Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

The Tennessee 3, surprisingly provided me a profound Spiritual experience this past week. You don't need to be religious or practice Judaism or Christianity to find liberation and resurrection in how the two Justins conducted themselves, in order to rise above the racism and authoritarianism from the Tennessee House of Representatives. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones proudly represented the people whose children had just been murdered, represented the marginalized, gave voice to the voiceless. The two Justins gave me hope, invigorated me with new life, with a promising vision forward. Check out the show notes for links to follow Justin Pearson and Justin Jones. Please join me in supporting the inspiring work of Justins for Justice! Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: @justinjpearson IG: @brotherjones IG: @gloriajohnson Twitter: Justin Jones Twitter: Justin Pearson Twitter: Gloria Johnson Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition Equity Alliance Memphis for All

On this week's episode, just after April Fools Day, we PLAY with the power of PLAY! From definitions, childhood memories and numerous researched benefits of PLAY, I spell out why play is so important. Let play lighten your day, infuse you with curiosity, spontaneity, creativity and joy.

As George Bernard Shaw said: "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." May this podcast remind you how good it feels to play, no mater your age and encourage you to find time to play! Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I share how struck I was by a few teams of migrating geese that stopped me in my tracks. Amazed and curious, I learned some interesting facts about geese. Geese have a lot to teach us about conserving energy and working collaboratively together, with rotating leadership. May you let nature and its creatures inspire you and offer important life lessons. May we trust that the world calls us like the wild geese, harsh and exciting - over and over announcing our place in the family of things. Check out the link below for Mary Oliver's poem "Wild Geese". Enjoy the podcast! Links: Mary Oliver's Poem

On this week's episode, I share a recent experience of how humbled I was by Mother Nature. New York's one and only snow storm (so far) this winter caught me off guard and frightened me. Thankfully, I reached out for help, admitted my vulnerability and did my best to deal with the challenge before me. Even when we bump up against disturbing emotions and experiences, we can look at how we treat ourselves. May we be respectful of the unpredictable power of Mother Nature. May we allow these experiences to humble us, be gentle with ourselves, ask for help and teach us lessons of love. Enjoy the podcast!

My guest today is Julie Sherry. Julie is a physical therapist, body whisperer and first time author of her new e-book The Attached Buddha. I was delighted to get to know Julie, her warmth, thoughtfulness and positive, compassionate energy. I am eager to read her book, where she shares her personal and professional journey of integrating mind/body and soul, in her holistic approach to healing. It promises to be a rich gift to all who read it! Check out the links below to Julie and her e-book, and I'm excited to announce that the audio book is now available on Audible, iTunes and Amazon. We've also included links for many of the books Julie referenced, that inspired and shaped her. Enjoy the podcast! Links: The Attached Buddha, Kindle Edition Email Julie Additional books referenced: Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron Why God Won't Go Away by Andrew Newberg Non Violent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg Myofacial Release by John Barnes CranioSacral Therapy by John Upledger Meditating on A Raisin and Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn How to Be Well by Frank Lipman When The Body Says No by Gabor Mate When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron Infinite Possibilities by Mike Dooley

Despite good physical vision, we don't always see clearly. Bias, worry and fear can blind us from seeing things as they really are. Sometimes we miss what is right in front of us and sometimes we fabricate what is not there. William James, the 19th century American psychologist and philosopher, highlights how little we access the fullness of our seeing, perceiving, and being. We end up living restrictively instead of expansively.

Here's to breaking free from our restricted vision. Here's to seeing more clearly the fullness of our potential. May we expand our dreams as we reach for exciting heights and meaningful depths. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, to close out the month of February honoring Black History Month, I focus on Black Joy. Black Joy can be anything that inspires, supports and uplifts Black culture and people. Black Joy strengthens Black identity, leads to liberation and freedom of expression, can be an act of resistance, as it contrasts the rigidity and control of oppressive structures in non-violent ways. Black Joy is an emotional celebration that honors and values the inherent beauty in Black existence. May we nourish and celebrate our senses with Black Joy. May we all invest in the joy of growth, for ourselves and others. Let's celebrate anything that inspires, supports, and uplifts Black culture. May we all do our part to keep Black Joy alive!! Enjoy the podcast! Links: Endless Night - A Celebration of Black Joy UK Black History Month: What Does Black Joy Mean To You?

On this week's episode I acknowledge the intense pain Black Americans have endured for centuries, as we continue to honor Black History Month. And although tremendous progress has been made, the institutional racism in this country is pervasive, persistent and very painful. I feel it is my responsibility and the responsibility of White Americans to not only admit to this troubling history of pain, but to look this pain in the eye. So many of the deaths of young Black people that have occurred in the past few months, are so layered in trauma. The vicious combination of tragic, shocking violence is infused in these racially horrific deaths. I am thinking of the pain and suffering for those beaten, tortured and murdered as well as the unspeakable suffering for their surviving loved ones. And I say to myself: Don't look away. Don't look down. Don't pretend not to see hurt. Look people in the eye. Even when their pain is overwhelming. May we have the courage to look pain in the eye, to show up with compassion and humility and tenderly hold one another. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Brené Brown Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience

We continue honoring BHM this week, focusing on this year's BHM theme: BLACK RESISTANCE. What does resistance mean? Why is resistance appropriate and necessary? What acts of resistance feel true to you? While I marvel at the tenacity, devotion and inspiration of Black resistance, I continue to challenge myself, as a white woman, as a compassionate human being, to do my part in this noble resistance. I share a simple, concrete action that helped me feel unified with Black Resistance. It also served to honor, Lee Merritt, a civil rights attorney and activist I deeply respect, while contributing to a secure home for 2 boys who lost their mother. May our resistance align us with one another, with healing and love. Check out the links below to make a donation or spread the word about buying a house for Ashley Carr and her 2 nephews Zion and Zayden. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: @leemerrittesq Lee Merritt on Twitter Lee Merritt's Web Site Go Fund Me

On this week's episode, I honor Black History Month as well as the visionary, forward-looking spin on celebrations of Blackness in February, called Black Future Month. We need to do both: look back in history, while dream forward into the future, nurturing the on-going movement for racial justice. And we must face the suffering and trauma of the present moment. I resonate with the quote: "No one is free when others are oppressed", because it captures that it is not only the oppressed who suffer but the oppressor who suffers for they have been disconnected from their humanity. I share an excerpt from Mandela's "Long Walk to Freedom" that crystalizes this truth. Mandela also highlights how critical it is to look back at history, be mindful of the present and intentionally live into a future that respects and enhances the freedom of others. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG of Lee Merritt @leemerrittesq Lee Merritt on Twitter IG of Patrice Cullors @osopepatrisse Nelson Mandela "A Long Walk to Freedom"