#Winning by Dr. Deborah Tillman

For too many of us, perception has become reality, but perception is not always the TRUTH. The emergence of social media has afforded people the opportunity to become professionals at making their lives look like an awesome photo album of sheer perfection. We are bombarded with images of flawless faces, powerful positions, remarkable relationships and astounding abundance. All of which is wonderful and harmless if countless hours weren’t spent comparing and critiquing our lives based off of the “appearance” of someone else’s. We are not always the people we pretend to be which serves no purpose of showing the world what #Winning really means. Let me be transparent, it would seem in 2013,

I was #Winning. Founder and CEO of three schools serving over 300 children and families, the host of a Lifetime Television show America’s Supernanny, speaking and traveling all over the world and married for over two decades. However, the reality was within three years, I had to give up two schools, a show, and a 25-year marriage that left me with the broken pieces. But somebody said, broken pieces can still color. I have learned that #Winning is less about what we “get” in life and more about our ability to “give up” what we think serves our soul in order to “gain” life more abundantly.

#Winning requires us to Face Our Fears

Henry Ford said, “one of the greatest discoveries a man makes is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do. Never allow fear to stop you from being all that God has called you to be. When your knees are knocking, have the courage to do it afraid.

#Winning requires us to Fill our Hearts with Humility

It’s tough to be transparent and open–even those who consider themselves humble don’t want to look like they’ve messed up. But, as human beings we all make mistakes. It is through the lessons of life that we are able to provide value and be a blessing to others. As my Pastor would often say, we can’t heal it until we reveal it.

#Winning requires us to Focus on our Faith

We win when we believe that there is light at the end of a dark tunnel and

continue walking toward it even though we can’t see it understanding that if God brings us to it, He will bring us through it.

Finally, #Winning requires us to Finish Well

It is not what we go through in life that matters, it is how we respond to it.

So Yes, in 2017, I am #Winning because of my ability to get back up when I got knocked down still committed to my calling, daring to dream and fighting for my future with the understanding that Dreams Deferred are not always Dreams Denied. If we are going to be TRUE to #Winning in life, know that the race isn’t given to the swift or to the strong but to those who endure to the end.

Learn more at about Dr. Tillman via her website at www.deborahltillman.com and follow her on Twitter @deborahltillman