The word changes magazine - 2nd Issue

the word changes | 1

F O E L B TA ENTS T N CO

Courage to follow your dreamS Step Into Your Dreams

06

10 Proven Ways to Launch your Dreams

14

Quiz: How brave are you?

17

5 Things to Know about Laren Taylor

20

Persistence

21

Courage to Live a Healthy Life Time to change:

39

My Journey in (and out of) alcohol abuse Vegetarian Dining: Clover Restaurant Review

46

The Mystery Illness that Almost Ended My Life

42

Courage to be a socially conscious consumer Giving While Thrifting: The Savers Model

25

Shop the word changes Fashion

29

the word changes | 2

Letter from the Editor When I announced the Live Courageously theme for 2017, I had no idea how much I would live it. This year has been a challenge and I have had to dig deep for the courage to push forward even when physically and mentally I wasn’t at my best. Looking back over this year, I see that I have grown. I have gained more patience, empathy, and wisdom, so I can take comfort that the challenges were not for naught. This second issue of the word changes magazine is aimed at closing out the year with a final dose of courage. The articles are intended to get you thinking of how you can live your best life. I hope you enjoy and continue to live courageously into 2018!

y e n d o R e t t e AntoiCnelestine the word changes | 3

Founder of the word changes The Fashion Brand That Motivates™

the word changes | 4

2017

Your Year to Live Courageously

The theme of this year’s focus for the word changes was ‘Live Courageously 2017.’

And we did just that, while encouraging others to do the same! Forget letting your fears drive your decision-making and no more missing out on greatness because you’re afraid. We took on 2017 with a brave face by using the hashtag #LiveCourageously2017 on social media. We started discussing topics like finding your life purpose, allowing your faith to be bigger than your fears and discovering what courage means to you.

We too often allow our fears get in the way of life. What things have we missed out on simply because we were too afraid to even try, to even take the risk? In my second issue of The Word Changes magazine, contributors discuss the stress of letting something like an illness get out of hand, and the long, courage-driven road towards healing.

A major focus of “Live Courageously 2017” was practicing standing up for what you believe is right. This year we kicked off the Speak. Act. Stand. campaign that aimed to draw awareness to harassment in all of its forms. We asked the word changes fans to share their stories of fighting back against bullying, street harassment, and more. We will continue this campaign into the new year, knowing that it is a critical need in our society.

We believe in helping others, which is why 2/3 of the word changes’ profits go towards providing resources to transform the lives of children and young adults. As part of our mission, this year we awarded two high school seniors a $500 scholarship to kick off their entry into college! Our winners, Neandra Fernandes and Tiana Jurisic, both shared their amazing journey in their entry essays, and it warms our heart to know that courage comes in so many forms and at any age.

We recorded and released three podcasts this year, all interviewing wonderful women who have used courage to attain the life they wanted. The first was a great conversation with Rosi Ross, where we learned how a Venezuelan/Panamanian chica with a love for travel and learning new things ended up in China, pursuing her love of fashion and modeling! We also spoke with singer/songwriter/actress Laren Taylor, who at only age 16 is attacking her career with bravery, even lending her voice to combat bullying in schools. Our most recent podcast of 2017 shares one woman’s story of having the courage to leave an abusive relationship and get on the road to recovery. We’ve learned so much from listening to these ladies’ stories and hope you did too!

Did you follow along with the word changes and #LiveCourageously2017? We would love to hear what articles stood out to you and if you found your AHA moment! Connect with us – @thewordchanges.

the word changes | 5

This year has been a busy one for the word changes and we hope you’ve been inspired to live your life with courage. Be sure to check back for the announcement of our theme for 2018!

the word changes | 6

the word changes | 7

o t n I Stepreams D r n o u s l o e N Y e l l e h c i

By M

I’M

going to be honest and upfront with you from the beginning. My name is Michelle Nelson, and I am a procrastinator. Maybe I’m not as bad as I use to be, but I’m still learning to manage my condition, and have been doing so for years. I’ll take a shower, clean my room, fill in my calendar, scroll social media--anything to be able to put off getting started on what I wanted to do in the first place. I had a friend once tell me that procrastination is a sign of being a perfectionist. That was something I could stand behind--perfectionists take pride in their work after all. But here’s the truth: our dreams will never become realities without taking actionable steps.

In the vein of transparency, I’m going to use myself as a case study. Almost two years ago, I felt God beginning to deal with me in reference to my purpose. I began to dream about having a blog. The funny thing is that I didn’t know anything about starting one. My dreams became more concrete in my head, but I wasn’t doing anything to bring them to life. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was frustrated because I didn’t even know where to start. Here are some tips that I picked up along the way to realizing my dreams.

the word changes | 8

Research Your Passion

I already felt overwhelmed, so it was important to keep it simple when starting out. I began by doing a simple Google search using keywords that I thought were important in starting a blog. I suddenly had a lot of reading to do, and plenty of videos to watch! In today’s world, there is no excuse for not being able to gather information on any topic known to man. Choose your favorite search engine, and get to typing!

If you don’t have a computer, head over to the library.

Don’t feel intimidated because the people who work there specialize in helping you find the information you need, whether it be in a book or on one of their computers.

Find a Mentor

Once I learned about blogging, I wanted to know more about blogging. At the time, I didn’t know anyone personally who had started one. I wanted a mentor, but I was at a loss for how to find one. At the same time, I found myself becoming more active on social media. I began to explore other social media platforms, with the strategic purpose of engaging with seasoned bloggers to find out how they work, and then how I could take their tips and tricks and put my own spin on it. It was around this time that live video feeds were beginning to take off. I may not have had an in-person mentor, but I could ask questions and learn from so many writers through Periscope, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live (and I haven’t even tried YouTube yet!). Don’t let money or distance stop you from having a mentor.

Take a Class

Along with finding a mentor, taking a class--or several--can help to level-up your skills so that you are able to bring your dreams to life. How many times have you had a goal or an idea, but your execution was a bit off? Perhaps you had raw skills, but they just needed fine-tuning. This was, and is still, me--this is a process after all. Some of you are thinking, “But Michelle, I can’t afford to get another degree right now!” That’s ok because you don’t have to get one.

As you begin to follow more people on social media who are experts in your desired area, you will find that many of them offer master classes, bootcamps, seminars, and virtual classes. That’s right; you may be able to take many of these classes from the comfort of your own home.

That means you won’t have to worry about paying for airfare or a hotel. Whatever you need is out there; you just have to look. And did I mention that some of these classes are FREE? I have taken a plethora of classes on writing, social media marketing, and branding. They have offered me invaluable information that I was immediately able to implement. If they are “live” classes, whether virtual or in-person, you will have the opportunity to ask questions. For the busy learner, you may be able to attend by watching a replay or even choose to take a selfpaced class. There is literally something for everyone. You have to be willing to go in with growth-mindset.

One of my favorite things about taking a class is the opportunity to network with like-minded people. Just like in school, you can and will gain knowledge and wisdom not just from the teacher, but from your classmates too. This is also a chance for you to meet people you can collaborate with in the future. Collaborations are awesome because it’s a mutually beneficial relationship.

You can learn from each other, utilize each other’s skills,

the word changes | 9

Network

and gain followers from each other. I’m known for saying that, “our Words Have Power,” and all relationships begin with words. Be willing to step outside of your comfort zone to meet new people. I attended a brunch a few months ago where I was able to meet fellow bloggers as well as other amazing women in various fields. Not only did I leave with a tummy full of delicious food, but more importantly, I left feeling encouraged, having made new friends and connections, and with more people knowing about my brand.

That all being said, keep in mind that when building relationships, it’s not just about what the other person can bring to the table. Make sure you bring something too! What can you bring? Come with your ideas, products, services, expertise, and your story.

Create Accountability

One of the smartest things I ever did was to tell people that I was starting a blog. I remember talking to a friend who asked me when I was going to launch. I told her sometime in the next month. Here was the problem, I hadn’t even set a concrete date! As long as I hadn’t done that, there were no expectations because there was nothing concrete. The following week I launched!

Get to Work

If you’re going to venture down the road of bringing your dreams to realities, you need to set some goals--S.M.A.R.T. goals to be exact.

• Specific, Significant, Stretching I wanted to launch my blog. For me, that was a specific goal. It was significant to me, because it was something that I knew God had placed in my heart.

It was definitely stretching because it was something outside of my comfort zone.

the word changes | 10

• Measurable, Meaningful, Motivational I was either going to launch or not, so it was quite measurable. This was meaningful to me because it was about something that was bigger than me. I became more motivated because I told other people I was going to do it, and they were counting on me to keep my word.

• Agreed upon, Attainable, Achievable, Acceptable, Action-Oriented My friend and I agreed upon this goal. I was going to launch by doing Facebook Live, and posting a video on Instagram. There was no reason that I should not have been able to attain it; I just needed to make an action-plan about what I was going to say.

• Realistic, Relevant, Reasonable, Rewarding, Results-Oriented The resources were mine for the using. It was up to me to step out and use them knowing that the biggest rewards were that I would keep my word to my friends, myself, and most importantly, God. • Time-Base, Time-Bound, Timely, Tangible, Trackable I decided to launch first thing on Saturday morning when I knew I would have a large audience for my live-stream. This was enough time for me to plan, but not enough time for me to overthink things and get scared.

Launching my blog was one of my happiest days. It felt incredible to come through and honor my word. It felt like a relief to get it done. What I remember most was the amount of support that I received from people. It took about a year from conception to actualization, and it was a process.

Stepping into your dreams will be a process, too. It’s not something that will happen overnight. Mistakes will be made, knowledge will be gained, and you will grow. The time is now! Get to dreaming, and then get to work!

Follow Michelle Nelson on instagram ourwordshavepower

the word changes | 11

the word changes | 12

the word changes | 13

S Y A W N E V O R R U P O 10 AUNCH Y TO LDREAMS aynor hM g i e l h

By As

H

ave you ever had a moment where you’re just going on about your day and you feel like you’re purposed for more? It could be in your career where you’re not feeling fulfilled. It could be a personal goal where you’re not at your optimal health.

Maybe you’re starting a business and balancing a full time job, and you’ve lost motivation to be the best entrepreneur that you can be.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor I have a deep passion and need to empower individuals to solve a problem, develop a sense of accomplishment and create a better quality of life. If any of the challenges I named above sounds like you, then think about making a lifestyle change with 10 realistic and tangible action steps that have helped my clients to launch their goals and achieve their dreams.

the word changes | 14

1) Set Your Intention: Make the decision that you are going to be clear about your goals and dreams. Write out what it is that you want to happen in your life. Imagine yourself a year from now, what does it look like? Take notes and give your dreams some direction. Write the vision and make it plain.

2) Really think about your “Why?”: Why do you want to achieve this dream? Who is this dream serving? What do you want your life to look like physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, personally and/or professionally?

Write it out and reconnect with your mission. The more details the better!

3) Get unstuck: Analysis paralysis has many of us afraid to take the first step. We know we are capable

of smashing our goals, or we have awesome ideas that we know will be a success, but sometimes we can’t find the gumption to start. So how do you do this? First, you need to change your mindset. Stop comparing yourself to others, and doubting yourself. Realize that the only thing that is perfect is God. Second, you need to trust that you’ve done your best, have faith that God will supply you with everything and everyone you need to make these dreams come true. Unhinge yourself and take the leap!

4) Brain Dump: Write down all of your ideas and things you would like to do that are a part of making your dreams a reality, both personally and professionally. Don’t limit yourself as you empty your brain of ideas. Pretend you have everything you need skill wise, financially, and physically... be like Master P: NO LIMITS! 5) Prioritize: Now that you have all of your ideas, goals, and dreams out on paper, ask yourself what is essential to achieving your goals? What you want to do first?

6) Bite sized goals: After you prioritize your list, and see the magnitude of your awesome dreams, you may feel a little overwhelmed. No worries! You don’t have to do it all at once, that is why I had you Prioritize in step five. Take 1 or 2 of those goals, set deadlines for yourself, put a box next to it and make sure you put a checkmark in the box by your due date.

7) Design an Action Plan: Now that you’ve set your goals, you need to develop an action plan. You can say you’re going to do something all day, but eventually you are going to have to DO! Strategize and tell yourself there will be no more layovers in planning-town.

9) Relax, Relate, Reflect: This step is imperative. Do a review of your progress each quarter. You better celebrate all of the wins you had! It is OK to cheer for your greatness.

Also, realize that you may need to adjust your action plan to stay aligned with your goals. Set aside consistent time to reflect on your dreams and watch them become within reach faster than you ever thought they could.

10) Affirm Yourself: I am a believer in positive affirmations. They keep you focused and inspired.

Wake up every morning and read/speak your favorite affirmations. If you don’t have one, here is one you can start with, “I am free of worry and I am at peace with every part of who I am. I believe in myself. I am capable of whatever I set my mind to.”

Remember we all may slow down, or stumble off the path leading us to our dreams every now and then, and that is OK! Just start where you left off, without judgment and feeling bad about yourself. If you make a commitment to incorporating these steps into your daily life, I guarantee that your dreams will manifest!

Connect with Ashleigh at www.theinTENtionalU.com intentional_u

the word changes | 15

8) Accountability is Key: You’ve got a flow chart of your next steps and the deadlines you need to meet. Awesome!

Don’t allow things to fall through the cracks, and make sure that you keep yourself accountable. You may have a dope tribe of friends and family who love and support you. Tell them the goals and due dates you’ve set so that they can check-in with you. Or if someone you know really well won’t keep you motivated to stay on top of things, then have your mentor or coach keep you accountable. If you don’t have either of those, then it’s about time you go find you one or two!! (Cough, Cough) Did I mention I know a great coaching service called inTENtional U? ;)

the word changes | 16

Test: How brave are you?

How do you react when faced with danger, or painful or difficult times? Are you impulsive, reflective, or do you hesitate? Take this test by psychotherapist Christophe AndrĂŠ to find out. (www.psychologies.co.uk/test-how-brave-are-you)

by Psychologies

You near a noise in the night. How do you react?

Courage means:

A. Having the strength to conquer your fears B. Doing the right thing C. Not wasting time thinking too much about it

the word changes | 17

A. Stay in bed thinking you should probably go investigate what the noise is.

Or would it be better to pretend to be asleep?

B. Stay in bed listening for where the noise is coming from. Usually it turns out to be nothing C. Leap out of bed, switch on the light and go investigate

How often do you give in to your vices?

A. You don’t indulge because you’d feel awful if you did B. You don’t give in - what would be the point?

C. You have some difficulty controlling your impulses

You witness a fight - what do you do?

A. Hesitate. Whether out of fear, prudence or because it always takes you a little while to take action B. You observe first to work out what’s going on then intervene firmly C. You step in to protect the person who is being attacked. Stop the fight first then ask questions

Do you agree it takes courage to admit you were wrong?

A. You don’t have a problem with admitting it to yourself, but it’s hard to admit to other people B. No, you find it easy. You prefer to be honest than be right at any cost C. Yes it’s difficult and you won’t usually admit it till you’ve calmed down

When you show your bravery it’s because:

A. You’ve made the effort to show how brave you are B. You’ve thought it through and you have to C. You acted on instinct so couldn’t have done any differently

Your friends dare you to dive from the highest board at the pool.

You’re on the edge with everyone watching and you think:

A. Can I go through with this? Surely it’s madness...

B. I said I’d do it so I better do it - anyone can use the diving board so it’s obviously safe C. Go for it. It’s only falling for a few seconds so let’s get into position and just do it

After performing an act of bravery, you:

A. Feel better, and quite proud of yourself B. Have the satisfaction of knowing you did the right thing C. Recognize that your ‘courage’ has sometimes got you into trouble

You have some bad news to share (perhaps a break-up, or firing someone.) You:

the word changes | 18

A. Hate having to do it and can’t sleep for a few nights beforehand B. Think long and hard about the best way to word it C. Get it over with as quickly and painlessly as possible

You have to give a speech to 500 people. In the hour before it, you: A. Repeat over and over ‘it will be OK’ B. Reread your notes to refresh your memory C. Pace up and down trying to think about anything else

Mostly As: Courage after hesitation - you act despite your fear You don’t feel brave at all, but you also can’t let things slide when you know you should act. It takes a lot of effort to overcome your fears or worries to avoid hurting other people and to take a leap into the unknown. Facing your fears means you are forced to abandon your longing for a quiet life. You take risks because you know if you don’t you will be angry with yourself. You would rather face the unknown than feel guilty about inaction. Whenever you do act, it takes others by surprise because no-one expects people who are seen as a bit timid to make a courageous move. It’s well known that when quiet people break out of their quiet pattern, it can be spectacular. You usually take your time, weighing up the pros and cons of a situation, and sometimes by the time you have made up your mind it’s too late. When you look at things closely, you will realize that your acts of bravery are really the most admirable because you feel fear at the outset you are clear about the dangers involved or you can see a family member resents your decision or your boss is annoyed you’ve handed in your notice - but despite that you still decide to act. You haven’t got boundless courage but act as if you have, in the hope that things will turn out for the best.

Mostly Bs: Courage through reflection - you do the right thing As far as you are concerned, courage is about principle and ideas. It’s about thinking before you act, even if you are afraid, even if it’s not easy, and even if other people don’t think you should. You know you have to do something so you do it. For you, bravery is about living your life well (being true to your aims and promises), behaving in a respectful manner (being frank and hurting as few people as possible) and telling the truth even if it’s difficult (daring to say what might be inconvenient for others.) You are not innately brave, but you have learned to be. And now this is central to the way you live your life. Your courage goes hand in hand with prudence - you’re not afraid to confront your problems but you want to choose when and how to do it. And that’s nothing to do with timidity or the fact that you are blind to danger. When you feel strongly enough to intervene, you do so calmly. You explain, negotiate, and only get into an argument as an absolute last resort. Is there a problem with this? Perhaps only the risk that you will be too quick to judge others who are held back by fear. You would like everyone to be brave, but everyone is not like you. What’s remarkable about you is not the absence of fear, but that you have taken the decision not to let fear take over.

You don’t act courageously, you are courageous. And there’s nothing you can do about it - it’s stronger than you. Sometimes, when things go wrong, you talk to friends about it, and try to figure out how to get things back on track. But that never stops you acting in the first place. You follow your emotion and intuition and don’t bother wondering whether or not you should be doing something. You have already made the move, so you just have to get on with it. Sometimes you have to think about it after the event and then try to repair any damage. This is the problem with the way you behave - you strike in the heat of the moment, on impulse. Even if your impulsiveness takes a positive direction, it can bring more problems with it, as others may not understand your motives (telling people the truth doesn’t always help.) Your heightened emotions can also mean that you are deaf and blind to arguments and you don’t always listen to people enough. But the main advantage of your courage is your sincerity and spontaneity - you do things because you believe it’s the right thing to do at that moment. This is why you are quickly forgiven if your impulsiveness leaves others behind.

the word changes | 19

Mostly Cs: Courage in the heat of the moment - you follow your instincts

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

the word changes | 20

THE WORD CHANGES BRAND AMBASSADOR 1

She was 13 when she did her first performance

2

She put together a successful anti-bullying fundraising event, Boston Got Voices, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, a four-star, four-diamond hotel in downtown Boston!

3

She was a body double for someone on Dance Moms

4

She recorded a song at the same studio as Justin Bieber

5

She has met an impressive set of celebrities: Kesha, Shawn Mendes, Charlie Puth, Green Day, Chris Trapper, and Alessia Cara Follow Laren on Instagram officiallarentaylor

L

et’s take a mental car ride together. We could get in a car, turn up the music full blast and drive as fast as possible; they’re playing your favorite song on the radio, so it’s all good. Or we could get in a car, take our time to check the safety precautions, and then drive off at a steady pace, changing it up sometimes, but also taking time to acknowledge our surroundings. Which one would you prefer?

Life is sort of like these car journeys and there are people on either journey, especially where our hopes and dreams are involved. You have the people that have their end goal on their mind saying, “I’m going to be an “actor”, “a doctor”, “a rapper”, “a footballer”,or even “a star!” They try to do everything they can as quickly as possible, from getting work experience to performances and they hope for quick results. However, this is not the best way to follow your dreams as you tend to miss opportunities and it can be short-lived. You could end up in a crash that is hard to recover from. Rushing through life and experiences is not the way to achieve your goals; it needs to be about more than the money, the fame, the thrill or the title. But we can give them credit for having the courage to get in the car in the first place.

When you find something that you are really passionate about, the courage comes naturally in your mind; you are ready to get into a car and put your key in the ignition. It is OK to take time to warm up the engine: research more about the industry you are going into, talk to professionals in your chosen industry, watch some YouTube videos of people doing what you love. Go for some sightseeing,

look outside and find those opportunities that can take you closer to your dream. Use your GPS and navigate your next steps if you feel like you’re losing your way; at the pace you’re going, I’m sure someone will help put you back on the right path.

You should have the courage to follow your dream and start your journey but you must prepare yourself for any obstructions ahead. Negative people, distractions, lack of motivation, and more may drain your fuel or flatten your car tires but you’ve got to check yourself out and see what needs to be improved.

It’s OK to take time and it’s OK to make mistakes as long as you continue to make movements and learn not to go down the wrong road too many times. At least you had the courage to start the journey—and hopefully finish it too! Keep driving at your own pace and see where it takes you. You may even have a detour but as long as you reach for the sky, there’s nothing wrong with landing on a cloud. You’d be closer to hitting more goals and you would have developed and achieved so much already!

Just remember, Beyoncé wasn’t made in a day; the world gave her lemons and look what she made. She, like many other successful people today, had the courage to follow her dreams and so should you!

Follow Cazzy on Instagram caztime_

e c n e t s i s Per

the word changes | 21

zy z a c y B

Become a master at what you do best!

- By Cazzy

the word changes | 22

Things may look gray right now.

I’m looking for somebody who can tell me how The future plays out, do I disappoint or WOW? If you’ve ever found somebody then feel free to tell me how.

I’ve learnt you’ve got to work hard and sure you may look crazy, But only to the people doing nothing, being lazy.

Keep faith, have hope, put on your fighting face.

If you don’t take a step forward you’re always in the same place. *** So just make a decision to become a master at what you do best!

the word changes | 23

the word changes | 24

the word changes | 25

GIVING WHILE THRIFTING

THE SAVERS MODEL

BY NICOLA CAMPOS

But beyond the awesome vintage shoes and the beautiful houseware items on display, there lies a darker and unseen side to most second-hand stores. “Everything under the sun gets dumped at our stores,” Liz shared, “from designer goods to urine-soaked mattresses, bloodied underwear, and even, dead animals”. The process of re-selling donated goods is therefore not as simple as it may seem for it’s not just old clothes and books that are dealt with.

Few realize, however, that thrift stores have allowed immense social improvements to blossom, and even fewer appreciate the amount of work that is dedicated on a daily basis to make it happen. Most of us pick up the neatly hung and priced items and perhaps squeal at the incredible deal we’re getting, without realizing that these pieces were once chucked and crumpled in a trash bag.

Most of us see thrift stores as either an inexpensive shop or a dumping ground for goods no longer desired, but fail to recognize the deeper impact they have on the world.

Just like how Savers doesn’t discriminate against the clothes and houseware items you donate, so too do they not discriminate against employees. As I circled through Savers, it struck me that men and women of different races and religions were working side by side, neither their skin color, gender, nor practice of worship a determinant of their skill levels. Furthermore, Liz shared that they hired non English-speakers as well, for similar to Savers’ goal to realize the potential of every single item, they also aim to realize the potential of every person who works at their company.

As Liz Milazzo, Community Donation Manager at Savers, guided me around the Savers in Brookfield, Connecticut, I was exposed to a whole other side of thrift stores. My eyes were opened to the intricately and expertly designed system that has allowed Savers to not only achieve efficiency in the stores, but to become an environmental steward of our Earth.

The backroom, the second stop after the donation center on our tour of Savers, is a starkly different world than what most people are exposed to. The organized store front expertly masks the formulated chaos that permeates the room where all the real stuff gets done. Trash bag upon trash bag is piled on table after table, with everything from a stained pajama bottom to a brand new luxury purse clustered together, begging to be sorted. Lining the walls were boxes filled with items seasonally inappropriate and ready for unpacking when the time comes around. “And magically,” quipped Liz, “these 800 pounds of items gets categorized, priced, hung, and packed away by 4pm every day”. I watched in awe as the workers intuitively sorted through tons and tons of goods, their eyes dashing across the items for signs of damage and their hands swiftly separating them into various bins.

Furthermore, the help they provide extends way beyond the borders of North America. When goods in the stores do not sell after a certain period, they get shipped to countries such as India, Pakistan, and South Africa where the opportunity to run a business with the donated items becomes a possibility.

So let us sing along to Macklemore’s raps in his hit, “I’m gonna pop some tags//Only got twenty dollars in my pocket//I - I - I’m hunting, looking for a come-up//This is really awesome”. These “come-up[s]” we purchase supports Savers and all other thrift stores around the world to keep things out of landfills and provide jobs. When we “pop some tags” at thrift stores, we are enhancing our creativities and fueling the practice of finding new purpose for previously unwanted items. We are certainly saving more than money at Savers, and all other thrift stores, which is certainly, really awesome.

the word changes | 26

I

t is no wonder Macklemore had a hit single all about it. Thrift shopping, the practice of buying used and unwanted items, has no doubt increased in popularity over the years. More people have discovered the treasures hidden in second hand stores. Young hipsters who are drawn to the search for ‘vintage’ and ‘unique’ pieces have glorified the practice of thrift shopping, and environmentalists pursue it to promote the art of reuse and recycling.

These are the items that have not been able to sell in the shop. They get packaged and will be sent to be sent to third world countries.

Items here get grouped and packaged into clothing bales. Savers usually holds a contest where a bale of clothing gets placed in the front of the store and the person who can guess the weight of the bale will win a gift certificate.

the word changes | 27

Items here get grouped and packaged into clothing bales. Savers usually holds a contest where a bale of clothing gets placed in the front of the store and the person who can guess the weight of the bale will win a gift certificate

The stock room is where the magic happens. Clothes get organized and sorted into bins based on their clothing type and this is where damaged goods get put to recycling. Goods then get priced and organized for going out onto the floor.

the word changes | 28

Download from www.thewordchanges.com

the word changes | 29

p o h S word

ht ehanges c shion fa www.thewordchanges.com

PE ACE Bring calm to your day by grabbing a shirt that reminds you to embrace PEACE. Smile knowing that your fashion choices can affect others in the most positive ways!

Take yourself to new heights in this bold yet casual t-shirt. Everyone will know exactly what you are about, and you only needed to say one word.

the word changes | 30

Elevate

E L E VAT E

TOGETHER

KINDNESS

Bring your favorite outfit TOGETHER in this t-shirt that goes with anything! Dress it up with a skirt, or go more casual in jeans.

Either way, you’ll have a complete outfit, ready for anything and everyone!

Show yourself some KINDNESS by rocking this simple, soft t-shirt, and let everyone know what you’re really about!

Faith DANCE

the word changes | 31

Let the world know how much you love to DANCE in this bright purple shirt. Warning: you may not be able to prevent people from obeying the shirt’s command!

FAITH Whether you are keeping away the chill or looking to have a sleek look, have FAITH that this long-sleeved shirt will do the job. Keep it casual, or dress it up with accessories.

VI C TO RY

COU R AGE Allow your COURAGE to carry you through the day with this roomy black and white purse. Never leave your most important things behind!

the word changes | 32

Victory

The last lap is often the toughest--but declare your VICTORY over life’s challenges in this soft and gorgeously colored sweatshirt. Throw it on for a quick upgrade to your everyday look!

E L E VAT E

the word changes | 33

Elevate

Take yourself to new heights in this bold yet casual t-shirt. Everyone will know exactly what you are about, and you only needed to say one word.

PE ACE Bring calm to your day by grabbing a shirt that reminds you to embrace PEACE. Smile knowing that your fashion choices can affect others in the most positive ways!

SUCCESS SUCCESS doesn’t have to be flashy. Show your confidence in this black t-shirt. Rock it plain, or add a little flair, keep it short or take it all the way--just do you.

ONE WORD Do good while rocking a t-shirt! Show your One Word pride with this bold t-shirt, and a percentage of the cost will go back to supporting the community!

the word changes | 34

Success

COU R AGE

the word changes | 35

Remind yourself of your strength.

Accessorize with a COURAGE t-shirt or necklace. Choose the color that matches your style.

ONE WORD Do good while rocking a t-shirt! Show your One Word pride with this bold t-shirt, and a percentage of the cost will go back to supporting the community!

the word changes | 36

COURAGE comes in all sizes, but fits everyone perfectly. Wear your courage for everyone to see! Choose the color that matches your style.

Courage

COU R AGE

FAITH Whether you are keeping away the chill or looking to have a sleek look, have FAITH that this long-sleeved shirt will do the job. Keep it casual, or dress it up with accessories.

FEARLESS

the word changes | 37

Look fierce while being FEARLESS! Show everyone your true colors in this t-shirt, available in several different color combinations to match your style.

Fearless

the word changes | 38

Together

e g n a h C ) o f o t t e u Timurney in (abnudsoe

My Jo Alcohol A

ws o r r u B e i c l E By

R

the word changes | 39

Rewind the clock ten years, and I was just like any other student at university: I liked drinking alcohol. My housemates and I drank because it was finally the weekend, or because we’d finished that impossible essay. Sometimes we drank simply because we could; we had tasted parent-less freedom and it tasted an awful lot like cheap cider and sickly sweet alcopops.

Three years of balancing inebriation, education and exhaustion passed by quickly. As if against the clock, I ran so quickly into my assumed vision of adulthood that my graduation cap had barely hit the ground by the time I had a ring on my finger and house deeds in the bank.

Just like any other young professional, every Friday night in the calendar was earmarked for relaxation and reward; the end of the work week signaled by the sound of gurgling bottlenecks and tinging glasses.

Then suddenly, my life stopped being ‘’just like any other.’’ The tipsy Friday night sounds of laughter, music, a drunkenly dropped glass shattering, were slowly drowned out by daily sounds of shouting, silence, and illusions shattering. The happily-ever-after I’d sprinted into had become an abyss of abuse I’d spend years running from.

In parallel to abuse, the way I used alcohol changed, too. As the emotional abuse became worse, so did my dependency on alcohol. Drinking became my refuge; my psychological hiding place.

By the time I left that marriage, it was too late. The use of alcohol as a crutch in stressful times had become so ingrained that it would take reaching rock bottom for me to know it was time to change.

For me, rock bottom was lying in a hospital bed on New Year’s Eve, medical drips in my arm and heart monitor to my side. I had been found in my home, alone, surrounded

never been sure, but I am sure it doesn’t matter. The cure remains the same, whichever the reason.

The first glass is always the hardest to get down. Unsettled guts and mental paranoia fight with the remnants of a nearly defeated, but determined whispering voice of reason urging me to put the drink away; this is not the right remedy.

The battle is short and reason retreats quickly, drowned in doubt and fear.

I glance at the kitchen clock. Time is speeding up but I can play its game too; each glass goes down quicker, and takes with it the physical signs of fear. By the time the bottle is finished and returned to its hiding place, I am outwardly unafraid, I appear calm and confident. It is only the appearance that matters. If I can look poised and ready for battle, then perhaps my opponent will not wage such a brutal war. If I am guarded with the internal buzz of my secret shield, perhaps I can make it through another day of mental combat.

I glance at the kitchen clock. 5.45pm. Right on cue, I hear the car pull into the driveway. The engine stops; my stomach flips. The car door slams, the footsteps grow in intensity. Then the final battle-cry: keys turning in the door. My stomach flips as I am once again face to face with the enemy. Strengthened by liquid courage, I lock eyes with the gatekeeper of my daily hell. I run my fingers over my diamond and silver-plated rings, which mockingly remind me of my commitment to a lifetime’s residency with my abuser.

And so the cold war resumes.

...

The ambulance ride to the hospital was the last road in my journey to rock bottom. The journey had taken many years and, as I work on fixing all of the bad habits I developed, I reflect back on wrong turns and the many times I lost my way. So, if you’ll indulge me, allow me to share some of these moments as I continue down the path to healing.

...

I glance at the kitchen clock. I watch as the second hand ticks its final journey: 5 p.m. With a relieved sigh, I reach into the cupboard and find what I need: hidden clandestinely behind a barrier of cereal boxes and pasta packets is my liquid armour. I quickly open and pour the first glass, my hands shaking, cause uncertain. Perhaps it’s because of anxiety, adrenaline, or maybe alcohol withdrawal. I’ve

Just as I likely won’t remember this journey, I don’t remember those.

Blanketing myself in my biggest coat, hiding days-worn, stained and sodden clothes, I leave my hideout and stagger the short walk to the off-license. I wonder if I’m the first customer of the day, or if others like me already been and gone, already searching for answers without questions in their own chosen poison.

the word changes | 40

by empty bottles, having seizures, with a heart rate so high I had to be medically put to sleep to avoid cardiac arrest.

I glance at the living room clock. I watch as the second hand ticks to its final destination: 11 a.m. With a panicked shortness of breath, I hesitantly rise to my feet. I stumble through the obstacle course of empty bottles with unknown origins.

As I try and pay for my shame, I can’t control the shaking.

Perhaps it’s because of anxiety, adrenaline, or alcohol withdrawal. I’ve never been sure, but I am sure it doesn’t matter. The cure remains the same, whichever the reason.

The shop assistant doesn’t meet my eyes as, due to the shaking, he must reach into my trembling purse and count out the small change. He counts aloud but I can’t keep up with the math of 20ps, 10ps and pennies. I don’t need to; I just need the bottles.

I half-run, half-reel home; the worst part of my day is over.

I pour a drink; it isn’t my first of the day because days no longer hold structure. Sleep no longer punctures a day.

I never remember falling asleep, I just seem to wake up; sometimes on the floor, sometimes on the sofa. My bed has long been abandoned and my world is the living room, veiled from others with curtains drawn and the phone unanswered. Drink supersedes all, and time has no place.

he t n o d e en ction, h t d e I reachself-destrus f path o nly darknested. o wai t a h t a and de o choice bu I had nurn back. to t

...

I glance at my mobile’s clock. 12.00 a.m. It’s New Year’s Day. Memories of the last few days are as hazy and blurred as I feel a sensory mess; the sound of sirens, the sharp piercing of injections into my skin, the taste of my first meal in weeks.

They say you should start the new year as you mean to go on. Alone, in withdrawal and aching all over is not how I want to spend my year. It’s not how I want to spend another day, another second.

My body had begun to give up, to wave the flag of defeat.

It remains bruised and battered, this hospital room serve as the setting for its recovery for the next week. And as it repairs, so too does that whispering voice of reason that had for so long been muted: the voice that urged me to put the drink down all those years ago.

As I look around, rock bottom no longer looks so frightening. This hospital room is a starting point, fresh ground from which to rebuild. I know the ground on this new path won’t all be smooth; I may trip on bumps in the road, and there’ll be mountains to climb. All I know is: I reached the end on the path of self-destruction, only darkness and death awaited. I had no choice but to turn back.

the word changes | 41

I hope, in the future, I’ll be able to enjoy alcohol in a safe and regulated way. If not, that’s okay. Right now, I’ll attend meetings and see a counselor when I need to, and keep myself in sober environments. The joy of having a future to look forward to is only overshadowed by the pleasure of having the present.

Benjamin Franklin once said “lost time is never found again.” There are countless days lost to drink that I will never be able to find, but now, time is once more on my side, and I will seize every moment I have on my journey to find myself.

Elcie Burrows is a writer and campaigner from Northern Ireland. She can be contacted at elcieburrows@gmail.com

s s e n l l I y r e t s y t M s o e Th hat Alm e T My Lif d e d En rawley

the word changes | 42

nC a y R y B

L

ife was going pretty good at the time. I was an elementary school teacher in my thirties and had just bought my first house. Along with my house, I had adopted my dog Flair from the local animal shelter. I had an active social life, and was always in the gym during my free time. I was about 235 pounds, and I was lean and muscular. In fact, I was a fitness fanatic.

Little did I realize what was just around the corner.

I can kind of remember the night it first began. I was sitting on the couch with my dog Flair and we both had fallen asleep watching TV. I woke up and right away I knew I had a fever. Just to verify, I took my temperature and it was around 101 degrees. My stomach was a bit upset as well, so I thought I had contracted the flu from one of my students. They were always becoming sick in my classroom, so it made sense at the time. A couple days later, after not being able to hold down food, I felt a bit better.

Almost a week later, I woke up in the middle of the night with the exact same symptoms, but this time my stomach pain was much worse. A few days went by again, though, and I felt a bit better. This would continue on for a couple months before I finally made an appointment to see my doctor.

I was raised in a family of eleven, and in my family, we only went to the doctor if we were just about on our deathbed.

I was already down ten pounds by then and did not feel like myself. In my mind at the time, I felt like I was a bit weak to succumb to seeing a doctor. It was just the way my parents brought me up.

The doctor assured me that the flu was going around and I was working around viruses all day long with 25 little kids in my classroom. I listened as he said I probably had nothing to worry about. I questioned how I could have had the flu, though, every week for the last eight or nine weeks. He said my immune system was probably low and that I should be sure to take more vitamins.

the word changes | 43

Within two days of leaving the doctor’s office with a bit of hope, I was back to being ill. The vomiting had become much worse, with it happening more frequently and violently. I had a prescription to Zofran by now, which is

supposed to help expecting mothers and cancer patients handle nausea a bit better, but it didn’t help me one bit. It had gotten to the point that I went outside my house into the woods next door whenever I had to throw up just to not have to clean up the bathroom every other day. I felt like that little girl from the movie The Exorcist. My fevers were still around 101 degrees and I was getting weaker by the day.

The doctors could not find anything specifically wrong with me. There was no cancer that they detected.

However, they knew something was hurting me. After seeing several doctors and all of them not realizing how severely I was getting sick every few days, I was frustrated beyond belief. One of the doctors actually implied it was all in my head.

Flash-forward six months and two doctor visits later, and I still was not improving. Different doctors had done blood tests and one wanted to remove my gallbladder. He said these were all symptoms of a faulty gallbladder. But after sitting through another test on a cold metal table for an hour, it turned out my gallbladder was fine.

By this point, I had really given up hope. I was down 45 pounds and not feeling any better. I had started chatting with a girl that I liked, but when it came time to start dating, I avoided her. I thought to myself that I would be dead within a year, so why bother starting a relationship? Here I was planning my funeral after this mysterious illness had wiped me out for the last two years.

One year had gone by and I was down thirty pounds. I was forcing myself to eat just so I had some energy. The former fitness fanatic was now lucky to get two or three half-speed workouts in during the week. Most of them would end with my running to the bathroom to throw up everything I ate that day. Life was not good anymore.

It was a struggle to just carry on. I was missing so many days of work and hearing from people about how horrible I looked, I became a bit of a hermit.

During this time, I had researched everything I could find online associated with my symptoms. Doctors had already tested me for Celiac Disease three times, and it came back negative. I came across a post from a lady on one of the websites I was researching, and she mentioned her food allergies. (I had given up dairy for a couple months and my symptoms had never changed half a year earlier.) I read how she took a simple blood test and it showed her food intolerances that she never knew she had.

I immediately contacted one of my doctors about such a test, and he did not sound like it was a promising avenue to pursue. He said if I had a food allergy, there would be different symptoms than what I had. I disregarded that doctor and contacted a company directly that deals with food intolerances. Hope was on the horizon! Flair’s daddy was making a comeback at the last possible moment!

Immediately I placed myself on a “caveman”, or paleo diet. I only ate fruits, vegetables, and meat. Water was the only thing I drank. I used to drink a gallon of milk every two days, but now I realized milk was just a fraction of my kryptonite. It took three months before everything was out of my system and then the symptoms rarely resurfaced if I continued on my simple diet.

A week later as I lay in my recliner sick out of my mind, I received a phone call from someone at the clinic that had done my food intolerance workup. He started off by asking if I had been sick for long. I replied I had been sick for over two years now, and was in fact sick at that exact moment. He said he had news that was hopefully going to change my life.

Once I started feeling better, I started to look for and create recipes for protein shakes and smoothies that would allow me to keep above 200 pounds and retain a lot of my muscle mass. I found a couple whey protein powder mixes that were dairy- and gluten-free and figured out I could add almond milk to them and I still wouldn’t feel sick. I would make smoothies the same way. I’d start off with a scoop of vanilla protein powder, almond milk, strawberries, and some pineapple for a great morning breakfast.

He went on to tell me all the foods that I should avoid at all costs. Gluten, dairy, peanut butter, eggs, whey protein, and about five other items were on this list. I sat there stunned. Everything that he mentioned was basically my whole diet day in and day out. I didn’t eat anything else!

The “flu” that I had been battling for over two years and met with about ten different doctors about, was actually severe food intolerances.

These allergies started out of nowhere with foods that I had always been able to eat prior, and it definitely has taken a bit of time to get used to. I still keep with the simple meal plan of the caveman diet. If cavemen did not have access to this food thousands of years ago, then I probably do not want to eat it.

Looking back, I wonder why none of my doctors ever wondered if this could all be related to allergies or intolerances. When it comes down to it, we are our biggest advocates. Doctors are only human. If you know something is not quite right, keep on pushing forward until you find the answer!

My story has a very happy ending as well, even after those years of sickness and confusion. I quickly noticed another dog that needed adopting at the animal shelter and Flair instantly became a brother to Smoosh. And that girl that I cut off contact from because of my medical mystery? She had always been on my mind. I texted her two months after I received my food intolerance diagnosis and was finally feeling a bit like my old self. I asked her if she was seeing anyone at the moment. She said she wasn’t, and then I explained that I hadn’t ditched her many months ago, it was just that I thought I was dying. Surely she hadn’t heard that excuse before!

the word changes | 45

an. m u h y onl g is not e r a s n Doctorow somethi pushing n kn If you right, keep o ou find quite ard until yr! forw he answe t

That was two years ago when I finally texted her asking her out. Six months later I asked her to marry me. A year and a half after that we got married! A few years ago I was planning the songs that would be played at my funeral (mostly Elvis) while I laid out in my yard next to my dog Flair after getting sick. Now I am married and planning on raising a family in the near future with my wife Katie and my two dogs Flair and Smoosh! God works in mysterious ways.

n a i r a t e g e V Clover / g n Dini URWITZ H C R A

By M

the word changes | 46

G

oing out to eat can often be more than just a diet-buster; it can also be downright unhealthy depending on where you go and what you order—especially if you dine out on a regular basis at some of the national chains that feature mostly processed foods. Some restaurant owners have come to realize that not every diner wants a greasy burger or a big pile of wings and have gone in the other direction, opening places that focus on healthy foods using fresh, local ingredients. While some restaurants that try to focus on healthy options such a b.good or Sweetgreen have items with meat, there are other spots that have decided to be totally vegetarian or vegan because of the belief that eating meat can lead to health issues such as weight gain or heart disease. One local business that seems to be on

the cutting edge of vegetarian/vegan dining is Clover Food Lab, a group of food trucks and brick-and- mortar eateries that focus on made-from- scratch items while leaning towards a fast-food type concept, often associated with unhealthy eating—a stereotype that the growing chain is trying to break.

Clover has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 2008 when founder Ayr Muir debuted a food truck by the MIT campus in Cambridge. Muir—who is a graduate of MIT as well as Harvard—envisioned offering simple, healthy foods while also focusing on the fast-food angle for people on the run who would rather have fresh, unprocessed foods than quick junk-food items with empty calories. The ingredients used at Clover tend to

come from local farms and other businesses because of the freshness of the foods purchased locally, and because the ingredients are local, seasonal dishes tend to be the name of the game. The Clover website shows that their suppliers include such places as Winter Moon Roots in Hadley (winter produce), Chip-N- Farm in Bedford (eggs), Maine Grains in Skowhegan, ME (flour), Christina’s in Cambridge (spices), and Russo’s in Watertown (produce).

Though they also buy from companies outside of the region (such as Timeless Seeds in Montana), the focus is definitely on keeping it local. The menus at Clover are different depending on the location, but options include warm pita bread, tomato soup, potato salad, chickpea fritter sandwich, an egg and eggplant platter, chamomile tea, George Howell coffee, and for kids, a tomato and cheese sandwich. The brick-and- mortar locations of Clover tend to have a minimalist, slightly industrial design with artsy touches here and there, while both the restaurants and the food trucks are also simple in the manner in which the food is ordered and put together, which is the way things should be when the focus is on fast food.

There has been talk in the past of Clover Food Lab possibly going national, and even if this does not end up coming true, its local success is impressive enough, with a number of permanent locations and food trucks now found in the Northeast region—with more on the way. While there are people on all sides of the issue on whether a vegan or vegetarian diet is categorically better for your health than a meat-based diet, one thing is for sure—the fresh, wholesome, and unprocessed dishes found at Clover and other similar spots are a great option for those who like to dine out but also want to try their hardest to eat healthy.

Follow Marc on Instagram MarcHurBoston Hiddenboston

THE WORD CHANGES

the word changes | 50

Podcast

soundcloud.com/thewordchanges

the word changes | 51

Follow OLS Lady Knights on Instagram OLSLadyKnights

the word changes | 52

Do you have an interest in making the world a better place through prayer?

Join the word changes prayer circle facebook group https://goo.gl/OZpUyk