As you think about ending 2020 and beginning 2021, here’s something to consider. Rest to work rather than work to rest! Many people take time off work during the holiday season, but many of us don’t know how to rest. I mean truly resting by letting go of the pressures in your mind that you need to be doing something or going somewhere, and simply allowing yourself…
Grieving is hard and 2020 has brought us many losses. With the holiday season, grief can become even more intense because holidays are usually spent with loved ones. While many of us may be grieving the loss of the normalcy of life as we knew it, those who have lost loved ones from the Coronavirus and other causes are also grieving the loss of a life.…
Wherever you find yourself today, it's time for the FRESP check in! I wrote about it in this post. Here's a refresher: Food - Eat nourishing food and drink water Relationship - Have restorative connection Exercise - Do physical activity Sleep - Get 7 to 9 hours, could be more or less depending on the person Pray - Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17) And I will…
Journaling has gotten me through a lot. I have books upon books and several word documents filled with my thoughts and tear stains. I have gained deeper understanding, clarity, resolve, and transformation through writing. Some of my best times in prayer have been through journaling. It is a great and accessible tool for most of us. But, many people wonder how to start journaling or they…
You know how, many African cultures have rituals involving dancing and chanting? They are done on many occasions including after births and deaths. It turns out that the Western world is catching up to these along with other art forms as beneficial ways to heal from trauma. Well of course, everything originated in Africa 😉Anyway, last week I wrote about Black American trauma: 3 important concepts…
Trauma is the response to a disturbing or painful experience. We’ve all been through some type of trauma in our lives. Many times when we hear trauma, we think of situations like car accidents, attacked at gun point, rape, mass shootings, natural disasters, and domestic violence. However, traumas can also occur from break ups with significant others, losing a loved one, undergoing surgery, living in an…
Disclaimer: This is easy in theory but not always in practice. Stress is a part of life. We all experience it to varying degrees. Some stress keeps us motivated and productive, while too much stress can lead to burnout. We’ve been in a pandemic for about 28 weeks now and it’s changed our normal way of living. It’s changed the way we work, educate our kids,…
For the next few weeks, I’ll be writing a series on reducing relationship tension during this period of COVID-19. It’s been over two months since the Coronavirus has forced us to limit social and physical contact. While some people living alone may be experiencing increased isolation, those living together may be ‘driving each other crazy.’ There are higher rates of domestic violence, and increased tension within…
My people! It’s almost May, the month of graduation for many seniors and graduate students. The month of May marks the beginning of the end of an academic year. I can feel that May 2020 is going to be a weird month because we are forced to do things differently due to the coronavirus. I am also reminded that this weird season is not just about…
I don’t know about you, but quarantining is getting harder for me. Last week, I was so full of ideas about things to do while at home that I wrote about it here. This week, I feel tired and in need of rest and self-care.A few years ago, I came up with the acronym below to help me remember how to tend to my needs. Try…