June 2020 Newsletter: Mindful Ways to Rebound from Challenges
Begin with Love
When the unexpected occurs, how do we rebound? How do we acknowledge the seismic shift and how it has changed us, learn any lesson and then pivot to our new reality? Is the pandemic over? Are our jobs secure? What if disaster strikes again? What is the new normal? We are living in a time where there are more questions than answers. We have experienced collective trauma and need to rebound but we are uncertain where to start. The practice of Island Mindfulness provides the following helpful guidance:
(1) Drown out the noise and focus on your current truth.
(2) Resist the urge to look behind or too far ahead.
(3) Let go of the fear and anxiety that comes with change.
(4). Meditate on how you want to show up at this moment, in this changing world. (5). Rise with love and gratitude for what is and take small but impactful steps toward what is to become.
This month has been difficult; it has been a “practice what you preach” month for me, and I have had to take a deep dive into the practice of mindfulness. I have rebounded through meditation, writing poetry, reading and writing uplifting quotes, and helping the community. It is hard to function in the midst of so much negative news, in addition to the normal stressors of life but we have a supportive community here, so let’s support and uplift each other so that we can all rebound and thrive again. If you are not already a part of our community, join us.
Island Mindfulness and Reflection: Quotes to Seize the Moment
“The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.”
Center yourself in the truth that you are love and love prevails.
“You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.” Pema Chodron
“Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make peace with that and all will be well.” Jack Kornfield
“Your rocky road in life made your feet stronger. Use your journey to create an easier path for your brothers and sisters who are struggling.”
Even in difficult times, be authentically you. The world needs you, just the way that you are in this moment - joyful, sad, angry, disappointed, hopeful, overwhelmed, or meditative. I have shockingly gone from “I’m failing at life” to “living my best life” to “the world is a disaster” in 10 minutes. I laughed at myself, focused on gratitude and got off social media for the day.
Reading is Life-affirming
Discover new artists and show them some love by investing in their art. In June, Amistad books used the hashtag #blackpublishingpower to encourage readers to support black authors by purchasing at least two books. It was a highly successful campaign; I hope that we will continue to be supportive for the remainder of the year. If you have purchased a book, please write a review on Amazon; even a few words will be incredibly helpful to the author.
Book of the Little Axe by Lauren Frances-Sharma
A Black Woman’s History of the United States
A Mother’s Dream for Her Son and All Black Children
Listening: Through the Ear to the Soul
I discovered that Beam is the son of reggae legend, Papa San, and he is incredibly talented! Artist and activist, Michael Franti has a yoga retreat in Bali? Let’s get through Covid and go. And Mavis Staples is why the universe gave us music. Listen to all of her songs.
Jamaican Artist, BEAM Brings Edge and Heart to Tiny Desk
Michael Franti and Spearhead, “I Got You,” the dose of joy that we all need.
We are All in This Together by Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy is the song that should be on daily rotation in our hearts, in the midst of Covid-19 and the fight for racial justice.
We're all in it together
Every boy and every girl
We've all got to get it together
Everybody in the world
I gave up on hatin' you
Just for hatin' me
I gave up on hatin' you
A long time agoI need you
You need me
Now we're all in it together
We've got to get it right
Celebrating
Walking in gratitude for everyone who has been purchasing my new book: Island Mindfulness, How to Use the Transformational Power of Mindfulness to Create and Abundant Life. Thanks for the awesome photos and for spreading the word about the book. Thank you for honoring my “Island Girl” journey.
We all have a powerful story to tell and many of you have a book on your heart; now may be a great time to start writing. Read about my writing process in my interview with Black Pearls Magazine, and contact Autherine Publishing if you need help writing and publishing your story.
End with Gratitude: Small Steps to Full Recovery
We are powering through Covid, racial injustice, career adjustments, the inability to visit the people that we love, anxiety about a changing world, plus all the normal stressors of life. Many of us have been under enormous stress over the past 3 months. In the midst of these turbulent times, remember that you are still loved, you are still blessed, and you still have the power to chart a course for your own life and help to create a world that is free of injustice. Rebounding isn’t alway a quick process, some of us bounce right up and others have to sit in our circumstance until we are strong enough to move again. Take small steps and don't lose hope. The small steps that we are taking each day will be a giant leap for ourselves and for humanity.
“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”
