Attend the premiere return of the "The Sage-ing Baby Boomers and Those Who Love Us Show" , now a video podcast, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Noon.  with  host, Ayo Handy-Kendi., the Breath Sekou,   Out show theme and month's theme is "Mother's Must Move", a special health up-grade  demonstrating, the power of "moving"., it's benefits especially for stress release and mental/physical health, for Mothers, Grands, Great grands, and all who love us.  Because if you don't move it, you will loose it, in more ways than one.
 

  This exciting show is coming back again, by popular demand , hosted on Zoom and live-streamed on Ayo Handy-Kendi's YouTube Channel.  Get the links at:
https://www.positivenergyworks.com/up-coming-events.html 

For the moment, it will air, monthly offering  good-news, special guests, inner-attainment, wellness, culture, fun and inspiration for the mature audience  born between 1948 to 1964, renown as “baby boomers”.   We will be inviting “woke “inter-generational exchanges from those who love us, so that we can connect and learn from each other and gain “sage-ing” wisdom from our sensational senior guests too.

www.positivenergyworks.com/up-coming-events.html

Nona Hendryx, singer, songwriter, record producer, famed for her early trio work with  Patti LaBelle with the group known as "LaBelle", is the perfect demonstration of the importance of "keep it moving Moms", so that you can stay nimble,  vibrant, healthy and "age-less".  I saw a video of Ms. Hendryx "twerking" and it inspired me to try.  Twerking has helped my ailing back re-align along with taking More Mito for the Mitochondria support, and of course, moving my breath always.

Mom's and most of us sit too much and we have been advised that the most destructive thing to our health, in the U.S.A,  is that we don't move, or walk enough.  With our stress, we must move for proper circulation, so that the vital fluids and our oxygen can revitalize every cell, reducing  tension.. Look at this Sister move, twerking,  at age 80 in this video from Dancing With the Stars.  Now '81, STILL GOING STRONG

So, on the SBBS, its' all about enhancing the Spirit, Mind and Body to be inspired to do more to create quality living and relationships, no matter what age.  We invite you to be part of the wellness demonstrations, the dialogue, the talent and sharing in this time of agitated  polarization so we can find our moments of peace, self-care,  self-love, wellness, black joy and balance in a chaotic world.  Join us and spread the word, SBBS is back for the 4th go-round.. 
Because we are not just age-ing, we are sage-ing, growing wiser as we age". 

Nana Malaya was Declared "The Dancing Diplomat" since she has performed around the world: Scotland, Japan, Hawaii, Ghana, Barbados, Jamaica, and so many more. She has had the honor of being allocated to perform for the King of Ghana, President Bill Clinton, Rosa Parks & others.
Nana Malaya has been performing since Early childhood. Her experience in the arts has lead to many divers opportunities. Her first major choreographic work was; "The Hallelujah Chorus" in Pittsburgh when she was only 10 years old! She was allocated to be one of the youngest members of August Wilson's first professional theater company; The Black Horizon Theater. This friendship and collaboration continued as she served as an actress and choreographer for this Pulitzer Prize winning playwright.
​
The Nubian Theater Dance & Music Company has provided the opportunity to portray many characters and to be a featured performer in many major venues including; The Lincoln Center, NYC; The Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian Institute, Discovery Theatre, The Historic Lincoln Theatre, The Aro, The Lianer, The Harlem National Black Theatre & many more!
 
She has toured and graced the stage with Malcolm Jamal Warner, Phyliss Stickney, Phyliss Hyman, Stevie Wonder, Miriam Makeba, Bill T. Jones, Alice Coltrane & numerous others!
​
Coverage on the wonders of Nana Malya's creative career has com by way of Essence and Heart & Soul as well as featured on WJLA/Channel 7, EDKA, WQED, PBS, The Washington Post, The Informer, The Pittsburgh Press and others are the impressive documentation of her journey. 

Contact her:   https://nanamalayaweb.wixsite.com/nubian

Meet Adina Gittens-Smith, the Goddess of Magical Movement and the vibrant creator of Goddess Technology! Adina is all about blending ancient wisdom with modern innovation to ignite your inner sacred power. Join her at the Goddess Technology Retreat in Bali for a transformative experience or tune into her upcoming "Goddess Technology Podcast" for divine conversations with trailblazers and visionaries. Adina wears many crowns: Commercial Real Estate broker, Co-Founder of Bellydancers of Color Collective, Reiki and Yoga practitioner, wife, mom of three amazing grown sons, and community activist. Raised in Virginia, now thriving in Maryland, this Hampton University and Lesley University alum is a proud Chicago native who brings her love for culture, movement, and connection to everything she does. When she’s not closing deals or teaching Afro-Caribbean Fusion bellydance, you’ll find her growing Goddesses and flowers in her garden, curating playlists, or exploring the world. Adina is living her best life and inspiring others to do the same!

Adina Gittens-Smith
Goddess Technology  |  Power + Pleasure + Purpose

Phone:  301-455-7578
Email:   [email protected]

Click Here for links to connect with me:
https://linktr.ee/AdinaMagic

This is Sekou Ayo in the '80's, moving with Qi Gong and a recent, 2023 image in the New York Times.  Notice she has not changed much.   At age 73, she still loves to dance and walks a lot.  Moving helps you breath better therefore it is "anti-aging"..  Breathe better, Live better and Move better.

Breathwork is a transformative practice that harnesses the power of conscious breathing to heal the mind, body, and spirit. In recent years, it has gained significant attention for its profound ability to unlock suppressed emotions, release physical tension, and restore balance to the nervous system. Through the intentional use of breath, individuals can tap into deep reservoirs of healing, accessing a higher state of self-awareness and emotional freedom. At Mystic Mag, we explore the remarkable potential of breathwork as a tool for personal growth and healing, offering insights into its ability to facilitate lasting transformation in one’s life.  For the full article see the link; https://www.mysticmag.com/psychic-reading/experts-breathwork-2/

Certified Breathologist Ayo Handy-Kendi: “Breath is Life”Ayo Handy-Kendi, Certified Breathologist and Founder of Optimum Life Breathology (OLB), explains how to overcome a key obstacle when starting a Breathology/Breathwork practice.

“I began exploring breath techniques at 19, and now, at 73, I continue learning from the way I breathe. Breathwork has helped me age with clarity, energy, and purpose, and I’ve shared its benefits with millions. However, the biggest obstacle for many people is that breathwork seems too simple to be powerful. Many dismiss its impact, only noticing their breath when struggling with health or stress.

Breath is life. It’s the first thing we do when we enter this world and the last when we leave. Yet, most of us breathe unconsciously—about 20,000 times a day—without realizing its impact on our health, emotions, and mental clarity. Studies show that 9 out of 10 people breathe inefficiently, numbing pain, dulling presence, and limiting their full potential.

At OLB, we teach people to “Relearn How to Breathe™.” Awareness is the first step—observing how we breathe and how it affects our body, mind, and emotions. Simple techniques, like placing one hand on the chest and another on the belly, help identify breath patterns. Adjusting our breath can shift our state—reducing stress, sharpening focus, and deepening spiritual awareness.
Mindful breathing shifts us from automatic survival to conscious living. As we breathe more freely, we feel lighter, more optimistic, and emotionally balanced. Our intuition strengthens, our spiritual connection deepens, and we gain greater control over our well-being.

If you’re considering a Breathology practice, start with awareness. Mastering the breath is the foundation for mastering life.”

Somatic Breathwork Instructor, Adam Carbary: “Breathwork Can Help Release Stuck Energy”by Adam Carbary, a Somatic Breathwork Instructor and Practitioner, explains how breathwork aids in releasing stored tension or trauma in the body:

“Breathwork, specifically Somatic Breathwork, can help tap into our body’s nervous system, where tension, stress, and trauma have become stuck. Somatic Breathwork utilizes two rounds of consciously connected breathing to help release this stuck energy and move it out of the body, allowing the body’s energy to flow freely once again.

In the first breathing phase, we utilize an accelerated mouth/belly breath that triggers the sympathetic, or fight/flight/freeze, side of our nervous system. It is from this state that the tension, stress, and trauma were first stored in the body, so it is from this state that we have to express it. Through somatic expression, we move that energy by allowing our body’s innate wisdom to complete the initial process it was not able to complete. For many, this looks like laughing, crying, yelling, shaking, or achieving deep relaxation.

We then slow things down in the second phase and switch to a more gentle style of nasal/belly breathing, triggering the parasympathetic, or rest and digest, side of the nervous system. Through this breathing, we bring the body back into regulation and can begin to reprogram our nervous system with how we would like to be and feel. Clients experience deep feelings of love, joy, purpose, gratitude, and connection through this phase.

In this way, we can use the power of our breath to bring our nervous system back into a state of wholeness.”

For the full article which includes 8 other Breathworker segments.  See the link to Mystic Magazine; 
https://www.mysticmag.com/psychic-reading/experts-breathwork-2/

I woke up this day, disappointed, yes, because I really had anticipated a different outcome, but I was not dismayed.   As a seasoned voter, I know, we, the people, are gonna make it, despite who the president of this country is. 

I knew another thing -  that the candidate of my choice, Kamala Harris and her campaign,  had done something remarkable, despite the election outcome.  .She had reminded the U.S.A. of the importance of JOY and this impact is the behavior that's gonna carry us thru.

The feeling of joy, has driven us for weeks, with a natural high because "joy" in our physicality actually changes our chemical output. Remember the song, "laugh and be happy?" Look at all of the studies that link laughter and oxygen, energy and vitality.  PEW teaches the "many ways to breathe" to remind us, how easy it is to change our moods,  find our joy, be more productive and heal ourselves, using joy created by breath.

I read an article about how MAGA  supporters' health have declined in many indicators, during this stressful campaign.  I saw again  how stress is the common denominator to some 60 or more  common, disorders., like HBP, Heart, Stroke and Diabetes. 

So after so much divisive, ugly smears and, anger, in this campaign for so many weeks, with more difficult days ahead, we must breathe thru this time, to bolster our mind, calm our nerves, lower our stress level, cope with our mental health and keep joy alive which creates HOPE  -- we are gonna make it thru no matter what it looks like no matter what the agenda of the day  is......There is a Higher Power, so stay high, to stay connected on that "high level". 

Laugh and breathe along with me in the video below, to shake off any negatives you may be feeling right now.   Find some hope and joy this day, because "PositivEnergyWorks" when we efficiently, ignite the power in the breath, think clearer and truly give thanks that we still have breath in our bodies to activate into constructive action.   ." https://www.positivenergyworks.com/up-coming-events.html

Consider breathing along with me often, on the PEW website "one minute" breath breaks"  to keep your power strong, and teach others as we "breathe better, live better", to take concerted efforts to make this country work for us all.  Anytime, 24/7, use our free to the public, "breathe along with me" space, especially, when you are feeling troubled about the direction of your life and the world, or  maybe can't sleep or just need to "relax and breathe". 
https://www.positivenergyworks.com/breathe-alongbreath-basics.html www.positivenergyworks.com/breathe-alongbreath-basics.html

PEW appreciates the opportunity to serve you in this space and your support to help this space stay available. 

with my deepest breath,
Sekou Mama, Ayo Handy-Kendi,
founder, Optimum LIfe Breathology, founder/director PositivEnergyWorks, founder/ Black Love Day, Certified Breathologist/wholistic practitioner 50+ years, founder, African American Holiday Association ..

JOIN IN ON VETERANS DAY, 11/11  from 11 a.m. - 12 Noon,
for a Discussion and Post election Communi-tea breathing with Mama Ayo and Sister Mēlani N. Douglass!

https://events.humanitix.com/post-election-communi-tea-breathing-with-mama-ayo

              

 
With sincere Black Love and a heavy heart,  I am posting this announcement, that.as a D C community we now must honor another native Washingtonian leader, long-time supporter of the African-American Holiday Association (AAHA), many other organizations; an  activist for the homeless, a vocalist, photojournalist,  and my sister from another mother - Darlene "Aisha" Dancy.-who left the body into Ancestry on  May 6, 2024

She leaves behind her daughter, Sherita Owens who she adored, a large family, many friends and associates.   Born on February 3, 1952, she was proud of her S.E beginnings, however, later found her "best life" by moving up-town, to N W, living in Adams Morgan and then Columbia Heights.  In her apartment near Malcolm X Park, she quietly “went home”.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND LEGACY

Aisha accomplished a lot in her lifetime, by founding the Friends of Howard Theater, Co-founded the D.C. Coalition for Housing Justice with Lester Cuffie, advocated for the under-served with establishing the D.C.Tenants Advocacy Office, provided leadership that lead to the D.C. Tenants Rights Law, created the Mayor Barry's Street Vendor's Commission, supported the African American Association's (AAHA) Youth Entrepreneur Program (YEP) for years, and much more.

She was a published photojournalist for the Washington Afro, Proprietor of a business, “Dancy Products”, and a recognized Vocalist.
 
Aisha was a "giver" who advocated for the homeless, the underserved and forgotten; her vending community; for artists,  jazz musicians and WPFW Radio; and for jazz venues like HR57, Bus Boys & Poets, Jazz Night at Westminster Church and Moore’s Love & Peace..

Aisha was also a "real deal" friend, helping others so much that at times she denied herself.  She was always willing to share resources “as information was power" she often quoted. And she would speak with strong passion to tell someone the "gospel truth" to right the right and forbid the wrong, but with that “big smile” of hers, she would then show just as much love and compassion, after her very “blunt” honesty”.. 
 
Aisha was an entrepreneur, using this gift often as a vendor, under the name Dancy Products..  She further, helped start the government indoor marketplace at the Labor Department that was replicated by many other D C government agencies, empowering countless vendors and their families.
 

MY FRIENDSHIP WITH AISHA
While we first meet at Sousa Junior High School in the ‘60’s, we re-met in the 70’s, helping Brother Adam sell straw hats on the National Mall Over the years, we would partner, to sell “glow lights”, buttons, tee-shirts and posters. 

1982, when I started the African American Holiday Expo until 2005 when we stopped, and Aisha would help me set up the vendors, then set up her own booth

.In 1989, I started the African American Holiday Association (AAHA) and for 5 years on Mother’s Day, she helped the AAHA YEP (Youth Entrepreneur Project) “sell flowers instead of drugs” eventually, we supported over 1500 D.C. youth. .
 
As a friend and a volunteer she often sang at our AAHA expos, in D, C, Emancipation Day rallies, in our Million Women March programs and countless other programs. 

For over 50 years, we have hung together partied, protested, dealt with relationships and our children, did business, were confidants, healed each other and lived together during times of homelessness..  We loved each other as sisters, 

Many of our pictures together are in hard copy, and not on my phone, and wish that I could share these memories with you, but I.ve been tasked to write her obituary, and find the resources to help her on her final journey.   Perhaps, by her 40 day Ascension, I will relocate these  pictures and share them then..  The picture below I found on her facebook page.  It was a picture she cherished.

 I was asked to serve as the Regional Coordinator for the D.M.V. for the 1997 Million Woman's March, and Aisha, I and many other powerful women, coordinated the LOC and spearheaded the movement in this area.  Aisha was one of my 'captains" that kept it real.  She was so there for me and was every vigilant in watching over this effort, to keep it righteous for all of "the sisters" who came together at our LOC headquarters on H Street.  This  picture is of us at one of the many MWM rallies we held at Plymouth Congregational Church.  Seated from left to right:  Darlene "Aisha" Dancy, Dr. Alese Gullatee, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing and myself, Ayo Handy-Kendi

ANNOUNCEMENT OF END OF LIFE SERVICES
 
 Aisha's home-going service occurred on  Saturday, May 18 at the Universal Mortuary Service (UMS) at 411 Kennedy Street, N.W.  The repast was held at  Roots Activity Learning Center, #15 Kennedy Street, N.W.

Final arrangements and Professional Service of Comfort have been entrusted to:  Universal Mortuary Service (UMS) of 411 Kennedy Street, N.W., Washington, D. C.  2009, Sister Kasey Martin,  202-256-8952. 

Sister Kasey has been instrumental during this time of Aisha's transition to Ancestry  Like many community organizers, who give so much to others, Aisha, was not able to afford life insurance policies.  As the "beloved community, that she took care of, NOW, I.m asking that we take care of her.  Sister Kasey, has been a total blessing in working with us, giving us time to raise funds for Aisha "final journey home" wishes.  Services are planned for Monday, May 27, 2024

Please spread the word of this GoFundMe appeal for Aisha.

FUNDRAISING APPEAL
 
Sherita and Aisha's family have asked me to assist in raising funds to lift the burden of her unanticipated passing, and I assure you it will be properly allocated. Please donate any amount and  instead of flowers, send funds,

Thank you  for those who have donated previously  and for those who can assist now as your donations for Aisha's final burial expenses can be sent to our GO FUND ME  appeal at the following link:  https://gofund.me/c8617af7
 
No donation amount is too small as collectively, each donation will add up to meet our goal. Aisha's  daughter Sherita, her fiancee Tammy Allen, her family, long-time friend and partner Lester, and myself, her sister-friend of 60+ years, appreciate any and all acknowledgements of support

Rest in peace and power Spiritual Warrior Queen. Aisha. May Allah be pleased with your efforts..  You will always be remembered because you did so much to make it better for so many, and have left this world a better place. .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
 
For more info call me, Ayo Handy-Kendi @ 202 667 2577 or email:  [email protected]

BLESSINGS AND GRAND RISING:

I wanted to share this story right after I was rising from my COVID sick bed and quarantine.  But, as usual, I jumped right back into my world, attempting to catch up from the 4 days of illness and the 10 days time that I quarantine myself.  While I kept working on my business PositivEnergyWorks/AAHA at the computer, it was a mental shut-down, I allowed myself.  I got very introspective about my life, my work, my desire to up-grade my home environment and my  relationships with family and friends.  So, here I am, more than a month later, writing this blog about my COVID experience while offering some advice for COVID prevention, not as a doctor, but as a breathologist/wholistic practitioner of 50+ years.  Therefore, this is my disclaimer, that this blog  is not medical advice, but my own opinions from my own studies and practices.  Please use at your discretion and seek medical help as needed.

MY COVID BACK STORY:

I stayed, pretty much quarantined with my immune-compromised husband John, for almost 3 years of the 2019, Covid pandemic.  I lived healthy and so did he, as Certified Breathologist, Sound Healers, and wholistic practitioners, doing our work from Zoom within our home.  We never caught the virus.  John made a decision to transition April 10, 2022 after 4 years of our wholistic treatments which overcame his "death diagnosis" of kidney failure, bladder cancer and prostrate enlargement.  Instead all of these organs healed and rejuvenated through natural remedies that I administered and facilitated.  Yet, John was tired and stopped eating and drinking and within weeks, he "crossed" over in a "good death" right in our homes, in my arms.  By 2023, after a year of releasing my 22 years old marriage, I was just beginning to venture out more in the public to events and affairs, practicing "breathology/breathwork".  

HOW DID I CATCH COVID:
 
On May 3, 2023, the date of my son in heaven's birthday, I facilitated a session in "breathology/breathwork" in Malcolm X park to a homeless man.   He being very tall, and I.m. 5 feet, quite short, he looked upwards in my face, as he sat in my chair for the session.  He became relaxed as most people do and began to talk very quickly. He spoke of how he had been hot and sick for about 2 weeks.  Then, he described a fascinating story about his homelessness after being booted out of his native African country and his rich parents’ home, because of his gender preference for men.  I listened so intensely to his story for about 15 minutes, and began to counsel him.   During the whole time, I realized that I had forgotten to put my mask on.  
 
The very next day, I woke up with a sore throat, had a headache,  body aches, felt tight constricted breathing,  felt very lethargic and felt  hot and sweaty,  .I slept the entire day, waking up only to drink water and relieve myself.
 
Over the years, I have rarely been sick, not even have had colds, so I figured it was COVID.  By the 2nd day of much of the same symptoms, I gave myself a COVID home test and just as I speculated,  it showed positive for COVID 19  . 
 
But, I didn’t care what the diagnosis was – I went into “ wholistic remedy action” taking what I have taken in the past when I have caught a “bug” or felt “out of balance”. 
. 

In 2019, pre-COVID days, standing among my great grand girls, to 2021 after COVID hit hard, masked and  holding great-grandson,Raheem.  Times really changed and we had to change with the times.

WHAT DID I DO TO KNOCK OUT COVID;
 
I took Moringa capsules and tea from Motherlands Gold Moringa, ordered through the Black Business Network.  Moringa has 29 nutrients giving the body what it needs for optimum health.  Instead of the daily recommended requirement, I tripled up, taking 9 – 12 capsules a day. and added ginger and lemon into the morning daily teas.  I also took Chlophyl with Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) which boosted my strength.
 
 I drank Ms. Rebecca's ABC Aloe Vera, excellent for inflammation release and immunity building and much more;
 
I rubbed Immune Boost 100% pure Essential Oil from Revive on my feet, and gave myself a reflexology treatment;
 
I ate garlic and onions, in my green salads; .  Also made a large pot of kale greens and made Fruit smoothies with  natural juices that I juiced myself.  If I could not have juiced, I would have used the most natural store bought juices.  I added into my juices Moringa powder, spirulina, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea moss blended.well.  .All of these nutrient rich foods and juices, made me have full bowel movements and kept up my strength;.
 
I stayed properly hydrated  all-day, sipping alkaline water and adding in the juices about 2’x a day; I knew the formula of how much water my body needs to be thoroughly hydrated.  Plus, when you sweat out toxins, you have to replenish water;  
 
I took hydrotherapy baths with Epsom salt 2x’s a day.  This helped the aches and pains.  The water had to be pretty warm,  Because I don’t have high blood pressure, and despite my being a “sage-ing baby boomer”, I made sure that the water was not too hot;  I also sipped cool water while relaxing in the tub to keep the balance when I felt  like I was gonna faint, since I was sweating out toxins so quickly;
 
And as a Breathologist/Breathworker, I practiceed deep breathing using my diaphragm to increase my oxygen life-force on the cellular level for optimum healing,  strengthening my immune system, supporting my lungs and detoxifying with every breath;   Further, I used the “prone breath technique” which is deep breathing while laying on your stomach, which opens up the lungs.
 
I used  Pax Immune to fortify my immune system, renown for pushing viral issues out, quickly. 

To contact any of these vendors or suppliers, feel free to check out the P.E.W. website or give me a call.

.HOW LONG WAS MY COVID IMBALANCE?:
 
By the 3rd day of laying around my bedroom, I felt a little weak and my legs were wobbly.  However, I felt that my room needed to be cleaned and I pushed myself to get up and started moving furniture around and actually rearranged the room.  This “push” was exercise for me after laying around, It made me feel energized and productive.
 
By Friday, the 6th day of my exposure to COVID, after giving myself many wholistic remedies, I was up and about.  I felt strong enough to drive myself about 22 miles to my closes CVS pharmacy clinic to take their rapid response COVID lab test. It again confirmed positive for COVID 19. 
 
While still hard for me to believe, as I mentioned, I seldom have been ill in my 72 years --  I accepted the diagnosis and continued to rest and pace myself, for another .4 days. . I wore a mask around my house to protect my grandsons and great grandchild who live with me, isolating myself most of the time in my upstairs dwelling, 
 
But, I did go out to do a wholistic presentation with WPFW Radio, on that 7th day, based on the CVS physicians' belief that if I felt okey, go for it.  I also went  grocery shoping, keeping my distance and yes, I wore my mask to protect others. 
 
I realized what I had realized in the first COFID wave – that when you wear a mask, breathing is harder to do.  So, I put a little, tiny drop of Reive’s organic peppermint oil into the far side of the mask which helped with the circulation within the mask.  Had to be careful not to get it into my eyes.  As I wore my mask, I did something else – I took it off, whenever I felt I was in a “safe zone” which was outside, away from people and close to nature.

Certified Breathologist Elaine Williams breathing in our community Capitol Heights on World Breathing Day, April 11, 2021.  Check out WBD, 2024. 

I AM BLESSED NOT TO BE HAVING LONG COVID SYMPTOMS
 
I read that millions of people are reporting that they are experiencing “long COVID symptoms, so I.m. grateful that I.m. not.  I believe, my wholistic remedies and practices,  pushed out the virus quickly, instead of taking the conventional medicine, which would have suppressed the virus, within my system to cause havoc on it.
 I felt strong and well by day 10 of my exposure, and only noticed a thickness in my throat which disperses after drinking a hot cup of tea in the morning.  I also have been gargling with apple cider vinegar with water, and this has aided that concern immediately.
 
 I continue to supplement my vegetarian diet with all of the same, wholistic remedies, I used to kick the Covid virus out of my system.  To connect with Long-Covid support groups, we have been working with a few over the internet.
 
WHAT DID I LEARN FROM MY COVID IMBALANCE:
 
While things are going well for me, I must share with anyone who wants to hear me, what I have learned..

Upon telling a friend my Covid story, he said " only the Angels get COVID", While continuing to be a "good somarathon", now, I'm more conscientious of my own self-care while in the public and while helping others.  I’m saying “NO” more often as a means of pacing myself and honoring that I can’t help anyone else, if I.m. not feeling my best.
 
I.m. more “mindful” of my surroundings.  If I notice a person sneezing, coughing, or nose running, I.m. moving away from that person.  And I have avoided events that are jam-packed with people or that have little distance space between the people.
 
 Further, I.m. more determined to "live life to the fullest" desiring not to just live a long life, but a healthy long life until my last breath.  Thank you for the opportunity to share..  Breathe Better, Live better,

If you are struggling with COVID breathing issues, or any breath related issue,  trauma, stress or emotional concerns  - the first thing I.ve learned,  is to look at how effective you are breathing.  Let me help you "relearn how to breathe for better life, help, work and longevity".tm  www. PositivEnergyWorks.com or call 202-667-2577.

It's hard to believe that it's been 6 months since I have spoken to the positive people on this list serve.  I’ve had to grow, glow, shift from a deep depression, and then climb out and then next moment, repeat the same steps.    It's been a ride, just like on a roller coaster, up and down, around and around.  Today, I affirm that I.m. back AND I am not holding my breath.   But thanks to the Creator, I.m. still breathing through my grief, and taking it one day, one hour, one minute, one second at a time and this is how I.m. pushing through grief, to heal the feelings.

,I've read a lot about grief.  As a degreed counselor, I.ve had to listen to many people share their grief with me.  I.ve held their hands, hugged them while crying hysterically, and have stood at gravesites of sisters who have lost their sons, and breathed with them to calm them down to not jump into the grave out of grief.  I.m also, not a personal stranger to grief.  I've had to deal with the loss of several pets as a child; my 17 year old son, Rashid; my 1st husband, Damani; his parents who transitioned 1 month to 2 months respectively after him; his grandmother; my father; then my brothers Melvin and Maurice, both leaving from serious unexpected circumstances.  After several years of care taking, my mother transitioned at age 92 and I heard her take her last breath at her home.  My sisters and I organized her home-going celebration based on her wishes, and it was a true celebration of her life.  She is not the only person, that I.ve shared the last breath with, and it is quite an honor to be an assistant in this process of "dying", just like it's amazing, to help birth a baby as they take their first "living" breath.

 I lost count of how many associates, that I knew, who crossed over from COVID.  Then, in 2021-22, I experienced my Sistah-friend's daughter's transition, then my nephew, Michael, then John, my husband of 22 years. 

You would think that you get used to the fact, that we are all going to go down this road, someday.  For some, sooner than others, but eventually this is our destiny.  So, as I handled John's memorial services, then his ascension service, similar to taking care of my mother's final affairs, I noticed something about me. 

Here I was, handling  all of the phone calls, unannounced visits, social media exchanges and blessings of support in every way - flowers, money, plants, sea-moss, and an amazing blessing in which my yard was totally transformed, yet, I found myself, taking care of the business of "putting away the dead", but NOT attending to me and my true feelings.  I "numbed" them by holding my breath.  I pulled out my "ole" happy pipe to smoke away the pain, as this addictive behavior, had been my coping support, off and on, for over 40 years.  But in the last stressful,  2 years I had quit, again..  Now, my emotions were upside down, turned around and I was spinning like a top.  My empathetic self felt overwhelmed and burnt-out.

Then, several family members came at me for the "things" of our life, and the sense of disappointment and betrayal, was soooo painful, that it ripped at my soul.  My person, said to me, "time to slow everything down and "just allow yourself to dwell in your feelings".  But the final blow, that bought me to the door of deep depression, was that my son, got arrested and detained.   Aw man, I said to myself, "what next?"

I spoke to the emptiness of not having my husband, friend and partner around.   I spoke to the disconnection that had been created in the family and got so angry as this hurt felt like I had been beaten up.  When I couldn't believe what I was facing, my depression sunk in deeper and  I turned on the t.v.   As I sat in front of the t.v., staring at Netflix and Amazon Prime trailers, spending more than an hour, attempting to find a movie that would not make me think of how low I was feeling, it came to me that I was "disassociating" from my real feelings.   I was getting into the movie version of other people's lives and problems, and not attending to mine.  Disassociation, merely distracts our attention, and prolongs our getting to the bottom of our real concerns.

But, I knew about this.....isn't this what I usually share with my clients? 

How often have I  said to them, "what you resist, persists". 

So, I stopped resisting, my "blues"'. and instead accepted that I felt crappy and didn't desire to feel my usual joy.  I  looked at a whole lot of movies, that reminded me of all of my situations, my feelings and I just cried and cried, until I couldn't.  And I let the phone messages go unanswered, as I decided that it was best not to work, so I simply breathed with ME. 

I faciliitated my own "transcendence breathwork" session on me, where I screamed, kicked, tore at my clothes, shook uncontrollably and breathed in a connected way for over 45 minutes.  John and I had developed this practice, having watched the way Africans, Middle Easterners and Indigenous people more often than we in the West, allow their pain to show and release, in very dramatic, expressive ways.   Boy, did I release some "stuff" in that session.

  Well, after a month and  1/2, as I kept focusing on my breathing and my crazy movies, I got tired of being "sick and tired".  The clouds began to lift.  I cleared the message unit.  I pushed myself to work with several of my contracts.  I got up, turned myself around and started anew.  Turned the distractions off.  Pulled out my "Breathe and Stop Smoking Naturally Pamphlet", and started the process of detoxing again.   And I just breathed, and the breath shifted and elevated my Spirit to forgive all whom I felt had hurt me.

Since, I started "rising", like the phoenix from the ashes, I've been able to envision new breathshops and new directions for PositivEnergyWorks.  Check out the Up-Coming Events section https://www.positivenergyworks.com/up-coming-events.html of our website to see the wonderful activities that  I.ve come back to involve myself in. 

I thank all of you who have been here for me and mine.  I love you so.  Your support and patience, will never be forgotten.  Thanks to the Most High and the breath of life, we are given......I'M BACK. 

www.PositivEnergyWorks.com

"Good Day" is the greeting John taught me and this became "our" daily acknowledgement for a new day. He also would greet me with "Happy Black Love Day", so I.m. using both these greetings, as I speak to you, while remembering him.
Some of you may already know of John's transition on Sunday, April 10, while for others, this may be the first time that you have heard.
This is perhaps, one of the hardest announcement that I have had to make.  I.m. so apologetic to announce it via email, but his passing was not expected, and it has taken me this amount of time to process it, and plan a ceremony fitting for the extraordinary person that he "is".

John practiced his spiritual walk in many ways and he was truly a non-traditional person, whose unique life was filled with creativity, and never dull. I.m. so grateful that we had 22 years of marriage, partnership and community-building together. Many of you have been a part of our life in some special way.

John and I have been on a healing journey, since 2018, and I believe, in the week of April 5- 10, 2022, he made a conscious decision to go "home" by stopping many of the healing protocols we had been successfully using. "He did it his way", and passed away suddenly, at our home. It has been hard to process, however, I.m. grateful that he is now an Ancestor, free of ill-health and the many aspects that healing, brings into your life. Doctors, hospitals, lab tests, surgery and discomfort, were extremely difficult for him, as he had not had to deal with these things, most of his very healthy life.
John was quite a private person, so now, he is free.

Knowing, so many people, it has been overwhelming to individually reach out to everyone, which is what I attempted to do, at first. I affirm that you will understand, why eventually, I had to email the announcement and then go to social media.

Processing the passing of a loved one is not easy. You end up dealing with other people's emotions, who are still grieving, so it.s challenging to get to your own grief as you share your story. There has also been an outpouring of support, and while grateful, it's just a lot of energy that you have to absorb. Thank Allah, for the breath, as I.m. truly breathing through this time, and it has helped me sooooo much. I again thank everyone, for their kind words and sincere gestures. I.ve heard the statement over and over, "sorry for your loss", so I.ve replied, "John is not lost, really he is quite present in Spirit now, and my newest Ancestor".

I.m. grateful that he is free of his "worn" body and my Angel in life, is now my Angel on high. One day at a time, we are ascending higher. Always sending you our Black Love. Ase