There is a beautiful synchronicity and resonance between the approach you’re describing and what is prevailing somewhat organically for me because I’m losing the will and energy to fight to “make” things go the way I think they should… learning to form intention as scaffolding but allow room for what prevails within the scaffolding so thank you 🙏🏾 reading this piece has helped me to feel I’m not giving up but rather learning a better approach to what a black and white, right or wrong world filled with colonized and patriarchal thinking has imposed on how I view myself and “success” or “accomplishment”.
Thank You Dr. Walker Barnes for your relentless courageousness. This stack was inspiring.
I am committed to keeping my nervous system on calm, curating more personal playtime - coloring, writing, and enjoying my life, no matter the circumstance.
I’m also going to FULLY enjoy being Black, and a woman at 50! It’s my Jubilee Year!!🎉
This will be my year no matter what happens this year. I will savor every moment. I will focus on my LPC and the other advancements I want for my life. I will stop trying to fit in spaces I’ve out grown or no longer require my presence. I will trust that God will place me where He’s called me to be. I will cultivate joy when I don’t have it. I won’t capture my tears any longer, I will let them fall unashamedly. I’ll incline my ear for the voice of God and not the shouts of man.
My writing. I'm committing to a morning writing practice with the guiding mantra from Gloria Anzaldua: "the world I create in the writing compensates for what the real world does not give me." My new sourdough starter, Gloria AnzalDOUGHa, and I, are looking ahead to a resilient year together, through writing and small low waste steps like baking my own bread.
My mom died December 20, 2025 and life has felt like a blur since then. I was in the middle of doing a gratitude journal for advent before she passed and have been trying to reconcile the idea of a the new year, gratitude, health, and grief. Thank you for this. 💜
Marvelous examples of how to tease and even invite good and healthy to emerge from within and in spite of horror created by others (whether distorted cells or distorted personalities or ideologies). Thank you for sharing.
Dr. Chanequa, your transparency is truly a blessing! I can commit to being more intentional with my energy, time, and emotions, and move with purpose. I believe that if I put more effort into my thought patterns by “sitting, reflecting, processing, and responding” first, rather than reacting or jumping to conclusions, as they say, it will promote a thriving and healthy mindset.
As always, the words from your heart bring comfort and joy and peace to us all. Thank you. You and your work and your writing are a well spring of refreshing breath in these deeply troubled times.
Thank you for this. I have spent this week finding “my word” for this year and am on my way to be in conversation around this practice with my poetry cohort. I have what feels like a ton of Hebrew homework due early Tuesday afternoon, but I know I need this monthly meeting and am going. The Hebrew homework will be turned in on time as has the Ethics and the Theology homework, but I made a decision that seminary cannot consume all of my time as much as I enjoy and want to complete it.
Last week, my counselor asked me what I thought my gifts were. I had been reflecting on why I thought I lacked in my family relationships. I realized I couldn’t confidently answer the question. So I decided that this year will be a season of focusing on what I do well instead of what I think I lack
That’s an important practice for many of us. Our tendency is to focus on what we can’t do or don’t have, rather than the abundance of gifts we have and experience.
There is a beautiful synchronicity and resonance between the approach you’re describing and what is prevailing somewhat organically for me because I’m losing the will and energy to fight to “make” things go the way I think they should… learning to form intention as scaffolding but allow room for what prevails within the scaffolding so thank you 🙏🏾 reading this piece has helped me to feel I’m not giving up but rather learning a better approach to what a black and white, right or wrong world filled with colonized and patriarchal thinking has imposed on how I view myself and “success” or “accomplishment”.
Thank You Dr. Walker Barnes for your relentless courageousness. This stack was inspiring.
I am committed to keeping my nervous system on calm, curating more personal playtime - coloring, writing, and enjoying my life, no matter the circumstance.
I’m also going to FULLY enjoy being Black, and a woman at 50! It’s my Jubilee Year!!🎉
This will be my year no matter what happens this year. I will savor every moment. I will focus on my LPC and the other advancements I want for my life. I will stop trying to fit in spaces I’ve out grown or no longer require my presence. I will trust that God will place me where He’s called me to be. I will cultivate joy when I don’t have it. I won’t capture my tears any longer, I will let them fall unashamedly. I’ll incline my ear for the voice of God and not the shouts of man.
Thank you for this encouragement.
My writing. I'm committing to a morning writing practice with the guiding mantra from Gloria Anzaldua: "the world I create in the writing compensates for what the real world does not give me." My new sourdough starter, Gloria AnzalDOUGHa, and I, are looking ahead to a resilient year together, through writing and small low waste steps like baking my own bread.
My mom died December 20, 2025 and life has felt like a blur since then. I was in the middle of doing a gratitude journal for advent before she passed and have been trying to reconcile the idea of a the new year, gratitude, health, and grief. Thank you for this. 💜
Marvelous examples of how to tease and even invite good and healthy to emerge from within and in spite of horror created by others (whether distorted cells or distorted personalities or ideologies). Thank you for sharing.
Reading this post felt like taking a deep breath - your words are inspiring and down-to-earth and meaningful. Thank you. :)
Dr. Chanequa, your transparency is truly a blessing! I can commit to being more intentional with my energy, time, and emotions, and move with purpose. I believe that if I put more effort into my thought patterns by “sitting, reflecting, processing, and responding” first, rather than reacting or jumping to conclusions, as they say, it will promote a thriving and healthy mindset.
As always, the words from your heart bring comfort and joy and peace to us all. Thank you. You and your work and your writing are a well spring of refreshing breath in these deeply troubled times.
This is such a gift! Resilience is a gift. Thank you for writing this!
Whew, I have been floundering a bit and this was EXACTLY the word I needed today. I feel a bit teary actually. Thank you for this!
Thank you for this. I have spent this week finding “my word” for this year and am on my way to be in conversation around this practice with my poetry cohort. I have what feels like a ton of Hebrew homework due early Tuesday afternoon, but I know I need this monthly meeting and am going. The Hebrew homework will be turned in on time as has the Ethics and the Theology homework, but I made a decision that seminary cannot consume all of my time as much as I enjoy and want to complete it.
Last week, my counselor asked me what I thought my gifts were. I had been reflecting on why I thought I lacked in my family relationships. I realized I couldn’t confidently answer the question. So I decided that this year will be a season of focusing on what I do well instead of what I think I lack
That’s an important practice for many of us. Our tendency is to focus on what we can’t do or don’t have, rather than the abundance of gifts we have and experience.
I love this! In 2026, I am committed to spending more time on my hobbies and setting better boundaries around work. I deserve my time and energy too!
Yes you do!
Loved reading every word of this!
I love this!