won’t you celebrate with me
Lucille Clifton, 1936-2010
won’t you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into
a kind of life? i had no model.
born in babylon
both nonwhite and woman
what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between
starshine and clay,
my one hand holding tight
my other hand; come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.
HaPpY NeW YeAr Beautiful Ones!!
2017 is here and we, the staff of The Beautiful Project, are very grateful to be alive, healthy, and committed to the work of our organization. We have big plans that we can’t wait to share with you at the proper time! Until then, there is yet much work to do.
As we all well know this new year commences with the inception of new leadership in our government. For many of us, this is a scary, confusing, maddening time. While we proceed to experience all the feels and processes, we must emphasize the importance of caring for ourselves. Wellness practices are integral to our survival and armor for the fight we have ahead of ourselves as we continue to make space for ourselves to make our art, speak to the people, make moves in business, teach our children, love our people, care for our babies, and do whatever else it is that we believe we have been purposed to do. In order to ward off distractions, stay centered, clear and focused, we must be well. What is in your wellness plan? Check below for a few elements to include in your plan. Choose which components will suit your needs and be sure to implement them, choosing one practice per day, for at least thirty minutes. Be well, dear sisters, BE well.
Engage Spiritual practice: Whether you connect your spirit to power through prayer, reading truth or meditation, there are a number of spiritual practices that are helpful in realigning and anchoring your your soul.
Fitness and Nutrition: Eating healthy, delicious food and moving your body regularly are practical means to preserving your health from the inside out. Drinking plenty of water, or at the very least, more than usual, fuels your energy and aids in flushing out toxins with one simple move. If you’ve had your morning cup of coffee or tea, make the next two water.
Connect with Community: Who are your people? Reach out to them. Be with your people, either all at once, or one on one meetings over a span of time.
Make Time for your Hobby: I heard someone say, time isn’t something you find, it’s something you make. Whether its reading, writing, crafting, photography, hiking, anything that you enjoy doing, make the time for it. You will walk away with more energy and inspiration than you can imagine.
Make a Playlist: You know the songs, the ones that you jam to, the ones that make you feel seen and heard, those that make you think and those that get you going? Yeah, all of ’em. Make a playlist and put it on while you work or just as the soundtrack for whatever you are doing in your day. No time to make a playlist? Connect to Spotify, Pandora or other such streaming apps that have them already available to you.
Rest: It may seem like a given, but getting plenty of rest is a must when considering how to care of oneself well. While having the leisure to take a midday nap would be ideal, most of us can’t enjoy that luxury. Perhaps you can start by going to bed 30 mins to an hour earlier than usual? If your schedule doesn’t allow for this either, then consider observing practices that are restful. For example, cut your screen time. Avoid rousing conversations and situations where possible. Choose to be alone and spend that time being conscious of and enjoying your solitude.
We’re certain there are other practices that should be on this list. What do you do for self care? Share with the group and lets equip each other to care for ourselves well.
Move in power.
We’ve got this.
Image Credit: Weekend Collective