What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by?

I think that having a fundamental mantra is a good way to live. I grew up with domestic violence & never had a safe space when I was in high school.

Because of this I think that doing something good for the community is a way to create change.

Let me explain how/why I didn’t have a safe space. My father(who has been drinking since I was 16.) Felt that he had the right to coercively & psychologically abuse me to the point that I was suicidal. In my own room with no lock on the door, that was only for my little princess sister who got whatever she wished.

I was told repeatedly since grade school that I was worthy of nothing & that I’d become nothing. By my father, my mother joined in the abuse by withholding physical affection from me. She also partook in the abuse.

Back to the original question. Be good. Do good. I believe that all behavior especially abusive behavior comes back to the person. I believe in karma. Not because I want harm to come to that individual but rather that they get a life lesson. By being good & doing good. I feel that I’m making my life now better.

Abuse does many things including doubting how/why the abuser keeps singling you out. I do good like volunteering & helping others in need because I feel gratitude in return. It may not be some high ranking job but I know I make a difference & that matters. Gratitude means more to me than money & material wealth. What obstacles have you overcome to live your life?

What’s a moment in your life that made you feel truly alive?

Now, I don’t mean the hills in the city I live in. I mean the mountains above the Arctic circle. That reaches well over 1,000 meters in height.

When I go into the mountains by my uncle’s cabin there’s a serenity when you get away from the noise of the road.

The trees are short & the moss is soft. It’s serene to hike there as the peace is really there.

I’ve tried to recreate the same feeling here down south but it’s just not possible. There’s something special about those mountains & there always will be.

What are some life hacks that you practice?

I thought it was just a farse to heat up wax before applying but it actually speeds up the application. I just waxed my Barbour jacket & by using boiling water I cut the waxing by a whole hour.

It’s a hack they tell you on the box.

I try to have my laptop download new updates Before I have to use it. It doesn’t always work but I try. Like this week it failed miserably. It started wanting to download during a meeting I had.

Doing laundry on days that are not filled with obligation. I find that doing laundry on days I have time is much better.

My favorite hack is using vinegar on dog smells & baking soda on my laundry to get the odours out. I buy it droves & large containers are cheap. It strengthens the power of the detergent. It also works on smelly shoes & is an excellent stain remover.

Wearing wool when it’s raining & I’m not outside much. I get really burnt out on wearing rain gear 10 months of the year. Hence, I wear wool.

We always make 3-4 portions for dinner even if there’s only 2 of us. That way my husband always has lunch & so do I. We also only try to grocery shop once a week. That way we can plan our meals & don’t need to run to the store.