I never thought the Above words would touch me so much as they have today. My friends and I went for our usual run with a twist today! Mile Repeats TIMES 5!! The last mile was rough for all of us but they all held through for me! I have never felt a closer bond to anyone as I feel with my running group. We talk about everything, can be silly with each other, whatever we want to do and that is the fun part!
After our run today we went to Ophelia's Cafe. This place is a gorgeous little cafe nestled in the Village of Liverpool, NY. Their mission is being "committed to empowering individuals, families, and communities to redefine beauty and health through initiatives that increase self-esteem, improve body image and introduce alternatives to dangerous desires for perfection; and to providing outreach, advocacy and educational services to those impacted by eating disorders, disordered eating and body dissatisfaction."
Their Vision "To begin changing culture and to empower individuals, families, and communities to embrace health, beauty, and happiness at any shape and size and to share a message of body celebration"
THEIR VALUES
Led by FAITH in Jesus Christ
Offering LOVE and ACCEPTANCE
Encouraging PERSONAL GROWTH
We RESOLVE to make a difference
INTEGRITY
Show RESPECT
Promote a sense of COMMUNITY
Live with PASSION
We stop here every Sunday and everyone is so nice and friendly and welcoming. Its truely one of my favorite places. As we sat down over our cup of Joe, I saw a flyer on the table that caught my eye. It read National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is Feb 20-26 and in recognition of this week they we starting early by Celebrating "Operation Beautiful" Transforming the way you see yourself one post-it note at a time.
As I posted in Previous Writings, I took Diet pills, Had activated Charcoal Shoved down my throat as I took too many, Did it all, So this touched me deeply.
The goal: to end negative self talk or "fat" talk. All you need is a pen and a piece of paper...leaving positive messages on the mirrors of public bathrooms- At work, teh gym, grocery store. Wherever! Scribble down whatever comes to your mind!
What an awesome concept. See more at http://www.operationbeautiful.com/
As I was thinking about this, the song from PINK (Perfect) Came on. It made me have tears in my eyes as this song describes how I feel somedays. But Im not LESS than Perfect, Im perfect to me!! Thats my motto and Im sticking to it!
Hope you all had a great week, Tomorrow Ill post the details of the Last week!!
I've started doing the Operation Beautiful thing recently, it is greatness :) I didn't know this was National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I've had my share of ED in the past as well. It is really hard to get out of the teens/twenties, as a female, without one. Sad :(
ReplyDeleteI love operation beautiful. I place notes all over the place :-)!! I may even be in her next book- I submitted a story & a post-it note for her. I wasn't aware it was Eating Disorder week! I'll have to come up with a couple post-it notes for it!!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. It is so hard to have people believe in themselves as others believe in them. I am thrilled to see that they are doing what they can to empower others.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Erin I came across Operation Beautiful at a time I needed it most. And I just came across this:
ReplyDeletehttp://neda.nationaleatingdisorders.org/site/TR?fr_id=1320&pg=entry
New here and so incredibly inspired. Recently read about Operation Beautiful on the NEDA website and it works! Love the blog!
ReplyDeleteI love this concept, and actively participate when I can :-) You should check out the authors other blog: www.healthytippingpoint.com. Amazing woman!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love this cafe and have been going as often as possible. It's great to support an organization that does work that truly matters.
ReplyDelete