Forced to Marry the Man that Sexually & Physically Assaulted Her; Moroccan 16 yr. old Amina Filali Committed Suicide

Saturday, March 10th, 16 yr. old Moroccan girl, Amina Filali, committed suicide after she was forced to marry a man that raped & beat her regularly for a year. This is lawful due to section 475 of the penal code. "In some cities, it is unacceptable for a woman to lose her virginity before marriage, even in cases of rape. Marriage is regularly used as a way to restore the honor of the rapist and the victim's family."

There has been an outrage on the internet over her story and this powerful photograph. It has sparked a debate over arranged marriages that allow this kind of cruelty. For me personally, I cannot get over the look in her eyes. I see sadness and pain there, and a look of resignment. Yet, there is a strength there that I cannot put my finger on. She was a beautiful young girl who had her entire life in front of her. How was this allowed to happen?

Who was protecting this girl? I hope this internet outrage continues and the debate spurs people into action. Where there is a girl like this, there are others, and more forced to do what their parents and judges tell them to do. That is not freedom, that is obedience. Smart, talented, beautiful, young girls are not given the choices they deserve to make the most of their lives with laws like this in place.

We are living in an age of internet and social media. We need to take advantage of the powerful voice that gives us. I think we owe that much to the Amina Filali’s of the world. Share on Twitter, FB, YouTube, Pinterest, StumbleUpon, Google+, wherever you can to spread the message that this is not okay and she did not die in vain. Please click on her picture for the full story.

Why You Need A Personal Brand: Women's Forum: BraveHeart Women

Branding yourself: find your passion skills, marketplace. As a marketing student this is something I love. As these ladies put it; whether you're an executive in the corporate world or a stay at home mom for example, we all have our own personal brand, it has a purpose, allowing you to share your message. “If you don’t define your brand, the world will define it for you.” This is a great video to watch:) As we BraveHeart women say, “Be Inspiration in Action”

It doesn’t have to be something you get paid for, though it’s wonderful if you can find that. Having an avocation and a vocation is different but each are a way of expressing yourself. We all have something unique to offer the world. If you are feeling stuck, pursue what stimulates you and evokes passion.

Do not waste your talents, keeping them hidden from the world to protect them is a mistake. I heard this in a sermon this last Sunday at my church but it doesn’t have to be a religious concept, it is a universal one. Share yourself with the world and you will get back what you give. As long you are constantly developing your brand and reinventing yourself you benefit from your own growth and evolve your message.

BraveHeartWomenTV's Channel – YouTube

Why You Need A Personal Brand: Women's Forum: BraveHeart Women

9/11/11 “Too Deep For Tears”

9/11/11 Too Deep For Tears - Dionysus Beauty - (link to article on my website "Dionysus Beauty")

Today is a day of reflection for Americans. A day to mourn, to remember, to pay our respects. A time of prayer, healing, and forgiveness. We cannot undo the events of September 11th, 2001. We cannot unsee what transpired. But we can move forward stronger, carrying with us the dreams of those we lost. We can live our lives to the best of our ability, aspiring to be good people, and Americans that would make them proud; proud of their country's tenacity and resilience, so that their deaths would not be in vain.  You cannot fight fire with fire. You can protect yourself against it and fight back to keep it at bay. But hate will survive, as inevitably as love will prevail. Love and time are the best defense we have. So in remembrance of 9/11/01, let us stand united, giving back love, respect, and gratitude to one another. This is the greatest gift we can bestow to all those affected by the tragic events that took place that fateful day.

Below is one of my favorite poems from William Wordsworth's Ode: Intimations of Immortality. The following video is this poem in the movie "A River Runs Through It" directed and narrated by Robert Redford, one of my favorite actors, and based on the novel of the same name by Norman Mclean. This poem says so eloquently what I feel when I reflect on life's tragedies. I think it is particularly appropriate for this day.

"...Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass,
of glory in the flower; we will grieve not, rather find
strength in what remains behind;
In the primal sympathy which having been must ever be;
In the soothing thoughts that spring out of human suffering;
... In the faith that looks through death...
Thanks to the human heart by which we live
Thanks to its tenderness, its joys, and fears
To me the meanest flower that blows, can give thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.”

These photos below are from the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. They were taken during a ceremony on 9/11/11 honoring the fallen men and women who lost their lives to the terrorist attacks. The Memorial consists of a beautiful park where people can come and pay their respects. Diagonal from each other on both sides are two footprints of the Twin Towers. They are cascading, continuous waterfalls that seem to fall into a bottomless well. Lining each side of the memorial waterfalls are the names of those who lost their lives.  The flowing of water reminds us that the spirit of life is eternal and goes on. It is symbolic of strength, purity, and grace. NEVER FORGOTTEN.

New Website!! “Dionysus Beauty"; an online lifestyles magazine

A little less than a year ago I began writing blogs. At the time of summer I was writing up to four blogs. I realized it was going to be a bit difficult to consistently post in each one every week. So I decided to create a site where all of my blogs would be combined into one place. I’ll still keep this one as a personal blog about life observations but please visit me at my new site where most of my newer pieces will be. As I am pursuing my degree in marketing and media studies, which includes journalism, I hope to use this site as a resource for honing my writing skills and sharing my thoughts with the world. I write about everything from news articles, to fashion and beauty, to travel, healthy food, great deals, and life in general. My passion is writing and this is part of my path. Who knows, maybe it will turn into something more…

Dionysus Beauty: A Guide to an Inexpensive Health and Beauty Lifestyle

UPDATE 12.29.12:

I've made this website private while I focus on my studies and other blog I've created. It was a good learning experience, good for anyone who wants to play around with the design and layout of a website. I liked created images in Google drawings, very basic and easy to use resource. Dionysus Beauty was a fun concept to work on.