Salmon With Chipotle Sauce And Butternut Squash
Filed under: Butternut Squash, Chipotle, licious, My recipes, Salmon, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
Don't Let Fear Stop You From Living
Filed under: Fear, Inspirations, licious, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
I am known for being an extremely strong woman. A woman who has withstood many a tumultuous situation. A woman who is fearless. But I'm about to share a little secret with you guys... I have not been fearless when it comes to anything pertaining to myself. When I was a kid, I begged my Mom to let me go to Summer camp. She worked extra shifts to save the money to buy my supplies and to pay for the camp. She gets me all packed up, takes me to the bus stop with all the other kids and I say, "Mommie, I'm scared. I don't wanna go." Then, when I was a Junior in high school, I was accepted into the Who's Who Among American High School Students Exchange Educational Program. I was going to head to Norway to study abroad for a semester. My Mom and my Uncle Michael worked together to plan my trip, made all of the arrangements, and at the last minute, I said, "I'm scared. I don' wanna go you guys." When I was a Senior in high school, I was granted a FULL RIDE scholarship to San Diego State University. I was the first person in my family to ever be accepted into college. My Mom and Uncle Michael went with me to the orientation, I picked out all of my classes, bought all the necessary t-shirts and bumper stickers, visited my dorm room, got all packed up, and 2 weeks before I was supossed to leave I said... you guessed it, "I'm scared. I don't wanna go." On NONE of those occassions did anyone force me to face my fears and go live my life and grow. So I learned that when I was afraid of something, I could just walk away from it. Now when it comes to my loved ones, I will push past any fears that I may have and I will get the job done. But when it is something that pertains to me, that is for my own good, I won't do it.
Let's flashback to 2005.I took my God-Daughter, Dejoney, and my Niece, Arianna, to Knott's Berry Farm, which is an amusement park here in California. We were having a great time running around the park and riding the rides all day long. Towards the end of the day, they wanted to get on this one particular ride. I kept looking at the size of the people who were getting on the ride to see if any of them looked like they might weigh as much as I did. I studied the size of the car to see if it appeared to be able to fit me. The girls got onto the ride and I tried to get on with them. I didn't fit. They asked me to get off of the ride. And of course there were people who were making disrespectful jokes about me being too fat to fit on the ride. I was humiliated. My God-Daughter and Niece were embarrased and hurt that people were making fun of me. After that incident, I gained A LOT more weight. I have since lost 90lbs.
Let's flashback to 2005.I took my God-Daughter, Dejoney, and my Niece, Arianna, to Knott's Berry Farm, which is an amusement park here in California. We were having a great time running around the park and riding the rides all day long. Towards the end of the day, they wanted to get on this one particular ride. I kept looking at the size of the people who were getting on the ride to see if any of them looked like they might weigh as much as I did. I studied the size of the car to see if it appeared to be able to fit me. The girls got onto the ride and I tried to get on with them. I didn't fit. They asked me to get off of the ride. And of course there were people who were making disrespectful jokes about me being too fat to fit on the ride. I was humiliated. My God-Daughter and Niece were embarrased and hurt that people were making fun of me. After that incident, I gained A LOT more weight. I have since lost 90lbs.
Flash forward to 2009. Around Halloween time, Knott's Berry Farm turns into Knott's Scary Farm. I've never been. Next weekend, I'll be taking my little Brother, Nolan and little Sister, Kathryn to Knott's Scary Farm, along with our Cousin, Lonnie. I am petrified that I am not going to fit onto the rides. I'm afraid that I will experience that humiliation and embarrass my siblings. I almost cancelled the trip altogether, just to avoid the possibility of facing such a hurtful situation again. Then I decided: I CANNOT and WILL NOT allow fear to dictact my life ever again. I refuse to live a fear-based existence and I will not put my life on PAUSE while I lose the rest of this weight. So, I am facing my fears, and taking my family to enjoy an evening at Knott's Scary Farm. I shared this personal story with you to encourage you to do the same. Accept where you are in your life RIGHT NOW. Stop saying, "I'll go horseback riding once I lose 50 more pounds." or "I'll go to the beach when I'm bikini ready." Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE NOW!!!
Stay tuned for pictures of our adventures at the amusement park....
