Skip to main content

Blinders

During horse races horses wear blinders. Race horses don their blinders to remain focused on what’s in front of them, all while not being preoccupied with what’s behind them, beside them and ultimately mastering the skill of remaining focused on their individual course to win the race. These blinders help keep the horses from getting distracted or disrupted with what’s going on around them. This concept was a refreshing reminder to me of the importance of staying on track and making sure I’m mindful of my own blinders being on. I pray about this often.
Are your blinders on?

In the past, not having my blinders on have gotten me off focus, upset, frustrated and disappointed about things like…
Caring what other people think.
Dwindling seasonal relationships.
Past failures and setbacks.
And comparisons.
All of which ended up being energy drains on my spirit, mind, body and time.

These days things like comparison traps and trying to keep up with what any and everyone else is doing can easily deter you from making sure your own blinders are on. And if you’re not careful, caring what others think or focusing on what someone else has going on in their life that you may perceive to be appealing or missing from your own, can cause feelings of bitterness, jealousy, insecurity and discontent to ease in, even without you realizing it. But if you have your own blinders on, you won’t turn into a hater, you’ll grow to care less about the opinions of others, and you’ll be focused and occupied with your own race, and also be able to be happy for others, their good news and the exciting things happening in their life as well as your own, too, no matter what season you happen to be in (even in those darker seasons when things seem and feel awful. Your perspective is what will make the difference.)   

Believe me. I know what it’s like to be in holding patterns, watch others be blessed with things I’ve prayed, labored for, waited on and dreamed about for years (even the most ratchet of people.) I've also had to clap for others and be supportive when I didn’t feel like things were fair, and take back seats I didn’t want to take. However, I’ve seen God shift things in tremendous ways that let me know He’s got me. I always have to be mindful of my own blinders, though. And you should do the same in your own life. Run your race and keep moving forward. Blinders on.

Check out the link below about the importance of blinders. Enjoy.

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space.  I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...

The Day I Made A Will

When I was a teenager, I remember writing a list of my greatest fears. One of the things I listed was death. Looking back, it was an interesting item to list because inevitably, death is something each of us will face at some point in our lives. Even though it’s no longer a fear of mine, I understand why and how it’s not a comfortable thing for everyone to navigate. But regardless, this past summer I completed a detailed will. I signed it, had witnesses sign it, and got it notarized. As I was getting everything done, one of the witnesses looked at me and said, “You know, it’s just that you’re so young…” I’ve learned that death doesn’t care how young or how old you are. You can be five, fifteen, thirty, or fifty, and it’s still something that happens. Completing my will wasn’t scary. It gave me peace of mind having documentation in place stating my detailed directives and requests. A year ago, I had one of my kidneys removed. It was a surgery that came with risks that were presented cle...

A Taste At Colattao Coffee House

I love checking out new coffee spots. It’s nice to take in a space I haven’t been to before that’s so chill, it makes me want to go back and visit again and again. This is exactly how I felt when I stepped into Colattao Coffee House. The kind customer service, the amazing options, and the aesthetically pleasing décor were everything. The aroma of the freshly grounded coffee beans, along with the sight of their mouth-watering pastries didn’t hurt either. I’ve visited this spot just a few times, and always enjoyed myself, my drinks, and my food. It’s definitely worth the trip. If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a cool and cozy spot for a solo outing or to meet up with a friend, I highly recommend checking out Colattao Coffee House sometime. You’ll enjoy it!