Tuesday, March 27, 2012
My Real Life Debunking of Beauty Myth
I want to personally share to you all my fabulous readers - this amazing woman, Tara Starling, whom I met at the Ignite Your Spark Women's Conference. Please watch her video and you'll know why I'm following this brave and courageous woman in changing the world, one woman's beauty manifesto at a time.
For the last couple of years, I've been drawn to Youtube watching videos of makeup and fashion tutorials, beauty product reviews, especially beauty myths and other disturbing videos about how media is distorting women's images through extreme photo shopping and altering - and why in the world girls and women alike are obsessed about these doctored images of celebrities and models. What really threw me off lately are the videos of young girls asking viewers, "Am I ugly?" or "Am I Fat?", and letting the world judge them!
I remember, when I was a young girl, I struggled, too, and I was very conscious about my legs as they are not ideally skinny, like the models I see in the magazines. And I let the world judge me and be called "fat and ugly!" I carried this insecurity about my body until now, and I even used to joke to my family and friends, "Na ang mga pata kong ito ang magtatanggol sa lahat ng mag-aapi sa inyo!" (My thighs will defend you from all bullies!) That sarcastic and comic expression somehow helped me scare away my own (inner) bullies, and I'm now more accepting of my body image, and loving my beautiful legs that my Mama gave me! I even enjoy wearing dresses now that show off my legs with pride on how strong they have become!
Few months ago, I shared this "Love-your-legs-your-mama-gave-you" wisdom to one girl one time at work, and she told me how she wants me to be around her so she will feel better about her (self) "legs"... At that time, I felt inspired that I have a compelling message to women who have body image issues. And this "Taking Back Beauty Movement" is my perfect vehicle to reach them.
Lastly, I want to share with you all this "Beauty Myth" video I shared recently in my Facebook Fan Page, so you know what's all these "Beauty Myths" that the world is talking about!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The Million Beauty Manifestos - Taking Back Beauty Movement
I could not have dreamed of a bigger dream and challenge myself to do something that I've never done before in my life - than this one... I don't need to do this but I want to, and that's a good reason enough for me to pursue this "next chapter"!
I have appointed myself to become one of the VOICE and ADVOCATE of a new women's movement called TAKING BACK BEAUTY MOVEMENT. Its mission is to debunk all the lies about our own beauty (known as "Beauty Myths"), shift the society's definition of beauty (not only based it on how we look but how we live), and compel the media especially the beauty industry to portray women responsibly.
I have instantly become overwhelmed by this as this is a personal struggle that I can relate to my whole life. How many times have I looked at my Victoria's Secret catalog and looked at my self in the mirror with discouragement, asking myself, "Why don't I look like any of these women?" The beauty industry here in America has defined the perfect ideal beauty as tall, skinny-slim, blonde, flat tummy, big breasts, young, surgically enhanced, no stretch marks, no wrinkles, no pimples, no opinions, posing in some sexually suggestive manner and looking like she's floating.... So, most women and young girls could not relate to this "beauty", including my fabulous and curvacious self! I felt that the definition of beauty has been distorted by the media, that if you don't look like Barbie, you are ugly and unworthy!
This is not an issue of low self-esteem or having no confidence for women. The issue here is that the rest of us REAL women are buying these lies and believing that we are not enough, that we are not worthy, that we are not deserving, and no matter what we do, we can never be the ideal beauty that God created us to be.
To kick off my new mission, I have created a new video of myself inviting each one of you to participate with me in your own little way. I am ambitious enough to DREAM that I'd reach out to millions of fabulous women (of all sizes, race, color, or age) around the world and ask a million of you to define what true beauty means to you - and not what the media or your society or your culture tells you. Your own written words are so powerful enough to make a change within you, and believe that you are truly beautiful just like God made you to be, and that you are worthy enough and deserving to be loved and be respected just the way you are!
It's so easy to do this. Simply write down your own beauty manifesto in a piece of paper, take a photo of it with your self (if you'd like), then post it online at www.starlingtruebeauty.com/1millionstrong. And tell your loved ones about it! This will immediately create awareness to the media and beauty industry executives that WE, REAL WOMEN, should be portrayed in a realistic and respected manner. Thanks for your support for this worthy cause that will be changing the world one true beautiful woman at a time - starting from you.
I have appointed myself to become one of the VOICE and ADVOCATE of a new women's movement called TAKING BACK BEAUTY MOVEMENT. Its mission is to debunk all the lies about our own beauty (known as "Beauty Myths"), shift the society's definition of beauty (not only based it on how we look but how we live), and compel the media especially the beauty industry to portray women responsibly.
I have instantly become overwhelmed by this as this is a personal struggle that I can relate to my whole life. How many times have I looked at my Victoria's Secret catalog and looked at my self in the mirror with discouragement, asking myself, "Why don't I look like any of these women?" The beauty industry here in America has defined the perfect ideal beauty as tall, skinny-slim, blonde, flat tummy, big breasts, young, surgically enhanced, no stretch marks, no wrinkles, no pimples, no opinions, posing in some sexually suggestive manner and looking like she's floating.... So, most women and young girls could not relate to this "beauty", including my fabulous and curvacious self! I felt that the definition of beauty has been distorted by the media, that if you don't look like Barbie, you are ugly and unworthy!
This is not an issue of low self-esteem or having no confidence for women. The issue here is that the rest of us REAL women are buying these lies and believing that we are not enough, that we are not worthy, that we are not deserving, and no matter what we do, we can never be the ideal beauty that God created us to be.
To kick off my new mission, I have created a new video of myself inviting each one of you to participate with me in your own little way. I am ambitious enough to DREAM that I'd reach out to millions of fabulous women (of all sizes, race, color, or age) around the world and ask a million of you to define what true beauty means to you - and not what the media or your society or your culture tells you. Your own written words are so powerful enough to make a change within you, and believe that you are truly beautiful just like God made you to be, and that you are worthy enough and deserving to be loved and be respected just the way you are!
It's so easy to do this. Simply write down your own beauty manifesto in a piece of paper, take a photo of it with your self (if you'd like), then post it online at www.starlingtruebeauty.com/1millionstrong. And tell your loved ones about it! This will immediately create awareness to the media and beauty industry executives that WE, REAL WOMEN, should be portrayed in a realistic and respected manner. Thanks for your support for this worthy cause that will be changing the world one true beautiful woman at a time - starting from you.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Why I'm Telling My Story
I just recently changed the look of my confessions blog and wrote this preface under the title:
"The most important story I will ever tell is the story I tell to myself about myself. This story creates my reality and moves my life towards my passion and purpose." (I got this inspiration from Cassie Ashton, speaker at Ignite Your Spark).
I received few emails from random people before why I don't write my story anymore in this blog.... Now that I have time to update all my blog accounts, I read through my written history and realized that I have defined myself very well (especially in my Career Blog than in my personal blog). I was able to relate again to my old blog in 2010 about my"Ambition to Meaning." This brought vivid thoughts in my mind that I'm constantly in crisis when it comes to really knowing what my purpose is.
So, why am I telling my story now?
Most people just watch and wander around through their existence in this world and allow life and circumstances happen to them. Worse, they don't even know who they are, what they want to become so they let the world, the media or their loved-ones define them - sometimes in a harmful and self-destructing way. When I started blogging 4 or 5 years ago, I knew in my gut that I don't want to be one of those people who just went to work without passion, partied on the weekends and lived their life without purpose. I knew I was unique and I had to acknowledge my Creator and share my gifts to the world. But deep inside me, I continuously struggled to have to buy my own story and authenticity as I never claimed a clear purpose why I'm doing what I'm doing...
Those years of blogging about me, my experiences from childhood, my activities and dreams in life as a young adult, my challenging and humbling moments, and overcoming many obstacles here in the US - have defined me and my character just how I have written it. And powerfully, it has molded my destiny and prepared me to take my first baby steps toward greatness.
I've read a while ago that before I can convince others of my greatness, that I have to buy into my own story. I must define first my priorities, know my values and believe in my purpose. And only then I can effectively share my story, my service, my passion or myself to others.
I remind myself everyday that it's good to be humble, but I don't have to mumble my life away.... I just know like I know that I just have to sing this song inside me and see that my song is sung...
I could go on and on vaguely here, but I only want this one to be a foreword of what's coming up next here in my confessions blog. I have an exciting mission that I'd like to announce later to everyone... I just need to take a big deep breathe here and kick some left-over fear in the face!
"The most important story I will ever tell is the story I tell to myself about myself. This story creates my reality and moves my life towards my passion and purpose." (I got this inspiration from Cassie Ashton, speaker at Ignite Your Spark).
I received few emails from random people before why I don't write my story anymore in this blog.... Now that I have time to update all my blog accounts, I read through my written history and realized that I have defined myself very well (especially in my Career Blog than in my personal blog). I was able to relate again to my old blog in 2010 about my"Ambition to Meaning." This brought vivid thoughts in my mind that I'm constantly in crisis when it comes to really knowing what my purpose is.
So, why am I telling my story now?
Most people just watch and wander around through their existence in this world and allow life and circumstances happen to them. Worse, they don't even know who they are, what they want to become so they let the world, the media or their loved-ones define them - sometimes in a harmful and self-destructing way. When I started blogging 4 or 5 years ago, I knew in my gut that I don't want to be one of those people who just went to work without passion, partied on the weekends and lived their life without purpose. I knew I was unique and I had to acknowledge my Creator and share my gifts to the world. But deep inside me, I continuously struggled to have to buy my own story and authenticity as I never claimed a clear purpose why I'm doing what I'm doing...
Those years of blogging about me, my experiences from childhood, my activities and dreams in life as a young adult, my challenging and humbling moments, and overcoming many obstacles here in the US - have defined me and my character just how I have written it. And powerfully, it has molded my destiny and prepared me to take my first baby steps toward greatness.
I've read a while ago that before I can convince others of my greatness, that I have to buy into my own story. I must define first my priorities, know my values and believe in my purpose. And only then I can effectively share my story, my service, my passion or myself to others.
I remind myself everyday that it's good to be humble, but I don't have to mumble my life away.... I just know like I know that I just have to sing this song inside me and see that my song is sung...
I could go on and on vaguely here, but I only want this one to be a foreword of what's coming up next here in my confessions blog. I have an exciting mission that I'd like to announce later to everyone... I just need to take a big deep breathe here and kick some left-over fear in the face!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Keeping my Spark Alive at IGNITE YOUR SPARK 2012
I spent two and a half days this weekend at the IGNITE YOUR SPARK 2012 National Leadership Conference for Women Changing The World in Salt Lake City. I'm proud to say that I've been part of this women's tribe since last year as I want to network with like-minded women of my kind - the fierce and independent woman who knows what she wants in life and decides to get it... the empowered woman who is in charge of her self and her future!
Last year, I came to network and be inspired by my favorite authors and speakers like Lisa Nichols, and find myself a mentor or a life and career coach. I believe in investing in myself personally and for my chosen sales profession. This year, I wanted to be inspired to find MY bigger purpose in life. I came with an open mind and an open heart to challenge myself to do something that I have never done before so I can have what I never had before...
I had three things on my list that I wanted to take away from this conference: First is to claim another dream. I'm in a career transition right now and I believe that I have lived my dream career from two years ago, and now I want to claim another bigger dream career in 2012. Second is to find that bigger purpose in my life, like be part of a new movement or volunteer in a group that serves women of all kind, age, size, race and circumstance in life to make them feel better about themselves - empower them in some ways that I can be truly passionate about... Last is to vulcanize my passion in living my legacy and keeping my spark alive as long as I love and live!
This transformational conference has been a compelling event for me personally. This marks the day in my life that I let my true passion and inspiration lead my life's decisions. I've learned throughout the past years that life is about deciding my possibilities in my career, the groups I choose to support, and in many other aspects of my life.
Before I continue and finally revive my writing of my story here in my blog, here's the inspirational introduction video of Ignite Your Spark.... And I hope you find a way to join us in 2013!
Last year, I came to network and be inspired by my favorite authors and speakers like Lisa Nichols, and find myself a mentor or a life and career coach. I believe in investing in myself personally and for my chosen sales profession. This year, I wanted to be inspired to find MY bigger purpose in life. I came with an open mind and an open heart to challenge myself to do something that I have never done before so I can have what I never had before...
I had three things on my list that I wanted to take away from this conference: First is to claim another dream. I'm in a career transition right now and I believe that I have lived my dream career from two years ago, and now I want to claim another bigger dream career in 2012. Second is to find that bigger purpose in my life, like be part of a new movement or volunteer in a group that serves women of all kind, age, size, race and circumstance in life to make them feel better about themselves - empower them in some ways that I can be truly passionate about... Last is to vulcanize my passion in living my legacy and keeping my spark alive as long as I love and live!
This transformational conference has been a compelling event for me personally. This marks the day in my life that I let my true passion and inspiration lead my life's decisions. I've learned throughout the past years that life is about deciding my possibilities in my career, the groups I choose to support, and in many other aspects of my life.
Before I continue and finally revive my writing of my story here in my blog, here's the inspirational introduction video of Ignite Your Spark.... And I hope you find a way to join us in 2013!
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