A few self words about Kellye as we introduce you to her uplifting positive energy blog:
Hello, my name is Kellye. Proudly I am a wife, mom of 3 amazing adult kids, a grandma and a small business owner. Prior to that I worked in restaurants as a bartender and for a short time in management. I love working out and going on hikes. I spend most of my free time with my friends, building lasting memories with them. My biggest passion though, is to inspire others. To choose a healthy, fulfilled, and prosperous life. My hope is we never quit our day dream.
Gather Strength Through Your Adversity by Kellye Wallenda
I want to say how excited I am for this opportunity to be a guest blogger for Unigize. Everyone has a story. When we choose to open up and to be vulnerable, we have the ability to find our greater purpose, to help others along the way, and to find joy and happiness in the process.
From a very young age I have had this fire inside of me. It has pushed me through negativity, hard times, challenging days, etc… I can not put a finger on it, but I am thankful for this driving force, which creates my desire to make each and every day a happy one.
Life has not in anyway been easy. I come from a broken family…one I constantly tried to fix. My mother was addicted to drugs and alcohol. An addiction that enveloped most of her life. My father left before I was born. There is much of my story I choose to not touch on, but just know, it is through our trials and tribulations, we are able to find ourselves, to be more open to the possibilities that life offers, and I see now, that how we choose to respond to the adversity, is what in the long run can ultimately make us better people.
My mother was hardly around, she was either working or at the bars. So early on, I was put into survival mode and learned to take care of myself and my younger brother. I did not think twice about it. It had to done, so I did it. He was my world and I found solace through being there for him. What is bizarre to me now, when I look back, I thought my life was completely normal. I mean, how could it not be? I was thriving, I was at the top of my class, excelling in sports, I was happy. So I thought.
It was not until my mid to late 20’s that in fact all my misconceptions about my childhood were leading me down a path of destruction. I too was now faced with being a single mom of 3, drinking quite often and spiraling out of control. I was beginning a pattern of something I had witnessed throughout my life. Although I knew it was not what I wanted for my life or my kids, I found myself stuck. Stuck in a rut as they say.
Fast forward a few years…it was that moment, when in the blink of an eye, my life was turned upside down. And strangely turned right side up at the same time. Let me explain.. I had a work injury. I endured 6 knee surgeries, was unable to work, could not pay the bills, and on top of that, developed a disease called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, (CRPS). It is nicknamed the suicide disease, there is no cure, and there are very few treatments to help. I spent approx 5 years on crutches, physical therapy 3x per week, acupuncture, spinal blocks, up to 15 medications per day, counseling, and so on, you get the idea. Living with chronic pain is not something anyone should have to go through. My life had hit rock bottom. Yet, each morning as I started my day, I would say a prayer, asked for guidance, and always said how grateful I was for another day. There may have been a few tears shed in those moments, but without allowing myself to break down, I was never going to be able to build myself back up. I was finally there, in a place where I knew I had to change. I wanted to truly thrive for the the first time in my life. I was forced to look at life in a whole new light, one that has it’s challenges, but I face them with what I believe we all have…and innate gift of determination!!!
Which brings to me where I am now. Happy, content, peaceful, lively, and most of all blessed. For all the lessons I have learned along the way, I am eternally filled with gratitude. We all have obstacles, but we also all have goals and desires. Chase them with all you have and be genuinely you. Smile, be kind, love your life, be grateful, take risks, love unconditionally, and make your life the best story ever!
Have an amazing day!
Much love,
Kellye
Favorite Quotes:
She believed she could, so she did
So much of who we are is where we’ve been
A goal without a plan is just a wish
Creativity is intelligence having fun
No one is you and that is your super power
Stay in touch and reach out to Kellye:
Instagram : kellye_anne
Facebook : Kellye Wallenda
Snapchat : tattoolover67