Family First

As we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. this week, I was awestruck when I found this picture. We often see Martin away from home, helping others, serving others and doing for others. But what we need to remember is that family should always comes first.

Loosing weight allowed many doors to first open in my mindset, then open in my life. I developed the self confidence to move forward on my dreams. I was physically able to do what I wasn't able to do before. My life now enables me to volunteer at my church, complete my Masters in Education, and I working on a second Masters in Addiction now. I home school my son and have my business T.O.U.C.H. 52:11. There are many who say Sandra you're doing too much, or Sandra you shouldn't drag your son everywhere you go. But I always remember the love and structure I put in my life, is the love and structure he will put in his.

The above picture shows the love MLK had for his family. So for all of you single parents, don't let other's tell you that you shouldn't pursue your dreams and your visions. You are creating a strength in your children that will never be erased.

IS YOUR TREE BEARING FRUIT?

When God has given you a vision that you are to use and encourage others, it may sometimes seem as though you are alone and not understood.

When you begin working the vision you may not be able to "touch" the things you need. But continue to work the vision because everything you need is within yourself. Don't be a bare tree that isn't producing fruit. Know that you may not have all the money you need, you may not have the help you would like for your vision, but the most important ingredient you need favor and wisdom.

Once you have favor and wisdom that bare tree will begin to produce fruit. The only way this will happen is if you put the time in networking and educating yourself in the areas that you may be lacking.

Go for your vision, produce that fruit, don't leave that tree bare!!!!Stay encouraged!!

The Beauty of Being Alone

When I was obese I tryed to do everything I could to keep people around me. I never wanted to be alone. I understood being alone meant that I would have to face all of those strongholds that were keeping me down. I knew my mind would be quiet and I would have to be honest with myself. I would have to look at all of the difficulties head on. Therefore, I was never alone which was a huge mistake. It caused me to live through the lives of others instead of living through my own.

But The Beauty of Being Alone, is that I can now live the way I was truly created. I can now stand alone and not be afraid to stand apart from everyone. God has created a butterfly that is ready to fly!!! That tree may not have any one around her, but now that all the distractions are gone that tree can spread her branches and grow without limits.

I shall push forward, continue to seek God for wisdom and ask Him for continued creativity for my business. Because I now know that tree can change the world!!!

"Time means Change" embrace it

Today was a very busy day for me. I woke up a little later than usual because my body was hurting from my run on Thursday but I felt good about it. It was funny but as I was getting dressed this morning I looked down and noticed my stomach went down more than the last time I looked. I felt so good and I was proud of myself.

I sat down at my laptop and opened it up to my homepage and saw that MSN is having a success stories entry category for those who have had weight lost. I decided to enter and sat for the next two hours and wrote my story about my life. I added information about my business and how important I believe my business is for others. I will be anxiously awaiting to see how that turns out.

I had my sorority sister find me today on Face Book. She made me feel so good because she said she looked for Sandra Bailey Kelley everywhere and she kept seeing my picture but didn't recognize me. She finally took a chance and went ahead and responded. I posted a picture of myself from college so that she could recognize me. It is a feeling that I always wanted. I was so tired of hearing people say to me when I was obese that I had such a pretty face. It was if nothing else on me existed. Bu now people notice all of me. It is a great feeling but also a scary one. It is a feeling of nakedness. If I would have had a normal teenage years it would have been a regular part of my women hood, but I skipped over all of that. At age 37 I am just now experiencing these feelings.

But Time Means Change and I'm am embracing it. I understand it's OK to listen to people tell me I'm beautiful, it's OK to feel good about myself, it's wonderful to dream and even better to know that all my suffering will assist someone else. I don't want them to feel the pain I felt. The best way for me to help is to share my testimony.

Snow Day!!!

What a beautiful day!! My son woke me this morning and was excited about playing in the snow. It worked really well for us because we are studying Science today for his studies and it worked hand in hand. I made him put on two pants, shirts, socks, a scarf, gloves, hat and a coat!! He had me laughing because all he said he couldn't breathe because of all the clothes!! But I followed suit and did the same and dressed in multiple clothes. But as I was getting dressed I was so happy that I could wear two pants at one time.

When I was obese I wouldn't be able to do that. I would have gone outside and been cold. Once outside we played with one another, threw snowballs and just had fun. I am grateful that I am able to do these things with him, that I am still here, that I have the energy, that I can bend over to pick up the snow without being uncomfortable. Every day is a good day. I am hurting today from my 4 miles that I ran yesterday but it feels good to know I accomplished it.

Remember what it felt like when you were a child when it snowed? Feel that again and go outside if only for a minute and enjoy the beauty of the day!!

Leaving the old me, and learning to love the new me

As I think about the old me( the picture of me in the green is at 405 lbs) and the new me. I become sad about all the time that I wasted. I wasn't able to be a cheerleader, or run during field day, or have a boyfriend in school like all of my other friends. My activities were limited and I had no confidence in myself. I held all of my hurtful emotions in and never expressed how much I was hurting.

I prayed to look the way I do now. I still have 450 mind moments in which I forget that I have lost so much weight. I must remind myself when I go out that people are looking at me because they like what they see not because they are disgusted by my over stretched body. Even as I look at my new body, I am learning who I am. I have never been the size I am now and it is taking time for me to appreciate my waist, hips and especially my curves. As a women you begin to learn how to love your curves beginning in high school. I woke up one day and had them!! It's is a journey that is new for me everyday and I pray I am handling it with dignity and class.

For all of you that are trying to learn yourself through your transition, take it day by day. Appreciate the moments and Love Yourself!!!

Seeing beyond the pain

Today was a really prosperous day. I got alot done and I feel good about what I accomplished. I always plan my days to be sure there is a daily focused. Malcolm's teaching went well he really loved social studies which was my favorite while I was in school. The radio show went well and was informative and I went to run my 4 miles today on the treadmill and I felt so good and energized. I always make sure to concentrate on how my inner core feels. I even practice controlling my posture as I run. I beat my time for my run from Tuesday I was so excited.

I chose the photo you see because when I run I don't think about the pain, or how tired I am I just think about the distance I'm covering, the beauty of feeling like I'm flying. When I weighed 450 pounds I would have dreams about how it would feel to run. To be able to experience it is such a joy. I wish that freedom for everyone is suffers from obesity. You must have a picture in your head of where your running to and loose yourself. I'm so thankful and appreciative to God for the experience.