In this organization, our members worked on leadership, scholarship, and community service projects. One of our favorite service projects to participate in is called "Operation Beautiful."
Operation Beautiful is a beautifucation and body positivity project in which people stick motivational post-it notes up wherever they go!
This project began with a young woman named Caitlin, who started posting motivational post-it notes in public restroom mirrors a few years ago in order to combat "negative self-talk." She kept posting anonymous messages of positivity wherever she went-whether it was in the mirror of a gym bathroom, or somewhere at work.
She launched an official Operation Beautiful blog in 2009 to share other people's experiences with the positive-post-it trend. On the Blog, she has posted a mission statement-siting that her goal is to end "negative self-talk," and to help people realize "how truly toxic negative self-talk is-it hurts you emotionally, spiritually, and physically."(To read the official statement on her page, click HERE).
Have the girls in your troop start an Operation Beautiful project at their school or locally!
Have each girl bring post-it notes of all colors, shapes and varieties to a troop meeting!
Brainstorm some positive message ideas-they can be anything from simple, uplifting statements, to inspirational quotes.
Positive Message/Words of Encouragment Suggestions:
You Rock!
You are beautiful :)
Have an awesome day!
You are awesome
Hope your day is wonderful
Make a goal-write a number goal of post-its and a timeline. For example, a girl can make it a goal to write and post 10 positive post-its a day, or 100 in a week!
Post them in one central place or all around town!
If you'd like to be particularly fancy, your troop can decide to put some cookie money towards getting personalized troop post-its!
My club at school used post-it notes with our NRHH logo on it to do this project. It was cool to establish a presence and a positive identity within the campus community, but anonymous notes are just as effective (and can also be doodled on!)!
Click THIS LINK for a site you can check-out if you're interested in printing your own Post-its! There are a ton of other simiar sites that you can google as well! I checked out this site a bit and it seems easy to upload art or add words/logos to the post-its before getting them printed. This is a fun idea if you have Scouts who are interested in graphic design, art, advertising or typography.
A lot of strong women have been involved with the Girl Scouts of America organization since its creation in 1912!
(Photo from: http://www.billboard.com)
Today I would like to talk about one particularly successful young woman who was once involved with our organization-Taylor Swift! What a fabulous and accomplished lady... The last time I Blogged about Taylor Swift and Girl Scouts was back in November of 2012, right after Swift's new album "Red" dropped, and when I was talking about awesome women who were previously Girl Scouts! (for the full Blog Post-click here!) Taylor has been pretty darn popular in the media lately-and has been doing extremely well for herself!
Taylor's latest music video, "Bad Blood," was released May 17, and has already set a record on Vevo for getting over 20.1 million views in its first 24 hours! Check out the full article Here! Sooooo Tay is pretty awesome.
She really supports people in being themselves, and is always flaunting her individuality.
Earlier this year, Swift has called out the media and individuals for their sexist comments, and has embraced the idea of "feminism" fully and positively. Within her music, she has voiced her support for marriage equality and has spoken out against those who criticize who she is and her lifestyle.
Media can be a very powerful tool, and has often been used to bring Swift and others down. Lately, Taylor has been using the media to put her own spin on things and to really make her voice and the voices of her fans heard. (Click here for a few more details about Swift's accomplishments this past year).
She has been a rock for many of her fans, and will often personally respond to their social media messages and letters in order to show her support. Most recently, Swift has responded to a young woman in Massapequa who had posted a message to Swift on Tumblr. The young woman had recently lost her mother to cancer, and expressed to Taylor how much her music means to her and how it has helped her to remain strong when her days are tough. Swift responded, sending hugs and stating:
"I admire and respect your ability to put forth such a sunny, sweet disposition when you've been through something so dark and tragic so recently."
Swift gives so much support back to her fans, and tries to build them up at every opportunity.
So, in her honor, I've put together a short list of my favorite Taylor Swift songs that have great messages!
1. Mean
This song is from Swift's third studio album, Speak Now (2010). This song speaks out against critics and people who pass unnecessary judgment on others. The song encourages people to ignore their bullies and their critics, and to focus on their future goals. The song also speaks about the power of bad karma. The most powerful lyrics are "someday, I'll be living in a big old city, and all you're ever gonna be is mean." What it means to me: This song helped me keep up my spirits during my Freshman Year of college. Words can be extremely powerful and hurtful-and I think that this song really captures that idea.
When people are being "mean," I think it is important to take a step back and realize that everyone is facing trials. People who put others down are often being put down themselves. However, at the same time it's important to be able to stand up for yourself and to realize that you were made for bigger and betterthings. The hurtful things that others say should not define you-you are the only person who can determine your worth. I have learned that the best way to deal with mean, unhappy people is to treat them with kindness. A little kindness can go a long way, and everyone can use a kind word or a compliment. Never be afraid to be nice or to be yourself.
2. Shake it Off
This song is very similar to "Mean" in that it dismisses the statements of bullies and critics. The media, reporters and people in my communications classes are constantly berading Swift for dating so many different people, for going out and for the type of music that she writes.
What it means to me:
You go Taylor! Live your life!
Taylor Swift's choices are her own. She controls her own life, and so I think that this song is an awesome anthem. It encourages people to be themselves, and to do what makes them happy. When we take the words of our critics too seriously and make changes in order to please others, we are not living for ourselves. This song helped me to realize that in order to make myself happy and to do my best, I had to do my own thing.
3. Ronan
Taylor Swift wrote Ronan to raise money for children and families suffering as a result of childhood cancers. She wrote the song for a little boy who passed away due to neuroblastoma. The song's lyrics were based upon Ronan's mother's blog posts about Ronan and his life. Swift sang the song live in 2012 for Stand Up Against Cancer, giving all proceeds made off of the single's sale to help the fight against cancer. For more information and background on this inspiring song, click here.
4. Fifteen
What it means to me:
Fifteen is a lot about the transition to High School. The song speaks about remaining true to yourself, and valueing your experiences and talents.
She encourages people to realize that they will do greater things in their lives than "dating the boy on the football team."
I think this is an extremely important messages for teens and women of any age to keep in mind-we are more than who we date, and we are more than the assumptions and perceptions of others.
This song goes beyond "dating"-it talks about making new friends, starting high school and learning first hand about life.
5. Change
Great song about looking forward and working towards success. You need to work through the tough times, and enjoy the good ones.
6. Long Live
This is absolutely one of my favorite songs!
"Long Live" was written as a "love song" to Taylor's entire musical/tour team. It's an empowering song about being an underdog, victory, acceptance and joy, with a "big triumphant message of hope."
I remember dancing to this song with my best friend in high school, and singing it while waiting online for the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. :)
7. Never Grow Up
This song is all about getting older and learning to appreciate what and who you have in your life.
The message? Take things slow and appreciate the now.
8. The Best Day
This song is especially close to my heart. Taylor wrote "The Best Day" for her mother. It's all about their relationship, and how important and beautiful it is to Taylor. I really connect with this song. My mom and I are super close and I feel like this song is a great thank you to mothers and families for all of their hard work and support-through both the good times and the bad <3
Take this Taylor Swift knowledge and channel the positive vibes into your lives! :)
Check out what the Girl Scouts of Western Washington are accomplishing!
A brief synopsis of what happened- The Girl Scouts of Western Washington received a $100,000 donation-an amazing amount of money that can provide a ton of opportunities and resources to the 500+ members of their GSA community. However, this amazing donation had a catch...The donor requested that Girl Scouts not use the money to support transgender girls.
The organization politely returned the money to the donor, and have started an INDIEGOGO campaign and social media campaign entitled #ForEVERYGirl in order to raise awareness and show support for ALL girls, as well as to raise the money that they had to give back.
The money will support Girls by sending them to camp, helping to pay for dues, uniforms, membership fees, and a ton of other great programs!
For more info about where all of the $$ will go, click here.
In the past three days, Girl Scouts of Western Washington has raised over triple their goal-$308,525!
Use the #ForEVERYGirl on Twitter to show your support or share your story, and click HERE to check out the IndieGoGo page for more info/to donate!
