Well, enlightenment is kind of like flying for the first time without wings.
Of course, there’s the exhilaration, the happiness, and the intoxicating sense of freedom that’s almost indescribable.
But there’s also the subtle shock at what you now see as the inevitability ….. the wonderment of how you hadn’t seen this so clearly before, mingled with acceptance. And the dim recognition that it’s part of some distant agreement you once made.

Heads up! There’s a (insert here) coming at you! Isn’t that what the last 3+ months have felt like. Totally unpredictable, complete unease and restlessness and the kind of things occurring in our world that shake you to your core.

So ironic that this year is 2020, isn’t it, because we certainly needed a new perspective and hindsight truly is 20/20.

Here’s something that I know for sure and it is that I do not know much. I am a work in progress, constantly learning and growing. And boy is this year teaching me to stretch and to grow in ways I did not even thing possible.

For me, the COVID-19 crisis made me uneasy, stressed, anxious, depressed….what has happened in our world that has followed has made me sad and hurt. I cannot say angry because I truly feel for the individuals that experience these unthinkable acts of racial injustice. I feel, because I am human. And I know that anger won’t change things. Compassion will. Understanding, loving kindness.

Since I am a wellness blogger, I wanted to reflect on that. Right now, know that wellness is super personal—it’s about connecting with yourself more than ever and taking the time to understand what makes you happy, sad, angry, etc. I’m prioritizing my physical and mental well-being throughout the day to make sure that I’m not burning out. I continuously remind myself to be more mindful of my current state, giving myself check-ins throughout the day like: are you currently clenching your jaw, are you holding stress in your shoulders, when was the last time you refilled your water bottle?

This racial trauma has a direct impact on mental health for us all.

Something I’ve come to understand that anti-racist work doesn’t happen overnight. It’s continuous and difficult, but the most important thing we can do right now.

Where I have helped is in listening and learning to various POC speak on the issue, on their own personal stories and how we can step up and step forward. I personally will not shy away from conversations of race and bigotry again and I look forward to having enlightening conversations with my peers. I’m working to listen and understand how my experiences differ from the black experience, how I can be a better ally to my friends and to black community at large. I’m also keeping a reading list so that I don’t get overwhelmed by all the resources (I am not going to share specific resources for learning but I know many are).

I have shared my favorite black-owned businesses and brands on Instagram. I’ve also given power to my dollar, buying things I need, but instead searching for businesses that are black-owned to buy them from. Yes, it’s a small part, but why not?

As far as donations, I have donated to the Black Lives Matter Global Network & the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. I have participated in 7 other fundraising activities, talks and fitness classes, that benefit many of the organizations listed below, as well as efforts to help in my own community through community-driven fundraising and engagement.

By visiting this link you can split your donation to all of the following groups, or allocate specific amounts to individual groups.

Black Lives Matter Global Network · National Bail Out · Know Your Rights Camp · Black Voters Matter Fund · BYP100 · NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund · The National Police Accountability Project · Color of Change Education Fund · Unicorn Riot · Campaign Zero · Advancement Project · Higher Heights for America · Fair Fight Action

One other program I feel particularly passionate about is The Okra Project and their full meal program, which supports black trans chefs by hiring them to cook for food-insecure trans persons. Food is love so this truly spoke to me.

We’re in a moment of reckoning now that feels long overdo.

If you don’t know what to do, start with listening, as many have shared, reading and researching. And look within, what biases are you hiding deep down that you can uncover – use this time wisely to unearth and unroot. I, along with so many of you, are welcoming this period of accountability and self-reflection to help recognize my role in dismantling toxic ideology.

Let’s re-imagine what’s possible on Earth… are you ready for this?

note: the above image is available exclusively as a print with donations going to NAACP from my friend Jennifer Vallez of Sophie & Lili

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