Based on the To Love Again blog post, this Twitter - Facebook - Blogger campaign aims to create a platform for adolescents to safely share insecurities and overcome them. This campaign focuses on helping create a more positive outlook for to use when self-reflecting and looking outward at the world.
Meet Paige. Paige is the first of 4 young women that make up this campaign. My photoshoot with Paige consisted of many laughs and giggles. (Check out the behind the scenes video posted below.) When I asked her about her comfort level in front of the camera, she said that doing a photo shoot was a bit uncomfortable at first. This photo shoot was not just pictures; Paige and I spoke about our insecurities, how this affected our outlook on life, and how doing this photo shoot would help others young people in the same situation as we are. By the end of the session, we were having fun and sharing how we had many similar insecurities and how comparing ourselves to other people is good when it comes to academics and succeeding, but how it can easily become something to obsess over. Paige was courageous enough to share the insecurities that at times hold/held her back for you all to see. I was very inspired by how she described why some of her insecurities existed and how they can be overcome. Something she said that I felt was very important to understand is,
"We are each born with different bodies,
I can strive to be healthy but that
doesn't mean I will grow two inches and
become a model. I can do other great things
with what I was given."
What does this mean? Interpret it as you will, but for me, it means to work with what you have and do your best. In the photos above, you can see the top things Paige struggles with, that she wants to change. Among these challenges is learning to trust. Surprisingly enough, all of the girls that are a part of this campaign said learning to trust was a challenge for them. If you watch or read the news, hear people talk in the halls or in public, or have been hurt by a friend whom you trusted, it is easy to build an outlook where trusting people = danger. Where it is very important to be careful and safe, it is also important to not close yourself off to the world. From trust comes so many other beautiful things. So yes, choose friends carefully, but do not close yourself off to the world because you are scared. Remember this: We all have flaws, if we accept that we have flaws and learn to love ourselves regardless, we can look out into the world and in to ourselves with more love. God loves you with your insecurities, and he wants you to run towards Him and follow him as the person he created you to be.
Please feel free to leave comments on this post encouraging Paige and sharing what insecurities you have overcome or are dealing with right now. Stay posted over the next 2 weeks to meet our other 3 campaign ladies!!! ^_^
Meet Paige. Paige is the first of 4 young women that make up this campaign. My photoshoot with Paige consisted of many laughs and giggles. (Check out the behind the scenes video posted below.) When I asked her about her comfort level in front of the camera, she said that doing a photo shoot was a bit uncomfortable at first. This photo shoot was not just pictures; Paige and I spoke about our insecurities, how this affected our outlook on life, and how doing this photo shoot would help others young people in the same situation as we are. By the end of the session, we were having fun and sharing how we had many similar insecurities and how comparing ourselves to other people is good when it comes to academics and succeeding, but how it can easily become something to obsess over. Paige was courageous enough to share the insecurities that at times hold/held her back for you all to see. I was very inspired by how she described why some of her insecurities existed and how they can be overcome. Something she said that I felt was very important to understand is,
"We are each born with different bodies,
I can strive to be healthy but that
doesn't mean I will grow two inches and
become a model. I can do other great things
with what I was given."
What does this mean? Interpret it as you will, but for me, it means to work with what you have and do your best. In the photos above, you can see the top things Paige struggles with, that she wants to change. Among these challenges is learning to trust. Surprisingly enough, all of the girls that are a part of this campaign said learning to trust was a challenge for them. If you watch or read the news, hear people talk in the halls or in public, or have been hurt by a friend whom you trusted, it is easy to build an outlook where trusting people = danger. Where it is very important to be careful and safe, it is also important to not close yourself off to the world. From trust comes so many other beautiful things. So yes, choose friends carefully, but do not close yourself off to the world because you are scared. Remember this: We all have flaws, if we accept that we have flaws and learn to love ourselves regardless, we can look out into the world and in to ourselves with more love. God loves you with your insecurities, and he wants you to run towards Him and follow him as the person he created you to be.
Please feel free to leave comments on this post encouraging Paige and sharing what insecurities you have overcome or are dealing with right now. Stay posted over the next 2 weeks to meet our other 3 campaign ladies!!! ^_^
I know how hard it is to want to be amazing at everything, don't we all want to be our best? I think that a lot of times we strive to be the best at everything because we want the best for ourselves and those around us. This is a challenge of being a super high achiever. It's amazing to be able to work with other people where others have strengths we can work off of, like the way you can explain things where even the most confused person would be able to understand. This is the beauty of living in community with others. I am so glad you were able to help me in the #ToLoveAgain campaign, and your interview for the video was phenomenal. Remember what a lovely young woman you are, and honestly, you have radiance that shines from you. God created you as a princess, and in that, you are already wonderful.
It is okay if you are not perfect, you are still awesome! Keep focusing on all the incredible things you are doing and all the people you leave a positive print on daily.
With Love,
Christine
I love how you inspire all of your readers here, not only young girls, but guys like me too. I'm never really comfortable on my skin, and I obsess over beautiful looks just to crave for them that I forgot God has given me so much. Paige's bravery is exceptional and she really is beautiful for accepting her own skin even after all of the insecurities.
ReplyDeleteMy first Maldives Portfolio is up on THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SENSE
"Maldivian Gypsy" on http://reinhardtkenneth.blogspot.com
I recognize Paige from Starbucks. Whenever I go there, I wish I catch a glimpse of her. That's enough to make my day. I can find no flaws, really. So gorgeous it blows my mind every single time. Every single time... sigh.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait until the snow melts, I so badly want to be able to help promote and be in this campaign!!!
ReplyDelete