"Your words hurt"

A message to all of my younger followers out there. AND to the ones who are supposed to be "wiser" and may still have some lessons to learn.

"That girl is so fat."

"That girl is too skinny, she needs to eat a cheeseburger."

"That girl wears too much makeup."

The list can go on and on and on...

My name is Lelah Kelly. 

1. I am skinny.

2. I like to wear makeup and I dye my hair bleach blonde.

3. I am a pageant girl.

4. I enjoy dressing up.

5. I have set a path for myself that most women choose not to do and I am proud of that.

Here is the reactions I personally receive about myself just on these topics:

1."She is too skinny." 

 "She needs so eat something." 

 "I swear you look like you could just float away."

 "Are you sick or something?"

2."She wears too much makeup." 

  "Do you seriously wear false eyelashes everyday." 

  "I prefer the natural look." 

  "I would never wear makeup like that." 

3."Oh you are a pageant girl, so what do you do? Just walk on stage and look pretty?"

 "She must just be selfish and think shes better than everyone else."

 "Aren't pageant girls like really dumb/useless to society?"

4."Did you see her outfit?" 

 "I would not wear that!!"

 "Why is she dressing up? She must be trying to look better than everyone else."

5."Why are you still in college?"

 "You are a woman, go get a receptionist job or something."

 "A Sports-broadcaster? She will never make it."

Those are assumptions, but this is ME:

1. I am "skinny" NOT because I make myself that way. My family genetics are the reason for the size and shape of my body. I eat all day everyday. I do not diet and I barely exercise. Did you know that I was the ONLY one at Miss FL USA who was not hardcore dieting? I ate a cheeseburger the night before the pageant. Did you know that I did not work out AT ALL for the Miss AL USA? I am naturally the size that I am. If you have a problem with the way my body looks, then you should take a look at your own insecurities and ask yourself "why do I care about the way she looks?"

2. I wear makeup and I LOVE it!! I feel naked without my false lashes on! I also love doing makeup. It is an art and I enjoy every aspect of it. If you prefer to be "natural" then so be it. But again, ask yourself "why do I care that she wears makeup?" 

3. Pageantry has been one of the best aspects of my life. Through pageantry I have learned what true confidence is. A confidence in where you put your heart into a competition and no matter the outcome, you are so proud of yourself that nothing can tear you down. And when the winner is announced, you feel the utmost JOY for them even if it was not you with the crown on your head. Pageantry has taught me how to be bold when I speak and has given me friendships that will never be broken. So no, pageant women are not "dumb" and when it comes to their contribution to society.... Wow. I will let you research that on your own. Once again, "Why do you feel the need to put someone down for doing something that they love?"

4. I am not the most fashionable person you meet but I do like to dress up from time to time. When I put on an outfit, it is because I love that outfit and I feel confident in it and it makes me happy. I do not put on an outfit thinking "I am going to wear this because I will look better than____" Again, "why is it an issue for you how I dress?"

5. Oh #5.... Most women my age have taken a path quite opposite from me and because of my choice to stay in college and obtain my degree(s), I am a selfish person who thinks she is better than everyone else. I am a goal-setter and when I set a goal, I accomplish it. That is me. My decisions (ESPECIALLY about my future) have absolutely nothing to do with anyone else. WHY would it? Now ask yourself, "If she is obtaining her degree, why should I say anything negative about that?"

We have all heard the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover."

That phrase speaks to me like no other.

Before you know me, you will say that I am a skinny, conceited, cocky, selfish, and high maintenance b****.

When you know me, you will think about the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover."

I am a humbler and I humble myself and these next sentences are not me being "cocky" or talking highly of myself. 

I have a heart of gold. I constantly worry about others and the way that they feel way before I think of myself. If I have a group of people and we are doing an event, etc I am always the one to make sure that everyone else is taken care of (Makeup and hair is done, house is cleaned, etc) before I even focus on myself. THAT is my heart.

To the readers,

1. You know of me and maybe have said some of these things about me.

2. You look at my appearance and you automatically label me.

3. You (know) me and you know appearance has nothing to do with your heart.

I encourage everyone to take a step back and analyze your life and the way you talk to others/about others.

Your words can and will hurt someone.