Making Room to Listen: What is Your Heart and Soul Telling You?

Hey Sis!

I hope you are doing well. During the summer months, I intentionally slow down to rest. At my organization, I’ve implemented for the third year now: “Rest is Resistance” reduced summer schedule from Juneteenth to Labor Day. This month, I have been working part-time in order to care for my mother and spend time with my kids. As I’ve slowed down, grounded myself more, and opened myself up to listening to my spirit, there are a few things that my heart and soul are telling me:

1. TIME is one of our most precious gifts! In 2017, I embraced this truth as a beautiful reminder after Tamar (my mentor/second mother) died from cancer at the age of 55. During her final months, we talked alot about TIME …… and wishing we had more time of it! We also talked about following your heart and spending time on what and who you love! This summer, I am reminded daily of these truths as I care for my mother who is living with Parkinson’s and witnessing my oldest daughter transition into adolescence. I am reminded that time waits for no one. So, I’ve made some critical decisions this summer, because I refuse to put off the things that I can CHOOSE today.
2. I need to grieve MORE! While my life in many ways is an embodiment of my dreams and is filled with so much JOY on a daily basis, my heart is also filled with sadness. My last few years have been filled with many changes and much loss. I’ve had to say a physical goodbye to several close family members and my childhood best friend as they transitioned. And, I am now on the journey of experiencing the slow goodbye to my mother who is living with Parkinson’s disease – a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. I am grateful that I am able to recognize and give language to my feelings in order to make space for my grief, and my heart and body are telling me that I need to make more time and space to experience more of it.

So, what is your heart and soul telling you? If you haven’t had a chance to slow down to rest and listen, please make room. This is a season of transition for those who are willing to make room and listen.

Be well,

April