Whoop! Whoop! It’s the 1st blog of the year! Day 4 is feeling like month 4 in my spirit. Everyone is talking about securing the bag. Let’s talk about securing the soul. Babyyyy, that’s my goal. The money will come, but I am choosing to keep my mental and emotional clear. With countless news stories of the government shutdown, failing school systems, murders, suicides, & death; movies that evoke the fear of enjoying daylight, covering your eyes to survive, and the latest resurgence of “The Pied Piper”‘s journey, this is all troubling and triggering to even the most stable person. Above all, a deterrent to us really thriving, and “living our best lives”. It’s time to refocus.

It has been stated that attention is the new currency, and we are going in debt because of our attention is diverted in too many directions. The social media timelines, ads popping up for you buy something, loud music, streaming videos, page stalking, etc. No worrries, I am guilty of a few. No wonder, ADD, ADHD, anxiety, and depression is plaguing us. Trust, I know some are clinically diagnosed, but many of our mental health concerns are self-inflicted by what we allow in our spirits, and not dealing with suppressed trauma.

Even the Bible, reminds us to “take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth fastened around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.…” (Ephesians 6:13-15)

Not to go all “churchy”, but there is a ring of truth to it. I have no idea of what’s going on, but it is damaging, and derailing our happy. Here are some tips to realigning solid focus:

Limit time on social media. If you find yourself aimlessly scrolling, put the phone down.
Breathe. Breathe deeply. It calms and clears the mind.
Avoid entertaining things that trigger feeling of fear or sadness, especially if you have you have not dealt with your own issues or still healing. (I still close my eyes during certain parts of horror films…AND WHAT?!)
Find the nearest body of water. Put your feet in the sand or allow the ripples to run through your fingers. Listen to the sounds and inhale the smells and senses. (or visualize the scene, then write about the feelings of peace that you experienced)
Read a book, preferably a paperback. Touch the pages, and mark the quote worthy passages. Share what you read. Converse.
Journal. Write it out. I teach an Intentional Journaling class, so I absolutely love the healing and AHA moments that writing gives.
Go outside. Exercise. Literally, take time to smell the roses. Connect with nature to ground yourself. Find free things to do in your city.
Be careful of the conversations you keep, even the self talk. Is it productive? (We use the T.H.I.N.K acronym in education)
Meditate. Pray. Read your Bible (or any inspirational text)
Find a therapist. (There is nothing like having 50-60 minutes, of uninterrupted “you” time. Let’s reclaim that time like Auntie Maxine told us)

We got this, peeps! Let’s grow better.

If you love poetry, my 2nd book is out on Amazon, https://amzn.to/2Sv0uyi.