"What I Be Project" - Own Your Insecurities.

louisehewison
Sep 2, 2014
4 min read

What I Be Project - Building Securities Through Insecurities

http://www.whatibeproject.com - Steve Rosenfield Photography

"The “What I Be Project” is a social experiment turned into, what is now, a global movement about honesty and empowerment. In today’s society, we are often told to look or act a certain way. If we differ from these “standards,” we are often judged, ridiculed, bullied and sometimes even killed over them. I started this project in hopes to open up the lines of communication, and to help everyone accept diversity with an open mind & heart and empower those who feel they suffer for something they may see as a flaw." - Steve Rosenfield

I LOVE this project! What a fanstastic way for people to share their stories. Stories that we usually feel we shouldn't share. How empowering (especially in the age of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram et al) to not only show people the edited versions of ourselves.

Let's own our insecurities.

Since I started Bodhi Babes, I have been thinking about mine a lot... my ego has piped up on more than one occasion and told me "I might Fail" "I'm not good enough" "No one cares what you have to say" "You're not a writer" and the list goes on - luckily, over the years, I have learned to keep my ego in check, hear the criticism and let it go. This is something I continue to work on daily and one of my main reasons for starting this blog- Our egos can give us enough of a hard time, trying to sabotage us, so we must be kind to each other.

We need to support one another. It's OK to have "flaws"- We ALL have them! We're all on different journeys trying to figure out this game called life.

"Subjects are putting their insecurities out in the open, and exposing a side of themselves that nobody has seen before. By stating “I am not my_____,” they are claiming that they do in fact struggle with these issues, but it does not define who they are as a person. They are not denying their insecurity, they are owning it. Spreading awareness on the struggles people face on society’s paved roads. These are serious issues that many battle on a day to day basis."

Amanda - “I am not my body image”

Amanda's Statement video below

The name for the "What I Be" project comes from a song by Michael Franti. I am a huge fan of Michael Franti and his band Spearhead, I was lucky enough to see and spend time with them in Rome and London many years ago. Steve is also a friend and fan...

"The project was pulled from none other than my friend Michael Franti. I was always inspired by the lyrics of Franti and his depth and meaning behind each song. He is the epitome of a powerful musician, activist, and poet. Michael’s song, “What I Be” is basically all about being who you are and being the best you that you can be. I loved the song and decided that the meaning behind the song was completely fitting for what my project is all about and this is where the name of my project came from. "

MIchael Franti & Spearhead

"What I Be"

If I could be the sun I'd radiate like Africa and Smile upon the world Intergalactic love laughter and If I were the rains, I'd wash away the whole world's pain and Bring the gift of cool like ice cream trucks on sunny days and If I was the earth I'd be like mountains bountiful And if I were the sky so high, I'd be like wind invincible and if I could be a seed, I would give birth to redwood trees and If I were the trees, I'd generate the freshest air to breathe in [Chorus] What I be, is what I be What I be, is what I be Well, well, well, movin on! Well, well, well, movin on! Do you love someone? Do you love somebody? Love that one! If I could be the leaves, then like jade I would stay evergreen and Spread my limbs out wide and pull love so close to me and If I could be the roots, I would dig deep like ancestry and If I were the fruits, you'd make the sweetest cherry pie from me and If I could be the night, my moon replace all electric lights and Magic music would transmit from outerspace on satellites If I myself could be the ocean, you would feel the motion all the time and If I were the words, then everything that everybody said would rhyme [Chorus] What I be, is what I be What I be, is what I be Well, well, well, movin on! Well, well, well, movin on! Do you love someone? Do you love somebody? Love that one! If I could be sex my words would protect I'd be in the lives of all who connect What the heck, I'd make it so we all got selected Pores would be dripping pure hot intellect and The minds of the masses would all stay erect and Then just for kicks, I'd mail out some checks Addressed to those who sent their used latex in Yes, that's what I would do if I were sex If I could be you, you could be me I could be you, you could be me I could walk a mile in your shoes... And you could walk a mile in my bare feet [Chorus] What I be, is what I be What I be, is what I be Well, well, well, movin on! Well, well, well, movin on! Do you love someone? Do you love somebody? Love that one!