April 14 – I had a hysterectomy after months of living with complications from fibroids. Around the same time, I began to dive deeper into the holistic wellness practices.
May 1 – I was invited to a two-day We In The World event where swift shifts began to take place. I was surrounded by many unfamiliar faces, yet the energy felt like home. It was actually titled, “Legacy and Liberation” and it was there I learned how so many other Black women are suffering from the effects of fibroids and other health issues, and continue to suffer in silence. Those two days also clarified and affirmed some things for me for which I remain grateful.
June 27 – I attended the 1Love Festival’s “Re-Storying and Re-Covering Coded Competencies Artistic Soul Conversation & Institute.” It was a three-day workshop, yet I was only able to attend two. Experiences during those days revealed I was on the right path and to “stay focused.” I’ve seen some of the participants since the 1Love Festival and we still can’t quite find the words to describe what we experienced.
July 24 – I was invited to a sound bath/meditation and the conversation afterwards, while inexplicable, continue to affirm things I’ve been feeling for a long time. 🧘🏾
August 1 – I worked at the Healing Train-sformation event, and Michai and Jayauna volunteered. They were able to experience a sound bath, which awakened something in Michai. I’m grateful to have been there to witness and happy to see him begin his spiritual journey much sooner than me.
August 2 – I had my first Reiki session… 🙏🏾🙌🏾
August 7 – Michai turned 21! 🫢
August 16 – I attended an event where the energy from some of the folk wasn’t quite right, yet I kept hearing, “stay focused.” At the same event was where I received notice of something that went public last week.
August 27 – Michai being the recipient of the OMG Wellness Bar’s Inaugural Scholarship is another sign for me/us to “Stay Focused and KEEP SHOWING UP!” Because of his academic performance in the Spring semester, he didn’t qualify for federal dollars, which meant he also didn’t qualify for dollars from the University. This scholarship happened at a time when the cost of living continues to rise while incomes, if you have one, remain steady. As I type this, per Life360, Michai is on his way to a job orientation. After I type this, I have to log on to NCAT’s website to make a tuition payment plan payment. 🫠
August 30 – I attended “The Art of Community : A Day of Wellness” hosted by Be Well Women’s Wellness Collective, where my competitive Spirit woke up. I did have a major surgery a few months ago, and my knees ain’t been right for a while, yet I still can’t let women, 10-20 years my senior, out-twerk me 💁🏾! So many Black vendors collaborated, and all of them were out to help us get well. 🥰
August 30 – “Live at 5p” on Kijiji Winston-Salem’s Facebook page was another reminder of how Black people, particularly Black women, continue to suffer in silence. So grateful to host a platform where people feel safe to be vulnerable and share.
August 31 – I went on a hike! It reminded me of my days as a Pathfinder, and how much I love the outdoors and outdoor activities. The reminders also brought up how those memories were so joyful because someone else brought the supplies 🤭. We were granted another opportunity to meditate by a sound bath, and were gifted eucalyptus scented cold towels at the end 🥹!!! My competitive nature was awakened again because although the trail was short, the hike was steep and I was NOT about to be the only one out there panting like a puppy 🐶👎🏾🙅🏾, so I practiced all the breath control techniques I could think of.
August 31/September 1 – After the hike, I was made aware of some things that could’ve easily made me lose focus. For a few minutes I did. When I look back over all I’ve been through…physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally…THIS YEAR ALONE 😳, I gotta remain focused and I gotta keep showing up because, “This is Personal.”, my ancestors are watching, and my village don’t play about me! 🙌🏾🫶🏾💃🏾