Collective Energy Card Pull
From the Elemental Alchemist Oracle Deck by Nyasha Williams and Grace Banda
MESSAGE:
Heavy emotions are being felt, and they can be extremely hard to let go of. To feel anger is healthy but, just like any emotion, it needs to flow through you and be released.
Every feeling is capable of creation, and anger is forged in the element of fire. You need temperament and emotional intelligence to survive the flames of your emotions.
External forces may be at play. Protect yourself from energies that do not have your best interests at heart, and do not allow them to control you. Choose your battles wisely. Protection is often wiser than a counterattack. Tune in to other elements to help balance your fire and channel it into something in harmony with your higher self. Your anger toward anything or anyone is telling you to address your true thoughts and feelings cordially to prevent all from burning out of control. Slow down and allow your mind to tell you what you need to calmly navigate this fiery time.
Are there thoughts and feelings you have been containing and not sharing?
What do you do to help you calm down and think?
What is your first response when feeling angry?
TAKE ACTION
Cordially express your true thoughts and feelings.
WATER: Take a calming bath, preferably a spiritual bath, to wash away negative energies that may have attached themselves to you.
AIR: Take a deep breath, slow down, and temper.
EARTH: Take a moment with a tree and journal.
Radical Self-Care Reflection
Two minutes of rest is still better than NO minutes of rest.
Taking even a brief two-minute rest can significantly impact your well-being and productivity. Many people underestimate the power of short breaks, especially when faced with demanding tasks or busy schedules… ::COUGH:: :COUGH:: capitalism. Here’s why two minutes of rest can be far more beneficial than none at all.
First, brief breaks help to prevent activating your stress response; fight, flight, freeze, fawn. Continuous work without any pause can lead to mental and physical fatigue, reducing your overall efficiency and effectiveness. A quick two-minute rest can refresh your mind, allowing you to return to your tasks with renewed focus and energy.
Secondly (is that a word?), short breaks can improve mental clarity and creativity. When you step away from a task, even briefly, your brain gets a chance to process information subconsciously. This can lead to new insights and solutions that might not have been apparent before. Simple activities like deep breathing or stretching during a short break can lower your heart rate and relax your muscles, promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
Finally, incorporating short breaks into your routine fosters better work habits and time management. By acknowledging the need for rest, you become more aware of your productivity patterns and can plan your workday more effectively.
NEVER underestimate the value of two minutes of rest. It’s a small investment that can yield substantial benefits for your mind and body, enhancing your overall productivity and well-being.
The Seven Types of Rest developed by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
The concept of the seven types of rest, as proposed by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, offers a holistic approach to well-being that profoundly benefits the nervous system. Our nervous system, which regulates all bodily functions, requires more than just sleep to stay healthy and function optimally.
1. **Physical Rest**: This type includes both passive rest, like sleep and napping, and active rest, such as yoga or stretching. Physical rest helps alleviate muscle tension and improves circulation, reducing stress on the nervous system.
2. **Mental Rest**: Regular breaks from cognitive tasks prevent mental fatigue, allowing the brain to reset and reducing the risk of burnout. Techniques like mindfulness and meditation can clear mental clutter, enhancing cognitive function.
3. **Sensory Rest**: Reducing sensory overload from screens, noise, and other stimuli can calm an overstimulated nervous system. Simple actions like closing your eyes for a few moments or unplugging from digital devices can help.
4. **Creative Rest**: Engaging with nature or enjoying art and music allows the brain to appreciate beauty and wonder, providing a break from problem-solving and boosting creativity and innovation.
5. **Emotional Rest**: Expressing and processing feelings in a supportive environment prevents emotional overload. It reduces anxiety and stress, providing a sense of peace that calms the nervous system.
6. **Social Rest**: Balancing social interactions by surrounding oneself with positive, supportive people and setting boundaries with draining relationships helps maintain emotional and mental health, benefiting the nervous system.
7. **Spiritual Rest**: Engaging in activities that connect you to a higher purpose or community, such as prayer, meditation, or volunteering, provides a sense of belonging and inner peace, soothing the nervous system.
Incorporating these seven types of rest into daily life ensures a balanced, resilient nervous system, essential for overall health and well-being.
Things that had me in my FEELS ❤️
These Gems had me crying, grieving, laughing, raging, and crying again… PLEASE check them out.
Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur
Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur, the 5-part docuseries tells an important and unknown story of global superstar Tupac Shakur and the woman who shaped him, his revolutionary mother Afeni Shakur (blackfilmandtv.com).
Being a late 80s baby, I remembered the Death Row era, Hit Em Up, California Love rolling with Suge Knight, Tupac.
I wish I was old enough to have experienced firsthand Words of Wisdom, 2pacalypse Now, Tupac. It is not a surprise now that a child of two revolutionary, Black Panthers wrote,
“Emancipation Proclamation? Please
Lincoln just said that to save the nation
These are lies that we all accepted
Say no to drugs, but the governments' kept it
Running through our community, killing the unity
The war on drugs is a war on you and me
And yet, they say this is the home of the free
You ask me, it's all about hypocrisy
The constitution, yo, it don't apply to me
And Lady Liberty? Stupid bitch lied to me.”
I am kinda embarrassed for not fully understanding how revolutionary and abolitionist Tupac was but I realize many in my generation might share this lack of knowledge unless they've seen this documentary themselves. Despite having watched numerous documentaries on the history of hip hop and its feuds, I've found that Tupac's childhood and his powerful music are often overlooked because they only focus on the “gangster rap” era which is worth discussing but so much of Tupac’s story pre-Death Row Records is awe-inspiring.
This compelling docuseries unveils the untold story of Tupac Shakur and his mother, Afeni Shakur, a dedicated Black Panther and the embodiment of liberation and love. The powerful fight for Black Liberation resonates deeply through Tupac's music and artistry, brilliantly portrayed in the series. The profound relationship between Afeni and Tupac is beautifully depicted, making this a must-watch.
Over the years since Tupac’s death, we’ve seen documentaries and films, and people portraying him and we’re still missing out on he really was. What did you want to explore that one wouldn’t read or find on the internet?
Allen Hughes: Most of it had to do with what he was born into and what his mother was going through the years prior to him being born. When he was born, she was on trial for her life. They inherited trauma. He was born when the FBI was trying to take down the Black Panthers, effectively, really taking them out. So he was born into what was considered paranoid, but we now know it was true. The dismantling of all his uncles and aunts and everyone in that movement. His rise as a budding star as well. A lot of stories were lost (blackfilmandtv.com).
Afeni and Tupac Shakur Allen Hughes (writer and director)
Queenie on Hulu
"Queenie" is a Hulu series based on the novel of the same name by Candice Carty-Williams. The show is based on a 2019 book by Candice Carty-Williams revolves around Queenie Jenkins, a young Black woman living in London, who navigates the challenges of her career, relationships, and identity. An unwanted breakup with her white, longtime live-in boyfriend Tom sends her painfully reeling — spiraling into, and then climbing out of, destructive behaviors and onto a journey of growth and self-acceptance.
The series explores themes such as going to therapy, complex trauma, racism, and self-discovery, finding humor and heartfelt moments during difficult times. I related so hard to Queenie and her difficulties that Candice was communicating through the storyline. She beautifully and painfully reminded the viewers of the longing for love and belonging we all wanted to feel.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
by Michael Desmond
Deindustrialization in Milwaukee led to significant economic decline, job losses, and urban decay. As manufacturing jobs disappeared, primarily in the 1970s and 1980s, unemployment rose sharply, disproportionately affecting African American communities. The loss of high-paying industrial jobs resulted in reduced household incomes and increased poverty rates. This economic shift also caused population decline as residents moved away in search of better opportunities, contributing to the deterioration of neighborhoods and infrastructure. Additionally, the city's tax base shrank, limiting funds for public services and exacerbating social issues like crime and education disparities.
This book Evicted, by Princeton sociologist and MacArthur "Genius" Matthew Desmond follows eight families in Milwaukee as they each struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Evicted transforms our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving one of twenty-first-century America's most devastating problems. Its unforgettable scenes of hope and loss remind us of the centrality of home, without which nothing else is possible (thriftbooks.com). It is a well-told story of the systemic issue of racism and classism.
Music Is Medicine
Raveena- Honey
Raveena is one few of the many artists that instantly transports me to another dimension simply by her silky and voice and melodies. Her song, If Only, is so freaking beautiful and auditorily appeasing that I couldn’t wrap my brain around that it was a break up song. Don’t believe me? Imma give you an extra one this month.
Raveena- If Only
Latest Editorials Published On the Reset & Resilient Wellness Website
Understanding Overreactions Through Polyvagal Theory: A Path to Compassion and Healing
Acceptance and Rest in the transitions in seasons
Hold Up, Wait A Minute Podcast
New cover art by the talented Khmer-Kiwi Artist, Peap Tarr @peaptarr
Photo by Nina Xiong
You can listen to all of the available episodes straight from my Reset and Resilient Wellness website for those that don’t want to go onto the other streaming platforms. Click here and bookmark it onto your phone!
The latest episode I discuss how overreactions may be emotional reminders or "flashbacks" from a painful event in the past, an event or events that you may not even be aware of! Join me as I discuss how to navigate these "overreactions" with mindful awareness, curiosity, and other helpful resources.