So I've been working diligently on a healthier lifestyle and losing weight to get back to my old and happier self, yesterday I went for a good 5+ mile walk on Revere Beach "America's First Public Beach" and I quickly remembers how much I love love love the beach and ocean! 

     There is nothing like getting lost in sound of water crashing into the shore... even if the waves are small. There is something about how calming and relaxing it is that just eases my stress and brings me back to a place of creativity. Every time I'm on the beach I get the urge to paint.

     When I see a perfect seashell I get this crazy desire to pick up my paintbrush again. When I was younger I would escape into my are and get lost in a place filled with music, usually a favorite album or guitar or piano solos for hours and just paint and be in complete content with just being by myself, alone with my own thoughts.

     I love the smell of the ocean, it's this clean and cool breeze that kisses young leaves behind a hint of salt on your lips, yes I'm that girl who loves the taste of salt water LOL. I would rather a kiss from the salt in the air than a seagull, they can be a bit aggressive at least here they are!

     A fresh sea breeze with the ocean floor at your feet can rejuvenate the soul and wake up all of your sleeping senses in mer moments! Sometimes you can find the simplest of beauties just by looking down... A small seashell waiting for the tide to come back in and be reclaimed by the waves. There is something magical about the sand when the sunlight hits it just right and it sparkles at your feet.

     I think in a past life I was a pirate... but a nice one... I can defiantly see myself living on the water surrounded by the gentle hum of ocean waves. Truth be told I hope I come back in my next life as one, a free bird who only answers to the sea in front of her and has a kiss of a salty breeze to her sails.

     It's always important to surround yourself with the people who love and inspire you and it is also very important to put yourself into the surroundings that bring you peace and fill your heart and soul with hope and blissful calm. Sometimes when I forget that when I feel overwhelmed or when I'm down that if I just put myself into the environment that gives me hope and calms my nerves I can get back on my desired path. Sometimes it's just the simple things we need.

     I think I need to pick up those paint brushes again... Maybe remembering the happiness of old I can enhance the happiness of new in my day to day life. We all need moments of serenity with that I leave you with a prayer I say daily... "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference".

Thank you for reading and to get blog notification just subscribe on the right side of the page! 

God Bless!

​Talie Marie

     When I look into the mirror I don't recognize myself,I've allowed myself to get into a rut... I stopped exercising and definitely wasn't eating paleo and it shows!
     This past week I've decided to dive back in! Eat right, exercise, and really look at the list of goals I have in front of me for the duration of the year ahead. I want to achieve a lot this year, some of the hardest tasks I have ever faced.
     I know that feeling good is what thrusts confidence for me anyways. I have spent the last week paying close attention to how I treat my body, first run in months and focused on putting good food into my body. I know it doesn't seem like a lot but it makes the greatest difference in taking the first big steps in getting out of my rut and tackling my list of goals! 
     My commitment to myself is to lose at least 30 pounds and to get back to me! It's time to get at these goals! 
     Thanks for reading! God Bless!

​Talie Marie

     I never thought I would need a service animal until my little Dobby walked right into my hands and completely stole my heart! My service animal story begins with a stray cat who found her way into my basement looking for a safe and warm place to have her little of five kittens, four boys and one little lady... we named her Minnie because she was so tiny. 
     Out of the five we kept a little tuxedo kitten and named him Dobby the House Cat! He is an energy ball of fur and life climbing the walls in my house, and yes it at times makes me crazy but I wouldn't change him for anything! 
     We have had animals growing up so I understand the love you can have for an animal I've just never had an animal choose me before like Dobby has. Over the years I have struggled with anxiety and depression, sometimes on medication and sometimes not... I will say that I'm not on medication now, I do attribute this to having Dobby! He calms me when I'm anxious and having him reminds me to stop and enjoy the little things... like furry head-butts, soft purrs, and love nips! Don't get me wrong, he is a handful!
     I wanted to write about this because I think so many people can benefit from having a therapy/service animal, I want to encourage anyone who can adopt to adopt. You will both benefit, you get a ball of furry love and your service cat or dog gets a loving home! As much as they are therapeutic for us we are the same to them! If this is something you might be interested in please reach out to your local shelters to see what amazing animals they have up for adoption! 
     Dobby isn't an official service animal, thought I think I may have him certified as one... Thoughts? I have posted  a few dashing pics of Dobby below to share my handsome fur baby with you all! *Also: We are trying diligently to catch his mum and get her safely fixed and up to date with her shots... We are sloooowly building her trust... 
     Thank you all for reading, please leave a comment below and don't forget to sign-up for the Talie Marie Foundation Newsletter on the right!

God Bless! 
<3 Talie Marie 

     We all have fears and facing them can be a daunting task for most, for me it is most definitely daunting and at times can make me sick to my stomach. I have been procrastinating on some of my goals because I have allowed my fears to dictate my emotions. 

     In the past month to month and a half I have had an awakening, someone close to me has been diagnosed with Leukemia and through spending time with him during his journey though treatment to recovery I have been reinspired to accomplish my goals. As I tell him he must find courage to fight this battle I hear the words and think "why am I not taking my own advice?" and why am I procrastinating on something that means so much to me. His journey has inspired me to jump back onto the path I had planned to walk and keep going!

    Fear can be paralyzing if you let it or it can be your fuel to success. I can't submit to my fears anymore, even if I don't achieve my goals I need to look back and say I've done everything I could to achieve them! One of my goals is to be able to merge both of my professional careers {real estate with Keller Williams and my charities work} and with that to be able to help as many people as possible. I want to build a network to help anyone in the country to relocate who is leaving a domestic violence situation. This has went from being a goal to now being a dream, I'm fortunate enough to work with an amazing company who has given me support to work towards building this network. For that I will forever be grateful! 

          I want to send special thank you's to everyone to has inspired me to keep going and been a shoulder to lean on when I was weak. I only hope that I to can be the person who inspires someone or to be a positive shoulder to lean on! 

     Thank you all for reading, please leave a comment below and don't forget to sign-up for the Talie Marie Foundation Newsletter on the right!

God Bless!

<3 Talie Marie 

     I've been working on writing my story for many years now and I think I have finally found a space spiritually to concur my fears of being exposed to the world. I have been struggling with the though that people will read my story and somehow I as an individual I would disappear... I would be another statistic not Talie. After taking the time to share this with an amazing survivor whom have already walked this path I now know that these are very common fears and concerns for anyone who shares something difficult. 

     I don't want to be afraid of moving forward. I want to be able to face my fears with confidence that I'm staying true to myself and the path that I want to walk in not only sharing my story but in how I heal on a daily basis. I'm overwhelmed with emotions at times and to be 100% truthful I don't always know why... I know this journey is going to  help me grow as a person and I still struggle with the sudden lack of self confidence that can take over in a moments notice. 

     One of my greatest fears in this process is that I'm only going to be seen as a "victim" of childhood sexual assault (Rape). I don't want to be a victim, I want to be a person... a woman... a strong woman who has defied the odds and survived! I am not a victim... I am a STRONG SURVIVOR! 

     I really need to be on top of writing to achieve my goals of publishing... I also need to be far more open to the people around me in my life in this process... I'm commenting here and now to sharing what I have written thus far with someone I trust within 48 hours! No more procrastination!

     Thanks for reading and being apart of this journey with me! God Bless! 

​<3 Talie Marie

     Sooooooo It's has been awhile since my last post and for that I'm so so so sorry. I have been struggling with everything that has been going on with the sexual misconduct allegations through out Hollywood. I want to be very clear... I support ANYONE whom comes forward to report acts of sexual misconduct or in any form, with that being said I also feel strongly about the avenues that those allegations should be reported. 

     I'm so very proud to be a woman in this world when we are in the time where finding ones internal strength to say "It's Time For A Change" is happening! My concern is we are not reporting the allegations in a manor in which will make a direct change, we are using social media as a venue to voice accusations and creating a lynch mob society instead of reporting said allegations to the appropriate legal channels allowing our judicial system to do what it is meant to do.

     The question really is, Are we making a true change and or difference when we don't report instances of sexual misconduct to the proper authorities? YES we are making the issues relevant and we are opening the door for a real discussion to be had about these issues but once the discussion stops what is left....? Are we as a society making the permanent changes that need to be made in order to ensure we don't revert back to a place where it is acceptable to treat people whom you deem lesser than you as an object VS a human breathing being? Even if experiences are not deemed as something that can be used in a court of law, we must report them so they are documented legally within the our police/judicial system because our stories may be the key to helping someone now. Think about it, if the person whom hurt you has been or is hurting someone else your testimony could be what makes a case against them even if it is no longer prosecutable it could be what helps another victim/survivor.

     I want to be apart of not only the discussion, I want to apart of the CHANGE! As someone whom is adopting children I want to help create a world where there is a society that is equal and without fear of reprocutions from denial of sexual advances from a superior or anyone for that manor. 

     I also want to address something that has been on my mind for a few months now... I have been really struggling with the comparison of sexual misconduct to sexual assault. As someone who has been raped I can say without hesitation that being held down and raped is not the same as someone being groped. Yes both are completely deplorable behaviors, Yes both are disgusting, and Yes both need to STOP! I'm sorry if this opinion offends anyone and I hope that everyone that are forced to deal with these horrific circumstances are getting the help they deserve and need for a healthy recovery.

     For anyone in need of someone to talk to please don't hesitate to reach out to RAINN "The National Sexual Assault Hotline it is Free and Confidential and available 24/7 for anyone who may need their services. The number is 1-800-656-HOPE.

     Thanks for reading everyone, God Bless.

<3 Talie Marie

     HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! Completely stuffed and ready for a nap! It is absolute wonderful to spawn the day with family around the dinning room table "including my little guy Dobby the House Cat"  enjoying everyones company! This year we changed up a few things, new table setting and new recipes, and even tho I was a bit apprehensive the table looked great and the food was perfect! Change can be good, I will admit I fight change to much... I need to embrace it more! 

     I think after that amazing meal that I cooked with my mum VS my mum just cooking herself I want to make it a new tradition of cooking every year together... Even when we are ready to kill each other when the kitchen gets to small LOL!  

      I have shared some of my family's Thanksgiving photos below! I hope you have all enjoyed your holiday and please enjoy my families crazy holiday pop crackers crowns {English Tradition} LOL! God Bless!

Talie Marie

      So today I binge watched Stranger Things 2 and yes IT WAS AWESOME! Seriously looking forward to season 3! I have been thinking about one of the new characters “Billy Hargrove” played by Darce Montgomery, the new Hawkins resident bully! As most people know... I don't fancy bullies but Darce's performance along side his Co-Star Will Chase who played his father “Neil Hargrove” has opened my eyes to something bigger, something we generally don't see or think about when dealing with a bully.

     The writer's Matt and Ross Duffer alongside director Shawn Levy have given a glimpse as to how a bully in certain cercumstances is created, how this young man who in one breath is charming and charismatic and in the next is cunning and down right cruel. I have dealt with my fair share of bullies in my time and the truth be told I have always thought if they had a stricter upbringing they wouldn’t treat others as they do... now my eyes have been opened to the reality that some bullies are simply being taught to bully.

     This has been on my mind since I watched the home scene in the “Hargrove Home”, I don’t want to go to deep into it because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t watched (Side Note: GO WATCH IT!) so bare with my somewhat cryptic thoughts. From the beginning I thought “Billy was just a typical bully, a boy who simply doesn’t give a shit about anything that doesn’t benefit him. Then later into the series I realized how my thinking of not only this character but more than likely bullies I have encountered in the past was rather narrow minded. I made assumptions that all bullies are just cruel and mean for kicks and I was wrong. UNDERSTAND I am in no way condoning the behavior I’m simply saying I see it from a different light and perspective.

     Matt and Ross Duffer and Shawn Levy have done something courageous in my opinion, they have shined a light on a subject that often gets overlooked, how violent actions of a parent can in turn teach a child to be violent to others. Domestic Violence is usually thought of as something between to adults, what about how that same violence can be directed at a child... The actions in how we treat others and treat children is how they developed into the adults they become. Now with that said not all children who come from households with domestic violence are violent or cruel, infact more often than not people who go through these experiences see the world with a kind and open heart. Sadly for “Billy” he takes it out on the world, when I was watching the scene between Darce and Will my heart broke. I wanted to reach into the TV and hug Billy, again the realization of Billy's home life doesn't make his actions acceptable.

     I myself have seen domestic violence and childhood sexual assault and for me personally I was always afraid, I never wanted to say or do the wrong thing to anyone. I always wanted to help people, see the good hidden within the bad. That is more likely than not the reason I have been hurt by people most would have normally walked away from had I not had those experiences. Sadly this had carried over into adaulthood for me... I’ve made strides to better assess situations...

     No-one adult or child should have to suffer through violence at home, if you or someone you know who has been through domestic violence click here to request a journal, everyone deserves a safe place to express themselves and heal.

     Back to the Stranger Things series!!! SO Great, Love this series! I can't wait for season 3, I hope it is sooner than later! If you haven't seen the series you are missing out! GO BINGE WATCH IT ASAP! I promise you won't be disappointed!!! Thanks for reading everyone! God Bless!

Talie Marie

     What a beautiful day on the water with family on the Boston Harbor Cruise Line for the Northern Lights Autumn Foliage Cruise... Even in the rain! Making time to spend with the people we care about is one of the most important things anyone can do to keep a positive mind space. 
     Usually I'm a YES!!! It's raining out, stay in bed all day and watch movies kinda girl... but today I embraced my love of both open water and rain and took my mum on a cruise to see this years foliage. Sitting on the boat I thought about how easy it would have been for me to cancel because of the bad weather and to be honest if this was a year ago... hell even 6 months ago I would have. It really all comes down to opening myself up to new unexpected experiences and not closing up or give up when there is a hiccup or a wrinkle in my plans... 
     Today I happy to report was a wonderful day with my mum, sometimes you need to take a day off and enjoy the world around you.  I hope you enjoy the pictures below and than you for reading! God Bless!

​~Talie Marie

     Over the years I have thought of strength as something that at times I lacked but I was able to hide behind a false image, a facade. I was able to easily hide behind jokes and my work for many years but when I was laidoff I was faced with an immense amount of time on my hands. It didn't take long to realize that I wasn't completely in control of my emotions and being a complete control freak made me feel weak. 
     I tried and tried to hide away those feelings but with time they wore me down. I discovered RAINN by recommendation of a friend and I can honestly say that first call changed my life... I felt completely terrified of what the person on the other line might think of me but by the end of the call I was one step closer to finding some of my strength back. RAINN throughout the years has helped me not only heal but grow to become a survivor. A simple thank you just isn't enough for what they have done for me and so many others. Unfortunately we can revert to our weaknesses when we are least expecting it. . . . 
     I have recently been feeling that same haunting feeling of weakness. . . . Sometimes it's easily concealed and other times it's tears pouring from my eyes when I'm alone. For weeks I've struggled with this because of some professional changes I've decided to take on but the truth is sometimes your strength is in the people within your support system who can see your cracks before you can. I have been blessed with amazing people in my life who are loving and kind but most importantly supportive of me in this journey. 
     Sometimes we forget they are there because the emotions inside are coming on to strong, I realized recently how lucky I am to have certain people in my life who are just there to be a friend sitting next to me in silence or to listen when I'm ready to share without judgement... I always though being strong could only be from my own thoughts and actions but I was wrong... It comes from all of that but also the thoughts and actions of those close to me. 
     Thank you to everyone who has been a loving and caring support in my life and through the process of writing my story. So many of you have touched my life and I hope that someday when I have the opportunity to tell you how grateful I am that I will have the strength to do so... 
       If there is anyone who may need to talk in regards to Sexual or Domestic Violence please contact RAINN!
https://ohl.rainn.org/online/ This organization helps victims, family members, and friends affected by these situations. They are 24/7 and truly some of the kindest people I have ever spoken with. Thanks for reading everyone, God Bless. 

~ Talie Marie

     My first journal/blog post back! I have been going back and forth about what to do and it has hit me that the truest way to not only help other but help myself is to share my experiences with as many people as possible. 
     I had started to give up on my journey with my charity and then a blessing arrived in the mail not to long ago. This gave me the hope I once had to help others who may be experiencing the same emotions and struggles with childhood sexual assault / sexual assault as I am. 
     This letter is from a young man who found courage within himself from the character Thorin Oakenshield in the Hobbit trilogy played by actor Richard Armitage to stand up and stop the sexual violence happening to him and in the same breath protect his younger brother as well. This young man is my hero, his courage has been contagious in my heart and inspired me to keep going on my journey to help others. 
     I will say the Hobbit / Lord of the Rings franchise is one of my absolute favorites, I have watched them more times than I can count. I easily get lost in the storyline, escaping from the stress of reality into a world of fantasy. Now when I watch I see hero's! I see courage! I see strength! I see true inspiration to be a better person to myself, my family, my friends, and everyone I meet!
     Though I was moved to receive this amazing letter, I do feel that the letter truly doesn't belong to me. My heart tells me that this letter belongs to Richard Armitage, he is the inspiration that was the catalyst to this young mans courage and determination to his family. I have sent the original letter and a journal to Richard, I hope with all of my heart that he has received it if not maybe he will see this post and be able to read it. He deserves to know that he posses the gift of touching lives in ways that maybe he didn't realize. I use a picture of the letter as the lock screen on my phone... this reminds me that I can't give up, even when things seem to hard or I'm afraid... I must keep going! I will keep going!
     I want to end this post with a special thank you to both the courageous young man and Richard Armitage, you are both an example of the greatness there is in the world today. I carry you both in my heart, God Bless. 

​~Talie Marie