Mean Girls

I was never a "mean girl" in high school. I was lucky, actually, to rarely feel pressures to 'fit in' or the need to worship the 'popular girls.' I was confident in the fact that I may not be 'hot' or 'pretty' but that I was going places.

A lot has changed since high school... I lost my baby fat and learned how to wear make-up. I take pride in my body not because it's perfect but because it works and it's probably not going to get much better than it is today. I am finally a confident chick who feels attractive.

About 6 months ago, me and my boyfriend of nearly two years broke up. About a week before I came home I found out about his new girlfriend. When I finally found out who she was, I stalked her myspace photos. I'm not proud of it... but immediately I was comforted by the fact that I believed I was prettier than her. I thought it made me happy... I had "won" the break-up in some way... but then I became extremely disappointed in myself.

How can women complain about standards of beauty when we constantly rip each other to shreds? Why did I get so much enjoyment over dissecting a girl I never even met because I have (and will likely always have) some silly boy insecurities? I wish I could apologize for my horrible inner monologue! I'm not alone here. I hear women talk about other women's styles, weight gains, 'prettiness', etc... all the time! I constantly am told that "women don't dress for men, they dress for other women" (uh... what ever happened to dressing for OURSELVES?). I challenge you all (and myself) to stop 'mean girl'-ing the women in our lives (or not, in my case).... It's time to band together. Support women around you and find beauty in them. Compliment strangers. Accept beauty without competition. Mostly, don't be a girl who you don't want to see in the mirror... cause that's not a good look for anyone.

<3Dani

Be the Change

Since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to help. I grew up around individuals who dedicated their life and soul to helping others making a significant contribution to society. From a grandmother who worked hand in hand with Mother Teresa, to a father who started a foundation in South America for impoverished students, I knew I had some big shoes to fill. I grew up with the standard, " To whom much is given much is expected", and so logically, I knew I fit somewhere in that paradigm. The truth is, helping others has become a job that bases itself on a level where people will only contribute partially. Whether it is writing a check once in a while to a worthy cause or volunteering when weekends are free and uneventful, helping others has become a fairweather hobby.
When I started Students for Real Beauty I thought to myself, " Man, this is going to be such an awesome thing, I am contributing to the greater good, and am helping (along with 230 members) to change the world!" But the truth is, as much as Students for Real Beauty does change the world for a better place, we cannot be satisfied and stop here. We cannot simply be satisfied with volunteering once in a while in a workshop, holding fun events, and meeting twice a month. I believe with my whole heart that "changing the world" is so much more than that. It starts with you and it starts with wanting to dedicate your very heart and soul to something where you can contribute day in and day out. It starts with a passion. It starts with striving to become a better person, by reaching out a hand, by stepping out of your comfort zone and putting yourself out there for others. What is life anyway if it is all about us? So for now, I stick with Henry Ford's brilliant philosophy and am left with nothing but plans, passion and hope.

"To do more for the world than the world does for you, that is success"-Henry Ford