If you can’t tell by now, I think a lot (and sometimes write) about positive body image.  I spent a lot of years hating my body when I was younger and luckily have grown into a positive mindset that appreciates and loves my body no matter what size it is.  I am comfortable in my own skin.  I know a lot of women don’t have this.

A lot of women and girls have poor self image and self esteem.  I understand how easily this happens and how hard it is to combat.  The messages in the world are always telling you that you aren’t enough.  You are not pretty enough.  You are not small enough.  You will never be as awesome as the women in movies and magazines. 

But it is all a bunch of lies. 

You are BEAUTIFUL. You are goregous. You are amazing and stronger than you know.
That is all true.  And if we would only tell each other these truths than maybe we would believe them.  If we could band together and share the love and positive messages then maybe they would sink in.  We could realize how beautiful we are.  How amazing it is the diversity in human beings and the beauty found in each one.  Women, we need to help each other realize these things.

That is where Operation Beautiful comes in.  Started this month by Caitlin from Healthy Tipping Point, Operation Beautiful is one of those great movements that inspires and encourages others with very little effort.  It is a personal and global crusade to end “fat talk” – that negative and hurtful stream of thinking telling you that you are not beautiful or worth love.  Operation Beautiful encourages you to write a quick message like “you are beautiful” or “you are amazing the way you are” on a piece of paper, notecard, post-it and leave it in a public place for other women to see.  They might be seen by people who smile and move on, but they might be seen by a girl struggling with anorexia.  They might be seen by an obese woman.  They might be seend by someone who needs the encouragement and has no one around her to give it.  They might just change someone’s life.

I’ve done this very thing before but never thought of the implications if it became something bigger like Operation Beautiful.  I’ve left notes in lockers for friends, on bathroom mirrors in cabins at camp, etc.  I’ve tried to spread love through this method before and it works.   In honor of the Operation Beautiful movement I wrote and left this note today:

And I hope you read it and believe it, because its true. 

If you want to participate in Operation Beautiful or want more information about it please visit the website: operationbeautiful.com!!