Purple is my favorite color.  I have purple clothes, jewelry, coffee mugs, water bottles, and even a beautiful purple purse.  But today I wear purple for a different reason.  Today, I stand in support of gay teens and in memory of those who committed suicide after being bullied or harassed for being gay.

Many teens and adults will wear purple today, and USA Today reports that A Facebook page in honor of the victims shows 1.4 million people say they will take part.  While that is an amazing number, it’s nothing when you realize (or Google as I did) that there are over 310 million people in the United States!

I’m sure that there are many who don’t even know that this is going on today, and there are others who don’t want to support the “lifestyle.”  I for one want to publicly put my support behind this because I never want to hear about another teen taking their own life because of being ridiculed for who they are.

If you happen to be someone who believes that homosexuality is wrong, it is your right to believe that.  But to ridicule a young person who is trying to live their life and discover who they are is despicable!  Going through the teen years is tough enough!

So today, purple takes on a whole new meaning for me, and I hope that the next time you hear someone making a “gay joke” or using gay slurs, you don’t just sit by and let it happen.  Speak up!  If we don’t make changes in our attitude NOW, the next suicide could be your brother, sister, cousin, or friend.

Just my humble opinion…Pebbles

“I think it pisses God off when you walk by the color purple in a field and don’t notice it.” – From The Color Purple

Yesterday I went clothes shopping with my boyfriend and I was very judgemental about one particular pair of jeans he wanted to buy.  I pretty much told him that if he got them, he wasn’t allowed to EVER wear them around me.  He didn’t end up getting them, and this morning I’m feeling a little guilty wondering if I’m a bad girlfriend.

I personally hate shopping for clothes for myself, but have no problem giving my opinion on what he picks out for himself.  He’s a personal trainer and spends the majority of his time in sweats, shorts and t-shirts for work, and jeans and t-shirts the rest of the time.  He always looks great, but I’m always hoping that he branches out and tries some things he wouldn’t normally wear.  I happen to adore men in sweaters, and he did pick out a couple that he looks great in.   I know he did that for me, and here’s where I’m starting to feel like a bad girlfriend.

He saw a pair of jeans that looked like the ones above.  They had  faded spots and over-the-top heavy white stitching.  I absolutely hated them.  He sent a picture to one of his friends who loved them.   After talking him out of them, we were at the register when he decided to run back and get them.  Again, I talked him out of them with a little assistance from our male cashier.

Now I’m feeling guilty.  Who am I to tell him what to wear?  Fashion and style are personal and in my heart, I believe that people should wear what they love and what makes them happy.  Should I feel guilty or was I just trying to be helpful?  I thought I was being helpful, but now I’m not so sure?   Just so you know, he has also told me that something I bought was awful and I never wore it again.

What do you think?  Are you a woman who “helps” her man with what he wears?  Are you a guy whose woman feels the need to tell you what to wear and not wear?  How do you feel about it?  Let me know by leaving a comment!

Just my humble opinion…Pebbles

FYI, we also went furniture shopping for a new couch for his apartment.  He got a good one, but after walking around the store, I realized we have totally different tastes in furniture.  If we end up moving in together…we’re going to have a problem!  LOL

Thanks for reading!

I just came across this book on Twitter and had to share it with you!  I follow the Do Something organization on Twitter and they mentioned that they have a book coming out called Do Something! A Handbook for Young Activists.  As the title suggests, it’s all about getting kids to become involved in making changes in their communities and in the world.

I immediately put in my order because I feel that this is such an important piece of the puzzle in turning great kids into incredible adults.  I believe that if  kids are involved in things that don’t revolve around them, they get a new perspective on life.

Admit it, we all see how selfish we can be.  All we care about at times is how things affect us.  Do we really want our children to grown up thinking that they only need to care about themselves?  I say no, and that’s why I’m supporting this book and what it stands for.  Must be the  former Girl Scout  in me!

If you have children, or are an aunt, uncle, teacher, or anyone else who works with kids, consider getting this for them.  OR, you could get it and work on a project together.  I know that I will be reading it to my nieces and nephews, cousins and even sharing it with my niece’s teacher who I volunteer with.

Congrats again Do Something!  I hope it becomes a best seller and more importantly, your work turns a new generation into a special group of activists who will change our world!  CLICK HERE to order the book and get more information!

Just my humble opinion…Pebbles

I would love to hear what you think about this book!  Do you think we’ve all become too selfish?  What are you doing to make a difference in someone else’s life?  Leave me a comment!