Easy Like Sunday Morning

Reset.

Hey y’all. It’s Sunday. It’s time to exhale and reset. How are you doing? Are you breathing deeply? Are you letting go of anything that didn’t go so well last week?

I pray you are. Today is a chance to reflect and just be. I am sitting in a coffee shop writing today. Cowboy Carter is in my ears, but Anthony Hamilton has been in rotation. As I woke up to gray clouds and a stormy forecast - I noticed yellow flowers had sprouted all over our backyard.

That’s the beauty of spring. It’s a reflection of the work, of the planted seeds cold winters bring, and then suddenly - we’ve made it over. It’s blooming season.

What’s blooming in your life? What’s one area in which you’re finally seeing progress?

I have decided to change the list of things I share on Sundays. Instead of “what I’m watching, reading, listening to, and what concerns me,” let’s go with books, podcasts, and TV/streaming.

Books -

I hit play on The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips this week. Interestingly enough, it was right on time as she talks about patiently cultivating the garden of your life. “Your goal is to cultivate a sustainable, long-lasting garden.” She so beautifully correlates spirituality and the study of the mind. She focuses on our heart posture and addresses how we approach the complexity of emotion.

A Renaissance of Our Own by Rachel Cargle was refreshing! You will likely enjoy this book if you often rebel against societal norms. Rachel turned her otherwise routine life upside down after realizing she was chasing dreams that weren’t hers.

Another kickass read by Tunde Oyeneyin called Speak. She takes the reader through the journey of finding her voice and learning to use it. You might recognize her as one of the most popular Peloton instructors, with her beautiful chocolate skin and smile.

Reads -

As I continue to work through pivots and changes in life - I find solace in meeting other women who have boldly navigated life in the same way with the same grace. Pivoting this platform will undoubtedly be one to remember. This article appropriately titled How to Quit: Talking Pivots, Break-Ups, and Boundaries, with my friends in my head, Tashira Halyard and Margo Lindauer, is filled with shared stories of women quitting and creating lives that feel good for us rather than everyone around us.

TV & Streaming -

I watched the entire Amanda Seales interview on Club Shay Shay - in 3 parts. I still rock with Amanda. She makes most people uncomfortable because she is entirely herself, using all her God-given gifts. Attractive. Talented. Brilliant. Unapologetic.

I appreciate her vulnerability to show up and expose herself as she stumbles, learns, and grows into herself. I don’t subscribe to only putting out a perfect persona. She is flawed, as we all are.

I would argue that she powerfully represents what black women endure daily in many environments. I believe this is why the light is shining so bright on her at this moment in time. She is simultaneously fighting for her dignity, her community, the liberation of black people, and to end the war in Gaza - all while creating and making an income for herself.

Imagine that.

Podcasts & Listening -

I share because information changes lives. The nuggets shared in this podcast episode with Jay Shetty featuring Gary Brecka can change your life. I sit most of my working hours so the title itself caught my eyes. Let me know what you think.

Last thing - I started doing breath work using this app called Open this week also. I’ve read so many times - learning to control our breath is life-changing - so I’m intentionally centering this habit. There is an option to complete a meditation, sound, movement, or breath work daily.

I am sending you all the love and light you can handle this week. Take some time for yourself. Prioritize sweating. Namaste.

Feleccia