So many people will try to tell you what you can’t do and I say get out of my way because all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me. Get out the way haters!
Okay I am off my platform and this is 30 for 30 Day 21
Chadwick’s White Tuxedo shirt
Brown thin cable sweater
Red Plaid skirt
Accessories
Rocker belt – Miss Tina
Boots – Born
Jewelry
Malachite necklace
Yves Rocher free bracelet -Can’t beat that!
Earrings – From Macy’s
Ring – Studio Barse
The Red Pump Project is sponsoring the “Rock the Red Pump Blogging Event!” to raise awareness for women with AIDS.
The red pump project was founded in March of 2009 by Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Watkins. “They believe that the red pump is a feeling of empowerment to represent the strength and courage of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.”
The “Rock the Red Pump” campaign is an annual initiative to commemorate National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. It has become the group’s biggest initiative, and is what started The Red Pump Project. According to its website, “Since 2009, when we had over 100 bloggers “Rock the Red Pump,” we have started the “Rock the Red Pump – 500 in 50” to get 500 blogs to participate in the 50 days leading up to NWGHAAD.”
The more bloggers who get the word out the more people will be more aware and go and get tested.
-There are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and almost 280,000 are women
-High-risk heterosexual contact is the source of 80% of these newly diagnosed infections in women
-New York has the highest number of women living with AIDS – 22,532
HIV is the:
* Leading cause of death for Black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years.
* 3rd leading cause of death for Black women aged 35–44 years
* 4th leading cause of death for Black women aged 45–54 years
* 4th leading cause of death for Latina women aged 35–44 years
* The only diseases causing more deaths of women are cancer and heart disease.
These statistics made me realize how much the word needs to get out. We can write posts, tweet, do whatever we can to spread the word.
Bloggers are getting on board in a big way because The Rock the Pump project has surpassed its goal of 500 bloggers. Over 850 have joined the cause and the count is growing daily.
“Join The Red Pump Project on March 10, 2011, for their Twitter Townhall in commemoration of National Women & Girls’ HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD). Starting at 1pm CST, they will kick off a discussion on Twitter surrounding issues around HIV/AIDS and women. They want to hear what you have to say about the epidemic and its effect on women. Be sure to use the hashtag #redpump.”
So if you have not joined The Red Pump Project then please do so now and add their link to your blog to raise awareness.
Postscript
1200 Bloggers signed up for the cause so The Red Pump Project is a great success. Next year I know there will be even more bloggers joining in to spread the word on HIV/AIDS.
If you didn’t get a chance to “Rock the Red Pump” on March 10th please go over to The Red Pump Project website to join their Facebook page, follow them on twitter, and check out the different ways you can get involved because it is so important for all of us to get the word out.
No need to look over my shoulder asking am I good enough
Is her hair longer prettier than my hair
No need to to compare I am beautiful
No need to compare I am Unique
No need to compare
She has a much prettier face than mine
No need to compare
No need to compare because God made me for this point in time
I am a priceless jewel.
I wanted to start with this poem because body image is a big thing with women because pictures are constantly shown in magazines of what you are suppose to look like. Suppose to look like mind you not what you should look like which is the face you see in the mirror everyday.
Katy from Modlychic had some interesting questions on body image this week so lets get to it.
1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed?
My image of myself is better in that I will actually take pictures of myself. I am a very private person so for me to take pictures of myself and post them live for the world to see is a big stretch for me. We can all talk a big game and say what ever we want, but that was a monumental feet for me.
2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway?
Yes, I am self-conscious about my hips and thighs. I am admitting this because
it’s true. I do not talk about it because being negative does me no good. That is the biggest part of me and no matter how much weight I lose it still effects me at times. My whole outfit can go up in smokes if my hips and thighs look big. So what do I do for a confidence booster?
JT
With my husband, we pray and we continue to work out together. I have been working out four to five times a week for the last five years and it has helped me so much. Do I like working out for 45 to 60 minutes at a time with beads of sweat running down my face. Not all the time, but it feels so good inside and out. The adrenaline keeps going strong. I learned that weight and what I eat go together and if I find that happy medium I can achieve my goals. I have since last December lost ten additional pounds and two inches off my thighs, so I should be happy? Well sometimes I am not if it’s a certain outfit that doesn’t fit right like this one.
JT
Is this from an Episode of What Not To Wear?
Well in this photo above, the palazzo pants I am wearing on the left do nothing for me. The straight leg pant on the right gives me length and my height back. It’s all in how you know what looks good on you.
Well it’s not me I now realize it’s that the outfit doesn’t fit me right so I need to find something else to wear. It’s not always me; it’s the clothes not fitting right. I had to realize that God made me and he didn’t make a copy so I have to be happy with myself first. Self-Love is not narcissistic; in order to love others I have to love me for that inward love to flow.
3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image?
I think the future is bright and it’s not because I am wearing shades. It’s because I am feeling relaxed in my own skin and I am thankful for where I am in this point in time of my life. I will continually be prayerful and shut down that negativity.
4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you’re having your picture taken? If you choose not to post pictures of yourself, what prompted that decision?
I use to not like taking pictures at all. I would rather put pictures of models on my blog at one time then of myself. My husband takes a lot of my pictures and he always builds me up too. I ask him to hold me accountable if I say anything negative about myself and he does. I appreciate that very much because it’s such a help to me.
5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to take to heart?
No matter what size, shape or color that you are, you’re beautiful. God made all of us for a purpose and we all matter. We are all unique in our own special way.
This is one of my favorite scriptures:
Galatians 6:4 (TLB): “Let everyone be sure that they are doing there very best, for then will they have the personal satisfaction of work well done, and won’t need to compare themselves with someone else.”
This means that I don’t have to try to compete with others. All I have to do is make
sure I am doing my personal best. That’s freedom for me. So whether it’s my
weight, my dreams, whatever I don’t have to try to look over the fence because
it’s not necessary because I don’t need to.
Positive Affirmations
Someone told me about these positive affirmations that set the course of the day. Try it.
I know this may sound corny but it works. Stand in front of the mirror and say.
It may take some time to feel comfortable in front of the mirror.
I am going to have a great day today.
I am beautiful and loved.
I have so much to be thankful for (start naming what you
are thankful for).
I would like to say that G2G day was awesome. I would like to thank everyone (the dancers, singers, actors, dramatizations, computer peeps, audio, video, congregation for coming out) who had a part in yesterday’s event. I would like to give a shout out to someone who gave the most elegant spoken word, Angela J. The audience was captured yesterday and we’re proud of you. I will say it again that no one does a spoken word better than you.
Derrick and Hubert had the audience on their feet with the G2G slide. The song is infectious that you had to get up. The photo presentation and the videos really related to what G2G was all about which is seeking and saving the lost, so all in all it was a wonderful day.
The Jesus Saves song is so moving that I placed the Youtube video below of the song with the words.
It’s feels like fall in the air. The weather is beautiful this weekend. This is a time to have fun and do stuff around the house. I love to decorate and manicure the yard. My husband cuts the grass so I don’t do that but I de-weed the iris garden and help with the leaves and the pine cones that are falling from the trees. Also, the Greek festival is this weekend so I can’t wait to get some spanikopita. Oh, Communion is tomorrow at church and I never ever miss communion unless I’m out of town. Enjoy the weekend and have a safe and fun Labor Day!
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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