Willard Wigans: A Man Who Exemplifies How to Become More Than a Label

Willard Wigans

I am intrigued by an artist who I have recently been introduced to because of his ability to create microscopic art that is so small that it can fit into the eye of an needle.  Some of you may know of this artist who comes from Birmingham, England. His name is Willard Wigans and his artistic ability is celebrated by royalty and members of the scientific and artistic community.  Taking to heart the teachings of his mother, he "...always respects the little things" by creating micro-scultptures of various objects.

Although his art is genius, it is his ability to overcome learning disabilities to utilize his gifts and talents to impact the world that is truly inspiring.  He exemplifies my belief that an individual who is willing to invest in themselves by developing their abilities can overcome any statistical probability or label placed on them. In a 2009 TED presentation Willard Wigan discusses how he used his art as a means of self-expression and retreat from a world that  "clustered him as nothing". He states that, "Nothing doesn't exist because there is always something."  His artwork exemplifies this philosophy as he creates specimens of art that is so minute that it takes a microscope to be able to see it. His art solidifies that he has the ability to not just produce "something" but to produce brilliant pieces of work.
     Many individuals utilize learning disabilities as a means of defining who they are and their level of productivity. It is inspiring and motivating to hear of the story of Willard Wigan and to see his work. I hope that others will appreciate his artistry and view him as only an example of the many other individuals who excel in their gifts despite the label of having a learning disability.  It is time to empower people to move forward in accomplishing their dreams and overcome whatever may be hindering them to get to the next level in their life.

For more information on Willard Wigan and to view his work, visit www.willard-wigan.com.

Texas Psychological Association Legislative Day

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go to the State Capitol Building in Austin, Texas to volunteer for the Texas Psychological Association (TPA) Legislative Day. The TPA provided volunteers the opportunity to come out to support their efforts to promote their advocacy efforts.  Volunteers visited the offices of Senators and Representatives from their region to inform them of their support of specific House Bills as well as their opposition to other bills as they relate to the practice of psychology. I had the opportunity to visit the offices of Senator Fraser, Senator Van de Putte and Representative Menendez. Our efforts allowed for legislative officials to gain insight into the issues relative to the profession and have a point of contact should they have any questions or concerns relative to the bills that were discussed.

The experience was very informative on several levels because it allowed for me to learn about the specific issues that are relevant to the profession, to the treatment of various populations, and the advocacy opportunities that are available for those who are interested.  The TPA outlines their specific legislative references and information on their website so I will not go through them here. I will say that it is important that psychologists and individuals in the community know how this organization can be beneficial to professionals and members of the community. They provide a fact sheet that informs everyone of their involvement in the provision of mental health education and assistance.  The association also provides information on education, training, and licensure requirements for those in the mental health community.  Students and professionals benefit from this information as they seek to learn what they should do to be competent and compliant with the requirements of the state of Texas.  The information that is provided by the TPA on the issue of "Behavioral Analysts" is particularly interesting as it raises the issue of "splintering the practice of psychology into multiple specialty licenses".   The Texas Board of Behavioral Analysts have their own legislative efforts in promoting their agenda as well. Members of the profession and the general community should be informed of the information that is provided by these organizations in order to make informed decisions.

The opportunity to volunteer to promote the legislative efforts of the profession solidified my personal desire to participate in more advocacy efforts on the legislative level and to promote advocacy efforts among my peers.  I had the opportunity to sit and watch as various constituents from all walks of life walked the halls of the Texas Capitol building. Each individual or group having their agenda and utilizing their time and efforts to make a difference for their community.  I was impressed and delighted to see so many youth who were present to learn about the legislative process. I was approached by three youth from TeenPact who were participating in what seemed to be some sort of scavenger hunt around the Capitol building. They asked me several questions to learn about my stance on religious expression in politics, breaking the law to protest issues, and my own personal advocacy efforts. I couldn't help but think about my own children and looking forward to the day when they can participate in activities that promotes their own academic and professional development.  These youth were participating in activities that are geared to help them to be future politicians or participate in advocacy efforts that will essentially change the face of our political future. I want my children to be in on that change to make sure that the interests of various communities that we are a part of are represented as well.  

Throughout the day, I considered the ease and the importance of promoting an issue in the state legislature.  Many individuals and communities do not advocate for their rights or their needs on a local, state, or federal level because they may find the process to be intimidating.  My participation in this process taught me that joining or creating organizations with like-minded people does not have to be intimidating and there is a lot that can be accomplished. It is true that the process can be long and however the efforts are not wasted when the fruits of those labors are implemented and real change has occurred.

Overall, I look forward to participating in more events hosted by the Texas Psychological Association and visiting the Capitol Building in Austin again.

If you would like more information about the issues as outlined above, please feel free to contact me at Donetta.Quinones@research4usolutions.com

Academic Research Solutions : Real Growth Requires Commitment!

Academic Research Solutions : Real Growth Requires Commitment!: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a futu...

Real Growth Requires Commitment!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

     

Every individual is given resources that can help them to build a successful life.  It is the ineffective use of those resources that creates a problem for an individual who does not know how to access or use the tools that are available to them. We all must develop the necessary skills to effectively use the resources that are available to us. This is accomplished through a journey of self-discovery that will ultimately lead to the removal of barriers, the development of a positive self-image, and the ability to achieve success in every area of life.
We should never be stagnant in life but always moving

forward attempting to achieve our next level of success. If you are not experiencing the success that you desire in life, attempting to understand the reason you are experiencing barriers to getting to that next level in your life can be frustrating. When comparing what is going on in your life right now and your ideal situation, what is confining you and causing you to go around in circles, digging a deeper pit for yourself. The answer to that question takes self-exploration, development, and support. It requires an investment of time and effort to learn how to overcome what is hindering you and you are worth it!

     Many individuals are more willing to spend their time, efforts, and financial resources to promote an image of success and prosperity. That image is a smoke screen that will eventually fade to reveal the true nature of a problem. Have you

ever been on a job with a co-worker who lacked the necessary skill set to perform their job well? They were able to land the position through their presentation; however, they lacked the character or skill set to excel on the team. Have you dated an individual who appeared to be the perfect match but their true nature was later revealed to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing? They had the appearance of having it all together but lacked the character needed to sustain a healthy relationship. The image that is seen by the world should be a demonstration of the investment an individual has made into their academic, personal, professional, and spiritual development. When you spend the time and effort, everyone around you will reap the benefits!

     Our services provide you with information and support you need to transform your circumstances and become further developed in your abilities. Our desire is to assist you in solving the problem you are facing in transforming your life and reaching your full potential. We will help guide you in examining and using the resources that are available to you. This will help you to move forward in achieving your goals. Contact us to receive a personal consultation.

To learn more about us and our services, please visit our site at www.ars-mhrcs.com.

Academic Research Solutions at Fort Hood Army Wives Expo

On March 16th, I participated in the Fort Hood Army Wives (FHAW) Expo at the Killeen Civic Center. I was so excited because this was my first opportunity to showcase our services at a public event. I was even more excited by the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people from the military community who were innovative and supportive of our soldiers.  I will be writing about some of those individuals in the future because some of you may be interested in pursuing a career in the business or want information about the services that are being offered.

During the process of getting ready for this event, there is one theme that I heard among individuals who were interested in participating or who were part of a business that did not participate in the event. That theme is "competition that brings conflict".  There are some franchise businesses who have several representatives who are so competitive for business that they bash their fellow representatives or attempt to sabotage their entrepreneurial efforts.  I find that to be problem because I believe that there is enough business opportunities for everyone who is willing to put forth the effort. The individual who takes their business seriously and who is willing to go through the process of personal and professional development will always be successful. If those negative efforts were turned around as motivators to becoming the best within the franchise, there would be a level of confidence produced that would supersede the need to bash or sabotage the competition.

Becoming confident sales men and women brings about the whole concept behind Academic Research Solutions. We believe that it is important for an individual to become well-rounded by pursuing further development in their mind, body, soul, and spirit. All of these elements overlap to empower an individual to succeed.  It is a concept that is very basic in nature however it is often overlooked in practice.  An individual can put forth the image of having it all together; however, they can lack certain elements that can hinder their ability to reaching their full potential. Confidence comes from within and it is a product of various areas of development. Individuals who go through a process of training become confident that they are knowledgeable and equipped to perform.

Unfortunately, the individuals who felt the need to negatively compete with their fellow entrepreneurs. They essentially lacked confidence in themselves and their product.  Many of these cases involved individuals who were unequipped to sell their product.  They were incapable of demonstrating what they had to offer to a potential customer as a salesperson who is providing a product or performing a service.

Now, let me say a little competition can be helpful because it can be a motivating force that can cause an individual or company to evolve. This is healthy and keeps the individual or entity in a proactive state of development. IBM and Apple participate in a healthy competition that causes them to always think of innovative things to do to further develop their products and services.  There is no need for them to bash each other or sabotage each other's efforts because they are confident in what their company has to offer to the consumer.

Well, I'll get off my soapbox for now....until the next time!

Long Time No See...Where've You Been My Friend

It has been awhile since I posted on the blog however the blog has not left my mind. I have been thinking of so many things to write however I never had the time to type them up. I was in Miami in January for a residency with Walden University and it was very enlightening as always. Students coming from literally all over the world from different backgrounds and realms of influence.  It is an awesome opportunity to be built up as a professional psychologist however it is an even better opportunity to network with other professionals who are working towards their doctorates in various specialties.  I am looking forward to my last residency that will take place in Houston, Texas however before that happens, I go to the Southwest Psychological Association Conference in April. I know that this will be an excellent learning and networking opportunity as well.

Academic Research Solutions is all about academic, personal, professional, and spiritual development and by participating in these events, it affords us the opportunity to gather information to disseminate to the general public. Many times professional associations have these events that are very informative for the professional attendees however there is valuable information that can help the general public as well. Our goal is to bring forth this information so that the general public can be made aware of what is going on behind the scenes in the mental health community.

In addition to attending residencies, preparing for conferences, and networking, I have been working on my new website.  I will be providing more information about the new website in another post, it is still a work in progress.

Well, I just wanted to show that I'm still around and doing what I can to make things happen!

God Bless!

BlogHop: "The Next Big Thing"

I am excited to participate in a bloghop that discusses “The Next Big Thing” in literature.  Dr. Barbara Lavi  introduced me to the Bloghop and influenced my decision to feature more authors on my blog.  I personally have not published any books to date however I would love to promote those creative individuals who are publishing informative and inspirational literature that will cause people to stimulate change in the lives of their readers. I do plan on publishing a book in the near future however instead of focusing on my future book, I would like to promote the work of Alania Osborne-Currie who is “The Next Big Thing”.

Alania Osborne-Currie is an artist and author who currently works as a Social Worker in Shreveport, Louisiana.  She is currently in the process of earning her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Walden University. I recently conducted a short interview with her to discuss her novel, Gonna Find Me An Angel, an intense African-American romance novel that explores the issues of sexual abuse and family secrecy.

What is the title of your book?

    The title of my book is, Gonna Find Me An Angel.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

    I came up with the idea of the book from personal experiences, my    
    experiences on the job and the fieldwork that I have conducted.  The   
   book  deals with many of the issues that are faced by clients who are        
   generally seen by mental health professionals such as myself.

What genre does your book fall under?

   I would characterize it as an African-American romance mystery novel. It 
   possesses a lot of elements from each of these categories.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

   If I were to choose actors for my book, I would choose Halle Berry, Taraji  
   P. Hinson, and Kerry Washington for my female characters. My male 
   actors would be Blair Underwood and Denzel Washington.  Each of these 
   actors have a history of playing roles that are very similar to the characters 
   of my novel.  They have what it takes to bring to life and provide depth to 
   the issues that are faced by these characters.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

   “A woman escapes the perils of abuse, dysfunctional relationships, 
   poverty, and generational secrecy to find an unexpected angel in 
   disguise.”

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

   My book is out and published by iUniverse. It can be found on   
   Amazon.com or Barnes and Nobles.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

   It took me a several years to write this book and one year of editing. So   
   about 10 years.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

   For those who are knowledgeable about African-American romance   
   novels, the writing style is comparable to writers such as Zane and Terry 
   McMillan. I enjoy writing modern literature in a rustic, rural setting with a 
   feeling that is comparable to Devil in a Blue Dress, which is the reason that 
   I thought of Denzel Washington in portraying a character in my book.  This  
   book is raw and written without censoring the language, the experiences,  
   or the issues that are faced by these characters. 

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

   I was inspired by personal experiences and the experiences of the people 
   that I have encountered over the years. I found that the subject matter was 
   relatable.  I was inspired to write about the issue of sexual abuse and the 
   family secrecy that keeps many victims in bondage to the experience 
   because they are not encouraged to share their stories.  Many of these 
   individuals become involved in a cycle of dysfunctional relationships, a 
   lack of feeling of self-worth, and no peace from within. My motives for 
  writing this novel was to provide a story that will be relatable enough to 
  reach the masses and be the catalyst for the reader to gain some sort of 
  release from their own personal experiences that will set them free. I want 
  for those who have experiences similar to those outlined in the book to feel 
  as if the can get a release from family secrets, be real with themselves, be 
  real about what they have experienced, so they can find real peace.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

  The book presents packages serious issues in a sultry, exciting,  
  mysterious way. It is essentially a melting pot to create interest in the 
  reader.

The bloghop featuring “The Next Big Thing” will continue with blogposts from Otescia Johnson and Lorieen Henry.  





Otescia Johnson, wrote He Cheated: A Woman’s Guide to Receiving Healing After Adultery, a book that encourages all women who have been victim to adultery know that forgiveness is an option that leads to personal victory. 









Lorieen Henry, author of There is a Miracle in 21, provides a transparent therapeutic piece of work that shares her spiritual journey through self-discovery.

Stay tuned as I continue to feature, “The Next Big Thing”…

Please check out my website at www.ars-mhrcs.com to find out how you can obtain assistance on academic, personal, or professional development.  Our goal is to provide an understanding of relationships and enhance overall performance through the process of self-discovery.