Sources of inspiration: 2011

Well, some of them

• Born This Way by Lady Gaga


• Not Alone by Darren Criss


• Fuckin Perfect by P!nk


• Harry Potter!


• Demi Lovato


• Skyscraper by Demi Lovato


• Darren Criss


• Dianna Agron


• My fellow feminists


• The love of demoracy


• seeing people fight for what they believe in


• Self-love and body love campaigns


• Movements like SlutWalk and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes


• people who are dedicated to helping others recover and heal


• happy people


• people standing up for themselves


• Jordin Sparks


• Maya Angelou


• the poem Still I Rise


• Beautiful Flower by India Arie


• The Help (novel)


• Tales of the City (novel)


• Looking for Alaska by John Green


• Winnie the Pooh


• A Thousand Splendid Suns (novel)


• Neil Patrick Harris


• Pretty/Unpretty by Dianna Agron and Lea Michele


• Jesse Tyler Ferguson


• Quote Blogs


• Christmas


• Winter

This isn't a complete list but it's accurate to the things and people that I found inspiration in.

My year in 2011

I feel like this has been a really good year for me. This year, I've learned to love myself in a way I never have before. I've never been happier. I've never loved myself more. I've learned that acceptance is just what I needed to find love and happiness in my life.

I've definitely had some battles to get through and I think I've survived quite nicely. I think my heart is healing quite wonderfully.

My year started off a little rocky but it's made me stronger.

• My spring semester didn't go to well but I survived


• I started cutting again earlier this year


• I got into a few fights and had some hurdles in a few relationships


• I had a few family problems that were hard to get through

I survived and I'm stronger because I know that these situations don't hold me back from happiness now. Life goes on. This year, especially from summer up until now, I've really learned a lot about myself. I have begun the process of finding and loving myself. It's taken a long time to love me but I now know for sure that I love me some me. Happy points this year:

• I stopped cutting some time in mid-April. I don't see my self going down that road again anytime soon.


• I made some great new friendships


• My Fall 2011 semester went quite well


• I got to go home to NYC this holiday season.


• I got to see some people who I hadn't seen in years and it was wonderful!


• I met a lot of great people this year and I'm thankful for them


• I've stumbled on a lot of great inspiration this year and I think it's what really kept me strong at times when I needed it.


• I'm a junior now and that's really exciting
li>I accepted myself and my body

There have been more but it's hard to put everything into words and on to lists. I'm looking forward to what the new year has to bring. I'll learn and grow from what ever life throws my way. It's nice to reflect. I hope you've had a great year. Be safe. Here's to surviving 2012!!

Last Day of the Year

I missed a few days because of vacation. It's the last day of the year now. I hope you've had a wonderful year. If you're reading this right now, remember that you've made it and you're beautiful.

I have wishes for you.

• I wish you a happy new year


• I wish that you remember that you're beautiful


• I wish you strength to make it through any obstacles that may come your way


• I wish that you remember to love yourself and your body.


• I wish you good health


• I wish that your mind stay free from thoughts of suicide, self-injury, and anything else that will harm your body.


• I wish you happiness and positivity


• I wish that the world can see your beautiful smile.


• I wish your life be free of body shaming, body hate, self hate, and just hate in general


• I wish you remember that you're bigger than what you're going through

You will make it. Keep your head up and stay beautiful.

reasons to smile

• family


• I met my new baby cousin today. He's 6 weeks old and the cutest thing ever. He's so precious!


• I just enjoyed a good cup of tea


• vacation is great. I really needed a break from school work to spend time with my family. Relaxing is great


• I'm seeing family that I haven't seen in over a year and I missed them so much. It's wonderful.


• I love the weather up here in New York. 80 degrees in the winter can be great but I prefer a cold Christmas


• I can hear the kids playing games and I'm happy that they're enjoying time with their family too


• I'm watching the Blind Side and that movie makes me feel things. Feeling are good.

Why did you smile today?

Holiday Hangover?

I hope you're holidays are going well!
Stay strong!

Holiday Help

Help for the holidays:

• Don't listen to those family members who only go on about how you've "let yourself go" or tell you "how big you are now" or that "you need to eat because you're too thin" etc. It's your body and it's none of their business. All sizes are beautiful and fat is not an insult anyway. Remember that you're beautiful, always. Some people are beautiful and fat. Some people are beautiful and skinny. No big deal. The holidays are no place for body policing.
• Ignore the implications that your career choice/college major is not going to help you in the future. It's your life and because it's your life, it's wonderful. Unless they can see into the future, it's a moo point.
• When people bug you about settling down and dating, remember they have no business in your love life.
• Enjoy all the food you want to enjoy
• Be thankful
• Smile
• Hug
• Fill conversations with love and good things. There is no need for hate during the holidays
• Remember that you are strong and you are special. Don't let hurtful words get you down. You're important. You are enough
• Stay strong
• Stay beautiful
• Know that there are places to vent.

got any more tips? I would love to hear them.

Happy Holidays!

Twas the night before Christmas and Kiyanna was blogging
Everyone was awake and the house was quite noisy
I read books to the young ones
They lost interest quickly
Now I am sleepy
I'm also not a poet

-Kiyanna Shanay

I have something more important to tell you than that "poem."

Vacation!

LOVE

"There's something ironic about thinking someone is a terrible person, and then spending all your time talking shit about them."

-Tyler Oakley

Sometimes Tyler Oakley knows what he's talking about. I want to address cyber bullying. I think that people have this idea that it's okay to be mean and hurtful because you're on some social networking website. It's really not. Social networks allow your voice to be heard by many. Even though this is the internet, people are forming their impressions of you from what you say. There is no benefit from hurting or attacking someone online who has done nothing to you. Just because you say it over the internet doesn't mean it isn't still hurtful. When you talk like this to people, remember that you're talking to an actual person that you don't even really know. People have feelings and just because you aren't face to face, doesn't mean your words have no impact on them. Words can hurt.

To victims,
People just can't see what a precious and beautiful person they're hurting. They just can't see how special you are. You don't deserve the hate. You're much better than that. You are enough. You are strong. Fuck the haters.

Busy bee missed a post :(

I was so busy last night that I couldn't post so I hope this makes up for it. You are beautiful.

Tuesday

Happy Monday

I hope you have a beautiful week.
This is still relevant. http://eepurl.com/hBc_U

You're not alone

Where did the weekend go? I've been spending so much time looking at older posts and I saw and older one about hope. I want to do more like those. What gives you hope or what does hope look like to you?

Saturday Night.

Hello,
I'm in the middle of reading an amazing book1 I didn't want to get up because I couldn't tear myself away. Luckily Jimmy Fallon is on SNL and I couldn't miss that so I'm taking a little break from my book. I was just crying a little bit while reading which is pretty ironic since the question for my book challenge today was "Name a book that has made you cry." I named four.

I love reading! If you know any good titles, please send them my way!

I love you and you are beautiful.

Friday

It's Friday. We made it through the week. I hope you had a beautiful week.

I've had an interesting week. Interesting in a good way. I've been trying to send as much love to people as possible. I see some one who I used to be in a lot of the people I talk to. I know that it gets better and I hope that they see it too.

I want you to know that your life matters. Hold on to hope because hope is real. Better days are coming and you deserve the love that's out there for you.

Have a beautiful weekend.

love love love

Currently sending people all the love I can. Need some love?

You are worth so much. You're not worthless, you never were, and you never will be. Sometimes things are hard but they'll make you stronger and you'll get past it. You're going to make it. Remember that you're special and you always will be. Someone sees the light shine in you like no one else can. Someone believes in you always and loves you unconditionally.

smile.

I had a good day. I hope you did too.
I was looking back at older posts and I want to share some things.
Flashback of hope

hey

Sending you all the love I can.
I hope you had a great day.
:)

Eliminate ALL the Hate!!!

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I see people take two steps forward and then 4 steps back. It confuses me so much. I see so many people who begin to fight for equality and then in the middle of it all, they take time out to push people down. I really don't see how you can promote equality and hate at the same time.


If you've been the victim of hate because you were being yourself, I want you to know that there is nothing wrong with being you. I know I say it all the time but it's true. "There is nothing more badass than being who you are." Shame on them for trying to bring you down. Maybe they're still learning how to spread the love. Sometimes it can be hard to spread love before you begin to live life with an open mind so if you receive hate for your race, sexuality, gender, class, or anything else, just know that it's not your fault. It's never your fault so please don't let it get to you. Hopefully one day they will actually learn how to spread the love with open minds and full acceptance of other people in the world.






To the people who are spreading the hate, why do you do it? I've always wondered why anyone would want to put others down and I just can't seem to figure it out. I've been a victim to this before and obviously it's not a good feeling. I know I can't tell you how to live your life but I want you to know that words can hurt and it isn't fair to bully or send hate to someone for who they are. I hope you have a lot of love in your life and that you have a beautiful week. Spread love to all.

feelings.

I found this in a magical place and I thought that it would most definitely fit here. I know that we've all had our struggles and some of us are still struggling. Our struggles make us stronger. They make us stronger. They give us stories. What ever you are struggling through right now, I want you to know that you are strong. You'll make it through and you'll gain from it. You'll gain strength and knowledge. Know that you're bigger than what you're facing and you can tackle it.

Saturday night and everything's fine

You are okay and the world is a beautiful place....if you care to see it that way. Open your eyes and see the beauty of the world around you. Enjoy life. It's wonderful. I love you.

Happy Friday :)

I'm really getting into a wintery holidays state of mind. I watched 6 Christmas/Holiday movies today with my brother and sister. I loved it! My favorites from tonight were "Frosty the Snowman" and "Yes, Virginia" featuring Neil Patrick Harris. I think that they're real good heart happy movies and today, they were my reasons to smile.

great realizations

Spread love not hate. We already have enough hate in the world. Can you see that it's not helping us any?

Hump Day Quotes

“After winter comes the summer. After night comes the dawn. And after every storm, there comes clear, open skies.”

Hi.

“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”

-Maya Angelou

Happy Monday!

I hope you've had a beautiful start to the week. I sent out my first subscriber email. Did you get one? You can read the message here. It's not too late to subscribe to receive the emails too.

Don't forget to love yourself. Have a great week!

You're not alone.

My life is a whole lot brighter after watching the live stream of the red carpet at Trevor Live. The theme of the night is "You're not alone." I love it so much! There were so many sources of inspiration. Inspirational quotes, videos, people...it was so beautiful. I just loving seeing so many people who are getting together to end bullying. I'm going to post some of the inspirational stuff here.

Since the theme of the night is "You're not alone" and because this is something very near to my heart, I would like to let you know that You aren't alone. You are bigger and you are stronger than the rough times that you're going through. Your heart will heal beautiful. You deserve the love and happiness of this world. It is your birthright. Don't give up. Stay Strong. You're going to make it okay?

kiyannaloves@yahoo.com

Reasons to smile: December 2nd-3rd

I was so busy on Friday that I could not post a message. I decided to combine yesterday's and today's message. I hope that's okay. I hope you've had a couple of days. If you're reading this right now, smile because you're making it. We made it through the week!

For me, this week started off really hectic. I wasn't sure if I would be able to find time to breathe. I did, though, and I made it. I also made A's on all of my exams. I'm still waiting for a grade on my paper but I'm really proud of the work I did. I'm glad I was able to finish it. I spent some good time with some good friends this week. I went to my university's winter wonderland celebration and made the cutest penguin at the 'Stuff A Plush' station. Now I'm with my family and it's winter break and I needed the time off!

In case you forgot, here is something you need to know:

I hope it's okay that I have one picture for two days. At the very bottom of this, you can see link that says "sign up for our newsletter" I would love it if you would subscribe to emails from 'The Mind of a Student' I want to send out messages of hope, love, encouragement, and inspiration. If you're interested, I would love to send you some love!




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Happy December

Reasons to Smile today!:

• I stayed up all night and finally finished my paper!
• I got 100% on my stats exam!
• I took the best nap ever after I got back from all my classes.
• I am done with this semester! It's been a really good one

I hope you had a great start to your December. I had a small obstacle to overcome today but I know my battles and I know what I'm stronger than. I've missed sleep though so tonight I'm probably going to hug my zebra tight and go to sleep. Sweet Dreams. ♥