HOW I TURNED MY PAIN INTO POWER AND TOOK BACK CONTROL OF MY LIFE

I was once similar to many little girls. I loved horses, Beanie Babies, flowing dresses, ruby red slippers and rainbow sprinkles.

I vividly remember my elementary school days. I went to school with my own style but a shy personality.

I was overwhelmed by my surroundings, and I was quick to learn people are not always nice.

I used my natural talent for tennis and horseback riding to boost my self-esteem and mask the girl I had grown to hate.

I developed an eating disorder at 13 years old.

My life had passed me by all too quickly. Since I only saw life in terms of black and white, there was no gray area or middle ground. I had accepted I was a failure, and it was too late.

I was the poster child for “hopeless,” but I wasn’t ready to truly take that identity to heart. So, what did I do?

I took my shattered pieces of a person and put one foot in front of the other. I walked like a toddler taking her first steps.

And you know what? I am not the number one tennis player in the world. I am not going to the Olympics in dressage. I am not a graduating magna cum laude from an Ivy League university.

I am not a Victoria’s Secret model, and I am no Oprah. But, I am starting to accept that the life I am living is absolutely good enough.

My life thus far is the definition of the road less traveled. I am a survivor, and I am someone who has proven there is no such thing as being hopeless.

Read the full article on Elite Daily