I hope everyone is in good spirits and doing well. I have been getting your emails and I’m trying to keep up with my promise to respond as much as possible. I’ve also been having camera issues which is why I’ve been taking less photos which has been a question I’ve been getting. I’ve been getting several emails regarding a few current event topics and self-esteem issues. I think there is so much to be said about self-esteem, beauty, dealing with negative people (haters!) but I just wanted to just share a little bit about myself to be really honest and open with you all. I’ve replied to emails and shared some things and answer questions but in case you just look here time to time I just wanted to say that I’ve been picked on before, I’ve had people say and do really hurtful and mean things to me, and I can admit without regret at times I’ve let it break me down, but I didn’t let it destroy me. Today on my facebook I wrote an update and said:

‘I decided…’ is one of the most powerful words you can ever utter. It shows stregth and responsibility even when fear and confusion exists. It shows commitment and willingness to endure a longer and harder path even if you have to do it on your own. Whatever your problem is; beauty, finances, self esteem, employment, family, you can begin on the path to overcome by saying ‘I decided…’

 

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I meant what I said in writing that. I’ve looked up to several people growing up, one of them being Tyra Banks, who we know as a model, talk show host, judge on ANTM and many other things being the mogul she is. But one of the things that I have learned from her words is when she once spoke about ‘being relatable’ and the challenges that come with it. Tyra Banks, just like myself, and many of your favorite celebrities and role models have at some point have had to deal with negativity, violence, harassment, etc. From Tyra Banks I learned that I too want to be relatable and one day ‘I decided…’ that if someone said something negative to me about the way I think, look, or act that it was not ok but also not going to change the course of my life. Of course it still hurt but the beautiful thing about it that I’m experiencing now as an adult is that I meet kids and teens now who express the same emotions that I felt and I can tell them I too can relate. While the current campaign against bullying has been focused more one sexuality and seen as a ‘new issue’; it is anything but. I believe various types of harassment do not just affect one segment of our population, it’s just due to current events and media, often one face becomes the poster child for a problem that affects so many people such as eating disorders, poverty, AIDS/HIV, etc.

Actress Brittany Snow and MTV has launched the ‘Love is Louder’ Campaign. Disney Lovato has been involved with several anti-bullying campaigns.

Which follows a number of other celebrities, organizations, clubs, and promotions that send the same message that you are not alone, we all have the power to take part in making a positive environment, and that your life is worth it.

The worst thing you can do is throw your life away especially because another person makes you feel your life is not as valuable or promising as theirs. Don’t throw your life away with drugs, cutting your education short, or harming yourself or others. As Ellen Degeneres has said on her show “Things will get easier, peoples’ minds will change, and you should be alive to see it.”

I know this isn’t a makeup or ‘beauty’ post so with that said I did do a review on an affordable mineral makeup which I’m using in the photo below. I do believe beauty is not skin deep but rather something that radiates through our spirit and compassion for humanity.