The courage to decide who we are

Who am I really? Where do I come from, what are my origins, and who are my friends? These are existential questions that can be summarized in one question: what identifies me as a person?

It is with this question that began the intimate and personal journey of Lizzie Velasquez, a 24-year-old Texas girl who had the courage to question herself about it and give herself an answer. Which is not easy considering Lizzie's situation, suffering from a rare disease that does not allow her to gain weight. It is called De Barsy syndrome and has threatened Lizzie's existence since birth. In fact, Lizzie would not have been able to walk, talk, and perform any other activity independently. Things did not turn out that way, and this girl's courage and great fortitude helped her overcome the many obstacles she faced in her life.

I used their negativity to fuel my fire and keep going.

Today Lizzie is a college graduate and has written three books. She is happy and achieving her goals. In addition, she is a motivational speaker, the best example one can have in front of one's eyes, to find the strength to keep going despite the problems and dramas life often places before us.

Use negativity in your life to improve yourself.

Lizzie reminds us that our lives are in our own hands and that we are the ones who decide what path to take, after all, we are the ones who choose how to make things work. We are the ones who must decide what defines us, no one else. Certainly not other people's opinions or criticisms, not displays of bullying, ignorance or superficiality. Each person is the maker of his or her own choices.

In her speech, Lizzie tells her story and explains that she has "used" the nastiness and negativity of others toward her as an incentive to move forward and improve herself.

Work hard and do everything you can to succeed in improving yourself.

Lizzie decided that it was her successes, her resolutions, her satisfactions and joys that defined who she was. It may not be easy to ask or to find an answer, but it is worth stopping and asking: who do we decide to be each day when we make our choices?

Spend 13 minutes of your day to look at this girl's courage, a powerful motivator to open your mind, fight back and choose which path to take day after day.

Courage begins here.

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