Keys2Ubantu

It’s 2022 and if you are reading this consider yourself blessed enough like myself to be here. Yes, we are still in a pandemic. Yes, the news keeps feeding us a whole bunch of things that we cannot digest but let’s step away from that. Let’s step away from the noise and focus on something different. That something or someone is yourself.

I remember a couple of years ago I would go down to this store in Manhattan that sold healthy foods and smoothies. I would actually go there every couple of months because my son had a doctor’s appointment in that neighborhood. For years, I would purchase the same smoothie. I never changed the flavor. I wouldn’t even add a little something extra in it. It was always the same old smoothie that tasted brand new to me. To me it was perfection in a cup. One fine day I was in the city for my son’s usual appointment, and I ordered my smoothie. As I was about to make the payment the lady behind the register who was of Indian descent said to me, “My friend every time you come here you buy the same smoothie. I have been watching you. Please try something different.” I stated well that’s what I like. She went on to say, “You haven’t tried any of the others, so how will you know which one is the best. You must always try something different my friend, because that is the spice of life.” She stunned me by this statement, which encouraged me to try something different. The new taste was just as rewarding as my favorite. Variation in life is good for you that’s what I took from that day. Switching up things a little bit and opening up yourself to new horizons, new experiences, and new people is all what it’s about. To assist you in spicing things up and actually enjoying life make a list of new things you want to try whether it is a new restaurant, dance class, vacation spot, the route home, but make it your duty if not every day as many days as you can to try something different. An open mind, an open heart, the willingness to learn, and understand are all a part of the spice of life.

Today as a part of my spice of life challenge, I decided to make Thai Vegan Zoodles with peanut sauce. I was initially apprehensive, but the different flavors were a thrill to my taste buds. What will your spice of life challenge look like? Please leave your comments below so that we can encourage each other and let’s hold each other accountable for trying something new for the rest of our lives.

As I went through my morning ritual a thought popped into my head, “What are you feeding yourself? The thought was not just about diet but assessing my spiritual being. Are my thoughts health? Am I ingesting the proper reading material? Is what I am listening to on social media or the radio something that will change my life and make me a better person in this reality? How is what I am listening to affecting my life? Is my existence in someone’s life nourishing to them? These all have to do with feeding whether it be to ourselves or others. What we put out into this universe has the capability to exist for eons. One bad thought can last lifetimes after you are gone. That is how powerful the mind is.

The words we use can build others up or destroy them due to the frequency and tone which we use them. Dropping the seed will germinate and eventually grow whether it’s recognized or not. We have an effect on each other. There is power in our words and how we utilize them especially when we are in situations that may lead to arguments. It is best to wait until each party has calmed down to communicate to avoid using words you cannot take back.

Our eyes take in so much especially on the television and social media. Our brains are saturated with so many things that are unhealthy that at this juncture many are numb to what they are viewing and feel that it is a form of normalcy. Viewing violence, sexually subliminal messages in children’s shows, bullying, and tragedies has dominated our eyes. If viewing these things has dominated the eyes then that means that it has seeped into the subconscious to dominate the mind.

How can we move to nourish our minds so that we can progress to be better human beings on this planet. The best suggestion that I can give is to limit what you take in. Take time to refresh your senses in natural environments with no cell phone or television. It is your body, mind, and soul so fill it with nourishing things. Replenish when you need to, but always take into account that what you feed your physical and spiritual body is what you will start to transform into.

How can I be super positive with so many dramatic things occurring in my life? How have I some how mustered myself out of bed on those days when I just want to pull the covers over my head to hide away from the world. I lost my job this year, during a time when a close family member became ill. My life began to swirl in a world wind. There were days I would ride the bus and tears would drop vigorously from my eyes. I would quickly dry them to avoid any of the passengers from seeing that I was hurting.

We are never quite prepared for a loved one to transition to the next realm and sometimes it is difficult for a loved one to transition because they feel they are letting their families down. Instead of being comforted they exhibit more stress than peace. One night in a group meeting there was a gentleman who was a practitioner of an indigenous practice that expressed his father’s passing and because of his religious practice he was able to let go. He eloquently explained the beauty of his father’s transition and how his father was always with him in spirit. This allowed me relief and the realization of my selfishness because I could not control life or death. I was helpless and it was at that point I realized it wasn’t my job who would live or who would transition. The weight of knowing that there was a spiritual realm and that I would always be connected to family gave me that shoulder that I needed to lean on. I was reminded about what I had forgotten.

Many don’t believe in the ancestral realm but I do. I have smelled sweet perfume from loved ones and gentle reminders that life is not about this existence only, but of a greater one. We feel pain because physically our loved ones are no longer here but they exist in the spirit realm where they continuously offer us support that may sometimes go unnoticed. So every time butterflies land on me , sweet or masculine scents brush my nose, or even a message comes through a song I am able to wipe my tears away and instead take up the hand of joy. Ever gently hugging peace and I keep my head to the sky.

This morning I woke up and I had so many plans and one of them involved exercise. I procrastinated and dragged my feet but eventually I completed the home work out routine. Sweat dripping from my back and arms really showed me that it was not a burden I was putting on my body. It was actually apart of self-care. You know self-care that thing you do just to love on your self, improve yourself, and focus on just you. We get so caught up in the day to day life of everyone else’s life that at times we forget our selves. Lack of self-care can often lead to health problems and even psychological issues in my opinion (I am no expert but just someone who has worked in social services for nine years and who has had experience ranging with many adults as well as children).

This is the part where the activist side comes into play. Many of the times due to our poor eating habits we invest in unhealthy processed foods which assists in the deterioration of our bodies. These establishments were design to make the food faster which means that it’s processed with chemicals to decrease the cooking time and these establishments don’t care despite the health issues these foods may cause. This usually sends most people to hospitals over an extended period of time and they end up on a range of medications, which can become extremely costly (which these companies and its investors enjoy and I will leave this topic alone for now). There are some diseases that are hereditary and there is nothing that can be done but through maintenance. Then there are some diseases that can be avoided by changing our lifestyle choices.

Here are a few tips that I use to assist me in maintaining a healthy lifestyle:

Diet:

I am a vegan and a vegan diet may not be for everyone . In my opinion for non vegans a diet of chicken or fish is best. You can cheat once or twice a week with frying but baking or air frying is the best option to me. If you drink milk and you have no issues 2% or 1% milk is best. A diet with an array of grains, fruits, veggies, beans, and protein would be best in my opinion but check with your doctor or nutritionist prior to dietary changes.

Exercise:

Make exercise your friend. Whether it’s walking, running, light aerobics, calisthenics, yoga, HIIT, dancing, cleaning, and I can go one and on. Just get that body moving 3 – 5x per week. Take two days to rest and do something you like.

Mental Wellness:

Sometimes going within is a wonderful way to maintain your mental wellness. Taking the time to slow things down and just being still does wonders for me. Journaling is another way to express yourself and assist you with maintaining your mental wellness. The next suggestion in managing your mental health is by speaking to a therapist. Sometimes people feel more comfortable expressing their feelings to people who they don’t know. Going into nature and taking the time to observe the wonders of this glorious earth. There is something about natural habitats for me that grounds me and just makes me just feel calm. I suggest you try it at least once a week if you reside in the city. *These suggestions are not to be used as a substitute for taking your psychotropic medications. Consult with your clinician further if these suggestions are ideal for your treatment plan.*

These are just a few tips and if I think of more there will definitely be a part two. This blog post was meant to inspire. I am not a mental health clinician or doctor just a human being having a spiritual experience while on Earth, meaning if you have a serious condition please get advice from your doctor before practicing any of my suggested tips. May you be empowered by this post and may the spirit of Ubuntu envelope you as well as your tribe.

Each and every person has their own perspectives on life. There will be times or situations where you feel conflicted about your views maybe due to lack of information or due to your emotional connection to the matter at hand.

This morning in the wee hours of the morning many things came to me and I drew this analogy. There are two glasses, one of the glasses are dirty, and the other is clean. Now in providing this analogy you will have the opportunity to see out of the two glasses. The dirty glasses will give you the opportunity to see but you will have to use more eye muscle to focus. Your perspective may even be skewed and you will have take more time in distinguishing things from this perspective. The other pair of glasses are so crystal clear that you are amazed at how things come to you easily. Your eye muscles are relaxed and things are just easier. In both instances you have perspectives whether dirty or clean there are truth’s and clarity but it is up to draw your own perspectives. If you are having difficulty distinguishing the truth it is up to you to ask for help from the divine forces in obtaining the focus and clarity needed, whether it be about a situation or yourself there has to be an acceptance of the truth once you acquire the information.

Since I have been writing on this blog you will notice the reoccurring theme of the journey because that is what life is. It is one big journey and we go through different stages at different times. Developmental psychology deals with the way that human beings change at different stages of life but most humans do not study psychology because they are too busy living life. It is not until they are at the latter stages of life that they are able to recall certain instances in order to share their wisdom with the younger generation. This is why elders are so important in all stages of our life.

I am in my forties and I have the privilege of bestowing upon my children my experiences to help them navigate far better than I have through life. I call it a jumpstart. The world is different than 20 or 30 years ago and is ever evolving or is it us that is ever evolving. My appreciation for discovery is beyond measure. It has provided me the time to explore myself and to know who I am as a woman. I have been privileged to learn about people and to learn certain mysteries. I read in the Bible some years back this is just my paraphrasing. It spoke of how having more knowledge creates more sorrow and grief (Ecc. 1:18) You know what I discovered and I am by no means promoting Christianity this is just for discussion purposes. I found this to be true. The more you learn and know the less people you have to discuss what you learned with and it becomes very lonely at times. It becomes harder for you to find love without them judging you or creating an intellectual power struggle. Each of us were sent to this planet with a destiny to fulfill. If life is a teacher, the world the university, and you the student by no means do no not stop seeking knowledge. Despite what I have written there are also beneficial things that come with being knowledgeable. There is an insurmountable freedom that no one can take from you. So, explore the world and explore yourselves. Obtain knowledge to unlock and master the mind. Be bold and continuously seek out new discoveries.

I remember in the days of my youth when summer brought about new events, love affairs, and wonderful memories but this summer is totally different. The summer of 2020 has people in a state of paranoia and many are traumatized by the sudden turn of events. No one was ever prepared for any of this. Testing is being conducted, some states are back under quarantine, people are planning to conduct trials for vaccinations on people of African decent which is absolutely racist but that’s another serious topic. Today I am addressing our mental health and delving into how we are really doing. Are you ok? How do you feel about all of this and what is your plan to maintain you mental stability? This is a check in and a couple of suggestions. This pandemic has occurred like a dates good night kiss. It came in slowly and then it happened suddenly. The exception is there were no butterflies in our stomachs only frustration, worry, and fear for most part.

One thing that I have found useful during this time is meditation. I find centering myself and going within allows me to conduct myself in a calm manner. I obtain more clarity on how to manage situations. This is my morning and goodnight kiss. It’s my way of loving myself.

Another suggestion I have is having a therapy session via Zoom or whatever company you choose. It provides you the opportunity to speak with a live professional to assist you with sorting out your problems. There is nothing wrong with seeking professional help. It’s courageous and admirable.

Develop an exercise routine. Not only does it assist you with your health but it assists with relieving stress and tension. It also provides a happier mood, not to mention an increase in confidence, and provides the opportunity for you to manage your weight.

This is an unstable period of time for all of us but remember you can still empower your self by maintaining mental health.