by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Fashion, Health
5 years ago I tried to kill myself.
I still have the scars on my arm from this time in my life.
At the time, I was sick, I was sad, I was depressed and I saw absolutely no way out.
Through sheer will, a lot of determination and a crazy cacophony of coincidences, I ended up coming off all the drugs I used to treat my anxiety, moods and depression and instead, I began treating myself completely naturally with foods, supplements and mind strengthening techniques.
To my stubborn surprise – this worked!
I replaced feeling sorry for myself with feeling grateful for what I had. I replaced self destructive behavior with books and self-help audio about why I was the way I was. I replaced pity with willingness. I replaced hurting myself with meditating.
It has been an incredible 5 years. Not only was I able to move out to California and make a home in LA & then San Diego, I’ve been able to create (and then bask in) accomplishments beyond my wildest dreams: starting my own award-winning company that gives back, writing a bestselling book about my journey, giving Raelie and my family the life I always dreamed for us, sharing my message all over the world.
Many of you have been there from me from the very beginning of my journey. Some of you even knew me before I began. Many of you met me with love and hugs and hangouts when I first started. Some of you started following along the way.
In getting to know you, my amazing tribe, and being a part of your stories, I am a much better and more learned, open and honest person for it.
I wanted to thank you. All of you. For reading, for being here, for supporting me throughout all of this.
This week I was nominated for Woman of the Year by San Diego Magazine.
But it didn’t always start out that way…
So as a reminder:
If you’re having a bad day, don’t give up.
Don’t EVER give up.
Moments that seem like mistakes are the building blocks of your future.
Events that seem like tragedies are just necessary life trials that are shaping you.
Pain is temporary. Feelings are temporary.
Your temporary feelings will disappear into the ether.
They’re just waiting for you to form and frolic in your self-made happiness.
Don’t give up.
I never thought that in 5 years I would go from the most miserable person I knew
to holding my Woman of the Year nomination and walking a red carpet for my city’s #1 and oldest magazine, glowing with pride.
Don’t ever give up.
You are perfect.
You are worth it.
You are sheer moments away from your dreams.
****
Feeling inspired? Beastly Threads is an eco-friendly and ethical company that donates proceeds to wildlife conversation to help save animals!
Save 20% with code ORGANICLIFE, and give back today.
PS I get my sunnies at Sun Time in Grossmont!
by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Fashion, Love
It’s still weird to say that I recently got engaged.
The idea of putting a ring on my finger (especially that finger!) was always a little crazy to me.
I barely wear jewelry unless it’s made by someone I know or has a special meaning behind it, and I wasn’t planning on getting married.
At all.
Never mind any time soon.
Hubby-to-be knew this.
So what made him think that when he got down on one knee and pulled this particular ring out of his pocket, I had to say yes??
What, in fact, made him right about that?
Yes literally just came pouring – with flowers and honey and love and kisses – out of my mouth.
To this man, and this ring, anything other than yes was no option.
This moment and this ring meant more than a proposal.
This ring? It was special.
It’s a gemstone. Naturally.
It’s an ethical, conflict free, fair trade, sapphire (both of our birthstones!)
It’s hand cut into a perfect heart and surrounded by reclaimed diamonds.
There was no mining, displacement, environmental disruption or bloodshed of any kind involved to source it.
The icing on the cake?
It was designed by him.
There is no ring like it – anywhere in the World.
The fact that he designed it is SO incredible to me. The fact that the ring is so thoughtfully sourced really means LOVE to me.
It really encompasses not only our love, but it envelops what’s truly important to the earth.
It’s the essence of who we are as individuals and also who we are as a couple.
It means he gets it.
It means he gets us.
We care.
We’re both huge conservationists at heart (and in practice!)
T’s been surfing, farming, traveling and helping the World through various business endeavors since high school. His company, Waxelene, is organic, natural, pesticide free, gluten free, fully sustainable, wind powered, solar powered and uses BPA-free plastic and recyclable glass. goop just called them one of The 13 Best (Clean) Do-It-All Beauty Balms!
The last 5 years of my life have been dedicated to wellness, nature, exercise, self love and the health of humanity. This year, The Organic Life has recently been named one of The Healthiest Companies by San Diego Business Journal.
We spend our mornings hiking and our afternoons yelling, “STOP THROWING THOSE ROCKS AT THE CLIFFS!” to kids on the beach (ridiculous, but true.) We spend our nights catching solar eclipses on the shoreline and naming the stars.
It means my future husband gets me.
And I couldn’t say no to that.
In the spirit of this amazing time in my life, I wanted to share some important tips for making sure your soul mate gets you, too.
Read on if you plan on getting married, getting engaged or just plain love picking out some nice jewelry for yourself or a loved one – with no guilt!
Why A Conflict Free, Eco Ring is important to consider:
- Behind the sparkle, the jewelry industry is plagued by human rights abuses and environmental destruction. Is this what we want to support in the name of fashion or love? Of course not!
- Buying conflict free means you are sending a message to this industry that abuse to workers, children and the environment is NOT OKAY.
- Only .01% of the world’s diamonds meet ethical standards for pure sourcing and exceptional quality, making your jewelry not only rare, but something you can be proud to wear.
- Being responsible in mining (or, in the case of my ring – no mining at all) allows for a conservative approach to your bling.
- Many companies who source ethical and conflict-free stones donate a percentage of profits to those who have been harmed by the diamond industry. This is a great way to give back!
- Diamond mining has caused brutal civil wars. Purchasing a conflict-free diamond helps support peace.
- Girls like me will marry you!
- “Conflict free” are two great words to begin a lifetime together with, don’t you think? 🙂
So, I very enthusiastically said yes!
But what if the ring wasn’t thoughtful?
What if it wasn’t conflict-free? What if it hadn’t been totally perfectly representative of us?
What if it didn’t encompass us as people?
What if it didn’t mean, ” Hey girl, I totally understand you… let’s do this thang.”?!
What would I have said?!
Luckily, we don’t have to find out…
😉
With Love,
PS Although many of you have asked, I have not included specific resources for conflict-free diamonds or jewelry in this article because I believe that everyone should do their own research. What I felt was “right” may not feel “right” for you, and I want you to make your own beautiful, informed choices! I wish you the best of luck on your way!
by Tara Mackey | Around the World, Blogroll, Modeling, My Organic Life, Travel
“I’m simply saying that there is a way to be sane. I’m saying that you can
get rid of all this insanity created by the past in you. Just by being a simple
witness of your thought processes.
It is simply sitting silently, witnessing the thoughts, passing before you.
Just witnessing, not interfering not even judging, because the moment you
judge you have lost the pure witness. The moment you say “this is good, this
is bad,” you have already jumped onto the thought process.
It takes a little time to create a gap between the witness and the mind. Once
the gap is there, you are in for a great suprise, that you are not the mind, that
you are the witness, A watcher.
And this process of watching is the very alchemy of real religion. Because as
you become more and more deeply rooted in witnessing, thoughts start
disappearing. You are, but the mind is utterly empty.
That’s the moment of enlightenment. That is the moment that you become for
the first time an unconditioned, sane, really free human being.”
TGIF! I have been dying to share these photos from Mexico with you all! There are certain pieces out there where you can really just feel the love put into them! The feel, the texture, of an accessory really just speaks to you and you’re tempted to wear it constantly. I’ve found great protection in this handmade necklace and these fantastic handcrafted bracelets from iamto’b! I almost never gravitate towards chunky accessories, or long necklaces, but honestly, I am totally in love with them. There’s something so aesthetically pleasing to me about them! I’ve really started to surprise myself with how much I’ve opened up to sustainable & different ideas about fashion!
I’ve been taking a lot of time out lately for self care, which I must say has been helping so, so very much to put me in a strong creative place. It’s been a super inspiring week – I’ve had to look to almost nothing outside of myself to feel absolutely fulfilled. I have a few wellness posts coming up that I think have helped put ME in a better place about how I am, so I really hope they help you too!
I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week!
Thank you very much.
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Love & Light
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