Fork in the Road: “When You Know You Will Be LAST!” BEATING THE ENEMY WITHIN

In life there are crossroads and these paths will determine your destiny. What do you do when you come to the fork in the road? Do you take the path least traveled, go the way that most people go, or turn back around? This was the decision I had to make when I stood on the starting line last Saturday morning to run my first official race of the 2017 Cross Country season.

Sweat was running down my back and the race didn't even begin yet. Fear started to grip me and I could not understand why I was so scared. I’ve run this course many times by myself, with the kids and with my track team. I was reminded by my bestie, Kisha my running partner, that I was on our home field. I should have felt comfortable but I wasn’t. I wanted to kick of my running sneaks and sit in the car.

Then I started thinking about how I use to run this course. If this was 10 years ago, I would have completed the race in a little over 25 minutes. Now, I am almost 10 minutes slower and would be happy just to make it up the 3 hills without walking. My mind started coming up with excuses. “It’s hot out today, you would do better if it was cooler”, “You can sit this one out, there are 5 meets to go” and "You know how your race anxiety is setup”, but I had to find a way to shut all these negative thoughts up.

So, I put on my ear phones, turned on my music, and started talking to myself. I asked myself, “Why are you so scared? You have done this many, many times before and you just ran the course last Thursday”. Then it hit me, I was at the fork in the road. I knew the times of everyone out there expect  one woman. If you know anything about running cross country, the Open Women run with the high school students and occasionally there are some we beat, but when I sized up the field that day, I realized that today was not that day. All the Open Women started having a conversation because check in was a little long. Then the only woman, who time I did not know, said she use to run this course in high school in 19 minutes. Well, I’ve never run any 5k course that fast and after that the anxiety really kicked in on full blast. She said she was not in running shape but does aerobics all the time, and you could tell. She looked powerful.

Then I had to face the source of my fear, “WHAT DO YOU DO, WHEN YOU KNOW, YOU WILL BE LAST?” I know most of you are saying, what does this have to do with real life, I am not a runner, but life will have situations that even giving your best,  you still will come up short. I had to make a choice was I going to go out fighting or was I going to lie down. Well, I am an Overcomer. So, I got on that line and I realized that the race is not with the person beside you, the race is with the person within. I was determined to run my race. I started off slow and steady. I had to fight the anxiety off the whole entire time but I did not walk up the hills and I finished the 5k run like I was running the 100-meter dash. No, I was not first, I was last. I beat the negative thoughts demon. I gave it my all. I even dropped my time by 1 minute and 4 seconds. I took the road least traveled. Last place felt like first place because I BEAT THE ENEMY WITHIN.

YOU STOPPED CARING

I thought I wanted to be a blogger. I wanted to motivate people and help them change their mindset so they could change their life.

But, I do not really write my Blog anymore. Did I stop caring about it? Did I stop caring about inspiring woman to be the best them they can possibly be?

Maybe I did. Has this ever happen to you? You start out on a journey and at first you are on fire then you realize that it's hard. Not a little hard, but extremely difficult and takes more dedication than you thought.

So, you stop doing what you set out to do. You come up with excuses that help you get over the fact that you “GAVE UP”, “YOU QUIT”.

Well this morning, I realized that I gave up, I gracefully bowed out. While taking my son to school, we listen to motivational speakers to set a positive tone to our day. A YouTube video titled “I’m Not Here To Be Average” was our choice and it had me thinking.. Thinking hard and I knew in that moment I had to write about it. I had to ask myself, “DID I STOP CARING?”

The gentleman went on to say, “You have to Care more than Normal and more than Necessary for your Results. Those who let themselves off the hook gave themselves permission not to Care anymore”.

This struck a cord in me because it was true. I gave myself permission not to care. Well, today I revoke that permission.

It does not matter how hard it is; It does not matter how much dedication it takes; I will accomplish my goals.

I will get up each morning complete the hardest task of my day. I will write for my blog.

If there is something you want to accomplish and it is difficult. Do not put it off to the end of the day. Do what is difficult FIRST. Completing your hardest task first thing in the morning will make you feel successful and create a positive start to your day. 

You might have to get up a little earlier, but the commitment to yourself will payoff in the end.

Even though, your goal might be a challenging ONE and even seem impossible don't give up and

Remember

You have to CARE more than NORMAL and more than NECESSARY about your RESULTS.

YOU WILL BE VICTORIOUS.

#DrSheenaSpeaks

#InspireU

WHO AM I ?

There comes a time in a woman’s life where she starts to wonder “WHO AM I”? The timing of this question is different for ever woman but no matter what it tends to arrive. Now some of you are saying, “Not me, I know who I am and I know what I want!”, but this question will still surface because things about you change.

In my twenties, I thought I had it all together, I was a wife, a mother, a career woman and as my children grew up I found myself getting lost in everyone’s world except my own. Yes, I did the basic things for myself like went to college and obtained several degrees to earn a better living for my family but, I was so consumed with making sure everyone was pursuing their dreams that I forgot all about mine. I stopped running, did not have any hobbies, began to gain weight, and then I realized I was unhappy.

Now, I was not unhappy with my life. I worked hard to have the lifestyle I was living but I lost me in the process. How many of you have lost yourself in the midst of taking care of your family and putting their needs first? A woman’s job is hard. She has to be a wife, mother, taxi, nurse, caregiver, professional, and the list goes on. These are just the roles you play, not really who you are.

WHO AM I? Is that special essence that makes you different from all the rest. It’s the thing that makes you get up in the morning and help you accomplish your goals. It’s that thing you fight to find because once you realize and obtain it you know you will be whole.

Now this journey will not be easy and you might take a while to find yourself again, but the soul searching will be worth it.

My Soul revealed that…..

I am
        a Writer

                      an  Author

                                   a  Runner

                                                  an Exhorter

                                                                                                                           

So, ladies, ask yourself “Who Am I?” and spend the rest of your life perfecting her.

#InspireU #DrWilsonspeaks

Name It Claim It

Name It Claim It

In life it comes a time when you realize the only limitations the world put on you are the ones you put on yourself. It's funny how this realization comes about for people. For me, it's came from my Autistic Son Zion, who says, what he going to do and does it. 

Now, it would be easier said than done, if he was a natural at doing the things he tries but he always has limited skills when he begins. What's amazing about him is that he does not mind starting at the bottom because he says there's only one way to go, UP. 

He taught me so much about being limitless and how a can do spirit can make a difference in anything you do in life. He is so optimistic and plays the Name It and Claim It game. I am so impressed with how he overcomes every obstacle that Autism puts in front of him. 

When he began playing football, he would chase his shadow and this year he was awarded MVP Defensive End of his 130 pound team. It took time, determination, and skill development but he never quit. Then he told me, he would be on honor roll. I knew that would be a task because he had trouble staying in his seat but, he accomplished his goal. It took until 4th grade to get on honor roll, but just like he said, "He would be on honor roll like the rest of my kids". So, once again he challenged his will and decided to pick up a basketball in 6th grade. He came home and said, "I am going to tryout for my school basketball team ." I stated, "how, you don't know how to play?" He told me he would figure it out. Now, he's not just playing for his school. He also plays for an AAU basketball team. 

The moral of this story is never put limitations on your kids or anyone else. Always encourage them and show them how they can overcome their short comings instead of highlighting them. Make sure they turn every obstacle into an opportunity. Believe in their dream and provide them with the support and avenue to develop their skills.

This is what Autism has done for me and my 13 year old son.  If he has made a believer out of me by Naming it and Claiming It...you can make a believer out of someone too.

#Dr.Wilson

#InspireU

Guard Your Thoughts

Guard Your Thoughts 

Have you ever just been sitting there and your mind wonders and you can not figure out why you're thinking about a particular topic? It's because you are not guarding your thoughts. Your thoughts are influenced by the things you hear and see. Since this is the case, it's important to watch who you constantly associate with, what you watch on TV, what you listen to on the radio, and what you read.

All these things shape your mind and influence your thoughts. I am not saying, not to watch certain types of TV shows, but if you are battling with your thoughts on an issue, it's not wise to look at shows that glorify what you a trying to dispel. Your thoughts are so important. They are what drive you. Your thoughts can make or break you because they turn into actions. Since thoughts turned into actions, it's important to feed them positive images. These thoughts help you make your decisions which dictates what happens in your life. 

If you want to change your way of thinking and guard your thoughts, you can begin each day by praying, watching an inspirational video, reading something that motivates you, listening to something spiritual, or by saying affirmations. This will help enhance your thoughts and protect your mind. So, guard your mind, develop your positive thoughts, and begin to renew your spirit. 

#InspireU

#DrWilson

#Developingmindbodysoul

DO IT SCARED!

Do it Scared!

Is there something you want to do in your life but you have not done it because you are afraid? Was your fear so strong that you talked yourself out of it but you kept thinking about it? This is what happens when you have something in your spirit that’s trying to manifest. It will keep resurfacing until you finally get the courage to do it. 

Ask yourself, "What are you afraid of? Are you scared that you will fail or people will not approve? Is it that you are afraid that you will not exceed your expectations?  Well, the reality is, you will not know what will happen until you try. 

The feeling of being scared has occurred to me many times and I still have to get over it when I am starting something new. In 2009, fear almost stopped me from entering my Doctoral Program. My greatest fear was that I did not write well enough to complete the dissertation. I was so scared that it took me a month to submit my admissions essay, but I am glad I did. Fear could have stopped me but I did it scared and now I am Dr. Sheena Wilson.

Not fulfilling your dreams because you are scared only ends in future regrets. How will you know your greatness, if you refuse to get in the game? I always say, a loser can eventually become a winner, but the person who never starts will always be full of regrets. Do not wind up being the "if I, should of, could of, man.... conquer your fears and do it scared. 

#DrWilson
#InspireU

Dealing with Disappointment

In life there will be disappointments but the way you deal with them will determine your altitude. In my career, some would say, I have been in a season of disappointment. I call it a season of development. Currently at my job, I am in a leadership position but I wanted to transition to another area to develop additional skills.  At first, I was apprehensive about leaving because it was comfortable. I have strong connections that took years to develop. Also, I have a commitment to the community and I really love the kids and families.  Even though, I really love what I do, where I work, and the people I work with there comes a time when you need a change. Now, I always talk about taking action, so I did. In the past year, I applied for three positions that would have taken my skills to the next level but all of them ended in disappointment.

The first position I applied for I took the assessment, passed, and was put on the list. My position changed twice on the list each time higher than the place before. Then I received an email to go through the whole process again, so I did, but it still did not workout. I then interviewed for the second position and they offered me the job. I was so happy but I could not accept it because the salary was way to low. At that moment, I felt a sense of disbelief. Then I thought of the prayer I always say. I always ask God to open the doors that are meant for me and to close those doors that are not.  Even though I was disappointed, I still kept the faith and tried for this leadership intern program and I felt like this one was really the one. I had applied for this program last year and did not get pass the first round but this time, I made it to the last stage. I just knew this was the program for me but I was wrong again. Another door close, another disappointment, so what’s next, I said to myself.

That day when I received the bad news that I did not get into the program, you know what I did. I called my mom for my peep talk and it worked a little bit. My brother gave me words of encouragement and that helped a little more, but I still was disappointed. Then something happened, I came across a lady at Target who asked to pray for me and she let me know that God knows the desires of my heart and to be patient.

Then it hit me….

Continue to treats things that belong to others like it’s your own

You talent will make room for you

You want to walk in the Perfect will of GOD

What God has for me it is for ME

He has something better for you

Never Give Up

Try, Try, Try Again

Preparation is the key

Good Better, Best, never let it rest, until your better becomes your BEST

Be thankful

#InspireU

#DrWilson