This year I was able to go up to girls camp. Even though it was for one day, I was glad to have had the chance to go. They did a ropes course again this year, but it had some new challenges added to it. I was able to help, and be close to what I think was the most heart wrenching "challenges". Sherrie started out the challenge with a hike up a steep mountain, from there the groups had to go one by one to different mirrors with different saying on them each pertaining to the young women's theme. They were asked to look at themselves and read out loud the message on the mirror. Many of the girls had a hard time looking at themselves, and many wouldn't look at all. From there they were to regroup into the groups they came up with. Sherrie then asked them to form a circle and to sit down, to look at who they were with, and know it wasn't an accident that they were with them. Next she asked them to lay down, which was a challenge in its self considering all the bugs on the mountain. She then asked the girls to close their eyes and to start yelling out what the world thought of them, "I'm fat", "I'm not pretty".... It was so hard to hear these young ladies yelling out these things, much of what you and I think of ourselves. To see these beautiful young ladies think that they are too fat, not pretty, being compared to their siblings, that their feet are to big, they are too tall, too short, that they have big thighs, big butts.... it went on and on. There were about 11 wards or girls that came through, and every time it was the same thing. It was really hard to be a mom up there and to think that my daughter could and probably was thinking the same things that were being yelled out. I can tell you it made me want to re-think how I saw myself, and to try my best to be more positive to my children. To re-think what I say about myself because if I don't, I will pass on more negativity to my children then the world could.
Lets try to be more positive...and love who and what we are...so that our children can love themselves more...and know that they are perfect in the eyes of those who love them, and know that they are beautiful in every way shape and form. Let us know we are who we are for a reason, that we look like we do because if we didn't we wouldn't be special...besides that we don't want to be a ken or barbie... what fun is there in that? *smile*