Color Girl of the Week: Ariel Simmons
Ariel Simmons
Model / Activist
One of my favorite scriptures is: “Never rely on what you think you know.” (Proverbs 3:5). That verse is something I live by! However, it hasn’t always been that way. Growing up, I was afraid to branch out and meet new people. My timidity causes me to be too proud and rely on my own understanding. I was afraid to ask for help. I didn’t have a clear understanding of what taking place in my life. Being an introvert, I was often bullied and misunderstood, simply because I kept to myself. It took growth and connecting with powerful mentors for me to come to the realization that my life HAS to change! I was tired of being bullied and missing out on what life had for me. I was attracting the wrong energy – negativity!
I began journaling, networking with motivational/inspirational speakers, and working towards developing a healthier mindset. It was a long process but well worth it. After all, my life, health and goals meant more to me. I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction. I had to reprogram my mind in order to see my full potential. I have overcome quite a bit in my 22 years of life: being bullied, suffering from low self-esteem and depression, attracting the wrong energy and people in my life. Yet I’m grateful for what I went through. By the grace of God, I’m not the person I used to be. I’m not a product of my circumstances. I use my story to speak to and mentor young women at the Princess Within Foundation. The young women are between the ages of 13-21. I want to encourage them, be a helping hand and listening ear, share my past experiences and assure them that they can overcome anything with God, faith and positive thinking! Every moment I can, I take it to get involved and impact young girls’ lives, whether it’s my younger cousins or at the Princess Within Foundation.
I’m a firm believer in giving back and having a positive impact and influence on people’s lives. My past has motivated so many young women that I come in contact with. That in itself is motivation for me to keep doing what I’m doing! Once I realized the life I knew I should be living and changed my way of thinking, opportunities started to come up. I have been modeling for four years, I competed in the Miss Illinois USA Pageant, and I’m continuing to network and reach out to those in my field of interest so that I can continue to grow and progress. I continue to yearn for progress not only for myself, but for those around me.
I want to continue to be a role model and advocate for what I believe in most. Bullying has to be stopped. I plan to do what it takes to bring more awareness to the effects that bullying can cause. Not all victims of bullying live to tell their stories, so I’m going to make sure my voice is heard!
More about Ariel
Twitter: twitter.com/fashionerd_
Instagram: fashionerd_
Facebook: ariel.simmons.71@facebook.com
You are truly an inspiration keep on with your journey you will definetely succeed… Much Love…