Dericka Canada Cunningham, GBW Founder
October 14, 2024
This Week's Anchor
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV)
As we approach the final months of the year, what better time than now to consider how we care for ourselves? Despite living, breathing, thinking, feeling, and experiencing within this mind-body-soul of ours every second of every day of every week of every year, many of us find ourselves tugged by everything and everyone else but the needs of our own selves. A sobering article calls us into care by highlighting who we spend the most time with across our lifetime (i.e., coworkers, friends, family, partners, children, etc.). As illustrated in the article and the graph below, this interesting research reveals that as we age, we spend an overwhelming and increasing amount of our time…alone. I imagine this is why seasoned folks have such great wisdom to share in their later years—they spend a lot of time in solitude, reflecting on life and making meaning of everything they experienced and endured. I also imagine this increased time alone contributes to the sense of loneliness and depression that many experience as they age. Regardless of age or the impact, the reality of aloneness in our lives begs us to nurture our relationship with ourselves.
A fellow Black woman mental health professional, Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis (psychologist, ordained minister, and the former president of the American Psychological Association), puts the idea of returning to and caring for ourselves in such beautiful words in her book, Homecoming. I recommend this psychologist as someone to follow on social media, and I encourage you to purchase her book. In her book, she illuminates our anchor scripture as she defines and conceptualizes homecoming as “a return to authentic living that is based on truth, self-acceptance, and an aligning action with values and purpose.” She describes coming home to ourselves as moving away from the distractions of everyday life and from being disconnected from our mind-body-souls and instead moving toward grounded self-freedom. She challenges each of us to be honest with ourselves regarding where we are and what we need by making a commitment to prioritize our care and healing. As I enter the closing quarter of this year, I find myself, in the spirit of Dr. Bryant-Davis, returning home.
The end of the year is humbling for me. It’s a sacred time of connection, celebration, reflection, and preparation--a meaningful time to survey the aspects of my wellness and healing that I need to return to and strengthen as I consider an approaching new year. One way that we can pause, inspect, and tend to ourselves and our needs is by first understanding the layers of what makes us collectively well and whole. With this clarity, we can intentionally address the areas needing priority, attention, and care. In the field of psychology/mental health, we use a model called the Dimensions of Wellness to help with this. Although there are varied thoughts and opinions regarding the concept and terminology of wellness, this framework can be helpful in considering the different aspects of what helps us to sustain and evolve. The illustration below outlines various areas that contribute to our overall wellness (i.e., different areas of wellness). I like to add cultural wellness as a dimension because I believe feeling grounded and connected culturally is an essential aspect of our lives. Likewise, I invite each of you to adapt and add dimensions that are relevant for you and to name and define what wholeness, wellness, self-care, self-love, healing, or whatever word/concept feels empowering means for you.
Some things to Consider as We Explore & Prioritize Our Dimensions of Wellness/Wholeness
What dimension(s) do I prioritize the most? And why?
What dimensions(s) do I most often neglect? And why?
What area(s)/dimension(s) do I feel needs tending to right now?
What area(s)/dimensions(s) do I want to prioritize in the final quarter of the year?
As we approach election day, holidays, and more in this year's precious final quarter, may we honor our complex, layered, and whole selves. May we prioritize our needs, joys, and desires—trusting that by tending to ourselves, we are rejuvenating, inspiring, and adding to the world around us. And may we simply return home to this beautiful place we call mind, body, and soul.
Reflection
What is resonating for you about this scripture and/or this devotion?
What do you need from the Holy Trinity to help you tend to your whole self?
What intention(s) do you want to set to connect and/or reconnect with being grounded this week?
Related Scriptures to Ground You Through this Week
Deuteronomy 4:29-31
Romans 12:2
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Ephesians 4:15-16
1 Peter 5:7-11
3 John 1:2-4
My Through-the-Week Reflection Guide
A Song of Inspiration
Quote of Love & Liberation
“You don’t have to apologize for your tears. Let it rain.
There’s freedom here. There’s healing here.”
Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis
Just discovered this space and it’s exactly what I was looking for - thank you for these teachings and resources to help Black women align and ground in spirit.