Pink Shirt Day

“When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That’s the message he is sending.” Thich Nhat Hanh

High school is not a fun place if you are different, new to school or a minority. I experienced bullying in high school in Canada. Coming from Pakistan, where I was the top student in my class, head girl of the school, it took some getting used to. I haven’t always had hair and makeup people following me around, or stylists telling me what to wear. Back then, I wore my brothers’ clothes without an ounce of makeup. Eyeliner, mascara what is that?

It was easy for people to call me names, make fun of my hair or clothes as I didn’t look like the rest of my classmates. That made the first two years in Canada quite hard, and I was ashamed to talk to my family about any of this.

Anyone experiencing bullying right now, I want you to know, it is OKAY to be different. In fact, embrace it full force. Being an artist I now realize how important it is for me to embrace my individuality and uniqueness.

A lot of celebrities have experienced bullying as well including Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, Eva Mendes, Mila Kunis the list goes on. And the very features they were taunted for before, are what make them beautiful now.

“I was bullied really badly at school. My dad had to walk me there so I didn’t get attacked. I’d eat my lunch in the nurses’ office so I didn’t have to sit with the other girls. I’d get beaten up and picked on all the time. It was about being different and not fitting in.” Jessica Alba

“I had a very funny-looking face when I was little. I had like big eyes, big lips, big ears. But when I was little I was constantly being made fun of for having big eyes and that was awful. I used to come home crying,

‘Why do I have big eyes?’

And my parents were like, ‘You’re crazy!’” Mila Kunis

“I bumped into a guy who used to give me hell at school. He was a bully who always said I wouldn’t make anything of myself. I had great pleasure asking what he was up to now. He wasn’t up to much.

Then I turned around and said,’This is my wife Gwyneth (Paltrow).’ His face dropped and he looked really embarrassed. It was a proud moment. I’m not one to get my own back and look for revenge – but that was pretty sweet. I wasn’t the happiest at school. I was quite geeky. I was a bit of a swot and just wanted to do music.” Chris Martin (Coldplay)

“I was a victim of bullying and had other kids kicking and punching me every day.” Christian Bale

Remember: YOU ARE UNIQUE, STRONG, BEAUTIFUL AND PERFECT JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.

I am glad now that I am different, a nerd and a geek. It doesn’t matter if I fit in or not. I am different and unique and that’s the way God made me.

Love & Many Blessings to you,

Zara