Rise Up! Spread Love & Positivity! End Cyber Bullying!

As all of you know by now, unless you just so happen to find this link randomly and have no clue who I am or where you are, I am a Big Brother fan. On season 18, my favorite houseguest (& favorite of all 18 seasons overall) is Paulie Calafiore. I was a fan of Paulie's before and continue to support everything he is a part of. He's an incredible person who has done so much for me, so it really is the least I can do to help him in such an important movement and cause.

Bullying and cyber bullying is very serious and very real. I feel just as guilty ignoring it as I would if I was a participant. So I'm doing my part, rising up, donating and asking all of you to give Paulie the ONLY birthday gift he really wants. The opportunity to come together, spread love and to end cyber bullying once and for all.

STATS as of 2016:

-          45% of young people experience bullying before the age of 18 (8).

-          36%  of young people aged 8 to 22 are worried about being bullied at school, college or university (10).

-          38% believe their school, university or college doesn’t take bullying seriously (10).


Startling statistics on cyber bullying and suicide among youth and teens:

http://cyberbullying.org/cyberbullying_and_suicide_research_fact_sheet.pdf

Your donation will do the following:

• $3 will enable us to offer emergency support to a desperate helpline caller
• $20 will fund a 50 minute counseling session for a victim of cyberbullying
• $150 will allow us to train one Cybersmile volunteer to help others online

Please make a donation to help END cyber bullying at:

http://www.theriseup.org/

Furthermore, up until Paulie's birthday, November 13th at 11:59, I am taking appointments for life coaching & will be donating 50% of my fees for every appointment to this cause. Your appointments don't have to be before the 13th, but you must make the appointment before then! For more info on this, go to the following link:

http://www.marissameleske.bigcartel.com

Choose Your Words Wisely, Not Loosely

Over the summer when I was blogging about Big Brother, I said something that I'm pretty sure I glossed over and didn't exactly expand on. Based on recent events on social media, I thought I would do just that today.

Social media is great in many ways and horrible in others. It connects us, forms friendships and business relationships. However, it also breads so much hatred and divide. If you really think about it though, it just brings out to light what already exists within a person. The computer or phone doesn't type for itself. We do it ourselves, or Siri does it for us and we can't even blame her because we tell her what to type.

My biggest problem with social media is the preaching and insistence on bringing light to social issues. I understand that social media is a great platform for it, but many people take it too far and exaggerate, using it as an excuse to bully the person they feel bullied by just because the person said something they didn't like. It goes from admirable to petty in seconds flat when that happens. It undermines anyone who has actually been through it or is still going through it.

Please don't get me wrong. I understand that people can be triggered by certain things. However, let's use Big Brother as an example. If you have actually been emotionally or verbally abused, lied to, manipulated, controlled or anything of the like in your real life, Big Brother has never been the show for you in all of its 18 seasons so far. The whole premise of the show is to lie, cheat and steal your way to $500,000. So I'm sorry, you can't blame any houseguest for playing the game they came to win and you chose to watch. That decision was all yours. It's also your responsibility to realize it's actually a game and not look down on people who look past it or those who come to the defense of their family member or friend from the game when they're attacked.

Many people just choose to hate and that is something I'll never understand. Frankly, I don't want to because the second I begin to understand it, I'm just as bad as the person spewing such hate. You'll never get through to anyone who is unable to properly process your message. So what do you do? Follow the people and things you're passionate about. Block and ignore the hate. Rise above. And most of all, I'll leave the last word to someone who always spreads love and wisdom wherever he goes....

You're Making It Worse!

People love a good pity party these days. That's never been me. I don't feel sorry for myself and hate when anyone feels sorry for me, even over the littlest thing. 

I get it. We don't really want to scream with excitement when it seems like everything is going wrong. But really think about it for a second. Have you ever had one of those days where ONE thing goes wrong and the entire day turns to shit? Think about how you reacted to the one thing. Did you scoff? Maybe say something along the lines of "What else can go wrong? Today is just not my day!" Well, that's exactly why your day kept getting worse! 

People hate hearing that, I know. God forbid we ever admit that we caused a problem or made it worse by how we reacted to it. Did we try to solve it or play the victim? Did we take a deep breath and think "this too shall pass"? A better attitude won't solve all of our problems, but it will help us face them when they happen.

Our attitudes, reactions and vibrations to life's ups and downs is what gives us more of the same. If you want a better day, have a better attitude. Life can be hard enough. Don't make it worse for yourself. 

What "Push Past Paralysis" Really Means

When I'm talking about my motto "Push Past Paralysis" I seem to come across many people who are very unhappy, they hate their life and resent their circumstances. They think that they're going to get the answer they've been waiting for from me or even a miracle and when they don't, they get upset or feel that they were justified in believing there's no hope. 

That's just not what "Push Past Paralysis" means to me...

"Push Past Paralysis" really means to push yourself past your perceived limits. In life, there really are no limits other than the ones we put on ourselves or that we allow others to place upon us. We don't have to be in a different situation in order to reach our goals and potential in life and we don't have to shrink those goals down because we feel we are limited in some way. I'll never forget (even though it's only been about over a week) when I worked out with Paulie Calafiore and that was his first question. He wanted to know what I could do and what my limitations were. I told him we'd find out and just tell me what to do because he's the gym owning expert (PS never say that to your trainer in the gym if you don't want to die LMAO.) I meet everything in life that way. I have no preconceived notions of my potential. I'm well aware and proud of the fact that I haven't reached it and will continue to keep striving for it because there are no limits to anyone's potential. Even if I'm clearly struggling with something, I'll never say I can't do it and I try to encourage everyone I encounter to do the same.

"Push Past Paralysis" is breaking free from stagnation and comfort zones. It's getting out of your own head and finding your inner strength. It's realizing that you can do and be anything you want to be and YOU are the only thing standing or sitting in your way. When I say paralysis is imagined, I don't actually mean that you're going to suddenly feel a body part you haven't felt. I just mean that if you stop identifying with this limited version of yourself, you'll reach the potential you were meant to reach.

I always say that God doesn't make mistakes. It is never a mistake for someone to be born the way they are or even get their abilities seemingly taken away at one point in their life. A life lesson is never a punishment, limitation or obstacle. Life is ALWAYS a gift. It's just up to you to see it that way. 

If you would like to delve more into this 1 on 1, click the link below!

http://www.marissameleske.bigcartel.com/

End The Hypocrisy, Hate & Shade in the Big Brother Fandom

After the drama I went through recently and seen others go through, I figured I'd do what I started to do during the summer...blog my thoughts that won't fit into an 150 character tweet and will address whomever needs or wants to read it. It's been an interesting few weeks, to say the least. I haven't felt like blogging lately, because I didn't want to see or pay attention to drama, but here is my attempt at calming it.

I have noticed over the summer of 2016 that the Big Brother fandom is by far the nastiest I've ever been involved in. I've blocked more people over the summer than in all of my years of being on social media. As I've said in another blog, I'll never let it waiver my support. However, people are flat out mean to each other, to the houseguests and to their families. Even now and the show is over! It's like, can't we all just get along?!

I've never actually been part of the fandom of Big Brother before until recently and I can tell you that's probably not going to last. I'll watch, but not engage much on social media during the show. I've been a fan since the show first started, but only recently started to follow people on social media with the common interest of similar favorite houseguests, etc. I also just started following the feeds this past summer because so many people have uploaded videos or tweeted out updates, so I could keep up without having to actually buy the feeds and spend every waking moment watching them in order to only keep up with the people I cared to watch.

I can understand not liking another houseguest that your favorite didn't or doesn't get along with. I just don't understand how when I point out my favorites' strong points, it's taken as insulting someone else that they're actually close with but when others talk about their favorite and flat out hate on mine, that's supposed to be okay. I don't see anything wrong with being happy that someone is going to show up to a homecoming party. Sure, there will be fans who solely go to see the person the party is for, just like I did with Paulie's, but it doesn't mean those same fans won't be happy to see the special guests too, just like I was. Would I have still shown up had it only been Paulie? Yes, just like I'm sure fans of other people would show up if it was just their favorite at their own homecoming party. But having others there helps and that's just the way it is. There were people who showed up just to see Cody, Zakiyah or Frankie at Paulie's party. I don't understand why that was okay for people to say about Paulie's and not okay for someone else. When I said I hope Paulie gets most of the love at his own homecoming party, people exploded and now it's not supposed to be acknowledged that Paulie would be at some. The double standards and hypocrisy just kill me.

I'm not for this whole separation type thing (yes, I did that on purpose - take a drink.) I'm very happy that Zaulie are together and clearly in love. Why are we splitting amongst ourselves in our support? Let's not forget I was one of the first people who just knew Zaulie would work out and that they have legitimate feelings for each other when EVERYONE was doubting one (*cough* Paulie) or both of them and wondering if their feelings were just game. People thought I was crazy! So I am absolutely not shading anyone if I just happen to mention in a tweet about how cool it is for fans that Paulie would be going to the NC and Canada Meet N Greets and events. Believe me, they all know joint events will bring people together for the events because so many do wish them well in their relationships, friendships and individual endeavors. Do we really want to give the haters more ammo by hating on the people who actually support the same people we support?

Some of the people in this fandom are also making me raise an eyebrow. They are now sucking up to the people they hated and threw shade at all summer long. There's a difference between seeing the light on a houseguest versus acting like you've loved them all along, when you did nothing but hate. However, I guess any love is good love. It is always better than hate. I've already seen many people flip back a couple times over absolutely nothing and it's not fair. Either you're giving them a chance or you're not. It's not your relationship, friendship or life anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I've met some amazing people through watching Big Brother. However, I connected on many levels with the few friends I've made through watching the show. If we haven't talked on a personal level, chances are we're just acquaintances because of our common interest in the show, which is cool too. This drama is not worth sacrificing anyone's sanity. It's just like real life. I don't live to be liked by anyone. You like me and want to be friends? Cool. You don't? That's cool too. Big Brother isn't as serious as people make it out to be and I wish people would just chill out.

It's not all bad. I've met friends over the summer whom I hope to have in my life for a very long time, if not forever. Some people are just very extra. There's also a ton of paranoia. Rule of thumb in life: if you haven't done anything I've said, I'm obviously not talking about you. It honestly makes me wonder if there's a little guilt there when someone acts so offended by something I've said.

The point of this now very long blog is to say, let's take a page out of Paulie and Zakiyah's book, but now amongst each other, by spreading love and positivity, not hate and negativity. I'm very proud of how many of us, myself included, have been slowly learning to not engage with the trolls. Next, let's stop treating each other as trolls, calm the hell down and stay in our happy lanes! There is so much to be happy about in the world of Zaulie and Paulie and Zakiyah individually, let alone things I'm sure we are all experiencing in our actual lives. If we concentrate on that, we will bring about more of it. It's some law of attraction type thing. Try it. Don't make me create a meditation where we all sing kumbaya and imagine ourselves holding hands. Breathe!

The Only Fitness Tip That Matters

Ever since I worked out with Paulie Calafiore as my trainer at his gym "Sweat" one week ago, I think I'm kind of an expert on fitness now. I know it all. So you should stop what you're doing and listen to me. No, I'm kidding, but I do have a tip. I've read so many blogs and watched so many videos on the biggest tips to reach your fitness goals. They're all wrong, in my opinion, because I've never heard this one mentioned. At least not as anything other than an afterthought, but it should be the main tip.

This is as much of a life tip as it is a fitness tip. Omitting this or making your fitness routines more complex and complicated than this is what causes diets and exercise routines to fizzle and fall flat, causing a hamster wheel effect and preventing you from ever reaching your goal. The biggest tip to achieving your fitness (or life) goals is to HAVE FUN! Get out of your head, don't think about it so much and just do it. If you think about it too much, you'll talk yourself right out of doing it.  Endorphins only kick in after you've already begun to work out, so you need to actually look forward to it, not dread it, in order to even start. Then, and only then, can you get down to specifics relative to you and your health.

For those of you who are about to give me the "but exercise isn't fun" BS, save it. There has to be something you can do that will keep you active and help you get fit, while also being a lot of fun for you. I mean, look at me. I live over 2 hours away from my favorite gym and favorite (only) trainer. While I always have fun working out, nothing will be as fun as my time at SWEAT. It was motivating, entertaining, high energy and hard work. So, until I go back, I'm going with it, taking what I've learned and having fun.

Nothing is 100% fun all the time and we all have different definitions of what's fun for us. That's up to you to decide. You may have to change up your routine and have multiple ways in which you work out so you don't get bored. You don't want your routine to become...routine.

I promise that's a smile, not a grimace and the shirt says Team Paulie. You better believe, if it did say Team Paul, it would be Paulie's father and not some other Paul. 👀

To read about & watch a video of my experience training with Paulie at SWEAT, click here:

http://marissameleske.blogspot.com/2016/10/push-past-paralysis-with-paulie.html

Focus On & Spread Love, Not Hate

It's my belief that our energy comes from 2 places; love or hate. In some circumstances, it can just be known as positive or negative, but the vibrations and emotions I'm talking about are love and hate. All others simply stem from these emotions.

We choose where we give our energy and what or who we react to, which leads to the results we get in our lives. We are always, even if indirectly, responsible for where our energy is going and what we are getting back. What goes around comes around, as they say!

Even the slightest thing can throw our energy off, especially those of us who are empaths. It doesn't have to be anything consistent or catastrophic. One of the things I've had to really, deliberately examine my energy around in life is my reality shows. Yes, you can laugh...

I've watched Big Brother every summer since it premiered. This past season was by far my favorite, but it didn't come without its fair share of drama. It was the first time I've felt compelled to blog about the show because there was SO much negativity surrounding my favorite houseguest, Paulie Calafiore, and also Zakiyah Everette.

I have always known that people on television are never 100% themselves, even on a reality show and especially one that is based off of lies, betrayal, deceit, conniving and manipulation. Knowing this beforehand prevents me from getting upset every time I see it happen. That, unfortunately, was not the case for many people. Instead, people got wrapped up in what they saw. They worried too much over hurt feelings and that resulted in slinging hate toward people in the house that they feel wronged their favorite houseguest, all of whom they've never met, mainly Paulie, and the hate even extended toward his family. This compelled me to blog more consistently, the more upset I got over the hate. Instead of reacting (with the exception of a few slip ups), I jus responded with a blog showing love for my favorite player. Okay, so maybe I'm long winded and 150 character tweets just wouldn't cut it...but I digress.

Paulie had so many haters this past season and, to me, it was unwarranted. He was playing a great game and it just didn't fit into "The Notebook" type show that people must have been expecting when they flipped the channel to CBS or turned on the live feeds and saw Zaulie one minute, then Paulie playing the game the next. If you wanted "The Notebook" what on earth possessed you to turn on CBS and watch "Big Brother"? You need a thick skin to be on or watch that show. There's really no point in getting so upset over something someone does under the circumstances in that house. You had 14 other houseguests to choose from, to love and support. You also don't have to tear down one person in order to support another. Especially now, when the show is over. Why bother sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, hating someone or insulting 2 people for choosing to leave a game behind them and be in each other's lives? Is it that hard to admit, no matter who your favorite was, that you were wrong and all the perceived bad was just a part of the game? If you never liked Paulie, you should care even less. Stop wasting your own precious time.

Why is this world so obsessed with hating on someone or complaining about something? We, as a society, have become addicted to negativity. Luckily, it only takes 21 days to create a new habit. I highly suggest trying positivity for a change.  It will definitely change your energy and outlook on life. There are more important things to worry about and obsess over other than someone else's life, that's for sure. Try being obsessed with being happy, positive and spreading love.

Push Past Paralysis with Paulie

My 2 worlds have collided; Fitness and Big Brother. Honestly though, this experience was about so much more. I almost can't even find the words. That's been happening a lot to me since Saturday. It's concerning because me and speechless are not usually synonymous...but I digress.

I almost called this blog "What Does Paulie Calafiore Have to Do to Make Me Hate Him?" Part 2. The short answer is, there is absolutely nothing he can do that would make that happen and Tuesday, October 11, 2016 reaffirmed that after almost getting murdered by a work out in his gym with him LOL. Every experience I have had with Paulie, and, okay, there's "only" been 2, has reaffirmed what I have just known in my heart about him from day 1. He is one of the most down to earth, hard working, funny, motivating and inspiring people I have ever been blessed to meet. Having met his parents, brother, sister and aunt (who is battling cancer - please send prayers) at his homecoming party, I can tell you that's where he gets it from. He was raised to be an incredible individual. He's also the biggest dork that you can't help but have fun and smile around. A person's energy is everything. The more I see of him outside the Big Brother house, not only does it reaffirm what I knew to be true, but it really upsets me that he's getting so much undeserved hate. He's happy, driven, in a relationship with someone he clearly loves and I think it's time to let him be. Take the high road. If you're not a fan, move along...

What you may not know is that Paulie, the person, is a multi business owner. One of those businesses is a gym in NJ that he co owns with his partner, Tom Kalieta. On Saturday, October 8th, at his Meet N Greet, I asked Paulie if he'd be interested in training someone in a wheelchair. On Tuesday, I traveled from Long Island "just" to have a work out session with him. I had to scramble at the last minute for a ride from NYC to NJ because one fell through and then by the time I went up to catch the train to NYC, I missed it by mere SECONDS and had to wait an hour for the next one. My friend Shay is a God send who drove from Philly to meet me in NYC and then drove to NJ where the gym is located and back to NYC after. I think we'd both tell you it was all worth it! I truly feel that I trained with the best!

I pride myself on my phrase "push past paralysis", but I have never worked out that hard in my life. Paulie's gym, Sweat, completely lives up to its name! He's the best there is and you can't help but feel the same determination and energy rub off on you (especially if that's already natural for you, like it is for me.) He encouraged and pushed me and I think I matched that energy pretty well, especially as a non athlete, since the gym is pro athlete based. I didn't want him to take it easy on me and my soreness tells me he really didn't. Everything hurts but in a way where you know that once your muscles stop crying, you'll feel amazing and have so much more physical strength and tone. My face even hurts because I can't stop smiling!

Paulie, thank you yet again for everything. I can't say it enough. Thank you is not enough. There are no words, blogs, or actions that could tell you how amazing I know you are. I don't know what I did to deserve you going so far above and beyond for me. I truly think that's just who you are as a person, but it made me feel extremely special to get this opportunity with you. I hope people in wheelchairs and even those who aren't will blow up your social media hoping to FLOCK to Sweat! On the train ride home, I told the conductor that Sweat "will literally kill you but it will be awesome!" Feel free to use that as a tag line.😂

It is so important to have some sort of fitness routine and healthy diet (although I don't like to use that word), especially if you're in a wheelchair. Obesity, circulation issues, pressure sores and so many other issues are so common for people with disabilities. Never use fatigue as an excuse because I always feel my endorphins kick in after a work out. So if you're tired, working out will actually help you! Plus, studies have shown that too much sitting can actually kill you. So don't be screwed and move around as much as you possibly can LOL! Here is a video I have been dreaming about making for a long time. This is a video of me working out with Paulie Calafiore. I hope that it inspires others with "disabilities" to go work out! Thank you to Shay for capturing all of this!

https://vimeo.com/187252873

Paulie's Snapchats from our work out
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3865h9f8Ny2WkNCYV9wVmZxLW8/view

Lastly, to the haters that I've already seen leave comments on Paulie's posts about his session with me. No, he didn't pay me to work out with him and this isn't a publicity stunt. In fact, when I told him how I wanted his gym to take off even further, he humbly said that's not why he was doing it. I know it isn't, but that makes me want to see it take off even further. It's about people coming together to spread positivity and education on fitness. Haters, if you'd take your head out of your ass long enough, you'd realize that Big Brother is a game, Paulie played a great and aggressive one, and yet he's still an absolutely amazing human being in the real world who wants to do great things and inspire others to do the same. I was happy to be along side him for this. That's all there is to it. Your favorites are only telling their side of the story, remember that!

To follow Paulie on social media (if you're a hater, stop reading now):


Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulieC116

Instagram: pr.calafiore

Snapchat & Periscope: PaulieC116


To follow Tom on social media:

Instagram, Twitter & Snapchat: TKSweat

LIKE Sweat Gym on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/sweatfreehold/

To follow me on social media:


www.facebook.com/pushpastparalysis

www.twitter.com/MarissaMeleske

Instagram: pushpastparalysis

Why Do You Care? Nothing But Love for Zaulie Part 2

Why are people so nosey and ballsy nowadays? It seems like the second we got access to a computer separating us, people have grown a set of balls and lady balls but not in a good way. And it has only gotten worse with all of the other wireless devices and social media websites that have come out following the computer.

So my question is, why? Why do you care so much about what other people are doing with their lives? Why does it affect you so much? Or, should I say, why do you allow it to affect you so much, when it shouldn't? Why give your two cents, as if what you say is going to change anyone's mind? It is nobodies business but the person living their life and making their own decisions, paying their own bills and wiping their own ass.

I've tried not to speak on this much, because it is not my relationship. I try to stay out of relationships I know nothing or little about, regardless of if I love the people in it. I only wish the people disrespecting relationships that are not their own would do the same thing. But there comes a point when you get tired of seeing people you care about hurting.

I met Paulie Calafiore and Zakiyah Everette from Big Brother 18 on Saturday. I've been protective before because of hate Paulie was getting, but now that I met them and saw them together in person, my protectiveness is through the roof. Since the start of the season, they were developing feelings for each other and the show was downplaying it. Needless to say, people who didn't watch the live feeds were very confused when the show ended and the 2 confirmed that they are in a romantic relationship. Oh and I guess I should mention that they're an interracial couple. But that doesn't matter to me, it's not even a thought that runs through my brain but it seems to be a factor in why they receive the hate that they do. I don't understand why it matters so much to others and elicited such outrage. Love is love.

Paulie and Zakiyah are coming off of a pressure cooker of a season of Big Brother 18, a show which is based on lies, manipulation and deceit. They had to weed through what was game and what wasn't, they had to set the record straight to people actually in their lives and also have to deal with living states apart at the moment. They should NOT have to deal with ignorant people on top of that, with unfulfilling lives who get off on throwing hate at others, just because they hate themselves and their own lives.

You don't have to like Paulie, Zakiyah or Zaulie. But give me a break and grow up. Follow people you like and IGNORE and BLOCK those whom you don't like. This is basic, hooked on phonic knowledge of the internet. I've been saying this ALL season and summer long and it's been over for weeks already! Trying to tear people down in hopes that they fail, just so you can say I told you so, is a very sad way to live.

Lucky for Zaulie, Paulie and Zakiyah are 2 individuals who strive for the best in life and also found just that in each other. They don't give up when the odds are stacked against them, when others try to tell them what they should and shouldn't do, and they have the most powerful weapon of all: love. Those 2 beautiful people love each other and we need to let them live and love in the best ways for THEM, which we don't know. We can't claim to know, we can't impose our opinions, beliefs, hopes or anything else in a good or bad way. The love has to be just as overwhelming as the hate sometimes. Just sit back, let them BE
and appreciate what is shared or scroll past it. Love always wins. 💖

Paulie Calafiore's Welcome Home Party at iPlay America

I'm never at a loss for words. I wasn't even at a loss for words last night. But here I am, 12 hours after getting home and I still haven't posted about my experience. Something's aren't meant to be explained, but instead felt with the heart. But it has always been my privilege to share my thoughts on what an amazing person Paulie Calafiore is, what kind of a fan would I be if I didn't speak out now that I know, from personal experience, that what I always thought IS actually a fact? I'm always right, never doubted, never wavered...yes I'm bragging LOL.

It is very rare that you meet people you've never met before but feel like you've known your whole life. Last night, I had that experience with so many people at Paulie's homecoming bash at iPlay America in Freehold, NJ. I got a chance to meet him, his incredible family, girlfriend and friends, plus some amazing people I've connected with on Instagram and Twitter. There are truly no words to describe my gratitude and love for the Calafiore family and to my friends for making sure we got there and met each other. I normally am much better with words but I truly am still speechless so I will simply say thank you and I love you all. It was well worth the money and travel! Now when's the next Paulie C party?! Team Paulie has a laser tag reputation to redeem. That shit was rigged just like...no nevermind, won't go there 😉

In an effort to actually make some sense today and give you guys something; Paulie is the most amazing person from the most amazing family. Yes, we did discuss my blogs and he's read every one of them. He also loved the book of letters everyone sent in! He's gracious, sweet, funny and just as talkative as I am (Scorpio type thing...)

Here is some footage from last night! They say a picture (and video) is worth 1,000 words so you'll have to deal with my lack of eloquence just this once and enjoy the footage!

I witnessed the end of Bruno Mars' career cuz Paulie Calafiore is about to put his ass out of a job! He's so multi talented, it's not even funny. So proud to support him!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxEHBg8rrOc

Me & the man of the night! I don't know how it's possible, but I'm an even bigger fan now. There aren't enough words! He far exceeded any expectations I had and they were high! He went above and beyond and saying I'm eternally grateful is an understatement #TeamPaulie

Me & Cody! He's so sweet!

Me & Paulie's mom, Linda (I'm not even sure she's human. She is an absolute angel!!!)

The most badass with a heart of gold man there is! Paulie's dad, Paul...known by his own fan base as Papa C!

Me & Paulie's beautiful, sweet sister Angelina

Paulie's incredible, spunky, inspiring & beautiful aunt Caren 💖
Please keep her in your thoughts & prayers, sending her love every day!

Me & Zakiyah, she is just as beautiful inside as she is outside!

Me & Frankie Grande...not kidding about that laser tag rematch. Rigged AF 😂

I also had security cracking up because I told them if anyone started with Paulie, let me take care of it LMAO. Ride or die, I take it seriously! Might have had my friends ready to say they didn't know me....

If you want more pics, add me on IG @ PushPastParalysis and on FB.

Keri's periscope of a clip of me & Paulie https://www.periscope.tv/w/atGWtDFvTlFsWHFQTHZRd1J8MU95S0FPTWRBYmdKYg564PBkfgzRiyivhnxIVvroDeY6YJ3HTRWhnSmh8n17

Thank you for the millionth time (today) to Paulie & the Calafiore family. I love you all 💖

"You Can't" Is Just A Dare!

I'm never one to turn down a good dare. Fortunately, and that's just how I choose to look at it, I've been doubted and dared to prove people wrong since before I was born. When you're diagnosed with a physical challenge, doctors tend to give little to no hope for you to lead a "normal" life. That's just how they operate, I guess LOL. Sorry, I'm laughing at my own jokes today because I was up really late and I'm a little delirious. Nah, I'm half lying. I laugh at my own jokes all the time.

We all have to take control of our own lives and our own destiny. Don't put the keys to your life in someone else's car. Don't be defined by what anyone, even well meaning people, have to say about you or what other people see for your future. It's your life and what you think and want  is the only thing that matters. You get to decide which dreams you want to chase and opportunities you want to take.

Never let anyone tell you that it can't be done, that you can't do it. Whatever that "it" is, is subjective to you and your life, your hopes, your dreams. Do what I do, take it as a dare and make SURE you do it. I love proving people wrong, but only in regards to things I actually want to do anyway. I would never waste my time trying to prove myself to people who don't matter, just to shut them up. I do what I do because I want to.

People will only tell you that you can't do something based on their own fears, their own insecurities and their own lives. Just because they can't (or won't) do it, doesn't mean that you shouldn't or that you can't. I also feel like sometimes, especially if you have a disability, many people will have well meaning fears that cross over to coddling. You have to remember that you're your own person, regardless of any help you may need day to day. If you want something, go for it.

"There's always gonna be people that try & drag you down. There's always gonna be people that are trying to strip you of who you actually are but if you wanna be successful and you wanna lead a beautiful life, you will be successful and you will lead a beautiful life. There's nothing that can stop someone from getting where they wanna be and if you believe in yourself that's never ever ever ever gonna happen because you will always achieve whatever you set out to do. Impossible is nothing. That's only a word that people make up to scare people who are not willing to try to actually go for the gold. And that's it." - Paulie Calafiore

(The above quote is verbatim, I messed it up a little in the pic quote type thing I made.)