What #GobieGreat Means to Me, by Sanah Jivani
I remember feeling far from great.
I remember feeling hopeless, and afraid, and ready to give up.
I remember sitting on my bathroom floor with my eyes swollen from crying.
These memories are some of the first that run through my head when I think about what #GobieGreat means to me.
Why?
Because to me, choosing to #GobieGreat starts with overcoming adversity.
When I was in the seventh grade, I was lost all of my hair to a condition called Alopecia. With every strand of hair, I lost a strand of confidence, until I was left with absolutely nothing.
It was difficult for me to move forward. I felt ashamed of who I was and how I looked. I didn’t know how I was going to walk back into school and face my peers. I didn’t know how I was going to face my friends and family. Worst of all, though, I didn’t know how I was ever going to face myself.
My lack of self-love made it impossible for me to #GobieGreat. I had hit rock bottom, and I knew I had to change something about my life.
I have to BELIEVE that I am GREAT, before I can #GOBIEGREAT.
This realization completely changed my life. And it brought one major question:
How was I going to believe in my greatness when I could barely even look in the mirror?
I was completely consumed with self-hatred. I had forgotten what self-love and self-care looked like. The answer, however, came with hard work.
I had to actively invest in myself. I had to actively practice self-care. I had to spend time and energy working to believe that I am great, exactly as I am.
After months of time, energy, and hard work, I felt stronger than ever. Before my freshman year of high school, I made the decision to go without my wig.
I finally believed that I was great. Now, I was ready to #GobieGreat.
I had learned to move forward, and believe in my greatness. Now, I was ready to #GobieGreat- And that meant reaching back and asking myself what I could offer to the world.
To me, the spirit of #GobieGreat is reaching inside of yourself, finding your passion, and sharing that passion with the world.
After my long journey in finding self-love, I knew it was my passion to help others going through the same thing that I went through. I started the Love Your Natural Self Foundation– An organization dedicated to empowering others and helping individuals overcome insecurity.
The biggest movement hosted by my organization takes place on February 13th. It is known as “International Natural Day.” On this day, I challenge individuals to let go of the one insecurity holding them back. This could be a physical insecurity such as hair or makeup, or an internal insecurity, such as not feeling good enough.
I think my mission completely embodies the spirit of #GobieGreat because by challenging individuals to let go of insecurity, I am challenging them to believe they are great.
Believing you are great is the first step to embodying the message of #GobieGreat.
Because to me, #GobieGreat isn’t about spending thousands of dollars trying to make yourself “better” or “more worthy.”
#GobieGreat isn’t about trying to change who you are.
#GobieGreat is about using tools and resources to EMBRACE who you are.
Who you are is enough.
When I first learned to believe that, I started an organization that now has movements in 45 schools and 28 countries. I have fundraised over $10,000 for my organization and my message has reached over 10,000 individuals through speaking engagements.
I have served on several boards and been a part of several amazing organizations- because I now believe I am valuable.
All of this happened after I realized I was enough.
You are enough, too. Believe it. Embrace it.
Join the #GobieGreat movement. Because we believe in you. Because we think you are amazing. Because we know that you already have what it takes to #GobieGreat inside of you.
It’s never about changing who you are- It’s about investing in who you are.
About The Author
julie@gobieworld.com
Here to fill you all up! As the primary content creator, she’s always on the hunt to find what makes you tick. She keeps this place fueled with new thoughts, words and motivation – and is fired up to help people find their greatest selves!
#GobieGreat for Julie is being aware in every moment of life.
Related Posts
The Empowerment Plan
Who: Veronika Scott What: The Empowerment Plan “I am now known as the ‘Crazy Coat…
17 July 2017
Leave A Comment