Forgiveness, Role Models and Rihanna.

As if you haven't already had enough of their story, Chris Brown and Rihanna are at it again! Get ready for chapter two. To be honest, I'm not sure whether I should applause, laugh or disapprove of their relationship at this point. If you're not up-to-date on the latest CBR love triangle then, here it is! Chris Brown recently broke off his year long relationship with his model girlfriend Karrueche Tran to "work on his friendship" with his ex, Rihanna. Crazy, right? Uhh not really, since on August 19th  Rihanna had a honest, open, revealing conversation with Oprah about her feelings for Chris Brown. Not only did she admit that she is still in love with him but she stated he is the "love of my life." Whether or not that is true, we will find out in due time as they attempt to rekindle what was "lost" nearly three years ago.

What I find very interesting is not the latter statement but the one that followed. Sadly the one that the media turned into a negative. "I have forgiven him," she stated, "although I was angry for a long time." The uproar that ensued the moment those words left her lips went viral. Everyone had an opinion; and very few were kind. But my question is: why shouldn't she forgive? Don’t we all cherish forgiveness? In kindergarten aren't we taught to forgive our peers when they steal our crayon? Doesn't the bible say that we should forgive our neighbours seventy seven times seven times? So then, when did forgiving someone become the wrong thing to do? 

I don't respect Rihanna much, but for that statement I do. It's not easy to turn the other cheek after being publicly humiliated. You have to dig deep. Do a lot of soul searching. Blot out the incessant noise of the public’s expectations and grow from your experience. It seems like she has done that and is now moving forward. I truly commend her on finding peace with the issue. So whats everyone's beef then?

A role model? Really.... The problem is: society has labeled Rihanna as some sort of role model for young girls. This is beyond my comprehension! Absolutely nothing Rihanna does screams role model in my opinion. From her explicit lyrics, her revealing clothing, to the inappropriate pictures posted on her instagram. It is troublesome to think just what she is modelling  for the young people who idolize her. If Rihanna is a  role model maybe we should consider redefining the word or start paying close attention to what the term really means. We should ask what role is being modelled by these public figures for the young impressionable minds.  Better yet, maybe we should not have Hollywood raising our children.  Role models should begin in the home, in schools, in churches, not in music videos and rap lyrics. Just because someone likes an artist's musical abilities doesn't automatically mean that they should admire and aspire to be that person. These are the types of values that need to be taught around the kitchen table. If the TV continues to raise the next generation, we will end up  with a lot of Rihanna and Miley Cyrus wannabes running around, and to me, that's just scary...

That's my view, whats yours?

I Don't Want A Thanksgiving Food Baby!!

Since 1957 it's been a tradition for Canadians to give thanks for good harvest and other fortunes in the past year on the second Monday of October. Now I’m not sure if you've checked your calendars lately, but that date is right around the corner! Thanksgiving, aka the BEST holiday of the year is here and I couldn't be happier!! There’s no stress of what gifts to buy loved ones, I can find a seat at church no problem, my bank account balance remains in the positives and there are no teenagers ringing my doorbell asking for candy when they should be at part time jobs. Thank God for Thanksgiving!

BUT shortly after the praise and gratitude, there’s a lot of anger and dislike…towards ourselves. Why? Plain and simple, we ate too much! So now we’re walking around looking four months pregnant because of those four extra servings of pumpkin pie! Did you know an average plate of thanksgiving dinner contains 1600 to 3000 calories! It's easy to go overboard with temptations  lurking in every corner.  I know we've all been there before.  Yet last year we said we’d do better but did we? Of course not! So here is my guide on how NOT to be a stuffed turkey this Thanksgiving.

Tip #1 Don’t starve yourself all day. You know when you’re going to an All-You-Can -Eat restaurant for dinner so you swear off food 24 hrs before so you can get your “all you can eat” money’s worth? Yeahhh, don’t do that. You're 100% bound to overindulge.
Tip #2 Be a social butterfly. If you talk while you eat, you give your brain a chance to register that you've had enough. Contrary to my cousins’ beliefs, Thanksgiving isn't an eating competition.
Tip #3 Take a walk after eating. The fall evenings are beautiful and the air is crisp. Enjoy a stroll around the block while burning some fat.
Tip #4 Save it for later. I promise that overnight the delicious dinner that you had will not rot in the fridge. No one is going to steal it…well maybe, so stash it somewhere safe and eat the rest tomorrow.
Tip #5: Dance with me! Come to my BodyJam Class every Thursday at 7:30pm at Goodlife Hillcrest for a great workout. (A little self promotion doesn't hurt.)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!