Haters Gonna Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate.

After watching Emma Watson speak at the UN, I've been more inspired than ever about how females can make a huge difference in this world. Think about all of the women who have made a positive impact on your life. There are so many reasons to celebrate these beautiful women who inspire us everyday. One person who has inspired me since my awkward high school days is Taylor Swift.
When I first saw the music video for "Tim McGraw," I had no idea that I was watching someone who would be sticking with me for the next (almost) decade. While I've never met Taylor Swift face-to-face, I feel like she's been with me through most of the important parts of my life:   - when I turned away from a relationship that I wasn't sure I should turn away from ("Breathe") - when I was having a blast with my girls in Gulf Shores ("22") - when I was pining after a boy that was nothing but bad for me ("Haunted") - when I started falling (really falling) for Jon ("Love Story") - when I have a little tiff with Jon ("The Other Side of the Door") - when my sister graduated from high school ("Never Grow Up") - when I'm feeling unsure about my life and future ("A Place in this World") - when I was reflecting back on the amazing years I spent with my college friends ("Long Live") - when I'm pining after a celebrity I'll never meet *cough cough Zac Efron* ("Superstar") - when my friend broke up with her boyfriend, and I gladly stepped up to the plate to offer condolences ("Picture to Burn") 
It seems like Taylor Swift has been there for me for all of my ups and downs. 

Being that we're only two days apart in age, it's no wonder that I can relate to Taylor so much. With every song she releases, I find myself singing along to the lyrics of someone who understands what I'm going through. It's true we've lived very different lives, but in a weird way, I feel like she gets me. I feel like she understands the millions of fans she has that she's never met because she's brave enough to share her story, the trials and tribulations of her everyday life, with her fans. Here's why Taylor inspires me, and why she should inspire you too!:
SHE'S HONEST Taylor has never been dishonest with the media, her fans, her friends, her family. She wears her heart on her sleeves and expresses herself through her music. She's never pretended to be someone she's not, and she's never felt the need to change to please anyone. She's grown as an artist and a person since the release of her first album in 2006, and all of her fans have grown with her. Her lyrics are like taking a look at her diary. She shares some of the most intimate details of her life in a public way, and I think most 20-somethings will agree that that in and of itself is pretty brave. 
SHE'S AMBITIOUS Sure, Taylor is talented, no one is denying that, but what makes her a force to be reckoned with is that she refuses to stop. She is constantly writing lyrics and composing songs, and she's good at it, too, but she doesn't just stop at music. She also has a line of perfumes, has dipped her feet into acting, and she's meandered into the business world by working with a number of brands while continuing to build her own. 

This really is my favorite perfume. I wear it almost every day. It smells so good!

SHE ADORES HER FANS I don't know any celebrity who treats their fans as well as Taylor Swift does. She takes it upon herself to go through Instagram posts and leave comments. For her latest music video, she invited several of her fans to dance to her new song. With the release of her latest album, she's giving away so many opportunities for fans to come and meet with her. She even showed up at a fan's bridal shower after getting an invitation in the mail. Taylor is so incredible and loyal to her fans, and even has T-parties after her concerts to mingle with a few of them! Even more recently, she invited 89 of her fans to her own home to listen to all of the songs on her new album and just hang out. If that's not love for her fans, I don't know what is. 
SHE SILENCES THOSE THAT PUT HER DOWN Even though I love jamming to "Shake It Off" (hello, it's been on repeat since it came out), what I love even more about it is the message behind it. It's about not listening to what everyone says about you and just doing your own thing. Shaking it off, dancing to your own tune, and moving on with your life. She teaches people that the most important opinion is the one that you have of yourself, and that's a message that so many people need to hear. You are the only one you need to impress. Yours is the only voice that truly matters. You are the one who decides if you're going to live a happy life or a miserable one. Being as famous as she is, Taylor still manages to silence all of the bad things that people are saying about her and stay positive, and that's one of the most beautiful things about her. 
SHE'S PHILANTHROPIC Instead of being selfish with the millions of dollars that she makes, Taylor uses a good chunk of her money to spread the love (and wealth) and donate to causes that are near and dear to her heart. She's given to causes such as Habitat for Humanity, Feeding America, Stand Up to Cancer, Shriner's Hospital, Red Cross, and so many more. That's not even the tip of the iceberg. Taylor spreads the love in so many ways, not just through her wallet. Just this past summer, she visited with and sang to a cancer patient in Boston. 

She also sang with the accompaniment of a leukemia patient on piano,

and made a surprise visit to Hasbro Children's Hospital.

I don't have enough words for the positive impact that Taylor has had on my life. In a lot of ways, she's the reason I'm able to stay positive and share my inspirations and happiness with others through this blog. 
This year, LUNAFEST, is celebrating women who are game-changers in our everyday lives. Brought to you by LUNA Bar, the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, LUNAFEST launched last week in San Francisco and spotlighted women who inspire and affect our everyday lives. There are so many chances for you to get involved and participate with several events happening across the country over the next few months.The films also aim to raise money for a number of non-profits across the nation, including the Breast Cancer Fund. Check out this video of some of the beautiful women spotlighted in the campaign. 
While I can't call Taylor one of my BFF's, she has affected my day-to-day life more than some people that I actually do see every day. I've seen her twice in concert (once when she opened for Rascal Flatts and during her Fearless tour), and each time, I've left feeling nothing but true bliss. Through the heartbreaks, the good days, the tears, and the smiles, I can always count on her for inspiration.
Apologizing in advance for these horrible quality pictures.

This is the first time I saw Taylor Swift in concert, when she was considered an opening act back in 2008.

I guess I thought I was a cowgirl. I have since gotten rid of that hat. It's for the best.

My friends and I got floor seats for her Fearless tour in 2009. She came right near our seats, and we got to get an up close and personal view of a portion of the concert. It was incredible!

Who has been a female game-changer in your life?
Thanks to Luna Bar for sponsoring today's post. All opinions expressed are my own.