Self-love is such an amazing thing. One minute you think that you’ve learned and experienced all there is to it, then BAM- you’re hit with a whole new lesson. I’m grateful every day that I get to learn more and more about myself and given opportunities to build myself up.
I am so honoured and thankful to have been given the opportunity to attend a Me to We Take Action Camp this summer. Basically, it’s a camp for kids around the globe who are super passionate about social justice issues and they come together to not only celebrate this amazing community of people, but also build on our skills to create change in the world. I returned from camp early August and it’s taken me this long to decipher my feelings about the whole experience. I’ve chosen to reflect on one of the many amazing messages I’ve taken with me and it’s definitely one that I believe should be shared.
To give some background, since the camp was so large they separated us into more age specific groups to do activities and work on skills related to our age. When I first walked into my group’s room (yeah Week 4 Change Crew!) I was hit with an atmosphere I’ve never experienced before. Every member of my group was so 100% open with each other. From the minute we all entered our room a bond was formed that would change all of our lives, especially mine.
Throughout the week we quickly grew to learn about each other’s passions. We witnessed the amazing glow each of us had when we began to open up and talk about what we want to change in this world. We continued to bond on such high levels, even our facilitators we’re happily surprised by our progress! I could talk about the many amazing moments I shared with my group, but one will stay with me probably for the rest of my life.
As I said, we discussed our passions. I am a huge advocate for self-love. The group was well aware of my self-esteem journey and all the barriers I’ve overcome to fight for myself. Honestly, even while at camp I still believed that I knew all there was about self-esteem. It wasn’t until the end of the week when we began a group activity that I learned I was far from understanding it all. Our facilitators got us to sit in a circle where we were all facing outward (backs facing in) with our eyes closed. It was a silent activity. When our facilitators tapped our shoulder we were to stand in the middle. Then began the magic… Our facilitator would instruct the people in the middle (out loud) to then tap someone’s back who made them smile, laugh, etc. while at camp. Then the middle people would go around and do so. We didn’t know who was in the middle, so all you would feel is someone tap your shoulder who connected a fond memory of the week back to you. The facilitators would pick new middle people every couple minutes or so. Then the instructions became more intense; touch the back of someone who you think has courage, someone who changed your life this week, someone who taught you something, and the list went on.
Well of course, everyone was crying. You could hear the held back sobs from everyone with each new instruction. It wasn’t until mid-way through the activity when it hit me like a giant wave. I began to just ball my eyes out. A sudden realization came to light when one after another I would feel anonymous hands on my band relaying a message that I was loved, appreciated and cherished by my peers. It hit me that all this time I had been worrying about building up walls in my self-esteem to block out hateful comments, but I was also neglecting to leave room in those walls for the precious and genuine love that can exist from others. I felt for the first time what it felt like to have my inner walls torn down by not hate, but an unending wave of love.
I will never be able to truly express the gratitude I have for the many people that influenced my life at camp. They taught me that self-love isn’t limited to what happens within me, it’s expanded to the many opportunities for love that can come from others. And most importantly, what that love can do to you. Thank you Change Crew for opening my heart fully to others for the first time. I look forward to the rest of my life where my newly opened heart will guide me to amazing opportunities to hopefully share with others this incredible feeling.
Dignitize Your Life 