Who Do You Collect?

"I have been collecting addicts all my life...starting with my mother."   

This is an excerpt from an article that did more than grab my attention.  It actually spurred on a whole new thought process.  Do we collect people?

I find that I tend to collect people with less self-esteem or a misguided self-concept.  I would venture to say that is because I am passionate about finding my own Sense of Self so that I can maybe share my story with other women on their own journey.  I am a firm believer in the influence of your social environment.

What do the people in our life reflect about us?  It has long been said that you can not choose your family.  I believe that you can not choose your bloodline, but you can choose your family.  I struggle with my own family relationships on a daily basis, and I know that I am not alone.  Everyone has a different dysfunction they characterize to their own family.  The holidays even highlight many of the idiosyncrasies.

You may find that you collect different types of people to compliment or challenge parts of you.  At the end of the day, what is the point if we don't understand why we need them?  Do we need them?

"That’s one of the biggest lessons I learned about those of us who choose addicts: We Don’t Notice. We’re just not that aware or self-actualized. I think back on some situations and wonder how in the world could I think that was normal?"

Article: I've been collecting addicts all my life.  It began with my mother. By Ginger Emas

Speak Up and Speak Out

I am a huge fan of Mary J. Blige. Her music, her philanthropy, and of her sense of self.  She first came onto the music scene years ago, and she has made a complete turn around in her life since then.

From my earlier post today about gearing information about abuse and other topics toward teens, I am reminded of a great site affiliated with MTV U.  A station dedicated to campuses that often plays in student unions across the nation.  They have an interactive site that reached out to troubled youth across many different topics that are found to be trending: eating disorders, violence, drinking and drugs, mood disorders, etc.

Half of Us utilizes real life youth and celebrities who are willing to share their story. On theme with abuse and violence I viewed Mary's story. Watch her video below, and check out the site to find a topic that relates to you or someone you know who is struggling.

Mary J. Blige video  

How Much of the Proceeds...?

We are very familiar with the marketing towards products that benefit charities during the holidays.  This week I participated in a virtual vigil in memory of a victim of domestic violence who was only a college student when she passed.  Members of Facebook, Twitter, and various blogs took the time to change their picture to a lit candle in her memory.  The same night of the vigil, I watched the program "16 and Pregnant" on MTV and witnessed dating violence.  I became frustrated and rather disappointed in our youth, because this wasn't the first time I had seen it on a related program "Teen Mom".

MTV promoted the website Loveisrespect.org and so I checked it out.  It turns out this is not the website I would expect to see.  It is actually a promotional tool for a helpline.  I couldn't help but think, what teenager is going to call a helpline?  After all, these are not the days of Saved By The Bell.  Teenagers spend hours blogging, tweeting, and updating their status while catching up on the latest viral videos online.

So I searched the site for PSAs and tools that would attract a teen, I came up pretty short.  That is not to say that a teen in an abusive relationship should not use this site, but it is not as user friendly as I would have hoped for.  The website does link you however to other resources.  The best one I found is thesafespace.org where teens engage with social networks and even has a promotion of an upcoming made for TV movie.

I am NOT saying that they should not read these sites and engage in any way that they can to prevent abuse, but perhaps we should promote this cause in other ways as well to cover all of the bases.  I have been using a brand of makeup for years now and they have created a program that does just this.  The company is mark. by Avon, a cosmetic and lifestyle line geared towards youth.  They have a great movement for dating abuse m.powerment.  Here they have videos and links much like the other sites.  

But what's different?  They sell jewelry and makeup to young women that not only benefits their cause, but that donates 100% of the net proceeds to their foundation.  We always see 10%, 20%, 50%, but 100%?! Their products can be found here: m.powerment products.  Look to the bottom of the page to see just how much per piece goes to the cause.  Those numbers are amazing, especially for a seemingly smaller cosmetic company as compared to your drugstore favorites.

This movement is the type of thing that I feel gets the word out.  Girls wear the products, talk and discuss, and also contribute to a philanthropy as well.  They have engaged in the cause and now promote it in a positive way in their social circles.  This company appears to understand exactly how to reach their customers in a way that benefits their cause, and promotes this cause in a healthy way by encouraging a healthy self-concept.  Makeup is fun during these years and appearance is so important to most girls.  Why not make them feel pretty and offer a healthy dose of education as well?!

Check these products out this holiday season for a young woman, older woman, or even yourself this season.  It actually makes a difference.