Purposely Passionate and Passionately Purposeful

I was chatting with my friend, L.C., the other night just catching up on our week and what our weekend held in store. Being the stellar friend that she is, she threw me a plus one to an upcoming fashion event she'll be attending as a means to contribute to her fashion column in Fashion Studio Magazine. I accepted, of course, because what girl wouldn't want to spend a Thursday evening all fancied up in the heart of Yorkville among designer tuxedo and suit garbed gentlemen? I quickly cleared my Thursday of all other plans, marked it on my calendar and continued on in our conversation.

 Uh huh

That's right

Go on you Canadian heart breaker

mmmhmmm

Getting carried away here

Bring it home, J.T.,( my love)

I need a moment. Clearly my expectations for Thursday are reasonable....

As I was saying, our conversation lead to the two of us concluding that acting on our passions and putting time into cultivating that which we love has resulted in the sweetest circumstances, the most enriching days and sometimes the most necessary distractions from the usual grind.

This is a short and sweet entry, and I don't intend to go all Dr. Phil up in here, but deduce from this what you will. All I'll end with is that I couldn't be happier than I am now after realizing my passions and allowing them to sweeten my days with an extended purpose. If you write, you're a writer; if you paint you're an artist; You may not be any good at it, but if it's what you love doing, it'll be nothing but a positive addition to your day. Just give it a whirl!

Please follow the links below to learn more about the Because I am a Girl cause initiated by Plan International:

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_AQA1xb4Is&feature=youtu.be

http://plan-international.org/

For copy editing services check out my site by clicking here

Follow me on twitter: Jessica Ashley@City_Rhapsody

Happy reading!

Jessica Ashley Dafoe

All the world's a stage... Olympians are more than players

The 2014 Winter Olympics have begun, and much like every time the games come around, I'm like an awestruck child seeing Swan Lake for the first time. My heart races,  while I'm perched on the edge of my seat taking in the sheer skill level and tenacity these athletes ooze. Their event is their passion, working toward the podium is their goal, they live and breathe the rush of it all.

Not only do I find my attention drawn to the excitement produced in the free style skiing, snowboarding and nail biting hockey games, but also to how this occasion brings the world together, even though for a short time. The majority of news stories throughout this two week window of time aim to detail victories and national pride, sportsmanship and kindness.

And isn't it fitting that the day of love falls within the 2 week time frame? Yes I'm getting sentimental and perhaps a bit mushy, but to me the Olympics have not purely been about iconic Canadian athletes defeating opponents in their area of specialty, but also about representing Canada as the nation it is; a nation deeply rooted in dignity, consideration, respect, determination and ,of course, well deserved revelry after seemingly insurmountable heights are reached.

I have a strong love for my home and native land. I don't often wear my heart on my sleeve, but in this case, it's out there for the world to see and I couldn't be more proud of my love. I wish all nations luck and health during the 2014 games.

Do it up Canada!

Please follow the links below to learn more about the Because I am a Girl cause initiated by Plan International:

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_AQA1xb4Is&feature=youtu.be

http://plan-international.org/

For copy editing services check out my site by clicking here

Follow me on twitter: Jessica Ashley@City_Rhapsody

Happy reading!

Jessica Ashley Dafoe

A Brave New World

I flash back to 5 months ago... when I had completed my brainstorming and was spending my time leisurely adding to my novel, daily. The time I spent writing was enjoyable and soothing. It was a way to unwind and regroup after a high-energy day spent teaching my nutty, yet adorable, class of grade 4's.(our days almost always include a moment of free style rapping or an impromptu class conga line) I was writing for the pure love of it and not giving a thought as to what the end outcome of this project would be.

 If there was a  day that I was unable to add a paragraph or two, or even a sentence for that matter, to my project, I felt like something was missing from my day. When I had evenings that preoccupied my time with social engagements or other various commitments, I would unleash my creativity at any spare moment I could find. Often times, on jam packed days like these I would wake up at 4:30 am for an early morning cup of Joe and an unfettered writing session. I actually found that I produced my best writing during these early morning hours. There were even times when the subway turned into my makeshift creative space.

I flash forward to the present... ( no this isn't my attempt at breaking into the Sci-Fi genre ) and am suddenly, after signing on with a publishing house, finding myself way outside of what I would qualify as my personal comfort zone. An individual who is so go-with-the-flow and who edges casually away from any discussions regarding business, marketing, design and the bottom line, really should not be asked to make decisions in regards to each and every one of these listed categories. I have, however put on my big girl panties this week, taken the bull by the horns and stepped in to make sure that my gleaming creation gets the treatment she deserves.

 I've negotiated my way into the sales outlets I've had my eye on. I've discussed my priorities when it comes to marketing and marketability of my Bitter Sweetheart with the publishing house's marketing team. I've outlined my design criteria for cover, back and inside pages with the assigned design team. I've brushed up on my understanding of seller's insurance and copyright laws. I've begun setting the plans in place for the charity book launch event I will host, which will benefit the Because I am a Girl initiative.

I don't know who the hell I've become, but I like it and wouldn't have it any other way.

Please follow the links below to learn more about the Because I am a Girl cause initiated by Plan International:

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_AQA1xb4Is&feature=youtu.be

http://plan-international.org/

For copy editing services check out my site by clicking here

Follow me on twitter: Jessica Ashley@City_Rhapsody

Happy reading!

Jessica Ashley Dafoe