Saturday Notes – July 4, 2009

Emerson wrote to say, "I work (volunteer, really) at the local public library and someone posted a note on the end of a shelf reading "You are beautiful, I swear. To hear more, visit OperationBeautiful.com or GivesMeHope.com!"

Laura wrote, "This morning, I got up and went down to the community pool 1/2 an hour before it opens. However, the community center and bathrooms never close. I felt the pool was a good place to leave a message because who doesn’t feel at least a little self-conscious in a bikini? I left one note on the gate into the pool (the first picture) and 4 others around the Ladies’ Room."

Caroline from Ready, Veggie, Cook wrote, "I put up in the toilet of a supermarket in a small market town in the UK, called Thame.  I put this up at about 8.30am, and it was still there at 1pm. We are currently going though a heatwave in the UK so my note reads ‘This weather is almost as hot as you!"  I guess when we are feeling hot, pink and sweaty, we need to remember we are all gorgeous!"

Cassie wrote, "Today, my mom and I went to the gym. We posted up notes that said, "You are beautiful just the way you are!" and "You are wonderful!" We felt so good after putting them up that we were able to work out more than we had before."

This cheerful note was sent in:

Angie from Angie All the Way wrote, "The note was the easiest thing I’ve ever done and it did make an impact."  She stuck it inside a menu at a sushi restaurant for the next patron to find:

Tracy wrote, "I’ve attached my note, written in Hebrew (it says Eh-zeh ya-fah) and in English.  Judaism believes that the human body is created in the image of God and is therefore an amazing, beautiful creation.  I try to remember that every time I try to do something for myself and my (to date) 114-pound weight loss."

Shannon from Life After I "Dew" posted three notes.  She explains that, "The first one I gave to my coworker, she’s having some man troubles and has been kind of in the dumps about it so I thought that might cheer her up.  The second one I posted in the restroom while I was out shopping last night.  The last is to my friend at work that just found out her husband of 10 years is leaving her so I thought she could use a nice gesture."

Alex wrote, "Here is a note  I posted last week on the running trail that I frequently run on and walk by on my way to work.  The note was still there when I walked home that day, however, it had been repositioned to the top of the pole so it wouldn’t fall off.   Made me giddy!  That was Friday, so imagine how excited I was when I ran by it on Saturday morning–my little note was still hanging out, informing others how bee-you-tiful they were.   Late Saturday afternoon, I walked up with my camera took a photo- it was still there!

Alex also wrote to say, "I was taking the subway last week and stepped out on to the platform only to see a note firmly taped to the wall reading "You are enough." I was over the moon excited that someone else in Toronto was posting notes."

Rebecca from Rosey Rebecca made this lovely Operation Beautiful collage!

Katrine from Jane Nation wrote, "I love the idea behind Operation Beautiful because, I too, am guilty of not remembering the importance of a healthy body image. I put this up while I was pumping gas last night. I hope the next person takes something away from my note to fuel their tank."

And for the feel-good story of the day….

Heather wrote in to say, "I sat down with my daughter today and we had a talk about body image, and what we see in magazines and on television.  We’ve always tried to take opportunities to teach our children about inner beauty and strength, so this was another good one.  We went through the whole website, reading all the notes and giggling and loving it.  After a while, she got up and started rummaging about the house.  I asked what she was doing, and she admitted that she was looking for a pad of post-it notes.

We packed post-it notes, a marker, and a camera in my purse, and she high-fived me and said, "let’s go make some women feel beautiful!"   What really drove home to me that she ‘got it’ came later.  We went to a carnival, full of bright lights and rides and candy and fun. At one point, she pointed to a scantily clad, unrealistically proportioned woman painted on one of the rides and said, "Wow, Mom.  That might make women feel bad!  Now THAT picture needs a note on it."

We couldn’t do that one, but we did tag a bathroom at a restaurant on the way home.  When we saw a woman go in to wash her hands, my daughter looked at me, winked and grinned.  She is eight years old; and thanks to this movement, she is going to grow up loving herself, and spreading that love to the whole world."

If you want to participate, post a note, take a picture, and e-mail it to Caitlin at seebriderun@gmail.com!