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November / December 2021

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The Joy, Grateful and Thankful Issue

Emanuel Limuel

“You Can’t Stop Me” The Premier Documentary about Social Justice page 6 News • Community • Lifestyle • Food and Drink • Health and Wellness • Active Living (55+)

V I E WPO I N T This holiday is going to be new and different. We have been moving toward this change in the last two to three years. My mother had stopped cooking years ago and my oldest sister had started taking her place. But this year, the family transition is completely changing. The grandkids have grown up and now have their own children. They have lives that include other families and obligations. We have had our tradition of family time gathering together, exchanging gifts, eating, and just having a good time. I have said before “I hate change.” I’m a routine person and I like warnings so I can have time to adjust. I

know. I know. Life does not work like that. But hey, I can want the tradition to continue. But I know the reality. I will still have dinner and I will go by and visit but on a smaller scale. I’ve had major changes this year and it’s all difficult, but I know wherever my family lands, they will be with me in spirit. The guard is changing and I have to change as well. Happy Holidays #holidaytime, #familytime #thingschange #acceptance #ilovemyfamily @marylinnen #matriarch

Embrace Your Community Damita Miller-Shanklin EDITOR IN CHIEF Damita@Ujimamagazine.com

Ujima Magazine is a free news publication. Visit UjimaMagazine.com. For Advertising Opportunities email UjimaMagazine@gmail.com

Preparing for the New Year By Damita Miller-Shanklin

There is no use looking back at the last two years. We all know that story. Plus we are still living parts of it. It is time to move forward and see what life can be. But it’s all based on what is important to you. Here are things you might do in the next two months:

Ujima and Friends Podcast is another way to reach out to people around the world and share our voice. This podcast is about Ujima Magazine stories, people we interview, and our take on different issues and topics. The podcast is hosted by Damita MillerShanklin and Eliza Edwards. We hope you join us by listening to us talk about stories and our take on different topics. We have chatted about health and beauty, voting, hope for our future, and organizing our work. But we have many exciting topics and interviews to come. Please go to our podcast page at https://www.podpage.com/ujimamagazine-and-friends/. You will find all of our episodes in one place. Subscribe to our site, so you will know when a new episode is uploaded. We hope you join take a listen in the future.

1. Clear Your Mind - Sit in a quiet spot and listen to your thoughts. Make no judgments, just let them fly in your head. 2. List any unfinished business and decide what to do - There may be something you wanted to finish and didn’t get to it or a goal you want to add for next year, etc. Whatever it is try to have a plan to resolve it. 3. Brain Dump - This is the fun part. Dump all your thoughts in your journal or piece of paper and decide what is most important to move forward to what is your least important. 4. Create your intentions for the New Year - The intentions you create for yourself will help guide you through your journey all through the year. These intentions will be your road map to accomplish what is important to you and how you will move forward. I hope these recommendations will help you prepare for your joy. #newyear #greatintentions #journeytojoy #goals #beingprepared UjimaMagazine.com

BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE

PREPARATION IS KEY By Contributing Writer, Jacquie Parish

still can’t believe that we are less than 60 days away from a new year. The New Year can bring up feelings of hope, wonder, pride – and also guilt, regret, and disappointment. All of these emotions are normal. The season we are in now is a wonderful time of year to start reﬂecting and giving thanks for all things before the new year arrives. I would like to share with you a meditation exercise that will prepare you for the new year. You will need a journal or blank piece of paper and a pen. Set your journal aside nearby so it’s easily accessible if you wish to take notes on what may have surfaced during your meditation. Sit up tall, gently close your eyes, and begin to slow down your breathing. Take 5 slow, deep breaths, in and out through your nose as you begin to settle your mind. • Start by just taking notice of where you are now – scanning your body and mind for information. Notice how you feel physically and mentally, and then begin to observe your thoughts in a neutral, non-judgmental way as they come and go. • Now begin to replay through the year in your mind, slowly, as if you were watching a movie reel of highs, lows, and big and small moments from your year. • Start with the beginning of the year and move through the year month by month, recalling people, moments, emotions, UjimaMagazine.com

activities, details, mistakes, highlights — all of it. Just play through these memories from the year little by little in your mind as they come to you and watch them like a recap of all that happened. Stay with each moment for a while before moving onto the next. • When you reach the end, ﬁnish the movie reel of the year, and notice how you feel (you can do this now to get started and ﬁnish at the end of December). • Now, begin to settle your attention on your biggest challenge from this year. In what ways did this experience, person, or situation challenge you? What would you have done differently, given the opportunity to repeat this experience? What did you learn from this experience, and what intention can you make for next year, with this lesson in mind? • Now, begin to settle your attention on your favorite moment from the last year. Hold

it at the center of your mind and take it in through all your senses. Really replay this moment in your mind. Try to take that feeling into all your cells, with your entire mind and heart, and really feel that state you were in, when you were living through this favorite moment. Don’t rush this part — recall how your body felt, what your mind state was, what your energy felt like. Recall any colors, images, and sensations. What did it smell like? Taste like? • As you bring your attention to this positive memory, identify what feelings this experience carried with it. Create the intention to integrate more of these feelings into the coming year in various ways. What do you need to do to experience more feelings like these in your life? What is in your control? Who can help set you up for success? • Stay with it for another minute, and then slowly transition your mind back into the present moment by bringing your awareness back to your breath. Deep inhales and slow exhales. • Take a moment before you open your eyes. Contributing Writer Jacquie ooh Johnson is the creator of the Glow Collection, an organic skincare line that is good for your skin and the environment. They package their products in high quality reusable glass bottles/jars and use certiﬁed organic ingredients in all products. No animal testing. Made in Texas. For more information on the Glow Collection visit www.jacquieooh.com and ﬁnd them at the Tarrytown Pharmacy in Austin, TX.

Time Well Spent By Damita Miller-Shanklin

The year 2021 is winding down and we are preparing to welcome in 2022. I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to believe this year is wrapping up. I thought before I move on to next year I would look back at where I felt my time was well spent. Have you thought about your time and where it went this year? Would you say it was well spent? My time was well spent sharing time with other artists. When I was able to get back with my Urban Sketchers group, it made my life better. It’s the only time I really get outdoors. Time well spent.

My hair has been relaxed since I was about 15 years old. After years of not wanting to change, I went natural and I love it! For the ﬁrst time, I’m learning to do my own hair and not be afraid of it. This has been Time well spent. These are just two things I have spent my time on that have brought happiness and a sense of freedom. Let me know where your time was well spent this year. Happy New Year!! #timewellspent #newyear #windingdown #wrappingup #ujimamagazine #ujimaatx #digitalissue #communitymagazine

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“She Speaks Wellness”

Let the Spirit Tell You What You Need Minister Sonya Hosey, Contributor

I am not sure if anyone is like me. Sometimes my mind shifts from one thing to another. What am I going to do tomorrow? I must complete the report. I have two meetings tomorrow. Am I prepared? What will I cook? Where will I go next month for my sabbatical? Where are we going for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays? What will I cook for the Holidays and what gifts will I buy? Or not! We get in such a hurry trying to get to our next. Our next breakthrough, our next which is unknown. All within 10 minutes, sitting in my thoughts. These racing thoughts can be overwhelming. These thoughts can cause anxiety and depression by external and internal factors. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (New Revised Standard Version) As a visionary, I see the big picture, and I want it right now. Trying to ﬁgure out the plan and overlooking the process. I miss the opportunities. I miss the people who came. John Haywood, the English playwright famous quote says, "Rome wasn't built in a day, but they were laying brick every hour."

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I sat outdoors on a cool early morning drinking my coffee. The Spirit says, "enjoy the right now" You will never get this moment back. When you pause, you will see the red cardinal seating in the distance, reminding you of the perfection of our creator. When Jesus met the woman at the well. The woman came distracted by her life situation and her daily walk to the well. When she meets Jesus at the well, she could have lifted her pot from the well and journeyed back to her daily chores. But she paused and listened, not realizing that this moment would change her life forever. (See story in John 4). So today, women listen to God speak. Slow down and get away from the inner noise and the holiday rush. What is he telling you? Pause, breathe, and listen. Ask your soul what it wants. Stop to listen to hear God's still voice. Let God Spirit tell you what you need. God desires that we come to know him. When we know Him, we come to know ourselves. Do not overlook the

moment of the now; this one encounter can change your life forever. As my sister stated, “we are probably living our best lives right now, be still in the moment, and enjoy it.” Closing Prayer: Father, I pray now that every person reading this will know that you are a living God, which will give them peace, and your encounter will change their lives forever. In Jesus Name. Sonya Hosey, Ordained Clergy Founder, Iron Sharpens Iron 4MySisters Network

community profile

Don’t Stop Believing! It’s Never Too Late To Live Your Dream By Damita Miller-Shanklin

want to introduce our readers to you. Tell us a little about your background with film, and production experience. Do you have a production company? My background in film has been in television studio productions. I’ve filmed an award-winning cooking show, an award-winning religious children’s television show, short films, documentaries, and a music video. My career began with videotaping and hosting a religious children's show for the Mt. Sinai Christian Academy and a cooking show called “Cooking with Marie”. From there I begin collaborating with J.W. Hill productions, filming her stage productions. I’m currently working with Ujima TV and J.W. Hill productions. My production company is GWU Media. Congratulations on having your documentary being accepted in the African American Black Film Festival. Tell us about your interest in documentaries. How did you get into that genre? My interest in documentaries is bringing to light social injustice and humanitarian issues. I once had a talk show titled “The Fellowship Hour”, which was about educating the listeners about what was happening in their community. One show stood out the most, which was a show on the church and social injustice. This was during the time of the killing of George Floyd. This along with a

The voices of your documentary spoke about their personal encounters with racism. Do you think their stories still resonate today? Yes, I believe it resonates even more so with all the different social media platforms and the mindset of this new generation that’s now more about action.

grant launched the filming of “You Can’t Stop Me!” and soon other documentaries to come. What is the name of your documentary? What is it about? My documentary is called “You Can’t Stop Me!” It is about three African American males, who encountered racial injustice during various stages of their lives and careers. It speaks of how they, with the help of a village and families, made it through their racial injustice. What do you hope people will take from your documentary? I want people to leave with the thought of taking action to reduce social injustice. Desmond Tutu says and I quote “If you are neutral in situations of injustice you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

How or where can our readers view your documentary? The documentary will premier on January 15, 2022, at the Boyd Vance Theater at 5 pm. After January 15, it will be available through streaming sources. Ujima thanks you for taking the time to share your documentary with our readers. Is there anything you want to share that was not asked? I want to thank Ujima for this opportunity to share with your readers. Where people can follow you on social media. They can follow me on Facebook at GWU Media. If you plan to attend the film festival make sure you put this documentary on your list to view.

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FOR SENIORS | ACTIVE LIVING BY MARY LINNEN | EDITOR

Senior Housing: Stress and Depression During the Holidays Courtesy of healthline.com You can get through the holidays!

Domestic Violence There are so many groups to help us with our health and safety. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to remember victims and survivors. This affects our families and our communities. Be safe during this time, and enjoy your holidays. https://humaninterests. seattle.gov ›

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Try a few of these tips to help with stress and depression even if you are going to a gathering or just celebrating alone. 1. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones for other reasons, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season. 2. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events or communities. Many may have websites, online support groups, social media sites or virtual events. They can offer support and companionship. If you're feeling stress during the holidays, it also may help to talk to a friend or family member about your concerns. Try reaching out with a text, a call or a video chat. 3. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children or other relatives can't come to your home, ﬁnd new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.

Or meet virtually on a video call. Even though your holiday plans may look different this year, you can find ways to celebrate. 4. Stick to a budget. Before you do your gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. 5. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, connecting with friends and other activities. Consider whether you can shop online for any of your items. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for meal prep and cleanup. 6. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. UjimaMagazine.com p7

What’s For Dessert?!

AUNT RUBY'S SWEET POTATO PIE INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/4 cup light Karo syrup 2 eggs, beaten 1 can evaporated milk 3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes 2 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp. salt 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust Nutmeg (optional)

Add eggs and stir. Add sweet potatoes and mix well. Stir in the milk, vanilla and salt, making sure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Pour into the pie shell and bake 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Dust top with freshly grated nutmeg if desired.

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter, brown sugar and syrup together.

Courtesy of sagetriﬂe.blogspot.com Jazzy Pixley