Modern Faith with Neichelle Guidry

In honor of Malcolm X's 95th birthday, I want to read this fascinating letter from Mecca. He describes his immersion in his religion for a time of spiritual growth, and how, for the first time, in his life he's encountered White folks who've seemingly divested of their whiteness in the name of their religion (Islam). 

I think it's fascinating. Wanted to share it with you.

Eid Mubarak to all of our Muslim kinfolk. 

Apologies for my dog barking in the background! 

http://malcolm-x.org/docs/let_mecca.htm

In this short episode, Dr. Guidry explains the concept of "Spiritual Practice" and how approaching our spirituality as a practice enables us to:

1. Be more gracious with ourselves when we don't know the "best practices" of our spirituality or to 

2. The importance of daily acts of feeding our faith. 

3. Infusing our daily acts, such as taking a walk or having a cup of coffee, with spiritual practices. 

4. The importance of taking this period of social distancing one day at a time.

In this episode, Dr. Guidry explains the significance and traditions of Holy Week, including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. There is also a word of encouragement on this Palm Sunday in the era of the 'Rona.

Your spiritual wellness in the time of COVID19/Coronavirus/The Rona/Miss Rona is critical. This unique period of time will call on you to attend to your inner life, with love, tenderness, and patience. A few recommendations for navigating the ambiguity include:

1. Release the pressure of carrying on your business as usual. Take this period one day at a time.

2. Regarding news intake, there is a difference between being informed and becoming intoxicated. 

3. This is a major adjustment. Be patient with yourself and others.

4. When things are shifting, keep your focus on what is fixed. Scriptures to calm your spirit include Psalm 92, Psalm 121, John 14:1-3, and 2 Chronicles 7:13-16.

Welcome to 2020, the year of unparalleled manifestation. Four states of mind that I'm adopting:

1. Laser Focus.

2. Taking the Small Steps. 

3. Detecting Distractions.

4. Welcoming New People and Influences.

Joshua:

The story of Joshua can be found in Genesis 37, 39-42. In this story, note the reaction of his brothers to his dreams. The function of dreams is to foreshadow what is to come. They're not a teaser, a fantasy of impossibility, or an experience in unattainability. They speak of what's in store, over time, with God, patience, work, and sometimes through great adversity. 

In this episode, let's start a deeper reflection on 2019. You don't need to buy a new planner or make another vision board, unless that's your thing. All you need is a journal, a pen, and some courage to go deeper in reflection. 

5 Questions for Deeper Reflection:

1. What were my dominant mentalities and behaviors? What were the results that they led to?

2. What were my most critical growth moments?

3. What life-giving practices did I cultivate this year?

4. What were my most consistent and formative relationships?

5. What were my aha's? What revelation(s) did I learn this year?

Bonus Question: What stories can I reframe from this year?

My life and professional development coach: Ekene Onu 

https://refreshwithekene.com/

ANNOUNCEMENT!!

I'm so excited to announce my first Modern Faith Webinar, "Looking Back to Leap Forward." In this live reflective webinar, I will help you move mindfully and soulfully into 2020. Are you ready to go deeper than vision boards and intention setting? This webinar will consist of live guided coaching through a process of strategic reflection on 2019 and positioning for 2020. In 90 minutes, we will cover:

To register, please click here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JWAHCXrGQDCzOEY8IBW52g. 

I look forward to our time together! 

I LOVED Harriet. LOVED! In this episode, I'm discussing seven lessons that have challenged me, blessed me, and influenced how think about my life, my leadership, and my faith. 

The lessons are:

1. You can't take anyone on a journey that you, yourself, have not taken. You must be willing to take some journeys alone.

2. Don't despise the disappointments that you've experienced. They are often blessings and lessons in disguise. 

3. We like to hail Harriet Tubman, but her work would have been impossible without the help of many. 

4. Your "liberation" means nothing if it's only about your freedom. 

5. You people will sell you out. But, they will also help you out, and some may even bring you out. 

6. Don't buy into the myth of "stay in your lane." Think broader about what your lane (i.e. your purpose and/or mission) could look life.

7. Move with the Spirit. 

Enjoy!

Just a quick note to you - and to myself - to be gracious to yourself, especially when you don't feel your best. 

An excerpt: 

"Be gracious to yourself. 

You, just as much as anyone else, deserve grace. 

You deserve tenderness. You deserve gentleness. 

You deserve it most when you feel like you’re dropping the ball. Or when the load is getting too heavy. Or when you don’t have the energy. Or when you’re over it all. To be clear, you deserve it when you’re at your best. But, you really deserve it when it would be easier to criticize yourself and dismiss your valuable efforts to just show up." 

This episode, I'm going all in on the Kanye West 'Jesus is King' album, the church promotional tour, and the Sunday Services that were at the very beginning of this wildly controversial, and potentially dangerous, cultural moment. 

Resources cited on this episode:

Variety: https://variety.com/2019/music/news/kanye-west-sunday-church-service-1203165652/

Time, featuring commentary from my dear friend and sister, Dr. Alisha Jones: https://time.com/5716576/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-gospel-reaction/?fbclid=IwAR1VokWRUSHSc0KqDpokCO5CVz9B8ZtYwFHu9biXrcl3xaNiY0JOIsXcqD4

James Corden Interview: https://thegrio.com/2019/10/29/kanye-west-humbly-reveals-he-received-68-million-in-tax-returns/

Things to listen to instead of 'Jesus is King':

https://open.spotify.com/album/42wtqDcTQlJJbUzAPBSwaK

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7reQeUR6qvJLaJf5HEp35e

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWY12BqhkMFW2

We love MORGAN! Here are a few links to learn more about what she does and how you can connect with her:

All about Morgan and her journey to launching her business:

https://widerstyle.com/about/

It's Time to Shed Your Grave Clothes:

https://widerstyle.com/graveclothes/

Morgan on VoyageATL:

http://voyageatl.com/interview/meet-morgan-wider-wider-style-brookhaven/

Morgan on the "Behind the Business Suit" Podcast:

http://www.kaileicarr.com/episode-155-morgan-wider-on-the-business-of-looking-good/

Morgan on IG:

www.instagram.com/morganwiderstyle