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Hope & Faith – Equally Mighty!

These past 14 months have been nothing like we have ever experienced. At times it was discouraging, difficult, and devastating and all that we have to hold onto is hope. Hope that our world will heal, and hope that human beings will live their truth and be kind and respectful to themselves and others.

There is a difference between hope and faith. According to the Oxford Dictionary, faith and hope are defined as follows; “Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief not based on proof. Hope is an optimistic attitude of mind based on an expectation or desire. Hope speaks of the future and faith speaks for the now in life”.

Looking ahead we have hope for a better future, and we have faith in what we can do today. Only you can choose a better “today” and a happier “now”. You will often hear the expression, “have faith”, or “have faith in yourself”. That is not based on something tangible. It is a belief system. You can use it as your personal mantra or to manifest change within yourself. You can also have faith in a higher power, in the biblical sense, or a religious wisdom you believe in.

Faith and hope are powerful beyond measure. You can’t measure either but they are both equally mighty. They are a way to cope and we look to hope and faith for guidance, reflection and support in a world with so many unanswered questions and unanswered prayers.

STELLARGIRLS not only inspire each other but we actually live out our most hopeful, faith filled lives. We put the work in, we don’t just hope for it we act on it. We are happy, grateful and authentic. We treasure ourselves and with hope and in our hearts STELLARGIRL has an optimistic state of mind. I will be forever hopeful and happy and strive to live out my most STELLARGIRL life!

Do you have the Wanderlust bug?

There is something stellar about taking a road trip with your girlfriends: those late-night chats, blasting the words to your favorite songs (in tune or not), dancing in circles with your arms in the air, swapping clothes, and sharing random thoughts and sacred secrets.

There is also something special about a romantic get-away with your partner, strolls down the beach, morning coffee, sunsets, adventure packed or relaxin or even perhaps a weekend away from the kids. To each their own ‘happy!”

Some of my best trips are with my family which I call my “four walls”. We create so many memories, exceptional moments, and even returning to locations that you may go back to over and over again.

Once you get the wanderlust bug, travel writer, Pico Lyer says it perfectly; “Travel is like love, in the end, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.”

Exploring the world, even navigating travelling during the pandemic, has always made me happy. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a homebody, but travel is so exciting and gives you the opportunity to learn so much! My favorite parts are learning from the locals, the culture, the traditions, the food, the shopping, the art, the views, the excursions, and the wandering. Seeing something new brings me JOY!

The photos I included are from Sydney, Iceland, and the skyline of Singapore. These are just three of the remarkable places I’ve seen in this world. I don’t think I’ve regretted one trip. Travel doesn’t need to be global or exotic. Even the nine years I spent every other weekend traveling with my son for hockey games/tournaments brings me happiness and incredible memories. The “hockey hotels” sure make me appreciate the nicer ones, but the nine hours in a car driving to Detroit from where I live with just my son or with another hockey mom and her son are some of the best conversations and stories I have ever had!

Honestly, I have been blessed and lucky to have always been safe. Stellargirls, when you travel be safe, watch your surroundings, make memories, and have fun wherever your wanderlust bug catches you and takes you.

Love always,

Teri xo

Celebrating women is what STELLARGIRL is all about. March is International Women’s History Month and March 8th being International Women’s Day, I want to share some inspiring stories of women I have met throughout my travels.

My wanderlust has taken me to over 40 countries and what has always brought me so much joy is meeting, learning and laughing with the women from the places I’ve travelled. I spent 2 weeks in Ukraine as a folkorique dancer, I’ve toured throughout Europe, Iceland, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Morocco, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, to name some highlightsand what I found is that women have more in common than not. What starts many of our conversations? Well….it is usually centered around fashion and style. Either I will seek out independent clothing or jewelry boutiques, local designers are my favorite or shop and walk the local markets and be enchanted by their energy and love of fashion. Also, walking around (that’s the best way to see a new city) will entice a conversation and I will compliment a women on her outfit or vice versa and voila instant connection!

One story in particular, in Japan, the “Coming of Age Day” is a Japanese holiday and held annually on the 2nd Monday of January. It is when a woman reaches 20 years of age (between April of the previous year to April 1 of the current year). They dress in the most spectacular furisode’s (kimono) and zori sandals. I was in Toyko that week and at the Asakusa Shrine and the Sensoji Temple, the women were magical. They shared their stories with me, they wanted to take photos, they love their culture with intense passion and they have tremendous hope for their futures. A week I will never forget.

The women in Thailand and Vietnam are a mix of vulnerability and strength and are incredibly sweet. They shared stories of their family traditions, food, flowers and love of life. The local women would also want to hear where I am from and want to learn about Canada (btw I am Canadian and moved to the US in 2005)…. but it is listening and learning from women all over the world that all have hope for the future and all love sharing their cultures and traditions. Women forever inspire me and that is stellar!

Teri xo