Remind & Refine’s ‘Love is Love’ Campaign

Love is Love no matter which way you choose to look at it.

Send in your Love is Love campaign photos to RemindandRefine@gmail.com to be featured on our website. Be creative, love comes in many forms, for many reasons, in many ways!

-R&R

2012

Hey Everyone,

Lauren here. I can’t believe it has been this long since a new post has came from me. For starters, I wanted to say that Remind & Refine is now back, stronger and better than ever and ready to take on what ever life may bring, but before I resume R&R and it’s mission, I thought I would let you know a little about why I have been absent and the beautiful things I’ve seen be overcame since my last post.

I found myself in one of those places that you don’t want to be in. You know, the dark place that you kind of live inside your own mind, being numb to everything and everyone? Yeah, I was there. Not the first time and I am sure won’t be the last, but I thought that because I was in a dark place for a little while that meant not to be a hypocrite and help other people when at the time I couldn’t help myself. However, what I wasn’t realizing is that by me speaking out during a not so great time, it empowers others to do the same thing and to use their voice even when they don’t want to speak. I am sorry to everyone that has needed me, my words, or the Remind & Refine team. I got so caught up in the trials and tribulations that it beat me down for a little while, but here I am.. still alive, still inspired, and still ready to change this world.

I truly do know what it is like to get that heart break that leaves a lump in your throat, or news that can merely change everything. I don’t claim to be anything other than an average person on a mission for something better that is already out there. In the time I was away, I have seen life pick people up by their feet and say “walk.” I have seen it beat down the strongest people I know, and I have seen it strengthen the weak. I have seen different acts of every day situations go good and go bad. I have prevented a family from having no Christmas gifts on Christmas morning. Moral of what I’ve seen and done is that good and bad happen. The good happens in moments just as fast as the bad does, and I want you to know that you can never be defeated by either one of those. You can get beaten down, but you will stand again.

I still don’t have answers to why people choose to kill themselves, or why life always seems to sneak a road block in, but if I knew these things I wouldn’t have much to write about. I hope I still have my support base for Remind & Refine, and I can’t wait to change, help, love, and save lives. Kindness and compassion go a long way, and I am convinced the two together can save somebody. I challenge you now to spread the word about this website, submit your life story that you have always been afraid to, or simply stand up and do something. Your voice is just as important as anyone else’s you hear.

Love is most definitely alive, you are without a doubt alive, and us together can absolutely help someone else to stay alive. Time to make that change in your life you have always contemplated.

To submit your stories to be published on the website please e-mail them to: RemindandRefine@gmail.com (sign it with your first name, or anonymous if you prefer not to be known)

Here’s to a second beginning, but resuming the first attempt.

-Lauren

Get Involved

We have been getting a ton of feedback via Twitter and my e-mail from you wanting to help and be involved with Remind & Refine. Well, we are pleased to announce that you CAN be. We do have ideas in the works that we will share soon regarding what you can do in your city/town. However, currently, the most important thing right now is getting the name out to people. We have to expand our organization and open the name to many places so people know there is somewhere to go. I have thought of an idea for you all that I’d like to do for the site, and I will list them below.

If you have a source for video: Make a video stating your name, age, and what this project means to you. Give an example of something you’d like to Remind & Refine to somebody. I.E: Remind somebody they are beautiful – Refine their self-esteem. Remind somebody it’s okay to be who ever you want to be – Refine their belief of who they truly are. Whatever it may be that hits home for you, speak out on it. If you’ve had a friend, family member, or companion that has committed suicide or practiced self-inflicted, pain use your voice and try to prevent that for somebody else. We are never alone in our thoughts and actions – there is ALWAYS somebody who has thought and/or done the same thing. While making your video, it’s okay to cry, laugh, or vent.. It’s a release for you and a take-in for somebody else. Show pictures of the person who passed, give their story.. Give YOUR story. What ever it may be, we want to hear and know.

If you don’t have a video source: Type up every single thing you’ve ever wanted to say about something in your life that is not-so-good. Type up your story, your friends story, or combine the two of yours. Whether it is a past struggle, or a current one, it’s important. Please send your stories to RemindAndRefine@gmail.com and we will post a new one every day. You can sign it with your first name, full name, or anonymous – We will not judge.

Your story could be the difference in somebody else’s.

Lauren – Remind & Refine

Black Out Bullying Day

Ladies & Gentlemen,

We are successfully  winding down our official Black Out Bullying day, and I just wanted to personally extend a “THANK YOU” to everyone who participated! Whether it was coming to the photo shoot with me, sending in photos, videos, or e-mails, or simply just tweeting out, I appreciated everything and we truly did above and beyond all expectations today! Hopefully there was at least one life touched or impacted, but if not that is okay because we are JUST beginning! I will post all the photos from the shoot and that I gather soon! Thank you again for believing in us and participating in this particular segment of the campaign! I have made it my goal to create different aspects of the campaign, and the next is called “Let It Go.” I can’t wait to air it and I’ll keep you updated on when it will take place!

Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for YOU.

Lauren – Remind & Refine

Remind & Refine Community Photo shoot

Open to the public! Absolutely ANYONE can attend! Come out and bring your kids, nieces/nephews, cousins, sisters, brothers, parents, or friends and let’s spend time not only shooting but seeing how many people truly believe that we can make a difference.

Details: PLEASE wear a black shirt! Preferably a solid article, but if you only have something with design that is okay too. Our theme for this particular part of the campaign is “Black Out Bullying.”

You are encouraged to think of some clever way to portray “Remind & Refine” whether it be written on each cheek, hands, arms, legs, sign, fingers, etc. We will get you taken care of the day of the shoot if you couldn’t think of anything, but otherwise we’d love to see the many different ideas!

This is NOT a paid event, however you will be shooting with my photographer (Megan Dacy, www.meganheartsphoto.com) and your photo will be used in the Remind & Refine campaign on the website, flyers, sticker, or something along those lines. It is good exposure and portfolio work as well.

Last but not least, I’ll be carefully observing those who attend and hopefully will see some people I believe would make a good roadie and team member for when Remind & Refine begins our speaking tour. If this interests you, please e-mail me ahead of time so I will know!

I will be there personally and I can’t wait to see all of the beautiful faces and willing hearts coming together as a generation striving for change.

Thanks so much!

Lauren Geralds

Please e-mail for locations and time! Also, for questions, comments, suggestions, or to RSVP please e-mail: RemindAndRefine@Gmail.com

www.twitter.com/remindandrefine

Purple, Color or Reminder?

Today, purple is a reminder.

Those of you who know me, know that purple has always been my favorite color. Not exactly sure why, I just always thought it was a fine median between “fun” and “sophisticated.” Today, my favorite color represents something way beyond a fruit, TV character, or crayon. Today, purple is where each life taken because of bullying lives on. Today, is unlike any others.

I remember the night my friend and practically brother, Bryan, told me he was gay. We were only 13 years old. I had spent so much time guessing what could be SO horrible that he didn’t want to tell me. “You killed someone?” I said .. “You got someone pregnant?”  ”You’re going to rob a bank?” My guesses got more and more terrible as the seconds passed by because I just honestly could not think of anything. He turned his head and said, “I’m gay.” I answered back with “THAT’S what you had to tell me that was so bad!?” I couldn’t believe something so small was weighing on somebody that much. I thought back to before and the countless nights I had to rush to his house at 3am to literally save his life. I had to do all I could to get into a door he was behind, take pill bottles away, make sure no knives were around, keep chemicals out of reach and stand in the doorway to the bathroom numerous times so he wouldn’t lock me out and try anything. I had to make him eat and even if it was 4 bites, that was better than nothing at the time. I remember  everything so clearly. Every time I’d run up his stairs and see him, my heart would smile even though my mind was going crazy because I knew he was still alive and that I was THERE now to keep him safe. It was a moment of relief even considering all that was going on. I was always there for him. It’s hard for me thinking back to the days and nights I had to literally save his life, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to, otherwise he wouldn’t be here today and I wouldn’t be telling this story.

One of the hardest days of my lives was when his parents told me they checked him into rehab. I remember I was getting in the car coming home from school and I couldn’t help but cry. About this time, “What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts was big and I couldn’t listen to that song without shedding  a tear. The phone calls I got from Bryan in rehab meant more to me than any other call did. I cried almost every time, yes, but I knew he was safe and that kept me okay. After those set of phone calls, I learned to not take one for granted ever again. It’s a blessing to be able to pick up the phone and for the person you’re calling to also be able to pick up their phone.

I could go on and on about how I felt, how Bryan felt, how he survived, how I kept him alive, and how he’s one of the best people I have ever met to this day, but all that matters is he’s breathing and alive right now and I am not wearing purple for him today. Just think about how many people we would not be wearing it for if they only had someone there. Someone to talk to, confide in, go to, spend time, laugh, and cry with.. It’s amazing how kind gestures creates a kind person, and a kind person creates a kind atmosphere. Our generation has to create and establish this. Not for credentials or rewards, but for the simple fact that everybody needs someone, and we have chance to be that person for someone in need. We have the chance to use our voices for something other than every day normalities, and most importantly, we have the ability to remind someone they belong on this earth. I have felt alone some days, but you know what keeps me rolling and inspired? You. Brandon. Bryan. My sister and brother. My mom. My nephew. My friends. My cat. Yes, my cat. She needs someone to take care of her, doesn’t she? I have a group of people who I couldn’t live without, and I’d never want them to have to live without me. I have people who’ve always been there for me and always will. Does this mean I feel on top of the world every day? No, certainly not, but it does mean on the days I don’t I have people to remind me of the precious gifts and miracles in my life. If ever you feel like you don’t belong, ALWAYS remember you were put here for a reason and have just as much right to live as anyone else.

Starting this non-profit has been the best thing I’ve ever done. I get to connect with so many beautiful souls and faces. I get to read story after story every night and CRY because I am so humbled to even live on the same planet as some of you much less have you trust me and talk to me. I get to live in certain aspects of my past happily because it’s impacting other people’s present.

Please remember you are not alone. Not today, not tomorrow, not next week, not ever. I will be there for you. I will get in my car and drive to where ever you are if I have to. I’ll fly. I’ll call you. I’ll e-mail you. I will do whatever I can to save you because you belong here. You belong on earth fulfilling your purpose, and if you’ve lost it, let us help you to regain it. Come join me on the Remind & Refine team if you want, but never give up. I am thankful that I have to count my blessings, because it makes me believe that others do too.

Today isn’t about the every day agenda or the other unfortunate events going on in the world. It’s not just “October 20th” and a Wednesday. Today is purple. Today, it’s okay to be purple. Today, being different and allowing this day to be called “purple day” is okay, because everyone is doing it. Today, you can stand up for what you believe in and not have to worry about what people think, because you are not alone. And if you don’t see anyone else, I am wearing purple, so by that you know you are not alone. What if every day could be like today? Not represented by a color or a meaning, but by a generation with a purpose? It can. And today, that starts.

Bryan, you are one of the brightest lights in my life and if ever I lost strength I think back to you and all you’ve overcame. You are a blessing to earth, and I thank you for letting me love you and you loving me back. I thank you for trusting me with your life, and most importantly I thank you for showing me what it’s like to know who you are and stay true to it. You are a flower in the desert, and I love you more than you will ever know.

Thank you to each and every one of you for reminding me daily why I do what I do. You are my sunshine.

Lauren Geralds

@LaurenGeralds

Remind & Refine

NEW SPONSOR: Shatterproof Clothing

We are so happy to announce that we are now sponsored by Shatterproof Clothing! It’s going to be amazing having them on the Remind & Refine Family, and we are about to make a lot of change in this world! It’s time. Please check them out at:

www.shatterproofclothing.com

www.twitter.com/BEshatterproof

http://www.facebook.com/pages/shatterproof-clothing/100380701734?ref=ts

FOR EVERY SHIRT SOLD, A TREE IS PLANTED… GIVE AND RECEIVE ALL IN ONE!

-Remind & Refine Team

Donations

Hello to all of you beautiful people!

If you choose to make a donation, you will receive an exclusive “No Regrets, Just Love.” bracelet if you donate $10 or more, however if you can only donate $1.00 that is absolutely fine too. We wanted to give back to those who gave to us, so not only will you receive a bracelet, but the first 10 to donate $10 or more will get a video of Brandon and Lauren personally thanking you for helping us to pursue our strive to help, change, and save lives. All helps, even a little bit. Time for changes, and changing takes time… We have to start somewhere.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=NH9RPNT6KNTTS

Amplify Your Voice.

Remind & Refine

“Dream Team” Roadie Details

Hey everyone!

We are pleased to announce we have gotten SO many e-mails from those of you who are wanting to join our road team! We have named it the “Dream Team” because we’re set to helping people reach their dreams, and find themselves to establish new ones. Please fill out the following information and submit it to RemindAndRefine@gmail.com — We will then review all applications and get back to you! Thank you all so much for the interest, support, and love!

Road Team Member Information:

• Name:
• Age:
• Location:
• High School/College:
• Ethnicity:
• Job:
• Goals/dreams:
• What about you stands out?
• What could you bring to the Remind & Refine Dream Team?
• Have you experienced and/or known anyone suicidal? How’d you deal with it?
• What are three hobbies you enjoy doing?
• If you’ve had any speaking/social experience, please speak about it here:
• How long could you be available?
• Would you be willing to be on the road for several weeks?
• Do you have stage fright? Have you ever spoken in public?
• What makes you different than everyone else?
• Tell us a little about yourself and your story:
• Contact Information:
• How’d you hear about us?

We look forward to hearing from you all!

Remind & Refine

I Promise

You don’t have to be part of the problem to be part of the solution. Sometimes it’s the echo that speaks the loudest.