Coronavirus Motivates Americans to Strive for Health & Wellness

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There are some things that are simply too hard to comprehend.  The mind lives in shock for more time than we credit and then just like that - we are here with the Coronavirus.  The carrier virus for COVID 19 which has already killed thousands of people by the time you read this blog post.  There are soo many people searching for a safe place to land their thoughts and unlike a similar tragedy I lived through in 9/11, I believe that just when we start to get comfortable and secure, our faith is tested.  I grew up a Christian and not by choice necessarily in the beginning. I don't wear it as some kind of 'Superwoman' logo or deem myself to be raised above the masses in my lifestyle or countenance. In life, it is quite clear that we all want the same things for our families to be safe, secure, and fulfilled. We all want to accomplish goals which leave a worthwhile legacy and experience prosperity in many areas of life.  My Grandfather (rest his soul) was a pastor so I was often summoned to service over the years - in the way many people have within various cultures.  I was on social media some time ago and was reminded of a song that lit a fire in my soul and had to share it.  While sharing, all kinds of additional, reflective thoughts insisted on tagging along, so here is the song and then you can read where my soul landed. I hope it helps you find a safe place to land your soul as well.  Thanks in advance for spending time with me.  

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When I joyfully latch on to the words the "Lord our God is Mighty", etc. it doesn't mean that I am being unrealistic about the challenges our world faces. As a matter of fact, those who join me in moments of celebration are simply making a statement of adoration, praise, and doing what I like to call, "pushing joy to the top" How else are we to find true joy amidst the pain? We are all human, we feel it - seeing the pain of our neighbors in other countries and the almost helplessness associated with helping those in our own country. But in the same way, people in Paris will stand on their balconies to sing Rhianna or have a full out workout session from the rooftops; they are finding a home in which to make 'joy' a choice. When I engage in this type of music, praise & worship/gospel - my soul stirs up and everything I remember about my most joyful moments in life are made present; sometimes all at once. A presence overwhelms me unlike anything else on this earth and then in an instant, my pain leaves and a 'calm' I crave is later realized as the residue of God's arms wrapped around me. The same is true for people who work their faith in day to day situations.  You have to fight for that moment of safety and that is because we all have a battle going on. That battle is not just with the Coronavirus, it's a spiritual battle in our faith, and it's also a mental battle in our minds. I have seen many people throw around the idea of God and all the spiritual jargon but nothing tells you what you believe when you are FORCED to believe in something in order to not lose your mind! Health and wellness is about soo much more than what we eat, it's about nurturing the mind, body and soul; a lifestyle. It is my opinion, (along with this whole blog post obviously) that all battles being won requires a diligent and intentional focus on positivity and truth rather than fantasy, what we wish, or what someone told us is true. Some important moments of focus come when we have learned to stand on our own two feet of faith, as a result of things we had to live through that no one will ever quite be able to see in us. It's how we don't wear what we've been through, in our countenance and disposition. I realize that adversity, which seeks to distract you from the main focus, will have you doing everything but maintaining the 'calm'. My Grandma (rest her soul) used to say, "An idle mind is the devil's playground'. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many people are hurting right now. Families are unable to have proper burials for people who have passed in this pandemic, the whole world is watching with held breath and clasped hands. While we must be informed, we must also be diligent to find the joy/the true positive, fight for it even, and sustain our best lives spiritually and mentally, while we navigate this journey. I'm not a pastor, I was partially raised by one. I was ordained a minister years ago but I don't tote the bible around to beat people over the head with fire and brimstone. I have fallen flat on my face, invested in the wrong companies, dated the wrong people, allowed the wrong people access to my friendship, got mixed up in the wrong mindset, I dance when I feel it and sing when I feel it but, thankfully no longer interested in the limelight of religiosity or being held captive by the watching eyes of negative criticism and judgment. I focus on a relationship with God in its purest form without even an ounce of consideration to own titles in churches or even a badge of service as I did in my earlier years. It is the absolute most joy and love I have ever felt from God and an overwhelming sign that when He is not absolutely 1st, I was getting it wrong and was surrounded by people who even well-intended, did the same.  Anyway, I digress. . . Basically, I just do my absolute best to live a life of service in my interaction with every person, every time; seen and unseen and allow that to be among my legacy. In redirecting my focus, what I will tell you is that no matter what you believe, I pray for you that very feeling I described earlier, the one where God's arms are undeniably wrapped around you to the point where there is no question. That feeling that offers a release of the worry and pain among the only one who can take the pain away...even for a moment; and that you will use that moment to create a worry-free lifestyle for yourself. Some people say that it can only be found with Jesus, well I am no longer soo naive that I believe Jesus can only make himself known in one way, with one type of person, living one type of way, with one type of church, loving one type of person, in one person's ministry. The only decision-maker is the one who is able to move space and time, the one who does not have to ask for permission before removing the breath of life or granting it. In recent news briefings, I was glad to hear a more hopeful disposition about the direction of our nation in handling COVID, and I pray that it will continue. The Coronavirus for those with positive, negative, and undetermined testing status are still breathing - if you are reading; you are breathing. Choosing joy is only hard when there is nothing else to cling on to when we close our minds to the possibility that something else, more profound and unimaginable can exist. The right mindset will help you traverse and mold your resilience; it also helps to have the right people around you to remind you as you journey. We are never alone, I promise - we are well, it is well, one step, one solution, one praise, at a time. Stay hopeful. 

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Blessings, T 
​#SpeakResilience #SpeakRes #ToseimaJ #Coronavirus #distraction #healthandwellness