The power of freedom

 I watched the movie 12 years a slave this weekend and saw the oppression and brutality so many people in the world had to endure because of the colour of their skin. I could not believe the pain Lupita Nyong'o had to suffer and just closed my eyes refusing to see the torture. It reminded me of the evils of Apartheid in South Africa. The sacrifices so many people had to make for our freedom.

So after the movie I lay awake thinking about my freedom and asking myself the difficult question – “Am I really free? Have I released the chains that restrain me from living a life of abundance?”

I always regarded my journey as something that started a few years ago. Today I know it started years ago. As I look back I see God’s master plan unfolding. The joys I needed to celebrate, the difficulties I had to endure and the lessons I had to learn.

A few years ago I realised that I am responsible for my happiness and I cannot depend on my husband or anybody else to make me happy. I started doing things that would contribute to my happiness and empowered myself by reading, attending empowerment workshops and doing women and gender courses. It was in one of these workshops that I realised that most women struggle with the same issues. We want validation from everyone else except ourselves. We seek our happiness from others. We are afraid or ashamed to speak about our vulnerabilities. 

So last year while driving home from a freedom and passion workshop (please check the website http://www.aceso-wellness.com will definitely recommend it) I had this overwhelming desire to do something about my weight. I realised that my weight is an issue in my life I needed to address. The most important thing that a wise friend always shares with me is that being in service of others is so much more rewarding. The death of my father last year directed me in choosing a beneficiary for this project. This was what set me on the road to my weight loss journey of gratitude. When I started it I said I wanted to inspire others. This was an enormous task and I often doubted myself.

A few weeks ago I found myself having some drinks with friends. Someone in the group mentioned that I have inspired one of our friends in the group to climb Kilimanjaro and raise funds for the marginalised. I walked in Stellenbosch the other day when someone stopped me and told me someone told her about my blog and how something I wrote inspired her to start something. A few weeks ago I was doing shopping in Woolworths in Soneike when someone told me how she cannot wait for my post because it inspires her. I am not saying these things to make me look like a martyr but rather to prove how we often doubt ourselves but we just need something to start doing things and be the change we want to be.

So today I am at the end of this journey blogging my weight loss and if I can share some of the things I know for sure after this journey it is the following:

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      You are capable of much more than you could ever imagine.
 If you do things from the heart and your intentions are pure - All will go well.
Choose your battles in life – life is too short to waste your time on issues and people that do not contribute to your happiness.
Live a life with integrity. Character is what you do when nobody else is watching you.
Living in gratitude is not always easy but counting your blessing constantly reminds you of how blessed you really are and makes life so much more rewarding.
Sometimes if life gets tough, let go and let God.

So on Sunday morning before having a breakfast to celebrate our 25^th wedding anniversary we went to a very early church service. I looked at my husband and kids while they were singing my favourite hymn “How great thou art”. It brought tears to my eyes and I praised God for His unconditional love and grace, for having the privilege of celebrating my silver wedding anniversary, for being with me on this journey and for family and friends who I love and cherish so dearly. Thanks so much for ALL your support and love during the 6 months.

I lost 14.3 kg. When I started I said I would love to lose 20kg but I also posted about the value of embracing imperfections. I am happy with my weight loss and will continue eating healthy. If possible I would love to have all money in by the end of April 2014. Will let you know about the amount raised and will send photos of things we’ve done with the funds raised.

The banking details is

Name of Account Holder:          Melanie Johnson

Bank:                                                  FNB

Type of Account:                           Savings Account

Account Number:                         62251366128

Branch Number:                             250655

Reference Number:                      Your Name and Surname