The Journey

I woke up and thought I was having a stroke.  My right side began to feel numb.  I felt myself losing control of my mobility and it took everything within me not to go into total panic mode, as I figured that this would only make my situation worst.  Did I rush myself to the hospital? No.  I just breathed slowly and hoped that this feeling, or lack of feeling, would past.  Unfortunately, this is how I have dealt with so many situations in my life.  I ignore them and hope that in time that they would go away.  I dealt with this numbness and lack of partial mobility for a few days.  I thanked God everyday that I woke up and did not pass away in my sleep, but still refused to get checked out. 

By around the third day, my best friend began to question my appearance and said that I looked like something was off.  By this time, I had actually visited the Urgent Care to have my Blood Pressure checked, as I have had periodic issues with this in the past, but nothing consistent.  They checked my Blood Pressure and said that it was kind of high and asked if I wanted to see the doctor.  I told them that I would just relax and hope that it would go down.  I tell my best friend, I'm having some BP issues and that I had it under control.  She begged to differ, because she said that she was seeing the affects and I should go get myself checked out. 

Since I refused to go back to the hospital, I did agree to leave work early and get some rest.  I actually took it easy for the next couple of days, and convinced myself that I was feeling better, and not quite as numb.  As I began to get dressed for church Sunday morning, this feeling of defeat begin to overtake me as I looked in the mirror and noticed that I still did not have full mobility in my face.  By this time, my husband noticed that I was beginning to go a little bit in panic mode and asked what was going on with me. I confessed that I was concerned that something was going on with me, but was trying to not make a big deal about it, because stressing would only make things worse.  He told me that he was beginning to have concerns as well, and that I again needed to get checked out.  I told him that I wanted to go to church and would see how I would feel after that, hoping for a miracle. 

After down playing my symptoms to a few more people, I knew that I had better go get checked out sooner than later.  Thank God that I did go to church.  Although God didn't decide to miraculously heal me that day, He did send a word about being Desperate, and how Desperation can sometimes be a good thing, if you allow it to push you to do the things that you have been delaying.  This is practically the story of my life.  I have often times crowned myself the "Queen of Procrastination", especially when it came to my health.  I began to realize that God was allowing this attack on my body to get my attention, and for me to become desperate enough to get pushed into my destiny.  Yes my destiny of better health in my mind, body, and soul. 

After the service, I went ahead and made my way to the hospital, and they fortunately confirmed that I was not having a stroke, nor did it look like I had already had a stroke.  My body appeared to be fighting an infection that had somehow caused the numbness and partial lack of mobility.  Thankfully, with medication and the Power of Prayer, I am set to make a full recovery.  Now the real journey to Praise Away Pounds can begin. 

Praise Away Pounds is a concept that God dropped in my heart some time ago, to show me how I could use the power of praise and worship music to get moving more.  Not only am I physically moving more, my mindset has changed to make better choices in my diet.  I understand that while I did not have a stroke this time, it is a very real possibility of occurring if I don't get this extra weight off.    I will chronicle my journey to weight loss, while offering the best tips that I have found useful.   I have now become desperate enough to follow through with this vision that God has given me, and I invite you all to follow and even join me to Praise Away Pounds.