December 2018
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Focus, Reconnect and Commit
With Dr. Sharon Michelle Edmond Dr. Sharon Michelle Edmond is a Psychotherapist who has the practice Mind Over Grind, PLLC. Ujima spoke with Dr. Edmond about her practice assisting people with reconnecting to themselves and being present in the moment. Dr. Edmond lived in Chicago for 35 years before moving to Austin. She worked as a Military Family Counselor in Fort Hood and San Antonio. She then opened a private practice in Austin. The name of the practice Mind Over Grind. The mind is for mindfulness and the grind is the daily push to meet our goals. The urgency behind the grind. We should be present in our life. But before moving to the next thing we should celebrate our wins and enjoy the moment.
HOLIDAYS COULD BE STRESS DAYS!
Dr. Edmond uses the Acceptance Commitment Therapy to help clients understand how to look within and befriend themselves. You have to be committed to change. The client becomes familiar with themselves and who they are in the world.
STRESS before, during or after the holiday chaos can be an issue for some people. One way to get around this problem could be YOGA!
Dr. Edmond recommends the following activities to get you started toward mindfulness. 1. Commit to 5-10 minutes a day to meditate. Be quiet, focus on what is happening in your life. 2. Journal. It’s good for checking in with yourself. 3. Find a ritual you can do each day when you get home to connect to oneself. i.e a shower, cup of tea 4. Walk in nature. Pay attention to the trees, the sounds,, etc. 5. Exercise. But not for losing weight but to reconnect with your body
It has been proven that yoga can help relieve stress. Relax the body , relax the mind, and teach you to breathe more effectively. Release of emotional energy, a build up of anything creates pressure. Emotional energy is released through yoga practice without you being aware of doing so.
It’s not easy to connect with ourselves. We always want to be in action. It is extremely important that we commit to taking time to be with ourselves and reconnect. Continued on page 2
N EWS
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EN T ER TAIN MEN T
Yoga Relieves Stress
Yoga also has been proven to provide other benefits that are supported by ScienceHealthline, it may reduce inflammation, could improve heart health and may fight depression. For more information go to www.healthline.org or register for a yoga class in your neighborhood.
H EALT H & W EL L N ESS
T R AVEL
FO O D
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Damita’s Corner Founder/Publisher Damita Miller-Shanklin As I sat down to write this column, I was not sure what I wanted to say. During this time of year, we wish everyone a Happy New Year! But I want to say more than that. I thought about what has been on my mind and it is most likely no different than everyone else. I have thought about how we are enduring a government that does not care about the issues people are struggling with such as employment, housing, insurance and diversity. I have thought about how Black men are jailed or killed everyday for crimes that did not commit or die because officers feel “threaten.” When I think about the year 2019, I’m praying for a better world. One that Black people can walk down the street, drive a car without fearing to be stopped and shot by a police officer. I hope the people that are representing me and our world communities take a stand and do what is right, not allow hypocrisy, racism and down right ignorance hurt this country and the world we live in. So I wish you all a Happy New Year and all the best for a prosperous 2019. Damita Miller-Shanklin Embrace Your Community
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PLAN WHILE YOU CAN FOR HOLIDAY FUN !!! This holiday season, TXDOT is focusing on the issue of impaired driving by encouraging people to save a life by making a plan to get home safely before the holiday festivities begin. The Plan While You Can impaired driving campaign encourages drivers statewide to plan for a sober ride before enjoying festivities where drinking may occur. The campaign will run through January 1, 2018 and coincides with an enforcement period in which DWI patrols will be at increased capacity looking for drunk drivers on Texas roadways. Too often a designated driver is chosen during the evening and is often considered the “least drunk” person in the group. The designated driver should be a SOBER driver. Texans can help make the holidays merry and bright all season long by remembering to make a plan to get home safely before the festivities begin. Drivers under the influence could face fines up to $17,000 in fines and fees and could lose their license. For more information visit SoberRides.org to plan your ride home Drink. Drive. Go To Jail.
Continued from Front Page When you are searching for your purpose, you are looking for that place of nirvana. You reach your goals, but it doesn’t like it suppose to. Some people began to ask why am I here? Most people think your purpose is external, but actually when you are looking for your purpose, you need to look within. You need to know how to connect with yourself. We are so externally focused, especially with social media today, that we don’t stop and sit with ourselves to make sure we are doing what makes us happy and satisfied. “Dr. Edmonds mission is to guide you through your life and help bring you back to self. You will no longer be changed by life, but instead you will change the world around you by standing firm in the truth of who you are with purpose.”
Remember Uber and Lyft “It’s not easy to connect with ourselves because we are always in action.” stated Dr. Edmond. “it will take some work, but it is extremely important. It will be life changing for ourselves.”
Caregiving During The Holidays
If you want more information or you want to contact Dr. Edmond, please visit her website at www.drsharonmichelle.com.
Caregiving is a difficult job. The day to day care of a loved one can take its toll. So, how can things be easier during the holidays? You can plan ahead to make things easier for you and your loved one. Enlist your siblings to assist with care of your loved one, while you take care of the hosting duties. Be adaptable. Don’t feel like you have to watch and entertain your loved one the whole time. Allow them to enjoy other people and be themselves. If they get tired
before everyone leaves, let them know it is okay to go to their room. For more information, check this story https://www.mbkseniorliving.com/blo g/celebrating-the-holidays-with-lovedones-with-alzheimer-s-or-dementia
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C O MMU N IT y
How To Be a Philanthropist Year Around During the holidays, we all become a “mini” philanthropist by giving to charities that we feel need help the most. Some like to give to children organizations, your local Salvation Army, agencies that help the homeless and more. How can you give year around and help others all year. You can create a strategy around why you want to give and what you hope you achieve by giving, You will need to do your research. A good place to start is the internet or by going to your local library. Look for top-rated charities. And look for sustainable solutions, something that can be done continuously. This is just a few tips to get you started on the road of Philanthropy and helping our community year around. For more information, visit https://accreditationguru.com/how-to-become-philanthropist/.
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“ Beating The Holiday Blues The holidays signify family gatherings, food and presents. But for some this time of year, it is very difficult. They struggle to feel the holiday cheer. So for these individuals, don’t try to fight your feelings. Here are some suggestions you may want to try. ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖
Acknowledge your feelings of sadness or the “blue cloud” over your head Keep your normal routine. If you walk every morning, keep that schedule. Set aside quiet time for you to journal, gather your thoughts and relax Don’t say yes to everything. Only participate in events,when you feel comfortable Don’t obligate yourself to anything, leave it open to how you feel at the time Make a list of what you need to get done, and then stick to it.
Beating the holiday blues means sticking to your routine, set aside quiet time for yourself, prioritize what is important and don’t obligate yourself to anything. Most of all relax, be you and enjoy the moments.
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H EALT H AN D W EL L N ESS
Diabetes and Your Eyesight
Black Women and Fibroids Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin effectively to control blood sugar (glucose) levels. Most people don’t think about how Diabetes can affect your eyesight. Let’s look at how you can prevent Diabetic Eye Disease. 1. Get a comprehensive eye exam with your Opthamologist at least once a year 2. Control your blood sugar- When your blood sugar is too high, it can affect the shape of your eye’s lens, causing blurry vision, which goes back to normal after your blood sugar stabilizes. High blood sugar can also damage the blood vessels in your eyes. Maintaining good control of your blood sugar helps prevent these problems. 3. Maintain a healthy blood pressure and cholesterol level.- High blood pressure and high cholesterol can put you at greater risk for eye disease and vision loss. Keeping both under control will not only help your eyes but your overall health. 4. Quit smoking- If you smoke, your risk for diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes-related eye diseases is higher. Giving up tobacco will help reduce that risk. 5. Exercise- Exercise is good for your eyes. It’s also good for your diabetes. Regular exercise can help your eyes stay as healthy as possible while helping to control your diabetes. Information Courtesy of American Academy of Ophthalmology
Fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can develop during a woman's childbearing years. The cause of fibroids is not well understood. Risk factors include a family history of fibroids, obesity, or early onset of puberty. Symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods, and pelvic pain. In some cases, there are no symptoms.Treatments include medications and removal of the fibroid. Studies have shown between 20 to 80% of women will develop fibroids by the time they turn 50. And although they can affect all women, Black women are about 3 times more likely than white women to develop fibroids, and they tend to develop them at a younger age than other women. Although most fibroids don’t cause symptoms, Black women are also 2 to 3 times more likely to have symptoms, including: ● Heavy bleeding during your period ● Long-lasting periods ● Pelvic cramping or pain with your period ● Bleeding between periods ● Feeling like you constantly have to pee ● Pressure or fullness in your lower belly
● Pain during sex ● Bloating We still don’t know exactly what causes fibroids, so it’s hard to pinpoint why it affects Black women more. However, there are a few possibilities. One of the most recent guesses comes from a study linking hair relaxers (commonly used by Black women) to fibroid development. And then, there’s the fact that fibroids tend to run in families. So, if more Black women already have fibroids, and they pass them onto their daughters, it makes sense that the number of Black women with fibroids will continue to grow. Black women may also feel the impact of certain symptoms, like bloating. Bloating can make you feel, and even look, like you’ve gained weight—even if you haven’t. And according to a 2013 study, compared to other women, Black women are more likely to feel selfconscious about weight gain, and the size and appearance of their stomach. For more information visit https://www.bwhi.org/2017/08/18/iv e-got-facing-uterine-fibroids/
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EN T R EPR EN EU R S/ B U SIN ESS T IPS
New Year, New Budget
Updating Your Resume Now Is The Time We all think about our goals for the New Year. It is important to look at tangible goals to reach for and go after. You may be in the market for a new job. You have an old resume that need to be updated. What do you do?
After the Christmas Holidays you look at all the spending you have done. You ask yourself, how can I get my finances back on track? To recover from holiday debt, look at your whole financial situation. Consider paying down your credit card debt and stop your frivolous spending. You will want to use your tax return and holiday bonuses wisely. Consider using those funds to pay off the credit card debt. Start saving for next year spending. Dedicate a certain amount each month to an account just for your holiday budget. The more you pay in cash, the less you will worry about paying back the debt. Making a list of people you plan to buy for and start early looking for their gifts and purchase them at the best time. This will keep your credit card balance low.
To update your resume, you can change your visual style. Revise your summary because things may have changed since the last update. If you have gotten a new degree, new certificate, update your educational summary. Your work history is the key to your resume, so add new information to reflect the work and jobs you have done. Lastly, update your skill level. As you know, we all learn new skills that enhance our abilities so make sure you share that information on your resume.
I don’t know about you, but I love to plan out my month and week using a planner. With the new year it’s time to decide how you will keep up with your daily to do and your monthly to do’s. There are plenty of planners to choose from and it’s based on your individual favorites. Our favorite planner is The Passion Planner. You can plan your goals, note your positive experiences and reflect on your month to make improvements and adjustments.
You can start your New Year with a plan and strategy to get your finances back on track.
Other options to consider is the planner by Sugar Paper. They have fun options. You can visit them at sugar paper.com. Erin Condren planners are also great. You can customize your cover and more. Visit at erincondren.com.
Courtesy of Experian
I hope these suggestions will help in your search for a planner that will keep you organized.
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H APPEN IN G S AN D MO R E
Martin Luther King Day 2019 The Annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. The MLK Community March kicks off on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 9 a.m. with a short program at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus. We will then march to the historic Huston-Tillotson University, where exciting activities are planned. All businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals are invited to march and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. ** As standard during gubernatorial inauguration years, the march will not visit the Capitol this year due to preparations for the inauguration. The MLK Community Festival kicks off at 11:15am and will last until 3:30 p.m.; it will include all types of vendors and local musical artists to make this year’s celebration the best ever! A vendor application can be downloaded for those interested in purchasing booth space. For questions and information, please contact Carol Wright by email or by telephone at (512) 657-3064. More information at http://www.mlkcelebration.com/celebration-events/marchand-festival/
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AR T / C U LT U R E/ L IF ES T y L E Dr. Anthony Johnson and his wife Cynthia Johnson has written a book, a collaboration, that they are sharing with Ujima readers. you may remember Dr. Johnson is a regular contributing writer to Ujima. Many of you are in Leadership roles and this book may be something you may want to add to your library. How to Formalize Emergent Leadership and Evidence Performance Improvement and Goal Achievement Reference Guide connects readers to practical concepts in leadership development strategy to foster effective performance and life success Leadership is a philosophy, evaluating the past and initiating purpose in the present to evolve a unique and progressive phenomenon as the future. Unbeknownst to many, leadership is a gift bestowed upon all in the form of our opportunity to evolve daily. In Dr. Anthony L. Johnson and Cynthia F. Johnson’s The Baseline of Leadership ($11.49, paperback, ISBN 9781545628201), readers are given a concrete view of leadership development through a collaboration of commitment, strategy, structure and service to others. The Baseline of Leadership is designed as an interactive study of personal and organizational concepts, aspirations, internal analysis, decision-making, achievement and sustainability. Foundationally, the content provides a starting point for breaking through the wall of personal resistance and fragmentation to release the leadership assertiveness required for emergent leadership. In respect, the presented content will increase the reader’s perspective of sound decision making and transform him/her into a model of effective leadership for others to follow in each venue and at every stage of their life. Says Dr. Johnson, “Leadership Development is like the conception, growth, and birth of a child; its being forms within a time capsule of
sacrifice, concern, expectancy and expression.” The Baseline of Leadership will initiate and expand the connection between an idea and a desire, and foster transformative leadership undergirded with purpose evidenced through an open channel of understanding, execution and continual communication within a world for all humankind. Degreed, certified and licensed professionals in the disciplines of business, public administration, counseling, social work, addictions and theology, Dr. Anthony L. Johnson and Cynthia F. Johnson is a couple with a wealth of life and vocational experiences.
The Baseline of Leadership is the 5th publication by Dr. Johnson and the first co and authored publication with his spouse business manager Cynthia F. Johnson, MPA. Dr. Johnson’s other publications include: To Be Determined: A Relationship Unveiled from Within (2007), Relationship Terminology: Daily Reflections for Relationship Development and Life Fulfillment (2010), Strategic Planning and Membership Assimilation in Faith-Based Organizations: A Guide for Facilitating Organizational Program Development (2011) and Terminologia de Relacion (2015). Readers may purchase The Baseline of Leadership online at www.barnesandnoble.com or www.Amazon.com.
WO N D ER F U L WO R L D O F FO O D AN D D R IN k S
CROWD PLEASING CHEESEBOARD The perfect get together for family and friends is always exciting, no matter how large or small the gathering maybe. Planning is key to any gathering, budget, menu and dates are the making of a very successful party. One crowd pleaser for appetizers is a delicious cheese board. Try to include a variety of textures and flavors. Most cheese belongs to one of four basic categories: aged,
NEW MOTHER MOCKTAIL FOR ANY PARTY!! This is a juice blend non alcoholic punch! The name says New Mother but this is a new party favorite which can be used during or after the holidays
soft,firm,or blue. Never crowd your cheese platter. Offer a different knife with each cheese. Serve slices of baguette or crackers in a separate basket or bowl. www.heb.com/
Ingredients: 32 ounces apple juice 32 ounces cranberry juice 32 ounces orange juice Crushed ice Orange slices for garnish Instructions: In a large pitcher or punch bowl, add juice and stir to combine. If your pitcher is smaller than 96 ounces, combine the juices in equal parts in a smaller amount and refill as necessary.
Serve over ice and garnish with orange slice if desired. Courtesy of Culinary Hill