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Home • Blogging • Announcing: The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest II!

Announcing: The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest II!

January 24, 2013

Words, stories and music… I struggle to think of entities more powerful. When I was enduring the darkest time of my life, the eating disorder I shared in my last post, this poem struck me like a dart between the eyes, pinning me to a wall of “What if?” What if its words hold true—not just rationally or solely for other people, but in my heart, soul and beliefs? What if we’re all beautiful and the truest, deepest beauty has little to do with shape or size? What if the “something more” so many of us long for exists inside of us, waiting to be unlocked and cherished? What if I wasn’t afraid of being large, but living large? And in doing so, missing out on the most remarkable beauty of all?

The Beauty of a Woman

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.
Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!”

Authored by Sam Levenson, quoted often by Audrey Hepburn

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Eating disorders, like many addictions and fixations, have little to do with aesthetics. Whether we’ve had such an illness or not, most of us are not strangers to insecurity or harmful attempted ways to cope. We try to diet away our lack of self-esteem, drink to douse our pain or party, sex, eat or shop our way to fulfillment. Sadly, these efforts only mask and stunt the authentic beauty we’re capable of while the underlying issues grow deeper.

The answer? There are no simple ones. But life has taught me that sharing our thoughts, beliefs and stories, expressing ourselves creatively and joining forces with like-minded others has the power to uplift, open eyes, bring healing and even turn lives around.

Last year, over 40 writers shared touching, honest, poignant and laugh-out-loud funny posts in the first annual Beauty of a Woman BlogFest. Thousands collectively enjoyed the submissions, turning that day and numerous following into a beauty-celebrating extravaganza. Thanks to everyone who made last year’s event successful, I’m THRILLED to announce the Beauty of a Woman BlogFest II.

What: A blog-fest designed to celebrate beauty, however you define it. BOAW 2013

Who: YOU! The fest is open to women and men.

When: Friday, February 22nd

Where: Right here!

How: Sign up on the blog-fest page. On fest-day, stories will appear in order of appearance, so the sooner you sign up, the better. You’ll post your installment on your blog on Thursday, February 21st, along with this year’s badge. On the 22nd, submission links will appear here. Participants will then read, comment on, “like” and share everyone’s posts throughout social media.

Why: To have fun, be inspired and entertained, inspire or entertain others, gain exposure and blog readers and, potentially, win a Kindle Fire or equivalent Amazon gift card. (All participants and commenters will be entered into the prize drawing. The more blogs you visit, the greater your chance at winning becomes.)

To signup and for blog post prompts, head over to this link: Beauty of a Woman BlogFest 2013. To check out last year’s fest, visit the BOAW BlogFest 2012. If you’d prefer to participate as a reader only, please do.

Did you participate in the BOAW blog-fest last year? What was your experience like? Any questions about this one? What words have struck you at a particularly important time? If you have questions about the fest, please post them in the comments below or email me. (The BOAW tab is intended for signups only.) I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!


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Blogging, Body image, Life 41 Comments

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Comments

  1. liz says

    January 24, 2013 at 6:17 am

    YAY!!

    Reply
  2. Coleen Patrick says

    January 24, 2013 at 6:34 am

    I second the above Yay! I’m in.

    Reply
  3. Gloria Richard Author says

    January 24, 2013 at 6:48 am

    I lurked last year and loved what I read. This year? Game on! I’m in.

    August, I’m sending you an email with a quick question. Just so you know…

    Reply
    • August McLaughlin says

      January 24, 2013 at 7:56 am

      Super on all counts, Gloria.

      So glad all three of you ladies are joining. It’s gonna be fun!

      Reply
  4. susielindau says

    January 24, 2013 at 7:17 am

    I am in!!!!!!!! It will be fun to see what everyone comes up with…

    Reply
    • August McLaughlin says

      January 25, 2013 at 5:00 pm

      Ditto, Susie! Thanks for joining.

      Reply
  5. Stephanie Saye says

    January 24, 2013 at 7:33 am

    Signing up now!

    Reply
  6. Kecia Adams says

    January 24, 2013 at 8:03 am

    I am so in, August! Glad you’re doing this again. Thanks!

    Reply
  7. katmagendie says

    January 24, 2013 at 8:12 am

    I didn’t last year but perhaps I will this year — it’s such a wonderful beautiful ‘event’ —

    Reply
    • August McLaughlin says

      January 25, 2013 at 5:02 pm

      You’d be a very welcome addition, Kat! No pressure, of course. Readers and cheerers are just as valuable.

      Reply
  8. Kourtney Heintz says

    January 24, 2013 at 8:43 am

    I loved this last year. Count me in this year!

    Reply
  9. Raani York says

    January 24, 2013 at 10:59 am

    Reblogged this on raaniyork and commented:
    I think this is a fantastic opportunity! Use it!!

    Reply
  10. Raani York says

    January 24, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Hi,
    I’ve never participated, but it sounds interesting and like fun – I’ve reblogged this on my own Blog and on Google.

    Reply
    • August McLaughlin says

      January 25, 2013 at 5:02 pm

      You’ll fit right in, Raani! Thanks for the support.

      Reply
  11. Mike Sirota says

    January 24, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    Sam Levenson was a funny man (yes, I’m old enough to remember him), but he was quite a wise one, too. Great poem!

    Reply
  12. amaryllisturman says

    January 24, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    Reblogged this on Musings of an Opinionated Woman and commented:
    I’m participating!

    Reply
  13. Diana Beebe says

    January 24, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    What a wonderful idea!

    Reply
  14. Kathryn Chastain Treat says

    January 24, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    What a wonderful tribute to our innerselves and not our outer selves. I am in.

    Reply
    • August McLaughlin says

      January 25, 2013 at 5:05 pm

      Welcome! I’m thrilled that you’re joining us.

      Reply
  15. Cherrye Vasquez says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:21 am

    This is beautifully written. Women and little girls should speak and affirm their beauty within – their wonderful attributes to society.

    Reply
    • August McLaughlin says

      January 25, 2013 at 5:04 pm

      Lovely of you to say, Cherrye. Thank you! And I couldn’t agree more regarding girls and women.

      Reply
  16. Catherine Johnson says

    January 25, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    Fantastic! I missed signing up for the last one. That was awesome of you to organise, August. Looking forward to it.

    Reply
  17. Tameri Etherton says

    January 26, 2013 at 6:03 am

    Yay! I’m so excited it’s back. I missed last year and was so bummed that I didn’t participate. I’ve been thinking all year about what I would’ve written and now I get the chance. Thank you!

    Reply
  18. kelihasablog says

    January 27, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    Perfection… I’ll reblog on mine as well… I read it on Raani’s site, but followed it here.

    Reply
  19. kelihasablog says

    January 27, 2013 at 7:24 pm

    Reblogged this on Keli has a Blog.

    Reply
  20. Marcia says

    January 28, 2013 at 11:48 am

    Missed it last year–I’m in this time around!

    Reply
    • Marcia says

      January 28, 2013 at 11:50 am

      And I’ll reblog this for my usual Wednesday post!

      Reply
  21. patriciasands says

    January 28, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Good news! It was great fun to be part of this special day last year. Count me in again!

    Reply
  22. Marcia says

    January 29, 2013 at 10:44 am

    Reblogged this on Marcia Richards and commented:
    I missed this fabulous event last year and I wasn’t about to let that happen again!
    If you love women’s stories, women in general, blogging or just love to support your favorite bloggers, you must attend “The Beauty of a Woman Blogfest!!
    Below is a reblog of August McLaughlin’s post on this blogfest. You DON’T want to miss this!!

    Reply
  23. renée a. schuls-jacobson says

    January 30, 2013 at 4:53 am

    I want to try. Let me see what comes up after I sit down to write today.

    Reply
  24. viviankirkfield says

    February 13, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    I’m on board…thanks to Catherine Johnson…saw a blurb about this on her blog.:) They say you can’t tell a book by its cover…and this applies even more truly to people…the beauty that is within each one of us far outshines any outward appearance. What a worthwhile challenge!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Happy Valentine’s Day! « Catherine Johnson says:
    February 13, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    […] if you would like to join that blogfest do click on the link and find out about […]

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  2. A Short Sabbatical and the Beauty of a Woman Blogfest | Jenny Hansen's Blog says:
    February 18, 2013 at 3:01 am

    […] related to the theme, which is based on Sam Levinson’s poem, The Beauty of a Woman. If you’re stuck, consider answering one of the following […]

    Reply
  3. Beauty of a Woman Blogfest: Do Breasts Define the Female? | Jenny Hansen's Blog says:
    February 21, 2013 at 3:01 am

    […] The poem by Sam Levenson that inspired August to start BOAW conveys the dignity, kindness and grace that comprise the wonderful mosaic of woman. […]

    Reply
  4. The Beauty of a Woman | J. Keller Ford ~ Author says:
    February 21, 2013 at 5:02 am

    […] Announcing: The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest II! (augustmclaughlin.wordpress.com) […]

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  5. Beauty of a Woman BlogFest: Beautiful Moments « Kecia's Blog says:
    February 21, 2013 at 7:23 am

    […] McLaughlin, and her wonderful idea for a blog festival. Inspired by Sam Levinson’s poem The Beauty of a Woman, which you can read on August’s blog here, we are talking about beauty, feeling beautiful, […]

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  6. Defining The Beauty of “Woman” | Social in DC says:
    February 22, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    […] BOAW Blogfest, started by August McLaughlin, was inspired by Sam Levenson’s poem of the same name. I’ve placed it below so you can share the dignity, kindness and grace that comprise the […]

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  7. Defining The Beauty of “Woman” | Social IN LA says:
    February 22, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    […] BOAW Blogfest, started by August McLaughlin, was inspired by Sam Levenson’s poem of the same name. I’ve placed it below so you can share the dignity, kindness and grace that comprise the […]

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  8. Every Day – A Belated Post for the Beauty of a Woman Blogfest | Day Williams Al-Mohamed says:
    March 3, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    […] that focused on sharing words, thoughts, ideas, and inspirations about beauty.  Inspired by Sam Levinson’s poem, August shared the story of her experience with an eating disorder that almost ended her life, and […]

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  9. Beauty of a Woman Blog Fest III: In Praise of the Selfie | Kecia's Blog says:
    February 27, 2014 at 3:34 am

    […] by Sam Levinson’s poem The Beauty of a Woman, which you can read on August’s blog here, the festival celebrates beauty, women feeling beautiful, aging gracefully, and that inner glow. […]

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  10. The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest VI: Registration! - Girl Boner® says:
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