Men's Health Matters: Movember

 

No, it is not a typo! So, for work, I have to find interesting topics that ranging from heritage observances to other fun details and feature them weekly on the website.  So, for November, I came across this thing called Movember, and naturally, I was curious.  Initially, I thought it was a typo, but I learned it's an actual thing that has been in existence since 2003. It is an annual event in November where men grow their mustaches to raise awareness for men’s health, specifically: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. This resonated with me, especially as I feel there is more emphasis these days on girl children, women’s rights, women’s health, feminism, and so on. So, I decided to shine a spotlight on men in my workplace because men’s health matters.

I learned that Movember originated in Australia when two friends, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery were inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer. They decided to create a similar campaign and in the first year, 30 people grew their mustaches and raised approximately $7000 for the Prostrate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Since then, the movement has spread to other parts of the world and has raised over 1 billion dollars funding over 1,200 men’s health projects. I am not a fan of mustaches or beards. If there was a way, we could do away with bodily hair. but for this cause bring it on.

You too can participate in (Mo) from November by fundraising, growing a mustache, or encouraging friends and family to join this cause. Every conversation and donation helps create a healthier future and reminds us that men’s health matters as healthier men lead to stronger communities.

I may not have a mustache to grow, but I will be cheering on anyone who is growing one for Movember and beyond!

Remembering 9/11: A Day of Remembrance and Reflection

September 11, 2001, is a day that will forever be etched in our collective memory. On this day, the devastating terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and United Airlines Flight 93 resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives.

As we reflect on this fateful day, may we honor the victims, their families and the first responders who risked everything to save others. Together, let us continue to strive for a world where love triumphs over hate.

Thriving on the Spectrum: Honoring Autism Awareness Month

 April is National Autism Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Originally just a week-long event started in 1972, it expanded to a month-long event in 2021 to promote acceptance and understanding of autism.

Growing up, I didn’t know anyone with autism and throughout my childhood never encountered anyone on the spectrum. Fast forward as an adult for every 5 people I know, one of them has a family member or knows a family that has someone on the spectrum mainly from Generation Z. It is thus very important that for people like me who are ‘new’ on encountering people with autism that there is continuous learning.

This year’s theme for Autism Awareness Month is “Moving from Surviving to Thriving,” and the Autism Society encourages everyone to help create a more inclusive society where autistic individuals are acknowledged and provided with opportunities.

Personally I will be celebrating my nephew Adam and cheering my sister Jackey for  effortlessly being a one man army in her community of  Malaga, Spain as she continue to promote acceptance, inclusivity and understanding of  Adam’s unique strengths and perspectives as just another 10 year old boy. I still remember the first time he confidently said, “Hello Aunt Joey” I felt like I had won the lottery. And over the years, he has made so much progress and I’m sure he will amount to much.

During this month and beyond, I invite you to share stories about the daily lives of individuals on the autism spectrum and highlight their contributions. If you know a real Good Doctor like Shaun Murphy in the ABC series that would be a great read.

Remember that together we can work towards a society that empowers individuals with autism to thrive.

The World through Art

 

World Art Day is celebrated annually on April 15 as declared by the International Association of Art and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

This day was first celebrated in 2012 and promotes the sharing and enjoyment of art while highlighting its contribution to cultural diversity, education and sustainable development. On this day, people are encouraged to engage with art through various activities, exhibitions and cultural events.

World Art day promotes diverse art expressions and encourages creativity. Various forms of art  such as painting, sculpting, drawing, photography and calligraphy are recognized as well as performance arts like dance, theater and music.

Engaging with art has been shown to improve mental and emotional wellbeing especially as it encourages creativity innovation and self-expression.  Art unites as it transcends borders, languages and cultures, bringing people together highlighting the richness and diversity of art forms worldwide.  It also fosters empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives.

By celebrating World Art Day we recognize the significance of art in our lives and its ability to bring people together, inspire creativity and promote understanding.

Rallying around African Americans and the Arts- Black History Month

February is Black History Month, a tradition that got its start in the Jim Crow era before it was officially recognized in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebrations. It honors the historical contributions, culture and significant achievements of African Americans.

Each year, there is new theme for Black History Month. This year, it’s “African Americans and the Arts,” paying homage to the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans.

I thought a great way to honor this month was to highlight some activists from the past that happen to al have birthdays in February. These Black American heroes challenged societal norms and advocated for justice, inspiring generations to stand for what’s right. Their courageous acts continue to resonate today, reminding us of the ongoing struggle for equality and empowerment in our society.

 From Rosa Parks, we can learn the importance of standing up for what we believe in the face of adversity. Fredrick Douglass's work reminds us to continuously strive for personal growth and development. We can embody his spirit by advocating for ongoing learning, improvement and empowerment in our professional lives.

 Langston Hughes’s work emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and celebrating individual voices. In today’s workplace, we can honor his legacy by encouraging open communication, valuing different perspectives and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

 Let’s carry their spirit forward not just during Black History Month, but every day as we strive to  a world that values inclusion, equality and empowerment for all.

 

Triumphing over emotions- Emotional Freedom Retreat

Throughout my adult life, I have been told by family and friends that I’m overly emotional and need to get a grip. Luckily, for the most part, this for me translated to being a strong person who just felt things more than others.

So in August 2023 when I met Elida Jerez at the Mega Free clinic held in Tacoma WA, I was drawn to her table especially as it had a flyer broadcasting an emotional freedom retreat. I had just had 2 surgeries in a space of 3 weeks and despite being a positive person, my feelings were all over the place. Simply put, I was going through the motions of doing things and was not feeling like myself.

It was also helpful that the brochure mentioned sponsorship especially as I was in the middle of bills and there and then I sat down and filled in my application and prayed it would be successful.

Fast forward to the retreat that took place 2 months after I had filled in the form, I was in a different place mentally but was still committed to participating and my 9 days at Sunset Lake camp didn’t disappoint.

There were 9 participants each assigned a coach and the day’s activities started at 6 a.m. with the coaches serving us lemon water and praying with their participants before leaving us to journal and get ready for the day. The program was action-packed and even the 1.5 hour (Flex time) that was optional for the participants to attend was assigned insightful activities like hydrotherapy, massages, and craniosacral therapy that we all eagerly showed up.

The organizers went above and beyond in putting the program together so that it was easy for all participants and volunteers to acknowledge our humanity and connect.

Both Grace and Susan learned of this retreat from Michelle one of the organizers of the retreat. I engaged with Grace on day 4 of the retreat and she told me she had learned of the retreat the very day it was starting while visiting a Korean church in Olympia. Grace a nutritionist and researcher at the University of Samyhook  signed up within 3 minutes with her main reason being this would be a great opportunity for her to control her blood glucose while at the retreat she had been monitoring it and it had gone down.

Susan on the other hand shared she learned of the retreat from a fair she was visiting and since she was battling with depression and felt unworthy Michelle convinced her to give it a try. It was day 6 when I engaged with her on this topic and she was smiling and assured me she already felt better and most important appreciated the sense of community at the retreat.

In one of our group break-up sessions, I was paired with Cindy and Patti and thought would check in on them too on why they were there and how it was going. Cindy reported she had learned of the retreat at a camp meeting in Eatonville and had signed because in her words, “she struggled with things.” At the time of our chat, she assured me she was so glad she had come and that God had prepared this retreat as a way for her to find little pieces to the puzzles to get more whole and she felt more guided on which direction to go while tackling things.

Pattie on the other hand had been a participant in the inaugural year of the Emotional Freedom retreat and was back this year as a volunteer coaching one of the participants. She said the previous year, the retreat had been an eye-opener for her especially as she was battling diabetes, and reiterated she loved helping others. While serving at the 2023 retreat, she said that she was humbled by how God came through for her in blessing her with connections that included practicing her Spanish and also getting more rooted spiritually towards a better healthier life.

On the Saturday that marked day 8, we graduated and at the ceremony, all the other participants got an opportunity to share their highlights and other wins that ranged from a week plus of no caffeine, no sugar cravings, making new friendships, overcoming trauma, appreciating healthy food to one of the participants marking a year since being discharged from a mental hospital.

Overall the retreat was evidence that much as we may have difficult times and experience lows in life, if we look to the throne of God and lean on each other, even in the small things in life, we can find stability and joy again.

In John 8:36, Jesus assures us of this, “So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.”

Thanks to everyone who made the emotional freedom retreat possible as it is a great platform to bring to life freedom from things and freedom to so many things and is playing it forward with a forum and weekly meetings for the participants to be accountability partners to each other. Together in Christ, we can be free.

Make Good Friday Personal this Easter

 

Growing up, I always looked forward to Easter weekend. It stood out mainly because it was a 4 day weekend and quietly I wondered what was good about the Friday that Jesus brutally died. Home, school, and the community were Christian based so with time it all made sense to extent that I merely went through the motions of observing it over the years.

This year however, as I attended Good Friday day Service at my home church in Tacoma Washington, the senior pastor dwelt on Jesus’ last words in the moments leading up to Him breathing His last. The great gift that makes this a Good Friday, once again became alive in me and here is why;

Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.' And they cast lots to divide his clothing.

On the cross, we see love and grace. Even in his pain, Jesus was so gracious to ask the Father to forgive us.

 Luke 23:43

 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

On the cross, we see hope. This statement was said to one of the thieves who was crucified beside the messiah. Even in his pain, Jesus gave hope to someone else and because of the cross, there is hope for everyone. 

John 19:26-27

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.'

On the cross, we see humanity. Jesus’ heart goes out to his mother and since he was fully man and dwelt with us, he understands the pain of his mother. While he is in pain, he is still compassionate and entrusts her to John. 

Mark 15:34

 And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

On the cross, we see unbearable pain and the fact that Jesus became our substitute. He takes a punishment He doesn’t deserve for us. He takes on the sin of the world becoming the worst of us. Oh what love! 

John 19:28

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

On the cross, we see anguish. The man on the cross who had declared that those who drink the water He gives will never thirst again as the water He gives is eternal life was on the cross crying out that He was thirsty. With a snap of a finger, he could have changed all this but instead He went through this anguish for us. 

John 19:30

When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

On the cross, there was completion. The sacrifice of His life for ours was done and because of that, we can stop trying to earn our own way to get God’s favor. We can rest in God’s completed work. 

Needless to say, I had walked into church while going through flares of pain, but listening to Jesus’ last words while on the cross brought me to the realization that whatever I had going on was trivial because of the cross.

By going through the pain on the cross, Jesus had not only walked in obedience but also trusted the Father’s will. As a result, He crushed the enemy and Friday’s pain leads us to victory on Easter Sunday.

On the cross, Jesus accomplished what we couldn’t, He bought us salvation and my prayer as we celebrate this gift this Easter is that we daily entrust ourselves to the Father’s will too and surrender to him regardless of what may be going on around us.