Name: Nicole
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You Gotta Be
March 18th, 2012
SUNDAY’S Lyrics -
I don”t think I have to write much about the power and meaning of this song. It is truly an inspirational song, that reminds us we are often stronger and wiser than we realize we are. Experience is just that. Experience shape us and allows us to be carved into a better version of ourselves… better than the person we were yesterday – if we let it. (When you know better, you do better!) Never doubt yourself! All that you need is within you… and has always been there!
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
You Gotta Be – by Des’ree
Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don’t be ashamed to cry
You gotta be
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
Herald what your mother said
Readin’ the books your father read
Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time
Some may have more cash than you
Others take a different view
My oh my heh, hey
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
Don’t ask no questions, it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can’t stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning
You can’t stop it, if you try to
This time it’s danger staring you in the face
Oh oh oh Remember
Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
My oh my heh, hey, hey
You gotta be
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
A Victim of Stealing & Lying
March 8th, 2012
Last week I posted on Twitter and Facebook:
“Some people forget that stealing doesn’t just involve breaking and entering. There are other shades of stealing, involving intellectual property or plagiarism. But the real crime is when a friend or someone you hold in high regards commits this crime… And you are the victim.”
Last week I was that victim. Someone I trusted, held in high regards, and had a lot of respect for, stole something of mine I’ve passionately been working on for over a year and unbeknownst to them had actually protected! AND they were attempting to pass it off as their own!!! What’s worse is that they involved another party in this deceitful act; and when I confronted both of them, I was encountered by a continuous flow of lies, which they weren’t able to even keep up with. The irony to this story is that both people position themselves in important ambassador roles. (And no they are not National Team or Olympic Athletes!)
At the discovery of this crime I was in shock! My hands were shaking and my heart had a sinking feeling. And while I was upset about the act of theft, I was actually more upset about the betrayal. Moreover, for such an act to come from individuals I held in high esteem, left me in disbelief. When I did confront them, their continuance of lies made it really easy for me to accept the betrayal, and realize my previous perception of them was a misrepresentation. I guess something about seeing someone reveal their true colours, makes it easier to accept a deceitful act.
The problem with a lie is that you have to tell a lie to cover the first lie, and so on and so on. And before you know it, 
you’ve orchestrated this web of lies which you can’t even tell where it begins and where it ends. Ultimately, one lie will be revealed, which will reveal another, and what was once hidden will come to light. The funny thing is people who have no problem lying, may often begin BELIEVING their own lies! Imagine that, lying so well that you believe what you are telling is the truth?
The thing about liars is at the heart of it, they may suffer from low self-esteem, low self-worth, or lack of attention. They want to be viewed in a favourable light, whether that’s to cover up an offence they just committed, or to impress upon another. The act of lying is an attempt to achieve a high approval by others.
As a kid, my mom always told me “Speak the truth, cause it what it may,” and its something that I practice and believe in strongly. The truth may hurt, but it will never hurt as much as a lie. And while a lie, might hurt others on the receiving end, the true harm comes to oneself. A lie can only stand to lose one’s honour, credibility, integrity, and the opinions of others.
As for my situation – I had actually taken steps early on to protect myself, in the event that such a situation should occur. I initially had forgotten I had protected myself, probably adding to my heightened concern and was quickly reminded of this fact…Phew! (When in doubt always speak to a lawyer!) Still, no matter how strong your case is it’s never comforting to know suing is your next act of defence. At this point, I can only hope they do the right thing, but that might be a lot to hope for given their recent actions… Here’s hoping!
#StealingAndLyingIsWrong
Follow Nicole Forrester on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nicoleforrester
Everything wanna be loved
March 4th, 2012
SUNDAYS LYRICS
“Everything wanna be loved.”
One of my favourite movies is The Color Purple. It is a difficult movie to watch at times and one that can often bring me to tears… However it is the scene between two of the main characters (Celie and Shug) near the end which resounds loudly.
Shug: More than anything God loves admiration.
Celie: You saying God is vain?
Shug: No, not vain, just wanting to share a good thing. I think it pisses God off when you walk by the colour purple in a field and don’t notice it.
Celie: You saying it just wanna be loved like it say in the bible?
Shug: Yeah, Celie. Everything wanna be loved. Us sing and dance, and holla just wanting to be loved. Look at them trees. Notice how the trees do everything people do to get attention… except walk?
It is a simple exchange of word between two friends, but carries a poignant message for us all – to pay attention to all that surrounds us AND to remember what everyone wants is to feel like they matter and are loved! I can’t help but echo Maya Angelou’s quote:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Thinking YOU Matter, Nicole
You VS Them
February 26th, 2012
Sunday’s Lyrics:
With any pursuit, whether in athletics or in life in general, there will be numerous factors influencing the end results. However, the common and greatest denominator will always be you. You cannot control everything, but you can control your efforts, energy, focus, commitment and determination (to name a few). In some ways, what you put in will determine what you get. I love this week’s lyrics because the message is that, the real difference-maker is YOU. You are incredibly powerful, probably beyond comprehension. You just have to decide if you are willing to go the distance… And I have a feeling that if you truly apply yourself to whatever it is you are passionate about, you won’t be disappointed with the outcome…. It’s just a feeling…
You vs. Them
Whether or not you win this thing, you’ve got to decide how
you’re gonna walk out of here when it’s all said and done.
…because the game is going to go on.
…and there’s only one rule you’re going to need to know about:
“There are no second chances”
There’s only this moment and the next moment.
Every one of those moments is a test that you get to take ONE time and ONLY one time.
So, if you see an opening, tear into it!
If you get a shot at victory, make DAMN sure you take it.
SEIZE that moment!
That moment is a crossroads where everything you want
will collide with everything standing in your way.
You’ve got momentum at your back.
Fear and doubt are thundering like a
freight-train straight at you.
…and all you’ve got –
…the only difference between making history and BEING history
the only thing — the ONLY thing you can count on at any given moment is YOU!
It’s you versus “them”
… you versus “no”
… you versus “can’t”
… you versus “next year”, “last year”, “statistics”, “excuses”
It’s you versus “history”
… you versus “the odds”
It’s you versus “second place”
The clock is ticking.
Let see what you’ve got.
Blinded By Beauty
February 23rd, 2012
Anyone following me on twitter will catch my frequent tweets about working on my dissertation at various coffee shops. Coffee shops are my sanctuary and library. It’s also a place where you can meet some pretty cool and interesting people. At one coffee shop I frequent, I have become friends with this guy who at first glance could be related to Erkel – down to even the Dad jeans and glasses. Yes, he’s certainly not attractive by conventional standards, but after a moment of chatting with him anyone can see he’s an enlightening and amazing person. In fact, every time we chat he reminds me about what beauty really is.
If you had the chance to be the most beautiful person in the world or to be a Noble Peace Prize winner, which would you choose? I am certain in the recess of many people’s brain, beauty would be chosen… And possibly for understandable reasons.
While intelligence is highly lauded, we still live in a time where beauty advances you. Jessica Bennett from Newsweek points out:
Considered another way, how many people would choose beauty in a mate over brains? 
It’s a tough question, because you can’t see someone’s intelligence or personality across a room. But, you can see beauty. It’s an attractor, possibly a “trophy” to win or to have on your arm for the rest of the world to see.
The interesting thing about beauty in Western culture, is the power of media to shape our perception of it. Often seductively dressed teenage models are air brushed, presenting a pseudo image woman of all ages should desire to replicate and men to fantasize about having as an ideal mate. In fact, the current (February) cover of Canada’s Fashion Magazine a beautiful model named Andrej Pejic graces the cover. Andrej is actually an androgynous male model who is able to change his looks allowing him to model both menswear and womenswear! Andrej is a great example of how media can shift our perception of beauty – he is able to present an image both men and women may desire to look like.
Now you may argue you can’t help what you are attracted to and so you cannot fault someone who is guided by their physical attraction. But, the question I can’t help wondering is: how long does the attraction driven by physical appearance last? I mean it may initiate your interest, but I can’t believe that that it will hold it. There has to be something more. I mean if youth is the standard for beauty, it will inevitably fade with age.
True, there is always plastic surgery and botox, and who knows maybe even a real life “fountain of youth” in the works. So, many people go under the knife in a quest for beauty, but if you’re not beautiful on the inside first, no amount of cutting and stretching and collagen can truly make anyone feel beautiful. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I believed true beauty often cannot be seen across a room. But, it is often uncovered in knowing a person. If only, this fact was something Disney could teach young kids.
As for my coffee shop friend, while he’s no Brad Pitt or Morris Chestnut, I would definitely go on a date with him if he asked me out!
Beyond skin deep beauty,
Nicole