Just as we exercise to condition our bodies, a healthy spirit is nurtured by purposeful practice.
What is Spiritual Wellness?
At Whispers we define Spiritual Wellness as possessing a set of guiding beliefs, principles, or values that help gives direction to one’s life. Previously I wrote a post titled “is the human spirit the most neglected”, further diving into this concept.
“Nature and spirit are intertwined. Is there a more clear demonstration and majesty of “we are under the same sun right now”.
Ms. Tiffany Davis
➡️ Enter Ms. Tiffany Davis esq. By day she serves communities across the country bridging Quality health care and Equitable access. In addition she serves the Gary, Indiana community in the form of a safe and sacred space for women and girls at “Grandma’s House”. A physical location and inclusive community created when She, her Sister and Mom brought pain to purpose with their nonprofit Butterfly Dreamz.
When you meet Tiffany you immediately recognize the duality of her character which can only be described as Lioness- (quiet fierceness) and the warm presence of a hug. Oh, and did I mention she also manages an AirBnB?!?!? As you walk across the threshold, peace becomes you. Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Board Leader are a few of the roles she takes very serious. For me, I feel so blessed to call her Friend 🖤♥️.
Spiritual wellness is a very sacred topic for me, one I knew could be trusted to Ms. Tiffany. After our conversation, I felt beyond fulfilled and hope you will be too.
Take what’s meant for you and leave what’s meant for someone else.
Me: Any Reflections on the Whispers Template? You look so healthy and sound beautiful it’s clear you’ve done you’re work.
Tiffany:
Absolutely. I took time to fill it in, and intentionally kept some categories the same in both columns. For example social was the same as that’s an area I’m happy with. An area of intentional growth was environmental. I want to spend more time in nature deliberately.
Nurturing Her Spirit
I get up every morning and walk in nature silently. Hearing birds and spending time to talking to God. I also spend a lot of time confessing to God. One of the practices I do is put on my AirPods and record voice notes about things I’m trying to process. I listen to those voice notes later and marvel how some prayers were answered. While walking and immersed in nature I often enjoy leaning up against the strength of a tree when I’m feeling vulnerable. Walking barefoot on the ground also energizes me.
In reviewing Intellectual wellness, I am a life learner. I read 2-3 books at a time in my latest interests, ancestry, and knowledge. We don’t have to use our gifts one-dimensionally. We don’t need to be afraid to be in service to others.
Me: Is the human spirit the most neglected aspect of our selves? How much purposeful practice is necessary?
Tiffany:
We focus so much on productivity and results; it impacts our human spirit. There are times we may be crushing it at work, but our spirit is silent. Our hyper-focus on productivity and thriving and meeting all the goals; could lead to us actively pushing against our spirit and resisting it. We must take care of our spirit just as much. Taking care of our spirit should be as second nature as drinking water. Some examples of my purposeful practice:
- Take my water bottle everywhere I go
- Meditate in mornings and protect that time
- At times, I walk outside in environment while in meetings it helps me be in communion while making decisions.
- I intentionally slow down the pace when I am talking to truly reflect on my words
- My Team and I purposely make time for reflection and rejuvenation
- I play frequency music (sound baths, ect…) while I work so the energy around me is beautiful
Me: How do you know when a decision was not in communion?
Tiffany:
I feel tension because the decision was not in alignment with my values. Once you do the work to align purpose and values, that sensitivity is there because you know what that feels like. When you have been conditioned to stay silent know that will not eliminate the tension. There is a quote I love from Audrey Lorde “silence will not protect you”. The act of using my voice and furtherance of what I want and value is a spiritual practice in itself.
Me: In literature, signs of well-being in spiritual wellness include developing a purpose in life. How can someone start to develop their purpose?
Tiffany: To discover your purpose start with asking yourself quietly:
- Where do my gifts and talents bring me joy?
- How can the expression of those gifts and talents be in service to my community?
- It’s so important to not answer that question with “I should” but rather what really really brings me joy.
- What delights me and what have I dreamed about when no one else is looking?
“Purpose and productivity are not the same“
Me: We can’t avoid peace disrupters (gaslighting, scarcity thinking, ect…). How do we protect the spirit ahead of these disrupters?
Tiffany:
Lean into passions and hobbies that fill you. For me, music curating, and sharing, reminds me of my authentic self, culture, and resilience (**side note…. Tiffany’s playlists are the BOMB). These elements remind me I am not alone. They represent roots of who I authentically am.
Writing and the practice of writing helps me get out the emotions that are hard to verbalize. Rage, fear, disappointment, and hope. When I’m able to access that higher dimension and spiritual place, I am able to be so vulnerable from that place and what I value. I match energy as sometimes it’s necessary. When I listen to music I don’t want to perpetuate harm.
In my home environment, I want to create a space that is kind and compassionate. Writing helps to distill that and help me to get clear.
Yoga, dancing, and walking is the perfect trifecta for my body to shake it out. Movement is ancestral.
Finally, I practice meditation and breath work. I use visualization in my meditation. These practices help me to stay fluid and know these feelings are temporary.
Me: Research has shown that participating in spiritually oriented communities can be an anchor that provides a sense of belonging and connection in the midst of instability. Do you believe this and will you pass it on to your children?
Tiffany:
Yes! Communal wellness and being in community together is important. By being in community we can hold each other accountable together.
We die in isolation, we heal in community
I teach my children it is important for us not to only take up space, but be curators of these healing and community spaces as well. Become the person you needed when you were younger.
You can show up for other people AND with the same intensity love yourself.
Me: Finish this sentence “I want every woman to give themself radical permission to:
Tiffany: To not ask for permission
Mic 🎤 drop……What’s left to say but… go at peace. ✌🏾
-J-
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