my causes and what they mean to me.

I am a firm believer that it is typically the things in our lives to which we do not expect are the ones that significantly change our lives; be it positive or negative it is our choice as to how we perceive things.  Ever since 2006 I sort of became unexpectedly an advocate for women's health issues as well having the opportunity to lecture young women about body image, etc. 
  This has been an amazing experience because sharing my own stories has in some ways (hopefully) helped many young women. I was raised early on to be comfortable with myself and in my own skin but being bullied (and believe it or not still to this day I am bullied) has taken its toll over the years. My mission was and still is to let young women know that they do not have to be a size 0-2 and blonde just to be considered beautiful and I felt it even more being half Native American; I was always made to feel less than beautiful because of that.
  Over time came to realize that sometimes people are afraid of what they really don't know or understand so it is easier to channel that energy into unfortunately negative outlets.Over time I began to channel my frustrations into positive outlets (even though it didn't begin that way). Looking back on it now it has helped me develop compassion for others in which don't think would have had that sense otherwise. 
 So in December 2006 I began my own non profit organization to help educate young women about developing a positive body image as well information on how to stay fit and eat properly. I never within a million years would have expected the outcome of it and so thankful for what has come of it. Never expected to hear the stories of so many brave young women who have had similar experiences.
 All of these experiences drove me to begin my anti-bully campaign two years ago. It was also within this time that due to bullying one of my best friends committed suicide; it was one of the most difficult moments I had to experience which is another aspect of my humanitarian work is giving discussions on relational aggression (another form of bullying). If anything I would travel the world and bring awareness to these sorts of issues that especially affect our young women and how society interprets our role in society. 
 Girls (and boys) who are bullied shouldn't feel as if they are alone in this world and it's one of things I hope even if it is in a small way to help others know that they aren't alone there is support.