Bitten
I had been warding them off for days. They were coming at me aggressively from all angles. Sadly, one of them happened to be my darling little offspring. Finally, on Sunday they wore me down. I was bitten.
You know the type: They spread their negativity freely, they are never grateful or thankful, they blame everyone else for everything, they never take onus, they often have an ugly sour look on their face (not always), and when they enter the room they instantly shift the energy (the blood) out of you — I call them vampires. You know the kind who always has something wrong in their life. They are always the victim in every situation. They prey on the happy, peaceful, loving people. They come in all colors, shapes, sizes, ages and yes, they can even be your family members — beware. Stay clear.
I hate to admit it, but I use to be a vampire. It has taken a lot of conscious effort to erase the negative thoughts and replace them with positive, peaceful thoughts. When I walk in the room I want people to be happy to see me. I want to radiate and spread my positive energy, my love. Not have folks run the opposite way — thinking oh, no here she comes. Do I have bad days? Sure. I just try to stay positive and if I have any negative thoughts I certainly don’t impose them on others.
Again, my journey to health, weight loss, and wellness is holistic. I’m trying to be a better person. I want all aspects of my life to be better and I realize that it starts within. It starts with my attitude. And, the people I surround myself with. You chose who you friends are. If there’s someone in your life who is negative, always complaining, but not changing. Yes, even if they are friends from the past and you have history. If they are not bringing value to your life then maybe it’s time you rethink your friendship. There’s nothing wrong with that. You are a direct reflection of the people you hang with. So I chose to surround myself with positive, like-minded people. Though, I come in contact with all sorts of folks when I’m out in public, business associates, etc. they may not be folks I would normally interact with. In my immediate circle, however, I have a limited amount of people I chose to share my space and self with. Unfortunately, though every now and again a vampire creeps in.
To keep the blood-sucking vampires away when I’m out and about, I’ve been thinking about wearing garlic around my neck. Seriously, I mean it. I’m trying to live a peaceful, happy life and it does not include negative energy of any kind. As my teenaged daughter tries to find herself she gets a free pass although her time is limited too.
Negativity breeds negativity. Positivity breeds positivity. You chose.
Chrisetta Mosley
I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. As a child, my family always told me that my extra weight was merely baby fat and I’d eventually grow out of it. I never did. Instead, my childhood is filled with memories of not being able to ride a bike, flattening its training wheels from being over the recommended weight, and avoiding P.E. classes by any means necessary. For years, I wore my fatness like a wounded soldier wears a Purple Heart - with pride. I owned the look. I dressed it up. I worked the room. There wasn't a skinny girl who intimidated me. I made sure my hair was laid just right. Nails polished. Outfits coordinated to the tee. Accessories to compliment every outfit. But everyone has a breaking point, and mine came in the spring of 2004 when I tipped the scale at nearly 400 pounds 388 to be exact. I was MISERABLE trapped inside of that body. I no longer wore my Purple Heart with pride. Rather, I was ashamed and frightened. Ashamed that I had allowed food to become my everything – frightened I would die because of it. Drastic times called for drastic measures... Today, I’m bound and determined to live a better, healthier, active lifestyle. I realize I’m no longer a passenger in my life, I’m the driver. I’m overcoming my inhibitions and I’m slowly but surely saying farewell to my old childhood nemesis, obesity. For once and for all, Farewell Fatso!