September has always seemed like the start of a new year! With its new beginnings, we should start afresh with our attitudes; we should open our hearts to new ideas.

Individuals today are transient; they are constantly moving for school, for their work, for their families, or just for a change. I have moved various times since leaving high school.  I have had many new beginnings and endings with cities, schools, and work. I have embraced each move, though, as I love meeting new people and learning their unique stories. Each of my moves has  been an exciting experience and has taught me new lessons. However, moving and changing are by no means easy tasks.

The song "I Was Here" by Beyonce was performed for the United Nations World Humanitarian Day on August 19th.  The song is a call to action for people to go out and help others. I don't think I need to say anything more about the performance. Just have a listen. The song will give you shivers. I love it!

Today, I am taking that step through writing out my thoughts on an issue that is sensitive and personal to me: body-image bullying. In the past, I was ashamed to discuss this subject but I soon realized that this is an important topic to share.  I have come to learn that if I don’t speak up, who will?    

Years ago, my second-year social psychology professor shared a case with our class that taught me to never rely on someone else to take action.  My professor was talking about the famous Kitty Genovese case that occurred during the early 1960’s. In a populous U.S. neighbourhood one morning, Kitty was attacked on a street and left to die over a 45-minute period. Kitty’s death was heart-breaking for its needlessness: 38 people witnessed her attack, but none did anything to help her! Kitty’s story is not the only documented case of the Bystander Effect; there are many more where people didn’t do anything to help someone in extreme need; they thought another person was taking care of it. 

A couple of summers ago when I was doing recreational rowing, I was scared to tip the single as I didn’t want to fall into the lake and get wet.  I also thought tipping meant that I was a bad rower, so I tried hard not to tip.  Little did I know: tipping happens to everyone, regardless of their abilities. I used the pontoons way longer than I should have, because I wanted to be safe.  It took awhile, but I finally took the pontoons off – my coach insisted.  You know what? I didn’t tip that night!  It took another couple of weeks before I finally did tip.  Tipping wasn’t so bad.  Yes, I was drenched; but it was a hot summer night, so I felt refreshed.  Now, I’m not afraid to tip. So, I go out on the water with no fear. I should have just tipped at the beginning so that I wouldn’t have wasted time and energy being unrealistically fearful. 

I'm so excited that one of my friends, Ruvini Godakandae, who I have known for almost 15 years is sharing her thoughts on perseverance with us today. We have seen each other through many important times in our lives.  She is such a sweet and kindhearted person.  I had to ask her to be involved in this series and I'm so glad she agreed to participate.  Thanks Ru! 

Ruvini is an Employment Educator & Communications Enthusiast who loves taking in an interesting arts event or chatting online or in person with like-minded individuals. When she’s not busy working, she’s checking out festivals and events around the city, following her social media networks, and staying active with recreational activities, sports and dance.

They say you don’t miss something until it is gone. 

Well, I didn’t realize how much I use my voice, until I lost it last week after getting a cold on vacation. 

It happened a few days after kissing the Blarney Stone in Cork, Ireland.  Kissing the Stone is supposed to give the person the “gift of gab.” I don’t need this gift because I like to talk. But, I kissed the Stone anyway, just for the experience.

This quote has been on my heart recently:

"Twenty  years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you  didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail  away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.  Dream. Discover."  — Mark Twain, American author

It has gotten me thinking of what I want to achieve with my life.  It is exciting to come up with ideas.

You miss 100% of the shots you never take, right? Well, when one of my sisters presented me with this offer to join her on vacation, I had to go. I’m so glad I did.I recently returned from a trip of a lifetime with my sister to Britain and Ireland. We loved it so much.  My sister and I spent three weeks touring these beautiful countries on a coach with a tour group. It really was a special time, and I’m blessed that I got the opportunity to do this trip, especially with my sister.

My sister and I haven’t seen each other much in the last several years due to living in different cities for school.  Since we both had recently graduated, we thought we would take an adventure before we start the next steps in our lives.

I learned so much on our trip! Here are the top ten lessons I was taught while on vacation: