Contrary to popular belief, this isn't the beginning of my acceptance speech of an Emmy or of a Tony (I know you are all surprised) (jkjkjk). However, this post will consist of an in-depth list of people to thank for pushing me to be the best that I can be (so pretty much like a Tony Award, except I want to give all of these people Tonys or the Nobel Peace Prize or a bazillion dollars because they're rad humans). Who are these people you may ask?
THESE are the people (including not pictured: Peggy, Laura and Laura) who deserve Tonys, Emmys, Grammys, the Nobel Peace Prize and so much more. These are the people and my people. This summer, I have had the privilege and honor (two words that seem like such an understatement due to the HUGE impact that it has had on my life) to work at REbeL (a nonprofit that focuses on peer education about body image, eating disorders, bullying and other amazing stuff) with these awesome (also an understatement) people. Now, I could give you the by the book definition of what REbeL is (literally word for word, I have it memorized), I could give you logistics on schools, how to submit a donation request form, where to refer to all of our excel spreadsheets (there are thousands) or even our nonprofit Tax Identification number (I also have that memorized). But, that's not what REbeL is or what it means to me. Yes, all of those things are highly important to the function of a successful nonprofit but, REbeL is SO much more.
REbeL takes passion and ignites it into every single person it comes into contact with. REbeL focuses on training kids how to love others, how to love themselves and their bodies FULLY, how to become leaders, how to prevent eating disorders through self-love and SOO much more. I have tried to think of the one MAIN thing that REbeL has taught me this summer and I keep getting frazzled because I can't narrow it down. There isn't just one thing, there are a MILLION things. I feel recharged after this summer. I feel more knowledgeable about eating disorders and body image and just how severe it is within our adolescent and worldly community. I feel encouraged because although this cycle is heartbreaking, these important issues (body image, self-esteem, bullying and the prevention of eating disorders) are being addressed. Elementary students, middle school students and high school students are getting the chance to be agents of positive change. They are learning to lead and learning to love. They are learning that no matter what expectations society throws at them, that they are worthy and that they are beautiful just the way they are. This encourages me. REbeL rocks. Most of all, out of everything, I feel motivated in a whole new way. Before REbeL I had knowledge from my past experience with an eating disorder but I didn't know what to do next. I felt kind of stuck. I knew I wanted to share my story and knew I was passionate about helping others, but I didn't know how or what that would look like. I was holding on to fear because I doubted myself and my ability to share. REbeL and the awesome people there shook. me. up. Holy cow. The four women (Jessica, Peggy, Laura and Laura) that led my summer at REbeL (and lead it 24/7) are fierce, confident, beautiful, inspiring, driven and strong women who believe in and are extremely passionate about spreading this valuable message (seriously they're rockstars). They are women I aspire to be like. They are leaders, they are lovers, and they are world changers. As simple as that. They taught me in 3 short months just how to do and be all of those things, and to be them fearlessly.
I could go into a complete description of each and every experience I have had this summer, all the people I have had the honor to meet, the knowledge I have gained or how special each and every single one of these people pictured and not pictured are to me and to this world in general. BUT, I am crying (a lot) right now because goodbyes are Satan's workshop and because these people take up so much room in my heart so I will just say this. I fully believe that REbeL has been created for a reason and all the people that are a part of it are a part of it for a reason. REbeL is a movement made up of world changers. It is changing lives now and will only continue to do so. It has a GENERATIONAL impact. Jesus has blessed me more than I could ever have imagined with allowing me to play the smallest part in this beautiful organization.
REbeL takes passion and ignites it into every single person it comes into contact with. REbeL focuses on training kids how to love others, how to love themselves and their bodies FULLY, how to become leaders, how to prevent eating disorders through self-love and SOO much more. I have tried to think of the one MAIN thing that REbeL has taught me this summer and I keep getting frazzled because I can't narrow it down. There isn't just one thing, there are a MILLION things. I feel recharged after this summer. I feel more knowledgeable about eating disorders and body image and just how severe it is within our adolescent and worldly community. I feel encouraged because although this cycle is heartbreaking, these important issues (body image, self-esteem, bullying and the prevention of eating disorders) are being addressed. Elementary students, middle school students and high school students are getting the chance to be agents of positive change. They are learning to lead and learning to love. They are learning that no matter what expectations society throws at them, that they are worthy and that they are beautiful just the way they are. This encourages me. REbeL rocks. Most of all, out of everything, I feel motivated in a whole new way. Before REbeL I had knowledge from my past experience with an eating disorder but I didn't know what to do next. I felt kind of stuck. I knew I wanted to share my story and knew I was passionate about helping others, but I didn't know how or what that would look like. I was holding on to fear because I doubted myself and my ability to share. REbeL and the awesome people there shook. me. up. Holy cow. The four women (Jessica, Peggy, Laura and Laura) that led my summer at REbeL (and lead it 24/7) are fierce, confident, beautiful, inspiring, driven and strong women who believe in and are extremely passionate about spreading this valuable message (seriously they're rockstars). They are women I aspire to be like. They are leaders, they are lovers, and they are world changers. As simple as that. They taught me in 3 short months just how to do and be all of those things, and to be them fearlessly.
I could go into a complete description of each and every experience I have had this summer, all the people I have had the honor to meet, the knowledge I have gained or how special each and every single one of these people pictured and not pictured are to me and to this world in general. BUT, I am crying (a lot) right now because goodbyes are Satan's workshop and because these people take up so much room in my heart so I will just say this. I fully believe that REbeL has been created for a reason and all the people that are a part of it are a part of it for a reason. REbeL is a movement made up of world changers. It is changing lives now and will only continue to do so. It has a GENERATIONAL impact. Jesus has blessed me more than I could ever have imagined with allowing me to play the smallest part in this beautiful organization.
I thought it only fitting to end with this picture because this is the lesson REbeL taught me. My boss, Jessica, (she is seriously wonderful) gave these socks to me today as a constant reminder to have as I leave REbeL. I am perfectly me. And YOU are perfectly YOU. Thank you REbeL for changing my life and letting me be a part of this REbeLution. I love you guys.
Sincerely,
Me
Sincerely,
Me