Mother's Day 2020

First and foremost, I hope all the moms had a wonderful Mother's Day. I have never blogged about this because it has been too painful for me. My mother passed in 2011. But it's as raw as if it were yesterday. Most of the women I know whose moms have passed feel similarly. It's unspoken as we don't need pity. We don't want attention. We want to grieve the lost of the one true love in our lives. The struggle is real when caring for a sick parent while raising a family of their own. I don't have children so this day is a reminder of that irreversible fact. I see the resilience of single moms as they bear the brunt of this world for their kids. The coronavirus has rocked the foundation of our lives and brought us back to a refined reality. Social distancing forced creativity celebrating the matriarch of the family. Proverbs 31 speaks to the qualities of a virtuous woman. My mother exemplified these virtues and I strive to be like her every day of my life. I have filled my social circle with other women who exhibit these qualities and the compassion to care for others. Even through this pandemic, I couldn't let this day go by without sending these well wishes. So tell me, what did you do today? How did you celebrate? Please leave your comments below. Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe. Stay healthy. 

Destressed

So its May 5th in the year 2020. This Cinco De Mayo is muted by COVID-19 and Murder Hornets. So many rites of Spring have come and gone with so many cancelled events. The call to return to normal is getting louder and louder. But who has a "normal" life anymore. Have you adapted to sheltering in place? Do you have a new daily routine? Are you taking care of yourself? What I have found is that people focus so hard on work that they don't rest. Self care falls off our full plates until a diagnosis adjusts our perspective. I talk to elders all day long. They often tell me that they rather have better health versus their current situation.  I write these blogs as a cautionary tale. God said that we will live and not die. We are to take care of our bodies like the temples that they are. We need to practice simple principles  to enhance out wellbeing. This list is purposely short to aid in incorporating these techniques into our daily routine. Give them a try and let me know how you feel. Also, please leave comments on things you've found that lower your stress levels. Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe. Stay healthy. 

Get your mind right

As this weekend winds down,  the mood in the country has changed. Warmer weather is bringing tensions to a boil. People are defying federal mandates and attacking local law enforcement. The feeling of frantic nerves are causing desperate reactions. Shootings, suicides, beatings and abuse are at an all time high and its overwhelming. Scarce resources are causing problems for providers and social service organizations. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Self help gurus are popping up as fast as cloth mask makers. So who do you trust? Who do you turn to? For me, it's always been the church. People tend to quietly seek mental health care to avoid the "shame" and the "stigma". One thing COVID-19  has shown is that you cannot play or delay treatment. I'm always amazed with those who self medicate with no medical training.  They'd rather risk addictions or overdosing rather that following the treatment plan. Economic issues and policy restrictions curtail the optimal assistance that people need. Well I have some good news to share. I've been a part of a community called "Faithful Mornings with Pastor Ericka Davis ". It is a safe space on Facebook to pray and ask for prayer from group members.  Now, they have taken things a step further with a 30 day challenge. "Grow me Lord" is happening now through May 31st. This challenge offers the opportunity to apply practical principles to guided mental health services. I for one am looking to get my mind right. I need to shift focus from the negativity that surrounds us to the positive support that a group setting bolsters. I need you to join me on this journey. You can register using this link: https://faithfulmornings.typeform.com/to/ng0X8W

I'm excited about this part of the journey. I expect to come out stronger. wiser, and sharper than before. I want to be in the moment rather than stressing and worrying about the future. I hope that the methods and techniques we will use will transform our lives. What are your thoughts? Please share in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe. Stay healthy.