Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Marie Wilkinson.
Amanda Marie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
From the beginning of my time, my personal walk through this journey of life has been made of milestones that I proudly acknowledge and give thanks for who and where I am today. I have never been introduced to anything that came any less than difficult but with each trial, my end results came a bit easier each time. In this life, we are in it for the experience, not just the result. We each have a story and some perhaps a few. Each one connects each of us to a commonplace. My stories are teachings of some of the highest extremes as there was no in between. However, I have learned that sharing your story helps others and oneself. My ever growing strength comes from each lesson. My blessing of resiliency keeps me prepared for the future and all that is to come.
From a child that came from extreme poverty- essential necessities and even safe shelter at times were scarce, I knew the meaning of work ethic from an early age in which I often supported myself. I didn’t have a choice, my work ethic grew stronger as a teenager and my entrepreneurial skills began to sprout while I was working for a number of people in odd jobs from nannying to cleaning and painting small businesses, to competing in pageantry just for scholarships for reaching my higher goal of education. As a young adult where I wanted nothing more than to learn and keep receiving valuable education that would bring me completely out of the overcast shadow, I was living under for so long. I survived poverty, parental substance, and physical abuse. I left, worked hard x3 and never looked back. Finishing high school, living on my own, multiple jobs, no complaints and put myself through professional licensing and college degree programs, and even surviving near death. In 2007, I was hospitalized due to a freak accident that left me with a broken back, hip, femur, and pelvis, and while I remained jovial in recovery wheelchair bound. With only an option to be one of the youngest nursing home patients as I had no one to take care of me to the capacity and care I greatly needed to recover, I then was blessed through receiving the most amazing and beautiful care anyone could ever give to another. It was through the unity of others that brought remarkable forces to my greatest aid in need. Through my own survival, I learned more about who I ever was and ever could be.
Through my recovery, I learned the unbreakable strengths that I never knew could ever exist within one person, These strengths that have only increased over time. Through it all, I positively learned that it is through a community that we can survive, but it is most importantly unity where we thrive. The greatest lesson I learned was how impactful positivity truly is in any situation that one may endure. Where hope is granted rather questioned. Through my personal spiritual faith, it was all I ever had every time in my life, but this was one of those times it was life or death- whether it be physical or mental. A lesson that carries me through every day for the rest of my life. No matter what hardball is thrown my way, I know that I have literally survived worse and on so many levels. My entire life became my own case study- one where research is never concluded and new findings help shape new miracles along the way. Through my own variety of life’s case, I realized just how many people I came across in which I was able to genuinely understand and empathize with. Individuals and families, I found myself listening to and finding ways of supporting because of my own experiences. Many of my own miracles were provided through the power of the perfect stranger and community. This I have to credit highly of my trials becoming less erroneous but rather blessed. If I could not find resources that I needed to get through the toughest battles and obstacle course, I learned to create my own. It became a never-ending for me. When people ask me, “How do you do what you do”? My reply is very simple: “I just do.” Never restricting myself from the fears of the what if’s and how’s, but surviving and thriving by taking that extra time otherwise in my moving forward. When I was in my wheelchair, I ignored the negative worst-case outcomes for my recovery. My recovery and the ability to not only walk but continue to dance through my life was my only option. Beating the greatest odds only provided confirmation to me that this was not the end. A life I never would take for granted, the ability to be thankful for my challenges, and praising my blessings while learning that this was the beginning of my greater purpose. During this time, someone once told me that without me knowing, I was inspiring to them and others that they too came across. At such a young age, this was such a powerful moment in truth for me. One I have been very much aware and am cautious of. I would much rather support and inspire others through my walk than to hinder others throughout theirs. This is the importance of sharing.
I understand some of the greatest challenges of a child, young adult, student, parent, partner, and the list continues… can go through. I have and am all of those roles. I understand, even more, the magnifying effect these challenges bring when there is a lack of support and resources to overcome such a potential crisis among them. There is always a gap to fill. Where one can step in, the level of stability rises. This is crucial for the positive outreach we all hope to have among our community. It is only right and just to do what we can to help others with the same chance we have been given and never losing sight of where that came from.
I lost my mother as she passed at a young age and I continued to survive and thrive throughout my walk in life without familial support. Emphasizing on uniting support through community as well as defeating the unthinkable with the tools I have created as a resource where some was scarce.
The way to remain compassionate is never forgetting your story. This is why I share mine. At www.unitywithcommunity.com, I write articles and share information as a resourceful tool to the community. There you can also contact me with a particular issue and I will do my very best to direct you to the best resource for your need. Unity with Community!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It is impossible to entirely restrict challenges on our course. However, if you try to restrict yourself from challenges, you are also doing so from knowing what you are fully capable of. Strengthen your foundation in which is encompassed by continuing to build on your greatest talents, as well as training on the inclines which you may face throughout your journey. You will see your progression if you pick up a nail of a challenge as a strengthening tool rather than a setback along your walk if you didn’t. I do not have fear of failing others, as I have learned that one cannot please them all. Where my fear lies, is ever failing myself
The greatest challenges have the greatest rewards. Your struggles are your lessons. Without education, you do not have the journey, especially one appreciating. Embrace your journey while you remain open to the discoveries of your true purpose. The end result is evolving into the best version of yourself each time. Our purpose is never revealed through resistance, but we are enlightened by the opening of the door to discovery. However, do not try to open prematurely what is yet known to you. Allow all that is unknown come to you. We are meant to learn and grow individually through our personal walk, rather than stunting our growth by misunderstanding the reason for all that we are given. When you start to visualize the beautiful desires in your life coming into fruition, don’t count yourself last. Where we each have a path that we pave, eventually we all will cross and become one in unity. Our journey is our story, but not one that is meant to be told alone. Become one another resource. I survived through searching for what was available to fill in the gaps as needed, what I couldn’t find, I created my own. It allowed me to get through the longest and harshest road as an independent full-time student, fulltime mother while facing some of the most difficult challenges as I continued to push harder towards my higher goals and freedom. As you continue your journey, lift others where you are capable, provide your knowledge in becoming a resource in aiding others as needed, and love and support others where this is allowed to grow. On my worst day, I am alive. On my best day, I am living. Doing what you love, will keep you smiling through it all. You know when you are at a peaceful place when you wake up with the same smile you fell asleep with. Remain capable of staying full and thankful every day! Remain beautiful through kindness.
What do you do? What do you specialize in?
I am community driven. It is a place where every voice counts. My voice is my power. Most importantly having a voice for those who are still searching for theirs. Since childhood, writing was my go to, the therapy that took me to greater purpose and places. It was my self-guiding tool that has carried me through my everyday. A place where my foundation was laid by my perfect faults and now where my hands have become a resource for others. I know the impact that the community has greatly provided for me in the most trying of times. I use my words through writing- articles, book, song. Every source is a resource to others. Where I am able to further bridge resources where there is a gap by encouraging more of a unity between leaders, business, organization, and consumers in doing so. Unity with Community!
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
During the time of crisis, those affected are internally fighting so much such as grief, pain, fear, embarrassment and a great loss and are automatically thrown into survival mode in order to regain a sense of control where in many cases they have little to none.
To manage it all on top of all of life itself and to do so with a smile is a miracle. Media does a great job at aiding to ones fear where the social shadow that is cast by the society where biases, judgment, blame, and belittlement leaves very little room to move forward with hope. Rather than taking a negative stand on the position of another, we all could switch the position to take the opportunity to further unite, educate, and support one another on a larger scale. The loss of physical socialism is decreasing. Where this is not ideal, social media has at least one advantage in that reaching the masses. We now have the ability to communicate and reach out to others in relation to ourselves. it has become easier to increase awareness of a particular thing where it is wanted and needed. To reach out to others alike and become a resource where there perhaps wasn’t one, to begin with. We no longer have an excuse to continue to allow communities to suffer. We have every opportunity to reach out to those and help facilitate towards their needs. Whether it is education on a particular subject, sharing our experiences, providing resources and perhaps build together those that are not yet known. Most importantly, allowing an outlet for those who have been silenced and now becoming a leading to help those voice their power again.
As a woman, I can at least speak for myself when I say that I have fought the greatest battles. However, I know there are many I can relate to from the known walks of life I have come across over the years. When I couldn’t jump over the hurdles, I crawled until I was able to climb. This is what we do. However, knowing that there are millions of women out there that can relate to one another on a broad level of experiences, I know that I am not far off unique as others when it comes to my own. Why not share them for the purpose of support? People remain quiet over the fear and judgment of others. It is never ok to make your community feel suppressed. That is not the meaning of community. It is our humanistic responsibility to be a competent member. Crisis can occur to any economic status, education and career background, race, gender, and all the above. No one is ever better than anyone. The real focus should be to support in that continuance of thriving.
The opportunity for communities to unite through media is grand. Now, becoming a larger force that will overpower and help women overcome their crisis with a larger support system than they would have to do so alone. Through my writing- whether it be articles published on my website, my future book, or any of my social media sites, my voice is my power to not only stand up for myself but help others do so as well. The best choice in all that we do is always the kindest. Remain kind online and always! You never know what help you may need one day! Unity with Community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unitywithcommunity.com
- Email: awilkinsonr@gmail.com
- Instagram: @closets_to_community
- Facebook: C to C- Closets to Community
- Other: other IG @amandamariewilkinson
Image Credit:
Eilise VanRaadshooven
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
