Thursday Notes – July 22, 2009

Yesterday, we posted Christine’s story, who found a note in a bookstore:

"Today I was at Borders in Riverdale, NJ looking for a self help book that my therapist (who I had just started seeing today) recommended.  Imagine my surprise when I found a post-it stuck to the inside cover of the book Binge No More that said "NEVER forget how amazing you are! www.operationbeautiful.com" I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I started to cry on the spot. I realized just how much I’ve taken myself for granted over the years. Whoever wrote that note–thank you. You’ve helped me!"

Later that afternoon, Amy sent in an e-mail that read:

"Oh my god, I’m starting to cry because of this too! Last week I went to Borders in Riverdale, NJ with a small bunch of post-it notes, all with different little notes on them. I put a few in random books, but then I made my way to the recovery section and placed several in the titles for people who needed the most support.  I’m so ridiculously happy that it reached someone who needed it!"

Here’s another story of a note that was FOUND!  Anastasia wrote me to say, "Someone left this on the mirror in our dressing room… it made our staff smile all afternoon!  We’re now brainstorming ways to join this wonderful campaign!"

Jenn wrote, "I stumbled across Operation Beautiful about a week ago, and immediately fell in love with the idea!  I told my aunt about it, and she printed up some labels during a quiet day at work.  We stuck a bunch on some post-it notes and went crazy!  I think we put up about 20 altogether, though I didn’t think to take pictures until we had run out of creative places to post them (whoops!)  Here is a picture of the last one we put up (we hid it behind the sugar container at a restaurant) and of the sheet of labels we have ready for next time!"

Amy wrote, "I kept trying to think of a mirror I could post a note for people to read… but then I thought of a way I could reach people across the country. I opened my wallet, took out some bills, and wrote messages on each of them. When I got to work, I tucked them into the cash register with all the other money. Now people are using the beautiful messages as currency The picture is just a couple of the messages I wrote."

Jessica wrote, "I am a 12 year old girl, living in a town near Toronto, ON. I saw a description of your project on www.girlslife.com. I thought it would be neat to post a note. A couple of days ago, I did just that. My mom and I were out shopping for tiles, and while we were in the washroom, I decided to post a note, since I hadn’t been able to the day before. I have struggled with my weight, and used to feel very insecure about my looks. I don’t want anybody else to go through what I did.  Thanks for your project, I hope it will soon make a difference!"

Jen wrote, "I absolutely LOVE what this site is doing. I am super proud of the girls/women stepping up and helping the other women around them with their image.   I am 16 and the society around me is crazy. I feel the strain of looking perfect especially in the summer time when everyone is wearing less clothes. I applaud everyone who is taking their time to encourage people! It is such an amazing concept of helping those around you and building them up, not tearing them down.  I decided to make some notes and post them at the airport in Dallas and Houston when I was traveling. I did not take pictures of where I posted them but attached a picture of the notes. I really hope that someone came across my notes and their day was made wonderful."

Maggie sent in this note:

Sabre wrote, "I posted these in the ladies room at work.  No one knows who did it, but everyone is smiling about it.  I posted the images on my Facebook with a link to the site, and before I knew it, at least five of my friends had picked it up and reposted.  Completely awesome!  I plan on sticking a new note in the ladies room as often as I can, hopefully no one will catch on who is doing it!  I just have to remember to not send any hand written notes around!"

Caitlin posted this note in a changing room:

If you want to participate in Operation Beautiful, all you need is a piece of paper and a pen!  Post your note, take a picture, and e-mail it to Caitlin at seebriderun@gmail.com.  Spread the love and see how beautiful it makes YOU feel!