Monday Notes – April 19, 2010

Follow Operation Beautiful on Twitter!

Natasha wrote, “A while back we formed a Facebook group for people who want to do Operation Beautiful in our area. It’s nothing special, just a way to get the word out and maybe share art supplies and come up with good places to put notes. But my mom, sister and I came up with a nifty way to spread the word – Operation Beautiful day! We’re the capital city of Nevada and there’s always protests and things going on downtown, so we decided to sneak-attack people with compliments – by staging a "protest." We made so many people – man and woman, young and old – smile that day! And on top of it, we got the word out about Operation Beautiful. A lot of members of our Facebook group want to come out with us next time.”

Melissa wrote, “I’m a 14 year old girl about to go into high school next year. Awhile ago, I posted notes in the girls’ bathroom by our school’s cafeteria. During our break, I heard girls talking about it, thinking who could of posted them. Sticking to the anonymous side of Operation Beautiful, I didn’t tell them it was me. I’m happy to say that since then, there have been notes popping up everywhere – from above the water fountain to inside girls’ lockers in the locker room, even inside the class set of calculators! Operation Beautiful has become a huge part of our school and I plan to make it a huge part of my high school.”

Ngaio sent these Operation Beautiful notes into circulation:

Andrea wrote, “I’ve always struggled with my looks and my weight, but ever since I married my husband, he has made it his mission to help me see how beautiful I really am to him and to God.  One day I walked into my room and noticed a sticky note on my mirror it read, "Your husband thinks you are beautiful, does anyone else matter?"  We have now had that sticky note in the same place for the last 3 years!”

Courtney wrote, “I’ve suffered from anorexia for five years. I was sexually assaulted three times in my short life. I’m only 18. I found Operation Beautiful on Facebook and it makes my day every time I visit it. I realize that it’s not worth hurting my body because somebody hurt me. I grow stronger every day because of the things I’ve been through. I’ve been told that I’m emotionally the strongest person some people know. I never used to feel that way. I’ve always told myself that it all was my fault. Thanks to Operation Beautiful, I realized I am not the only one going through these things.”

Jessica wrote, “I was in a Tinychat room when some random stranger came in and held up this note… I thought it was really sweet of them.”

Hedda wrote, “The note says : Gi deg selv en klem- du er vakker, which means in English: Give yourself a hug- you are beautiful.  I posted it in a clothing store after I discovered that this year’s swimwear has arrived. For too many people it is a negative experience to try on a bikini or swimsuit. It should not be that way, everybody deserve to feel good in swimwear- no matter how they look. Small boobs, big hips or behind… the list of what we feel down about can be endless. Perhaps this little note can make somebody smile, straighten up and walk out of that store confident!”

Amy wrote, “I walked up to the 25th floor (I sit on the 20th) to put this in the ladies’ bathroom.  It felt great to share the message!”

If you want to spread the Operation Beautiful love, post a note, take a picture, and e-mail it Caitlin at seebriderun@gmail.com.  Spread the HOPE and the TRUTH – You are beautiful, too!