I would like to introduce to you our October Lady of the Month Lesly Ramirez. She is currently a student at Florida International University. Lesly is an amazing lady, well spoken, fun, and intelligent. In the past, she has had experiences with bullying. However, she overcame those rough times and today she is stronger. Lesly shares her bullying story with us and how she overcame it.
Today I am ME!
Sometimes the biggest bully we encounter is yourself. We are our harshest critics, we judge ourselves the worst and treat ourselves like dirt. I do have experiences in bullying. But the meanest bully I’ve ever come into contact with is me.
When I was in middle school, I hated eating Oreos. And there was a girl, let’s call her Cottonmouth (after the snake), and she loved to terrorize me. She would pull my hair in the halls, trip me on my way to lunch and make fun of me in class publicly. The Oreo incident was on a fateful Friday afternoon. I was sitting in lunch, waiting for my best friend Maria. She came over and sat across from me and grinned. I knew that look. She asked me if I wanted any Oreos, knowing I hated them. I refused and she insisted. Then she grabbed two double stuffed Oreos and said come on Lesly! Eat some! I shook my head. She smiled and stuffed the two Oreos in my face. This incident changed my perspective. I cried that day because I felt so vulnerable.
I believe this trigged something in me. Now a days I can pin point what that was in one word: Insecurity. I was so insecure for so many years. I hated myself! I hated what I saw in the mirror, I put myself down for grades and relationships. Everything was my fault.
This past summer, I went to Poland. and I learned something. That was to love myself. My two friends in that picture, Christy and Eliza remind me that I have a support system. I have people in my life who think I am perfect and wonderful and lovely. Loving yourself is the key to success.
One of the most crucial things I’ve ever learned in my life is to accept who I am. I can’t change who I am. And I wouldn’t want to. It took a while to heal but eventually I learned that I am beautiful just the way I am. Sticks and stones may break my bone but words will never hurt me. Thats a fact! I guess the lesson is simple: Love yourself first. Be kind. Be forgiving. Keep your true friends and family close and most of all, LAUGH. Smile. Life is good. And you get to live it.
One of my favorite quotes of all time is by Dr. Seuss:
Today you are YOU!
That is truer than TRUE!
There is no one alive,
Who is you-er than you!
You can find Lesly on instagram: @heeeyitslesly_
❤
The LadyCode Blog | Women's Beauty, Lifestyle and Fashion Blog 