Guest Contributor and Volunteer: Bethany Consoliver
Having (at one point) been a young girl myself, I have dealt
with the insecurities and troubled thoughts that many (if not all) of us have
come across in our early years. Unfortunately, I have let those insecurities carry
out into my adult life. Which, can I just say, is so easy for us to do! And it’s even harder to change such a mindset
as the years go on! Realizing our self-worth can be incredibly difficult; and I
honestly never saw its true importance growing up.
But…**drumroll**… I
am so happy to share…that there is an AWESOME program that inspires such inner-respect!
Shimmer
Sparkle Shine is
a program that focuses on young girls recognizing their self-worth and unique
qualities that make them who they are. Also, this program instructs these young
girls in ways that they can deal with particular and individual hardships that
go along with growing up. Adversity will face us, and from many different
directions at that—self-doubt will always be on the attack. But who we
are and how we view ourselves can make all the difference when facing these
discouragements.
I met Ciara (founder of SSS) in my winter semester at
college of 2014—we began our friendship as roommates. It wasn’t long until I
heard more about her passion and non-profit SSS, which is how I got involved in
volunteering for their workshops. Honestly, when I heard about SSS, I didn’t
think much of it. It wasn’t until I attended an actual workshop that I realized
the importance and necessity of SSS’s purpose and mission. At a workshop, there
are five different stations that represent the five keys of SSS which are: Personality, Good Friends vs. Bad Friends,
Make Your Mark, Comfort in Your Own Skin, and Healthy Living. Volunteers are needed at these workshops to help
guide and present these five keys. As a
volunteer, I have had the privilege to learn so much from these young girls.
Everyone is different—we have various and separate talents
that are particular to us as individuals. Volunteering at these workshops has
only exemplified this! My favorite part of these workshops is near the end—hearing
the girls say more confidently what they love about themselves in comparison to
the beginning of the workshop and their slight reluctance in answering. The
first time I went to a workshop, I realized how hard it was to say what I loved
about myself. I was one among the young girls, who needed to be at that
workshop to recognize the necessity of our self-worth and individuality. I
truly believe that volunteers learn just as much as those attending.
Sadly, I forget the where of this particular workshop. But I
remember the certain young person who really surprised me! She showed up
wearing her wolf shirt, sporting her spunky attitude, and had no shame in
declaring her, as the majority of people might call, geeky interests. What I
was surprised with, was her confidence. Why was someone who seemed so confident
here at this work shop? And as the rest
of the workshop developed—I realized my error in assuming that. She had
insecurities, concerns, and confidence issues that she had and still fights
every day, like all of us! I was reminded of the term, a round character, “A
round character is a term coined by E.M. Forster and is the direct opposite of
a flat character. A round character is extremely realistic, behaving and
speaking in a "real life" manner. The character is complex and
increases in complexity throughout the story.”
We should treat ourselves and everyone as the round
character we all are. As individuals, we’re learning about ourselves
constantly—it’s an ongoing journey. Recognizing this, especially in our younger
years is so important! As volunteers, if we can help encourage this mentality
and thought process for our youths, maybe we can plant the seeds of self-worth
and the beauty of individuality that can
be carried throughout the years—that can solidify and grow the older they get.
I have been so grateful for meeting Ciara and for having her
get me involved in SSS. She has inspired me and helped encourage positive
thoughts and the concept of self-worth that I had struggled with when I was
younger, and her program continues to do so for young girls and other
volunteers. I highly recommend to anyone and everyone that if they can take
part, get involved, and volunteer for Shimmer Sparkle Shine.
-Bethany
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