Just Do It. 2.8.17
This morning as I drove to my college campus for a Bible midterm I did not study for, I started reflecting on an experience from when I was a junior in high school. I was extremely self conscious and so shy that I did not even want to ask a waiter for ketchup with my fries. As a part of the curriculum in high school, I had to take some form of workout class. I was absolutely dreading having to workout with others, as if I was not already awkward enough. When I showed up to the last class of the day, I realized it was only myself and two of my upperclassmen friends. That moment is without a doubt in my top ten most relived moments. I showed up in a baggy t-shirt and my brother's old, football sweatpants with beat-up, white tennis shoes from the 90s, while they had on Nike athletic leggings and PINK tees.
I reminded myself it was not about what you wore, but about sweating and getting healthy. The first few weeks were the roughest, I was getting into the swing of working out and I honestly loved it. The two ladies and I had became closer through our afternoon workouts and I overall felt better about my lifestyle and myself. About a month into our workouts, I began having this weird urge to run, it is all i thought about, sprinting past the football field, headphones on, and in my own world. I asked the other ladies if they wanted to go on a run with me. They agreed, but it would have to be a slow jog, as we were all new to this.
The shin splits that came from these afternoon jogs was awful (please always stretch before and after), and my tennis shoes made my feet hurt. After a few weeks of us going on these jogs, one of the ladies pointed out my outdated, tennis shoes. I mentioned that they were all I had and I was making them work. A few classes later, the girl comes into class with a small, black, plastic card. She had gotten me a Nike gift card, I was speechless, she had gone out of her way to get me new tennis shoes, because she knew I was becoming passionate about running. Her and I do not talk anymore, but I will never forget the girl in my wellness class who went out of her way to make sure I was stylish, comfortable, and I am so thankful.
It has been three years since and those tennis shoes have carried me hundreds of miles, on runs, traveling, working out, running errands, they are my favorite pair. I ran over two-hundred miles in them that year and I am sitting here at a table in the lounge at my college wearing them as I write this.
The moral of the story is, even the smallest acts of kindness will never go unnoticed. It was not about recognition, she did not announce to everyone at our school that she bought me $100 shoes, she simply gave me the card and we kept it quiet, but it meant more to me than she will ever know.
Your challenge is to do a small act of kindness for someone today.
Thank you, Lexi.
-J
Opportunity Comes Once In A Lifetime: 2.5.17
Growing up, I was always told to, "Dream boldly," and "Shoot for the stars." I took that to heart and as I grew older, my ambitions became bolder and my goals became larger. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a teacher. I was passionate about teaching children and all I wanted was to be a mom. I wanted a quiet life in the country with a comfortable home and three children. When I became a freshman in high school, I knew the quiet, farm life was no longer for me. I wanted to move to Los Angeles the day I turned 18, live freely, and never look back.
Through out high school, social media became the norm. Everyone had a Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat, and Instagram. On Instagram, I began following more curve models and self love campaigns, not yet knowing how it would change my life, for the better. I first came across Tess Holliday when I was a Sophomore, she had reblogged a photo of mine on Tumblr about my own journey of finding confidence within myself. I took to Instagram to follow her and continued following an array of accounts portraying this same message.
My Junior year I was given the opportunity to take part in a. "Love Your Body," model search. I did not win, but the company still offered me a photo shoot if I could get myself to Los Angeles. Needless to say, I booked a flight for my 18th birthday and told my parents a few weeks before I left. It was the best decision i ever made.
The shoot led to more opportunities, networking, incredible mentors, beautiful locations, and the career of a lifetime. I had gone from this nervous, socially-awkward, shy, girl to an outgoing, bold, and ambitious lady. After one shoot, I knew in my heart that my purpose is to use my platform to inspire young people who are struggling with self love, poor self esteem, self doubt, or simply need a boost of encouragement.
Never in my life wildest dreams did I believe God would put these kinds of opportunities in my life, but I continuously receive blessings and I want to show that it does not matter how small of a town you grew up in, your past, or your self doubt. If you focus, stay driven, and pray, you will accomplish greater things than you ever imagined.
-J
I reminded myself it was not about what you wore, but about sweating and getting healthy. The first few weeks were the roughest, I was getting into the swing of working out and I honestly loved it. The two ladies and I had became closer through our afternoon workouts and I overall felt better about my lifestyle and myself. About a month into our workouts, I began having this weird urge to run, it is all i thought about, sprinting past the football field, headphones on, and in my own world. I asked the other ladies if they wanted to go on a run with me. They agreed, but it would have to be a slow jog, as we were all new to this.
The shin splits that came from these afternoon jogs was awful (please always stretch before and after), and my tennis shoes made my feet hurt. After a few weeks of us going on these jogs, one of the ladies pointed out my outdated, tennis shoes. I mentioned that they were all I had and I was making them work. A few classes later, the girl comes into class with a small, black, plastic card. She had gotten me a Nike gift card, I was speechless, she had gone out of her way to get me new tennis shoes, because she knew I was becoming passionate about running. Her and I do not talk anymore, but I will never forget the girl in my wellness class who went out of her way to make sure I was stylish, comfortable, and I am so thankful.
It has been three years since and those tennis shoes have carried me hundreds of miles, on runs, traveling, working out, running errands, they are my favorite pair. I ran over two-hundred miles in them that year and I am sitting here at a table in the lounge at my college wearing them as I write this.
The moral of the story is, even the smallest acts of kindness will never go unnoticed. It was not about recognition, she did not announce to everyone at our school that she bought me $100 shoes, she simply gave me the card and we kept it quiet, but it meant more to me than she will ever know.
Your challenge is to do a small act of kindness for someone today.
Thank you, Lexi.
-J
Opportunity Comes Once In A Lifetime: 2.5.17
Growing up, I was always told to, "Dream boldly," and "Shoot for the stars." I took that to heart and as I grew older, my ambitions became bolder and my goals became larger. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a teacher. I was passionate about teaching children and all I wanted was to be a mom. I wanted a quiet life in the country with a comfortable home and three children. When I became a freshman in high school, I knew the quiet, farm life was no longer for me. I wanted to move to Los Angeles the day I turned 18, live freely, and never look back.
Through out high school, social media became the norm. Everyone had a Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat, and Instagram. On Instagram, I began following more curve models and self love campaigns, not yet knowing how it would change my life, for the better. I first came across Tess Holliday when I was a Sophomore, she had reblogged a photo of mine on Tumblr about my own journey of finding confidence within myself. I took to Instagram to follow her and continued following an array of accounts portraying this same message.
My Junior year I was given the opportunity to take part in a. "Love Your Body," model search. I did not win, but the company still offered me a photo shoot if I could get myself to Los Angeles. Needless to say, I booked a flight for my 18th birthday and told my parents a few weeks before I left. It was the best decision i ever made.
The shoot led to more opportunities, networking, incredible mentors, beautiful locations, and the career of a lifetime. I had gone from this nervous, socially-awkward, shy, girl to an outgoing, bold, and ambitious lady. After one shoot, I knew in my heart that my purpose is to use my platform to inspire young people who are struggling with self love, poor self esteem, self doubt, or simply need a boost of encouragement.
Never in my life wildest dreams did I believe God would put these kinds of opportunities in my life, but I continuously receive blessings and I want to show that it does not matter how small of a town you grew up in, your past, or your self doubt. If you focus, stay driven, and pray, you will accomplish greater things than you ever imagined.
-J