CHRSTINE MARIA x PORTRAIT

I met Christine just over a year ago. In that short span of time, she has showed me what it takes to give back to those in need, the necessity of a drive and ambition, and the importance to always dream. Please take the time to look through the following images and words. I hope it can inspire you.

A special thank you goes to Jacqueline Parker Makeup!
http://jacquelineparkermakeup.com/
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Not only is she a successful business woman, Christine’s desire to give back to the community and inspire others is what she values with the utmost importance. Her most recent endeavour has been the creation of the New Leaf Foundation (http://www.newleaflifestyle.ca), a platform where people can share their stories to inspire and empower, while at the same time getting and giving hope.

via Christine:

“I dream of a community where all of us can openly share our pain and sorrow without judgement…

…So I created New Leaf Foundation – a place where you can turn over a new leaf by sharing your story, or through others.”

Christine’s Story via New Leaf Foundation

“It was difficult for me to decide which story to share with all of you.
But it would be hypocritial of me not to share my story…well, at least one.
So it is my wish that someone who is meant to understand, understands.
I wasn’t always a believer in change until I experienced it myself.
I was a victim of verbal and physical abuse when I was growing up. I walked on eggshells everywhere I went.
I put on a smile every morning to hide the pain I was in just like I had learned to wear long sleeves at times I needed to hide a bruise that I didn’t want anyone to see.
As I remember these memories, (and yes. they are now memories) I can’t help but to smile from my heart.
It took me many years to forgive the person who made me feel this way. It took me many years to understand. It took me many years to feel happy. And it took a whole lot of crazy for me to finally stand up for myself.
But when I realized forgiveness is about me, not him. When I realized forgiving him was FOR ME, that’s when healing started.
IT is my greatest achievement to understand what forgiveness is. And when I forgave him and told him that I did, he changed.
Believe me, we didn’t speak for a long time. I thought I could never have him in my life when I moved out. But when I told him I forgave him and that I loved him inspite of all the things, I felt as if a tonne of bricks just turned into ashes and his eyes were opened.
I can and I am proud to call him my father now. He is a completely different person and he apologized for the things of past. Both him and I have scars from the demons in the past. Demons that took him over and demons that made me feel like how I felt. But it is now just simply a scar, not a wound.
It took many years. It took many tears. It took many battles.
But FORGIVENESS Won. And that’s when I turned over my first new leaf. And why New Leaf Foundation means everything to me.”

- Christine Hoh

Hopefully, after browsing through this post, you or someone you know can have something to share.  The affect of one’s strory can be a powerful thing – you never know who you might inspire and how it could change someone’s life.

http://www.newleaflifestyle.ca

http://365dream.tumblr.com