Self-Care + Personal Growth | The Phoenix Rising Collective

January 26, 2013
by The Phoenix Rising Collective Leave a comment

Health is W.E.A.L.T.H.S: Practicing Self-Care, Maintaining Wellness

LeRoyna Edwards – Ray of Sunlight
Photo by LeRoyna Edwards

Everyone has free will to choose what she or he desires. Wellness is a natural state of being, and it is my first desire. I realized as a young wom(b)man that in order to be successful in any aspect of my life I must be physically healthy; it is something that my cells yearn for every moment of the day. This desire for wellness motivates me, and I believe it is the foundation for true wealth and joy.

In order to maintain wellness, there are a number of practices – physical and non-physical elements – that are available to us daily. There is an acronym that I read years ago (and I’m unsure of the source now) that represents what I believe to be fundamental to wellness: Health is W.E.A.L.T.H.S. W.E.A.L.T.H.S. = Water, Exercise, Air (breath), Light (sun and chakras), Thoughts (empowering and positive), Healthy foods (raw), and Sleep.

In other words, if we take time to:

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we will experience vitality and richness from the stream of well being, creating a magnet for success in all of our endeavors.

There is an abundance of wellness; however, the first step towards it, is the desire to have it. Unfortunately, we have to experience a lack of wellness or dis-ease in the body to make us aware of the delicate balance. Dis-ease is rooted in a lack of attention to and awareness about our thoughts and actions, leaving the body unable to properly cope with what’s happening in our lives.

The body is a great teacher, as it uses physical and emotional responses and reactions as lessons in well being. Dis-ease is direct communication from your body to you that something is out of order – serving to push you to be better and to create the desire for a greater level of wellness.

I also believe that we have the ability to heal ourselves through the power of self-discipline, self-control, and self-awareness, as dis-ease usually means that one or more of the requirements for optimum health (water, exercise, air, light, thoughts, healthy food, and sleep) are out of balance. If you relax within the body and ask it for wisdom, it will reveal the therapy needed to restore your health.

quote_roni[article] I will share in upcoming blog posts some of my experiences with self-healing and how to apply the laws of health to your own daily life, exploring the true meaning of wealth. My how-tos will outline effective ways to make healthy habits a natural part of your routine, and these inexpensive, simple tips will help you maintain a happy, harmonious, and holistic lifestyle.

Many of us give so much to the world as nurturers and maintainers of those around us, that we forget to do the things that help us thrive. We forget simple self-care, and over time experience health challenges, dissatisfaction with life, and resentment in our relationships. Self-care is extremely important in the process of attracting an abundance of positive energy and love – for yourself and for others.

This year let’s make a commitment to love ourselves by practicing self-preservation through self-care. For now, I’ll leave you with this affirmation. Speak it, think it, live it: “My health is my wealth. When I take care of my health it is like depositing money in the bank of Abundant Life!”

Systar Roni Auset is a licensed yoga instructor, healthy living practitioner, holistic educator, and master joyologist! Her aim is to improve her community’s quality of life by promoting a healthy lifestyle. By offering educational workshops, health oriented events, youth productions, and training programs, Systar Roni teaches and encourages holistic health as a way to empower people to make choices that will positively impact their own health and that of their peers, families, and communities. Using the latest information about nutrition and natural living, as well as sharing knowledge about the benefits of physical activity and meditation, she intends to be a strong source of vitality within the community. If you would like to schedule a workshop/yoga class, participate in the Circle 77 buying club, or support her work with youth, please visit The Children Shall Lead Them Productions.

January 4, 2013
by The Phoenix Rising Collective 3 Comments

The Water and the Sky Hold Hands: A Mother’s Fresh Perspective

Amaya (“Mini Me”), Panama City Beach, Florida
Photo by Angela Eddings

As I approach the third year of motherhood I can’t help but celebrate the small victories every day. I realize now that no woman’s advice in the world could have prepared me for what I’ve experienced in sharing a life with my “Mini Me.” The challenges that have come with raising a baby girl alone have been very much like a rebirth. She teaches me something daily. At first I was somewhat fearful, full of worry. Every moment of every day I felt like there was something to worry about. It went from small things like, “Is my home clean enough? How do I know if she’s getting enough breast milk?” To thinking about larger issues like, “How can I afford quality daycare? And how do I get her father more involved?” There was always something in my head preventing me from simply enjoying being her mommy, but then something else happened in addition to the worry, she turned two.

As she approached the “terrific twos” her personality changed what seemed like overnight. Her newfound sense of independence put me in a place where I had to be ready for her to say or do anything at any moment. Sometimes a two-year old really can make you forget that you are actually the adult and the one in charge! From deciding when and what she will eat, to when and where she will go potty, to tantrums in the middle of Target, to sleeping when she can’t take it anymore rather than when I put her down to sleep – all in all I am tired.

I remember sharing with a friend the wonderful news that I was pregnant. After the hugs, tears, and excitement, she looked me directly in the eye and said, “Girl, I’m going to be real with you. Sleep as much as you can now, because you will never sleep again.” As I sat rocking her at 4:33am the other night I thought of my friend and couldn’t do anything else but cry.

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However, I had an “ah-ha” moment watching her walk along the beach for the first time a few weeks ago. Her face was indescribable. As she got closer and closer to the ocean and looked down in front of her, she realized the sand she’d been calling a sandbox went on for what seemed like forever. It was in that moment that I realized I had not been living in the moment as her mother. Rather than being worried about everything, I had to let go of my thoughts and enjoy what was real. When I thought it couldn’t get any better I heard my baby excitedly say (with “binky” in mouth) pointing at the water, “Wook mommy water and the sky hold hands.” That was it! Those words put everything in perspective for me. Suddenly, I felt alive and rejuvenated. Now I know that having her is a way for me to live again with a fresh, new perspective about this sometimes crazy and worrisome world. My baby has taught me, rather than live in my head, to live in the moment – and be thankful for it.

Angela Eddings is a monthly contributing writer for the PRC on topics that celebrate empowerment, growth, and change through motherhood. She is a single mother of a beautiful two-year-old daughter, Amaya. As a high school graduation coach, Angela’s passion for encouraging youth is a testament to her personal evolution as a believer in a holistic way of living. She exemplifies embracing and nurturing one’s mind, body and spirit through her love of writing and belief in affirmations. Daily personal experiences are no longer seen as challenges but opportunities for growth. This perspective has shaped her role as a mother, teacher, and friend and she looks forward to sharing the beauty in adopting that view with you.

December 31, 2012
by The Phoenix Rising Collective Leave a comment

Make a Declaration, Not a Resolution! Be Self-Love in Action.

HEY, PHOENIX! What’s on your agenda for New Year’s Eve? Whatever you’re planning our hope is that it involves some reflection on 2012. The word, Sankofa, in the Akan language, means to ‘go back and fetch it.’ In other words, know your past, to understand your future. Have you examined your personal past? Are you conscious of your actions and decisions? Your habits (great, good, bad, ugly)? What are you manifesting?
Let’s be clear, DON’T dwell; that isn’t healthy (and for goodness sake, forgive yourself for mistakes). However, DO gain some understanding as to why you do what you do. Right? Go back and fetch it! In order to break old patterns and for positive change to occur, self-reflection is necessary. So, instead of making another ‘tired’ resolution (yes, we said it!), have the courage to make a promise, a real declaration for some part of your life. What do you really want? Are you willing to do the work to bring it to fruition?