some girls dream about Manolo Blahniks or their next Hermes bag. Not me. I dream of freshly baked bread, perfectly barbecued meat & steaming bowls of Pho. My dream lover *cue Mariah Carey song* is someone who would read out a menu to me in Barry White’s baritone voice.

I celebrate food, ask for help, interrupt conversations, laugh and cry hard, acknowledge the elephant in most rooms, fight for the underdog and believe in the power of storytelling.

My word for the year is “leap.” If something scares me, I do it.

I was born and raised in Dubai and currently live in the beautiful city of Vancouver, known for some of the best sushi in the world.

TGIF: Our 14 Favourite “PowerSongs”: Anthems for the Battle of the Hamstrings vs. Heartstrings

From Paul Simon to Michael Jackson, Coldplay to Bob Marley, this killer playlist is a compilation of the favourite running songs of some of the (s)heroes in my world.

by Tina Francis | Twitter: @teenbug
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The countdown has begun.

Nine days to the B.I.G day!

Let the bed-wetting nightmares begin. Haha.

If I’m being honest…

In the last couple of weeks I’ve pulled the covers over my head and stage-whispered: “What the fudgsicle was I thinking?!” Between the physical feat of running a half-marathon (21km) and the intimidating fundraising goal, I’ve had two fabulous reasons to grab my passport and head south of the border, without blowing so much as a kiss to mi madre.

But … if I’m being *totally* honest …

There is also a small part of me that feels like a little kid who put out milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. I’m sooo excited about race day. It is all I can think about lately. I just want it to be the 25th already!

I’m excited about actually finishing something I started!

Mind over matter. Faith over logic. Prayer over all else.

In honour of the big race day fast approaching, I decided to do something a little different for TGIF today.

My objective this week is two-fold:
1. I really want you (the SheLoves reader) to get to know some of the names and faces of some of the amazing women joining me on this journey!
2. I wanted to share a playlist of some of the girls’ favourite running songs.

What is a PowerSong?

I track the progress of my run with the help of an App called Nike+ on my iPhone. One of my favourite features of the App is the “PowerSong” button. So, when I feel like I’m starting to get weak or lose focus, I hit the button to get my head back in the game.

“A PowerSong is more than it sounds. It’s a power personality. It’s a mental boost that helps you dig deep, run faster or climb higher. It’s the equivalent of a tennis player’s grunt as they hit a hard, fast ball over the net. Or a shotputter’s yell as they heave 16 pounds of heavy metal into the air. It is a runner’s power!”

Here is a compilation of 14 of our favourite PowerSongs. Enjoy!

My Fave Song: “Dog days are over,” Florence and the Machine

“Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father, run for your children for your sisters and brothers.” Ahhh! That line absolutely gets me! It reminds me that helping one woman’s life could mean potentially having an impact on generations. I also love Adele. The drums at the very beginning of “Rolling in the Deep” make me feel like Mulan meets Muhammad Ali.

Meet Idelette (I took this picture  of Idelette back in 2009. It’s one of my absolute faves! Isn’t she lovely?)

Fave Song: “Impi”, Johnny Clegg & Juluka,

“It pulses through my veins … Listening to it I feel empowered, awakened, fully alive and more African. And I want to stomp on injustice! Haha. It’s a powerful song.”

Meet Jenna + Her Mama Pat (who is flying down from Winnipeg to run with us! How amazing is that?!!)

Fave Song: “Forget You,” Cee-Lo

“I honestly love two. I love Cee-Lo’s “Forget you” because I end up singing along and it has a fun beat to run to! My second fave is “This is our God” because it helps me keep in perspective of why we’re doing the half-marathon.”

Meet Julie (the bride)

Fave Song: Anything from the album “Graceland”, Paul Simon.

“My favourite running song? It an album, actually, Paul Simon’s Graceland. It’s probably my all-time favourite album because it reminds me of my Dad and being a kid. I still love it. Good grooves and just good stuff.”

Meet Daniela (her little boy Oliver’s sweet face makes my biological clock go haywire)

Fave Song: “Man in the Mirror,” Michael Jackson

“It pumps me up and reminds me I have to “Be the change.” Plus it makes me think of the day I sang it to you* on our run!”

(* I was having a particularly brutal run and Daniela ran alongside me, singing the chorus to cheer me up. Even in my deliriously exhausted state, I couldn’t help but crack a smile.)

Meet Sherrine (my not-so-baby sister)

Fave Song: “Viva la Vida,” Coldplay

“There is something about this song that never gets old. The combination of the strings and percussion slay me. It is so powerful. I feel like I can keep running for days.”

Meet Eliza

Fave Song: “Born for this,” Paramore

“It’s fast-paced beat and punk-attitude lyrics always gets me a little riled up and feeling like it’s time to revolutionize.

“With your faith, you’ll trigger a landslide.”
“Everybody sing like it’s the last song you will ever sing
Tell me, tell me, do you feel the pressure now?”

When it comes to the bridge, I’m always so tempted to get the fist-pumping going … but I don’t want to scare the neighbours.”

Meet Nicole

Fave song: “Firework,” Katy Perry

“I like it because it makes me think about ‘exploding’ or going beyond what I think I can do. It also reminds me of my beautiful friend Stephanie who sang it at the opening of Life Women Conference this year.”

Meet Njoki.

Fave song: “Majestic,” Lincoln Brewster

“My favorite running song and anytime song is “Majestic” by Lincoln Brewster. I LOVE nature. When I’m out running, walking or driving I’m in awe of how beautiful God created everything: the mountains, the ocean, the skies–He is Majestic indeed to have created such a masterpiece! I have many other songs but this one is special.”

Meet Joryli

Fave Song: “What you know “, Two Door Cinema Club

“I love “What you know” by Two Door Cinema Club its upbeat and perfect for running. I also really love listening to Boyce Avenue covers as well.  I have a select number of songs on my iPhone in which I use to track how long I run!”

Meet Brandi-Lee

Fave Song: “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall”,  Coldplay  (She had so many faves! I just picked one.)

“I feel like I have a different one for each run! My latest is Nova – by Hillsong United of course! Ha ha. Another couple are Godspeed (Anberlin), Every Teardrop is a Waterfall (Coldplay), Typical (Mute Math), and Wake Up (Arcade Fire) and a few others…”

Meet Jodi (Golf superstar)

Fave Song: “Ignition”, Toby Mac

“This song pushes my “kick it into high gear” button. The beat as well as the lyrics challenge me to dig deeper and turn on the ignition! This was also the song my daughter submitted to her hockey team last season as their warm up song. They cranked it in the dressing room and during their pre-game skate before EVERY game…it puts a huge smile on my face, I wanna be just like her!”

Meet Trinity (Daniela’s twin sister)

Fave Song: “Three little birds”, Bob Marley

“This song just feels like God is talking to me. It’s so easy to worry and loose perspective on why you are doing what you are doing. This song helps remind me that as long as I’m on His path I don’t need to worry.

Meet Lindsay

Fave Song: “Search My Heart,” Hillsong

“I can listen to the entire Aftermath CD by Hillsong over and over again. But more specifically the song “Search my Heart”. It is the theme song of this half-marathon for me. It actually sounds like a running song to me. Every time I hear it I think of the rhythms of running…”

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So my SheLoves peeps, I have 3 thoughts this week:

1. What is your Powersong? Maybe you are not training for a half-marathon at the moment but what songs get you out the front door when all you want to do is pull the covers over your head?

2. You’ve heard the term “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Well now think about it this  way, “If Mama ain’t healthy, restored, supported, loved, encouraged and empowered, ain’t nobody ____________________”

And if you’ve been following our journey and not yet given to this incredible cause, we’d love for you to be part of this beautiful story we are all writing together. Please donate: HERE!

3. Prayer: Please keep the girls running the half-marathon in prayer. We would love your words of encouragement and need you to be our cheerleaders during the final leg of this journey.

Alright my little cupcakes, I love you more than Herbed Flatbread with Prosciutto, Arugula Pesto & Sheeps Milk Cheese, (<- Recipe) Mmmmmm…..

xoxo,
Teen

To read more TGIFs from Tina: Click here.
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SheLoves Half-Marathon for Living Hope
- How it all got started? Read the story: HERE
- Donate: HERE
- Facebook Event Page: HERE
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My name is Tina. Loved ones call me: Teen.

Words are my chocolate. Music, my caramel. Photography, my bread. Girlfriends, my butter.

Confession: Some girls dream about Manolo Blahniks or their next Hermes bag. Not me. I dream of freshly baked bread, perfectly barbecued meat & steaming bowls of Pho. My dream lover *cue Mariah Carey song* is someone who would read out a menu to me in Barry White’s baritone voice.

I celebrate food, ask for help, interrupt conversations, laugh and cry hard, acknowledge the elephant in most rooms, fight for the underdog and believe in the power of storytelling.

My word for the year is “leap.” If something scares me, I do it.

I was born and raised in Dubai and currently live in the beautiful city of Vancouver, known for some of the best sushi in the world.

TGIF: Are you a Lone Nut or a Leader?

On Derek Sivers, being gutsy and how to start a movement.

by Tina Francis | Twitter: @teenbug
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In the last couple of weeks, I’ve had more than one person refer to me as “leader.” The l-word often induces a severe panic attack that can only be treated by taking deep cleansing breaths into a family-sized bag of Cheetos.

Apparently, I now live in a parallel universe where 65 women are willing to run a half-marathon to raise $50,000 with me.

I lay awake at night tormented by the following thoughts:
- How am I going to run 21 km?
- Are my thighs ever going to get smaller?
- How are we going to raise $50,000?
- No seriously, I think my thighs are getting bigger…

My terribly unimpressive life, that mostly involved binge-eating bread and browsing the Internet, radically transformed overnight. I’m suddenly an email-answering ninja who runs at night. How did I become this unlikely cocktail of Anderson Cooper and Lance Armstrong?

The best part? It’s contagious.

The 65 women who said yes are experiencing a similar phenomenon.

I’m witnessing first-hand, a small but significant underground movement. Women are waking up from a deep slumber. Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are no longer lounging in their 300 thread-count Egyptian Cotton sheets, waiting for Prince Charming to come rescue them. They are going to tag-team with Cinderella, Belle and Jasmine to kick some serious booty.

How To Start a Movement?

I got some interesting responses when I posted the question on my Facebook Wall:

Some of my faves:

- “One compellingly worthy, passionate, adoptable idea that breeds its own momentum through people moved upon to act.” -Doug

- “Start a conversation about something that matters… and keep inviting people into that space.” -Kelley

- “Just move” -Andy

I’m pretty sure that last one was meant to be a joke but it still packs a punch. How many times have we wanted to do something but have been too paralyzed by the fear of failure to “move.” It is reminiscent of Nike’s slogan, “Just do it.”

Since all of life’s big questions are answered on Google I did a search on “How to start a movement?” That is when I found a fascinating TED talk by Derek Sivers best known for being the founder and former president of CD Baby.

You have to watch this 3-minute video. It’ short, sweet and resulted in a huge paradigm shift for me.

‘How to Start a Movement’ according to Derek  Sivers:

1. A leader needs the guts to stand out and be ridiculed.
2. The first follower transforms a lone nut into a leader.
3. Now it’s not a lone nut, it’s not two nuts, three is a crowd, and a crowd is news.
4. A movement must be public.
5. It’s important to not just show the leader, but the followers because new followers emulate the followers, NOT the leader.
6. The biggest lesson– leadership is over-glorified. Yes, the shirtless guy was first, and he’ll get all the credit, but it was really the first follower that transformed the lone nut into a leader. <- This rocked my world
7. We’re told that we should all be leaders, but that would be really ineffective.
8. If you really care about starting a movement, have the courage to follow and show others how to follow.
9. When you find a lone nut doing something great, have the guts to be the first one to stand up and join in.

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I love Derek’s take on leadership.

According to his definition I’m just the shirtless “lone nut” shaking my groove thang on the grass. It was only when my first follower (Idelette) joined me that I suddenly became a “leader.”

All the “new followers” emulate the followers. NOT the leader. NOT the original lone nut. NOT me.

If you’re doing something captivating, people will follow, validate and endorse you.

The large scale adoption of the “leader-follower” combo committed to one goal, idea or cause starts a movement.

That’s how a video goes viral on YouTube, a movie like Slumdog Millionaire wins 8 Academy Awards and millions of Egyptian protesters from different socio-economic and religious backgrounds demanded the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak’s powerful regime.

There was one shirtless lone nut that got the ball rolling.

I encourage you to either:
- Be that lone nut, or
- Support that lone nut and make him (her) a leader.

Huzzah… I can breathe again!

Xoxo,
Lone Nut
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Here are 5 things that made me smile this week!

Joggers ‘Before & After’ + Inspiring NY Apartment + English Problems + Potato DIY Project + Rachel Platten= TGIF!

1. Joggers Before and After: Sacha Goldberger created an outdoor studio at a park near Paris and stopped joggers to ask them, if they would sprint for him, and then pose right after for his camera. Strangely enough many out of breath, joggers obliged. A week later he shot the same people at his professional studio recreating the pose from the park.

“I wanted to show the difference between our natural and brute side versus how we represent ourselves to society,” says Goldberger.

I find this series fascinating. To see the more images click: here.





2. I’m tickled pink by designer and style icon Iris Apfel’s in-your-face eclectic style. Her bold use of colour and patterns are inspiring. Her New York apartment would make a killer location for a photoshoot or music video. To see more pictures of her home click here.





3. English Problems: Here’s some YouTube goofiness for ya. My favourite is the “em-pha-sis” guy.

4. Potato Print DIY project: I love how this simple project that involves 5 potatoes and acrylic paints in rainbow colors, completely transforms a room. I’m tempted to experiment over the long weekend. For the DIY tutorial click here.



5. New York City singer-songwriter, pianist and beatboxer Rachel Platten’s album ‘Be Here’ is getting a lot of playtime on my runs. The album is full of head-bobbing music perfect for your morning commute to work.

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So … my global SheLoves sisters:
- Is there a lone nut in your world that you need to be supporting?
- Are you the lone nut stalling for time, because you are afraid of putting yourself out there?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, fears and inspirations!

Dear half-marathon Bravehearts,
- I would love to hear what your friends and family have been saying to you, since you said yes.
- Are they using the word “inspiring” or “leader” to describe you?

I’d love to hear about what this experience has looked like for you!

Love you more than refreshing summer fruit Papillotes with a scoop of lavender ice cream,(<- Recipe)
xoxo,
Teen

To read more TGIFs from Tina: Click here.
______________________________________________________

SheLoves Half-Marathon for Living Hope
- How it all got started? Read the story: HERE
- Donate: HERE
- Facebook Event Page: HERE
______________________________________________________

About: My name is Tina. Loved ones call me: Teen. I am drawn to all that is fresh, spontaneous and creative.

Confession: Some girls dream about Manolo Blahniks or their next Hermes bag. Not me. I dream of freshly baked bread, perfectly barbecued meat & steaming bowls of Pho. My dream lover *cue Mariah Carey song* is someone who would read out a menu to me in Barry White’s baritone voice. ha.ha. Everything about food makes my toes curl. The only thing that excites me more than eating food is beautiful pictures of food.

I was born and raised in Dubai and currently live in the beautiful city of Vancouver, known for some of the best sushi in the world.

I enjoy taking pictures.