56, 18 by Spotlight Magazine

THIS ISSUES

CONTENTS

photographed by: Bruce Herlitschek https://www.theartofimagings.com

Sports Illustrated Cover Models EDITORIAL BY Scott Cowan

photographed by: Bruce Herlitschek

19 Under the Gun: A Tale of Two Countries

POLITICS Columnist Brent Dunstan

Confidence and Kindness EDITORIAL Scott Cowan

Get Your D.O.S.E of Good Stress

Master Coach Columnist Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas

Anastasia SpotLight Magazine with the new broadway musical EDITORIAL BY Scott Cowan

photographed by: Joan Bateman

The Green Side Bunker Shot Golf Columnist Donald Crawley

48 What Extracurricular Activities are Section 7 Expenses LAW Columnist Scott Stenbeck

Proposed Gun Laws Intrusive POLITICS and LIFE MUSINGS Columnist Teri-Anne Bowyer

“The Hungry Ghosts” Columnist Dr.Wendy Froberg Psy. D.,R.Psych Clinical Psychologist

The Fashion Files Christopher Lowman New York SS18 Harvard Punkd photographed by: Bruce Herlitschek

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E D I T O R I A L C O N T R I B U T O R S Scott Cowan Scott Stenbeck Brent Dunstan Donald Crawley Wendy Froberg N a t h a l i e Pl a m o n d o n -Th o m a Teri-Anne Bowyer

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FOR A COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTION TO SPOTLIGHT, FORWARD YOUR EMAIL TO : SPOTLIGHTMAGAZINE@SHAW.COM Disclaimer: No responsibility can be taken by SpotLight Magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein. Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this magazine is not the responsibility of SpotLight Magazine. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of SpotLight Magazine. Comments are welcome.

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THE CARLYLE, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL ANNOUNCES WINTER/ SUNDAY NIGHT RESIDENCIES AT BEMELMANS BAR

ollow The Carlyle Hotel on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. At Bemelmans Bar.

BLAKE ZIDELL & ASSOCIATES

he Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, is pleased to welcome back Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch to Bemelmans Bar for Sunday night residencies throughout the winter/spring 2017 season. Featuring top artists from the worlds of jazz, cabaret and Broadway alongside special unannounced guests. Sunday nights at Bemelmans Bar have become a favorite spot for a wide range of performing musicians across the city. Additionally, the classic watering hole has drawn crowds consisting of socialites, politicians, movie stars, and moguls for more than five decades.

performing extensively on their own, Caruso and Stritch—who are best friends—gained national exposure together as the host and musical director of the wildly popular, recurring open mic event Cast Party. Stephen Holden, in The New York Times, called a Cast Party event in the Lincoln Center American Songbook series “a welcoming oasis of traditional show business bonhomie”—a description that perfectly captures the spirit of the duo’s Bemelmans residency. The pair will be at Bemelmans on March 5, March 12, March 19, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23 and April 30.

im Caruso & Billy Stritch’s upcoming performances will build upon their recent run of shows in the intimate, storied New York City lounge. Favorites not only of music fans and critics, but also of fellow artists. The duo recently added dozens of songs made famous by Frank Sinatra to their repertoire. Thanks to their current national tour of The Sinatra Century. Their shows provide a place where some of the city’s foremost entertainers go to commune with their own—and sometimes sit-in for a song or two—on their nights off. To be sure, Caruso and Stritch are exceptional musicians in their own right. In a recent New York Observer review, Rex Reed described their Bemelmans show as “a nimble, nonstop, musical show-business bonanza. With as much rhythm and class as the feet of Fred Astaire.”

ut part of the fun is experiencing Caruso and Stritch’s impromptu collaborations with the showbiz heavy-hitters who turn up; recent guest appearances at Bemelmans have included Liza Minnelli, Michael Feinstein, Bono, Marilyn Maye, Tony Danza, Jane Monheit and Linda Lavin. In addition to

emelmans Bar is located in The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (35 East 76th Street @ Madison Avenue.) Bar seating is $15 per person, and table seating is $25 per person. Reservations not accepted; tables available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For additional information, visit www.thecarlyle.com.

favorite neighborhood bar of Upper East Siders and visitors alike. Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle is a special hideaway where artist and author Ludwig Bemelmans’ whimsical drawings come to life. Best remembered for his beloved Madeline series of classic children’s books, Bemelmans was commissioned in 1947 to paint the large-scale murals to depict all four seasons in famed Central Park. Featuring the only surviving Bemelmans’ commission open to the public, the bar combines wit and coziness in unique New York style.

estored in 2002 by designer Thierry Despont, the bar maintains its Art Deco legacy with chocolate-brown leather banquettes, nickel-trimmed black glass tabletops, a dramatic black granite bar and a 24-karat gold leaf-covered ceiling. Open year round with live music every evening, regular performers include favorites such as Chris Gillespie, Earl Rose, Loston Harris, David Budway, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch. Named in honor of the legendary artist, Bemelmans is a classic New York watering hole that has drawn socialites, politicians, movie stars and moguls for more than five decades. For more information, please contact Blake Zidell, Ron Gaskill or Matt Gross at Blake Zidell & Associates, 718.643.9052, blake@ blakezidell.com, ron@blakezidell.com or matt@blakezidell.com.

Under The Gun: A Tale of Two Countries

Brent Dunstan

Columnist

couple of years ago, I wrote an article for this magazine, mostly to dispel the notion that the Canadian identity was essentially, “polite Americans with health care”. I contended that if one examined the history of the two neighbouring countries, it would be far more accurate to describe Americans as “Canadians in a hurry”. I observed that when comparing the United States to Canada, in almost every context; from obtaining political autonomy, to dealing with domestic issues, to international relations, the former has been inclined to Revolution, where as the latter has been disposed to Evolution. America, from its outset and throughout its history tends

perspectives, ranging from “well said” to “you have no idea what you’re talking about”, to put it delicately. If there is a topic that will stimulate an impassioned response, it would be that of gun control. However, it’s not my intention to debate the subject here, but rather to offer some conjecture as to the reasons Americans and Canadians have such distinctly different opinions on firearms and gun control. I readily admit the preceding statement is a broad generalization, and as such, subject to exceptions, of which there were, are, and will be. There are obviously Americans in favour of

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stricter gun control, just as there are Canadians who can hardly be described as anti-gun. None the less, the clear trend that emerged from the comments on my post was that those who rose to the defence of individual gun ownership being necessary for personal safety typically resided in the US, while those who held the opinion that the prevalence of guns in the US contributes to the danger were predominantly Canadians. Again, a generalization to be sure, but an evident pattern just as surely, one that is hardly limited to my circle of friends. Why is this?

US has a nearly 1:1 per capita ratio of privately owned guns,

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Continued on Page 66

toward rapid, immediate reaction; Canada demonstrates a proclivity towards slow and steady progress.

Two countries, with similar origins, cultures, and interests, yet at times having quite divergent points of view on certain matters.

hat has caused me to revisit these ideas is a relatively recent

experience when I perhaps ill-advisedly posted some thoughts on a popular social media site, somewhat born of frustration, immediately after one of the latest mass shootings in the US. If you are at all familiar with what ensues when one expresses an opinion online, you know the resulting flood of comments ran the gamut of

Confidence and Kindness

Scott Cowan Editorial

403-528-2191

It is so easy to be helpful, to acknowledge, to be kind. There are people you pass every day who are in desperate need of a sense of significance. Kind people acknowledge their contributions. Many crave someone who will give them a sense of individuality. Some people toil years without any positive feedback and recognition. If someone has worked for a number of years in your office, they want to be appreciated. A friend of mine has a habit. When you walk through his building he will introduce his staff all along the way.

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Confident people remember the feeing of non-confident living. Constant frustration over small things and impotence in the meaningful issues is too often normal. It is not a fun way to live.

Confidence results in being kind and encouraging to co-workers. It extends even toward strangers and becomes almost an automatic response. Confidence notices people who are struggling to be seen and heard.

Appreciation, recognition, and praise,

before you get to his office. Guess what, his employees smile from ear to ear. Plus I guarantee he will never slip on the sidewalks. Because if he had to, George would go out there with a flamethrower, just so his boss had a clean path to the building.

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everyone needs these fundamental

Confident people understand how liberating true emotional freedom is to individual existence.

think true confidence allows us to view the world through a very “Hey Scott, this is unique lens. Confident people Mary, she is the best understand how liberating genuine receptionist on the planet. emotional freedom is to individual This is George, he gets all the snow off existence. I truly understand how my driveway every morning before I confining it is to fear speaking out. Feeling you know a better way and arrive.” He will reinforce and acknowledge about five or six people not being able to express yourself.

I have interviewed numerous confident people from all walks of life and professions. The overwhelming characteristic present in all such leaders is an emotional openness, evolving into a lifestyle of kindness.

Upon reflection you may consider being nice is in some way manipulative. It could be unless you accept the natural outgrowth and bonus of being kind, is that you’re liked better. This is the outcome when you consider others above yourself. When you offer simple praise for work well done, it can be life changing.

re-enforcements for emotional stability. You don’t have to be in management to show appreciation to co-workers.

In life there are two basic types of people, those who add to you, or subtract from you mentally and emotionally. Eliminate or restrict the takers and protect yourself. Practice emotional self defense, it’s not illegal. My friend who praises his employees flat out makes people feel good, needed, and appreciated. In truth, they could get along just fine without him. If they changed jobs they’ve had years of positive feedback. Their personal confidence in their craft has been instilled. Continued on Page 51

GET YOUR D.O.S.E OF GOOD STRESS DOPAMINE

opamine allows us the ability to focus, set goals and get things done. It is a reward-motivated behaviour

Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas www.thinkyourself.com www.dnalifecoaching.com Speaker. Master Coach #1 Best Selling Author nathalie@dnalifecoaching.com

778-899-0260

opamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphin. Which one is which? These feel good neurotransmitters are essential for our survival. Wanting to repeat a behaviour that makes us feel good is the source of our motivation. When released in our brain, these good stress chemicals each play a different role. The selfish chemicals, dopamine and endorphin, give us short term rewards. They help us accomplish and persevere.

generator. We get a feel of the incentive power of dopamine when we make progress. Being able to see our goal or imagine it will send us a feel-good hit that will help us keep going towards achieving it. Hence, the importance of writing down and visualizing our goals. When we do so, dopamine will support us in our journey. If procrastination and self-doubt are present, chunk down your goal into smaller steps and keep track of your progress. Dopamine will reward you along the way and keep you on track.

perception of pain. Stress, anxiety or fear can all benefit from the analgesic powers of endorphins. Exercise and laughter are two easy ways to get endorphins. We cannot be afraid and laugh at the same time. Great short-term boosts and individually activated in our brain without the need of interaction with others, dopamine and endorphin are temporary and can become very addictive. Caffeine, alcohol, drugs and social medias also contribute to the release of selfish chemicals. Exercising, laughing, chunking down and visualizing our goals are much healthier ways to get our good stresses fix. Now, how do we tap into a longer-lasting state of mind and true confidence?

ENDORPHIN

nown in the fitness industry as "the runner's high", endorphin provides the ability to work hard through hard labour. It gave our ancestors a competitive advantage when

hunting their next meal. Without it, they would not have had the stamina necessary to bring back food for their family. Endorphin counteracts our

Although they are not as instant and they take time to build up in our system before we can enjoy their full benefit, the long term selfless chemicals of serotonin and oxytocin will provide a much more fulfilling result. Continued

OXYTOCIN:

SEROTONIN:

he social chemical oxytocin helps us form bounds of love, friendship and trust to make relationships stronger.

Oxytocin makes inspiring and being inspired possible. Generosity and empathy are relying on oxytocin to do their magic. Without it, the society would be complete chaos; every man for them self and nobody would care about anyone else. Knowing that people around us have our back is the

f you crave sugar, you may have a serotonin deficiency. Instead or reaching for your next sweet fix, reach for a friend! Feeling important, making a difference, being significant, making someone proud or feeling the pride from seeing someone around us accomplish something all contribute to the

production of serotonin. Achieving our purpose and feeling that we are doing things not just for ourselves

The objective is to find balance between the selfish and selfless chemicals. Providing the next endorphin fix to our clients provides them with a great sensation and rewards us with a weekly paycheck. Enriching their lives with long-lasting relationships will secure your business on a more permanent way. Working "in" with our clients will contribute to transformational changes. If you are interested in positioning yourself as a long-lasting results

You want to make sure you find balance between all four types of good stresses. primary generator for self-confidence. It also reduces cardiovascular stress and improves the immune system. It will give us a boost when we are either at the giving or receiving end of a selfless act or even if we are just observing it. Oxytocin keeps us healthy; it opens our mind and biologically, it makes us better problem solvers. Close interaction with others, orgasms, hugs, giving, receiving or witnessing a present or an act of kindness all contribute to releasing a flow of this long lasting amazing feeling.

anymore and also for others, create a durable sensation that can counteract loneliness and depression. Exposure to sunlight may also contribute to promote serotonin production.

generator professional in your industry, you want to make sure you find balance between all four types of good stresses you provide.

Cultivate relationships, spend time with others and be a friend. Group training, fitness classes, working with a personal trainer or a coach and make them proud all contribute to triggering the happiness neurotransmitters.

Photography by Joan Bateman @gainsborogal

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Photography by Joan Bateman @gainsborogal

The Green Side Bunker Shot

Donald Crawley Golf Columnist

TOP 100 Teacher Director of Instruction Boulders Golf Academy 480 488 9028 Donald.crawley@theboulders.com www.theboulders.com www.golfsimplified.com

ven to mention this shot brings many a heart faint! Of all the shots around the green, this shot seems to bring more anxiety to the average weekend golfer than almost every other shot. Why is that? My theory from 40 years of teaching experience, is that the handicap golfer fears this shot from failing to follow four fundamentals. I'm not saying this is an easy shot, but if you apply these following steps you will improve, even become comfortable not fearful of tackling this green side bunker shot with a high lip looming in front of you. Open the face of your sand wedge. Yes, you've heard that before but do you know why? To create more loft and bounce. When the face opens the loft of the club increases. A standard and wedge is 56 degree loft. For every degree you open the face you increase the degree of loft. With this shot I am opening the face 20 degree's, so my 'effective loft' is now 76 degree's. Special note here: 'opening' the face is not leaning the shaft backwards. For a right handed golfer, opening the face is pointing the bottom edge 20 degree's to the right of the target line.

Bounce is the degree of the slope of the back edge of the sole/ flange. Confused? Come see me in person and all will be revealed!

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With the club face open to the target line or flag, open you body alignment, stance, the same amount, in this case twenty degree's to the target. At this point most golfers open their body too much. Only open (aiming left of target) the body the same amount that you've opened the face. For many I don't even let them open the body. It is the club face you that strikes the ball, so opening the face is the most important thing here. Continued

You must keep your swing speed up

The ball is placed 2" forward of the middle of your stance. Although it is against the rules to draw a line in the sand before you swing, two stroke penalty, visualize that line 2" behind the ball. That is where the bounce edge enters the sand and the sand divot starts there and moving forward. So you are splashing the sand starting the divot in the middle of your stance. A shallow divot is ideal. You may have heard the cliche of a 'dollar bill divot', a good mental image of a shallow divot.

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When you open the face you increase the 'bounce' Bounce is the word given to the back trailing edge underneath on the sole of the sand wedge. Some get confused with the 'flange'. Flange is the width of the sole.

The Green Side Bunker Shot

ow the next statement is a big key to success. Swing along your body line. Not at the flag, not inside, not across the ball. Swing along your body line as if you were pitching the ball from grass for a 35 yard pitch. I use this analogy to get people to make a normal swing, the length and speed you may need to pitch the ball 35 yards through the air.

The follow through is left of target. The hips and chest are fully unwound. Weight is on the left forward foot. Club has swung through to finish over the left shoulder. End result? A high soft shot up and over the lip, landing softly on the green.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;OPENINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the face is not leaning on the shaft backwards.

One final comment here. You must keep your swing speed up. The club does not decelerate and dig the sand. The club is accelerating through the sand. Again, feel to pitch a SW shot from 35 yards and you will get the feel of the swing speed needed.

Notice how the club has swung up and along the body line and yes, my chest is turning. This shot is not 'all arms, keep your body still. No shot should be all arms! Look at he club face at the top of the back swing, the face is open, and the shaft is over my rear shoulder. We may call this a 3/4 swing as opposed to a full swing. Simple keys could be: turn your chest 69 degree's, swing hands up and opposite my rear shoulder. Again think of a 35 yard pitch shot with a sand wedge. The downswing is where most poor bunker players fail. Swing back down (where you went up) along your target line which is NOT the flag. To swing along your body line you are swinging 20 degree left of the target. The lower body, legs and hips are so important here. Unwind, clear hips, weight on left side. The sand divot is following along the stance/ body line. This divot is 29 degree's left of the flag. Posture, spine angle is maintained. The ball comes up and out on a cushion of sand. This green side bunker shot is the only shot in golf where your club face doesn't make contact with the ball. The ball is forced out, like a breaking wave in the ocean, on a wave of sand. Feel to thump or splash the sand with the bounce edge of the sand wedge. Splash the sand out of the bunker and the ball will follow likewise.

potlight was thrilled to be invited to Palm the Beach International Equestrian Centre. The venue showcases the finest horse and rider events in the world. For those unfamiliar with the sport, over nine million dollars in prize money is awarded to the world’s most elite equestrian sports celebrities. I confess I was a novice until this event. The unmatched skill of both rider and animal is akin to ballet as graceful leaps several feet in the air seem effortless. A beautiful poetry of motion unfolds as the horse navigates the course. Riders meld into the saddle as if genetically fused. Some consider equestrian pursuits a “rich man’s” game. But with millions in prize money a gifted individual and strong animal can become icons in the sport. A good rider without resources can represent owners of champion horses. The same individual could find themselves on the Olympic team. With giants like Rolex and other premium sponsorship the sport is becoming main stream. This year the first place award went to Israel’s Danielle Goldstein riding Lizziemary.

She received $384,000.00 dollars in prize money and was awarded the coveted Rolex watch by Kyle Younghans sports marketing manager for Rolex. You only see Rolex at the most prestigious events such as Wimbledon, yachting, golf, motor racing, and here in Miami. At all the exclusive and luxury events the discriminating patrons have one thing in common, the Rolex watch they wear. Georgina Bloomberg of New York, riding Manodie 11 H, rode beautifully but encountered four faults finishing third. They scored an additional third place in Thursday’s equanimity WEF Challenge Cup. Bloomberg was honored to be named the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider. Jessica Springsteen was first in the speed class placing sixth overall. She picked up a $35,000.00 purse for the event. Other notable contestants included Eve Jobs,

youngest daughter of the late Steve Jobs. Unfortunately the right music, technology, and the wishes of New York’s mayor, all took a back seat to unmatched skill and good horse sense. In the arena no amount of celebrity can influence outcomes. It is a focused rider, an incredibly trained animal, and a series of obstacles that determines success or failure. Make no mistake riders at this level are athletes of the highest caliber. As one can see in these pages excitement and drama are in full display. I’ll let the images tell the story. It is unsubstantiated, but rumor has it by reliable witnesses, that Klye was later seen in the stables awarding fresh gilded Rolex boxed apples to the winning horses.

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What Extracurricular Activities are Section 7 Expenses? by benefits. The section 7 expense that I see create the most difficulty. However are claimed extra-curricular expenses.

The actual wording of section 7(1)(f) of the Federal Child Support Guidelines that deals with extra-curricular activities requires the extra-curricular expense to be exception and unexpected. What I usually

Scott Stenbeck Law Columnist

1(866)783 6232

omething that comes up quite often around September, as kids are put back in school and

activities, are what qualifies for “Section 7” expenses.

Child support is composed of two amounts. The first called the “section 3 or table amount.” It’s the amount generally derived from comparing the payor’s income to the child support guideline table or some variation of that, depending on the particular custody arrangements. The second additional amount is what’s called the “section 7” amount. That is the “extras”. Section 7 expenses are generally split between the parties pro rata according to their income. For example, if an expense were $200, and the payor earns $80,000 and the support recipient earns $20,000, the payor pays $160 of the $200 expense. The amounts in the child support tables were derived by studying what typical families of certain incomes generally spend on children. Therefore, the section 3 or table amount is taken to include the usual expenses that would generally be incurred for a family of that income level raising children. The table amount does not, however, cover exceptional expenses that can come up. Common section 7 expenses are child care costs so that the custodial parent can work, and significant medical expenses not covered

tell people is that for most families, the cost of annual registration in soccer, for example, is going to be included in the regular guideline child support. However, if the child ends up being some exceptional soccer talent and gets invited to a soccer camp that costs $2,000, and the parents decide he should go, then that is going to be a section 7 expense that gets split pro rata.

Raftus v Raftus, from the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, which has been cited with approval by our own Court of Appeal, discusses what a section seven expense entails. In that case, the Applicant wished to have an additional contribution over base table support for extra-curricular activities of a further $175 per month.

The Court found that the definition of extraordinary expense in section 7(1)(f) of the Guidelines was not an endorsement to have the payor parent pay a share of extracurricular activities. That in fact, the cost of the same is

included in base child support. It is only something exceptional that attracts section 7 this article is not contribution. This is examined

to disrupt or cast

Of course, the letter doubt on working of the law and what actually happens day agreements. to day in chambers applications are sometimes different things. As well, a lot of time parties just agree that all extra-curricular are section 7 expenses, and they split it all. There are also parties that agree one party will just pay all of one activity while the other parent pays all of a different activity which can often be a reasonable split. If you are doing something already and it is working for you, the point of this article is not to disrupt or cast doubt on working agreements. Usually the routine sports registrations are small amounts and don’t make a huge difference to either parent one way or the other Although I have seen many cases where children are in several activities, or very involved in one, where it does get to be over $10,000 a year. When the matter has been contentious, I have had occasion to argue this particular point in divorce and family law several times, with success, in Court. The guidelines as they pertain to section 7 expenses have been interpreted by the Courts in reported cases. The case of

and laid out at paragraphs 50, 53, 58 and 59 of that decision Continued

As I mentioned, this case has been applied in our Court of Appeal in a case called Rolls v. Rolls, with the similar result. At paragraph 7 of that case of disqualifying additional payments for dance lessons, golf, Tae Kwon Do and cadets as section seven expenses. Now, the above case law is of course what comes out and goes into a brief or before a judge where people can’t agree on what is fair. I generally don’t encourage going to Court if section 7 expenses are not large. If it is the only issue the parties have, because the expense often doesn’t justify action. Also, just because something is in a case doesn’t mean that is the way it always goes. I have argued for inclusion of extracurricular expenses with success as well, usually by pointing out subtle differences between the case that I have before the Court and the above precedents. I think that as in most areas of divorce and family law, if parents can work it out amongst themselves, that is always better. With the payor being mindful that they need to pay reasonable support. Counterbalanced by the recipient being aware that not everything will be an additional expense on top of the table amount.

Confidence and Kindness What about those who have never known any real kindness? I want to tell you a story you will never hear on the radio. No television show airs this magnificent tale. No celebrity statues were endowed upon my friend Rachel. No one will ever ask for her autograph. But I want to tell her saga in these pages.

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The power of believing in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self, learning to love who you see in the mirror.

Rachel answered an ad in the newspaper for a sales position. Years ago a vacuum cleaner company hired me to do one weeks training for their new sales force. This was an intensive course designed to weed out the weak individuals who applied. We were mining for a certain type of aggressive go-getter personality. It takes a certain type of person to excel at direct in house sales.

Rachel was a quiet girl who came from an ethnic Mennonite community. The first day we eliminated half the respondents. Rachel was politely told this was not for her and to go home. She was wearing an old, long, cotton, polka dot dress. Her religion prohibited cosmetics. Her hair style was a pulled back pony tail. Her appearance was text book, frump. She showed up the following morning for the next phase of training. The owner thought she was too stupid to know she was fired. Nobody was brave or brash enough to tell her to go home, so we just let her sit in on the training. At the end of the day she was again told that our opportunity did not seem right for her, and thanks for applying.

She arrived the next morning first through the door with the rest of the crew. At this point I began to change my mind. I could tell she was anything but stupid. She had few social skills, and no sales experience or aptitude. What she did have was rock solid determination. Most of all she was the kindest person I have ever met. I graduated her with the class.

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Back in those days salesmen would walk off 150 fliers, placing them in neighborhood mailboxes. The papers advertised our product and a free gift. Out of 150

delivered, about 3% or five home owners would call for an appointment. Operators would further qualify the callerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s then pass out the leads to sales staff. Rachel walked through deep snow and slush in running shoes to get her appointments. She was not good at selling. Soon the office only gave her the least promising of the appointments. After performing thirty-two home demonstrations, and rejections, she finally wrote a deal. Then the financing was turned down. She only quit because she was driving 30 miles to work in an old gas guzzling Buick. She literally had no money to continue. Later, I found out the office manager had been sexually abusing her in return for keeping her job. The commission jobâ&#x20AC;Ś that paid nothing without a sale. I phoned her and inquired why she wanted to sell so badly. She explained that when she was four years old, she wanted a bike for her birthday. She never got one. Her little girl had asked for a bicycle for her coming fourth birthday. She was willing to do anything to get the money for her child.

Continue from page 20

About that time a water purifier company had hired me to train their staff. I spoke to the owner and told him Rachelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story. He was hesitant to hire her, but I promised to train her one on one for zero compensation. I talked her into trying sales one more time. We followed through on ten appointments. After each scenario we had coffee and discussed the entire call. When I explained the individual situations she learned quickly. She grabbed hold of the information like a life preserver. Finally she said she thought she was ready to try a call on her own. I encouraged her to sell to her own community. Her first ten solo appointments yielded nine deals sold for cash. Her first pay day was $970.00, which was more money than she had ever seen. Keep in mind; this happened over twenty years ago. Adjusted for inflation, that pay cheque would be more than double in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money. Needless to say her daughter got her bike. In no time she purchased a new car. She became the top sales person in the water company. She had never shopped in a better store than Wal-Mart. It was fun introducing her to designer clothing. Continued on page 72

SpotLight is Proud to Introduce Teri-Anne Bowyer as our New Columnist Biography Teri-Anne is originally from Edmonton, where she completed her post secondary studies in political science- international relation focus. She has been sharing her perspective on the political fabric, and other concepts that affect our cultural perspectives for over 30 years. She is a researcher to her core, and loves data analytics. She presently lives in a smaller community in Alberta with her husband, and has four young adult children who are on their own. (equals empty nest)

Teri-Anne Bowyer Political and Life Musings teriannebowyer@gmail.com

Proposed Gun Laws Intrusive If one could sum up a common theme in the news talking points in recent weeks, it would have to be Intrusion. Facebook shares fell around 7.5 % over two days after the breaking story regarding Cambridge Analytica and the use of data from some 50 million FB users for possible influence on voting patterns on the last US Presidential election. Intrusion. Reports of people deleting their FB accounts were part of the news of the week. Really, no one should be surprised, we should all know at some level the our FB activities are a gold mine of data. Yet, we naively expect a certain amount of anonymity from “ big brother”. Not so. Intrusive. The Canadian Liberal government defeating a Conservative motion this month opposing attestation, and the tie of receiving of federal summer jobs grants funds only if you adhere to the liberal view on certain moral concepts. We expect to be able to hold to our own moral beliefs. Not so apparently. INTRUSIVE. Ramping up a Service Canada Policy regarding spot checks on employers of TFS, from phone and paper checks, to physical location checks, including computers and all manner of electronics on the property. INTRUSIVE. Also breaking news mid month was the Canadian government impending tabling of new tougher measures surrounding gun purchases. Notice the word “tougher” in the previous sentence. INTRUSIVE.

Canadians already have some fairly tough gun laws by comparison to other countries. Yet, the Liberal Party of Canada does not think they are tough enough. It was a big part of their election platform, and they are now following up on that promise.

“ We are also introducing stronger and more rigorous background checks on gun sales. And if you want to buy a gun, by law you;ll have to show a license at the point of purchase. Right now that’s not a requirement. (Twitter- Justin Trudeau @Justin Trudeau 10;10 AM March 20 2018.)

While there are many inaccuracies in the above statement, I am not going to deal with them here. Instead, I would like to focus in on the concept put forth regarding “ more rigorous background checks.” Also- my caveat- of course we need gun laws, of course we need to try and prevent gun deaths in our country- both purposeful and accidental. I do not have the answer, I admit that right now. I truly wish I did. I am so tired and overwhelmingly saddened by the constant never ending reporting of gun death. Even as I write this, I am not blind to the fact that there does need to be checks, and not everyone should have access to a gun. These horrible events should not be happening. However, blaming Mental Health, and Intruding on the mental health history of the citizens is not the solution. The intrusion is also hypocritical to the liberal mandate of inclusion- including those with mental health labels. Continued on page.68

“The Hungry Ghosts” Registered Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Wendy Froberg

Psy. D.,R.Psych. Clinical Psychologist Columnist frobergw@shaw.ca

attention is somewhere else. This chronic lack of attention to the moment leads to a profound hunger that we can’t name. We mistakenly believe that the hunger is for something that we don’t have yet rather than for something that is unfolding moment by moment, in front of our very eyes: our own life. We walk around hungry for an elusive “something” while missing the very thing that could fill and fulfill us: being fully present in the here-and-now.

In his book “The Power of Now”, Echart Tolle describes “being” as the innermost invisible and indestructible essence you doing in there? that exists within every Okay, I know, lather, form. It is accessible to us See what rinse, repeat. But where as our deepest self, our showing up for was your attention truest nature, but cannot your own life focused? Chances are, be grasped with the mind. can do you were thinking of all We can only know it when the things that awaited the mind is still. When we you later in the day, all your chores are present, when our attention is fully and obligations, once you stepped in the now, being can be felt. The more out of the shower. When was the we identify with our mind, which leads to obsessive thinking, chronic worry and last time you stood in the shower a feeling of incessant mental noise, the and were conscious, for the entire more we are prevented from finding duration of the shower, of only the

hink back to the last time you took a shower. What were

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feeling of the water flowing over your face and body? I thought so. This is how most of us go through our days, always out of step with where we actually are at the moment. Every day, in almost every moment, we are thinking about what we already did, what we want to do, what we wish we hadn’t done or what we are going to do. As a result, we completely miss where we are at the moment. If you were to eat a delicious meal but your attention was elsewhere, you’d finish the meal not having tasted a thing and end up feeling unsatisfied and empty. Buddhists speak of “hungry ghosts”, beings in hell with gigantically huge stomachs and incredibly narrow throats, who live with the perpetual feeling of never having enough. It is an aptmetaphor for many of us who have nourishment – both physical and emotional – right in front of us yet are unable to taste or enjoy it, because our

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oneness with our being. If, as you were eating that delicious meal in front of you now, you worried about whether there would be enough at a later time, you might eat more than you need in the moment to try to feel satisfied. If we can learn to let our thoughts subside and just be in the moment, we can experience inner stillness and peace. In this state, we feel connected, energized and fully engaged. Tolle suggests we take any everyday activity that we typically view as only a means to an end and give it our full attention, making it an end in itself. In this way, we can find peace. Children are natural experts at living in the moment. Just watch them playing. They do not have the same sense of time as adults do and become completely immersed in the activity of the moment. We are all born with this quality of “presence”. But somehow, we lose the ability to just be in the moment, and start escaping the present by living in the past or constantly anticipating the future. Continued

ry this: for five minutes each day, bring your full and undivided attention to whatever you are doing. If you are walking, walk. If you are eating, notice each bite as you chew and swallow. If you are playing with your child, stop thinking of what you need to do next and just play. See what showing up for your own life can do for your sense of fullness, satisfaction and well-being.

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Under The Gun: A Tale of Two Countries

would suggest that the American experience, and it’s history, has reinforced the belief that the use of force in general, and the use of guns in particular, is not only an acceptable solution to matters of personal and public safety or physical threat, but more often than not, the primary option. This, quite simply, has not been the case in Canada, at least to nowhere remotely near the same degree. This is evident from the very geneses of the two countries. While both are former British colonies, the American birth narrative is one of revolutionary war; celebrated and even romanticized as noble patriots taking up arms against a vilified oppressor. The first President was a soldier, of course; a central figure in leading the war of independence, a noble warrior statesman. The Canadian origin story is much different; a comparatively cooperative negotiated independence seen, not as a radical departure, but a natural progression of things. The first Prime Minister was a politician, of course; a key player in assembling a coalition of support for Confederation, a pragmatic nation builder.

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“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”

he foundational documents upon which the two countries operate (and this is important), are reflective of the significantly different approaches each country took in formulating them, and how the interpretations of the times in which they were written had effect on their content. Depending on your knowledge of early American history, it may surprise you to learn that the current US Constitution is not the first document used by the United States as it’s “Constitution”. Written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, it was preceded by The Articles of Confederation, adopted by The Continental Congress in 1777. What was the motivation for a new Constitution a mere decade following the first? An armed insurrection, of course, known as Shays

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Rebellion. Not only that, but the US was engaged in The Northwest Indian War at the time of it’s writing and ratification. Given the historical context, it’s evident that the framers of the Constitution perceived the threat of armed confrontation to its citizens as being both pervasive and imminent. Small wonder then, the resulting Constitution placed such prominence upon “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

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his is the Second Amendment, the foundation upon which rests the entire rationale and defence of gun advocacy in America. In light of the circumstances of the barely decade old country, one can see how such constitutional protection for gun ownership could be delineated; preceded only by the right of free speech among the ten amendments which comprise the US Bill of Rights. In a letter from Thomas Jefferson (widely held to be the chief author of The Declaration of Independence), to James Madison (widely held to be the chief author of the US Constitution), sent only months before the Constitution was formed, Jefferson wrote in reference to Shays Rebellion, and quite likely based on his experience in the Revolutionary War that, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure." Such a statement is indicative

Under The Gun: A Tale of Two Countries of the ethos and mindset of the chief architects of the Constitution, and America’s Founding Fathers. Continued Canada’s current Constitution, adopted in 1982, is also not it’s first, having been preceded by the British North America Acts. It might also surprise you to find that there was not only one BNA Act. There were in fact, twenty. The first, of course, enacted in 1867, established self-gov-

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ernment or independence for Canada; those following, up toasas1975, dealt recently

with topics ranging from adding Provinces to Confederation to mandatory retirement ages for Canadian Goverment employees. However, despite 19 revisions and amendments stretching over a period of 108 years, the

omparatively speaking, both

countries have tended to follow suit. When the United States had a portion of it wish to secede, the result was a civil war. When Canada had a portion of it wish to separate, the result was a referendum. Credible sources estimate the number of deaths in the American Civil War to be

America has a relationship with arms that is deeply entrenched and likely not easily uprooted.

various authors of Canada’s first Constitution at no time seemed to be under any compulsion to address or include the matter of gun use or ownership in any manner. The entire subject is conspicuous by its absence. Nor was the subject included in the repatriated Constitution in 1982. The most oft-cited protection pointed to by pro gun advocates in The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is Section 7, guaranteeing "the right to life, liberty and security of the person”. To illustrate how loosely this applies to the topic of guns, this is also the section of the Charter referenced by both sides of the abortion debate; pro-choice and pro-life alike. Clearly, this is hardly an explicit endorsement for gun advocacy. From the earliest days to current times, those who codified Canadian societal standards into a Constitution have quite evidently not seen a reason to address, much less entrench specific rights regarding arms.

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620,000. The October Crisis in Canada resulted in 1 death. When Amercans talk about a “Peacemaker” they may

very well be referring to a gun; the iconic western six-shooter, Colt 45. When Canadians talk about a “Peace-keeper” it is probably in regard to a blue beret wearing Canadian soldier, standing between two belligerents to prevent armed conflict.

ven in the realm of legend, perception trumps reality, and portrays American historical figures as gun-toting, shoot first, ask questions later, larger than life, exemplary heroes, and their Canadian counterparts as peaceful, consensus building, use of force as a last resort, unassuming types. An example of this would be popular personalities from each respective country’s “how the West was won” accounts. In America, Wyatt Earp is best known for the shootout at the OK Corral. In Canada, Sam Steele is best known for being an honest broker with Sitting Bull, when he fled to Canada after defeating General Custer at The

Battle of Little Bighorn. In reality, Wyatt Earp isn’t believed to have been involved in all that much gun-play beyond the famous Tombstone event (in which he wasn’t even the central figure), and was hardly a paragon ofContinued on page virtue - as often on the wrong side of the law as the right; stealing horses, operating brothels, and escaping from jail. Conversely, Sam Steele was a career soldier and policeman, and quite likely responsible for numerous deaths by gunshot. Yet neither escape being painted with the colours of each’s national image, deservedly or otherwise. Continued on Page 70

Continued from Page 53

Proposed Gun Laws Intrusive

What do background checks look like at this moment? In Canada, when an individual applies for a gun permit, the RCMP procedure is to do a background check that goes back five years into a individuals past, looking for criminal convictions, mental illness associated with violence, addictions and /or a history of behavior that includes violence or threats to act in a violent manner. Apparently, at the moment it does not stop there, if you have been granted a license, background checks then run on a continuous basis- it is referred to as “ continuous eligibility” which includes daily searches of police and court databases to see if the license holder has become a public safety risk.

( By John Paul Tasker, CBC News Posted: Mar 20, 2018 11:16 AM ET http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-firearms-bill-c71-1.4584074 ) Applicants are screened using a two-tiered process. According to a 2010 evaluation report on Canada’s Firearms Program, “[t]his process entails submitting an application requesting that the applicant provide detailed personal information; when this application is assessed by the CFP, special attention is given to those applying for a Prohibited and Restricted Firearm License.”[4 2] Moreover, all applicants are also “screened on an on-going basis through the provisions of ‘continuous eligibility’, a monitoring function that has a licensee ‘flagged’ for a review of their license should a matter of public safety arise after they have obtained their license.” ( Canada — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law, GunPolicy. org, http://www.gunpolicy.org/ firearms/ region/canada (last updated Dec. 21, 2012))

If the implications of the above passage to do not make you catch your breath, you need to read it again. INTRUSIVE!, and we are looking at making it even more so. The new legislation is proposing that background checks now go back much farther than 5 years. Lifetime review has been suggested. History of mental illness. How exactly are the authorities going to

disclose? How exactly are the authorities going to be able to find out that someone has or is experiencing a mental illness? That would be information that would be held in confidence between an individual and their care team (whatever that may be comprised of- one Dr or a team of caregivers.) I know that the healthcare profession, especially in mental health, are mandated to disclose if they feel

Using mental health as a criteria, is not a solution. It does not address the gun issues that are arising from gang violence, and the increasing opioid crisis. check for a history of mental illness? This is such a slippery slope, and very contentious. Right here is where the issue with Intrusion becomes extremely important. What is a mental illness? A scapegoat it is looking like, and the door to intrusion. One cannot just use the term “mental illness” as an umbrella and move on. There are at present over 200 classified forms of mental illness. Which mental illness should prevent gun ownership? Someone who is mildly depressed vs someone who is in a total depressive state? What if they are bipolar, and in the depressive mode? A High function depressed state vs and Non functioning state? Three labels for depression right here- do any or all indicate the inability to own a gun? No one can arbitrarily make that call. Let alone requiring a bureaucrat behind a desk and a phone vetting an application for gun ownership. Who is going to make the call? How much information is a Dr., Psychiatrist, Counselor required to

a patient is a risk to harm themselves or others. But at this moment we are allowing them to report if/when they see fit. Are we now going to change to parameters around “fit” in that equation? Again, how one professional defines a certain set of parameters to meet a definition can be very different than a colleague’s. Application of labels can vary from professional to professional and the day. It is supposed to be the same, but in reality, we have to recognize it is not. We all bring our own life lenses to any equation. Also, we have to take into consideration what the client is telling a mental health care professional- a diagnoses is only as good as the symptoms that are presented, and some are very good at keeping things to themselves. How is a triggered event predicted? We are not in possession of the “crystal ball”- if we were we would have solved this problem already. And it is without a doubt a problem. Continued

Who is going to “rank” the over 200 types of mental illness, and how do we hold the authorities to task on that ranking. By what definition is any ranking an accurate predictor?. Are we going to have Mental Health professionals whose sole job is to vet a gun ownership application? What if they miss something? This opens up the very real possibility of allowing society to shift the blame game. (that would be a very current liberal move- shift the blame/ responsibility.) Now it is going to be the fault of the mental health professional who missed a predictor? A random visit with mental health care professional can not 100 % of the time identify a mental illness. Mental illness could manifest the next day in the life of the applicant depending on the stressors of that life. Intrusion, and yet no value. Using Mental Health as a political scapegoat also serves to potentially thwart people from seeking help when they might need it, for fear of yet another label being applied in an already difficult situation. What about an applicant who is not under the care of any professional? Whether it is because they are unaware of their own needs, or they fear the process and labels, or because Psychologists, counselors and others in mental health field can be expensive and out of reach for many people, thus many people who could benefit from mental health consultations, do not receive the care they need. Many people do not even know that they could benefit from the care of a mental health professional. What about guns that are not acquired through legal means?

As I reflect over recent shootings. I know that a “mental health check” would not have prevented these events. So what would- I TRULY wish I could answer that!!!!! However, the answers we seem to exploring are Intrusive. Intrusion. Big Brother, 1984, Orwellian concepts JUMP OUT at me. Yet, we have to know that this is not the answer. We offer them up as a method to make ourselves feel like we are doing something, so that we can feel better. ( another liberal path- everything needs to “feel” better) Using mental health as a criteria, is not a solution. It is an intrusive, valueless scheme. It does not address the gun issues that are arising from gang violence, and the increasing opioid crisis. It is a smoke screen, designed to make us think and feel that something concrete is being done, when in reality , all that is happening is more money is going down the drain.

It is a smoke screen, designed to make us think and feel that something concrete is being done.

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Under The Gun: A Tale of Two Countries

nd this trend isn’t limited to the past - it can be seen quite readily in the contemporary context of the issue of gun control. If you were to ask people who have even the most basic exposure to the gun control debate, American or Canadian, to “name a large, influential, and highly active American lobby group”, undoubtedly a significant number would name the National Rifle Association - The NRA. However, much like Wyatt Earp, the image and the reality don’t dovetail nicely when it comes to the activities and profile of the NRA. When examining spending by lobbyists in Washington, the NRA isn’t even in the top 50, and is outspent significantly by the likes of

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Coca-Cola, Facebook, and UPS. The US Chamber of Commerce spends about 20 times what the NRA does. By frequency of activity, the entire subject of Firearms, Guns, and Ammunition (the NRA is but one of a number of lobby groups who address the topic), actually ranks 65th. Yet the preconception is that the NRA is a massively influential lobby group.

hile this may only serve to indicate that the NRA might be a smaller contributor to the issue than the

public perception holds it to be, it doesn’t negate the facts that the US has a nearly 1:1 per capita ratio of privately owned guns, that despite representing about 5% of the worlds population, it has somewhere between 35 - 50% of the worlds guns, and that it has 11 times the number of mass shootings as any other developed country. Canada doesn’t come remotely close to these numbers.

Why do Canadians and Americans view the subject of gun control so differently?

y comparison, if you asked the same people to “name a large, influential, and highly active Canadian lobby group” you would be hard pressed to get any answers, as lobbyists in Canada have a far lower public profile, and tend to be less controversial, hence less prone to receive media attention. In specific reference to the topic of weapons in general, and gun control in particular, in the last 6 months reported, of the 46 subjects lobbyists in Ottawa have addressed with the Government of Canada, guns have been discussed exactly 0 times. It just isn’t a pressing matter. But even though the gun advocacy lobby in the US is smaller than it’s perceived to be, it’s virtually nonexistent in Canada.

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o what does all this tell us about why Canadians and Americans view the subject of gun control so differently? From birth to present day, though its social and political development and its defining moments, the United States has established a gun culture, whether by default or design, where arms are at the forefront of its character, and the

internal debate surrounding the subject is motivated by strongly held opinion. The belief of those who resolutely defend the 2nd Amendment in the modern context is grounded in the same perception as those who penned its words; that the dangers presented to US citizens are just as widespread and immediate today, and the ability of the individual to defend oneself with a weapon is just as necessary (the idea of the ubiquitousness of guns

perpetuating said danger not with standing). From the political arena, to popular culture, to the national psyche, America has a relationship with arms that is deeply entrenched and likely not easily uprooted.

hat most Canadians have difficulty relating to this is hardly surprising. While there are certainly instances to the contrary which are notably isolated, the experience of the typical Canadian is not one of armed attack being a “clear and present danger” to coin a phrase. There just isn’t the uncertainty or fear that the person waking toward you on a darkened city street is carrying a gun, because the overwhelming likelihood is that he or she is not. Such a threat is so absent from the day to day reality of the vast majority of Canadians, the ability to empathize with their American

counterparts who hold that to be a legitimate fear is lost to them. This is, quite simply, the source of the bewilderment many Canadians exhibit when presented with the almost rabid defence of the comparatively liberal gun laws afforded Americans by the 2nd Amendment.

o perhaps in a way, Canadians are indeed “polite Americans with health care” - polite in the sense that they are far less likely to have to shoot someone, and in possession of the best form of health care, preventive, in that they are far less likely to be shot. I would, however, continue to defend the remainder of my previous characterization of the two neighbouring countries as valid. For therein lies both the reasons why many Americans continue to vigorously defend their 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, and the reasons why many Canadians remain puzzled as to the need. Brent

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Confidence and Kindness

We met for coffee one afternoon. She confided that she needed help. She unfolded her real story and much of the information was shocking. At 14 years of age, her mother removed her from high school to cook and clean at home. In summer her parents put her to work on the farm picking tomatoes. Back in those days workers carried a basket until filled. A grown man who was a good picker filled about 150 baskets a day. If she did not make that quota she was made to walk several miles home. Then after arriving, was horse whipped for slacking. Five kids shared the same bath water to “save money.” She once over filled the cat’s dish. Her mother made her finish the leftovers from the pet’s saucer. She married at 19 years of age in order to escape her home. After finding success in selling, she could afford to professionally address her problems. She asked me to find a good counselor. I drove her to the psychologist appointments twice a week for the next eight months. Then she felt confident to go alone. Later in the year she told me she was going part time sales in order to upgrade. She enrolled in college courses to become an engineer. She earned and received top grades. After almost two years of therapy, she asked if I would accompany her to the police station. She was having her father and three brothers arrested. She revealed that since she could remember her Dad would come to her bedroom at night. When her three brothers reached puberty, they did the same. If she cried out they stuffed dirty socks or their underwear in her mouth to muffle the screams. Over twelve years passed enduring such tortured conditions.

On the witness stand her mother was asked by the judge if the abuse had in fact taken place. “Yes, but it was Rachel’s fault she seduced them. She was a very bad girl, the mother answered. How old was Rachel when she seduced your husband and son’s, the judge asked. It started when she was six or seven years old,” her mother replied. They each got three years in prison. Rachel went on to graduate as an engineer. She continued to work as a part time sales person all through school. I take absolutely no credit for her amazing growth. Certainly all kudos belongs to her regarding the outstanding academic accomplishments. My father got to know and love her as his own daughter. One day she hugged me and the tears flowed freely. Then she said, “You and your dad are the only two men in my life who touched me, that have never hurt me.”

excuse can you offer to remain where you are now. Few people have suffered the degree of abuse Rachel experienced growing up. She is a survivor and an emotional hero. In the bell towers of the great cathedrals of Europe you will see three small windows. They represent the three great Christian virtues of faith, hope, and love. You may be saying I feel absolutely hopeless anything will ever change. I will never be the confident person described in these pages. Remember, for Rachel, love seemed totally unobtainable. While faith was just something religious people discussed.

But we are taught that faith is (and has) the “substance,” of the “things hoped for,” the evidence not seen. The great news is you don’t need faith or sight, to have hope. No talking yourself into anything, no hype, no repeat after

Hope only says “maybe or perhaps,” things will get better me!

My point is that we must acknowledge and appreciate the power of simple kindness shown to a girl society had overlooked. This is clear evidence

proving the incredible results of helping someone find their own true confidence. It can change a person’s direction forever. This is the power of believing in one’s self, learning to love who you see in the mirror. By tapping into the confidence available to all who seek. This is an illustration of the awesome potential of a tiny spark of hope in one person’s life. If Rachel could claw and crawl out of the darkness of her domestic slavery, into the light of confidence and kindness, what

You can have hope with complete intellectual integrity. Hope only says “maybe or perhaps,” things will get better. No belief, no faith, no love involved just maybe it’s a possibility. If it was possible for Rachel, and it was, then that possibility spark burns for you and still exists for your future. Let your hope become faith.

New York SS18 Har vard Punkd

“ Christopher Lowman ” 74