Over the weekend I happened upon a provocative conversation with a fellow train commuter that had me pondering about how and where we should share our impassioned beliefs. I boarded the packed train to Sydney and quickly realised my journey coincided with that of many teens on their way to a music festival: neon singlets and Smirnoff swigged from coke bottles was the apparent order of the day. Upon taking my seat beside an older gentleman, the only free seat in the carriage, I began reading my copy of the Weekend Australian. I was only one paragraph into a story detailing the latest strategy for Afghanistan when the man beside me struck up conversation. He spoke at me for the next hour and a half.

He told me he was 79 years old and I soon discovered that he believed in everything that I did not. He was a Christian author and a creationist who laughed at the the mere suggestion that science could trump religion. He went as far as to attribute Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans hosting the annual LGBT Mardi Gras celebration. He asked me if I had witnessed the Superbowl, it was flaunting evil, he said. It was at this point I could not longer hide my offence at his extreme views. I couldn't help but wonder if the man was deliberately attempting to elicit a similarly passionate counter to his views or if he was blindly evangelical. I think it was the latter.

As a general rule, while not compromising my own views, I try to ensure that I am not actively and purposely battering those around me with my own agenda. What's your tactic? Do you get passionate or keep it light? What are your rules of conversational engagement?

Body image is commonly linked to our self esteem, as such it is a contentious issue that provokes much heated debate amongst men, and more particularly, women, across the globe. When it comes to our bodies, one must consider the question: should anyone apart from ourselves have an opinion on what size we are? Because the issue of body image is also intrinsically linked to our overall health, medical professionals have often weighed in on the issue, urging us to observe a healthy lifestyle in order to avoid ill-health. Nutritionists and personal trainers exist to advise us on how to best work towards adopting a healthier diet and sculpting a leaner body. However, there are also many businesses that thrive on the desire that some men and women have to achieve an unrealistically slim body without adhering to the more sustainable lifestyle techniques such as healthy eating and regular exercise. There are crash diet plans, appetite suppressant pills and meal replacement programs. Procedures such as liposuction and gastric band surgery are more extreme examples of the lengths some people are going to in order to achieve what they perceive to be a more idealistic body.

Of course, one would be remiss in not mentioning the contribution of media to the body image issue. Women's fashion magazines often reinforce the idea that slim equals beautiful, whether purposely or otherwise. To the same affect, celebrities too have been known promote embracing ones own body at any size; such as evidenced in a recent article on Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan who exclaimed she loved her "killer curves". Similarly, Beth Ditto exhibited her comfort as a larger woman when she posed naked on the cover of Love magazine. Extremism on either end of the body image debate is almost certainly detrimental to ones health - so how can a person establish a strong sense of what is best when it comes to their own body, without feeling pressure and inadequacy?

An important consideration to acknowledge is there is no body image norm, nor should there be, we are all built differently.

We were not all built to pull on a size 0 and look like Jennifer Hawkins or Miranda Kerr, nor were we all made with curves to rival the likes of Kate Winslet or Nigella Lawson. But then, this is why the body image debate is so topical - because we have made it an argument based around how we look, often comparatively, not how we feel.


Christina Hendricks, Kate Moennig.
So, while there is no such thing as a "normal" body type, there is an average body size. In Australia, this average size of women is on the rise, with recent studies confirming that Australian women are getting fatter, faster. Earlier this year, there was national controversy about the use of Australian model Jennifer Hawkins on the cover of Marie Claire magazine. Many Australian women objected, claiming that Hawkins was not indicative of a 'real woman' or the average Australian woman. And with the average size currently sitting at around size 14-16, these women are correct, Hawkins is not average. But would a woman who merely ticks the box of being that "average" size, be a more positive body image role model for women? This is where the argument becomes complicated. Should we allow the justification of our size by comparative means, based on the fact that a majority of woman around us look similarly, or should we go further and question the average or perceived "norm" and attempt to discover what is best on an individual level?


Jennifer Hudson, Miranda Kerr.
Justification of our body based on the size of others should be irrelevant, though for many women, it is not. We compare our bodies to that of our friends, classmates, coworkers, celebrities, models and the general public. In order to achieve a healthy attitude towards our bodies, we must move away from this sort of comparison. We must also recognise that our self worth is not derived from the size of our waist. We can achieve a more positive attitude towards our bodies by acknowledging that body image is a health issue, not an aesthetic issue. To this end, we should focus on achieving our own healthy body, rather than attempting to emulate what may be healthy for our best friend, or a celebrity we admire.

So how does one determine their bodies comfortable healthy size? We can start by forgetting about fad diets, regular rapid detox plans, diet pills, surgery or unhealthy workout obsessions - similarly, we should forget about eating takeout four times a week, constantly snacking throughout the day on unhealthy foods or soft drinks or doing little to no exercise in a week. To find what size your body is comfortable plateauing at, one must observe what is widely acknowledged to be a healthy lifestyle - eating predominantly healthy meals at appropriate portion sizes and exercising at least 3 to 4 times a week, doing both cardio and resistance training.

Photos by Leanne Surfleet and natawiedee.

When you know how your body looks and feels when healthy, this is the norm to which you should compare your body going forward. If eating a healthy diet and regular exercise does not get your body to the point at which you believe is optimal for your health, you should consult a nutritionist to ensure your diet contains all the vital ingredients that are necessary to obtain best health, and a personal trainer who can tailor a custom work-out plan. You can additionally consult a General Practitioner who can help uncover any underlying health issues that may be blocking your progress.

In the end, you may find that your comfortable healthy weight is a size 16, or maybe it's a size 8. By being aware of what weight or size your body is most comfortable at when observing a healthy lifestyle, you are able to move away from rationalising or hiding behind slim pride, fat acceptance or national average solidarity.


This is a loaded topic, please be constructive in sharing your thoughts. How do you feel about the body image debate? Are you happy with your body? If you're not, what would make you happy?

At some point in the year we will invariably experience a slump in our usual motivation to perform our jobs or study. This is especially so after returning from holidays. With exciting memories of the weeks past filling our mind, it can be difficult to refocus our attention towards our work or study. Every day tasks seem mundane and pale in comparison to the time we spent away. New people, places and experiences, or even just the opportunity to have total control over how we spend our waking hours can fill our mind with grand ideas, exciting plans and a freshly adjusted sunny disposition and zest for life.


Photo by scui3asteveo.
The problem with this is that our inspired thoughts seem to dissipate with our return to our usual daily grind. One way to combat the back to work and study blues is to choose to own these inspired thoughts wholly and keep them in mind even after the holidays have come to an end. Identifying the way time off makes you feel and considering other ways to replicate or continue those feelings can assist greatly in bringing more positivity and motivation into your usual routine.

Here are a few ideas on how to recapture the holiday glee:

Plan your next holiday
Whether it's a European escape, a few days hiking in the nearby national park or a weekend spa escape, pencil it into your diary and give yourself something to look forward to. Planning an exciting event for each weekend is also great for maintaining motivation throughout the week - it need not be grand, but a trip to the markets, a night out with your mates, a show at the theatre, a trip to the beach, a lunch with girlfriends or any other activity that might be on offer in your town.

Get Organised
Use your day planner to make to-do lists and tick off each item as you go. Make a trip to your local stationary store to get filing trays, folders, post-it notes, notepads, pens - take control of your work or study load and equip yourself for success.

Use Words to Create an Inspiration Board
Clip magazines and newspapers with words that you identify with being on a break from your routine and brainstorm ideas on how to make these feelings happen regularly. For example, if holidays make you feel grateful, you could consider making a list of all the things that you are grateful for each morning. If your break makes you feel refreshed, consider mixing up your routine to replicate the feeling, say have freshly squeezed OJ with your breakfast or go for a brisk walk each morning. Keep the ideas you come up with close by, pinned up on your wall or in your work cubicle.

Health Blitz
This doesn't necessarily mean you must give up your mid-morning brownie, but consider smaller healthy changes such as drawing up an exercise schedule and moving towards more balanced meals. Research new activities to get into this year. Are there hula-hooping groups or a roller rink nearby? Exercising can boost your energy and help you pull yourself out of a rut. Fresh foods have a similar positive effect on your body. Check out the local farmers market at the weekend and pick up some organic vegetables and look online for a new way to use them. Teach yourself a few simple new weeknight meal ideas.

Attend Industry Events
Whether for the industry you are currently working in or that which you are studying to enter, attending industry events can be valuable for keeping abreast of industry developments, networking and getting excited about the intricacies of your industry. Use LinkedIn, newspaper community columns or local industry websites to find events, presentations or conferences happening near you.


What do you do to kick the work or study blues?

The eighties were big. Big hair, big jewelery, big neon colour, big amounts of spandex, big bold makeup, big everything. While most decades tend to be easily defined, the noughties seem to be preoccupied with throwbacks to the all those fabulous decades gone before them. However, the 80's often get overlooked for their gaudiness. They could easily be defined as the era of tacky... but they were a time to be unapologetically bold and fabulous too. Madonna was like a virgin, Spandau Ballet were gold, Olivia Newton-John was getting physical and Cyndi Lauper just wanted to have fun.


Photo by Kekka.

Whether or not you experienced it first hand, the 80's were a decade not likely to be forgotten. Let us celebrate them in all their colourful, gaudy exuberance!

How To Pay Tribute To The 80's:

Crimp your hair and tease it up nice and big.

Throw on some leg warmers and a headband and dance along with Jennifer Beals in Flashdance.

Jump on Youtube and revisit the Care Bears.

Hunt ebay for a vintage scratch & sniff tshirt.

Do it like Madonna: layers of pears, lacy stockings and big blonde teased hair.

Work it in spandex leggings for some ultra 80's glam.

Channel Boy George with bold makeup. Bright eyeshadow! Red Lips! Blush! Extra points: grab yourself some sequinned tails and find somewhere fabulous to party.

Dust off the Spandau Ballet records & get lip-synching to Gold & True.

Shoulder pads belong to the 80's, but the noughties brought a resurgence in this trend

Do the Nutbush.

Aerobics it up in a hi-cut leotard over neon bike shorts

Have Molly Ringwald movie marathon: Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985) and Pretty In Pink (1985).

Grab your friends for an 80's slumber party or if you're feeling brave, rock out 80's style and go public with your throw back love affair.


Now this list is just getting started on how you could pay tribute to the 1980's, that's where you come in - whats your favourite part of 80's style? What 80's music gets you going? How would you celebrate the 80's?

Throughout our lifetimes we will encounter thousands of people. Some of these people will become our best friends, soul mates and life partners, others nothing more than a kind stranger that inspired a thought. Be it our teachers, fellow students, flatmates, travel buddies, baristas, fellow commuters, hairdressers, preachers, bosses; the people we encounter will offer us words and experiences that will help shape us in a myriad of ways.

Consider your friendship circle. Some of us adore being surrounded by large groups of people, not all similarly as close, but all of whom would comfortably be referred to as a mate. There are also those who are more than happy to count their friendships on one hand, opting for a close knit and more intense style of friendship group. Then there is a third group, those who fall somewhere in between, quite close to 1 or 2 friends while maintaining that large extended chosen-family. However you choose to structure your friendships, one universal rule remains relevant – that is to ensure quality friendships are nurtured and toxic ones are purged.


Photo by saaam.

It's important to choose friendships, rather than merely allowing them to prosper out of convenience. Our friends are so influential and we need to ensure that the relationships are predominantly positive, affirming, inspiring and healthy.

If you feel that a friend has been acting out or has callously hurt you on numerous occasions, the most important question to ask when considering their spot in your social network is:

Is their negative behaviour out of character?

If it is, it's time for some one on one time to try and nut out the problem. Chances are your mate is really needing a friend right now. However, approaching a friend to chat about out of character behaviour should be done with care - your friend may not have realised they were acting any different to usual and may feel offended if you boisterously accuse them of doing so.

Try spending some time speaking about how they've been recently, chat about their work, studies, partner, other friends or any family to attempt to uncover any issues that may be impairing their usually fabulous demeanor.

However, if someone in your life is consistently dragging you down and bringing negativity into your life and unwilling to relent in this type of behaviour – the best step is to acknowledge that while the friendship may once have been something amazing and complimentary, it is no longer so, and it is consequently time to farewell the toxic friendship. You owe it to your self to pursue only relationships that are mutually healthy and rewarding.


Photo by CakeFace Originals.

Not all relationships are meant to last forever, but from each relationship we will gain insight and wisdom important to propelling us closer towards being our best self. Part of being the best person you can be is about surrounding yourself with the best people for you. So take the time to consider your friendships, have the important conversations and make the tough decisions.

We are the sum of our experiences, good and bad, and our friends are key players in our script, that is why we must take stock of who we keep close to us.


Have you ever had to work through a tough time with a mate? What about culling someone from your life all together? How did you manage?

The break down of an intimate relationship or close friendship causes our self esteem to be dealt a substantial blow. We are often left feeling disorientated about our place in the world and we can forget how we ever existed before the relationship. We struggle to decipher a path to move forward because the person who would once have been our key support through tough times is now the reason we are trying to heal. With our confidante estranged, we must rally mates, make new ones and for some part, go it alone.


Photo by Martha.
We should take this opportunity to reestablish our concept of self, build up our self-esteem and make up for opportunities that we may not have acted upon while in a relationship. It's important to focus on self-confidence and self-love. Relationships and friendships break down for any number of reasons: from life priorities and key interests being too different to clashing personality types or simply from growing apart.

Break ups don't happen because we aren't good enough, a break up is about two people, not one. However, focusing merely on the idea that we are still fabulous despite, losing our closest ally, isn't necessarily going to lift the cloud of gloom that is not doubt rubbishing our self-confidence and making the world seem like it's spinning in gray-scale. Feel fabulous is hard when you don't believe you are, in fact, fabulous.

There are a number of ways we can recapture the awesome that is us without a plus one, here are a few ideas:

1. Rebuild up your self-esteem

Do something you are good at but haven't had time to do in a while: running, creative writing, baking, theatre, making music, sewing your own clothes, knit a scarf.

Do something people will thank you for: volunteer your time, teach or tutor, bake for someone.

Learn a new skill: play the guitar, take ballet classes, learn to ice-skate, take Spanish language lessons.

Set a goal and start working towards meeting it: train and run a marathon, write an outline for your novel, make a fundraising goal for your favourite charity and organise a fundraiser to meet it, book a stall at the markets and start making stuff to sell.

2. Enjoy sunshine and fresh air

Plan a weekend getaway.

Get up and walk each morning.

Sit outside with a glass of wine and watch the sun set each evening.

Commit to lunch time in the park each day.

Walk to work instead of taking the bus.

Lay in the park to write.

Have you morning coffee in your garden rather than kitchen.

Use the time out in the fresh air to think, be thankful, gain clarity and look to the bigger picture.

3. Focus on your health

Be conscious of the food you are putting into your body: try increasing your energy by upping your fresh fruit and veggie intake. Have a flick through cooking magazines or recipe websites and find a new way to cook your favourite food. If you feel your current diet isn't working for you, try a new way of approaching food - would vegetarianism or more raw food work for you? Trial a new style of cooking and eating, even if only for one day a week.

Use you gym membership or get outside & move more: it is widely acknowledged that the best and most sustainable way to maintain a healthy body is to eat well and move more. In the aftermath of a relationship break down, you undoubtedly have more time to spend focusing on yourself, you should use this time wisely and start an exercise program. Get to the gym four times a week, join a netball team, start dance classes, go jogging. Figure out what sort of physical activity works best for you. A positive and sustainable work out routine is one that you feel happy and excited to get into.


Photo by dotbenjamin.

4. Do something you never thought you could

Love dancing, vintage knickers and Dita Von Teese? Why not take a burlesque class or create your own routine?

Are you in awe of those marathon runners? Get training, register for a half marathon and keep working up to complete your first full marathon. Do it as a fundraising event for charity if you require extra motivation.

Do you bake fancy cupcakes every weekend? Why not apply for a stall at your local market and give selling your creations a go?

Are you a wonder with a knitting needle? List a few of your items on Etsy.

Do you write short stories? Why not put together a plot outline and start work on a novel?

Do you have a killer small business idea? Take a business course or find a mentor and make the first steps towards making your plan reality.

Fancy yourself an adventurer? Put down a deposit on that adventure holiday you've always dreamed of and open an account to start saving the rest of the money you'll need.

5. Avoid couples traps

Acknowledge that some places won't be happy places for you right now. Avoid them for a little while, or be bulletproof with a best mate at your side.

Don't do brunch if that was your 'us' thing. Do coffee and do it somewhere new, do it with your mate, do it with a copy of Vogue. Do it 'you' style, not 'us' style.

Don't go to a romantic comedy and expect it to make you feel warm and fuzzy immediately post-breakup. It won't. All of the couple moments will make you want to cry or throw things and all of the desperately-unhappy-single-girl moments will resonate and help you wallow in self-pity. Be smart, avoid the couple stomping grounds, for now.

6. Let there be change

Your routine will alter, but you need to accept that a different way to spend a Saturday won't ruin your life. Better still, try and accept that it may be even more fun than before.

Your circle of friends may change, it may not work to see some of the mutual friends and you need to work out who you need to spend time with in the post-break up period. You may feel lonely at first, but space away from reminders of your ex partner or bestie will give you time to decide what kind of friend is most important to you.

Your priorities may change and you need to ensure you are focusing on what is most important and best for you. You can listen more closely to your dreams & desires... and act on them.

Give yourself examples of the tried and true. Consider times when change has made your life far better than ever anticipated. Realise that it can and will happen again.

Remember that you don't need to make massive changes to start fresh after a break you. Your best you is still there. You need to recapture the parts of you that may have let slide or act on those little desires you ignored or relegated to the 'one-day' part of your mind when you were comfortably coupled up. You need to grab hold of all those shining qualities you exhibited in your relationship: caring, giving, loving, generous, self assured - all of the great characteristics that make you YOU don't get pushed into relationship purgatory at the end - they are still there and able to be harnessed into the rebuilding of a fabulous single version of you.


Over to you, what works for you after the break down of a close relationship? How do you pep up and move forward?

"Program your environment for success" Dr Phil
Dr Phil says it best, if you want to achieve success in whatever it is you set out to do, you must first enable that success. Take a look at what you're doing. Decide what works, and importantly, what doesn't. Shake things up, try new ways of doing what you're doing, make goals and make them measurable (ie. I'd like to write 1000 words on my novel by the end of the week, not I'd like to work more on my novel by the end of the week). Here are a few ways you can make your physical space more conducive to encouraging personal and professional success.

Desk

• have what you need within reach
  
• throw out pens that don't work, sharpen pencils that are blunt, and no, you do not need 25 pen and pencil options, simplify
  
• have a recycle bin for waste paper
  
• keep it simple, don't distract with too much 'personal stuff' ie. photographs pinned up behind the computer, papers that don't relate to the work you're trying to achieve
  
• adjust your chair and if it just isn't working or you, invest in one that does
  
• keep a jug of water close by

You can't have the mountains, you can have the Tibetan prayer flags. Photo by nickgoesglobal.
Apartment / Bedroom

• put up a calender, use it
  
• clean: vacuum, dust, wipe and put stuff where stuff belongs
  
• declutter: make places for everything and put everything in it's home
  
• have stuff that inspires positive thinking: framed photos, Tibetan prayer flags, vogue fashion spreads, bobble head toys, photos of orangutans, lace drapes, fresh flowers, glow in the dark stickers on the roof, fairy lights, twister doona/duvae cover, words like 'success' or 'triumph' or 'prosperity' or 'victory' scrawled in lipstick on your mirror
  
• make a space for work and a space for rest/play etc
  
• clean out wardrobe: unworn for months? donate/sell
  
• open the curtains and the windows, let in the natural light and fresh air

Computer and Online

• clean up your desktop, make folders, use them, update your wallpaper, create a notepad file on your desktop for recording random thoughts and information
  
• clear your email inbox, reply to everything that requires response, set up folders/tags and file or archive important notes
  
• make a contact list or add contact details to your address book so that you have access to important email addresses in one location
  
• use your Google calender, sync it with your phone (if it has the capability)
  
• make a list daily, keep focus, tick it off as you go
  
• streamline your social media accounts, make sure your avatar is the same across all
  
• clean up your internet presence, if you don't check in on myspace anymore, save what you need to and delete the account (be aware of where you exist online and what potential impact old accounts/blogs have on what you're trying to do online now)
  
• spell and grammar check your blog posts

Plan your week with a weekly moleskine. Photo by Arwens Abendstern.

Etc

• create schedule (for bloggers this could be for when you post and when you use social media, for those studying at university it could be when you fit in uni work around your social activities, for runners it could be setting out when to jog and when to focus on resistance training as well as taking breaks), set out rewards for meeting set schedules (a day off, a meal out, that necklace you spied on etsy, or a trip to the cinema perhaps)
  
• take a look at your budget, or create one, see if you could be saving more, set fiscal goals
  
• if you own or want to own your own small business, research business planning and start working on your own
  
• find role models and learn about how they achieved success, work towards emulating admirable qualities and build on them with your own style
  
• check your diet, have any Christmas eating habits stuck with you and found their way into the new year, are you eating excess food that you would not ordinarily (ie. chocolate covered after dinner mints, salted nuts)?

Now open a blank page in word or your paper journal and write the introduction you'll give when you meet someone new at an industry conference in 5 years time. Who are you? What is your job/role? What do you do every day? Why do you do it? What have you achieved? Why are you so great? What's working for you? What's next?

Create your first set of measurable goals. Those you will have completed by the weeks end. Write a second list that is for monthly completion. Now do what you'll achieve this year. Make each list measurable. For example, if you are considering your blog, rather than stating "I will gain more readers", try "I will gain 500 subscribers", if you're considering your school, instead of stating "I will study more", try "I will achieve Distinctions".


If you found this post to be useful, you may also enjoy Your Work Environment: Creating Physical Balance in an Office.


What are you doing to enable yourself for success? What's your goal for this week?

What happens when you put a former Miss Universe, now model and television presenter, on the cover of Marie Claire magazine, naked and untouched? You stir up a national controversy (and quite probably sell a hell of a lot of magazines, but let's leave that point be). On the eve of the February edition of Marie Claire hitting the shelves, those images of Jennifer Hawkins are warranting a myriad of attention and are bearing the brunt of a lot of angry outbursts of criticism. Woman are cranky. As the discussion continues on news websites, blogs and twitter, there seems to be a two key points of view that are garnering the most attention from those engaging in this debate:

1. A whole lot of women across Australia are outraged at Marie Claire, editor Jackie Frank and some media commentators for insinuating that Jennifer Hawkins could be indicative of a 'real' woman, and that in turn, this cover should inspire positive body image. Their opinion is that it's her job to look slim and healthy and thus this is not only far from groundbreaking, but it's insulting. Why not use an unknown 'real' woman, they cry? In fact, a poll on the website of Australian news program, the 7pm Project indicates that 71% of women do not believe the Jennifer Hawkins photo shoot promotes positive body image (accurate at 11:31pm, 4 January 2009).

2. There are woman worked up on the other side of the argument too. They argue that Jen may be slim, and a model, but she is foremost a person, a woman. She clearly observes a healthy lifestyle to maintain her body, but why should she be exempt from the category of 'real women' just because of her occupation or popularity?

Marie Claire editor Jackie Frank spoke with Melissa Hoyer about the unfolding controversy, Frank admitted "Yes, Jen is genetically blessed" and went on to pose the question "...but no one has considered the point that Jen has made a living out of her body and that makes it even braver to put herself out on a limb imperfections and all?".

It seems people, women in particular, are more interested in drawing comparisons than applauding what is quite clearly a step in the right direction for woman and the magazine industry. The key comparisons coming out of the debate are:

Between the average size for Australian woman (it's a 16 by the way); is it ok to justify our size just because it is the national average, or should we perhaps be concentrating more on how appropriate our weight makes us feel and how healthy it is for our height and lifestyle?

Between Bianca Dye's recent nude photo-shoot which appeared in Madison magazine. Bianca criticized Jennifer and Marie Claire saying, "Jackie Frank is one of the most respected editors in the country and I am in shock that they would say Jennifer Hawkins is a natural role model. Its like we've taken 20 steps backwards.", Jennifer may not have a pot belly, but she stands to represent all the other slim women who, despite their lack of womanly curves, are just as 'real' as the rest.

And finally, women have been drawing the comparison between Jen and themselves. Some women are happy to deem Hawkins 'brave'. While others are more interested in slamming her for her size, Marieke Hardy tweeted, "I'm appalled that they're putting someone with a model's bod on the cover and calling her 'real'.".

The purpose of running this cover was to draw attention to the issue of re-touched (photoshopped) images and to open up discussion on body image and the link between our physicality and our self esteem. We can argue that the two should not be linked, but that's not going to solve the fact that for so many young women, how we look directly correlates with how good we feel about ourselves.

So is a magazine responsible for the self esteem issues that young women have relating to dissatisfaction they feel about their bodies? Not entirely so, but some accountability should be placed on the part of magazines similar to Marie Claire. These magazines are aimed at us as women, to sell us stuff and to sell us ideas. For this reason, it is absolutely a magazine editors responsibility to ensure they are not actively promoting images that are unattainable, as the ideal body. We need a balanced representation of women in all parts of the media, including the magazines we read. But let's not turn this into a magazine slating session: there has certainly been a marked improvement in the inclusiveness of the range of women represented in the pages of our favourite magazines. Do they have a way to go? There is always room to improve, no doubt.

The intensity of this argument begs the question, why are woman so hard on each other? Are we our own worst enemies? Why did Bianca Dye slam Jennifer as a role model? Why is anonymous commentary all over the internet calling Jackie Frank out and saying all she wants is to sell her magazine? As women, we need to restore the sisterhood: tell the girl with the pretty dress that you love how she wears it, don't snidely remark that she is a slut or a bitch. For more on our seemingly innate need to judge each other, see Detrimental Female Behaviours: Judge & Compare.


Over to you, what do you think of the Marie Claire cover? And what about how women judge other women, how can we stop doing this? Are you happy with you body? If not, what are you doing about it?

Pink Balloons
Originally uploaded by D Sharon Pruitt

As the year draws to a close, it is easy to become swept up in new years eve festivities: good food, pretty shoes, friends, family and firecrackers. However, it is important to recognise the benefit of taking some quiet time out to reflect on the year that was. By considering our achievements as well as our lessons learned, we are able to better focus on moving into the new year with greater pride and stronger resolve.

It has been a tough year for so many with the global financial crisis saw many losing jobs and struggling to make ends meet. In the news we have heard of ongoing conflict in Congo, we have seen more soldiers committed to efforts in Iraq and we too have heard of Tamil's displaced from their traditional communities in Sri Lanka. We have seen our world leaders fail to come together and create an ambitious and legally binding commitment on lowering carbon emissions at Copenhagen. Some of us have had loved ones become ill and some of us have experienced the death of someone close to us. All of us were touched by the tragic loss of the Prince of Pop, Michael Jackson in June.

Despite any injustice and loss that we may experience, we must not become consumed by negativity or discouraged from fighting for what we believe to be right. Each step we make towards reaching personal or community goals creates change, no matter how inconsequential it may seem. Remembering that we can all create positive change is a thought we need to take into the new year. Resolve to seek greatness, not mediocrity. However, we must be kind to ourselves and be reasonable in the goals we pursue.

Overcoming Discouragement
1. Instead of being overwhelmed by the lack of commitment at Copenhagen, why not read as many books and articles as you can get your hands on and arm yourself with the knowledge you need to campaign for change and educate those around you?

2. Instead of beating yourself up for not losing the weight you pledged to lose at the turn of the last new year, why not create a fitness plan you know will work for you? Incorporate activities like hula hooping, skipping, rollerblading or touch football. Don't aim to lose weight, aim to get fit & have fun.

3. Instead of making a new years resolution to become 'rich' or 'famous', why not consider what it is that you are good at and strive to achieve success within your field? With success, financial reward and recognition will follow.

By changing the way we rate our achievements and reconsidering the need to berate ourselves for goals not reached, we put ourselves in a position to better find success and contentedness.

Actions Moving into 2010

• Make a list of the hurt, loss, pain, discouragement that you felt in 2009. Beside your list, write a few words that form the action you're going to take to turn things on their head in 2010 and make your world a better place to be.
  
  
• Write down your achievements from 2009, no matter how big or small. Now write how you plan to build on them in 2010.

A year ago I spoke about The Only New Years Resolution You Really Need, that resolution was:

I will be the best I can be.
And going into 2010, this resolution is still the only one you truly need. It covers all manner of success and encourages the reaching of goals in good conscious. As you contemplate the year that was, be kind to yourself, forgive any transgressions and focus on actionable solutions.

For more tips on new years resolutions see, How To Make 2009 Your Year and The Only New Years Resolutions You Really Need in 2009.


How was 2009 for you? Do you have resolutions for 2010?

It's summer festival time in the southern hemisphere and amongst all of the excitement of choosing which bands make your must-see list, it's easy to forget the essentials when it comes to pre-festival packing. This is especially so when you're planning to be camping on-site for a multi-day festival. Despite best intentions, we inevitably find ourselves throwing things into our rucksacks at the very last minute and forgetting those bits and bobs that we really hope not to forget, like loo roll & a toothbrush! To make your festival experience a little more care-free & assist in ensuring you're truly and utterly prepared for your next summer festival, why not follow this easy to use festival preparation guide?


Photos by Ian Wilson and Bérenger ZYLA.
1 week out

• Make sure your ticket has arrived in the post, or is available to pick up upon arrival. Chase up if necessary!
  
• Have you booked transport? If not, get organising: car pool, bus, train - book it now.
  
• If it's been a while since you last pitched your tent, give it a trial run in the yard. This will ensure your festival home still has all of it's poles and pegs.
  
• Check you own both gumboots and thongs. You won't know which you need until you arrive. It could quite possibly be that both are required.

2-3 days out

• Do a load of laundry, most importantly, be sure to include enough sets of knickers to see you through each day of the festival. Also include in your load, a towel, swimmers (these double as underwear or a top depending on need and weather!), jeans, socks and singlets.
  
• Check the state of your sleeping bag. Air out or put in the washing machine if necessary.

The Day Before

• Pack your clothing, towel and shoes you won't be wearing on the day you leave.
  
• Pack loo roll (this is important), wet wipes, hand sanitizer and a bunch of plastic bags.
  
• Get together all of your camping gear: torch, tent, sleeping bag, mozzie spray, sunscreen, plates, cutlery, mug & food if doing your own cooking.
  
• Do a supermarket run. Pick up extra batteries for your torch as well as snacks like chips, rice crackers, muesli & nuts. Save your dosh for the over-priced beer in plastic cups.
  
• If you don't own a watch, pick one up from the chemist or local servo. Depending on how long the festival lasts, chances are come mid to end, your phone battery will have died and a watch will make finding the right stage at the right time a much simpler task.

The Morning of

• Pack your bathroom bits and pieces: any makeup you use, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.
  
• Double check you have your ticket (for both the festival & your transport). Have fun!!

For more tips on preparing for the summer festivals, see the Girls Guide to Festival Fashion.


What is your must-have festival item?

It's nigh on Christmas Eve and it's well and truly time to get into the spirit of Christmas. Whether you are Christian, or simply cherish the opportunity the holiday season gives you to spend time with loved ones, Christmas is a most magical time of year. The lead up to Christmas can be a manic rush of gift shopping, food preparation and long overdue catch-ups with loved ones, but come Christmas Eve it's time to slow the pace and enjoy the season. How will you be spending your Christmas Eve? Here are a few ideas:

Christmas Carols
Outwardly you believe them to be tacktastic seasonal gimmicks, but don't you secretly love them? There is something for everyone when it comes to carols: from Hi 5's version of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, to Elvis Presley's Here Comes Santa Claus. Then there is Bruce Springsteen with Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and Bing Crosby's White Christmas. For tunes that the whole family will love, The Jackson 5 have covered the classics and so too have some other Motown legends like Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. Pick your favourites, turn them up loud & sing-along. What's your favourite Christmas carol?


Photo by 1Happysnapper.

Dips & Chips
If you're not off to Christmas mass, then chances are you'll be sat around the telly watching Carols by Candlelight or re-watching Love Actually (and trying to figure out once and for all whether Colin Firth is the man for you, or is Hugh Grant more your style?). What better than a few pre-Christmas treats? Corn chips with dip are perfect seasonal snacks, here are a few ideas:

• Corn Dip: Mix a jar of corn relish with some Philadelphia cream cheese and serve in a bowl with corn chips.
  
• Guacamole: mix an avocado or two with a diced tomato and dollop of sour cream, add salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon to taste. Serve with corn chips or water crackers.

Inexpensive and super simple but both dips look kind-of-fancy & taste delicious!

Wrap it up
Take some pride in your wrapping this year! It may be last minute but give it a real go anyhow: paper, ribbons, gift tags, bows - the whole deal.

• Pick a colour theme and stick with it, eg. gold gift wrap, ribbons & pen on your gift tags.
  
  
• Be original and eco-chic by using old newspaper or your favourite pages from magazines as wrapping paper (hint: the fashion spreads would work a charm). Add a little extra pizazz by using pretty fabric or ribbon to tie a big bow around your gift.
  
  
• Using some coloured cardboard and crafting scissors, cut out some tags for each of your presents and hand write a short message on each.
  
  
• Curl ribbons by cutting a length and running your scissor along the edge swiftly, like this.

If you don't have anyone you can give a gift to, or even if you do and you still have a few dollars left, why not pick up an extra gift and leave it with a charity that assists families at Christmas? You'll often find bins for donations outside department stores, alternatively, pledge a few dollars online at your favourite charity, this time of year can be a financial stretch for so many non-profits.

Dress Up
'Tis the season to be jolly, or so the saying goes, so why not bring a little joy with a pretty frock or ribbons in your hair? Have a dig through your wardrobe for any red, green, gold or silver and piece together a few seasonal outfits for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Try:

• Hair ribbons, bows or headbands
  
• Knee socks and heels
  
• A big skirt or dress with a satin sash
  
• Tacky dangly seasonal earrings or a big santa brooch
  
• Scarves, tied around your neck, used as a belt or as a head scarf

Be sure to take some outfit photos and post them on flickr to share.


Photo by treslola.

Cider
Alcohol or non, cider seems all the more merry at Christmas time, so grab a bottle, pour a glass & enjoy the sparkling apple goodness.

Write a letter
The holidays tend to take us away from our usual jobs and give us a little more time for sentimentality. Take 20 minutes to sit down with a pen and paper to write a letter to someone you think is simply marvelous. Tell them they have made your year wondrous & that you're thinking of them this Christmas. Decorate the letter with coloured pens, glitter, magazine cut-outs & stickers. Pop it in an envelope and stick it in your purse, send it on it's way next time you pass a letter box.

Set the table for Christmas lunch
Before turning in for the evening, why not throw the table cloth down, set the cutlery, crockery & glass wear. Decorate the tables centre with bon-bons and candles. Give yourself a head start on Christmas lunch by ensuring all is in order at the dinner table.

Enjoy the season, be it Winter or Summer
If you're in the southern hemisphere you will have spent the past month basking in what has been day after day of 30 degree temperature and upwards. Make the most of the weather by getting down to the beach or lake, going for a picnic under a big tree, eating a Callipo, making iced tea, having a beer on the deck, wearing a sun-dress, rollerblading or cooking up a BBQ lunch (mushrooms, tomato, guacamole & chips, pineapple!). If you're currently enjoying Christmas version winter wonderland, get snuggly under your doona for a screening of Love Actually or pop on some gumboots and go stump in settled snow & puddles, drink mulled wine and head to the winter markets for roasted nuts and fairground rides.


How will you be spending your Christmas Eve?

Sometimes street art is the positive reminder you need to shine a little brighter, push a little harder & smile a whole lot more - have you seen any great street art or public signs that have made you smile recently?

The 10th of December is Human Rights Day and in 2009 the focus is on non-discrimination. 60 years ago the United Nations established the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. You can learn more about Human Rights Day and what is happening around the world here.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights"
UN Declaration of Human Rights

So what about some of the simple ways we can make constructive contributions to supporting human rights for all? Here are a few ideas:

• Attend a lecture, seminar or event in your community to learn more about a pertinent social justice issue. Check for event listings in your local newspaper. Learning is a catalyst for creating powerful positive change.
  
  
• Instead of walking by the charity collector outside your train station or supermarket, donate your lose change.
  
  
• Instead of skimming over the world news, have a read about what's going on in Iran.
  
  
• Pick up a copy of your favourite national newspaper and write a letter to the editor in response to an article on a national or international humanitarian issue that was covered in the paper ie. Tamil asylum seekers on route to Australia or reaching a fair and binding deal in Copenhagen.

Photo by isafmedia, simminch.

• Wear a badge, patch, bag or create your own slogan t-shirt showing support for a humanitarian cause. Craft a succinct, non-patronising response to give when you get asked what your badge, patch, bag, t-shirt is about.
  
  
• Instead of buying a latte or bottle of coke today, donate a few dollars to a charity such as Oxfam who are currently assisting the survivors of Myanmar's 2008 cyclone to rebuild their communities.
  
  
• Help sponsor Jeanima in Haiti. An initiative by one clever blogger that allows us to come together to provides Jeanima with food, clean water, medical care, and fees for school.
  
  
• Visit the websites of non-government organisations and read about what's happening around the world. Find out about how you can get involved in eradicating human rights abuses. Amnesty International's How You Can Help page is a great place to start.
  
  
• Spread the word of a cause you feel passionate about by tweeting from act.ly, or you could even start your own twitter petition campaign for others to join with you in a call to action.
  
  
• Support the work Oxfam International does in seeking social justice for all by choosing a truly unique Christmas gift from the Oxfam Unwrapped catalog.

Causes that need your support right now:

• Call on Belarusian President to Free Youth Activists
  
  
• Call on Honduras to Hold Security Forces Accountable for Human Rights Abuses
  
  
• Help stop Catastrophic Climate Change

What will you do to mark Human Rights Day 2009? What humanitarian cause (in your own country or abroad) concerns you most at present?

Whether you're stuck in a rut of routine or if you're actively focused on how you would like your life to be as oppose to how it is at present, we can all benefit from continually striving towards positive self-improvement. By acknowledging the things that make us happy and learning to harness the motivation offered by these triggers we can not only transform our own reality but that too of the world around us.

Maintaining balance is important in all areas of our lives, including self-improvement. Attempting massive change of any kind will inevitably prove unsustainable in the long term. A method by which to feel greater self-improvement is to focus on one part ourselves at a time.


Photo by ianqui.

Try focusing on your mind, body and outward actions separately at first. As you establish new positive behaviours in one of these areas, move onto the next before combining the new behaviours and continuing to focus on overall achievement of a more positive self.

The key to maintaining greater positivity in our lives is to focus on transforming behaviour from the inside out and taking ownership of our ability to choose. We must acknowledge that we have ultimate control over how we experience the world. Our reactions as well as how we spend our time are what make up our reality and only we have the power to control these things.


Inner Self
Start a collection of things that trigger positive thoughts: a box of magazine cut outs, photographs pegged on twine, a tumblr full of images & words, art framed and hung on your walls, souvenirs from your travels, newspaper articles, beautiful fashion or an inspiration board combining all of these things.

Find your mantra: song lyrics, a quote, poetry. Find words that truly speak to your desire to be the best you can be. The right combination of words can rouse hope & optimism in the midst of the most difficult of times. Write your mantra in your diary, frame and hang it on your bedroom wall, write it in lipstick on your mirror, make it your laptop wallpaper, pin it up on a post it note at your office, make stickers to leave in random spots and share it with the world.

Quiet time: find a few moments to reflect on your day, or your intentions for the day to come. Try allowing a few moments of actively engaging in your plans for the day while showering in the morning or over coffee. You could also make use of the time you have during activities such as yoga, pilates, running or commuting. Spend time considering what you've done, what you'd like to do and how you'll get there. Use quiet time to bring consciousness to your daily thought, emotions and actions.


Photo by Purple Vintage Space Princess Photography.

Body
Often depressive moods and lack of energy can be symptomatic of our body not getting the nourishment and care it requires. By ensuring we focus on our health and presentation we are able to unify our external self with internal resolve to lead a more positive lifestyle.

• Food and Drink: eat fresh vegetables rather than frozen, cut down on carbonated drinks and instead choose fruit smoothies, snack on strawberries or unsalted nuts rather than crisps and chocolate, if eating takeaway go for subway or sushi rather than a burger. And drink water! if you've already had a meal and feel yourself craving snacks, drink a pint of water before turning to the box of biscuits, it could be that your body is feeling dehydrated.
  
  
• Exercise: You know your body and you know your food intake, adjust your levels of physical activity so that it suits your personal needs. Exercise will give you more energy, keep you trim and maintain your health. If traditional exercise is not your game, try incorporating more physical activity into your days: walk to the grocery store, cycle to work, do resistance training while watching television. Another alternative is to look beyond treadmills and cross trainers- why not try hula hooping, rollerskating, skipping, dance classes or martial arts.
  
  
• Clothing & Presentation: how we look can be indicative of how we feel about ourselves. Think about how you would like for the world to perceive you. Now think about how you currently present yourself and whether it is in line with how you feel about yourself. Consider when you feel most confident and comfortable. Look to those whose presentation and style you admire most. Spend some time considering your personal style and commit to presenting your best you each time you dress. Wear things that make you feel beautiful and confident. Go through your wardrobe and get rid of anything ill-fitting or that doesn't make you feel good about yourself. Hit the markets of local op-shop and pick up a few pieces that you might not ordinarily choose but would quietly covet. Don't look at others and wish to dress as they do, find what you love most and just do it! Create a style journal with outfit ideas, photos of your favourite looks and style tips that you find useful. Also see 14 Items To Enhance Your Daily Style.

Outwards Actions & External World

• Learn: read every day, newspapers, blogs, books, graffiti, tweets, press releases, journal articles, statistics. Seek information actively. It will not only allow you to learn about the world around you but it will also give you a greater sense of perspective.
  
  
• More on Perspective: check out the websites of NGO's, Oxfam, Amnesty International, the United Nations. Read case studies and go through national statistic reports that your government departments complete. Watch world news rather than just local news. If you're a college student in the United States, make it your business to find out what someone your age is doing in Kenya or Russia or China. Allow yourself to become aware of what is happening outside of your reality and allow it to better shape how you appreciate your own circumstances or react to occasions in your day to day.
  
  
• Participate: be active in your community, visit markets, campaign & demonstrate, attend talks, volunteer, grocery shop locally at independent stores, go camping or hiking in local bushland, contribute to your local newspaper or write a letter to the editor. Allow yourself to be moved by new knowledge and share your own thoughts with others. Start respectful conversations. Expand your horizons beyond your usual set of acquaintances and learn from the people you meet.

What do you concentrate on when readjusting to a more positive outlook?

It can be easy to become trapped into wondering how we can help and make a difference in the world when we don't have a lot of money to throw at a cause. Money certainly goes a long way towards improving the social standing of disadvantaged individuals, families and communities but so too do other contributions. In times when money is tight it's important that rather than discounting the opportunity to contribute to a charitable organisation, we rather take a fresh look at the ways we can contribute.

So how can progressive & positive change be achieved when money is not something we have in abundance? Let's take a look at just a few ways:

Donate clothing, books, cd's, movies, homewares. The old saying is true: one mans junk is anothers treasure. Don't throw out your old belongings if they still have some life in them. Charity stores are always looking for new bits and pieces to sell and raise funds for their cause, without donations these sorts of stores would not be able to operate. Try and take a look around your house quarterly. At the beginning of each season, look at what you may have that has sat in your apartment collecting dust for the past few months. Ask yourself if someone else would find greater value in the item? And while you're at the charity store donating your goods, why not purchase a few items that you may require. Buying at charity stores is eco-chic and charitable too!

Donate time. To local school, charity stores, outreach programs. Life can get hectic and charities often have difficulty filling volunteer slots at their organisations. Look for charities that operate locally and see if they are looking for help - even a few hours a week can make for a valuable contribution to the life of an individual or group that is at present less fortunate.

Swap your purchases. Instead of buying Marie Claire buy The Big Issue; instead of shopping at Top Shop try the British Heart Foundation charity store.


Photo by rofanator.

Spread awareness. Chances are there is a social issue that makes your stomach churn and conjures up exciting thoughts in your mind. Think about the topics that rile up passion and anger and leave you with an urge to set things right. Put your thoughts to paper, or screen. Blog it, submit a piece to your universities magazine, write to your member of parliament, organise a fundraising event, speak to your friends. Be a conversation starter! Words create ideas, ideas become actions and actions change the world. It all starts small, but someone needs to start it, why not be that someone?

These actions are just as important as giving big sums of cash, your time is valuable, as are the possessions you no longer require. Don't underestimate how important what you have can be to someone else.


What are your good deed ideas?

With 11 months just about down and one to go, 2009 is almost over. Before end of year celebrations, or commiserations, get too hectic, let's use this opportunity to take a stroll back through the big news stories of 2009. From the devastating to the exhilarating and the bits and pieces in between.

First up, the stories that shocked, saddened or frustrated us:

Global economic crisis: the banks are baled out by the government, the banks award their employees big (BIG) bonuses. Uproar ensues, & rightly so.

Global outbreak of swine flu (H1N1): sneezing is now suspicious behaviour and the sale of mouth and nose masks soar, but perhaps with due reason, the virus has cost thousands of lives.

David Tennant, everyone's favourite Doctor, devastated Whovians around the world when, in 2008, he announced that the end was nigh for his incarnation of the Doctor. 2009 would see his final episodes as the Doctor, he would be time travelling no longer. But he came good when he delighted fans at Comic Con when he kissed John Barrowman.

In May, North Korea defied the 2006 United Nations resolution when it went ahead with a nuclear test that seismologists confirmed had the power of a 4.5 earth quake (source). A move condemned by the wider international community, and described by Susan Rice, U.S Ambassador to the United Nations as "a grave violation of international law".

The news of Michael Jackson's death shocked the world on the 25th of June, gone but not forgotten, he'll always be the King of Pop.

After what will be a 25 year run as reigning Queen of day time television, Oprah announces her plans to call time on her talk show in September 2011. In a similar turn of events, much loved award winning Australian comedian and talk show host Rove McManus announced on his 2009 season finale that the show would be his last. An end of an era was heralded with Rove adapting what has become his weekly show sign off of 'Say hi to your mums for me' this time asking his audience to... 'Say bye to your Mum for me'.

Fortunately, it's not all been so dreary. 2009 has had it's fair share of stuff that falls firmly under the category of things that just make you stop and say AWESOME. Let's take a look at some of the moments that made 2009 an awesome year:

JK Wedding Dance
When Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz decided to dance their way into wedded bliss they could not have predicted the level of international acclaim that their wedding entrance dance would receive. The video has been watched by millions around the world and has earned them scores of television appearances. The couple have used this exposure positively, setting up an official Jill and Kevin Wedding Dance website where they invite donations to the Sheila Wellstone Institute which aims to eradicate domestic violence. Stop by jkweddingdance.com for more information and to donate. Move over Gisele & Tom, the Wedding Of The Year crown goes to Jill and Kevin!



Obama Becomes President of the United States of America
Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America on the 20th of January 2009. Just months later he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Yes We Can!


Photo by SpreePiX - Berlin.


US Airways Flight 1549 Lands in NYC's Hudson River
A US Airways flight on its way to North Carolina was forced to land only 6 minutes after take off after striking a flock of Canadian geese. All 155 passengers on board were successfully evacuated. In New York's Hudson River! Three cheers for the pilot!


Photo by jimdavidson.


Lady Gaga Demands Equality
In between the string of chart topping hits and tearing up the festival circuit, Lady Gaga found time to support the LGBT community and campaign for equality. The the empassioned speech at the National LGBT Equality march? The rendition of Imagine at the Human Rights Campaign National Equality Dinner for Gay Rights? We bow down to you, Lady. Check both spectacular moments below:





Kurt Fearnley Conquers the Kokoda Trail
Defying the odds and proving that with a bit of grunt and determination most anything is achievable, 28 year old paralympian Kurt Fearnley conquered Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. What makes this tale so undeniably impressive is that Fearnley was born without legs and so, using his hands, crawled the 96 kilometre track. And if that's not enough, Fearnley used to trip to raise awareness for Movember.


Photo by 768.



This list is by no means exhaustive, it's not even comprehensive, that's where you come in - what's made your 2009 awesome... or not-so-awesome?

Twilight mania is in full force: Stephanie Meyer is the new J.K. Rowling (move over Hermoine Granger, there is a new head girl in town *ushers in Bella Swan*) and vampires are the latest incarnation of the sexy that Justin Timberlake so kindly brought back for us in 2006. Thanks to Twilight, and in particular Robert Pattinson's Edward Cullen, girls across the world have swiftly moved the focus of their obsession from wizards to vampires.

So how is it that this modern fantasy has achieved such cult status? On the surface the adoration of this series could be put down to it's being an alluring fantasy starring a leading man that ticks all the boxes (powerful? check! bad boy? check! gorgeous? check!), but if one were to look a little deeper, attribution of exactly what it is that has made Twilight a world-wide phenomenon becomes layered and debatable.


Photo by lyk3_0n3_tym3.

The Twilight series is certainly not winning any prizes for liberalism: gender roles remain traditional and the characters chaste in their pursuit of passion. Author, Stephanie Meyer is a Mormon whose religious affiliation becomes relevant when looking at the theme of chastity observed by the lead characters, Edward Cullen and Bella Swan (until the fourth book at least). Could the Twilight obsession have anything to do with attraction to these more conservative themes or is it the flip side of the coin? Are we following Edward and Bella in admiration for their adherence to a chaste relationship or is it the unfulfilled sexual tension that keeps us glued to the screen - are we eagerly awaiting the moment where Bella and Edward fulfill their desire to be together?

Moving past the underlying theme of chastity, one must look to the emotional relationship Bella has with Edward. Bella is a young woman drawn to a man she knows is not good for her, she plays out the well documented lust so many entertain, that of desire for a 'bad boy'. Bella allows herself to be the damsel in distress, as she lusts after a man who will rescue her, time and time again.

"Beyond the allure of forbidden fruit, there is the thrill of being someone else's forbidden fruit - of being desired in spite of it being wrong, or possibly even because it is wrong. It's one thing for one available person to attract another, but what an affirmation of one's desirability and worth to be attracted and pursued by someone who is unavailable, or to be unavailable oneself and yet be pursued by others." Steven D. Greydanus, decentfilms.com


Photo by GeekMom Heather.

It should go without saying that the world-wide obsession with Robert Pattinson goes beyond his physicality. While his aesthetic appeal is undeniable, there must be a deeper and more compelling reason that this 23 year old English actor has set pulses racing across the globe. Is our interest in Edward Cullen one that stems from a desire to win over a man who is struggling with his own self-control, do we simply desire to have a powerful, tortured man fall in love with us despite his best efforts to the contrary?

Sue Bohlin of Bible.org has another idea, she believes that the attraction to Robert Pattinson's character is down to similarity with another leading man, "What struck me as I read Twilight is how much the vampire Edward displays the beauty and strength of the Lord Jesus Christ. No wonder people are attracted to him!" Whether you agree with that sentiment or not, Bohlin strikes a chord that has the potential to be more broadly accepted when she notes, "I believe it's easy to get wrapped up in the transcendent relationship of a god-like figure". This certainly is true, the success of all sorts of ideologies rely on us wanting to put our faith in something greater than ourselves. Is Edward Cullen that something greater for Twi-Fans?

If one were to look to fan-art in an attempt to decode just what is going on in the minds of Twilights most dedicated fangirls, one would only have to glance around livejournal communities and flickr groups to notice common references to being rescued, saved and unconditionally loved.


Photo by i_heart_him.

This sort of fan-art reinforces the damsel in distress fantasy to attain a man who will unconditionally come to your rescue and too that of the desire to enchant a tortured & powerful soul like that of Edward Cullen. Should the question then be raised of whether the idea of a tortured soul is equated to a passionate partner?

Initially, it could be said that Edward's relationship with Bella is about practicing great self-control. Despite his desire to be with her, it is his desire to protect her which is greater. Are we attracted to a partner who cares so much about us that in doing so he denies himself? Perhaps so, but it could also be that we are attracted to a partner who is while powerful, also domineering and controlling.



Do we really want to give power to leading ladies like Kristen Stewart's Bella Swan, who forgoes her independence and gives herself entirely over to a man in the pursuit of love. Is this the ultimate act of love or a brand of romance that modern independent women should be rallying against? Is Bella Swan the positive role model we need young women aspiring to be? Maybe. Maybe, Bella actually indicative of love transcending all odds, true love conquering all.

A final thought on the powerful seductive appeal of Twilight and the Edward and Bella relationship must be on that of attraction to those who are different. In a swing away from admiration for the traditionally popular high school cliques of jocks & cheer girls, there has been a recent uprising of geek-chic. Do we now admire those who skip on the other side of the path, marching to the beat of their own drum? Is this a new brand of liberal thinking that has us appreciating and celebrating difference - is admiration for the vampiric Edward a nod to those who are not usual?

...or maybe we just like the idea of a pale yet sexy English fella biting our neck and sucking our blood...


What do you think?

There are many different types of roses and while the rose has long been a symbol of love and romance, did you know that each colour rose has a special meaning? Or did you know that there is some significance in the number of roses exchanged? We've decoded the secret language of roses so that next time you give or receive the gift of a rose you can enjoy the symbolism as well as the beauty!


Photo by Hamed Masoumi

Red: Love, Romance, Passion
Give a red rose to your partner as a romantic gesture if the relationship is new or for longer standing relationships, to show them you still think they're sizzling!

Deep Crimson: Loss, Mourning
If there is a flower that best honours a lost loved one, it's a deep crimson rose. Use the rose decoratively or as part of your fascinator.

White: Purity, Innocence
Use the petals from white roses and scatter at the base of a gift box filled with bits & pieces for a new child.

Pink: Gratitude, Appreciation
Gift a few pink roses to a friend who has gone over & above regular girlfriend duty to be wonderful... or to your under-appreciated mother!

Orange: Desire, Enthusiasm
Use orange roses to inspire yourself, pop a few into a vase and place them by your desk to invoke greater enthusiasm in the task at hand.

Yellow: Friendship, Joy
Give a yellow rose to that friend who inspires positive energy in you every day, the one whose friendship you know you can count across no matter the distance or circumstance.

Lavender: Enchantment
Wear knotted around a headband to a fairy tale fancy dress evening with your favourite friends.

1 rose signifies devotion, 2 roses are for engagement or marriage and 11 roses indicate deep and true love, while a thornless rose is for love at first site and leaves on the stem of a rose are said to indicate hope!


Who deserves a rose in your life?

Linguistically playing on the word 'whitewash' and utilising the colour green, as is now intrinsically linked to the concept of environmentalism, GREENWASH refers to "...the practice of companies disingenuously spinning their products and policies as environmentally friendly" (source).

'Greenwash' is not a new concept. The word was first used by environmentalist, Jay Westerveld, in 1986, when referring to the hotel industry and specifically the concept of guests being encouraged to re-use towels. The concept was spruiked as a way for the guest to 'save the environment'. However, the hotel industries business policies remained unenvironmentally conscious, leading one to inevitably consider that this was more an exercise in cost cutting than in genuine support of a cleaner, greener environment.

Climate change is an inevitable and globally pertinent issue and as such, we as consumers from across the world are becoming more aware of the simple ways that we can contribute to acting ethically when it comes to environmentalism. In becoming aware of the existence of greenwash we can avoid supporting companies that are deliberately misleading us, as consumers, by cashing in on our desire to shop ethically.

Driving company profitability can be a key factor behind employing this sort of tactic - that is utilising public relations companies or advertising campaigns to push products and services as an eco-friendly option, or going further, to rebrand a company on a whole.

Companies are very aware that 'green' sells. A key reason why it is so important to ensure we are do not support these companies that falsify or exaggerate their environmental pursuits is that we are allowing them to profit and gain greater power within their industry - essentially, we enable their growth.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

For more information about how to identify whether companies are genuine in their support of environmentalism, click to download the pdf 'The Seven Sins of Greenwash'.

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Apathy
Originally uploaded by Toban Black

When you don't see first hand the detriment of gun crime, it can be difficult to gauge the scale of the problem. It's like all of the television commercials about poverty in third world countries - it can be simple to switch off when you can't relate. The key to overcoming this sort of apathy is to become aware.

So let's break it down a little and get across the agenda of the United Nations and in particular, the first committee - because right now, it may just seem like a whole bunch of guys and girls in suits, shaking hands and pushing paper, but what happens inside the walls of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City is pretty spectacular. There may not be designer gear and post-conference parties that see delegates spilling out of cabs at 5am looking scandalously worse for wear - and for this reason the UN won't make the cover of People magazine - but the work that is done at the UN? It's well worth page space and it's well worth your time.



Photo by scazon.

The United Nations: It's an international organization, founded in 1945, comprised of 192 member states (see full list here). These member states have agreed to accept and uphold the obligations of the Charter (view the charter here). In brief, the UN does not make laws, what it does do is provide a global body that works towards "solve[ing] problems that challenge humanity" (source). The UN has a focus on peacekeeping, development and human rights. You can learn lots more about the United Nations at the official UN website.

General Assembly (GA): The GA provides a forum for the 192 member states to discuss and make recommendations on the issues outlined in the Charter of the United Nations. For a more detailed outline of the functions and powers of the General Assembly, click here.

First Committee - Disarmament and International Security Committee: This is a committee within the General Assembly at the United Nations. It deals with issues surrounding international security and disarmament ("the act of reducing, limiting, or abolishing weapons" source)

Treaty: A treaty, in the context of the United Nations, is a binding agreement that the UN member states can opt to sign and uphold.



Image by JimBowen0306.

Arms Trade Treaty (ATT): An ATT was first addressed in the UN in 2006. Since then, diplomats have been discussing this potential treaty. Also since then, 2.1 million people have died, that's 2000 a day, as a result of armed violence (source).

The ATT is about regulating the conventional arms trade. There is presently no international regulation standard governing the import, export and transfer of conventional arms. This means that conventional weapons, like guns, that are intended for military purposes end up in the hands of criminals and other human rights abusers. These weapons are used to kill and maim civilians, as well facilitating the narcotics trade and other crimes such as armed burglary and rapes. This sort of criminal activity at the hands of conventional weaponry holds direct links to lack of development, which in turn makes for economic underdevelopment and poverty.

A key focus of an ATT would be on Risk Assessment - where are these weapons going? For what purpose? Does the end user have a history of negligent use of weaponry?

In 2006, 153 of the UN member states voted in favour of Resolution 61/89, a document that set out to achieve support on implementing an common international standards for the conventional arms trade (view Resolution 61/89 in full). 24 countries chose to abstain from voting (these counties included: Bahrain, Belarus, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Marshall Islands, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, UAE, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe (source). Only 1 country voted against the resolution, that country was the United States.

For more information about why an Arms Trade Treaty is needed urgently, watch the short video below:



For a more in depth look at the reason an Arms Trade Treaty is required, download the Oxfam report 'Dying for Action' (pdf).

What are your thoughts on an Arms Trade Treaty and the role of the United Nations?