Amanda wrote, “I was at school when I first started seeing the little post-its around. I first thought it was just a little thing that some group of friends was doing, but then I started seeing them more and more. One day, I was in the bathroom during my lunch period, disgusted with myself because of a particularly infuriating zit. I was about to turn around and leave with a huff when I spotted a bright pink flower post-it out of the corner of my eye. It was a post-it from Operation Beautiful! I took it off the mirror and looked at it closely. This was the first time I had really paid attention to one of them. I noticed the web address at the bottom, committed it to memory, and stuck the note back up on the mirror. I have just now gone online, and I really think that Operation Beautiful is, well, a beautiful thing. It’s more than beautiful…it’s indescribable!”
MacKenzie made a slideshow of the notes she found on her school’s mirror – check it out here!
Georgia wrote, “We have decided that we are going to keep on making and posting these notes every time we go out to a public shopping centre, pool etc.”
Karin wrote, “I love dance because it makes people feel more confident about, expressive with, and connected to their bodies. So when I heard about Operation Beautiful, I immediately posted a note to my dance students at the health club in Anchorage, Alaska, where I teach. Its message not only builds up men and women who may feel self-conscious as they learn and start to open up, it reminds me why I love dancing and teaching my passion to others. It has also given me an extra dose of inspiration when writing articles on dance for my website, Joy in Motion (www.joy-in-motion.com). The response I get from a simple post-it note and from my articles is one and the same: people are excited about learning to love their bodies as well as their spirits.”
Alwin, a man living in the Netherlands, wrote, “I’m fighting and breaking stereotypes. I’ve been diagnosed with Aspergers. There’s a lot of misunderstanding about autism and Aspergers, such as the stereotypes and being pigeonholed into being viewed as "disabled" or even having a disease. I know I have a handicap, I don’t run away from it. But, I also don’t let it stop me. It’s a part of me, I constantly learn new things, about myself and others. I’ve worked as an entertainer abroad, I have friends. I have a girlfriend. And now, I’m coming to understand the depth of beauty. One of the most beautiful things anyone ever said to me, was said by a friend of mine, who is struggling with Bulimia. She told me that, when she’s around me, she doesn’t feel fat. I realize this is significant, and I hope that spreading the Operation Beautiful notes will have a similar effect to other people. On Monday, I will buy post-its and markers. I’ll put little notes in the building I live, on doors of bathrooms, over adds for beauty magazines, etc.”
Stacey wrote, “I have been posting notes on scales, mirrors, and dressing room doors for weeks, despite the fact that I struggle with self esteem issues. For Christmas today, my wonderful husband gave me a mirror that says "Don’t ever forget that you’re beautiful and I love you". He made the mirror himself. Him realizing that I need a post it sometimes too made a world of difference to me.”
Ali wrote, “I heard about Operation Beautiful from mysterygoogle.com I was just being random and searching stuff and a search came up with "Smile, you’re truly beautiful.” When I read that I almost cried. So I felt the need to do it too so I posted this note on my friend’s MySpace note app on her profile.”
Olivia wrote, “I was in Kroger shopping with my mom and I really had to go to the bathroom. I walked in there and "You are beautiful" was posted up on the mirror. It made me feel so good about myself and I told my mom immediately. Now I can’t wait to join in on the mission. I’m so excited about it and hope that I can make someone feel as good as that made me feel.”
Erika posted this note:
If you love Operation Beautiful and want to participate, post a note, take a picture, and e-mail it to Caitlin at seebriderun@gmail.com.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I wrote that note on mysterygoogle.com! I didn’t know if anybody would ever read it, but I’m glad I made a difference!
I just love what you are doing here! What a wonderful idea!!! My BF and I recently started a similar project based on hope and Random Acts of Kindness. This project is right up our alley!!! I cant wait to do this, thank you so much for helping us ladies remind each other of our beauty.