RENEWAL OF THE MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT WHILE PREPARING FOR 2020
I realized that attending church this past Sunday was exactly what I needed to renew, refresh and refuel my mind body and spirit. I tune into church regularly, even listening to a sermon in the morning while getting ready for work, yet I hadn’t physically been in church in about 6 months or more. Life tends to place pressure on us due to various demands. While at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Jamal Bryant mentioned that there were only 3 weeks left in 2019. With this realization, many of us are planning and preparing for 2020 through various avenues such as, but not limited to, vision board parties, goal-setting, dieting, saving, decreasing financial debt, gaining a greater awareness of self, mending/repairing broken relationships, severing toxic relationships etc. While I’m sure many are goal-oriented throughout the year, the anticipation of the New Year tends to provide a sense of urgency and intentionality.
After I got home, my sister friend who attended church with me asked me if I’d like to participate in a fast with her until the New Year. I obliged quickly. She and I shared what we were fasting from and also decided to read Rick Warren’s, The Purpose Driven Life, book together. Choosing to read this book is ideal because I want God to allow me to fully operate in my purpose in 2020, and to do so some things must be removed. I am declaring 20/20 vision for 2020 and beyond. While reading, I will also be utilizing the companion journal. I’ll be reading and journaling first thing in the morning to ensure that I am refreshed and rejuvenated instead of at the end of the day when my energy is low and I am preparing to rest. I don’t fast often, but I wholeheartedly believe that when you desire to receive extraordinary blessings from God, you must do things that you wouldn’t ordinarily do. Elevation requires you to step outside of your comfort zone. I am eager to see where God will take me spiritually as I prepare to walk into the New Year.
We all need to take a break to refresh, renew, reevaluate and regroup. Beyonce recently took a break from music to protect her mental health. While music is her passion, she knew that a break was essential to her health, her career and her fans. We tend to minimize the importance of mental health while focusing solely on physical health, not realizing that the two are interrelated. While on her hiatus, Beyonce visited museums, the Great Wall of China, watched ballet shows, and performances by her husband, Jay Z, from the audience. While Beyonce is a celebrity, she is also a human being that deals with real life issues. Money may solve many problems, but not all. You could be on the top of the world one minute and spiraling into a deep depression the next. Beyonce credits her faith in God and family support for helping her through some of her darkest moments. With Beyonce’s fame and reputation, I can’t imagine the amount of pressure she is under daily to perform exceptionally both externally and internally. It is critical that we never lose sight of what’s important. Often times we are consumed with being perfect rather than working in our God-given purpose and embracing our humanity.
How will you begin focusing on your mental health to become the very best person you can be?
How will you renew you mind, body and spirit while preparing for 2020?
While there are many approaches, not all will complement you. While I find writing and reading therapeutic, others may view it as a daunting task. I find that I am most productive in the morning whereas some tend to get a burst of energy in the afternoon or evening. Be mindful of what you’re listening to, what you’re watching, what you’re consuming, the people you’re around, and the energy in the atmosphere. Get clear on how you will renew your mind, body, and spirit as often as you deem necessary. Remember to trust the process to ensure optimal results. Some resources to facilitate your process are:
Self Love Journal
Positive Thought Journal
Your Prescription: Medicine For The Soul
