As a wife and mother of three, I know how easy it is to pour all your energy into your marriage and children, often leaving little space for your own dreams and identity. Nurturing our families is a beautiful and vital role in life, but it doesn’t have to be our only role. It’s equally as important to rediscover who you are beyond these roles , embracing yourself as a whole person with passions, dreams, and limitless potential. When you honor your personal dreams and ambitions, you model self-worth and confidence for your family, you feel more fulfilled, and you show your kids that it’s okay to dream big.
I will admit there can be challenges along the way. At first, during my season of rediscovery, I felt guilty, questioning whether it was possible to be a great wife, mother, and dreamer all at once. I was overwhelmed by fears that I would invest lots of time and energy into my ambitions and still fail. But I decided to face my fears and do it anyway. Over time, it became apparent that my pursuits were a driving force for my family that inspired them and made them feel proud.
As I continued exploring my talents and passions, I dreamed of becoming a motivational speaker who would inspire other women to believe in themselves, face their fears, and get out of their comfort zone to pursue their own goals. Today, that dream has come true, and I feel complete and fulfilled in my roles as a woman, trailblazer, wife, and mom.
The ultimate benefit is that this journey has made my family closer as a unit. We’ve created priceless memories together as a part of my international speaking experiences in South Africa, India, France, Costa Rica and Jamaica, to name a few. And the best is still ahead of us!
Reigniting your dreams and rediscovering your passions can breathe new life into your day-to-day routine and strengthen your entire family bond. So, don’t be afraid to chase your possibilities – it’s never too late to become who you’re destined to be.
Author
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Dr. Cheryl Wood is an International Keynote Speaker, Best-Selling Author, and the Editor of Voices of Change Magazine, a platform that celebrates the voices of women making impact in the world. As an Executive Communication Strategist and CEO of Global Speakers University, Dr. Wood has dedicated her career to transforming leaders into influential communicators. She has coached top executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders to elevate their communication skills and confidently lead any room in order to drive organizational success and create lasting impact. Dr. Wood has delivered riveting presentations on leadership and communication for organizations including NASA, Prudential, CapitalOne, Verizon, Export-Import Bank of the United States, United States Department of Defense, United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Bureau of Investigators (FBI), The United Nations, Federally Employed Women, Blacks In Government, Women's Council of Realtors, and a host of law firms, corporations, and international conferences. Dr. Wood’s work has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Essence, Rolling Out, Sheen, Huffington Post, The Washington Informer, ABC News, Fox 5 News, and Fox 45 News. She is the recipient of the 2023 ICON of Excellence Award, 2021 Goodwill Ambassador Award, and the 2021 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Wood remains committed to her work of empowering more women leaders to become influential communicators who inspire action, drive change, advocate for their ideas with confidence, and create lasting impact in their organizations and communities.
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