Search Results

Let's share with one another what Soul Care means for each of us and discuss questions about the essential aspects of our emotional and spiritual well-being. Soul Care Conversation 20 minutes Complimentary Call Together, we’ll reflect on your hopes for soul care, your questions about my approach, and the needs you’re carrying. I look forward to sitting with you and beginning this journey. Schedule a Conversation

Spiritual Direction is a safe, sacred space where we help people notice and respond to Divine presence in their lives. It’s not about giving advice or fixing anything. Instead, it’s about listening deeply, asking meaningful questions, and walking alongside someone as they explore their spiritual journey. It holds space for our stories, our curiosities, our longings, and even our silence...without judgment or agenda. In this space, our whole self is welcome. Soul Care Conversation Let’s take a moment to connect. Listening, learning, and exploring together how Soul Care can nurture freedom, healing, and hope. Let's Connect Spiritual Direction An invitation into a sacred rhythm where your story, sorrows, and longings are held, your hidden strength is honored, and your transformation is companioned with care. Spiritual Direction Soul Care Group Session A communal space for journeying in soul care through group spiritual direction, lifting one another in love and practicing spiritual care for others while tending to ourselves. Soul Care Facilitating Why Spiritual Direction? A Journey of Transformation Why Spiritual Direction... because spiritual direction transformed my life when I needed it the most. In one of my lowest moments, I finally threw up my surrender flag (basically, raised my hands!) and opened myself up to the gift of spiritual directors and spiritual mentors. They walked with me as I began to face the pain I had buried for far too long... overwhelming grief, stress, trauma, shame, anxiety, and fear... all concealed behind a protective armor I thought would keep me safe. Something about the way they held space opened me up, and that's when I slowly began reclaiming the parts of myself I had lost. Still, it was two defining moments that drew me even deeper into this sacred path. One came through a dream… an unsettling, deeply embarrassing experience that forced me to confront my own sexual brokenness. It was as if something buried in my soul surfaced without warning, and I didn't know where it had come from. I tried everything to make that thing go away… praying, healing services, repenting, striving to banish the thoughts. Yet, they lingered. Shame clung to me, whispering lies that I was beyond help. But it wasn’t until I found the courage to share this with a trusted spiritual companion that I encountered a generous amount of compassion. Instead of condemnation, she simply said, "Cynthia, you’ve been wounded." Those words unlocked something deep within me. She named the reality I had been afraid to face... I was wounded... and Jesus, the Wounded Healer, was not turning away either. He was inviting me into a journey of restoration and repair. That moment marked the beginning of my interior work of sustainable freedom. The second moment came from witnessing injustice within my own family. My auntie, a fierce civil rights advocate for African American nurses, worked tirelessly alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to break barriers in the medical field. She fought for equity, for dignity, for spaces where Black nurses could thrive. And yet, in her final years of her life, I saw exhaustion, depression, disappointment and the weight of battles fought without the rest and renewal she deserved. It felt like an absence of the tangible rewards I had assumed justice should bring. Where was the peace, the security, the flourishing that should have been hers? I struggled with God. More honestly, I raged at the disparities I saw… and the ones I had felt deep within myself. It was a built-up anger, an unrelenting surge that reminded me of Hagar, an enslaved immigrant Egyptian woman cast out into the wilderness, abandoned and unseen by the world. I couldn’t reconcile what I was witnessing with the faith I had been taught... a version entangled in colonial ideals and nationalistic identity, one that promised ease for the faithful but ignored the wounds of the oppressed. It wasn’t the faith of Jesus; it was a theological derailment dressed in religious language, masking injustice while silencing the cries of the wounded. Still, in that wilderness, Hagar’s story invited me to see my own pain differently. I was drawn into the mystery of God’s justice... not one that promises ease or success, but the embodied presence of a God who sees, who weeps, who walks with the wounded. Like Hagar, I had felt dismissed and unseen. But my anger didn’t disqualify me from faith; it became a doorway into Jesus’ own lament and righteous grief. Even there, God was not absent but inviting me deeper... not only to grieve injustice, but to confront the unhealed desires and instincts within me, the ones that, unchecked, could mirror the very systems I longed to dismantle. The Power of Spiritual Direction & Strength in Surrender It was here, in the tension between lament and hope, that I began to embrace the layered work of healing and the inside-out transformation. In surrendering to this vulnerable pathway, I discovered an unavoidable truth... to love God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind required me to honor my whole being... body and soul alike. No longer could I suppress or repress the struggles I had once buried; they surfaced fully, demanding the kind of truth that confronts my own humanness and reveals how justice and compassion must begin within. And as I was giving myself permission to move through the process, embracing the clean pain , something powerful began to shift... liberation was taking root. This freedom began to unravel the unhealthy patterns and habits that had quietly kept me bound... ways of thinking, reacting, and coping shaped by unaddressed fear, by the need for control, and by deep longings I hadn’t known how to name. I started to see how those forces had shaped my imagination and decisions, often without me even realizing it. But in trusting the Healer, I found a new anchor. I was being redeemed, not just from pain, but from a kind of inner slavery to those patterns. I began to honor my body as God's image, to embrace rest as a cherished gift, and to find unexpected strength in lament. Slowly, I was being freed into a new way of living... new habits, new thought patterns, a new imagination shaped by Love, not fear. Purpose in Spiritual Direction & Networks of Freedom One of the most life-changing realizations on this path has been that soul work is never done alone… it is always rooted in community. None of us come to this truth by ourselves. It was the voices of those who encouraged, challenged, and faithfully walked alongside me that helped me recognize the sacred interconnectedness of our healing journeys. The wisdom and endurance of my ancestors became a sacred thread, weaving through my story and guiding me toward a deeper knowing: healing is never just personal, it is deeply collective. Their lives bore witness to this truth and awakened in me a renewed vision of community, all of it anchored in the Living Hope that holds us and gently leads us home. Therese Taylor-Stinson’s powerful words in Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman echo this truth and continue to ground me in the importance of communal liberation: “The more connected I am to those committed to freedom in my own life, the further I am able to travel in my own trek to freedom. Networks of freedom have supported my own growth, and I have built networks of my own to sustain and affirm the viability of community.” Her words invite me again and again to lean into soul care communities that cultivate my own freedom, and to create spaces where others can experience the same liberation. I see, now more than ever, the sacred lifeline of community… a call to keep growing, to keep bridge-building, and to keep sustaining this powerful path of belonging, peace, and restoration that God longs for us all to walk together. A Sacred Thread A Brief Note About My Heritage SOUL CARE ADVISING Soul Care Advising is about creating a safe space to tend to our spiritual and emotional roots. It invites us to slow down and pay attention, cultivating a deeper awareness of one's self, God, others, and creation. This journey honors the tensions we carry... love and fear, shame and grace, justice and adversity... not as contradictions to be solved, but as essential companions on the path to restoration. Through rhythms of Soul Care, we begin to notice how healing unfolds not apart from struggle, but within it. Over time, rather than pushing toward resilience alone, Soul Care nurtures a sustaining sense of belonging, peace, and transformation, drawing us toward liberation and deeper authentic union with God and community. Learn More Courtesy Disclaime r Urban Wellness Living is dedicated to creating a safe space for tending to physical, spiritual and emotional needs. And it is, at it’s core, a place where we rediscover healing as a way of life; reflecting, recognizing, rebuilding as well as responding to the presence of God...and, as a result, cultivating physical, spiritual and emotional growth. However, it is important to share that Urban Wellness Living, Spiritual Direction, and Soul Care Advising services, that I provide, is not a licensed counselor, psychotherapist or professional diagnosis service. If you require professional counseling or therapy services, it is important to seek the assistance of a qualified, licensed professional in that relevant field. My primary focus, along with maintaining confidentiality, will be on discerning together what is most beneficial for your growth in all dimensions of wellness and your experience of God. Depending on your needs, this might include exploring holistic spiritual exercises, deepening spiritual practices, or connecting you with relevant alternative support organizations when needed or appropriate.

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. Light Mindfulness Practice Videos & Guides Humming Video Humming Guide Container Video Container Guide Joy & Thankfulness Video Grateful Guide Diaphragmatic Breathing Video ... The 5-4-3-2-1 Method Video The 5-4-3-2-1 Method Guide Place of Peace Video Place of Peace Guide PMR Video (Progressive Muscle Relaxation ) PMR Guide Body Scan Video Body Scan Guide Vagus Nerve Reset Video ...

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. History of Racial Compromise As we honor Black and African American history, we recognize a lineage of faith, courage, and creativity that has shaped our communities, our culture, and our shared spiritual landscape. These stories testify to the power of endurance and the transformative strength of hope, artistry, and collective memory in the face of oppression. They are living legacies, not relics of the past, calling us to witness, learn, and act with both humility and determination. We invite you to explore these curated resources as a doorway into the wisdom, insight, and spiritual depth of Black elders, leaders, artists, and storytellers. May their voices guide us toward a fuller understanding of justice, liberation, and the sacred work of community care. Together, let us honor the intersections of sorrow and joy, struggle and triumph, remembrance and renewal, as we walk the cruciform path of Christ... one that embraces both liberation and love. Black History In 2 Minutes Listen ASALH Read More Equal Justice Initiative Read More Black Past Read More How America Invented Race Listen Sojourner Truth African Heritage Read More Fortune Listen The 1619 Listen The Stony Road Listen African American Intellectual Read More Color of Compromise Listen History Channel Black History Read More

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, we recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. Light Spiritual Practice Guides Daily Examen Guide Daily Examen Video Lectio Divina ... Gratitude ... Fast & Pray ... Centering Prayer ... Breath Prayer ... Fixed Hour of Prayer ... Body Scan ... Lament Prayer ...

Let's share with one another what Urban Wellness Living means for each of us and how we can impact our communities. Say Hello First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thank you so much for your note!

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. Share Your Favorite Finds First Name Last Name Email What's Your Favorite Find on Amazon (share link)? Send Thanks for sharing! Back To Treating Yourself Linktree Instagram Linkedin

Inviting one's self on the pathway of the restorative cycle of life and embracing it as a way of life by engaging in healthy spiritual and emotional practices that heal and repair one's soul and spirit. REMEMBERING invites us to journey into the landscape of our past... our stories, our ancestral roots, and the movements of grace and struggle that shaped us. As we look back with compassion, we uncover a spiritual heritage that holds both pain and promise. This sacred remembering grounds us in wisdom, teaching us to honor what was, discern what is, and open space for what can be restored... in ourselves, in our communities, and across generations. RECLAIMING ONE’S STORY is an act of courage and belonging. It invites us to see our lived experiences as sacred ground where God continues to shape purpose, strength, and redemption. As we name what has been lost, silenced, or overlooked, we recover our God-given identity and worth. This reclamation nurtures authenticity, restores our capacity for trust and love, and draws us into a deeper walk with God... where renewal and wholeness take root. REFINING ONE'S SOUL is essential for personal and communal transformation. Our souls require ongoing reflection... tending to our shortcomings, examining our untethered instincts, and nurturing our spiritual growth. Refinement becomes the Spirit’s tilling of the soil within us, forming hearts that embody love in action and live with a deep awareness of our life in God. When our instincts are brought into harmony with God’s care, we find our relationships with God, others, and creation flourishing in grace. This refining work leads us into inner liberation... empowered by the Spirit to meet life’s challenges with courage and compassion. Aligned with the Spirit’s movement, we learn to confront injustice and join God’s redemptive story, becoming who we are purposed to be... people of Hope and steadfast love. REBUILDING MOVEMENT reminds us that healing also lives in our bodies. Through rhythms of rest, stretching, walking, and mindful awareness, we reconnect with God’s design for renewal. These practices strengthen not only the body but also the mind and emotions, repairing the inner pathways that stress and sorrow often wear thin. In movement, we learn again the grace of being alive... grounded, present, and attuned to the Spirit’s rhythm of restoration. RESILIENCE grows as we meet life’s uncertainties with trust and perseverance. It is not the absence of struggle but the fruit of staying rooted in God’s faithfulness when storms arise. Resilience steadies our hope, guiding us to recover with integrity and compassion. Over time, it awakens new possibilities, restores internal freedom, and renews our vision of what it means to live in a just and loving connection with others, creation, and God.

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. Sorry About That. The link you clicked may be broken or the page may have been removed. Back to Homepage

Search Results 28 items found for "" Urban Wellness Living | Online Soul Care Advising Urban Wellness Living Resourcing Wellness In Community Meet Cynthia Soul Care Advisor Hello, I'm Cynthia—a soul care advocate, trauma healing facilitator, dedicated educator and an active collaborator on wellness initiatives. I'm blessed to be Doug's wife and a mother of three incredible children. Over the past 30 years, I've devoted myself to full-time urban ministry which includes mentoring, initiating micro-churches, coordinating prayer efforts, and providing guidance on member care. My passion extends to addressing issues related to generational historical trauma, God's righteousness and justice, and the whole gospel for the whole person. I focus specifically on emotional and spiritual well-being for urban workers, particularly within the framework of Black and African American spirituality and history.​ I envision vibrant urban workers experiencing transformation through a collective effort of resources that promote the well-being of an entire community. My purpose is to offer under-resourced urban areas the gift of Hope and healing through education, advocacy, health initiatives, and spiritual practices for soul care and spiritual formation. Ultimately, I desire to see more communities, genuinely united, living out of a sustainable rhythm of life and work. In the face of adversity, failures, and grief, I've become a certified Trauma Healing Facilitator through the Trauma Healing Institute. I'm also engaged in training with the Cultural Somatic Training & Institute and am pursuing my Spiritual Direction Certification through Sustainable Faith. My aspiration is to thrive within a community committed to internal and external freedom, exploring how God heals wounds caused by caste systems and systemic oppression while also examining the intersection of God's justice, mercy, and grace. Beyond my occupational endeavors, I find joy in comedy, fantasy, and action-adventure movies. I enjoy reading a good book in cozy serene natural settings, attending theater shows, camping, sharing laughter, participating in spiritual retreats, and cherishing meaningful friendships. Soul Care Advising My Soul Rhythm Why Soul Care within the Framework of Black & African American Spirituality & History? "The moan is the birthing sound, the first movement toward a creative response to oppression, the entry into the heart of contemplation through the crucible of crisis." -- Barba ra Holmes, Joy Unspeakable Why Urban Wellness Living Why Urban Wellness Living 1. Health Embrace healthy ideas, exercises, & practices to rejuvenate & strengthen the body. 4. Hope Instilling unwavering confidence to embrace pathways that inspire new beginnings & possibilities. 2. Education Providing valuable insights, nurturing knowledge for growth & cultivating renewed understanding & wisdom. 5. Advocacy Extend support for restorative peacemaking, justice, & truth-telling movements. 3. Community Love God & Love Others with humility, mercy, justice & compassion, catalyzing unity. 6. Healing Encourage spiritual & emotional healing practices to cultivate healthier life & work r hythms. “Listen to the long stillness: New life is stirring. New dreams are on the wing. New hopes are being readied: Humankind is fashioning a new heart. Humankind is forging a new mind. God is at work. This is the season of Promise.” ~ Howard Thurman ~ Wellness Resources Urban Wellness Living Resources Soul Care & Spiritual Formation View More > Emotional & Mental Health View More > Healthy Living View More > Recommended Reads View More > Righteousness & Justice View More > Financial Wellness View More > Web Etiquette Practicing good web etiquette: be respectful, be thoughtful before responding, and engage in healthy, constructive discussions. Let's cultivate a friendly and inclusive online and offline space for everyone. Thank you for your curiosity, courtesy, and understanding while exploring and searching on this website! Contact SAY HELLO Email: urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com Say Hello Connecting with God as a Source for Life and Purpose. Fullscreen Page | UrbanWellnessLiving Soul Care Conversation | UrbanWellnessLiving Soul Care Conversation (20 minutes | Virtual Conversation | No Fee) This is a complimentary service offered only once per person. Contact Email: Instagram: Linktree: urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com @urbanwellnessliving linktr.ee/urbanwellnessliving Scheduling Soul Care Conversation Let's explore and imagine what your hopes or expectations are for soul care, questions surrounding what is my approach as well as what your needs are. I look forward to meeting with you! Scheduling Soul Care Conversation Soul Care Advising | UrbanWellnessLiving Soul Care Advising (60 minutes | $40 to $60 Scale) (Virtual Advising) Contact Email: Instagram: Linktree: urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com @urbanwellnessliving linktr.ee/urbanwellnessliving Scheduling Soul Care Advising ​What Does Soul Care Advising Make Available: Listening-Companion to an Individual’s Soul Care Narrative. Safe Space to Lean in with Love with One’s Spiritual and Emotional Rooted Needs. Respond to Generational Historical Pain with Kindness, Compassion, Justice, and Advocacy. Invite Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional Practices to Repair, Nuture, and Refine One's Soul. Uncover or Rediscover Authenticity, Belonging, Worth, and Purpose. Noticing and Identifying the Attributes of Resilience. Together Create Pliable Plans, Guides, and Goals to Rebuild Healthy Movements. Scheduling Soul Care Advising Soul Care & Spiritual Formation | UrbanWellnessLiving Soul Care & Spiritual Formation Resourcing Wellness In Community Soul Care and Spiritual Formation are integral components of our journey toward the intentional nurturing of the whole person. We ground these principles in transformative practices that cultivate spiritual growth, emotional well-being, heightened self-awareness, and a deepening connection with the Divine. Rooted in the transformative process that shapes communities into the likeness of Christ, these practices lead to essential virtues such as love, empathy, courage, humility, compassion, justice, grace, and wisdom. By staying on the road to internal and external freedom, we are ultimately guided into the sustaining rhythm of life, work, and the embodiment of a profound sense of Hope and Peace (Gen 2:7, I Thess 5:23, Matt 22:37-39, Is 61:1-3, Rom 12:1-2, II Cor 3:17-18 & 5:20, Deut 6:4-8, Lk 4:14-37, and Jn 14:16,26 ). Soul Care & Spiritual Formation Centers The Center for Formation Justice & Peace Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation Center for Action & Contemplation Emotionally Healthy Discipleship Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation Transforming Center | Strengthen the Soul of Your Leadership Adele & Doug Calhoun | The Journey to Your True Self Peacock Soul Care | Experiencing the Deep Journey Together Grafted Life Ministries Spiritual Directors Spiritual Directors International Spiritual Director of Color Network Daniele Evans Spiritual Direction Soul Reparations Sustainable Faith Fuller Spiritual Directors & Formation Grafted Life Ministries Soul Care with Erica Chaplins Spiritual Directors & Leaders Spiritual Direction with Jackie Sevier Selecting the appropriate Spiritual Director is a deeply personal process, requiring careful consideration of various factors. Please discern diligently to identify the qualities and expertise that align with your specific needs and preferences. Spiritual Directors Spiritual Practice Guides Daily Examen Lectio Divina Gratitude Prayer of Intention I Need You Light Spiritual Practice Guides Centering Prayer Fixed Hour of Prayer Body Scan Loaves and Fishes Statio Prayer Spiritual Practices 8 Practices of Emotionally Healthy Preaching & Teaching by Pete Scazzero Download Emotionally Healthy Preaching and Teaching by Pete Scazzero Listen Soul Care Resources Groundwork Reads View More > Readings on Soul Care & Spiritual Formation View More > Defining Words CONTEMPLATION refers to several Christian practices which aim at "gazing at", "a way of seeing", or "being aware of" God. It is the act of gazing into the mystery of God, an act beyond words or logical expression (Spiritual Director Therese Taylor-Stinson). It is a prayerful letting go of our sense of control and choosing to cooperate with God and God’s work in the world. Prayer without action, as Father Richard Rohr says, can promote our tendency to self-preoccupation, and without contemplation, even well-intended actions can cause more harm than good. ​ "The Scripture engagement practice called contemplate is an intimate way of communicating with the Lord. All too often in prayer and worship, we talk to God but don’t give God a chance to communicate back to us. It's like hanging up the phone on God after we spoke. C ontemplate is a tool to help us use God's word for that. So the fou r traditional stages of contemplate are reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. The steps were created simply to provide structure and guidance for people who wish to learn how to partake in this practice. ​ The four steps of contemplation have been compared to “feasting on the Word.” Reading is taking a bite of food. Meditating is chewing food. Praying is savoring food. Contemplating is digesting food and ma king it a part of your body. Too often we are “fast food” Bible readers, rapidly gulping down the Bread of Life (John 6:35). The result is that we are unable to properly absorb our “spiritual meal.” Instead, slow down. Savor your time in God’s Word and find joy in meeting God (Unknown Author)." SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS SOMEONE... by Ruth Haley Barton & Grafted Life Ministry Who is being guided by the Holy Spirit and helping us to see what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives. They are getting together with you to pay attention to the real Director, which is the Holy Spirit. Who is a trained listener who will accompany you as you share about your spiritual journey, helping you to notice God’s presence and activity along the way, as well as your personal reactions, motives, attitudes, and responses. Who might bring a problem but do something very different with it. They are not trying to get the problem fixed, psychologically. They are trying to open up through the Holy Spirit and ask, "What are God’s invitations here? How is God present with me in this? What is God’s invitation to transformation within the situation? What is God calling me to?" A very different set of questions than counseling. Who draws attention to what the Holy Spirit is doing. To ask compassionate questions to help you further understand what the Holy Spirit might be doing or is already doing. But they would rarely give advice in that sense. Who is hospitable, confidential, and is well versed in the ways of the body, heart, and mind. Who understands and helps you grow in prayer as well as live into your calling as a follower of Christ. Who understands spiritual practices and guides you into spiritual practices to hold you, to teach you those, and to process what happened in the context of those disciplines. Who gently directs you to listen deeply and personally, cultivating a growing intimacy with God, resonating with the profound words of Martin Luther King Jr.: 'Justice is love correcting that which would work against love [L oving ourselves and one another]...'. Who stays awake with you on the road when you are spiritually weary, helping you persevere toward inner and outer freedom. Who compassionately leads us into the biblical principle of 'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also' (Matthew 6:21). Henri Nouwen illustrates this truth, stating, 'The farther the outward journey takes you, the deeper the inward journey must be.' Who celebrates God’s work of transformation with you and for you. Who is trained and often certified in the art of Spiritual Direction. ​ ​ ​“A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR is one who helps another recognize and follow the inspirations of grace in their life, in order to arrive at the end to which God is leading them.”—Thomas Merton ​ Psalm 139*Micah 6:8*Jn 14:26 * Jn 15:26 * Acts 1:8 * Rom 8:26 * Rom 12 Soul Care Facilitating | UrbanWellnessLiving Facilitating a Group Session (60 minutes | $70 to $100 Scale + travel expenses & materials) (Virtual or In-Person) Scheduling Soul Care Facilitating Contact Email: Instagram: Linktree: urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com @urbanwellnessliving linktr.ee/urbanwellnessliving Let's come together and explore ways to support your community's soul and spiritual growth. I'm looking forward to sharing this journey with you every step of the way! Scheduling Soul Care Facilitating My Soul Rhythm | UrbanWellnessLiving "They will be like a tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by streams of water, bearing fruit in every season of life; and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers." ~Psalm 1:3 My Current Soul Rhythm... Drink a Cup of Water After Getting Out of Bed 30 min - 1 hr Work Out Slowly Read a Psalm & Centering Prayer Mini Body Scan Exercise Dream, Envision, & Goal Setting Engaged in Work Activities & Projects Mid-Day Gratitude or Centering Prayer Practice Be Intentional to Connect with Neighbors Family, Friends, Community: Genuine Fun Connections & Meaningful Conversations Civic Engagement Quality Time with My Spouse Youtube Shorts: Camping ASMR Encouraging Phrase & Journaling Earlier Bed Time ...and Soul Rhythm Tools Bite Size Body Scan by Smiling Mind​ Lectio 365 Walking Workout, Strength Training , & Swimming Currently Reading: Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman | Public Mystic and Freedom Fighter by Therese Taylor-Stinson Spiritiual Direction Centering Prayer & Lectio Divina Civic Engagement Bible Project | Sermon on the Mount Videos & Podcast Contact Say Hello Email urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com Follow Give | UrbanWellnessLiving Give Every contribution counts as we expand our reach and make a healthy multigenerational impact in our neighborhoods. Whether you give to us or other like-minded collaboratives like ours, your actions will inspire others and will create a chain reaction of restorative love, justice, and healing in our communities. My family appreciate you for being a worthy connector and collaborator of resouring lasting wellness rhythms throughout all generations. We are humbled and deeply grateful. Thank You So Much! How to Give Paypal Venmo Zelle Linktree "What is important is how well we love. God will make our love fruitful, whether we see that fruitfulness or not." ~ Bread for the Journey ~ Why focus on African American History | UrbanWellnessLiving Why focus on Black and African American spirituality and history to encourage wellness as well as dismantle global caste systems, colorism, and racism? Focusing on Black and African American spirituality and history when discussing wellness, caste systems, colorism, and racism is not about prioritizing one group's experiences over others or ignoring global issues. Instead, it is about acknowledging and addressing an intentional and historically significant aspect of caste systems in the United States and, by extension, highlighting broader issues related to socio-race trauma, and inequality of wellness worldwide. Here are some reasons why Black and African American spirituality and history are often emphasized in discussions about health and caste systems: Historical Significance: Black and African Americans have a distinct and deeply rooted history of oppression and discrimination in the United States. Focusing and studying this history allows for a much deeper understanding of the roots of socio-race injustices and serves as a compelling case study for understanding the behaviors of caste systems both domestically and worldwide. It highlights, fundamentally, how deeply ingrained and pervasive systems of oppression have been and their long-lasting consequences. ​ ​ ​ Intersectionality: Focusing on Black and African American history is not only inclusive but also serves as a vital starting point to explore intersectionality. It allows us to address broader issues of caste systems that impact diverse communities. Understanding the effects of racism on Black and African Americans helps us grasp how these dynamics intersect with the experiences of other marginalized groups. Educational & Awareness Purposes: Education about Black and African American spirituality and history helps raise awareness about the generational propensities and persistence of caste systems and their consequences on the well-being of humanity's soul. It encourages dialogue and cultivates empathy, ultimately contributing to efforts to address colorism and racism more broadly. It allows ears to hear and eyes to see the world from different perspectives and recognize the real challenges that others face due to established systemic barriers. ​ ​ Policy & Reform: Black and African American communities have historically shouldered a disproportionate burden of colorism and caste systems, evident in areas such as criminal justice, housing, education, and healthcare. By focusing on these disparities, we can advocate for specific policy changes and reforms aimed at addressing these systemic issues and promoting equity and justice for all individuals affected. This approach not only addresses immediate concerns but also cultivates a more inclusive society, acknowledging and rectifying past and present injustices while working towards a sustainable fairer future. ​ ​ Inspiration & Solidarity: Black and African American spirituality and history includes numerous inspiring narratives of reparative healing, rebuilding, resistance, and resilience. These stories can serve as powerful sources of inspiration for people of all backgrounds, motivating us to engage in the fight against caste systems, colorism, and racism. Additionally, they foster solidarity among diverse communities in the quest for civil righteousness, justice, and a sense of unity in the Creator God who made us all. Again, it's important to emphasize that focusing on Black and African American history is not meant to exclude or ignore the experiences of other marginalized groups. Rather, it is a necessary component to address and dismantle the deep work of caste systems, colorism, and racism in all its forms, both within the United States and beyond. An inclusive approach to anti-racism and wellness recognizes the interconnectedness of various behaviors and patterns of marginalization and seeks to cultivate a more just, healing, and equitable world for all humanity's sake ( Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson , Howard Sermons on the Parables by David B. Gowler, Kipton E Jensen & Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World--and How to Repair It by Lisa Sharon Harper ). The Book of Genesis & Exodus Deut 6:4-12, 2 Samuel 21:1-14, Amos 5:24, Micah 6:8 Lk 4:17-19, Lk 10:25-37, Rom 12:1-2, 2 Cor 3:17-18, Is 61:1-3, Ps 139 Defining Word SANKOFA is a word from the Akan tribe in Ghana. It means San (to return), ko (to go) fa (to fetch, seek, and take). The bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back embodies Sankofa’s meaning. Sankofa attests that we must look backwards (into our history), before we can faithfully move forward together, in the present and future. The Sankofa experience does just this, by exploring historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement, connecting the freedom struggle of the past, to our present realities. Sankofa is an invitation to understand race as a critical component of our Christian discipleship. It is an interactive, spiritual formation, pilgrimage that equips Christians to pursue racial righteousness inside and outside the church. This relational journey traces the history of race and tangibly equips believers to begin living into the church’s mission to be ambassadors of reconciliation. Soul Care Resources | UrbanWellnessLiving Soul Care Resources Where to begin reading! The intention is for these resources to inspire you to discover enriching elements of soul care and spiritual formation on your personal or communal journey. Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village by Barbara Holmes Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman: Public Mystic and Freedom Fighter Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transforms Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction by Dr. Robert W. Kellemen, Karole A. Edwards Forged in the Fiery Furnace: African American Spirituality by Diana L. Hayes The Way of the Heart: Connecting with God Through Prayer, Wisdom, and Silence by Henry Nouwen Embodied Spirits: Stories of Spiritual Directors of Color by Sherry Bryant-Johnson Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson The Enneagram for Black Liberation by Chichi Agorom The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective by Richard Rohr Kintsugi Japanese Pottery: Mending Our Brokenness Download A Simple Form Lectio Divina? by Fr. Josh Johnson View More > Spiritual Practice Guides View More > Readings on Soul Care & Spiritual Formation View More > Healthy Living | UrbanWellnessLiving Healthy Living Resourcing Wellness In Community Healthy Living is having the opportunity, capability, empowerment, and motivation to act in a way that positively affects our environment as well as our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It is paying attention to what we eat, being physically active, resting, learning more about ourselves and our connection with our body. All for the purpose of developing good habits and helping us meet our health goal needs. We share these in the hope that they can contribute to your own well-being or inspire you to discover valuable and health-promoting resources within your local community. Zack & Zoe Sweet Bee Farm Our Culture Hub Elderberry Syrup Edens Garden Essential Oils Monteray Bay Herb Co. Plant Therapy Make It Dairy Free Adams/Vermont Farmer's Market Baba's Vegan Cafe Exposition Fish & Poultry Market Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen Peloton App Community | LA Cafe Green Vibrance South LA Cafe Orgain Organic Protein CurlMix Orgain Collagen Peptides Dash Diet & Brief Guide Afro City Marketplace Zenni Eyewear for Everyone Moonlight Bath Treats U.S. National Parks Soul Fire Farm The King's Offspring HerHealing Blaze Pizza Kettle & Fire Chicken Bone Broth Casa Tlatenchi Moody Vegan Eating Healthy Today Recreaton.gov Erin McKenna Bakery LA SeniorShape Fitness Hipcamp CAVA Civic Engagement | UrbanWellnessLiving Civic Engagement Why Civic Engagement? Many principles and teachings in the Bible emphasize the importance of caring for one's neighbor, seeking justice, and being a responsible steward of the world. For instance, Jesus' command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39) is an inherit call to actively engage in the well-being of one's community and society as a whole. Additionally, passages such as Micah 6:8, instructs believers to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God," underscore the value of pursuing justice and compassion in one's civic actions. Thus, civic engagement is not only a duty but also a way to demonstrate the heart of God fulfilling a higher moral and ethical purpose as outlined in the Bible. ​ We know there are so many civic engagement opportunties in the world. We know that many of you are fully engaged in them. Below are just a mighty few that our family have connected with, amongst others not listed, that we thought to share. We hope this will keep ecnouraging all of us to stay in the alignment of God's desire for healing and wholeness in the unity of Christ. Black Visions of Wellness To strengthen African and African-American communities through services that encourages physical, mental well-being and recovery while bringing cultural awareness and appreciation of the mind, body and soul. Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice focuses on developing, implementing and teaching sustainable and regenerative earth practices. AddiEun Foundation The mission of the AddiEun Foundation is to fund, in the form of small micro-grants, the creation of primarily black and indigenous women led reprieve spaces and infrastructure building and strengthening for black and indigenous individuals, families, and communities confronting and enduring the persistent historical intergenerational and institutional effects of White Body Supremacy. ​ These spaces will be the cultural and philosophical foundation for healing and economic development for the next nine generations. NAACP National Association for the Advancement of Colored People The NAACP or National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was established in 1909 and is America's oldest and largest civil rights organization. It was formed in New York City by white and Black activists, partially in response to the ongoing violence against Black Americans around the country. Color of Change OUR MISSION: Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Watts of Power Foundation: The Village Initiative The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen families and communities through a focus on education and community revitalization. Our five-pronged approach empowers Black male pre-service teachers through: education, housing, financial literacy, job training and advocacy. Teacher Village featured ABC 7 Eyewitness News Children's Defense Fund The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor children, children of color and those with disabilities. Los Angeles Regional Re-entry Partnership The mission of LARRP is to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive, culturally competent, and effective community reentry system, by providing a strong community voice in public policy and funding decisions; by serving as a convener of reentry service providers, advocates, and other stakeholders; and by building capacity across the county to meet the needs of the reentry community. California Black Power Network The California Black Power Network is a united ecosystem of Black grassroots organizations working together to change the lived conditions of Black Californians by dismantling systemic and anti-Black racism. Black & Asian Solidarity FACE See how FACE is bringing together the Black and AAPI community to bring racial healing and unity to fight for a more equitable world. After Hours We are a community compelled by the hope of Christ to participate in transformation and healing among people in L.A. involved in all aspects of the cycle of sexual exploitation. We do this by building community, aligning resources, and fostering healthy relationships. Poor People's Campaign In 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many others called for a “revolution of values” in America. They sought to build a broad, fusion movement that could unite poor and impacted communities across the country. Their name was a direct cry from the underside of history: The Poor People’s Campaign. Today, the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival has picked up this unfinished work. From Alaska to Arkansas, the Bronx to the border, people are coming together to confront the interlocking evils of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. We understand that as a nation we are at a critical juncture — that we need a movement that will shift the moral narrative, impact policies and elections at every level of government, and build lasting power for poor and impacted people. The Equal Justice Initiative The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. EJI challenges poverty and racial injustice, advocates for equal treatment in the criminal justice system, and creates hope for marginalized communities. Founded in 1989 by Bryan Stevenson, a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer and bestselling author of Just Mercy, EJI is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. We challenge the death penalty and excessive punishment and we provide re-entry assistance to formerly incarcerated people. Tsuru for Solidarity As an ethnic group who has received an apology and reparations from the federal government for wrongs committed against us, Japanese Americans have a moral imperative to support Black people seeking a past due similar path for a structural remedy. We also have moral authority to stand in solidarity with other communities: especially a community targeted by historic racism seeking accountability and a process for redress and reparations. Chasing Justice Chasing Justice will equip and inspire you in new ways. The invitation to live justly can often feel overwhelming with all the darkness in the world, but we believe that God cares about the injustice and pain in the world and has designed us to make a difference. Being led by people of color, we are forming a community of people that will journey together. This journey will provoke a social imagination that centers the voices of those most impacted by injustice. Chasing Justice will guide you to live justly and see God’s goodness for the world. Let’s rebuild a just world. Private School Village PSV is a unique community of support, created for Black families by Black families. A highly collaborative organization, PSV brings together families and students from across private schools to share resources, centralize offerings, and truly build community. We believe that a healthy education includes a community where students, parents, and schools are in partnership to ensure all students thrive fully. Together we are working to increase racial literacy, racial socialization, representation and support related research. Mental Health Resources for Children and Youth in Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMHLA) Download Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Toll Free Assistance (DMHLA) Download Mental Health Resources Download Expert Insights on Youth Suicide Awareness & Prevention in K-12 Schools Download How School & District Leaders Can Recognize & Prevent Student Harm to Self & Others Download Creating a Modern Youth Suicide Awareness & Prevention Program for Your District Download www.navigate360.com Los Angeles City Resource List (The Housing Authority has developed a resource list with possible sources and assistance. The Housing Authority does not endorse these services) Download Los Angeles County Consumer Business Affairs View More > Previous 1 2 3 Next