Hey guys!! So I wanted to share with you my “A” English paper on Operation Beautiful!! The teacher was interested in this, and thought it was an awesome movement!! (YAY CAITLIN) Of course I didn’t have the photos in for my essay, but I wanted to pretty it up a bit for you!!
Changing the World, One Sticky Note at a Time
Do you think it’s possible to change the world using a sticky note, a pen and a few kind words? This was the question asked by Caitlin Boyle when she began the "Operation Beautiful" movement in June 2009. The mission of Operation Beautiful was to post anonymous, inspirational notes in public places for people to find. The simple act of placing these notes of inspiration for strangers has become a kindness revolution. The effect of this “sticky note revolution” is three fold, it has: the power to improve a person’s self-esteem; it will begin a chain reaction of kindness and it reminds individuals that they are not alone.
Take a minute and imagine, you are having one of those days when you just don’t feel good about yourself; you left the house angry at your family; you spilled coffee on yourself and if that isn’t enough, your boss roughly reminds you that you need to “talk”. It’s only 9am, and you are already feeling like your day is doomed. You slip into the bathroom for a few moments of serenity and you notice a note stuck on the mirror. It states “You are SO much stronger than you think. Keep smiling, YOU can do this!” You cock your head to the side, take a deep breath and smile. This single note had the power to completely change your day. You walk out of the bathroom with a changed attitude, ready to face the day.
That evening, still inspired by the note you found, you write a note and stick it to your daughter’s mirror stating “You are AMAZING, be the BEST you can be!” When your daughter finds the note, her eyes well up with tears, she walks over to her bed, and pulls her suicide note out of her dresser and tears it into a million pieces. This single sticky note reminded her that she wasn’t as alone as she thought and that people truly loved her.
Growing up people are so conditioned by the media and opinions of others. It is hard to live up to the expectation of beauty and to have confidence in yourself when there are always unrealistic expectations set everywhere you look. So when you find a random note, from a random person stating how wonderful, beautiful and inspiring you are, it will begin to shift your views on self-worth and self-esteem.
These sticky notes also have the power to start a chain reaction of kindness. Imagine you are walking through the grocery store, your eyes gaze over the magazines, something catches your eye, it’s a sticky note stating “Remember these models are airbrushed, you are PERFECT just the way you are” Immediately finding this note inspires you to continue the kindness. Pay it Forward… you decide to smile at the cashier when at the checkout, and genuinely ask how she is doing. Imagine the ripple effect this kindness could start… again, all stemming from a strategically placed sticky note!
Finally these sticky notes have the influence to remind people they are not alone. So many people go through points in life believing they have no one to turn too and not only that, but they also feel that they are unloved and unlovable. A lady, who has just signed her divorce papers, heads to a bar, to drink her sorrows away. She happens to head to the bathroom before the pity party commences. As she closes the bathroom door, there is a heart shaped sticky note stuck to the door, it says “So many people love you just as you are.” Reading this note stops her in her tracks, as she is reminded of her children at home, who are also sad about the divorce. Because of the note, she heads home to see her babies that love her and need her. Again one small note, written by a stranger, had the influence to shift this women’s mind, and remind her how loved and needed she is.
Operation Beautiful has changed the lives of people around the world. Women who have struggled with eating disorders have changed their lives after seeing one of these notes of kindness, and girls who have struggled with fitting in and feeling alone, have realized that they are important and someone cares. For everyone who reads one of these inspirational notes and "pays it forward" by placing a note of their own, the kindness continues to change lives. It’s amazing how something so small can be so powerful. So, grab some sticky notes and continue the revolution, changing the world, one sticky note at a time.
Be the change you wish to see in the World” – Ghandi.
I love it. :) Your essay was awesome. Thank you so much for spreading the word!
ReplyDeleteI love that you wrote about OB for your essay!!!!!! Congrats on the A - it was well deserved!
ReplyDeleteCan I just say, I'm so glad you did so well! I was nervous after I gave my advice...what if my suggestions were terrible? haha. It turned out to be amazing :) Good job, Jess!
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