How Honoring Your Rhythm Supports Wellness

Everyone has a personal rhythm...

but for YEARS

I wrestled with that reality

as life has a way of 

constantly

consistently

conditioning

us to align ourselves to the

personal rhythm of others

fast

hurried

busy

But I am learning that you cannot thrive

when you are operating outside of the way

that God designed for YOU to operate

We are different for a reason.

Read that again.

We are different for a reason.

I read. I teach. I sing.

because those are the ways in which

God chooses to use me

AND...

my personal rhythm demands 

that I do those things in a slower 

more intentional kind of way.

I need time to process at my own pace

AND...

when I dishonor that

I dishonor myself. I dishonor you. I dishonor God.

Read that again.

We are different for a reason.

One plants. One waters. God gives the increase.

So instead of getting pulled out of your personal rhythm...

Honor it. Note it. Celebrate it.

And create a list of affirmatives

to support you as needed.  

Here are mine.

I am intentional with the time and resources God provides

I am in tune with my Spiritual gifts

I am where God has placed me for this moment

I follow the leading of the Holy Spirit

My ear is attuned for guidance

My heart is open to correction

I am willing to learn and grow
I am complete and at peace with God here in this moment
I will not allow myself to be pulled out of my personal rhythm
I will not be rushed by fear, threat, or anxiety

I will communicate my boundaries calmly and clearly

I will leave space for grace

I am intentional with the time and resources God provides

-----------------------------

The Cost of Interrupted Work

UC Irvine's empirical study showed 

it can take over 20 minutes to

recalibrate after an interruption

read THAT again...

then give yourself permission

to say no, 

to go slow, 

to honor 

your personal rhythm

in support 

of your personal wellness

(click here to follow our Wellness series)

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (What the Road Said)

 How do I begin?

Which way do I go?

Where does the path lead?

Life is full of questions and answers

and sometimes...

we want to know exactly

where the road will lead

but...

we must each learn to 

create and follow

our own unique path 

taking 

one day 

one step 

at a time

as each new day

presents

a new opportunity

to 

"Be a leader and find out"

First Fridays-

A Story. A Song. An Activity

Virtual Storytime

Theme: Creating and Following Your Own Path

A Story

A Song

"Don't you carry nothin'

that might be a load"...

The Wiz | Ease on Down the Road

Universal Pictures

Turn up the music and dance along with this playful, 

upbeat reminder to keep moving forward as you learn to

take one step at a time, stay on the path of your choice, 

and...

ease on down the road!

An Activity

Sidewalk Chalk

STREET ART

Grab your sidewalk chalk and head outdoors

to create a group chalk mural as children

design, draw, and learn to follow their own path

*Sensory Hack*

Cover the chalk with painter's tape or provide a chalk holder

to children who find the sensory feel of chalk off-putting

----------------------

AND...

I am so excited to announce our new partnership
with the Main Branch of the Inglewood Public Library

Look for our "First Fridays" book display, scan the QR code,

and snap a selfie for an opportunity to win special prizes!!

Self-paced Living During the Holidays

 If we've learned anything from the past few years... 

it's the value of health, personal wellness, and

the cherishing of the time we share with others

So as the Holiday Season tugs at you with it's

consumerism, social activities, hustle and bustle

breathe.

slow down.

refocus.

and honor what really matters to you

-----------------------------------

My top three... 

Honor your family with time

the thing about time is that it is relative

to the experience of the moment

it flies.

it stands still.

it drags.

(and yet we know)

there are exactly 60 minutes

within each hour!!

But what if...

we shifted our cultural norm of 

giving of "presents" into giving of "presence"

by being full, present, and in the moment

with the ones we love

what if we...

all learned to 

SLOW DOWN 

and enjoy

the eyes

the smiles

the heartbeats

of those we choose to spend time with

Honor yourself with time

before/after it is all said and done...

take time to nourish yourself!

Honor the Lord with your time

because honestly none of the other stuff

will matter if you neglect your soul

Tap into spiritual connection by

tapping into the source of strength

and don't carry any of your

doubt

fear 

or worry

into the New Year!

You are deeply loved

You are enough

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (Color Dance)

What happens when you

mix red and yellow?

Come to the color dance and watch the dancers

They have the answers.. and so will you!

First Fridays-

A Story. A Song. An Activity

Virtual Storytime

A Story

Theme: Primary and Secondary Colors

A Song

This catchy tune provides a fun and

colorful introduction to the three primary colors

(red, yellow, and blue)

while also giving children a visual of what happens

when the colors mix to make the three secondary colors 

(orange, green, and purple)

An Activity

Bubble Wrap Painting

You will need...

white paper

paintbrush

bubble wrap

and

non-toxic children's paint

(red, yellow, blue)

This easy bubble wrap painting activity is a fun way

to experiment with primary and secondary colors!

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (Listen)

 The world is a busy place...

But what if you just stopped, closed

your eyes, and LISTENED?

First Fridays-

A Story. A Song. An Activity.

Virtual Storytime

A Story

Theme: The Value of Learning to Hear AND Listen

A Song

City Sounds| Cee Roo

An Activity

Three Ways to Explore Sound...

Let's take a sound walk, create a sound garden,

or recreate the sounds from the story's illustrations!

How many sounds can you discover?

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (Dreamers)

Everyone has a story to tell

Every parent...

Every child...

Every person...

and Yuyi Morales

(the author and illustrator of this month's story)

reminds us 

as she shares some of her unique first

experiences after migrating to the US.

Her use of colorful words

and beautiful drawings 

help 

"paint the picture"

while reinforcing 

the power of books and storytelling.

First Fridays- 

A Story. A Song. An Activity.

Virtual Storytime

A Story

A Song

The Library Song| What's New Today| Sesame Studios

An Activity

"Bringing Storytelling to Life"

with Paper Bag Stories

We each have a unique story to tell, and we can learn

new things about one another when we share them!  

Check out how we used simple brown paper bags to

showcase how creative and unique each of our stories can be...

Three thoughts to guide you...

1. Use what you have

2. Provide the materials

3. Step back

Everyone has a story... what is yours?

The Slow Path to Embracing All Seven Domains of Wellness

We've spent the last 3 years 
focusing on wellness

researching...
learning...
leaning in...

to experiences so

fascinating...

liberating...
humbling...

we just want to discover

more and more

---------------------------------------

Grab some tea

Find a cozy seat

and SLOW DOWN

with us here each week

for

resources

tools

tips

as we embrace the

slow path to supporting the

Seven Domains of Wellness

Physical
Mental (Emotional)
Financial
Environmental

Grief and Loss
Spiritual
Social

Prepping for the relaunch our 7-week Vitality series

presented through weekly Wellness Cafes

-----------------

Physical

the well-being of your body maintained by
the act of taking proper care of yourself physically

through the balance of diet, movement, and rest

What this looks like to me:

(walking/weights/sauna/green juice)

-----------------

Mental Emotional

the health and well-being of your mind as

it relates to the balance of your state of emotions

What this looks like to me:

(mindfulness/meditation/creativity/self-care)
-----------------

Financial

feeling secure in the capacity/ ability

to meet your material needs

What this looks like to me:

(seeking balance/ "minimalist"-slow living

mindset/ consuming with intention)
-----------------

Environmental

well-being maintained through the understanding 

of how your environment effects your overall health;

being mindful of how past, present, future moments

intersect to bring either chaos or calm

What this looks like to me:

(candles/oldies records/ watching sunsets) 

-----------------

Grief and Loss

the ability to maintain health, consistency, and

well-being during the midst of uncertainty and change

What this looks like to me:

(writing/ Biblical journaling; moments of pause/ therapy)

-----------------

Spiritual

feeling complete and full of positive energy;

a sense of purpose leading to a deep inner peace;

What this looks like to me:

(worship/prayer/Spirit connection)

-----------------

Social

well-being as it pertains to your interpersonal

relationships; your support system and the joy

that friends and family can add to your life

What this looks like to me:

(self-reflection/ setting boundaries)

-----------------

Join us as we dive in...

Social Vitality

The Benefits of Cultivating Adult Relationships