tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14451692612863652922024-02-19T18:09:49.094-08:00Life is BeautifulIn constant pursuit of Growth, Gratitude and Grace.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-59940743781609318032022-10-24T19:31:00.002-07:002022-10-24T19:31:23.142-07:0010 Years<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I was trying to choose a font to use to type this speech up on my iPad and I wanted it to be something clear and easy to read. Then I came across the font titled, “Loved by the King." it is not easy to read. The letters are kind of skinny and a little bit quirky… so it felt appropriate. “Loved by the King,” it is.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">I met Avery when she was 9 at her first gymnastics summer camp. The first couple of days of camp were plagued with one thunderstorm after another. Which is excellent when you’re running a camp for little girls, sleeping away from home, missing their moms. In case you weren’t aware, Avery was also afraid of storms. But Avery was also resourceful, and managed to take comfort in the dorm room of the two coaches staying next door. Me… and Coach Siri. I remember talking to Bridget on the phone during one of the storms. I had spoken to a lot of Mom’s over my many years as the designated “dorm mom” of gymnastics camp. Most of the time, it was me comforting the mom, reassuring her that her daughter was in good hands and that she would be just fine. Bridget, was different. She was reminding me, that her kid was fine. Avery would be nervous, but if she stayed busy, she’d be okay. But she wasn’t without sympathy… “if she’s really scared, I can come and get her,” she said. And I remember thinking… wow, that’s refreshing. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">We spent a lot of time together that week. Whenever it was dorm time, Avery and her roommate found a reason to come chat, sit on the bed and goof around. It took a little longer to get them to go to bed, but we didn’t mind. There was something really special about her, and I couldn’t put my finger on it.</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">What I didn’t know then, was that Avery had a bible tucked away in her dorm room desk. I wouldn’t find that out until her funeral… 15 months later. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Between Avery’s first camp experience and her last day of practice, we got to know each other pretty well. GymHawks had just started the summer Avery came to camp so our enrollment was really low. I coached almost all of the classes by myself and some classes only had one gymnast. Avery was one of those kiddos who got to work with me one on one. And those were some funny practices, let me tell you.</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Keep in mind, I still did not know about Avery’s faith through any of this. What I did learn, however:</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Was that she had an older sister named Jadrian (literally the coolest name I’d ever heard) and a baby brother named Brody. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">She was an avid clogger… and from the sounds of it… pretty good at it too.</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">She was also in swim and what seemed like a dozen other activities.</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">She talked about her cousins and her siblings and her mom, and I just sat there and listened to this child who clearly loved deeper than most children do. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">I remember one conversation in particular where she was watching the college girls practice and she seemed particularly worried about a gymnast we called “Weber.” She was asking me all kinds of questions about whether or not Weber was okay, why her ankles were taped, and is she going to be able to compete this weekend? </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">That was the moment I realized… this kid knows things. She pays attention to the world and the people around her. She loves on them and has compassion flowing out of her. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Again… I didn’t know about her faith. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">I didn’t know that she had written a letter to a little girl in a third world country with more wisdom and grace than a United Nations ambassador probably has. </p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">I didn’t know she had started a bible study at her school. </p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">I didn’t know she begged her mom to set up barracks in their dining room to foster Haitian orphans. </p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">There were a lot of things I didn’t know about Avery while she walked the Earth. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">What I knew was that she worked really hard in the gym.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">She cheered on the other girls that were practicing with her.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">She got frustrated with herself whenever she couldn’t master something. </p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">She wanted to get her cartwheel on the beam. </p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Avery desperately wanted to make the GymHawks Team and go to competitions wearing a purple leotard. </p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Avery died before she got to compete for the GymHawks, but they took her with them everywhere. For the first handful of years, the girls who knew her wore ribbons with Avery’s initials on them for their meets. They believed, as I did, that they had a guardian angel looking out for them. </p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Like many people, I learned about Avery’s faith through her Mom’s blog. Something that Bridget and I have in common is our need to heal through writing. As I followed along in the months after Avery’s passing I learned more about her and her relationship with Jesus. I was floored… but not surprised. Girlfriend got her wisdom from somewhere. And everything I had witnessed about Avery seemed to just make sense. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">God prepared Avery to leave this Earth, and while the rest of us could have never been prepared, he showed her how to leave us bread crumbs, or a map, of what to do next. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">He gave Bridget the courage to share her heart and her story and allowed her to connect with so many people who were hurting. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">He left trinkets to be found, like Avery’s letter to Alphonsine, at exactly the right moment when grief seemed too much to bear. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">He sent Bridget to Haiti, and planted the seeds of the Avery House, a larger and perhaps more practical version of the dining room barracks Avery hoped to build. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">When Bridget decided that the Avery House was something we could manifest, hundreds and thousands of people heard Avery’s story and came to help “build” this home for girls. Through 5K runs, Bingo Nights, Concerts and other fundraising events, the world heard about the little girl who’s last words to her mama were, “You know mom, I really am a God girl.” </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">In 2018, when the Avery house was opened, God sent me to Haiti with Bridget. And I say God sent me because there was no way, my life could have lined up any better to travel that far in that season of my life. God knew I needed it. Bridget teased me that when we were getting ready to travel, I asked no questions. Evidently, my heart was incredibly still. I had no reservations. To this day, I don’t remember ever having less anxiety than when I was on that trip. No cell phone, no internet for 9 days… it was the most free I had ever felt. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">There was one night when the entire group of us was sitting in the living room. There were our missionary hosts, ourselves and no less than 10 Haitian children who had been abandoned for one reason or another. It was Easter. We had just had dinner and circled up in the living room to worship. We sang songs in English and songs in Creole and as an orphaned toddler fell asleep on my lap I took stock of the moment I was living in. It was perfect. There was nothing but Joy and love for the Father in that room. As we were lying in bed that night I remember saying to Bridget, “think of all the collective heartbreak and the trauma and the tragedy that had to take place to give us that perfect moment.” It still gives me chills.</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">And that’s only one example of the way that Avery has brought people together to live in fellowship, to speak His word and His truth and to help bring unending grace and love to the pain that infiltrates this world. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">She said once, “if everyone knew about Jesus, they wouldn’t feel lonely or afraid anymore.” </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">I don’t know if any words have ever carried so much weight for me. In times that I have felt complete despair, Avery’s words have lit the path to healing for me, and for so many other people. I know a lot of people who have been called back to their faith or been introduced to God for the first time because of hearing Avery’s story… and I think that, as long as we continue to tell it, we’re doing exactly what she and God planned together.</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">I think they both knew that Bridget would go to the ends of the Earth to honor her daughter. They knew that in her passing, a revolution was about to take place. A cosmic shift in the hearts and faith of this little town that created a ripple effect all the way to the shores of Hispaniola. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">10 years ago today, Avery skipped out of the Williams Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (truthfully, her coach told me she was skipping out with her friends) and moments later, made her entrance into heaven. Of course she was skipping. I can’t imagine Avery entering heaven any other way. So tonight, I encourage you to feel all the feelings that may be going through your mind and your heart. It’s okay to be sad and to grieve what we’ve all lost, and balance that with joy for having known her, and appreciation for the gifts she is continuing to bless us with each and every day. It is a give and take. It’s a careful line we walk with grief remembering the pain but also cherishing the joy and celebrating the good and miraculous things that are happening all over the globe. All because our God Girl, really was ready to fly away.</p>Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-65788268063569156072020-03-18T20:44:00.000-07:002020-03-18T20:44:12.371-07:00A love letter to the class of 2020For a week now I've been trying to figure out how to accurately navigate what I'm feeling. Writing used to be such a therapeutic act for me, so I figured... what the hell... let's hop back on the ole' blog and give it a go... see if I can make sense of this nonsense.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQxD-wsrl9WImsn5OrRCeb3_kpwqWx_zaPuhyphenhyphenOYabAnKoYX27J7uj0zeriD1tOLgW9F3na7xJyaOwx0il55-c3FnmvMU7rX78TSehAPoKZmBCQlrQEoFIGcahz3XwuWVqiEk7itiDOU8/s1600/IMG_5741.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQxD-wsrl9WImsn5OrRCeb3_kpwqWx_zaPuhyphenhyphenOYabAnKoYX27J7uj0zeriD1tOLgW9F3na7xJyaOwx0il55-c3FnmvMU7rX78TSehAPoKZmBCQlrQEoFIGcahz3XwuWVqiEk7itiDOU8/s320/IMG_5741.HEIC" width="240" /></a>12 days ago, I sat in a hotel room with some special people, as we discussed how we would handle the day that followed. These girls are incredible. They're resilient, incredibly intelligent, and insanely strong people. But the best part of working with them is that they love each other so much, and every single day they remind me of how special it was to be a collegiate athlete. As we sat in that meeting, the coaching staff went through the ins and outs of the Conference Championship that would be taking place the following day. The energy was calm in that hotel room. You could tell they were excited... but they were nervous too. We all were.<br />
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The top three teams from the conference meet were going to move on to the National Championship in three weeks. While we definitely felt great about the weeks of training leading up to this meet, it's important to recognize that we have some INSANELY talented teams in our conference. The top three could literally be anyone on any given day... and while I knew our team had what it takes to make it... even to win the meet... all it takes is one bad event to throw a meet away, and as a coach, holy cow... I was beyond nervous that I hadn't done enough to prepare them.<br />
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The morning of the meet was calm, but as soon as we got to the venue, the team became electric. It's hard to explain. There was an energy about them... the were ready, having a blast, and just simply enjoying the opportunity to be with each other.<br />
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They were so happy and completely in their element, that I remember walking from the practice gym up to the competition gym and thanking God that "this is my job." Sometimes it's so hard, and other times, it's incredibly magical. In that moment, when I was walking by myself, recognizing how blessed I was... I thought to myself, "I am living in a perfect moment." <br />
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The meet was great. It wasn't perfect, by any means... but they did what they needed to do. More importantly, they were proud of what they had done, and in placing second, secured a spot at the National Championships taking place on March 28th.<br />
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8 days ago, the threat of the Coronavirus tested us for the first time. We received word that UW-LaCrosse was not going to be allowed to travel to New York. It was about a day of panic and finally their administration reversed the call, saying they could travel. I thought to myself, if LAX reversed their decision... we should be good. No one else will say, "you can't go" since they reneged on their original ruling. I was wrong.<br />
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2 days after that, UW-Oshkosh was sidelined, and so were some of the teams from the East Region. It didn't matter if our administration was going to allow us to travel, we wouldn't have teams to compete against anyway. Nationals was cancelled.<br />
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If I could find the words to describe how it felt to tell our team, particularly our seniors, that their season (and some careers) were over, I would. I guess I could compare it to getting punched in the gut over and over and over again. They didn't really ask any questions. They just sat there, silently, with tears streaming down their faces at the realization that they weren't going to get to put on their grips again, or train together again, or scream "War What?" at their parents in the crowd who would encourage them back with "WARHAWKS!" It really is a family affair.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdNhWakGW0F2Tkt3Ft8jYciSqCw6WkK2ZLYaNUYBAMtwTzSogWY1Xit9lGuYANZf2GAO5L8TkdPvZMlj_gGyoPSjQYx6JXHhtUAth_h-RzUmK5ptAluj_77Dr3tZWbAaM4Xp-T_INEEA/s1600/IMG_1373.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdNhWakGW0F2Tkt3Ft8jYciSqCw6WkK2ZLYaNUYBAMtwTzSogWY1Xit9lGuYANZf2GAO5L8TkdPvZMlj_gGyoPSjQYx6JXHhtUAth_h-RzUmK5ptAluj_77Dr3tZWbAaM4Xp-T_INEEA/s320/IMG_1373.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>
Some people might think... "it's just sports," and they'd be right to an extent. We are lucky, and so blessed. These girls are healthy, they are resilient, and they will get past this for sure. But gymnastics is not a sport you pick up in middle school... it's something these girls have been consistently doing for 20 years, and they didn't get the opportunity to know that this would be their last practice, or their last competition, or their last time saluting a judge. I can only liken the devastation to a career ending injury. Having your sport taken from you, is something I would never wish upon anyone. We all know how hard it can be to move on from something, whether it's a relationship or a season of life, without closure. And I pray for my seniors, and for all the seniors who feel slighted and discouraged that weren't able finish their career on their terms.<br />
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<b>I do have a message for them though: </b><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To the Sweet Senior Class of 2020,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you look back on your time in the sport of gymnastics, remember the people who walked beside you through each phase of your journey. From tiny tot classes, to compulsory gymnastics, to optionals and into college, know that each person who crossed your path contributed to who you are. Thank them. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember your favorite leotards, the routines you choreographed with your teammates in the basement, the handstand contests and the travel meets? Those are important. </span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuXF81yeCSueuLvJv8LAvPyQnRnp9jGS_DbIpe5jIVZzEHTBmWJbh9KjRJgQ-cxiGYa1ZM5f29D9l1J7UJcx_Aa2vB1uRh2YkGRmvnTqOnauVRWBxFcu86iExiLDoTqTks7TrgxEoa0Y/s1600/GYMNASTICS069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuXF81yeCSueuLvJv8LAvPyQnRnp9jGS_DbIpe5jIVZzEHTBmWJbh9KjRJgQ-cxiGYa1ZM5f29D9l1J7UJcx_Aa2vB1uRh2YkGRmvnTqOnauVRWBxFcu86iExiLDoTqTks7TrgxEoa0Y/s320/GYMNASTICS069.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by: Michael McLoone</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember your college visits and the feeling you got when you knew you found your home? In 5 years, when you visit, you'll have that feeling again. I can guarantee you, it will be your home for as long as you like. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember the first time you represented your school at a meet, put that tattoo of the school mascot on your face, and heard your name called at march in? Good. Don't forget that. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember holding pinkies or squeezing your teammates hands during the national anthem? That still gives me butterflies and I've been retired for 10 years. </span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrlwYDx_eAw8Bf53ZYL4zmEx4IZc4HkdGcCkRMM34gFb8AKONkYIP6vobT-CZgHB4H5ceVOPQSXt9aol4RSQ3XWjap28yEHk77vWLUWoACXJD01mcz4_k_4RKW9wHJ7DKkrnwCHHKlH4/s1600/IMG_1494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrlwYDx_eAw8Bf53ZYL4zmEx4IZc4HkdGcCkRMM34gFb8AKONkYIP6vobT-CZgHB4H5ceVOPQSXt9aol4RSQ3XWjap28yEHk77vWLUWoACXJD01mcz4_k_4RKW9wHJ7DKkrnwCHHKlH4/s320/IMG_1494.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by: Michael McLoone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember how unbelievably hard practice was sometimes. How your hands wouldn't stop bleeding or your shins wouldn't stop throbbing. Remember when you thought there was NO WAY you could make it through one more set? You did it though.... didn't you. Because you're a badass and a fighter. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember what it felt like stick a landing cold and throw back that college finish with so much pride and joy? Good. Don't forget that either. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do you remember learning new skills in college, or changing your routine and finally nailing it! Damn, that felt good! </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do you remember having really tough conversations with your teammates or your coaches? Those conversations that are painful and filled with so much growth and self discovery? Those are the conversations that helped you become an adult. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do you remember being able to walk 5 feet to your best friend's bedroom and sit on her bed and laugh and cry together for hours? Good. She may not always live 5 feet away... but she will ALWAYS be there for you in the same way. </span></i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhvNM3UTO8kcmYmrc7XIXWrsDcnforKT0y7rLDh3ul_ObxY_ByMCTWr7aMkd0M8hC-s7jVWdjKyYAb8eXy-nzZdBFIEYEQCGLDjUaxAPZD9OXgu55ImuLsdwLRyjMjY8hYKb3ToD9eb0/s1600/GYMNASTICS134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhvNM3UTO8kcmYmrc7XIXWrsDcnforKT0y7rLDh3ul_ObxY_ByMCTWr7aMkd0M8hC-s7jVWdjKyYAb8eXy-nzZdBFIEYEQCGLDjUaxAPZD9OXgu55ImuLsdwLRyjMjY8hYKb3ToD9eb0/s320/GYMNASTICS134.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by: Michael McLoone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do you remember screaming so loud at a meet for your teammates that you couldn't speak for days afterward? Great. Then they absolutely know how much you love them. </span></i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0hD9AwNo-bHu3waYNeTq6PQxeoJToK5lHRAdxe-esjAgMP2pXGm10oQAwUg8O0SSekt5TcTuA-BfVrCN0Ze0BSnJjkRwD6gPjNRtIne4NVAr9WXz0m_UKX6yJU6ucC1WS_7nBS_YDYE/s1600/85172122_10157754435140926_6591019622319783936_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0hD9AwNo-bHu3waYNeTq6PQxeoJToK5lHRAdxe-esjAgMP2pXGm10oQAwUg8O0SSekt5TcTuA-BfVrCN0Ze0BSnJjkRwD6gPjNRtIne4NVAr9WXz0m_UKX6yJU6ucC1WS_7nBS_YDYE/s320/85172122_10157754435140926_6591019622319783936_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>What I'm trying to say, sweet girls, is that none of these incredible moments and memories have to do with winning awards or titles or notoriety. There is not one meet that makes or breaks a career, and this ending does not diminish all of the miraculous relationships, accomplishments and memories you have gained through your journey. You have been so blessed with the ability to do college gymnastics, and I hope that you can cherish the memories that you've made without the sour taste of how it ended. You all have so much to be proud of. I hope you know that, and I hope that what you have been through deepens your hearts and souls. Thank you for your contribution to our sport, to your team, and to your gymnastics families. Beautiful girl, you can hang those grips up with pride. I think I speak for everyone when I say I'm sorry that your ending wasn't perfect, but know that your journey was always your own. </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-Al</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-68446446873740099642017-11-17T11:34:00.000-08:002017-11-17T11:34:54.060-08:00PhasesI've been searching a lot lately. You know... midlife crisis style... as if there were a "one third-life-crisis." I feel as though I've been on the precipice of a major life change for a while, and it's about to hit me square in the face. For those of you who know me, you can probably assume how anxious this has had me. I'm not a "change" gal... In fact, I've made one major change in my life in 31 years.<br />
<br />
I went away to college.<br />
<br />
I'm still at college.<br />
<br />
Okay, I'm not still IN college, but I'm still in the same town, teaching the same classes I took as an undergrad and coaching the same team I was once a part of. I'm going to go ahead and diagnose myself with a fear of change, okay?<br />
<br />
It's crazy, one day I can feel so lost and overwhelmed and full of doubt and fear. I could have a lack of motivation or question my abilities my convictions, etc. While the next day, I feel like superwoman, capable of absolutely anything. Do not stand in my way on those days... or better yet, try to... I'll move your ass right out of the way!<br />
<br />
"Darling, the moon is still the moon in all of its phases."<br />
<br />
This quote was provided to me from the ladies at I AM THAT GIRL. It has since been residing as the background of my phone. When I really dove in to it, the words impacted me more than I could have anticipated.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The moon has many phases. But even when it looks like a sliver in the sky, the whole of the full moon is actually there. It is always, in fact, a full moon... even if it does not appear to be full when one looks to the heavens. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Similarly, on those days where you and I feel less than, not entirely whole, or lost and confused... our full value, our innate worth, our truest soul is still fully present, even though we may not be able to see it. We exist as a complete being, whether our feelings about ourselves in any given moment are able to comprehend that. We will go through phases of life where we feel like a full, bright moon, and phases when we feel like our moon is barely visible. Both are okay, both are necessary to feel the magnitude of our humanity. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Because if we didn't know what it felt like to be a crescent moon, we would not understand the greatness of shining our fullness to the world. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like the moon, we all have phases. Sometimes we're in a crescent season of life. Other seasons, we bask in the full glow of our passions and potential. They are both important. They both deserve to be embraced. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, if you're like me and are struggling to see a glimmer of your tiny moon in the sky, know that seasons change, and you're on the verge of a full moon. If you're basking in the glow of greatness currently, shine that light for everyone to see. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Allison</div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-74616198539252457332017-09-10T13:59:00.004-07:002017-09-10T13:59:52.751-07:00Back on the saddleAfter a long hiatus, I'm returning to the blog... if only to exercise my writing skills... but if I'm honest, it's mostly because writing helps me process the current happenings in my world. And as a "processor" my time away from the blog has had me feeling disconnected, drifting and lonely.<br />
<br />
So I'm back at it.<br />
<br />
I think that one of the reasons that I've avoided writing for myself is that, like I said, with writing comes processing, and in this day and age, I've been quite content to run away from just about everything. Some things in my life have changed dramatically over the past few months, and other things have remained painfully stagnant.<br />
<br />
I'm not good with change. I've made exactly 2 big decisions in my life. One was to go away to college (and I almost backed out). The other was to stay at college, and not end my gymnastics career with my best friends. Both decisions rocked my world, and in the end, led to a stream of events that brought me to the place I am now.<br />
<br />
I have no regrets.<br />
<br />
Aside from taking more risks.<br />
<br />
I've always been a "play by the rules" kind of gal. Someone who doesn't challenge the status quo, flies under the radar, and operates under the rule that I will not ruffle any feathers. Controversy scares me, confrontation intimidates me, and the anticipation of upsetting people has been an underlying cause of just about every decision I've ever made. I'm a people pleaser. So I have made many, many friends, and very few enemies. I like it that way, but I won't lie that it has me feeling stuck.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The fear of taking risks, upsetting the apple cart and disappointing people has kept me in place for a long time. A long time. And I can't help but wonder what I've missed out on. Though, I am a firm believer in the "everything happens for a reason" mentality, and I don't believe in dwelling on the "what ifs"- Sometimes it's hard not to wonder if I'm doing what's best for myself, or if I'm doing what's best for everyone else. I like doing what's best for everyone else... I like taking care of people I love... I like being there for people who have depended on me... But I like feeling like I'm supporting myself too.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5XLCYig5sOIoYdzqNPbmVKWg9R4mLSLMOtThH6w1TabHrqVcEPQuULURC1h4Y2t3x-KLUJ1Ti7j9oUncC_t7vkcmmNQ6Tg3qgJ6Z2SK7x-zd3uYb7EoLj1U9TYa3VN-ZqIgYMj2FKKs/s1600/21462747_10102084770141413_7921869199613372415_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="572" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5XLCYig5sOIoYdzqNPbmVKWg9R4mLSLMOtThH6w1TabHrqVcEPQuULURC1h4Y2t3x-KLUJ1Ti7j9oUncC_t7vkcmmNQ6Tg3qgJ6Z2SK7x-zd3uYb7EoLj1U9TYa3VN-ZqIgYMj2FKKs/s320/21462747_10102084770141413_7921869199613372415_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>I believe these two things can coexist, but I also believe that I've prioritized one of them over the other for a vast number of years. I'm proud of that. I'm proud of who I am... but I also think that there are times when I tend to forget who I am at the expense of taking care of others.<br />
<br />
Again, this is not something I consider to be a failure... this is something I value tremendously within myself. I just wish I could balance the two a little better.<br />
<br />
So I am going to challenge myself to a self care routine. For 30 days. I plan to check in with myself. To journal, to exercise, to do one thing for me each day. This will begin tomorrow, September 11th, 2017... a day of incredible reflection... seems like the perfect place to start.<br />
<br />
Will you join me? Will you check in with yourself, and make sure that you are prioritizing your own heart, your own needs and giving yourself a daily dose of self love??<br />
<br />
I hope you will. Together, we can hold each other accountable, we can encourage self love while loving on each other.<br />
<br />
Best of luck, my friends!<br />
xoxo,<br />
<br />
Al<br />
<br />
<br />Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-51466193616096772502017-06-10T20:27:00.003-07:002017-06-10T20:29:59.476-07:00IATG day at 6 FlagsMy world is spinning. Today was magical... I can't find the words right now. So until I can, here's a copy of the keynote speech I gave today at Great America...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Good Morning! My name is Allison
Annala, and I am so excited to be here today to help celebrate an organization
that has not only impacted my life, but the lives of nearly 1 million girls
worldwide. If you haven’t already heard about I AM THAT GIRL, get excited,
because if you are a girl, are the parent of a girl, or just happen to know a
girl, I can guarantee that you are going to love this organization and what
it’s already doing to help the women and girls in your life. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As women, we receive countless messages
every single day reminding us of all the things we are not. They tell us to wear
push up bras and slim fit jeans, buy designer brands, and keep up trendy
fashion. Then they harp on our bodies by saying we should work out but don’t
get too muscular, don’t be too fat but don’t be too skinny either. Don’t wear
too much make up, but make sure you wear enough make up… and don’t forget the
“anti-aging” creams, because God forbid you get a wrinkle before you turn 60…you
name it, we feel the pressure. Whether its through advertising, feedback from
our peers or the opposite sex, or messages in the media, we are constantly
being reminded that we are not enough. It positively boggles my mind to think
that we are all chasing after an unattainable ideal, that as a society, we’ve
somehow manifested this image of perfection that every woman has been tasked to
live up to.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Well, I don’t know about you, but
I think girls deserve better than this and thankfully, so does I AM THAT GIRL.</span></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I AM THAT GIRL is a chapter-based
501c3 non-profit organization made up of almost 300 active Local Chapters in
the US and a network of over 1 Million online followers! We provide leadership
& social and personal development programming to young women in High School
and College. Our mission is to cultivate self-worth, community engagement &
action, so that together we can amplify the voices, stories, and potential of
girls everywhere. </span></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We are a for-girls-by-girls
community, that is peer led. This means that every chapter is founded and maintained
by the girls themselves - with the help and support of IATG staff.</span></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> We </span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">provide the curriculum, but the
girls provide their own unique experiences, concerns, and values. Though
chapters discuss many of the same topics, every community is a little bit
different and has different needs. We don't tell girls how to think, we empower
them to speak their mind and listen actively to others to create an atmosphere
that empowers each individual group.</span></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Every chapter is unique, but they are
all connected in a robust community, allowing girls to make strong, lasting
connections with each other and inspiring them to grow as leaders and mentors
both at their school and on a global scale. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">One example of this, is our curriculum topic “Your Future”- Obviously,
it’s a really broad category with discussion prompts that include, “How do you
picture your life in 5 years?” or “What are you doing now to set yourself up to
reach your long term goals?” Even though these questions are pretty standard,
they can solicit a myriad of different conversations across chapters. High
school chapters will be looking more toward the excitement of the college
experience, while our collegiate chapters may have conversations about their
post college-life aspirations. While the discussions may be different from
coast to coast, or across the age spectrum, the theme behind the meetings is
always the same. Celebrate each other through open mindedness and lift others
up with love and compassion. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">While the conversations can
vary tremendously, one thing remains incredibly consistent with our chapters,
and that is our signature activity that kicks off every I AM THAT GIRL meeting,
it’s called: “I am that girl because…” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">At the start of each gathering,
members take turns going around the circle telling each other what makes them
“that girl” in this moment. They may have a success to celebrate, like a good
grade on a test, or a scored goal in a soccer game. They may have overcome
something to help gain perspective. Or, they may simply acknowledge that they
are going through a tough time, and they are just trying to keep moving
forward. Whatever it is, this activity works in many ways to help build
understanding among members and cultivate lasting relationships by developing a
circle of trust and support. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’d love for you all to take a
minute right now and think of what makes you “that girl” or “that guy” in this
moment. What can you celebrate about yourself right now. It can be something
totally small or something truly spectacular. It might be hard at first…
because bragging about ourselves is something that most of us only do well
until we’re about 6. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So, while you’re taking a
minute to think of what makes you truly special right now, I’d like to share
mine! Today, I am that girl because I’m doing something that scares me. I’m
standing in front of a crowd of strangers challenging myself to be vulnerable,
authentic and honest… and to not worry about what all of y’all think of me. Not
an easy task, but I’m going for it, and I’m proud of myself. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This incredible
organization is aimed at helping young women to become the best version of
themselves. We want to empower, inspire and help women to express, love and BE
who they are. One of my absolute favorite quotes, is “Comparison is the thief
of Joy,” because it could not possibly be more true. In this day and age, it is
so easy to compare our lives with the social media highlight reels that we are
exposed to. You know, all of those people on Facebook and Instagram that appear
to only go on vacation, eat fancy dinners or get married all the time?! That’s
not necessarily their reality… it’s just what they choose to showcase to the
world. But when that’s all we see, it’s hard to not compare ourselves to those
seemingly lavish lifestyles. Our goal is to encourage collaboration among women
instead of competition, to teach girls to lift while they climb, and to
recognize that someone else’s achievements DO NOT diminish their own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Part of our
programming at I AM THAT GIRL, is to encourage each other to embrace
vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness. Like many people, this was
not always easy for me. You see, I was a competitive gymnast for almost 20
years, and growing up as an athlete, I definitely embraced more of a “prove I’m
a badass by concealing all emotions” kind of mentality. Learning to recognize
my feelings, to allow them to exist and to appreciate them for what they were
was not an easy task for me. It took a lot of practice, but I’m definitely
getting better at it. So before I tell you my story, I’d like to ask your
permission to get real with you, to be vulnerable, and to really share what’s
on my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Is that okay with y’all?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I stumbled upon
the I AM THAT GIRL community when a celebrity I worshiped posted about it on
Twitter. I was so enamored with what I found, that I immediately went out and
purchased our founder’s book, coincidentally titled, I AM THAT GIRL. I as I was
reading Alexis Jones’ inspiring words, I felt, for the first time in years,
that someone truly understood what I was going through. Here’s a quick excerpt
from her book, <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“To be ‘that girl’
just means you’re going to give life your best shot, that you’re not going to
make excuses or justifications, that you’re going to go for it, whatever that
means for you. It also means you’re going to be an example of true beauty in
the world and encourage the same for all the other women in your life. Being
‘that girl’ means you are a constant work in progress—you’re willing to be
vulnerable, flawed and compassionate and are someone who stumbles and falls but
isn’t afraid to admit her shortcomings in the midst of her magnificence.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">That’s when I
started thinking about all of those girls I had admired for being ‘that girl’
in my life. You know, ‘that girl’ who is an amazing singer, ‘that girl’ who
beats all the boys at sports, ‘that girl’ who has no idea how beautiful she is,
‘that girl’ who radiates confidence no matter what her circumstances, ‘that
girl’ who is so smart, she’ll probably change the world …<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I had never
pictured myself in the same way. I felt less than those girls somehow, never
assuming that I would be worthy of the same kind of admiration I felt for the
girls I looked up to. But reading Alexis’ words about what truly defined ‘that
girl’ changed me, and started me on a journey of self-discovery that completely
transformed my world. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I devoured every
word in that book. I felt as though she was speaking directly to me, like she
knew what I was going through even though I was completely unable to express it
to people I knew and trusted. I felt like I was carrying this really heavy
secret, that if I actually told people how I felt, they would look at me
differently. I had this perceived image of myself that was happy go lucky girl.
I was a good friend, a doting daughter, a loving big sister and a hardworking,
independent young woman. But that was only half of my story and I wanted desperately
to connect with someone who could understand the deeper part of my heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I AM THAT GIRL
gave me the outlet I was looking for, and when I finally found the courage to
share my story on the their website, the response I received was overwhelming. You
see, I spent the better part of 10 years fighting feelings of inadequacy,
anxiety, depression, and disordered eating habits. The worst part of it was
that I couldn’t understand where it was coming from. I had a GREAT life… and in
the back of my mind I couldn’t grasp why I was going through all of this
internally when externally, everything around me indicated I had a perfect life.
It just didn’t make sense. I mean, I knew that my friends and parents and other
people I looked up to had their own insecurities, just like the next guy, but when
I looked around, it seemed to me that I was the only one I knew who struggling
the way I was. That is until I was brave enough to publish my article. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The response was
immediate. It was shared hundreds, maybe thousands of times on Facebook. The
comments came in from everywhere and I was gifted this incredible opportunity
to embrace who I was and talk about my struggles openly both online, and in
person. You would not believe the kind of doors that opened for me in my
everyday life. My friends instantly began asking me more questions and opening
up to me about their own inner struggles. Though our challenges weren’t
necessarily the same, I quickly realized that I wasn’t the only one who felt
alone in my problems, and that was an incredibly comforting realization. You
see, we live in this world that rarely provides space for us struggle. I had
gone on for years, just convincing myself that I was “handling it” – and it
wasn’t until I found this community of women who weren’t uncomfortable learning
about my battle with anorexia that I finally understood what I had been
missing. It was a space to be unapologetically me… exactly as I was then, and
exactly as I am now. I’m always changing and growing and learning… and I don’t
plan to be the same Allison in 5 years that I am today, kind of the same way
I’m definitely not the girl I was 5 years ago. I truly believe that we GROW
THROUGH what we GO THROUGH and I AM THAT GIRL provides girls the tools to embrace
their own uniqueness and their vulnerability and to appreciate both of those
beautiful parts of them. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I can’t even begin
to tell you what leading a Chapter of I AM THAT GIRL has meant for me. It’s
taught me to quit hiding behind perfection, and to be 100% my most authentic
self. And guess what… people like that version of me! It’s crazy, right! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Our founder,
Alexis Jones says that the two most powerful words in the English language are
“Me Too.” I can say from experience, that it feels really good to know you’re
not alone. But sometimes the only way we can discover that someone else is
walking our same path is by being courageous enough to go first and to say
what’s truly on our hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">My story is just
that, it’s my story. But it’s one of a million stories that represent what this
community is doing in the world. I could tell you stories of
countless other amazing girls who have faced mountains of their own. Each one
is unique, each story is different, but the one thing these girls all have in
common is that they have found comfort, encouragement, support, love and
resilience in the communities that I AM THAT GIRL helps to provide.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I AM THAT GIRL is
not just a safe place for girls to express, love and be who they are. It’s a
life style. It’s teaching these young women that it is okay to embrace who they
are, to celebrate their differences and lift each other up, and these are
skills that every young woman should possess. The effect that this organization
has had on my life is profound. The magnitude of what I’ve learned has
snowballed into every aspect of my life. I’d love to see a chapter pop up at
every high school and college campus nationwide. Because to me, the greatest
gift any girl can receive is permission to be herself, to love who she sees in
the mirror, the voice in her head, the dreams in her mind and the spirit in her
heart. It’s the gift of I AM THAT GIRL… and I’m so thankful I received it. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-34928574268373638892017-01-20T21:07:00.005-08:002017-01-20T21:07:58.788-08:00Inauguration Day<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve never considered myself a political person. Nor would I
consider myself a confrontational person. I hate arguing. I usually bite my
tongue when I don’t agree with something, particularly if my opposing opinion
would result in ruffling someone’s feathers. Because I develop severe anxiety
in situations where I would like to express my feelings but am too afraid to do
so, I have spent a great deal of this election cycle refraining from engaging
in any political conversation. It makes me uncomfortable. Not because I don’t
have beliefs… believe me, I do, but because all of the hate that has occurred
has had me doubting who I could feel safe sharing my thoughts with. Social
media has been the worst. I have wrestled time and time again with “liking”
comments, or commenting on things I do not “like.” I have cried over posts I’ve
seen shared by people I love advocating for hate. And I have felt desperate for
hope for so many people who feel persecuted and fearful of what their lives may
become. Through it all, I have remained virtually silent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not today. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, I feel a sense of obligation to share what’s been
weighing on my heart. I am not able to attend one of the many women’s marches being
held tomorrow, but I can say with confidence that my interests and my beliefs
will be well represented in every corner of this GREAT nation. Let me first
say, that I am a true Patriot at heart. I 100% respect the office of the
President of the United States of America, and I believe that “equality for all
Americans” should actually include ALL AMERICANS. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe in kindness and compassion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that black lives matter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that sexual assault survivors deserve to be heard,
believed and protected.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that EVERYONE deserves to have an affordable,
quality education.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that EVERYONE deserves affordable, quality health
care regardless of preexisting conditions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that transgendered human beings should be treated
as human beings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe in equal pay for women.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that women’s rights are human rights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I still believe that this truly is the Promised Land, and we
should do what is within our means to welcome anyone who is seeking a better
life the same way our founders did. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that despite all of the disagreements and harsh
feelings that we are still one people… we are all Americans, and if there is
one line from Mr. Trump’s inauguration speech I will cling to it is that no
matter the color of our skin, “we all bleed the same red blood of Patriotism.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I believe that LOVE is LOVE.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, I am a feminist, and those of you reading this may
brush me off as just another angry liberal disapproving of the Republican
agenda. But just like the Conservatives didn’t like being associated with rape
culture, racism and Trumps unkind words about the disabled, I need to make
something quite clear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My heart is breaking a little bit in fear of what is to
come. But NO, I do not approve of the violent rioters that are protesting this
Inauguration. I also do not appreciate being called a “liberal crybaby” because
I didn’t get what I want. You know what I want?? I want the American people to
feel safe. I want my friends who are gay to live without fear of their marriage
licenses being revoked. I want the 14 year old girl I know who just beat cancer
to be able to have health insurance when she’s 26 years old. I want myself, my
friends and future college students to have the weight of student loans lifted
off their shoulders. I want black men to feel safe at ALL TIMES. I want the pay
gap eliminated. I want adults and children with disabilities to be afforded
opportunities that will enhance their quality of life, and I want girls to grow
up knowing they are JUST AS GOOD as their male counterparts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the thing. I did not vote for President Trump. He was
not my first choice to run our country. If I’m being totally honest, he
probably wouldn’t have made my top 10 (or 100). But there he is… holding the
most prestigious office in our nation. So with that, I will end this blog
saying that I PRAY that President Trump does an impeccable job holding this office. I may not believe he
belongs in the White House, but I can say with complete and total honesty that I would love, more than anything in the world, to look back in
4 years and say, “Thank you, Sir, for proving me wrong.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A slightly terrified liberal feminist who is clinging to hope<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="font-size: 12pt;">My sincerest gratitude to President Barak Obama and
First Lady Michelle for their dedicated and heartfelt service to our Nation
over the past 8 years. You served with dignity and poise and I am so proud to
have born witness to your leadership and service.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-22983750162954131302017-01-04T13:23:00.000-08:002017-01-04T13:23:06.236-08:00SonderDo you ever get a good look at a stranger and feel oddly connected to their life? I was driving today, and as I was making a left hand turn I caught a solid glimpse of a man in the left turn lane of the road I was joining. It was odd. I didn't recognize this man, and he didn't see me. There was just something about him that caught my attention. Immediately I found myself wondering how old he was, along with a myriad of other things:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvddpIBLFpqbA9USiEs35xSKofvM30csRuh-uisglL6R0-5LyVCQuMr28DJz2X8pF-PgsCuDFiZlo_06b9S45HksW7aFkyIVdwI97GZSIy36AEzk0m4mF6DUlR9Giwiz-GEPamdFWCHs/s1600/sonder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvddpIBLFpqbA9USiEs35xSKofvM30csRuh-uisglL6R0-5LyVCQuMr28DJz2X8pF-PgsCuDFiZlo_06b9S45HksW7aFkyIVdwI97GZSIy36AEzk0m4mF6DUlR9Giwiz-GEPamdFWCHs/s320/sonder.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Was he married? Did he have grandchildren? Was he a veteran? A business man? Did he make his living saving lives? Teaching piano lessons? Harvesting crops? Did he have a happy childhood? Did he love a lot? Does he feel loved? Where is he going? Why is he going there? Where is he coming from? What brought him to be in this tiny town of Whitewater, WI? Does he believe in God?<br />
<br />
Nothing about this man was out of the ordinary. He was a white man, maybe mid 60s of age, driving a white SUV of some sort... I wasn't paying attention. What I did notice were his wrinkles. That's how I know there was a lot of life behind his eyes. And so, I wondered about his life. Because I think that by wondering about other's lives add a level of compassion to our own lives. If we are considerate enough to recognize that we are not the center of this universe... that each person we pass by is the lead character in their own story I think we gift ourselves the opportunity to deepen ourselves.<br />
<br />
<h2 class="title" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #464646; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.333; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows.com/post/23536922667/sonder" style="color: #464646; text-decoration: none;">sonder</a></h2>
<div class="content" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #707070; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.455; margin: 0px 0px 9px; padding: 0px 100px 0px 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; padding: 0px;">
<em style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: inherit;">n</em>. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.</div>
</div>
<br />
I don't know the man in the white SUV. I may never cross paths with him again. But I can tell you, I'm grateful for his existence on this planet. His presence today gifted me with a sweet reminder that everyone has a story, if only you take the opportunity to uncover it.<br />
<br />
To growth, gratitude and grace~<br />
<br />
Allison<br />
<br />
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<br /></h2>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-5570956724492392022017-01-01T13:23:00.000-08:002017-01-01T13:23:48.830-08:00The Year of Joy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxYSPn_hcFlYlOgaiwmdtwSUDiIWE-22pr3FFDh5qFUBHrpKghdNLqrGr5eOKkXwTEmipadylJ9ZQfbF32r8Z4WhcEzkThP3jw33ESQ5lWsahPJ845hQ7YpbRx0dX2OCDslnasu6eDx4/s1600/3+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxYSPn_hcFlYlOgaiwmdtwSUDiIWE-22pr3FFDh5qFUBHrpKghdNLqrGr5eOKkXwTEmipadylJ9ZQfbF32r8Z4WhcEzkThP3jw33ESQ5lWsahPJ845hQ7YpbRx0dX2OCDslnasu6eDx4/s320/3+%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Before adventuring to see the sea turtles. Such an <br />incredible day!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've spent the past 19 days in the presence of some amazing people. People I love more than I could ever explain.<br />
<br />
First there was the family vacation... four siblings, two parents, a handful of sea turtles, a dozen gourmet meals, 5 days in the sun and a [couple] of cocktails here and there... it was incredible.<br />
<br />
Then, there was Christmas. Another week with the family full of wine, games and more time spent with my favorite humans on the planet.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW9DWS0rjf9cEN7uQITY7C8SagCSaaRhvSW0_bObKesrV75pqZFkO31XQaodO0goEJ5Aue0GtAaVIxaCHvzinDN_clXyb44yxy2_UCN3cAVS2fzhwzYaDi5zrMuTphDaCSModaidbup0/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW9DWS0rjf9cEN7uQITY7C8SagCSaaRhvSW0_bObKesrV75pqZFkO31XQaodO0goEJ5Aue0GtAaVIxaCHvzinDN_clXyb44yxy2_UCN3cAVS2fzhwzYaDi5zrMuTphDaCSModaidbup0/s320/DSC_0019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Christmas Eve with my truest soul mates.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally, I had the privilege of standing next to one of my best friends as she said "I do," to her perfect match. It was a week full of love, laughs and so much joy. Congrats to Dani and Jeremy. I am so happy for you both!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zQwcRBJMHWzu6F0PtAxpM2yMqEQHCBqD03fzR-l-yduGGTcLJisjHvo7o9ub1Ml9QFb9u1srYWkth_DvUrEKzs6OuvUqyL0npVfKMxIEQo5y1NECoEUefzM6iEte2HQJAxs16iO0Ppo/s1600/15800349_10101682628785913_1463178994492926775_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zQwcRBJMHWzu6F0PtAxpM2yMqEQHCBqD03fzR-l-yduGGTcLJisjHvo7o9ub1Ml9QFb9u1srYWkth_DvUrEKzs6OuvUqyL0npVfKMxIEQo5y1NECoEUefzM6iEte2HQJAxs16iO0Ppo/s320/15800349_10101682628785913_1463178994492926775_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I can't remember what life was like before these 4. <br />They are my brightest lights.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Naturally, I was flying high with all of these amazing experiences that were taking place in my life. It's always special spending this time of the year with people I love. Then, yesterday I started receiving messages wishing me a "Happy New Year!"<br />
<br />
Wait a minute.<br />
<br />
It's New Years Eve??<br />
<br />
Shit.<br />
<br />
Of course I was aware of the date on the calendar, but in all of the craziness, I had failed to give myself any time to process the start of the new year (If you know me well, you know that this caused my blood pressure to skyrocket... processing is kinda my jam). So naturally, I started to panic, because in this moment the introverted portion of my brain (approximately 65% of me) needed nothing but alone time. So, I gratefully said goodbye to the friends I was with and headed home to check in with myself.<br />
<br />
I've never been a huge fan of resolutions. Until last year, I always made them and I always failed at them. it's not hard to fail at a resolution. As human beings, we're ambitious creatures. The promise of a new year can create big dreams and set high expectations. Excitement runs high on a holiday, and when we are feeling our best, it's easy to believe that we have what it takes to make some amazing change in our lives.<br />
<br />
<i>I'm going to lose 20lbs this year.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I'm going to save $10K this year.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I'm going to fall in love this year.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>{Insert ridiculous hypothetical resolution here}</i><br />
<br />
Last year, a dear friend of mine told me she hated resolutions, and instead of setting resolutions, she chooses an all encompassing theme for the upcoming year, one to keep at the forefront of her mind as the months go by. This theme, like an overall blanket of good intention is something that she focuses on, to keep her intentions and thoughts on track. I thought this was a brilliant idea. Instead of saying, "I will journal twice a week for 52 weeks," I could instead say, "I will write with intention when writing makes me happy."<br />
<br />
With this concept in mind, I thought forward as to what may bring me joy in 2016. I had always been a very cautious person, cautious with my life and cautious with my heart. When looking forward at the upcoming year I decided to name 2016 the year of Bravery. I wanted to take risks, to open myself up to change, to make mistakes and to become someone I looked up to. For me, a lot of the people I look up to and admire seem carefree and open to new experiences... you know, brave. I wanted to be like that... so bravery it was.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-8AcvOxI0LMBparieKeQ0yM_riFPXrmX-zHX-zGGhjz1zm6K-pfXUr5oorOM21mjyuoShNXDd1aw72rtLPwyZLuTkdYttCFr0vqZzi58gZo3FQHlxmWq8orJK4TvYfjz2fv-KvNPlT0/s1600/dreamteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-8AcvOxI0LMBparieKeQ0yM_riFPXrmX-zHX-zGGhjz1zm6K-pfXUr5oorOM21mjyuoShNXDd1aw72rtLPwyZLuTkdYttCFr0vqZzi58gZo3FQHlxmWq8orJK4TvYfjz2fv-KvNPlT0/s320/dreamteam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This dream team has my whole heart. After 10 months of <br />working together online, sharing a space with them was <br />the definition of magical.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last night, as I was looking back on 2016 I couldn't help but feel disappointed in myself. Bravery was not at the forefront of my year. Now, I'm not saying I failed completely, because I did grow in this department this year. I had several experiences that taught me how to face a problem head on, instead of just shutting down (something I would have done in the past), and I'm very thankful for that. I also made several decisions this year to do things for me. I advocated for myself, sought help when I needed it, and embraced some truly wonderful mentors to help me navigate through some terrifying unknowns. I did brave... and maybe it wasn't as intentional as I would have liked, but I did it.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNXFu-uy_wnI0kRw2TyoVBsJutgNqF0dRpZoFF1YmVlmxwWLUnokqy_SuCb5vdg_Jsd6apO5c_iPYVpTdC3uDyaulkrez5_9JyvA7CQ1xvVhjDwdDdLCDMXQjEv-FZZfgM4TMW2w2rQg/s1600/IMG_4401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNXFu-uy_wnI0kRw2TyoVBsJutgNqF0dRpZoFF1YmVlmxwWLUnokqy_SuCb5vdg_Jsd6apO5c_iPYVpTdC3uDyaulkrez5_9JyvA7CQ1xvVhjDwdDdLCDMXQjEv-FZZfgM4TMW2w2rQg/s320/IMG_4401.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My heart has never been as full as in this theater. I don't think<br />I've ever cried so hard, experienced so much joy, or felt so alive.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think more than brave, this year was spent learning more about myself, acceptance and growth. I learned to turn every experience, positive or negative, into a growing experience. I would ask myself,<br />
"what did this interaction teach me," "how could I have handled this better," "what do I need to do to move forward," and a myriad of other questions. I don't believe I failed in my year of brave, but that my year of brave may have transformed more to a year of understanding. Understanding myself, understanding my needs and being open to learning in every aspect of the word.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDeUSKnVTfwhCxsdPfuvpwAXA3sRSjM2ekTzUTfZoZpZsMhrhqLxS_71t5pl4DT0aeXfQ7_5gGmUUHQ2siUIfDJI5bv8eMJfEBe3jt1yiGnViNbSCVPr0ditJrF5ot-xaT-8fPaI00W0/s1600/14102340_10101510804662833_6107104213582231758_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDeUSKnVTfwhCxsdPfuvpwAXA3sRSjM2ekTzUTfZoZpZsMhrhqLxS_71t5pl4DT0aeXfQ7_5gGmUUHQ2siUIfDJI5bv8eMJfEBe3jt1yiGnViNbSCVPr0ditJrF5ot-xaT-8fPaI00W0/s320/14102340_10101510804662833_6107104213582231758_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Strangers who became friends, friends who became family...<br />these women have inspired me beyond words.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year I gave myself the opportunity to grow on multiple occasions. I stopped making excuses for not meeting my own needs and started taking my life seriously. I gave myself vacations, sick days and time with people who lifted me up. I flew to the west coast 3 times in 3 months because I wanted to show up for some important people in my life. Yes, I wanted to show up for them, but I NEEDED to show up for myself. These adventures gave me the opportunity to expand my heart and step out of my comfort zone and I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for those experiences.<br />
2016 was hard. It was full of challenges, changes and uphill battles. I had inner struggles, outer struggles and fought alongside some special people who needed backup on their own front lines. Despite all of the ups and downs, I think there's promise in the turning of a page. 2017 is a blank canvas, for us to create whatever picture of our life we desire. The page we've turned is still there... we have the knowledge from it, the scars from it, and the joy from it, as we look toward the year ahead. And with that, I've decided to embrace the theme of Joy for 2017.<br />
<br />
In 2017 I plan to make decisions based on what brings me joy. I will surround myself with people who bring me joy. I will do the things that make me the happiest. I will make time and space for joy on a daily basis. I will do my best to share joy with those around me, and I will make a conscious effort to remove the things from my life that do not. I know that I am the only person who can dictate my happiness... and this year, I plan to take that responsibility seriously.<br />
<br />
My intention for 2017 has been set; The Year of Joy. It may only be January 1st, but I think that this is something I am capable of maintaining. However, should my journey lead me down another path, I will not consider it a tragedy, but merely a redirection of the path I'm on. Roadblocks occur everyday, but embracing gratitude and joy will help me to keep perspective in 2017. May you all experience boundless joy in 2017.<br />
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With growth, gratitude and grace,<br />
<br />
AllisonAllisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-55618563602835690292016-10-17T12:16:00.003-07:002016-10-17T12:16:41.755-07:00An Open letter to that girl at #GIRL2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwb2SOTQHI-784SSxrX9Kvd8Vh6TVcGaaagxS7oMoFjmRQ5aaY8OifjyuW0mBhQZhq4tZGQL93d8g02jFtZMSkNu_9vlAHB7CgRANs5abS5x30dTPCSpzesw92ZCfe0e_uWK1Uyns7YT8/s1600/IMG_4399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwb2SOTQHI-784SSxrX9Kvd8Vh6TVcGaaagxS7oMoFjmRQ5aaY8OifjyuW0mBhQZhq4tZGQL93d8g02jFtZMSkNu_9vlAHB7CgRANs5abS5x30dTPCSpzesw92ZCfe0e_uWK1Uyns7YT8/s320/IMG_4399.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
Hey Girl!<br />
<br />
Well, we made it happen... we finally met. We traveled from our perspective ends of the universe to finally embrace in each other's precious company. I don't know about you, but I thought it was pretty damn magical. And maybe we didn't have the privilege of make EVERYONE'S acquaintance (because lets face it, there were 300 of us), but simply sharing that space with you was a complete treasure.<br />
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This mission that brought us into each other's lives, our reason for connecting and our shared passion for life gives me so much hope. Whatever it was that led you to I AM THAT GIRL, whether it was a struggle, a triumph, a set back, accomplishing a goal, a fear, a joy or a complete tragedy... be grateful for it... because now you're <b><i>here</i></b>, and <b><i>here</i></b> is a good place to be.<br />
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Getting here may have been an easy journey for you, or it could have been years of an uphill battle, but you made it. This community needs you here, the world needs you here, I need you here. Because here is everywhere. <b><i>Here</i></b>, at IATG, is a tangible feeling felt everywhere... not just while in each other's arms at a theater in LA. <i><b>Here </b></i>is in the late night text messages, the Facebook & Instagram posts, and the three hour Skype sessions across oceans and time zones. <i><b>Here </b></i>is in the love letters sent via snail mail and <i><b>here</b></i> is in each of your communities where you share the love you receive with others who may need to find what it means to be <b><i>here</i></b>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo credit: I AM THAT GIRL, Twitter account</i></td></tr>
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This community's strength is found in the depths of your soul and in the light that you shine every single day. So, even though we are no longer in the arms of one another, please remember that our bond is far stronger than the miles that lie between us. And when it comes time to cut that piece of multicolored string off your wrist, know that the ties that bind you to each other will not unravel. Go forward from this experience knowing you have effected my whole heart and the hearts of so many women. You are strong, you are capable, you are inspiring, you are needed here, you are beautyfull and you are so much more than ENOUGH.<br />
<br />
The universe has handed us a grand opportunity... to be the best versions of ourselves, together. Can you even imagine the mark we can leave on this world? I hope that you continue to use your voice and your gifts as you carry on this journey. You are a warrior princess of this cultural shift and I am thankful for you every single day. As I sit on this plane, filled to the absolute brim with gratitude, I can only pray that this world is good to you, my sweet Anam Cara. And when it's not, know that we're here, I'm here... and some day soon we will again find ourselves in each other's presence sharing hearts, holding hands and celebrating the magic that is sparked when women who believe in the one another share space together.<br />
<br />
So, sweet girl, until that magical time we meet again, when we are able to sway back and forth singing the anthems of our tribe at the tippy top of our lungs... I will keep you in my heart. I have cried so many joyful tears knowing the amount of truth and love that exists within the confines of our sisterhood can move mountains... so that's what we will do. Do not be sad that we are no longer together. We were always meant to go our separate ways. Coming together was an opportunity to fuel our passion and to set out on our own individual journeys to change this world. So I am wishing you endless growth, gratitude and grace on your beautiful journey. Thank you for touching my soul, and for allowing me to be a part of your inspiring story.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo credit: I AM THAT GIRL, Twitter account</i></td></tr>
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All my love forever,<br />
<br />
AlAllisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-50181035003899680282016-09-29T12:00:00.002-07:002016-09-29T12:00:36.136-07:00Self- DiagnosisI'm a self-diagnosed perfectionist.<br />
<br />
I've decided.<br />
<br />
I think that's what it means when you uncover some kind of crazy truth about yourself without the help of a medical professional. I've struggled with believing I was good enough in various facets of my life for a number of years. The time I've spent overanalyzing decisions I've made, outfits I've worn, things I've said, people I've shared my time with, situations I've been in, and obstacles I've faced completely baffles me. If I'm being honest... I'm ready to be done with that shit.<br />
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As one self-diagnosed individual does, I have determined that I require a specific course of action to help curb the progression of this perfectionism. The easiest form of therapy would be to simply say, <b><i>screw it </i></b>and move on every time I find myself doubting my "ENOUGH-NESS." Unfortunately, that course of action is probably akin to looking at a Nicorette patch without the intent of placing it on one's skin. I can also confirm that this strategy would not be practical for this individual given my ability to think about things far longer than the average human should be able to mull things over.<br />
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I think the most appropriate course of action is actually self-realization. When I find myself criticizing the fabulous woman in the mirror, I simply need to take a moment to remember what I know to be true about myself:<br />
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<i>1. My worth is innate. No one can tell me who I am or what I am worth. Only I can determine that.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>2. I recognize that no person who contributes to me feeling less than I am worth is not someone I will chose to spend time with. Sorry people... if your presence in my life is causing me to feel crappy, I'm cutting you out. Life is too short for me to worry about what you think. </i><br />
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<i>3. In conjunction with that, I also know it is absolutely impossible for me to make everyone happy. Despite nearly 30 years of attempting this... I'm giving up. It's not going to happen, so I'm going to focus on my one obligation... Me. </i><br />
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<i>4. Life has blessed me with some truly beautiful people that I can confide in when I need it.</i><br />
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<i>5. Perfectionism is not a disease... it's a flaw and I'm flawed and that's okay. </i><br />
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It's all just a part of this journey to growth, gratitude and grace, right!?<br />
<br />
Stay Sweet, Friends~<br />
<br />
AllisonAllisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-56230761773062918632016-09-21T14:53:00.000-07:002016-09-21T14:54:06.845-07:00Radical EmpathyWhat do you do when you don't know what to do? When someone you know is hurting and you're not sure how to help. When you feel overwhelmed and can't seem to uncover why. When society seems to be going to shit and no one has any answers...<br />
<br />
I started reading a book that has come highly recommended by one of my soul sisters (thanks, Liv). It's called <b><u>Tiny Beautiful Things</u></b>, by Cheryl Strayed. I have not had the opportunity to dive in deep yet, but within the first 50 pages I've found a quote that seems to resonate here:<br />
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<i>"It's what most of us have to give a few times over the course of our lives: to love with a mindfully clear sense of purpose, even when it feels outrageous to do so."</i><br />
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I'm not sure what to do to help the best friend who is hurting, or the child who has experienced a trauma, or to help bring peace to communities who are being destroyed by race and judgment and bigotry.<br />
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So I'll love, and I'll love purposefully.<br />
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Reaching out to loved ones in need can be hard sometimes. Holding space for healing hearts can be exhausting, but we do it... because we love them. Our friends and families appreciate this of us, knowing we are there. They may not always reach out, but the peace of mind that a person can and will show up for you is a remarkable thing. But what about those who we may not agree with??<br />
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What about the bigot who lives on the corner, or the online bully who is brave behind a screen and a coward in person? What about those people who cause our loved ones pain? Is it possible to show up for people we dislike in the same way?<br />
<br />
I think if every person decided to love purposefully on someone who may need it most, someone who seems impossible to show compassion to, someone they can not see eye to eye with... we could change the world. At I AM THAT GIRL, we have a saying "hurt people hurt people," and I honestly believe in the truth of that statement. It takes someone who is in pain to cause pain to another human being. Think about it... truly happy people don't treat people poorly, they lift them up.<br />
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So find that jackass, or that person in pain... seek them out, find them. They need you more than you know. Show them love and understanding. Ignite radical empathy and start a chain reaction. They probably don't deserve your love. Give it to them anyway. Actively practice loving with purpose... if it doesn't change their life, let it change yours.<br />
<br />
Wishing you growth, gratitude and grace~<br />
AllisonAllisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-69397543799847950242016-09-15T08:43:00.003-07:002016-09-15T09:10:00.640-07:00Dreams<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">It's been another long hiatus for this writer... not from writing, but simply from this platform. I've had a lot on my plate lately, so posting for the masses has had to take a back seat. I so appreciate the support and encouragement I've received from some of you! Lots of loving vibes are being felt and sent back your way! So thank you, thank you, thank you!!!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
I've spent the past two years writing and interning for an organization that completely enhanced and transformed my life. I've built relationships with women in all corners of this country and some across the globe. My heart has drummed one beat after another for the cause that is I AM THAT GIRL. I have had the privilege of learning from women I idolize and sharing my story with younger girls. It was always my hope that they, at their tender ages, would not feel so alone knowing that women before them have made it through similar situations... and become better and stronger human beings in spite of their struggles.<br />
<br />
It's been incredible, enlightening, inspiring and motivating. I've learned that I have more interests and more passions in life than I ever thought possible. A typically scared individual, I am learning to stare my fears in the face and conquer them without second guessing myself (something I've struggled with my entire life).<br />
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Over the past two years, self-exploration has been in the forefront of my life. I've dedicated countless hours to journaling, dating myself, engaging in hard conversations with people I trust and really getting to know who I am. Learning about my needs and how I can best serve myself and the people in my life, was one of the most incredible self-discoveries I've made. Throughout this time I also learned that I hadn't really given myself permission to dream. I think a lot of times, we limit the dreaming to the kiddos, emphasizing that they CAN DO ANYTHING they set their minds to. At a certain point, we stop reaching for some of those dreams. Perhaps we achieve them, perhaps we settle for something less than our original aspirations... but somewhere in my nearly 30 years, I started to stop believing that the dreams I had dreamt up as a child were attainable.<br />
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Almost a year ago exactly, I wrote about a quote from one of my favorite philanthropists, Sophia Bush. Earlier this week, the quote resurfaced for me, and it now resides on the cover of a binder that is housing one of my most precious dreams. Part of the quote reads,<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;"><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">“The dream is what you imagine, the hustle is what you have to do to actually live it and the hustle is hard, no matter what career path you’re in.” –Sophia Bush</span></b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
We get so caught up in being dreamers. People appreciate that you have a dream and often look at dreams with romanticized ideations. But I think sometimes we become so enamored with dreams being dreams that we forget (or we don't actually believe) that we are capable of making them come true. I know that I'm incredibly guilty of that. When thinking about my aforementioned dream, it always seemed so far out of reach, a beautiful thought, something to fantasize over. I don't think I ever truly believed it was something I was meant to accomplish.<br />
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<br />
So what of dreams, then?? I refuse to believe that dreams are meant to stay dreams. Dreaming is a beautiful concept but I can't help but become frustrated at the idea that dreaming is merely theoretical. What purpose do dreams serve if we only look to them to give us warm and fuzzy false hope?! We owe it to our dreams and to ourselves to chase after them with the intent of catching them... or, if you ask me, we do not deserve to dream them at all.<br />
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This binder of mine, it comes with me everywhere. With it, I carry a journal that I am utilizing to brainstorm, plan, and explore the depths of my creativity and my passion. The simple act of keeping this physical representation of my dream close has helped reaffirm the "hustle" for me. It is allowing me the space to dream out loud, so to speak. Having it close at all times gives me the opportunity to embrace inspiration when it comes, instead of putting it off until I have time (if you know me... you know I'd be waiting for months). For the first time since I was a little girl reciting monologues and making music videos in my bedroom mirror, I am actively and confidently pursuing a dream I've had for 10 years.<br />
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It feels good people. It feels really good.<br />
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So my friends, I implore you to dream dreams. Don't place yourself in the box of adulthood and assume you have no right. Dreaming is for everyone... not just the kiddos. But don't dream in vain. Decide what you want and actively pursue it. Remember, <i style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">“The dream is what you imagine, the hustle is what you have to do to actually live it..." </span></b></i><br />
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Hustle hard my friends,<br />
<br />
and dream on.<br />
<br />
Wishing you growth, gratitude and grace always-<br />
xo AL<br />
<br />Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-41835561025649921972016-05-31T20:43:00.002-07:002016-05-31T21:02:00.468-07:00Real-Life Superwomen Have you ever been given the advice not to meet your hero? Don't approach your favorite celebrity, athlete or author --because they will never live up to the idealistic version of them you have created in your head??<br />
<br />
I've heard it.<br />
<br />
But I choose not to believe it.<br />
<br />
You see. I've met two of my (S)HERO's now. One in person, one via conference call.<br />
<br />
When I met Emily Greener (co-founder of my life preserver, I AM THAT GIRL), I felt heard, supported and inspired. At that point in my life, I had been writing for IATG for a year as a blogger, and had launched 2 chapters at that time, but Emily and I had never truly interacted other than a short conversation via skype. When we met, she walked right up to me, a virtual stranger, hugged me, looked me in the eyes and said, "I know you," with the most incredibly genuine smile. It was remarkable. She did know me. Because, like every other girl who finds the opportunity to meet someone they admire, I wanted to know her heart, what made her tick and how she felt about life. She gifted me with the knowledge of those things. Part of the way through our conversation she looked at me with curious eyes and asked, "Do you want to have kids?" Now, even though I'm of child bearing age, I am CRAZY single!! So, I laughed a bit and I smiled at her, informing her that I did in fact want to have kids some day. She shook her head in the most loving way and said, "I bet you'll be a great mom." I'm not sure if I can accurately explain how that comment made me feel. How does any compliment from your hero resonate? I was on top of the world with that, and so grateful for the opportunity to learn from and grow with this beautiful woman for the next 24 hours. It was a dream.<br />
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Tonight I heard the words of Emily's partner in crime, Alexis Jones. Alexis is now the chairwoman of the board of IATG, but is also Emily's co-founder. I used the term "life preserver" previously when referring to IATG because this organization has not only saved me from drowning, it has also continued to keep me afloat. Alexis joined our monthly leader call tonight, and it was the first time in my years with IATG that I've had the privilege of hearing her speak live. I'm not sure there are enough words in the English language to accurately describe <b><i>how deeply I felt everything</i></b> this woman said. She was authentic, she was real, she was vulnerable... everything she has taught us to be. She was absolutely everything I would have expected, and yet my mind is completely blown. I learned, that this woman who I have spent the better part of 3 years admiring is far more like me than I ever would have assumed. We have similar personalities traits and quirks. We handle our stress and anxiety in exactly the same way. We struggle with some of the same insecurities, and we have very VERY similar passions in life.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if I can adequately express what it is like to come to the realization that your heros are more like you that you could have ever dreamed... but it has my heart feeling all kinds of feels tonight. I AM THAT GIRL is setting new standards for how women treat themselves and each other. I am beside myself that I have chosen two role models who are living proof that hard work, perseverance, big dreams and a kind heart can get you exactly where you want to go. There are no other words for these beauties... just a sigh of gratitude for stumbling across a tweet a few years back about some bad ass ladies who were marching to Washington. At a time when I needed them most... they were there for me, and they still are. Now, they're just opening the door for me to be THAT GIRL for someone else... and the circle of life continues.<br />
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Love True-<br />
Allison<br />
<br />
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<br />Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-47236889278249029202016-02-07T19:21:00.000-08:002016-02-07T19:21:39.531-08:00UpdateI'm BAAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKKK...<br />
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I can't believe it's almost five months since I've done a blog post for this site. 5 months. WOW.<br />
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Don't worry... I've been writing. But when you're sending in submissions and saving all your best ideas for a slightly larger audience, the piddly personal blog tends to sit on the back burner. With that being said... I LOVE I AM THAT GIRL!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed writing every single piece I have written for them. I am so proud of the work that I have put in there, and I know that writing for them has helped me immensely in developing this craft.<br />
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Since I've written last many things have happened. I'll fill you in below:<br />
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1. I turned 29 (and that is where the conversation ends)<br />
2. The 3rd Anniversary of Avery's passing occurred late in October. (I usually function horribly for about a month each year at this time)<br />
3. We celebrated another amazing Turkey Bowl with the Gillette family (our epic Thanksgiving tradition)<br />
4. I coached my first EVER State All Around Champion (such a proud moment)<br />
5. We celebrated our first Christmas with a sibling missing, which signified we are really growing up and moving on (Abby was off adventuring with her boyfriend's family in Chile)<br />
6. I took on a role within the IATG local chapter program that I absolutely love (those girls give me so much joy)<br />
7. I was approached by the National Eating Disorder Information Centre in Canada to write another article for their blog (which I am incredibly honored to do)<br />
8. Our gymnastics team has gotten off to an incredible start to the season. We only have 3 meets left before conference!!!!<br />
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There are so many more updates, and I'll write on them as I see fit. I just wanted to pop in and say I have not disappeared... and shit's about to get real.<br />
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:)<br />
<br />
Love True,<br />
AllisonAllisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-3804544664098761552016-02-07T19:04:00.001-08:002016-02-07T19:04:33.548-08:00ExtraordianaryThis post was originally published at www.iamthatgirl.com<br />
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<br />
"You are profoundly and utterly extraordinary."<br />
-Alexis Jones<br />
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My heart claps incredibly loud reading these words (Disclaimer: the term "heartclap" is a signature phrase in the IATG community used when something truly resonates deep within your soul). The words of a woman who has, without ever meeting me or knowing anything about me, completely reshaped the image I have of myself. I did not know confidence like this existed for me. I knew it existed of course, I just wasn't aware it was something I could manifest within myself. That is, until I stumbled across the I AM THAT GIRL phenomenon sweeping this nation.<br />
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I had friends who were beautiful, intelligent, witty, confident fire crackers and I was JEALOUS. I remember wishing that I was more like THAT GIRL, even though there were a lot of girls in my life whose qualities I lusted after. I wished I had THAT GIRL's confidence, or THAT GIRL's athleticism. My roommates were all THAT GIRL to me because they were brilliant, beautiful and had incredible senses of humor.<br />
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Everyone loves THAT GIRL because she exhibits all of these incredible qualities. She's strong without appearing over confident, she's loving without seeming over bearing, she's beautiful on the outside without knowing it and she's beautiful on the inside with the most selfless heart.<br />
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My entire life I knew girls like this and secretly looked up to them. I always wished, with my whole heart, that I could be just like THAT GIRL.<br />
<br />
When I found Alexis Jones and the I AM THAT GIRL community, I bought her book immediately and messages like this started flooding through my heart:<br />
<br />
<i>"To be 'that girl' just means you're going to give life your best shot, that you're not going to make excuses or justifications, that you're going to go for it, whatever that means for you. It also means you're going to be an example of true beauty in the world and encourage the same for all the other women in your life. Being 'that girl' means you are a constant work in progress-- you're willing to be vulnerable, flawed, and compassionate and are someone who stumbles and falls but isn't afraid to admit her shortcomings in the midst of her magnificence."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
That's when I started thinking about all of those girls who I had admired for being THAT GIRL in my life. I had never felt like THAT GIRL. I had never assumed I'd be worthy of the same kind of admiration I had been feeling for my rockstar friends. But reading Alexis' words about what truly defined THAT GIRL gave me a strange sense of enlightenment.<br />
<br />
I'm giving life my best shot. I'm living life inexcusably, and going after my dreams same as the next girl. I love with my whole heart and acknowledge the fact that imperfection is the most beautiful expression of womanhood. Coming to the realization that being a "work in progress" is okay was completely liberating for me. I had always had this idealized vision of who I could be when I become that perfect version of myself. But through my involvement in this incredibly inspiring community I've realized that embracing exactly who I am NOW is the most perfect display of grace.<br />
<br />
I AM THAT GIRL. It may have taken me 27 years to figure that out, but I have. All of those other girls... they are THAT GIRL too, but so am I, and I am finally at a place in my life where I can appreciate that my sense of humor, my athleticism, my beauty, my brains and my confidence are what make me, ME! They are unique to my own self and yours are unique to YOU!<br />
<br />
It's great to have role models, or people you admire. But inn admiring all of your idols don't lose sight of what makes you THAT GIRL, because that's exactly what you are. Embrace all of your Beauty-full... because there's a lot of it within you.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-85402769493655007382015-09-20T14:19:00.001-07:002015-09-20T15:09:17.911-07:00"The dream is what you imagine…"<div class="MsoNormal">
Its been a while since I’ve written a blog specifically for
myself. It’s not that I haven’t been writing, because I have, mostly for I AM
THAT GIRL, but I’ve also been working on a secret project I’m not ready to talk
about. I promise, that when I am, you’ll be the first ones to know <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a couple of reasons you haven’t heard from me
lately. First because my writing for I AM THAT GIRL has a deadline, and that
typically becomes the priority… and second, most days I am so damn tired I
can’t concentrate long enough to formulate a concise thought. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not kidding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been overwhelmed a lot lately, trying to keep up with
the hustle and bustle. I have so many roles that I play and sometimes I find
myself forgetting who I am supposed to be in any given moment. Am I the
employee or the boss, the intern or the supervisor, the teacher or the coach,
the faculty advisor or the chapter member, the sister, the daughter, the grand
daughter, the friend, the writer, the mentor or the mentee?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes it’s hard to keep all of my roles straight, and I
wonder if other people struggle with the same fear… of completely losing sight
of who I am in all of these characters that I am portraying each day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two days ago I came across an article on Facebook. It was an
interview with my long time (S)HERO. Now, I love Sophia Bush for a
number of reasons. Like any teen of early 2000s I lived and breathed One Tree
Hill. But it was when I joined Twitter and started following Sophia that I
learned her super power was not acting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sophia is a remarkable human being. She is a culture
shifter, a voice for those who cannot speak and an incredible warrior for
change. She is an activist and a philanthropist and a humanist and I praise God
every day for her; because following Sophia brought me to I AM THAT GIRL, and I
AM THAT GIRL has changed my life, enhanced my life and I may even go so far as
to say it saved my life. <a href="http://allison-lifeisbeautiful.blogspot.com/2015/05/why-i-love-i-am-that-girl-and-how-its.html">(Why I love IATG and how it's Changed My Life)</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The article talked about all of Sophia’s endeavors… and if I
thought I wore a lot of hats, you should check out her collection <a href="http://observer.com/2015/09/this-actress-has-made-empowering-women-her-main-mission/?utm_content=buffer961b2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">HERE</a> – Near the end of
the article, she is quoted with four sentences that completely adjusted my
perspective on the hectic and exhausting lifestyle I lead:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The dream is what you imagine, the hustle is what you have
to do to actually live it and the hustle is hard, no matter what career path
you’re in. I’m so excited about life, and I’m exhausted. I’m happiest when I’m
doing 10 things at once. It’s what I wished for.” –Sophia Bush<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amen girl. Thank you for your incredible perspective! For as
overwhelmed as I get at times… I am so lucky to be doing so many amazing things
that I am passionate about. Sure, I run a risk of becoming incredibly overwhelmed and it can be confusing having so many roles… but the truly beautiful part is that I get to share my heart every day in multiple
facets and work with so many different and inspiring people. It’s amazing
really, how someone I’ve never met can help me see something so deep within my
soul. Since reading the article the other day, I’ve had the most inspired
outlook on my life and all of the crazy, random and truly beautiful pieces that
together, create this stunning mosaic that is the perfect depiction of my life.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone longs to live out their dream… lucky for me, I have
so many dreams I get to live on a regular basis. Am I done yet? Hell no. I have
so much more I want and NEED to do… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
with living proof that it’s possible (thanks, girl), I know I can maintain the
hustle. Because the hustle is what it takes, and that is entirely worth it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love True,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Allison<o:p></o:p></div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-22822852464492858542015-05-31T21:07:00.002-07:002015-05-31T21:17:15.102-07:00Why I Love I AM THAT GIRL, and How it's Changed My Life<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I Skyped with 5 girls from Belgium on Friday. Then on Saturday, I Skyped with another group of girls in Arkansas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />I'm not sure when, exactly, I found I AM THAT GIRL. I do know it was around the time that Alexis and Emily went to Washington DC and had an audience with some of the most influential people in this country. I heard about it on Twitter, and I thought to myself, "Who are these fearless women who are trying to change girl culture? And how can I be a part of it." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />I had recently relapsed from my eating disorder recovery, while I was dealing with a tragedy and a broken heart. I knew I wanted to be as strong as these women, but I didn't know how... so I decided to follow them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />I kept up with their tweets, w</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as a frequent visitor of their Facebook page and read every blog they posted. Their energy was unlike any I had ever experienced. It was electric, and with every post I read, every tweet I consumed, I felt more and more alive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On February 25th, 2014 I took the I AM THAT GIRL pledge and joined the movement officially. The pledge states, "I am perfectly flawed and sublimely beautyFULL. I am a constant work in progress. I recognize that what I admire in others also exists within myself. As a member of this community, I promise to collaborate instead of compete and remind other girls of their worth when they've forgotten. I'm on a mission to turn self-doubt into self-love, to use my voice, to share my truth, to love others and to leave this world better than I found it." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In August I felt strong enough to reach out to the organization, to thank them for everything they've done and to possibly give back in any way I could. I emailed the website... and on August 18th, I got a response. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alyssa, this amazingly spunky and gregarious woman responded to my email. She was so incredible and immediately put me in contact with the woman who would become my first ever "editor," Sheila. Now Sheila, is amazing. Sheila is someone I would like to refer to as a "life cheerleader." Sheila is encouraging, inspiring and so motivating. I had never written anything for anyone but myself and she walked me through the entire process, all the while, metaphorically holding my hand from 1000 miles away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so it began, my journey as a blogger for I AM THAT GIRL. I wrote articles about going to college, realizing your potential, lighting your inner fire, dreaming out loud and fighting your fears. I even had an opportunity to write for another online organization called Beauty Con as a sort of "Ask Abby" columnist. However, if you would have asked me in August how deep I would go, I would never have guessed I would find the courage to write my most vulnerable piece, <a href="http://www.iamthatgirl.com/a_love_letter_to_me_healing_an_eating_disorder">A Love Letter to Me: Healing an Eating Disorder</a>- Sheila helped me with that. She encouraged my brave and gave me the confidence to write it... and I will be forever grateful to her for that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prior to this however, I had decided that I was ready to be a chapter leader and Sheila put me in touch with Kate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good lord, these ladies are magic. Kate was no different. In fact, Kate was exceptional. Kate welcomed me with open arms and talked me through the "leading" process. I've never been a leader by title. In all of my athletic opportunities, I've never been bestowed the honor of being named an official "captain." It wasn't deserved then... I wasn't ready.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But Kate helped me get ready. She gave me the tools and convinced me of my worth. That I was prepared to lead vulnerable discussions and help the women around me discover their value. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After 3 months of successful meetings I was ready to spread the wealth. I found two of the most AMAZING ladies to mentor, and together we created the I AM THAT GIRL- UWW Chapter. After only three meetings this spring, they had 12 girls coming to share in the conversation! I think it's safe to say that Alex and Hannah have exactly what it takes to lead these young women... and they've done it fearlessly! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB05fPDG5EOkuQkhU-MXcT1lIdsYPBz2T2nbgaC1GbFCbni3SmvRz_gZGoDqD-6czBJdzG2jhzyU8U0n6N8YfdnjiKR7Q7u5JI7AxMbwiFYUJUFgguJ3KfYCH3_DyHavS3T4YLsKOpExQ/s1600/banner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB05fPDG5EOkuQkhU-MXcT1lIdsYPBz2T2nbgaC1GbFCbni3SmvRz_gZGoDqD-6czBJdzG2jhzyU8U0n6N8YfdnjiKR7Q7u5JI7AxMbwiFYUJUFgguJ3KfYCH3_DyHavS3T4YLsKOpExQ/s320/banner3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image Courtesy of www.iamthatgirl.com</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently, I was named to I AM THAT GIRL's Empowerment Team. I've been connecting with girls all over the country (& BELGIUM!!) who are members of this unbelievable organization! I have heard incredible stories of strength, triumph and perseverance from women of all ages, all cultures and all walks of life. And the most important thing I have learned is that we are not alone. No matter how dark your struggle may be, no matter how prolonged it may seem, there is always someone who has made it to the other side who is willing to help pull you to safety. There is always a judgement free ear to listen, even if they cannot help you directly. And there is always a smile on the other end of a Skype call happy to congratulate you on being a badass woman... simply for living. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I cannot wait to see where this journey will take me. It has only enhanced my quality of life and my interactions with all of the women (whether 2 years or 85 years) with whom I keep company. My life is full of blessings, and I AM THAT GIRL is most definitely one of them! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you... to some truly remarkable women... You know exactly who you are!! (xo-Al)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love True,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Allison</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">**If you would like more information on I AM THAT GIRL or would like to find a Chapter in your area, check us out <a href="http://www.iamthatgirl.com/">Here!</a></span><br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-87812400639262526562015-03-04T18:44:00.000-08:002015-03-04T18:44:07.529-08:00Love Letter to MeSo that courage I was talking about last time... here's where it led.<br />
<br />
I had an article due for I AM THAT GIRL for the month of February. I knew that it would probably go up toward the end of the month. You know what else is at the end of the month of February??? National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. BAM.<br />
<br />
The idea hit me like a big yellow school bus.<br />
<br />
So I wrote to my editor, and asked her thoughts. I wanted to know if they had done anything for NEDA week before, and if she thought my idea would be worth pursuing.<br />
<br />
They Hadn't.<br />
<br />
And she did...<br />
<br />
So I wrote a letter to my former self. The person I used to be when I was very, very sick. And I clicked send.<br />
<br />
<b>HOLY SHIT!!! </b> <<<i> that's me freaking out after hitting the send button.</i><br />
<br />
Too late now, incredibly vulnerable and self revealing letter to myself has been sent...<br />
<br />
Fast forward 2 weeks and I'm waiting for the post.<br />
<br />
NOTHING on Monday or Tuesday.<br />
<br />
Wednesday? Nope.<br />
<br />
Wait... Why hasn't it gone up.<br />
<br />
When Saturday passed I felt hopeless.<br />
<br />
Sunday, I was just plain depressed.<br />
<br />
NEDA week had come and gone and there was no sign of my incredibly personal and raw article.<br />
<br />
I was so confused.<br />
<br />
(Well, it turns out I was confused for no reason. There was a clerical error and my article didn't get posted when it should have. Nothing malicious, just a mistake... and it got posted on Tuesday afternoon)<br />
<br />
By Wednesday evening (tonight) there are almost 2000 likes 17 comments and over 200 shares of my article. The love I've received in response to posting this letter is tremendous and overwhelming! I can't believe what has come from sharing just a little bit of myself with the world.<br />
<br />
You can see my article here: <a href="http://www.iamthatgirl.com/a_love_letter_to_me_healing_an_eating_disorder#_=_">A Love Letter to Me: Healing an Eating Disorder</a><br />
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Being brave can be liberating... go on... I dare you! I want to see you be BRAVE!<br />
<br />
Love True,<br />
<br />
Allison<br />
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<br />Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-26084765480621446842015-02-22T13:35:00.001-08:002015-02-22T13:35:52.587-08:00Being VulnerableI've been freaking out.<br />
<br />
My last blog I wrote about courage.<br />
<br />
Apparently I had an epiphany and an unbelievable bout of 'said courage' and decided to share the most painful time of my life with the entire world.<br />
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<b><i>Good call, Al. </i></b><br />
<br />
I decided, after speaking with my editor, to get all sorts of vulnerable in the spirit of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (Feb 23-28th), and you know, shed a little light on the topic from someone who's been there…<br />
<br />
Well, in order to do that, I had to go back to a crazy dark place that I try not to venture to anymore. I had to go back in time and really "feel it" again.<br />
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<b><i>Well, that sucked.</i></b><br />
<br />
I'm not sure if I can accurately describe the amount of hurt that goes on within a person that is struggling with this kind of disease. It's not something I enjoy reminiscing about because, like I said before, it sucked.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this courage I've felt has definitely been wavering. I'm not sure that if it's because I had to "go there" again, and feeling that way can definitely wear on a person. But as soon as I pushed "send" to submit the article I panicked.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1g9N36Y5VAdMGoKT3tiEKq6cv27AvHxunU4vLuMjIe5MdXUpEKWdw21of9a0E4A_oxjVVSLoTGes-gLUKpmHp6qgsd2HCired2krgD7l9YQJpSRkZijFccjIkl5W1Gkd6bPXtI0No64/s1600/photo-21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1g9N36Y5VAdMGoKT3tiEKq6cv27AvHxunU4vLuMjIe5MdXUpEKWdw21of9a0E4A_oxjVVSLoTGes-gLUKpmHp6qgsd2HCired2krgD7l9YQJpSRkZijFccjIkl5W1Gkd6bPXtI0No64/s1600/photo-21.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
<i>What if people hate it?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What if they think I'm whining?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What if someone thinks I'm WRONG?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What if they call me a liar?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What if it goes over terribly?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What if it helps someone take a step toward recovery?</i><br />
<br />
And there it was… among all of the many "what ifs" -the only "what if" that truly mattered to me… the <i>"what if I help someone" </i>and then my worries disappeared…<br />
<br />
Maybe someone will read it and the next day or the next week or the next month they ask for help. Maybe someone will read it and they'll realize that they aren't as alone as they thought. Maybe someone will read it and they'll share it with their friend or their sister or their daughter.<br />
<br />
And maybe… just maybe…<br />
<br />
Someone will come out ahead because they found their courage from knowing someone else has been there before them and beaten it.<br />
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So, was it worth it for me to get all vulnerable and share my most personal and private struggle?<br />
<br />
If one person benefits in any way, shape or form from reading my story… then yes… you bet your ass it was worth it.<br />
<br />
Love True,<br />
Allison<br />
<br />Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-81269115972226147002015-02-07T20:19:00.000-08:002015-02-07T20:19:13.296-08:00Courage to ShareI'm not sure where this dose of insane courage has come from, but I kind of think I like it. You see, I have found myself involved in an organization that challenges me and pushes me and inspires me. These women, who have welcomed me whole-heartedly in to their community of badasses, have transformed me. The sense of empowerment I have felt since joining this group is overwhelming. I feel more like myself than I have in years. These ladies are rock stars… and I can't even begin to explain how elated my heart is to be a tiny part of this magnificent revolution.<br />
<br />
We're changing "Girl Culture" together… and this might just be exactly what I was meant to do with my life.<br />
<br />
I AM THAT GIRL is a non-profit organization aimed at helping women of all ages to become the best version of themselves. We want to empower, inspire and help women to express, love and BE who they are. We want to encourage collaboration among women, instead of competition. And this, my friends, is exactly what the world needs.<br />
<br />
Two months ago, I started my own chapter of IATG. And even though I don't have 60 members in my chapter, we've had some beautiful, heartfelt conversations about topics that matter to us. We have given each other advice, we have lifted each other up… and I can't wait to do it again. And again. And again.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm spearheading the development of another chapter of IATG. This one will be a collegiate chapter. LORD, HOW I NEEDED THIS WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE!!!!! My hope is that in starting a collegiate chapter, we can reach those women who may be just like I was in college, unsure of themselves, lacking confidence and completely unaware of the greatness they posses! My heart is bursting at the seams just thinking about all the lives we could change!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nyUlC_jSWtQFwc7w8sAIkGAA9exjuGT08ajRaJeq8Yztiz0cHksh_7aa6kNDj6BELNoq5KxWWyDe5XNreNKWbwFXvsj60scPR1oQHWT2PKQIMQbMzW7ByKFuYKzRXMkTZlpPR5Ty_zk/s1600/photo.PNG-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nyUlC_jSWtQFwc7w8sAIkGAA9exjuGT08ajRaJeq8Yztiz0cHksh_7aa6kNDj6BELNoq5KxWWyDe5XNreNKWbwFXvsj60scPR1oQHWT2PKQIMQbMzW7ByKFuYKzRXMkTZlpPR5Ty_zk/s1600/photo.PNG-2.jpeg" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An excerpt from one of my blog entries for I AM THAT GIRL</i></td></tr>
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I will most definitely be updating y'all on the process of the collegiate chapter, I'm sure. And I will definitely be providing the link to the blog that we will be starting. I'm struggling to find the words to describe how I'm feeling right now. The prospect of impacting these young women has me terrified and yet completely calm. I know this is something I've been called to do. I've been writing for the IATG blog for 6 months and my articles have grown increasingly more personal. Certain ones have even solicited responses, "shares" and "likes" through various channels on the internet. I never could have imagined being vulnerable could feel so liberating. For example, as National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is approaching at the end of February, I found myself ASKING my editor if I could do a piece specifically for NEDA week. <i><b>WHAAAAA??? Who is this girl wanting to share intimate details of the most painful time of her life?? </b></i> I barely know the person behind all of this confidence and willingness to share.<br />
<br />
A couple of years ago, my personal diary was full of fears and worries and doubts. Now, my public diary (you're reading it) is full of goals and hopes and all of my passions wrapped up in excitement and love. So yes, I'm going to share that story with the world. I'm going to write my heart out and hope that someone, some girl just like me, might realize there is a light at the end of that very dark tunnel. So she can know that she is not alone. And so that she can realize that the magnitude of her life can not be determined by a disease, but only by herself and by her heart. People may think I'm crazy for being willing to share such a personal experience, but to be honest, it was the personal stories that helped me through the darkness. I AM THAT GIRL is just helping me pay it forward.<br />
<br />
Love True,<br />
AllisonAllisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-84124308833155865462015-02-05T11:12:00.002-08:002015-02-05T11:13:01.263-08:00Find Your Inner Fire<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.479999542236328px; margin-bottom: 1.12em; margin-top: 1.12em; padding: 0px;">
**This post was originally written for I AM THAT GIRL and was posted on their website on January 27th. I've received a lot of love… and wanted to share it here as well! Hope you all like it!! </div>
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The concept of fire is pretty prevalent in my life right now. You see, I am an assistant coach for a collegiate gymnastics team, whose inspirational motto this season is “Light the Fire.” I love this concept: the idea that even the loftiest of goals can be achieved if only you “light the fire” within your heart.</div>
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It’s amazing, really. Think of something you want, something you aspire to be, something you feel called to accomplish. Do you have it? Now think of the possibilities that come with catching that dream. Looks pretty good, doesn’t it?!</div>
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Dreaming is so good for our souls! It gives us a reason to look up when life may be causing us to hang our heads. Don’t let life control your dreams. Only YOU have control over that!</div>
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You might wonder how to make your dream a reality. Sometimes goals and ambitions seem so far off that we sit around wondering, hoping and praying for a sign that tells us what to do to take that first step. Fear can get in the way of a dream. It can paralyze us and keep our lives at a standstill because the unknown can be more frightening than staying exactly where we are.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="fire.jpg" height="322" src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/iamthatgirl/pages/2021/attachments/original/1421090946/fire.jpg?1421090946" style="margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px;" width="435" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image Credit: IATG</i></td></tr>
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But life, my dear, is what YOU decide to make it. Our circumstances only tell half of the story. You have the power to determine the rest. Don’t let your fear consume you. If you have a dream, go after it. No giant leaps are needed (unless leaping is in your job description like my gymnasts). Take that one small step forward. You can do it. One step in the right direction can make a world of difference in your heart and mind. Confidence is key, though it is not easily attained.</div>
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Be your own cheerleader. Write down your goals, or share them with a friend. Don’t give yourself the opportunity to make excuses, because you are stronger than that. Be rational with your goal setting, and be aggressive in taking those steps forward. Remember, it’s just one step at a time.</div>
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All it takes is a tiny spark to create a raging fire. Don’t be afraid to light the match. You determine your own destiny. Life is all about taking chances and believing in yourself, because if you don’t believe in yourself, who will?</div>
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Go forward BeautyFULL girl, light that inner fire and let it burn.</div>
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<a href="http://www.iamthatgirl.com/">www.iamthatgirl.com</a></div>
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Love True,</div>
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Allison</div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-11002003227918002762015-01-18T20:01:00.001-08:002015-01-18T20:40:46.778-08:00Something in the Water<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Disclaimer: This blog was written over the course of two very difficult weeks. It's amazing what a little love and some hope can do. :)</i></div>
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People in my life are hurting. Some are grieving loved ones,
some are in physical pain, others are dealing with an emotional setback…
whatever the reason, I’ve found myself in a sea of hurt. While none of the
events of the past few weeks have affected me directly, people I love are
seemingly drowning in their various holes of despair. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My reaction, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Be the
wall, Allison. They need you to lean on. Stop shaking, take a breath and hold
that little girl who just lost her father. Comfort that athlete who just suffered
a season ending injury. Be there for your friend who had to bury her pet. Proof
read the eulogy of your friend’s husband. Then go to work, smile all day and
get to the car before you lose it. You can do it, because you have to.” </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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And I do have to. As humans, we are caretakers. It is in our
DNA to want to help others, and my DNA is hard wired to make sure everyone is
okay. Even if that means I am not. I’m struggling these days to find a balance
between taking care of myself and making sure those people in my life who are
going through incredible tragedies are all right. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sitting at my desk I have to fight the urge to check my text
messages, in between tasks. I am frequently loosing track of the task at hand
and finding myself gazing in to space wondering how each one of these injured
souls is doing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My heart hurts for them. It truly does. I wish, with
everything in me, that I could take their pain away, give them back their loved
ones, and call it a day. Alas, I know that giving life is only in my job
description when I decide to become a mother. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The circle of life is a terrifyingly beautiful concept. We
live and we die, and its up to us to decide how we spend our time on this
Earth. For me, I want to make sure that my loved ones know that I love them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Taking life day to day is only something a person can do for
so long. It’s part of healing…putting one foot in front of the other. We all do
it, whether we realize it or not. We get up each day, regardless of our own
personal struggles, and we just live. To quote the inspirational Robin Roberts,
“Everybody’s got something,” and it is our job as a society to make sure that
we are doing our part to recognize that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Road rage at a speeding car?</i></b> That mother may have just gotten
the worst phone call of her life. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Irritated by an outburst on social media?</i></b>
That man may have just lost his job. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your friend won’t text you back? </i></b>They
may be spending some of their last days with a loved one anticipating the
inevitable.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b>Everybody’s got something, and it’s not easy to understand why
people act, say or do the things they do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me? I try to look to my faith. I try to pray about life’s
struggles before they get out of hand. I try to remember that the person who
treated me poorly may be having a worse day than I am. And that helps. Through
all of the struggles of my loved ones lately, it’s been easy for me to put
things in perspective, sometimes that is hard to do when things are going so
well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A song I have been LOVING lately is Carrie Underwood’s,
“Something in the Water.” It is a great reminder that when you give everything
up to Him, and have “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">just a little faith,
it’ll all get better.”</i> Relinquishing control is not something I’m good at…
so this, in itself is a daily challenge for me. However, it’s easier with words
like this…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Got joy in my heart,
angels on my side.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thinking about it I
saw the light<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gonna look ahead, no
turning back,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Live everyday give it
all that I have<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trust in someone
bigger than me <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ever since the day
that I believed<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am changed, I am
stronger…”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH9kYn4L8TI">"Something in the Water" - Carrie Underwood</a></i></div>
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So I’m going to keep getting up each day putting one foot in
front of the other, giving those around me as much support as I can muster, and
things WILL get better for them, as long as we can have a little faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Love True,</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Allison</span></div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-29967547800928728492014-12-10T19:46:00.002-08:002014-12-10T19:46:42.156-08:00Dress to Impress YOU!<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.479999542236328px; margin-bottom: 1.12em; margin-top: 1.12em; padding: 0px;">
This article was originally posted on <a href="http://www.iamthatgirl.com/dress_to_impress_you">I AM THAT GIRL</a>'s website! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Recently, one of my young gymnasts informed me that she had BIG plans for after practice. In fact, she really didn't want to be at practice. She had already straightened her hair, applied her make up, and set out her outfit for the evening.</div>
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I very jokingly asked, “Let me guess: high-waisted shorts and a crop top?” I was half right. She was wearing a crop top with leggings and a very cute flannel shirt to be tied around her waist.</div>
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That's very IN right now.</div>
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I giggled and wondered which boys were going to be there, because, obviously she was excited to be all dolled up for the evening. She filled me in on the new friends she had made and her excitement to begin high school in a few weeks. And as she began to complain again, about getting her hair all sweaty and developing a “ponytail bump,” I could feel a slightly teachable moment approaching. So, in all of my <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Yoda-like</em> wisdom I said, “You know, those boys are going to like you whether your hair is up or down. You shouldn't be afraid to sweat at practice because if they don't like you with your hair in a ponytail, they aren't going to like you with your hair down either. And those, my dear, are the boys who are absolutely NOT WORTH IT.”</div>
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She laughed a sort of, “I know you're right but I still want to look cute,” chuckle, and then proceeded to tell me she wasn't dressing to impress the boys. She was dressing to impress the other girls.</div>
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My jaw dropped.</div>
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The raw honesty completely set me back. She was absolutely right, and I do it too. I can remember trying on 8 million different outfits for various events in college. At one point, I had four roommates and four opinions for every evening out. 75% of the time, I wasn't even wearing my own clothes because someone else in my house had something more fashionable to offer. And as I've never been overly aggressive when it comes to hitting on guys, I still found myself obsessing over my wardrobe, my hair and my make up. Why? Because it was really the girls I was trying to impress.</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Perhaps, as I’ve gotten older, I've forgotten these things. But ladies, we CANNOT focus on impressing everyone else. We CANNOT spend our precious time stressing out about what clothes we are going to wear, if our hair is perfectly straight, or if our handbag is going to accent our outfit well enough. Our minds are FAR too important to be wasted on wondering if everyone else is satisfied with our appearance. </strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="you-are-beautiful-no-matter-what-they-say1.jpg" src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/iamthatgirl/pages/1824/attachments/original/1412608803/you-are-beautiful-no-matter-what-they-say1.jpg?1412608803" style="margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Courtesy of iamthatgirl.com</i></td></tr>
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Instead, we should get dressed in the morning and be confident in our appearance, even if it is a t-shirt and yoga pants (my gymnastics coaching wardrobe of choice). Instead of spending an hour in front of the mirror making sure our hair and make up are perfect, we should take a few minutes to watch the news and get informed with what is going on in the world, call a friend, or meditate.</div>
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I'm not saying we should all fly off the handle and stop showering and taking care of ourselves at all. But your best accessory is your attitude whether you’re in a prom dress or medical scrubs! So wear it well and make sure it rubs off on someone else! You are your harshest critic, so cut yourself a little slack and show yourself some love.</div>
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I love the song “Try” by Colbie Caillat because it is true and incredibly beautiful. It has an amazing message about not surrendering to the media's portrayal of what is beautiful. Being you and appreciating yourself is the most perfect expression of beauty. So ladies, let's stop trying so hard to be someone else, and just be ourselves. “Don’t you like you? Cause I like you!”</div>
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<br /></div>
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Love True,</div>
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Allison</div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-70170186176254291722014-12-03T19:55:00.001-08:002014-12-03T19:55:59.912-08:00You are not defined by your struggles"Don't let your struggle become your identity."<br />
<br />
This quote was posted on the I AM THAT GIRL Facebook page a few days ago. I clicked the "like" button, as I'm pretty quick to do that on the IATG page, and carried on with my day. That evening, I looked back (because I'm on that page more than any other), and the words hit me a whole lot harder.<br />
<br />
You see, I spent a significant portion of my day picking out an outfit, curling my hair and worrying about my make up choices because today was picture day for the gymnastics team.<br />
<br />
I found myself double and triple checking the mirror, snap chatting friends to see if various things looked okay, and I was stressed out.<br />
<br />
What the hell for?<br />
<br />
When I think back on the years (yes years) that I spent where I COULD NOT emotionally control the stress levels reached on days like this I get sad. I'm at a place in my life right now where I can CHOOSE to ignore those doubts, I can CHOOSE to see beauty in myself in a hoodie and messy bun, and I don't need to spend hours looking in the mirror.<br />
<br />
"Don't let your struggle become your identity"<br />
<br />
It took me a long time to decide that I was worth more than my eating disorder had allowed me to be. It had been my identity. I hid behind it, used it as an excuse and allowed it to consume every bit of myself.<br />
<br />
It destroyed everything. It was like an abusive boyfriend. "He" decided when I ate (which was not often), what I ate (which was usually very little), where I went (almost always by myself), how much I worked out (which was usually a ton) and when I went to bed (usually very early).<br />
<br />
It took until I could place the eating disorder in the above mentality for me to understand exactly what kind of abusive relationship I had been in. If it had been a friend with an abusive partner controlling her life, I would have been ALL OVER IT- but because it took me about four years to understand the situation, I spent all of those years drowning in overwhelming feelings of self-doubt and confusing depression. And that, my friends, is a very lonely way to live.<br />
<br />
It saddens me now, when I hear of individuals struggling with the same condition. It breaks my heart, actually. I don't know if my illness could have been prevented, but I do know that seeing the messages posted by I AM THAT GIRL inspires every day. As healthy as I am today, there is still that little part of my heart that is unhealed by this disease. That little piece of me that needs constant care and consistent reminders that I am more than enough, just the way I am.<br />
<br />
"Don't let your struggle become your identity"<br />
<br />
I decided, quite a while ago, that I was done letting my disease define my life. And since then, I've felt unchained and liberated. I've found a courage and a trust in myself that I never knew existed, and I pray that with groups like I AM THAT GIRL, every woman who has these struggles will know support. That they will heal quickly and wholly. And that they will spread these encouraging messages with everyone they know!<br />
<br />
PLEASE check out <a href="http://iamthatgirl.com/" target="_blank">I AM THAT GIRL </a> see what they are doing, how they are inspiring, and check out the articles I've been writing for them :)<br />
<br />
Love True,<br />
Allison<br />
<br />Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1445169261286365292.post-69353547882094092932014-11-02T20:26:00.001-08:002014-11-02T20:26:21.938-08:00Dear AveryDear Avery,<br />
<br />
Hi Sweetheart! How are you? I've realized that in all of the time I've been writing<i> about</i> you, I've never written <i>TO</i> you, and that just simply needed to change.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalCqPg7BpkJ2d4IcXnUizYrtzvMaDQs2bHg4nrAW6MbvMdpxKlA9eBRtEuuy4pJO2MW-Q1HZUy_MPZ0alnQ9UIG2_YruNseN2XadEUORj-vZTxTn4vqgjpEKZ2SS7nmlA3AtTp6BRgMs/s1600/photo-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalCqPg7BpkJ2d4IcXnUizYrtzvMaDQs2bHg4nrAW6MbvMdpxKlA9eBRtEuuy4pJO2MW-Q1HZUy_MPZ0alnQ9UIG2_YruNseN2XadEUORj-vZTxTn4vqgjpEKZ2SS7nmlA3AtTp6BRgMs/s1600/photo-17.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a>I miss you, baby girl. Far more than you could possibly imagine. I am struggling with the knowledge that you've been away for two years now, because it just doesn't seem possible. I feel like it was yesterday that you were telling me about your new iPod. Remember that?<br />
<br />
Do you remember sitting with me and Siri at camp that first summer? There was a storm coming in and I think we called your Mom together. Do you remember how many cartwheels you did that week, trying to nail them on the beam?<br />
<br />
I do.<br />
<br />
It was thousands.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmboXKESfPOJHtFqvyXoLuFT9ARtqcLOPOF51oiYJSZ9C4FOSCnpllhnyouin0Z9KmNTmc4hrWJEk3HeuG1LLHuLJTmXNlW1di1hckZsritPcHGxYI1DrUeEs4xf4bfihEVS8XsV4KCD8/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmboXKESfPOJHtFqvyXoLuFT9ARtqcLOPOF51oiYJSZ9C4FOSCnpllhnyouin0Z9KmNTmc4hrWJEk3HeuG1LLHuLJTmXNlW1di1hckZsritPcHGxYI1DrUeEs4xf4bfihEVS8XsV4KCD8/s1600/group.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our Team Picture at Camp 2012</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think I was more exhausted, watching you do it over and over and over, than you were actually doing it. As a matter of fact, I know I was.<br />
<br />
Back then, I had no idea what kind of plan God had for us. If I'm being honest, I thought you were one of those kids that I would meet at camp and never see again. Even so, I remember being blown away by how driven you were. Your work ethic blew my mind.<br />
<br />
I was fairly certain that you would be one of those little girls I remembered off and on, a faded memory that blurred together with all of the summer camps combined over the years. "Remember that little girl who did a million cartwheels that one summer?" I'd think to myself.<br />
<br />
Nope.<br />
<br />
That fall I started the GymHawks program. And there you were. You were so scrawny, arms and legs for days… I thought I might break you, on more than one occasion. But you were there, and we started to get to know each other.<br />
<br />
You had a big sister, who by the way you talked about her, you loved more than life itself. You had a little brother, who was apparently crazy, (I have a little brother too… so I get it). You had a mom, who obviously rocked at life because she named her kids 3 wicked cool names and I remember being so jealous of how original three of you were.<br />
<br />
We talked about everything, remember? We talked about the girls on the Whitewater team. We talked about you joining the swim team. You taught me about clogging… and I wish with everything in my heart that I could have seen you dance just once.<br />
<br />
We talked about your family and my family and about how you might have Celiac's Disease. Then we talked about how you did have Celiac's Disease… but you weren't scared at all. Probably because of your unwavering faith in God's plan.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5zeGYKXbM1KyyYdRm3CXBI1vQXKBJIoeZ9J0FemD8PwpFEh39h-CL_accFALEiXTsGbdV-olHO7x0PW9yscPApuDrpvwvQdlpaGJDzuqxo2SLhderGXJJ0W4exxCk2MMHfSSEG3U3E0/s1600/photo-19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5zeGYKXbM1KyyYdRm3CXBI1vQXKBJIoeZ9J0FemD8PwpFEh39h-CL_accFALEiXTsGbdV-olHO7x0PW9yscPApuDrpvwvQdlpaGJDzuqxo2SLhderGXJJ0W4exxCk2MMHfSSEG3U3E0/s1600/photo-19.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Warhawks & GymHawks missing you on<br />October 24, 2014</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The year flew by and camp came again. We took a "Team Picture"- and though you weren't yet on our competitive team, you were a part of that family. Your heart, your spirit, we all knew it… you'd be on the team some day. I remember that fall, almost 2 years ago exactly, I was making a list of who I would move up to team that summer. Your name, my dear, was most definitely on that list.<br />
<br />
But a few days later, I would look at that list and fall apart. I knew I should take your name off, but my hands were completely incapable of pressing the "delete" button. You were on that team. Done.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI9EE3w31sG6jJYbblPmldBF2-wlPMtAy81dsh-VxjyT32DibSdtBXzT1nIRr-KdXmEBCN6P3iz8nraOtjJhq606GrGtdVuEBZOqZ8X321MP59qP3_DqQObRUknpTNeiN7GT-Row20AU/s1600/photo-18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI9EE3w31sG6jJYbblPmldBF2-wlPMtAy81dsh-VxjyT32DibSdtBXzT1nIRr-KdXmEBCN6P3iz8nraOtjJhq606GrGtdVuEBZOqZ8X321MP59qP3_DqQObRUknpTNeiN7GT-Row20AU/s1600/photo-18.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sending my love straight up to Heaven!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The past two years have taught me more than I could ever list on this blog. I think if I sat here and committed to tracking the ways that you have impacted my life, I'd be here until I was sixty. (I'm 28 now, you know…)<br />
<br />
For example, when you started GymHawks with me, you were one of about 20 kids. It's been three whole years, and last Wednesday I counted nearly 60 kids in the gym… just on WEDNESDAY! I almost cried because I knew that I couldn't have done it without you; You, and all of the beautiful little ones who remind me of you, every single day.<br />
<br />
You've taught me to have faith when it seemed like there was absolutely zero faith left to have. I found it. You've taught me to be brave in speaking about that faith, and to trust that just being <i>me</i> is exactly what <i>He</i> wants… and that is all that really matters.<br />
<br />
You've taught me that life is so incredibly precious, and that every single child is a gift… every moment on this Earth is a treasure, and even when life gets hard, there are still going to be moments in every day to appreciate.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkNyhekfI7ZmDjUa9Ji0un119BEkg6-aCAFq6RFlVefIiUzBu1UHGaxtXmFVEyYN6qSzh2kaFLBTQZ7s_Z1lThQkQTq7eJLsrD3aGWGKobB983WIZr8wSXiIAxeO_HeG8LUU2JbpUwq8/s1600/photo-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkNyhekfI7ZmDjUa9Ji0un119BEkg6-aCAFq6RFlVefIiUzBu1UHGaxtXmFVEyYN6qSzh2kaFLBTQZ7s_Z1lThQkQTq7eJLsrD3aGWGKobB983WIZr8wSXiIAxeO_HeG8LUU2JbpUwq8/s1600/photo-15.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I lift my eyes to the hills…" because I know that's where<br />you'll be. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't met you, Honey. I just don't know. It scares me to think about it, actually. You have been this incredible light in my life, and the lives of countless others. With each passing day, I think about you. With each passing day, my faith grows. So as the years add up, and the number of days until I see you again gets smaller, I promise to continue in your footsteps. I promise to spend my life being a light for others. Exactly the way you were for me.<br />
<br />
I hope you liked our balloons last week. Your teammates miss you terribly, and your big sisters want you to know they love you. We're going to keep on sending them you way, God Girl. So you can look for 14 balloons next year :) And I promise, I'll keep coming to visit every chance I can. I love watching the sun set with you, just in time to see the sky turn pink.<br />
<br />
I love you, Sweet Girl.<br />
<br />
-Al<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079487071719021481noreply@blogger.com1