Love Letters are "letters to self" about what makes us beautiful.
They are meant to inspire and uplift.
Submit yours anonymously or not, at the button below!
Dear Juliet,
Repeat after me: You are a bruja. You are a warrior. You are a feminist.
You are a beautiful brown babe.
Surround yourself with other beautiful brown and black and indigenous and morena and Chicana, Native, Indian, mixed race, Asian, gringa, boriqua babes.
Let them uplift you.
Rage against the motherf*&($&# machine.
Question everything anyone ever says to you or forces down your throat or makes you write a hundred times on the blackboard.
Question every man that opens his mouth and spews out a law over your body and spirit. Question every single thing until you find the answer in a daydream.
Don't question yourself unless you hurt someone else.
When you hurt someone else, sit down, and think, and think, and think, and then make it right.
Apologize when you fuck up. Live forever.
Consult the ancestors while counting stars in the galaxy.
Hold wisdom under your tongue until it's absorbed into the bloodstream.
Do not be afraid.
Do not doubt yourself.
Do not hide.
Be proud of your inhaler, your cane, your back brace, your acne. Be proud of the things that the world uses to make you feel different. Love your fat, f$*%($^ glorious body.
Love your breasts, hips, and wide ass if you have them and if you don't, love the body you do have or the one you create for yourself.
Love the fact that you have ingrown hairs on the back of your thighs and your grandma's mustache on your lips.
Read all the books that make you whole.
Read all the books that pull you out of the present and into the future.
Read all the books about women who get tattoos, and break hearts, and rob banks, and start heavy metal bands.
Read every single one of them.
Kiss everyone.
Ask first.
Always ask first and then kiss the way stars burn in the sky. Trust your lungs.
Trust the Universe.
Trust your damn self.
Love hard, deep, without restraint or doubt.
Love everything that brushes past your skin and lives inside your soul.
Love yourself.
In La Virgen's name and in the name of Selena, Adiosa.
excerpt pg 302 - 304 "Juliet Takes a Breath" by Gabby Rivera
Dear loved one,
Thank you for being here with me.
Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for your patience, even in times when you cannot feel me, knowing it’s just a matter of time before we reconnect.
I love you because you love me, but even more than that...we simply are love. The beauty you have is a reflection of knowing this deep down, and even in the darkest times, you never forget. Thank you for accepting all of me, in the times of joy and sadness.
As the poet Rumi says, “the light and the shadow are the dance of love”. You embrace the shadow, the ugly, the flaws, the culturally unacceptable, and find that this is where your true power lies--finding love for yourself through it all.
You laugh at your lines, and greys, and fluctuating waistline and this laughter keeps you young--ageless. Sure, it may take a moment to get there as you adjust to these changes, but ultimately you come to total acceptance and celebration of it all! I am in awe of your bravery to show your true face of joy even when it seems that none is around. Even when your fear is winning. Even when joy is out of step with the rest of the world you shine, because you are not defined by anything outside of yourself.
You are simply you, and that is beautiful. As your outer appearance continues to shift and change throughout life, I am glad you know the thing within that is unchanging. Knowing this makes life an adventure; to watch as things come and go, everything changes, but what remains is beautiful you.
Anonymous Written Submission from "Embrace Your Beauty Project"
Copyright © 2020 Teri Reeves
Hello Lovely!
It’s been awhile…we became disconnected over the years. But I’m so happy that we were able to find each other again. I remember you feeling so little, timid, and uncertain of yourself. And I remember you comparing yourself to others and how intimidated you were!
Can you believe that? You never thought that you could be desired or thought of as intelligent. And you know what? I see how you’ve changed.
All of your experiences have made you who you are. They may have scarred you, but you healed. They may have been full of poor choices, but you learned from them and came out better for it. You stand tall and don’t even notice if the world looks down on you.
Your little legs have carried you through so many unbelievable feats of strength. Who knew that you could persevere through such physical and mental challenges. I did. I knew it. Your mind has proven to be so clever and full of grace.
Your smile radiates love and warmth to all around you and you lead from the heart. You are a beautiful soul, inside and out and I couldn’t be more proud of you. You are my light and my energy.
Love forever,
Your present and future self ♥
Anonymous Written Submission from "Embrace Your Beauty Project" Copyright © 2020 Teri Reeves
.
I feel beautiful when I'm remember to take care of myself - whether it's as simple as making sure I drink enough water, or as complex as running a half marathon with obstacles, or even learning something new - each action that I do for myself tells me that I'm special. The biggest compliment that I've received is that my positivity is refreshing. I appreciate this because I love being able to contribute to people's light and to help them remember that there is a lot to be grateful for and that they are doing an extraordinary job. 3 things I find beautiful in women: 1. Their maternal instincts and the need to care for others - it doesn't matter if it's a child or a stranger or family or close friends. And it doesn't matter if it's full of compassion or if it's matter-of-fact and direct: the fact is, I find it beautiful when women are in tune with emotion or see something wrong and take action. 2. I find women's eyes to be beautiful. Because in those eyes we see into them. We can see the emotion, the compassion, the sensitivity, the anger, the hurt...all of it. 3. I also find it beautiful when women stand tall with confidence. There's a lot a woman carries and if she can go through a shit-storm of experiences and still stand tall...she is my hero.
Anonymous Written Submission from "Embrace Your Beauty Project" Copyright © 2020 Teri Reeves
Dear Self,
Despite all the trauma you’ve endured, you still work. Perhaps you don’t work as well as you used to and perhaps there is a lot of unwanted weight on you (physical and mental) but you work. Feet and legs carry you where you need to go.
All remaining internal organs function as needed and, though often filled with memories of unspeakable horror, brain still works well enough.
Arms and hands, once held up for protection against painful blows, can now embrace loved ones.
That scar near the right shoulder is fading and so is the memory of how it got there. Other scars are fading too, both real and remembered.
A smile, once forced, is now often spontaneous.
Eyes that once saw nothing but hate see things differently now. They see beauty and hope.
The nose, once broken but now healed, breathes in wonderful scents all around.
The ears, once traumatized by hurtful, horrible words, now hear joy.
Do you fit the media’s impossible standards of beauty? No. Most out there don’t and it helps to remember that when the mirror reflects you.
Sincerely,
Me
Anonymous Written Submission from "Embrace Your Beauty Project"
Copyright © 2020 Teri Reeves
Dear March 2020 Me,
Wow! What a journey we’ve been on hey?! If 22 years and a lockdown taught me anything, it’s that you have to speak to yourself kindly and that it’s okay not to feel 100% in love with yourself and all times!
The next nine months are gonna be absolutely crazy but they’re gonna bring you wonderful experiences that you’ll have never thought could happen in a million years. You’re going to learn that mistakes make you beautiful and that they have the incredible power to make you into something better than before. You’re probably feeling lost, a little insecure because everyone’s off doing workouts etc, and honestly, completely stumped in regard to your signing.
Here’s some things that I learnt that might help you:
1) Everyone’s feeling lost and that’s okay! But lockdown will bring you the opportunity to experience live music from the comfort of your lounge room (from your fave and her wonderful mates!), to read books, catch up with films and TV shows! Dive in and get yourself lost in artful things!!
2) It’s absolutely FINE to be feeling insecure and like you could be doing better! This is why we have a dog and why living in Yorkshire is a blessing! Take the opportunity to explore the countryside with Grace and clear your head!
3) I know you’re worried about what’s going on with your signing, here’s a tip and a silver lining! Tip: listen to Zan’s album! Just... listen. She has a wonderful way with words and it’ll help I promise! Silver lining: in a couple weeks, KC is gonna ask you if you’d like to work on a project with her..... I reckon you should absolutely say yes! It’s a daunting thing but this is how you’re gonna get some interpreting experience. She’s on the other side of the world and 9 hours ahead I know.... but it’ll help you keep creative in lockdown and you’re gonna get to meet some wonderful new people!!
You’re amazingly and beautifully you... please keep your head up and keep signing! (And seriously! Go listen to Zan’s album! Why are you still here?!)
Love,
October 2020 you
Xxxx
Anonymous Written Submission from "Embrace Your Beauty Project" Copyright © 2020 Teri Reeves
Dear Self,
I would love to write a love letter to myself, but I don't have the words right now.
I know I am good and I try, but that is all I can say. I don't feel beautiful...I am still struggling right now with health stuff. I am trying...one day, maybe someday, I will be as strong as those other women and feel that way about myself, but not today..."
Anonymous Written Submission from "Embrace Your Beauty Project" Copyright © 2020 Teri Reeves
I know that you used to self-harm because you didn't feel beautiful enough and I remember the hours you spent upset about not fitting society's idea of beauty. If you don't get anything else from this letter, please remember that I will always love you. No matter what you do, say, become, nothing will ever change that and I am always here to unconditionally support and care about you. So you may not be the thinnest or have the clearest skin, but at least you're you. All of these things, these imperfections and flawd, they're part of what makes you you. I'd rather you be who you want, feel, and believe you should be rather than a copy of what society dictates. Don't be afraid to lvoe yourself and receive that same unconditional love from other.
Love, Someone who cares very deeply about you.
Excerpt: "Beauty Sick: How the Cultural Obsession with Appearance Hurts Girls and Women," by Renee Engeln, PhD
Copyright Harper Collins - April 18,2017
Well, friend, here goes.
You listen to the images, the media, the voices that tell you that your body is wrong, undesirable, and flawed. But listen to me.
Your body is amazing. You find imperfection, but I find power. I see muscles that work just the way they are designed to; it couldn't matter less whether they are visibly bulky or toned. I see a stomach that heaves with laughter and arms that comfort. I see soft shoulders for leaning on and elegant fingers for making music. I see eyes of understanding and a smile that can light up a room. I see skin that is kissed but not burned by the sun, though in any shade it glows. Curves are not ugly, but stunning and useful. There is no need to punish, only to care for this vessel of your soul.
Excerpt: "Beauty Sick: How the Cultural Obsession with Appearance Hurts Girls and Women," by Renee Engeln, PhD
Copyright Harper Collins - April 18,2017
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