Wearing a ribbon is a visual way to show your activism in support of a cause or belief. Showing courage to take a stand, no matter what any one else thinks. A ribbon on a lapel is a commitment that promotes awareness, shows patriostism, gets attention, and makes a statement.

Writer Greg Anderson has said: "The most effective way I know to understand and clarify life purpose is to develop a personal mission statement."

There are hundreds of different ribbons campaigns, different colored ribbons representing a special cause or belief...

Pink ribbons are for breast cancer awareness, teal for ovarian cancer, and gray for prostate cancer. A white ribbon shows concern for violence against women. Orange is racial tolerance, purple for religious tolerance. The gray ribbon "represented the color of the ashes and the dust that cover Manhattan after the destruction of the World Trade Center."

There's a ribbon for every color and a color for every cause. The ribbons are easy to make. All you need is ribbon, a small safety pin, and needle and thread.

The most popular is the red ribbon, the international symbol of HIV and AIDS awareness. A symbol of hope for a cure and a tribute to the millions infected.

Courage comes through whenever there is a strong belief.