Greetings and Welcome!
There is so much to be celebrated this month!! We have Mother’s Day, Mental Health Awareness, Lupus Awareness, Foster Care Awareness, Teachers Appreciation, Nurses Appreciation, Resilience Week and so much more!!
With today being the last day of Resilience Week, I would like to shine some light on it, as I am always encouraging others to get educated and to get involved.
Did you know …
Resilience can help protect us from varies mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Resilience can also help offset factors that increase the risk of mental health conditions, such as being bullied or previous trauma.
For years, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. With that said, many states are celebrating Resilience Week, as resilience and mental health goes hand and hand. In fact, resilience is that inner strength that allows us to bounce back from challenges, disasters, and other traumatic events that we may experience in life. Although resilience does not eliminate our experiences, it does allow us to become overcomers.
Due to social distancing, I am sure that many of the organizations and/or individuals, who are celebrating Resilience Week, are using their social media platforms rather than having in person events. With that said, Virginia celebrated Resilience Week for the first time in which the Greater Richmond Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) organization provided information for virtual events and training. SCAN also used the following hashtags on their social media platforms; #SanctuarySunday, #MindfulMonday, #TraumaInformedTuesday, #WhimsicalWednesday, #TranqulityThursday, #FriendlyFriday, and #SelfCareSaturday.
In closing out the week’s celebration, today’s hashtag is #SelfCareSaturday. With that said, I would like to share a transparent moment with you from this week. In addition, I would like to share some spiritual self-care tips in order to boost your level of resilience.
My Moment of Transparency
About a year and a half ago or two, I decided to go to counseling; not such because I was dealing with a specific issue but for accountability and to possibly address issues that could be blind to me. In addition, as a Human/Social Service Professional, there is a lot of secondary trauma that comes with the job which could possibly lead to burnout; if it’s not addressed properly.
However, as a result of the health pandemic that we are currently faced with, things have been shifting in how and where work; to include how we interact with our co-workers and clients. At first, I was not bothered by the idea of working from home, going into the office every so many days, or even speaking with clients over the phone instead of in person.
But this week, something shifted so differently in my spirit, as I reflected on the fact that I have had no contact with those that I enjoyed spending time with nor have I met anyone new within the last month or two.
Like, is this really becoming our new normal?
As I reflected, I begin to just cry because as a professional and a person who thrive from human connections, I never imagined being in a place where I would feel so disconnected and worthless. However, while in that moment, I began to pray and pour my heart to God.
When I woke up the next day, my spirit was so heavy but my heart cried out, Lord I Trust You. I began my morning worship with the song Way Maker and pressed on. However, after an appointment with my therapist, it felt good to verbally release and process the thoughts that were going through my mind; and to know that I am not the only experiencing moments like this.
Now, with that said, here are some spiritual tips to help you overcome tough seasons!!
Now you know, I could not leave without saying ...
Happy Mother’s Day
This weekend is Mother’s Day and I would like to take the time to recognized and celebrate every mother and mother-to-be!!! It is my prayer and hopes that your day is full of love, blessings, and tokens of appreciation!!
Many Blessings,
Jessica Nicole