Phew…what a month it has been!! I don’t know about you but this month in particular, has been HECTIC hence why you’re reading this newsletter just now. And to think the fast pace of it all won’t change until I’m done with my spring semester—which officially ends on May 10th! Anywho, while I would love to gloat with excitement over the fact that I am SO CLOSE to being done with my first year in my doctoral program, I’m putting a pause on that until final exams and presentations have been completed. Trust me when I tell you that when May 10th comes, I will be sipping a flute of perfectly chilled Veuve Cliquot Champagne in honor of my hard work, my ancestors, and most importantly— my mama of course. Listen, I am in awe of my spirit. There was a time (literally not too long ago) right after my mom passed away, where I stopped seeing the light. I saw nothing except for complete darkness. Life stopped making sense. I felt nothing except for sadness and anger. I felt so lost. I felt as if I kept on falling from the sky with no parachute and couldn't catch my breath, no matter how hard I tried. Fast-forward to now, where I am smiling and embracing all emotions including the simultaneous joy and grief! Guess what else?! I am seeing the light again. Each time the sun comes out, I am able to say “thank you for shining your light on me”. If I happen to be outside and the sun is out (and I’m alone), it’s an even better experience because only then, I am able to really take a moment to feel its warmth on my face and close my eyes to soak in this embrace for at least 10 seconds. Even as I am writing about this, I am noticing how this is making my nervous system feel calm.

You know how we’re often asked to think through the following question, “what are your triggers”? Well, during these past few weeks, I’ve been doing the opposite. I’ve been closely paying attention to “what are my calmers”? In other words, I have been paying attention to what brings me calmness and feels good to my nervous system. The first thing I’ve noted is how good I feel after getting ice-cream. Hehehe I love love love ice-cream. Any one else has a sweet tooth like me?! If not, I guess I get you...sort of. Ha! Okay besides this, spending time with friends with whom there’s safety present and trust built, feels very calming. For instance, last weekend, my friends and I reconnected after not seeing each other (all at the same time and in the same space) since June 2023. That’s 9 months! The time spent together involved plenty of laughter blended with moments sharing what we each have been navigating through. I think what I find so special about these ladies and especially at this stage of my life, is the restoring that occurs when surrounded by people who genuinely root for one another and whose energies feel safe and warm. We hold each other up and I love that.

Similarly, in one of the articles (highly recommend reading) I read last week, from my Health Disparities & Social justice class, the author—Dr. Anita Tijerina Revilla talks in great detail about the idea of spirit restoration and protection. She defines spirit restoration as the “reclamation of people’s worth and value” and it is through this process that we experience spirit restoration. Among the key takeaways from this reading, I view spirit restorers as those individuals and/or practices that foster the space for you {me} to restore your {my} emotional and/or spiritual well-being.

That said, to my friends captured in the picture above including the other spirit restorers in my life who are not captured, I dedicate this month’s post to you.

To all of you who are not only subscribed, but also read what I share every single time, I dedicate this month’s post to you.

You are spirit restorers.

You are calmers.

And I thank you for holding space.

Until next time, I leave you with the thought below:

(1) Can you identify “what are your calmers”? (2) Who are your spirit restorers (past or alive)?

Write it down or say it to yourself.

Resources:

• Attempted Spirit Murder: Who Are Your Spirit Protectors and Your Spirit Restorers?

• Social Support for Stress Relief

• Vitamin S: Why is Social Contact, Even with Strangers, so Important to Well-being