more than dreaming

If you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that you would not fail, how big would you dream? Let go of the invisible boundaries that you have created. It is time to wake up and live life... Imagine your world without boundaries you have created, a life without fear you have projected, a world without reason... because living your dreams should be reason enough to go forth with determination and the willpower to succeed.
-Sherrie Gearheart

Supermodel Award

  The above picture is taken from the American Image National Pageant. Sherrie Gearheart won the super model award during high fashion wear, won the highest score in interview among all of the contestants, and took home the National title of American Image National Miss 2010.

PageantCast Interview

I am serious when I say it was a dream come true when I was interviewed on the  PageantCast podcast show with Tim Kretschmann. Ever since I was 17 (yes 5 years ago!) it was my dream to be interviewed on the show. I would listen to the countless interviews of Miss Illinois MAO, other recognized state titleholders, and even national titleholders. I knew I wanted to be on the show one day, and I knew it would take hard work if I wanted to win a title.... but I never knew I would be on the show representing Live Out Loud Charity, our 2nd annual Fashion Show, Tiara Magazine, and my national title of American Image National Miss 2010. I am so glad I took that leap of faith and went for my dreams..... more importantly I am so glad to be helping women across the globe.

This road has been one filled with hurdles, bumps, triumphs, joys, and sadness. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I truly believe in pageantry and what it has to offer women. I started competing when I was 17 and started training younger girls right away. I saw much success with that. I took a year off of college and became a full time pageant coach and I was searching for my life mission (I felt it didn't end there). I was happy with pageant coaching because it allowed me to instill self esteem in young girls (to give them what pageantry was giving me).... It still saddens me that so many of our young girls have such low self esteem. I allow this sadness to fuel me, to work even harder as the editor of Tiara Magazine, and founder of Live Out Loud Charity. I want women to know they are beautiful regardless of size, looks, and stature. Every single woman possesses a unique beauty which she owns. That is why I have all sizes, heights, ages, and ethnicities in our fashion shows. This is about promoting love for oneself and truly owning who you are. This is about breaking the stereotypical image of beauty which is engrained in us by billboards, TV shows, and almost all media outlet. This is about that self love I expressed earlier. Although much more of my work is now heavily involved in suicide awareness and prevention (I established Live Out Loud Charity in 2010) I am still very much involved with our young girls and women through our fashion show, self esteem courses, and pageant coaching. I want all of the women and girls out there to know that YOU CAN do more than follow your dreams... you CAN achieve them. I did it without a support system in the beginning (no one would support my pageant dreams), without much of a financial backing if at all, and with low self esteem. I am here to say, if I did it, so can you. There is never an age where it is too late to start and there are never enough excuses in the world to keep you from your dreams. Take that leap of faith and watch how you take off and fly to new, unconquered heights that will bring you so much happiness you never thought possible.... It starts now, not tomorrow. Believe in yourself, own your unique beauty, and make your dreams come true because no one else will, but you. And remember to enjoy the journey! ---- My PageantCast interview is posted under public appearances at www.sherriegearheart.com

Define Success

To me... Success is doing what you love while helping humanity. Success is not defined by our stature, clothing, or creed. Success is defined by the integrity of our word and good deed.

-Sherrie Gearheart

Prayer, our daily thought

Prayer is more than a moment of meditation with the Lord. Prayer is (also) our daily thoughts, what some call intention. What we think is what we are, it is what we project. Our daily prayer is said to oneself or to others. Think not before you act, rather, think before you think, by cleansing your heart to have only the purest of thoughts (intentions) ie. prayer. Some call it intention, some call it thoughts, I call it prayer. -Sherrie Gearheart

Instructions for life by the Dalai Lama

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s:
   -  Respect for self,
   -  Respect for others and
   -  Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and
    think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
20. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

Back in the day.....

I woke up this morning and checked me emails. To my surprise one of my fans emailed me with a video link from youtube. It was me back in 2008! I couldn't believe it. I never knew it was out there and it made me kind of laugh. Im the last one in the video and I was competing in my first national pageant. I was Miss Illinois USB and took 2nd runner up at nationals... Here is the video