Gabby

May brought flowers and a new It Girl of the Month and this time its jr. edition! Meet Gabby, a 17 year old senior attending George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology where her prime is dance. Her purpose is to simply inspire people around her and soon be able to change the world. Whether it's with performing or even giving back to my community, Gabby wants to leave her mark. Encouraging people to push a little harder every day is her main priority. She feels that; "women are sometimes over looked because we aren't as strong physically like men, but mentally we run the world. We are powerful human beings with very thick skin. Women are so rigorous, nurturing, self-driven, courageous, and powerful. Most of our work is done behind the scenes, but we get the job done!" I had the pleasure of attending the same dance and modeling academy as Gabby when we were both younger, but I recently witnessed her genuine community service on social media when she started collecting prom dresses and giving them to girls in need. This is what being an It Girl is all about, being genuine and taking the initiative to do things and making the world around you a little better than how you found it. I had the pleasure of asking Gabby a few questions and here is what she had to say...

Q: What is your opinion on self confidence? (how do you express it? how did you gain it?)

G: Self Confidence to me is believing in your soul that when 1000 people tell you NO you whisper to yourself YES. Accepting the fact that we were all made different on purpose. Not letting societies opinions affect who you are as an individual is what confidence is to me. Learning to love yourself no matter how other people look at you is confidence. As human beings we weren't put on this earth to please everyone. We are all uniquely different and that’s what makes humans special. I gain confidence by stepping outside my comfort zone. There's not a day that goes by that I don’t tell myself " I will be rigorous today". I get this desire inside to change the world. It's bigger than Baltimore. There's so much more to see and experience in life. I write little notes to myself occasionally stating " You are Beautiful", " Be determined", "It's not over". In a city like Baltimore you must find the positive in every negative situation. Speak things into existence. Stop saying " I'll try" or " Maybe" and start saying " I will". YOU CAN! Remember whoever is trying to bring you down is already below you, don't give up, chase your dreams, and smile it doesn't end here.

Q: What is your opinion on self love? (how do you express it? how do you gain it ?)

G: elf-love is genuinely cherishing you. Worship and adore the way you walk, talk, that crooked tooth, birth mark, the stomach you've been trying to lose or big butt that you sometimes hate because of the attention. Each human being is different. Always put yourself first everything else will fall in line sooner or later. Focus on loving you so loving someone else down the road will be easier. If you don’t say it, you won't feel it. Tell yourself " I love you beautiful" I promise you'll feel better. I gained self-love by just accepting that everyone is different. We weren't meant to be the same. I block out the negative comments and replace them with positive ones. Who cares what other people think? Never depend on anyone to make you happy. Make yourself happy.

Q: In what ways are you encouraging those around you to embrace confidence & self love?

G: To encourage others, I share with them what I tell myself. Sharing on my social media inspirational words, videos, memes etc. sometimes helps people. Every day is an opportunity for a fresh start. I like making people smile. I'm not rich, I don’t drive a Mercedes, and I don't have a full ride to college, but I have faith. As women we move different. The encouragement we need to finish the day is completely different from men. Expressing to another female that faith starts with believing in yourself can change a mindset. Women are taking over. Telling other females to let go of the bitterness and focus on your blessings is a message that will stick with forever. Life is too short to be bitter. Drop the bitterness and pick up a blessing they're out there, girls go get them!

If you would like to stay up to date on Gabby's continuous service you can follow her on these social sites below:

IG: gab___aseat (3 underscores)

FB: Gabriel Thomas

Snapchat: Gabaseat