Music To My Ears

Music To My Ears

-An explanation-

     Do you believe in miracles? Do you believe in changing yourself or someone else for the better? I've always imagined that changing a person's life, or my own, would be too difficult. I've sat around for most of my life being afraid to make a change. I've been afraid to make a change in who I am. 

     Being bullied did not contribute to the positive changes that I wanted to be made in my life. In Middle School, my life was put on pause. It was as if God hit the pause button and let everything fall around me. To start off, I weighed exactly 176.5 pound. I was in the seventh grade and I was 5'3. My daily dinner was either McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A, or Wendy's. I remember which three fast food restaurants I ate, because the frequency of my unhealthy eating was daily. So that contributed to my stress and everything that was happening around me. During that time, I was the source of bullying due to my weight. Kids who didn't even know me would call me names. The most specific experience I had was when a group of girls had me cornered in the gym. I couldn't focus on which one was speaking to me. They were saying so many things. I'm not sure if it's possible to feel your self-esteem drop; but that day I felt it. I felt every single thing. I remember the warmness of their breath because of how close they were. Every word they said was engraved in my brain. Besides bullying, I decided to stop playing the flute. If I can be completely honest, when I stopped playing the flute, that's when everything became real. The flute was the only thing that I was learning progressively. I learned how to focus on getting the right notes, the right tempo, finding my rhythm. I was focusing on something. And then I wasn't. It was a drastic switch. And I was gone. 

I am now 40 pounds lighter and three inches taller. I found myself. I eat healthy and work out everyday. I have learned the importance of being kind to others, as well as myself. And besides my setback in Middle School, I continued to play the flute. I had family, friends, and teachers to help me. I wasn't alone. I hold a title in The Miss America Organization and have dedicated a big part of  my life to service. I teach kids about my platform concerning my past experiences. S.P.E.A.K gives kids a chance to make a change. I also hold various fundraisers for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, where every little donation makes miracles happen. It's completely thrilling. The change is visible. 

My advice to you is to take every setback as a lesson. Do everything in your power to fix a problem you may have, and move on. Success isn't made by dwelling on the past and not moving forward at all. Don't call your dreams, dreams. Call them plans. Make a plan for everything you do in life and carry through with it. Make sure that you also carry confidence within yourself. You WILL be amazed at the changes. I cannot wait to see all of you succeed; it will be music to my ears.

Remember, make plans, have confidence, and drink your coffee.

                                                                                                                   With love, Katie.