Our bodies are a barometer for what is going on inside us. Our bodies do not lie. It's sort of genius how nature does it this way, and if we pay attention, we can see the gift. If I have gained weight, to a point where I am unhappy, some weight of course is natural and fine!..it usually means I have been afraid, or am angry at something. I learned this years ago in a book by Louise Hay, (a brilliant author and publisher: Hay House) Instead of judging myself I have the opportunity to ask, "What am I afraid of?" or "What am I angry about?" Usually it comes to me right away, in that quiet voice I haven't wanted to hear. Then I can do something about it, instead of "acting out" with an unwise action, like eating more ice cream or have more wine.

Our bodies are a truth barometer for what is going on inside us. When I crave comfort foods, like sugar, could be I need to be comforted and there are positive long lasting ways to meet those needs. Like talk to a friend, share my fears with someone safe, ask for a hug!

I used to not express my truth (often to men), and then would take it out on myself. Happy to say, now, after years of trial and error, I usually do (ask my boyfriend, manager, or father, or co-stars, if you don't believe me:)

The best thing you can do is be compassionate with yourself. But we gain compassion through the suffering of feeling our REAL TRUE feelings. Therapy is great for this. Remember, the feelings are not the truth. They are feeeelings.

I learned profound self compassion though Metta meditation. When you sit through the fire of your negative thoughts about yourself, you come out the other side fearless. No one can scare you. Many tears later, it's like being reborn.

I share this because I am in awe of the stories people have shared through Team True Beauty. You guys are amazing and inspire me. Let's commit together, everyday, to pay attention and take care of ourselves.

With much metta (loving kindness in Pali)
Daphne

I was born 1 lb. 14 ounces. Was given a 50/50 chance of living by the doctors. I had heart surgery when I was 3 days old. That was 22 years ago. Even though I did not know of being born 3 months premature until I was older, I have always had this feeling inside of me that I need to live life to the fullest and try and help make an impact on people's lives. I have never struggled with an eating disorder. But I do know what it is like to be naturally thin. Yes, I know what some of you may be thinking. "Oh, that must be so hard to be naturally thin!" I get told constantly, "You need to eat a burger." "You need to put some meat on those bones." And I say to them, "I wish you would get to know me before you say that, you would know that I eat constantly." It has taken me a long time to accept the fact that god made me this way and people are going to make comments no matter how you look. I do know that ladies and gentlemen YOU are BEAUTIFUL no matter what shape or size. You should not want to mold yourself into something that others want you to be. God made you for a reason, your body, your personality. Because there is no one like you in the world and there never will be. That is a beautiful thing to think about. It's pretty amazing knowing that no one can make the mark on the world like you will. Embrace the person you are, know that there are people who love you for YOU. I know everyday won't be easy. We all have our days of struggle. But you learn from those days. You learn that you are way stronger than you give yourself credit for. The things that matter in life are the impacts that you will make and the way you treat others. If you have ever seen the movie 'When in Rome' they have a scene where they go on a date at a restaurant in the dark. Not being able to see the other person but just getting to know them for their personality. Wouldn't that be a great way to get to know people? (It would also make for an interesting dinner) Personality first and then looks. Looks fade. A person's personality is forever. So know that beauty comes from the inside out. And that people will remember your character way more than how you look. Let's make loving who we are the new trend. It's a beautiful one.

-Megan Hamilton

Hello!!

I have been following you on twitter and am a huge fan of one tree hill and all the actors/actresses on it. I am so inspired to be reading all there articles and stories. True beauty is something that girls every where need to learn to EMBRACE. and I wrote this article a while ago and have been trying so hard to get it published somewhere!! its very blunt and i feel girls need to know these things. Please let me know if it gets posted or if theres anything you can do with it! I would love to help in any way possible. I am such a huge fan of these women from one tree hill, if they read my article i would faint!!!

Caitlyn Parisi
Age 21

I just wanted to say thank you to Team True Beauty for everything you have done. This movement that you have created is powerful and sends such an inspiring message to young people everywhere. As a former collegiate athlete I struggled a great deal with an eating disorder. What started out as competitive anxiety turned into a full blown health problem. I didn't even realize what I was doing until I was too weak to practice. Gymnastics had been my life for nearly 20 years, and when I wasn't able to do it anymore, I lost myself.

The road to my recovery was a long one. Some days, I still feel like I'm travelling down it, searching for that safe haven, where I'm myself again. But most of the time, I'm happy, and I'm me again. I couldn't have done it without my family and my friends, my teammates and coaches. I remember my friends trying to talk to me about it, wanting to understand what I was going through. No matter how much they listened, I never truly felt like they understood me… I felt incredibly alone. As I got closer to recovery I started hearing the things they had been saying. They were right. They had always been right. My skewed vision of myself had impaired my ability to reason, and when reality sank in I realized that I had never actually been alone… I had so many people who were standing by me; all I had to do was let them help me.

After a few months I was recovered enough to finish my gymnastics career (something I am extremely grateful for). Since then, I have become a coach, where my main focus is building confidence and encouraging my athletes to believe in themselves and their abilities. I never want another girl to feel the way I felt during that time of my life.

I have a lot of goals to accomplish in my life, goals I wouldn't be able to achieve if I hadn't fought for my health. I am so proud of where I have come, and am trying to share my experiences with as many people as I can, in the hopes that spreading the word will help more girls to see that real beauty lies within! Recently, I started a Blog where I write about my experiences, my goals and share inspirational messages ( www.allison-lifeisbeautiful.blogspot.com ). I hope to do my part to make a change.

Thank you, Team True Beauty, for your inspiration and your guidance. You are changing the world, and making it a more Beautiful place!

Love True-
Allison Annala

Sharing a story..one such so deep

Reflective

Hard

Even though just a fourth or so

Left out tons upon tons of crap

Cause that went into a corridor of shame

Am terrified to unveil

To revisit

Knowing I went through that crap once was enough

Others give pity

No thanks

[continue reading]...

I haven't suffered from an eating disorder, but I have always had issues with my body and my looks. My self esteem has been running low for a very long time. It sounds pathetic, but it hurt more than I let on when boys didn't notice me; I didn't particularly like them but I still wanted to be noticed. Whenever I used to look in the mirror I frowned and let the voice in my head tell me I had man shoulders, and that my face was too square, or that my nose was too big.

I've heard people I look up to (both celebrity and not) say that beauty comes from within but I used to think 'that can't apply to me'. I couldn't bring myself to believe in it. Then I decided one day that I had had enough of feeling insecure, I wanted to be confident, I wanted to feel as beautiful as my mum told me I was. The only time I truly felt beautiful (I'm slightly embarrassed to admit) was when a certain person looked directly at me and smiled. It made me feel so good that someone like him could notice me and smile. It made me feel worthy. I don't know when my confidence stopped relying on his attention, but I realised only yesterday that I felt truly beautiful and comfortable in my own skin. I was scared to acknowledge that the happiness and acceptance was coming 100% from myself, incase it went away; but I decided that I shouldn't worry about it anymore.

So I won't. Thank you team true beauty, for never faltering in your support.

I AM secure.
I AM happy.
I AM BEAUTIFUL.

-Elsie

Hey everyone at Team True Beauty, thanks for all that you do! I have my story however im not too good at writing so i hope its okay..

Initially i was afraid of sharing a story thats part not mine to share, but i also thought its important to get the message out because i believe self image has a huge impact on teens in the entire world! Im 18 years old i have one brother and two sisters. I remember that my family have always struggled financially and emotionally.. My dad was never around to support us growing up and my mum had the life of a party girl and left my siblings in charge..

My sister became isolated from the family since she was 14 - she was first the tomboy sort running away from home, fighting with girls at school and my mother didnt punish her because she seen it as pride she taught her daughter to be tough and strong.. This quickly changed when my sister was caught with the wrong crowd stealing.. She began to depend on boys to get her away from the mess of a place that we were supposed to call home.

When my sister realised she could get boys she began the dress to impress stage, she had a bf who began to be a part of our lives for years.. He took care of her and loved her for her.. Not her looks.. But it still didnt seem like enough for her.. My brother didnt help at all because he would tease her whenever she would come home from a date or hanging out with friends she would stuff her face with food!

My family never really had much money growing up so when i was in high school like my sister we wouldnt eat breakfast nor any food all day at school - only one meal a day; dinner because thats all we could afford! My sister maintained that diet.. And lead to her eating disorder bulimia - we found out about this as a family when she had collapsed in the bathroom at the same time as opening up about it to my mother - who was drunk at the time.. My sister was rushed to hospital - and my mother saying im here for you (dont mind you never have i heard those words before) my sister was on her way to recovery with the help of her bf !

Now eight years later i left home at 16 because my mother had her priorities all wrong as a mother and i was the first to complete high school in my family and be accepted at university. However i just wasnt ready fro uni, i needed that break. My sister again started having negative self-image thoughts and her bulimia problems on the rise. At this time i read Shantels story and boy was it inspiring and valuable at that time.. I was fortunate enough for her to tweet me and the important thing that i got out of it was to "never stop loving" my sister..

My mother had selfishly failed to support her children and we all struggled in not having that role model figure, but i have mine luckily (Sophia Bush the most amazing woman who i hope to meet and Shantel VanSanten who is so incredibly inspiring and kindhearted) i just wish everyone else had someone as positive to look up to as well :) they've changed my life!! I understand that the beautifulness inside your heart shines brighter than anything, everyone who gives endlessly without expecting anything in return is loved so much more for their generosity. Everyone is beautiful in their own unique way and its a shame when people dont realise this so im thankful for this TEAM TRUE BEAUTY campaign because it allows people to realise they matter and are beautiful!

Jessica Lee Reeves

Hi,
My name is Shawnna Lynn Mitchell and I will be 30 in a couple of months. My quest for beauty was a diffcult road. Once I reached 12 years old I fully understood that I wasn't like the other kids. I had just had one of several hip surgeries and I sitting in a specially made wheelchair. My mom wanted me to be apart of the holloween party, so she made my puppy dog custome and I was lucky. Yet I noticed in the eyes of my classmates that they didn't want me there...some actually asked me why I look different and why I'm not pretty anymore. I suppose that was when the silent war I'd continue to face started. Throughout junior high and on into highschool the isloatation began. I wasn't asked to go to places with what I thought were friends, and when I was asked people would call me at the last second and shell out excuses. One even told me(I guess she was braver then others) that.. well its because we don't want you there. Everyday, my mom would see me cry. One day asking; Why don't people like me mom? Silently I began to wonder why I was born so ugly.

United Cerebral Palsy and Peacock Camps are where I got to be a normal, happy, carefree, hyper, loving kid. One without all the bull crap of sterotypes and discrimation that was given to me throughoughout the school year. In the summer, I was able to feel loved and know that I was cared about and valued by someone that is outside my family. It felt good to hear that indeed I wasn't ugly...wasn't born ugly but in fact really pretty. Its really difficult for me to believe to this day that I am pretty, yet its a work in progress. Because I do not wish to and/or want to live behind the excuses, thoughts, ideas etc that were often given to me growing up. One day I want to give my children an example that their mommy didn't back down and gave everything she had and has to silence those negative and untrue words. And that having Spastic Quadriplega Cerebral Palsy or any other disability makes you just as beautiful, valued and loved as those that can walk around.

Thanks for listening to my story!
Shawnna Lynn Mitchell

Hey!

I find an interview with Shantel Van Santen about eating disorder. I wont to write something about that too. I haven't had an eating disorder by myself or you can say that I have but I change it by myself. I have had a phobic to gain some weight or weight more than my symbolic weight for almost 7 years. 2 years ago it got worse. It was my first year at the university and I studied English. Not to feel pressure (that I couldn't handle) or the stress or to feel the pain in my back and of course not to gain some weight I started to cut down on the food. In 4 weeks I lost almost 20 pounds. That's pretty much consider I already was skinny and I started to faint and I couldn't do anything physical before lunch. I never starved myself, but I ate very little. I really don't know what made me change it. But somewhere in my mind I know that that wasn't going to help me with anything. Many girls and boys aren't that lucky that I was at the time. Even today I fight with the feeling that I'm not pretty enough and I need to lose some weight and to eat every meal because I know that I don't feel better if I don't eat.

But something that's made me upset is the fact that people blame people that are too skinny or have an eating disorder. Like that's their own choice or fault. But I can tell all of you that in the beginning it might be a choice but the longer down the line you go it just gets harder to change your thoughts. It's almost like an addiction of your thoughts. Your mind is playing a game with you even though you maybe started it by yourself.

At the same time the clothing industry and the modeling industry doesn't make it easier for boys and girls to know what they are suppose to look up to.

I'm so glad that campaigns like Team True Beauty have been created because I hope that together we can make a difference.

Thank you for helping us to get a better world

Regards
Cissi

Sara Paxton began acting at an early age appearing in numerous films and televisions shows before making her major breakthrough with the leading roles on Summerland and Darcy's Wild Life. Once she went on to star in films such as Aquamarine and Sydney White, Sara's worlds of a high school student and Hollywood actress began merging and pressures faced in both environments combined for her. In her Team True Beauty interview, Sara talks about growing up with strong women in her family who taught her from an early age the importance of having inner beauty over anything else. She offers a fresh perspective from her Hispanic background with essential advice for girls struggling to be happy with their bodies and reveals how she thinks young women today can place their focus more on developing themselves from the inside... [continue reading]...

Another of my desktop reminders - while this photo shows a tragedy-in-progress, which people of all countries have a moral obligation to fix, it also shows true beauty. This mother, really only a child herself, is doing everything in her power to protect and care for her child. She is truly beautiful in a way that words fail to describe. Multiply this by millions around the world. True beauty comes from the inside.

Dyan Quinn

I just wanted to say thank you for all that you've done for True Beauty. This is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart. I grew up with 2 parents who love me dearly; however, my mother had an eating disorder and my father is an overexerciser. Growing up in this environment, I was constantly aware of my appearance. It wasn't until I was 15 that I started to develop a serious eating disorder. The stress and physical exhaustion that came with my anorexia made it impossible for me to continue regular schooling, and I was homeschooled for the next 2 years of my life. After getting back on track, I successfully left my home for college at Elon University. Things were going well, yet the disordered thoughts were always in the back of my mind. Dieting and restricting were what I had grown up with and brought a certain comfort to me. By sophomoe year of college, after being hospitalized many times, I was contacted by the dean and asked to take the semester off, for health and liability reasons. I moved back home with my parents, which didn't exactly help the situation. However, through moving back home, I was given the opportunity to do some extra work on the set of One Tree Hill. The combination of seeing all of these beautiful girls (Sophia, Jana, Shantel, etc.) who were so confident, and having time away from my house seemed to do wonders for me. Finally getting permission from my mother, I started therapy. In therapy we talk about who we admire and why we admire them. I realized that many of the amazing women that I admire, I look up to based on their personality and talent, rather than their weight. I am not a senior at Elon University and still struggle with disordered thinking on occassion, but I am in a much healthier place now and plan to graduate from college in May. However, whenever I am home in Wilmington (which is all too often), I try to get some extra work on the set, as a way to escape from home and as a way to remind myself of the kind of woman I would like to become. I have never had the opportunity to meet you on set, but from what I have read, I really think it would be an honor. Again, thank you so much for listening to girl's stories and taking the time to be a part of this campaign.

-- Anonymous

You'd think that by the time someone was almost 30 that they would have figured out how to be safe in their own skin. I put on a great facade, but at the end of the day (or the beginning, while getting dressed), the demons usually win. I wish that I could say that the media played a huge part in this struggle, but, in reality, it is a devastating disease. I have Crohn's disease, an auto-immune disorder that attacks the intestines, but also every other facet of the body. Often times this disease causes severe weight loss. I am 5'8 and most recently weighed 95 pounds due to a flare. Unfortunately, now that I am gaining that weight back, I can't help but feeling fat. Ninety-five pounds became my "normal"---so even at 115 pounds, I feel fat because my "normal" was 20 pounds ago. It's a struggle to define "healthy" because of this disease. I've spent 14 years fighting everyday, I've endured countless surgeries (including a total colectomy with an ostomy), hospital stays and procedures... [continue reading]...

Hey Team True Beauty, I wanted to share my experiences with you. I am currently a senior in college, and I have struggled with self-esteem almost my whole life. I do not use cuss words but to me saying self-esteem is like saying a cuss word because of all of the negative things it brings up for me. My lack of self-esteem reminds me that I am not good enough. I am a plus size girl, and I have been plus sized for as long as I can remember. I know that the world does not value plus sized people and that bugs me. I have to shop at "special stores" or in "special sections" just to find things that fit. I have to pay more for my clothes because it is an extended size.

Another thing that makes my struggle with self esteem harder is comments from other people. I do not wear make-up. I only have worn it a few times in my life because of my high school proms or some other special occasion. The thing that bugs me is when people notice me more when I wear make-up. i was at a wedding the other day and people told me how good I looked. They tell me how good I look, how nice I look, and how beautiful I am. It makes me feel like I can only be beautiful when I have the makeup on. I think that the people are trying to compliment me, but I take it as an insult. Like there is no way that I look good without it. I think that is why I dont wear it because I dont want people to treat me differently just because I have make-up on. I just wish that somebody would realize that I am beautiful even without makeup.

Thanks for letting me vent
Carolyn

I can remember my first encounter with peer pressure that affected my self-esteem like it was yesterday. I was about 11 years old and about to begin middle school, which as many of us can relate to, was like spending six hours in an episode of a soap opera, without the pay. I am a brunette; a natural one, with dark features, which I can attribute to my beautiful Spanish mother and the recessive genes my father so generously withheld. Today, I fully embrace the fact that my eyebrows are way too dark to even attempt at being blonde; but a young, vulnerable me, seemed to think otherwise. I think anyone between the ages of 11-15 will be able to tell you that 10 years ago, the trend of getting highlights (more commonly known as zebra stripes) was the "It" thing. I would enclose a picture of my hideous hairdo, but even my own mother thought those photos were unworthy of being kept. I'm so glad I've grown up since those middle school years, and I have the kindness and hope of certain people to thank for it. Here's why... [continue reading]...

Hey! I just wanted to say WOW! Seriously what an inspiring amazingly thoughtful person Shantel is. It sounds like she went through alot growing up in the sense of trying to look good. That interview made me cry a little bit, cause I stuggle w/ my weight. I am not over over weight but I am overweight a bit. I have been since like 6-7th grade. I was picked on some what alot by this one kid that was more over weight then I was. Another kid came into class one day in the early morning and told the teacher that the kid was making fun of me and my weight. I was devistated. It didn't make sense to me at all haha cause he's more heavier then I am and I ever was. It just didn't make much sense to me....And then a few years later I was gettin ready for school and my mom said to me "Jess you want to know what someone said to me" and I said (hesitantly) "ok" she said "I was in the store the other day and some one told me that YOU are getting bigger (heavier)" I couldn't believe it. I was seriously devistated. I think about it ALL the time. Those things have never left my mind. I try not to think about it but when I have days I feel like crap and are really feeling down, thats a couple things that come to mind.....And I don't look for any pity from anyone I tell the truth ya know. It's nice to hear an "i'm sorry" from people but you know what I mean?....There are SO many days where I can't take being in a wheelchair anymore because I can't excercise like a regular person would. I really can't do much. I can't get out of my chair, and if I do I need hep to be lifted back in. I used to work out my arms in the gym when I was in school but thats all I was able to do.....And a few years later I found out my younger sister was diagnosed w/ diabetes, and that really scared me, cause over weight people are able to get it more then skinny people in a way if you know what I mean, so I when I found out I started starving myself in a way to lose weight cause there was no other way for me to lose it....I don't and can't eat healthy stuff cause it just doesn't sit well w/ me for some reason and i've ALWAYS been like that since I was little, so there is no other way really for me to lose it. I am not looking to be skinny skinny but I would like to be skinny in a way. I tell my self I need to stop but I just can't. It's kind of like an addiction....I don't get encouragement at all from my family, just a comment here or there from sometimes my aunts or my aide from school the other day told me it looked like I was losing weight.....The hardest for me is, and I have and do think about it constantly, is that I feel like I don't have alot of friends cause of me looking overweight and being in a wheelchair. People talk to me in person like its awkward in a way to talk to me, like they don't feel comfortable b/c of those reasons. But no I don't get encouragement or help from my parents or anyone really, just me being told I need to watch what I eat........It's so hard these days like you and Shantel have said in the interview about the media and famous people looking like they do. People who look up to a person WANT or feel the NEED to be like that person and that could cause alot of problems in the future....People should care about themselves or have confidence in themselves, they should always have the encouragement from people to have that, thats what will help, in my opinion, and I know thats part of what Shantel and you said and agree on too......But I shouldn't really talk cause I have no confidence in myself cause some of the reasons I listed up top, so I don't really know lol. I just wanted to share a bit of my thoughts w/ what i've been through the last few years.

Jessica Boden

Shantel Van Santen, One Tree Hill
From the first time I interviewed actress Shantel Van Santen I could tell she had a special heart. She told me about an eighth grade paper of hers in which she wrote that even though she was unsure of what she wanted to do with her life, what she had known for sure was that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others with whatever she did. Her sincere care for others only further continued to prove itself after every subsequent interview and conversation we had. Spend just a few moments in Shantel's warm and humble presence and you quickly come to learn that she exudes both kindness and genuineness in a way that gives her a type of authenticity only left to be admired... [continue reading]...

Allison Munn, One Tree Hill
With over 10 million females in the U.S. alone fighting a difficult battle with some form of an eating disorder, it makes it rare for anyone of us to not know someone with body image insecurities. This became even more apparent when Team True Beauty launched and we began receiving support from all over the world. A lot of that great support has come from those involved in an industry which places the heaviest emphasis on outside appearances. Of course I'm talking about the world of entertainment. We are so grateful to those who have been contributing their admirable voices to help decrease that heartbreakingly-high statistic as well as help those struggling with any kind of self-esteem issue tied to their image. Actress Allison Munn (One Tree Hill) is one of those strong women who has not let Hollywood's unrealistic guidelines alter her... [continue reading]...

Amanda Schull, One Tree Hill
With the constant pressure from magazines and the media to be thin, it is incredibly refreshing to talk to women in Hollywood who haven't been tainted by the industry's unnatural ideas of body size and image. Amanda Schull is one of those admirable women who tells us that it is your dedication to your passion that is going to lead you to ultimate happiness and success, not the size of your jeans. She may be best known for her starring role of Jody Sawyer in the 2000 hit movie Center Stage and her dual-roles on the CW's One Tree Hill, but as a professional ballet dancer and former member of The San Francisco School of Ballet, Schull truly understands what that pressure to be extremely thin in a competitive environment can do to you and how those negative thoughts about yourself can ultimately destroy you. Schull joined to Team True Beauty to tell girls that true beauty is about being the natural you... [continue reading]...

Eliza Dushku, actress
When actress Eliza Dushku celebrated her 30th birthday this past December, she received an extraordinary gift she'll never forget: a gift that will give her the satisfaction of knowing her compassion will heal those who have had their rights abused in Uganda for years and years to come. Dushku launched the 'Raise $30,000 by Her 30th Birthday' charity project in order to raise money to build a recovery center for former child soldiers in Uganda. Dushku asked her family, friends, and fans to donate to the cause instead of buying her gifts. And that is why Eliza Dushku and The True Beauty campaign are a perfect match; she is someone who uses her inner beauty to make a difference in the lives of others... [continue reading]...

Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009
In support of the True Beauty campaign, Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton is telling girls everywhere that being beautiful is about simply choosing to live a smart life for yourself and generous life for others. Kristen, a North Carolina native, holds a degree in Psychology and Spanish from the Honors college of East Carolina University. In addition to being a professional model, Kristen is an active philanthropist and motivational speaker. She recently took the time to share her story of what it was like striving for that certain size and her perspective of it now as a model. This being something millions of girls everywhere can relate to, Kristen offers great advice for those dealing with self-image insecurities and how they can overcome them... [continue reading]...

I know True Beauty focuses on eating disorders, but what I look at daily on my desk is an old, faded newspaper clipping. Maybe it will help others to understand true beauty it is not on the surface, but comes to the surface from the inside, just as Daphne says.

I am attaching, if possible, a scan of the whole clipping, but summarize here in case that is not possible: Sara of Western Oregon hit a 3 run home run but fell at 1st base severely injuring her knee . A substitute runner would have to be a 1st, no teammate could help her or she would be called out, both nullifying the homerun. There was no rule against the other team helping. Mallory & Liz of the other team (Central Washington) picked up Sara carried her around the bases making sure she touched each, even though it meant playoff elimination.

Who wouldn't cherish friends, employees, bosses or co-workers who have character and confidence like this. Mallory, Liz and Sara are my daily reminders of True Beauty, and I don't care what they look like.

Dyan Quinn

Sharing with you a poem that I wrote...Video link included. Hope u enjoy. :-)
http://www.youtube.com/1barbarajohnson#p/a/u/1/0zAoQq-pDsA

CoverGirl
Cosmetic perfection changed her skin,
yet blemished her soul
She's supernatural
Blotched, bleached, blended
Airbrushed to perfection
Far from the realm of where foundation begins
And I don't mean the kind applied to the skin
But natural colors given
from generations
before replacements of cosmetic ensembles
Blushes, mascaras and eye and lip liners
cause beyond all of that you will find Her
Quintessentially mixed
Not forged or counterfeit
But legit
and just as natural as a pearl
But to be a CoverGirl
is to be flawless to the world
Means to cover the girl with synthetic appearances
to give her man-made features
A human creature
Idolized for a mask that conceals her true features

And though she's more beautiful than her exterior portrays all that you can see is that she has a pretty face
That's the cover of this girl
CoverGirl

(C) Barbara C. Johnson

Now that I'm getting older I'm beginning to understand more and more about true beauty. Not everyone knows what it truly is and I want to share what I've learned over the years. I've always believed that beauty meant so much more than what it was portrayed as but sometimes I would find it hard for me and I know other kids and teens have that same problem to feel comfortable in my own skin. But I was able to believe that I was beautiful by stemming from the inspiration from Demi Lovato because she always let all her fans know that they are beautiful and I can speak on behalf of her fans and myself that thanks to her we believe in ourselves. I know now that beauty comes within and not from your size of clothing or even your outside appearance. There are so many beautiful people in the world and I believe that when someone does something to help others or help the world be a better place that is considered as True Beauty because that person is shining within. God created each and everyone of us out of beauty and through his love I can honestly say that we each are Beautiful, so go out and live life and let your beauty show because God makes no mistakes.

I hope this helps someone out there that doesn't feel beautiful because you are beautiful, so let your beauty show and please don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Mary Veney
Virginia

Beautiful. It's a word every girl wants to hear. They want to hear someone say "You are beautiful." For the most part, it doesn't matter who tells us we are beautiful. We just want to hear it. Hearing it from our parents makes us feel loved. Hearing it from our girlfriend's is nice and reassuring. And hearing it from a guy makes us feel special.

But what happens when we aren't told we are beautiful. What happens when we come to find out that the world's idea of beautiful looks way different from what we look like.

This may be lame, but Sophia Bush's character Brooke Davis said it best in season 3 of One Tree Hill: "Anyway, here's all you really need to know about today; if... you're fat, dumb, sexual and a guy, you're OK If you're a girl, not so much. Please tell me that's changed in the future."

Season 3 was a long time ago. And unfortunately, I think things have only become worse. I realize that the pressure to fit in and do dramatic things in order to do so affects guys as well, but since I am not a guy, I can't really write about that. But I am a girl. A girl who went to public school her whole life, and who endured the taunting from the bullies. I was never the skinniest girl. I was a soccer and softball player. I was an athlete. And I had an athletes body, which included the soccer "thunder thighs." I also was not the smartest student around. I wasn't dumb, but I put my focus on other things beside school, and that in turn had an effect on my grades.

Even as young as middle school, I knew girls who were doing what, at the time, I thought of as unthinkable. They would bring their lunch to school, and then just throw it away right when they got there, to make sure they would not eat anything throughout the day. And it wasn't until I walked into the bathroom on the same girl throwing up for the fourth time that I realized what she was up to. I didn't understand why they were doing this. I was still at the stage in my life where I could eat all the crap I wanted, and not gain a pound. I thought all of us were still at that stage.

High school was even worse. Especially when one of the people you looked up to and respected most was actually one of the people who had fallen in this trap and was trying to pressure you to join them in it. And high school is all about conformity, right?

My story is not as raw and heartbreaking as some. My struggle with the issue of not eating was a short one in comparison to some. But the implications stuck with me.

I have worked with Jr. High girls since high school. I have a desire and passion to help them. And the thing that breaks my heart is that they look up to these people they see on television, and they feel like they HAVE to be them. I have talked to girls who started not eating or throwing up their food as young as the age of 8. 8. Seriously?

The problem, I think, lies in the media. I mean, if you take a good look around, for the most part all you see is tall, thin, blonde bombshells. When you go to the store, you see racy pictures on the magazines. Women are portrayed as these dolls in a sense. The pictures you see on the internet, in magazines, and on television are not real people (for the most part). They are an airbrushed version of said person. And they look perfect.

Girls need positive role models to look up to. They need people who are going to listen to their problems, and help them. They need authenticity. These days, that is kind of hard to find.

This campaign is authenticity. It is true. It is raw. It is heartbreaking. It is hopeful. It is real. And this campaign will help many.

I have much respect for the people who support this cause. They are trying to make a difference in this world. They have seen this need, and they are trying to do something to fill it. The interviews that have been published thus far have been eye opening and inspiring. And I am sure there is more to come.

Immature. Obsessive Compulsive. Psychotic. Those were just some of the names I heard last year directed towards me during my college softball season. All I wanted was to work hard, have a clean uniform, and clean cleats. After going through a coaching change a month before the season was supposed to start, I was faced with a challenge; how was I supposed to pull myself together for the season? After all, I hated change. It was my own worst enemy, and trying to adjust to a new coach was a tough task for me to do. I was very reserved and rebellious at first, which for everyone who knows me isn't how I normally am. I was trying to figure out a coaching system that was completely different then what I was used to and I didn't want to change anything about my style of play. We would participate in childish acts at practice (coloring books, scavenger hunts, dance parties, etc.). Most of which I didn't want to be a part of but I had to in order to "fit in" with the team. I was embarrassed and would have much rather taken ground balls or taken 100 more swings in the batting cage. My teammates hated me and made sure I knew it by pictures/comments put up on Facebook and nasty text messages.

After being looked down upon every day for 5 months, having every word and action analyzed, I lost confidence in myself, lost my purpose in my life, felt like I was never good enough no matter how hard I worked or how nice I was. Questions and punishments were constantly being thrown my way. I was actually benched a game because I did not know how to do a hitting drill at practice the correct way. Every day I questioned myself, "Why am I here? Why am I still putting up with this?" I did it because I loved the game and I wasn't a quitter. No matter how tough my days were, I somehow got through them. Every day I was brought to tears by how I was treated by my teammates who I thought were my "best friends". I started to live my days by song lyrics and quotes because they gave me the strength to continue. I had no one on my side, no one at school that I could lean on or turn too to help me. I didn't want to even live anymore because my heart couldn't handle it anymore.

No matter how bad I wanted to quit and give up, I didn't. One day I saw a light at the end of the tunnel and knew that it would all be over soon and I would go back home and have a supportive family. I would surround myself by positive people who could get me back to feeling myself again. It has been a year and I still have my good days and bad days. Some days I wake up and think about the situation and I wonder why? I just met some amazing people last weekend in Wilmington, NC and I wouldn't have been able to do that because if this all didn't happen, I would currently be in softball season. I now truly understand and believe that "everything happens for a reason."

My advice would be to know that you are beautiful inside and out no matter what anyone says. Everyone is strong whether they believe it or not. There is a light at the end of every tunnel and you are better off without the negatives in your life. Surround yourself with positive people, people who you can be yourself around. My daily goal is to now give someone a compliment everyday because you don't know what battles they are fighting. I know my situation deals with sports, but sports have been my life for the past 16 years; they made me who I am today.

-Anonymous