What happened to me was not my fault

This wonderful woman is Staceyann Chin. She's a poet, performer, and activist. Her performances are so powerful. I'm sharing this clip of one of her memorable performances because I think this message is incredibly important for women. Remember to be proud of who you are. Love all parts of yourself because there is no one else out there like you. Be the epitome of your name and your soul. No one can be a greater you. Be that great person that you deserve to be. Anything that has happened to you in the past that has shaken you was not your fault. What someone else did in hope to cut you down was not your fault. The person who violated you was in the wrong. What happened to you was not your fault. 

 “I wish every woman had the pen, the clear view and the support she needs to scream: WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WAS NOT MY FAULT”

--Staceyann Chin

Days 13 and 14

A picture of you in your pajamas

I sent this to a friend a while back for a project she was doing. It's the only picture I can find of me in pajamas. I have lots of great pajama pants that I think are cute but the clothes I end up sleeping in are just random. I usually just end up in a t-shirt.

Your favorite holiday/winter quote 

This is one of my favorite quotes the movie Love Actually. It doesn't really say anything specifically about the holidays but it's a holiday movie and this is my blog so it fits. It's also a really great quote about love.

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around."

I'm thankful for you♥

Happy Halloween!

This Halloween I got to dress up twice!. I dressed up the first time for the PRIDE Fall Formal Masquerade and the second time for a costume party. I didn't have an official theme for either of the costumes. I wanted to be a princess and I felt like one so that's what I was. In the first costume, my friend Mia(pictured) told me I looked like a rockstar superhero princess so that's what I am in the first picture. At the costume picture that the second picture is from, someone said I looked like little red riding hood so I'll go with that. I felt absolutely beautiful each time! I also had a great time!

I hope you beautiful today. If not, it's okay. I hope you feel beautiful tomorrow. Just so you know, I think you're wonderful everyday.

Happy Hump Day

I added this other picture of the inspirational Demi Lovato because she is such a great role model. Her message is amazing. It's great to have support from someone who has taken a stand and shared their journey. We are BEAUTIFUL.

It's a new day.

Don't let insecurities ruin your mind or you life. Live free and be you. You are wonderful.

Endless message

So I say this a lot. I say it a lot because I know it's true. I know that it's something we all need to here. I'll keep saying it as long as I can. I look around all the time and I still see the need for it.

You are absolutely beautiful. You're a beautiful soul in a beautiful body. Claim your body and love your body. It's the only one you'll ever have. Respect it and cherish it.

Love yourself. You're special. Be proud of yourself. Tell yourself the truth, that you are beautiful and you make the world a better place just by being in it.

Be you. Love you.

Support your body

Tip 10: Be your body’s friend and supporter, not its enemy.

Listen to your body. Don't be so hard on yourself. If you're not feeling too comfortable in your body, take a look in the mirror, take a deep breath, relax, and k about what is making you uncomfortable.

For me, I think that I really want to figure out what I'm eating that's been making me sick lately so that I can stop getting sick! I also want to take better care of my hair. I should want my hair to be as healthy as my body. I'm not very nice to my eyes. I could really take better care of them. I sleep in my contacts a lot and that's just not fair to my eyes.

The truth is, we're only given one body. It's the only body we'll ever have. Sure we can do a lot of things to it but is torturing our body really going to make us any happier. If our bodies are happy then we can be happy.

YOU...

"You are gorgeous just as you are...as long as you believe it."

I stumbled upon this video while watching Jason Segel interviews on youtube and I just had to share it. When someone is brave enough to love their body despite society's standards we should applaud them and embrace them. We all deserve the right to love our bodies and to have a wonderful and healthy self-esteem. Love you some you.

What to do? Have fun

Tip 9: Think about all the things you could accomplish with the time and energy you currently spend worrying about your body and appearance. Try one!

• read a book
• write a novel
• buy and rock that outfit that you've had your eye on
• treat yourself to a mani/pedi
• reread your favorite book
• watch a marathon of your favorite show
• watch your favorite movie
• find a new favorite anything
• dance like it's nobody's business because honestly, it's not.
• do your favorite workout for FUN
• do a mini photo session in your favorite outfits.
  
• play your favorite sport and break all the rules if you want to.
• concoct your own delicious recipe and serve it to someone who care about.
• NUDES!!!
• Teach yourself how to sew/crochet/knit/bake...whatever you want. look at all the how to videos on youtube!
• make a youtube video

What would you do?

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength."

Underneath your clothes, you're naked.

Tip 7: Wear comfortable clothes that you like, that express your personal style, and that feel good to your body.

It's good to be you. You won't feel good if you're not comfortable with what you've got on. It's important that you be yourself and that you're comfortable with who you are. You have to embrace yourself and express yourself.

That which doesn't define you.

Tip 6: Don’t let your weight or shape keep you from activities that you enjoy.

Just so you know, no matter what the number on the scale is, it does not define you. You are so much more that a number on the scale. Don't be afraid to do what you love. Don't be afraid to look at the world and say, "this is me and this is where I belong. get used to me." When you do what you enjoy, you're entire body feels it and is happy too.

You want to go swimming? Go ahead and go swimming.
You want to be a boxer? Be the best boxer ever.
You want to do Cartwheels down the street? Be careful and have fun.
You want to play tennis? Be the next Serena Williams.
You want to grow a garden? Go ahead and grow the most beautiful garden and wear a sunhat.
You want to dance? Be the greatest dancer.

Be true to yourself and do what it is that makes you happy and you will feel so good!

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

Love this so much.

Be Confident.

Tip 5:Walk with your head held high, supported by pride and confidence in yourself as a person.

Be confident. Are you feeling the body love yet? Confidence is key. If we don't love ourselves then who will? My theory is that when I believe in myself, I'm always a winner. Believe in yourself and you'll be a winner. Winners can accomplish anything. It's all in you. I can see it from here.

Your inspiration :)

Tip 4: Create a list of people you admire: people who have contributed to your life, your community, or the world. Consider whether their appearance was important to their success and accomplishments.

I feel like this is something that I can go on and on about forever. I like this tip. I think it helps you remember that the people you look up to are humans who love and feel and who have probably struggled with the same issues that you have but have overcome their mountains and touched beautiful lives like your own.

• my mommy
• my grandmother and my grandfather. ♥
• My auntie Jackie
• Courtney
• my closest friends
• my brother and sister
• my Family
• Demi Lovato
• Jonas Brothers
• Honor Society
• Jordin Sparks
• Dr. Martin Luther King jr.
• Ghandi
• Princess Diana
• TWLOHA
• Labanya
• David
• Project Beauty
• Operation Beautiful
• Maya Angelou
• JK Rowling
• Any author who has published their story to share with the world.
• People who stand up for what they believe in.
• Rupert Grint

I could probably go on forever. who inspires you? How do they help you to better appreciate yourself?

Magic is beautiful.

Tip 3: Become aware of what your body can do each day. Remember it is the instrument of your life, not just an ornament.

There is beauty in magic and our bodies are magical. That means that our bodies are beautiful. Think of the special things that your body does each day. Our eyes, for example, flush out bad guys as necessary. What other amazing things does your body do? The body is one of the most amazing and well designed "machines" ever created.

What we do.

Tip 2: Create a list of things your body lets you do. Read it and add to it often.

Sometimes we need to reminded of what we have and how blessed we are. The picture below is of a woman celebrating her body love. It's so inspiring. Our body does a lot of things, it's amazing. Sometimes we take somethings for granted. We all have body issues but I want to help people learn to love their bodies. It's possible to have some body love. Sometimes we don't see eye to eye with out bodies but I think this list is a tool to remind us how awesome our bodies are so, I will post a list here.

• My legs allow to walk to class and around the mall and my house. They take me places.
  
• My fingers allow me to type this message,
  
• My eyes allow me to see it.
• My ears allow me to listen to my favorite song
• My tummy let's me eat yummy food
  
• I can dance to my favorite songs
  
• I can smile and then I can share that smile with others.
  
• My arms help me move things and give hugs!
• I can wiggle my toes
• I can do spirit fingers
• I have a brain that has brought me all the way to my sophomore year of college.
• My legs let me dance to all my Wii dance games and they let me play Wii fit.

Our list grows day by day. So if you're trying to go on a journey to love your body, this list is a great way to start. What things do you think are beautiful? What do you like? What don't you like? All things to consider.

Rev Your Engines.

Love your body in 20 days!....Just kidding. There is no step by step guide to loving anything and there is no limit on how long it takes to love someone, including yourself. There are however, tips and ways to help you love your body. I have seen so many but I found a list by Dr. Margo Maine, Ph.D. that I especially love and want to share one each day. This list was compiled for the National Easting Disorders Association.

Tip 1: Think of your body as the vehicle of your dreams. Honor it. Respect it. Fuel it.

I don't think I have a dream car so I'm just going to put a picture of a zebra here instead. I'm sure it saves a lot more on gas anyway.
"Honor it." I understand this to mean that I should love my body/dream zebra. Treat it like a queen.

"Respect it." Don't call it bad names. Names like Disgusting, Horrible, Garbage, Ugly, etc., are bad. Names like Beautiful, Wonderful, Phenomenal, etc., are good. You don't have to go all out but i think it helps if to be happy about it. Love the skin you're in.
"Fuel it." This can be taken a lot of different ways. What I see it as, is enjoy life. It's okay to indulge when needed. I think it means not to starve yourself. I also see it as meaning that you should try to stay healthy. Don't forget that aside from being yummy, bringing families together, and preserving culture, food is a primary source of energy and it's good for your body.

one day closer to Friday!

So far this week, I've been a good body owner. I've listened to my body. This is the only body I will ever have and I am making sure that I treat it like a queen. So far, so good!



I've been enjoying my classes so far. First week is going well. I love that it ends with a three day weekend! I have so many reading assignments but this semester, there will be no slacking, no skimming, and no sleeping in apparently....except maybe on Saturdays. I'm pretty excited though for the rest of the semester even though I still have one more day left in the first week. As long as I stay on top of things. This should be a lot of fun and I will have a lot to share!

Sex, Stereotypes and Beauty: The ABCs and Ds of Commercial Images of Women - Flash Presentation

Click this! It's very informative and thought provoking. I've seen a lot of these pictures before in my Human Sexual Behavior class so that means that the messages and images are spreading. Keep it going!

Sex, Stereotypes and Beauty: The ABCs and Ds of Commercial Images of Women - Flash Presentation

breathe easy

Whoa. I think that sums up my Fall semester. I thought it was going to kill me but look at me. I'm here. I survived chemistry and I did better than I thought. My final grade was a "B" which is what I was fighting for so I'm really happy about it. I had a B+ before the final exam but apparently, a B+ just was not meant to be. I'm okay with that. That class was pretty hard. Thank God for the grading scale!

While up super late studying for my Female Experience in America class, I found this wonderful line in one of the books that I found very interesting:

"...girls who hate their bodies do not make good decisions about partners, or about the kind of sexual activity that is in their best interest. Because they want to be wanted so much, they are susceptible to manipulation, to flattery, even to abuse. It [body angst] makes the worst forms of sexual flattery acceptable, which explains why some girls feel ambivalent about sexual harassment and do not know how to respond."

-Joan Jacobs Brumberg's The Body Project

This is so true! Body hate is our biggest enemy and it is hurting us physically and mentally. Why do we do it so often. I do it too sometimes but it makes me sick when I hear people go on and on about how much they hate their bodies, failing to find a single good thing about it.

I admit that I do need to treat my body a lot better but there are still things that I love about it.

My body is the only one I'll ever have.

I need to listen to it a lot more and understand it when it is trying to tell me something.

My body has been with me since day 1, it's always with me which is why I should probably begin to be a better friend to it.

I love my smile because it is my connection to the past.

I love my eyes because I share them with my beautiful family. Beautiful big tired eyes :)

I love my short fingers because how else would I be able to wear all the cute little rings that I love

I love my mind, most of the time, because it's pretty darn powerful....blessing and a curse.

I think I could on especially after I start to listen to my body more and treat it better.

Body love is possible. I can do it and I thought it was going to be hard...like Chemistry, but I survived.