Rooted in wisdom: Your wellness journey begins

Many of us have grown accustomed to using the words rest and sleep synonymously. While both are needed for true health,  they provide different benefits to the whole person. Sleep occurs when the body goes into an unconscious state so as to allow for biological repair, such as cell regeneration. On the other hand, rest can happen both consciously and unconsciously. In either state, the purpose of rest is to allow decompression of the mental capacities as a means to rejuvenate one’s perspective, perseverance, and  regain insight of true purpose. How many people can actually say they rest while sleeping? Not many, me included. True rest is in the relinquishing of control of those things that are really out of our control. It is accepting the flow of life as it comes and trusting that God, Most High, Spirit, Source, Universe whatever you call him, is walking with you every step of every moment of every day. So, choose rest. Trust that the Universe has your back and all things are working for your good!

LOVE the four letter word that seems to scare most people on this planet. But why?, when it is exactly what we are made of and created to do. I believe it is because the majority of people have not felt love truly reciprocated whether through self-love or external beings. Yes, loving thyself can be reciprocated. How so?, you ask. There are ways that are simple but may require sacrifice and energy. One way that can be applied to every facet of life is cleanliness. Cleanliness of your body (baths/showers), of mind (being mindful of what you watch and what you listen to), emotionally (forgiving yourself and others but maintaining healthy boundaries), financially (financial awareness/integrity; not living beyond the means), spiritually (devoting oneself to the higher Source/God). When you love yourself well, wellness is reciprocated back to you. This is the two way street. Love is energy, it is a currency, and when spent well and wisely, it can only return as the very epitome of abundance. So, I encourage you today to show yourself the love you desire. I promise it will return freely and more abundantly.

I know this phrase is so cliche', however, I believe many people find themselves in this place of ambiguity at some point in his or her life. The problem many of us face is knowing what to do in this space. This space of holding, of interim, of waiting for change to come can bring about feelings of frustration, confusion, anxiety, and just overall inner turmoil. It's rare to find the bright side of things, especially when the season seems to be prolonged with no answers to the dilemma in reach. So, what can we do during this time? Well, of course we pray but I think the most important thing to do is rest. Yes, I said rest. Not to diminish the work that needs to be accomplished. Rather, rest in a sense of embracing what currently is and finding gratitude in that. It is by no means easy to be grateful in a space where there are so many questions and concerns about outcomes, but it is in the combination of rest and gratitude, that one can find the peace needed to remain and face any current or oncoming challenges with a knowing. A knowing that the rock will no longer be a blockade and the hard place will become more pliable ground to the seeds of resilience being planted during this time, bringing about the growth and transformation that is bound to spring up and out.

Years ago, when I was teaching, I would always start the day with a quote that was laid on my heart to share with the children. The one posted above was one that came to me at a very challenging time in my own life. I had spoken with my stepdad earlier during that particular week. He would always ask how I was doing. And being as transparent as I am, I replied, "I'm hanging in there, dad." He responded, "well keep on hanging then and don't ever let go." I laughed it off, but it came back to me in a very real way days later. My marriage was on the rocks, my children had changed into people I no longer knew or understood, and I was having difficulties at work. I mean the list goes on but recently I encountered some challenges and the word that came to me during my meditation time was "tether". I always knew that the word basically meant to be 'tied to something.' But what I believe the Most High wanted me to see is that it is more than that. The tethering is a form of rooting. It is not just to be tied to something, someone, or even an idea, but is done to restrict movement or secure. It is a stronghold of sorts. I believe during this season God is challenging me to tether my faith. Not to restrict the growth of it but to hold on so tight to it that others would possibly think it's quite delusional. Which, by the way, is fine since it is not their faith at stake. See, the tethering is holding on even when you do not see the movement, benefit, or any evidence of the blessing coming to manifestation. It is hanging on to that belief in your heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit - a whole holding - if you will. So today, I want to encourage you that even when things, people, or ideas/circumstances don't seem to show promising movement, honker down and hold on tighter to what the God of the Universe is saying to you. For it is through faith that 'mountains' are moved.

There comes a time when you may feel you need to retreat. Not because you are running from something, but because you are seeking something more. 

This past weekend was the first time I'd been hiking with my boys. Yep, that's right, even Prince came along. Of course, I didn't carry him, but he was in the running buggy, which still seemed to prove a bit of a challenge with all of the roots we encountered along the path. It was as if God himself was speaking directly to me. I mean to see how rooted all of those beautiful trees were. But the fact that you could visibly see the roots was what really caught my attention. Yes, I've seen this before, but this time was different. The roots of most trees are so deep within the ground that you do not see them, but you know that they are there. But then there are roots like these that you can see and feel! It's a total experience, and if not paying attention to the path ahead, you can really hurt yourself. But honestly, that is not even the point of this blog. Today, I'd like to just focus on the fact that, even though in some people's eyes it would seem that the roots are not deep enough down. I beg to differ.  In that, sometimes, God will allow others to see your roots. Not to expose you in a negative sense, but to display your unique, beautiful complexities. Almost like a wake-up call to love all aspects of yourself - the deep parts as well as the top surface, grounded connectedness with the Most High himself and Mother Gaia.