... And talented!
I'm sure you've heard the quote that Nelson Mandela used at his inaugural speech- I will enclose it here, just in case you haven't. When you read it, I want you to put yourself in the mindset of a young teen who is reading this for the first time- "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others." Powerful, isn't it? Some say it's a quote that's overly used... I say it's not used enough! As a fourteen year old teen who was reading this for the first time, it hit me harder than a ton of bricks! This quote became my new motto. I repeated it over and over and over in my head, until I had it memorized. Slowly, a confidence began to build inside of me. I was worth something. I have a purpose in life, and someday, I will make my own mark on the world! Soon, I was looking around me, and saw all of my self conscious peers. Remembering how it felt, I just wanted to reach out to them, and let them know that THEY were worth something too! They too, had the ability to put their mark on the world.
My platform starts where this story ends. I noticed that the quote was right! As I let my own light shine, I was giving others permission to do the same. I freely gave out compliments, and watched as people responded to them. Then BAM! It hit me. Confidence... it's a chain reaction. If you are confident, you are more apt to notice other's greatness, and want to let them know. This in turn helps their confidence to grow, allowing THEM to notice someone else!
Think about all of the problems we could potentially be without if everyone had enough self confidence to respect themselves and others! We could say goodbye to eating disorders, violence, suicide, bullying, substance abuse... and so much more! There is a great program in Utah that Mary Kay Huntsman fronts, it's called the Power in You. As I have researched this foundation, and gotten in touch with a few of it's leaders, I have been so impressed with their message to youth! They are spreading the word that we all have the power within us to become exactly who we want to be.
My plan is to work directly with the Power in You organization in spreading the word that we all have something inside of us that is worth preserving. Something that we all need to guard with all that we hold dear; Because nothing is worth sacrificing our self worth.
As much as I LOVE being on my own, I do miss my fam a ton!! But that's how life is! :D Peace out!
