Morris Chestnut's fat-to-fine transformation inspired me

I write about celebrities a lot, and many come to town to tout a fitness book or a fragrance or both. Few actually impress me because, frankly, celebrities have the means and the time to stay in shape and smell good. Actor Morris Chestnut was different. He talked about eating fast food, getting fat and not taking care of his body. I can relate. I was always the 'fit girl,' who tried all of the classes and got her friends hyped about a new fitness routine. In the last few years, I've lost my fitness mojo, or motivation. Blame it on being overworked, overstressed and somewhat lazy.

In 2013, while filming the Showtime series "Nurse Jackie" in New York, Morris says he was "in the worst shape" ever, weighing some 220 pounds. He spent his off-time eating - pizza, Chinese food with fried won tons, chocolate chip cookies and his favorite breakfast meal, which included toast with butter and strawberry jam and waffles with whip cream, syrup and strawberries.

Here's what Morris said getting in shape: "The hardest part was getting disciplined," he said. "It's always going to be challenging to make healthy choices. However, what I've discovered is that the more disciplined I am with my diet, the easier it is to stick with the lifestyle."

JOY LESSON: Quit whining and do the work. It pays off.

Who run the world? Girls!!

She was called the "World's Ugliest Woman," in a video that went viral (people can be so cruel). But Lizzie Velasquez, who has a rare disease, turned the hate into a platform to empower young girls with kindness. To hear her speak this morning at Girls Empowerment Network Houston We Are Girls Houston Conference at Hogg Middle School was beyond awesome.

There are 1,600 girls here. Girl power doesn't get any better than this.

A gift of joy

My girlfriend Kathy Times of 20 years mailed this plaque to me yesterday. It made me smile. She knows I'm on a mission. #yearofjoy

I bought a car, and it changed my life

I haven't had a car payment in 15 years. I had planned on driving my 2002 Nissan Xterra until the wheels fell off, and they literally did. I had also convinced myself that because I hadn't had a raise in a decade and because I wasn't where I wanted to be in my life, that some how I didn't deserve to ride in style, or at least with AC. Yes, the AC in the Xterra went out last summer. 

But I finally did it. I bought a car - a 2010 Lexus RX350. It's exactly what I wanted and the price I wanted to pay. Simply buying a car changed my life. It got me out of poverty thinking (journalists are really good at that) and opened my eyes to opportunities to really grow and make more money. It gave me confidence. I can valet without worry. I can show up at an event, a speaking engagement, at church and feel like I belong. I'm worthy.

Thank you to the sweet couple who drove it from San Antonio to my front door, complete with a bottle of champagne in the back seat.  #yearofjoy

Sharing some life lessons with students

I spoke to some wonderful communications students at Texas Southern University, received a sweet "thank you" email from one of the students immediately after and then got a free meal at Chick-fil-A for being the 100th customer! #yearofjoy

Misty Copeland talks about her joy

You can't talk about Misty Copeland without mentioning her body.

Those chiseled legs, sculpted arms and abs. Of course, the superstar ballerina is more than her body - she's become an advocate for the art form and an inspiration for girls of color who want to become ballet dancers.

This was my second time interviewing Misty. This time, I got to ask what brings her joy:

"Too many things. Performing, being with family and so many small and amazing things."