This is a short post. Oftentimes I say that in my head and then end up spending over an hour typing my happy lil heart out and the “short post” ends up not so short. But this time? This time is different.
How so? (Thank you for your engagement and for asking! lol) Well, dear reader, it’s because I worked a 13.75 hour overnight shift, drove nearly an hour home, stopped at the grocery sto’ (I going on bad! …As in I really am killing it and going on good for all you non-West Indian (read: Caribbean) folks.), did more stuffs, and am now resting in my bed.
Anywho, after all of that energy expended, I knew I needed to memorialize a very special moment. (Also, how do y’all even find my words! Ion know, but thank you for reading my words and seeing my heart! I love you, and I pray courage and boldness be yours because victory is your birthright! I pray God’s richest blessing for you. Aaand I trust you’ll come to know that everything you’re seeking is seeking you, too!) For me to come back to. For us all to learn from. Back to my story.
My clients are dope.
Point. Blank. Periodt! For those who don’t know, I’m a behavioral health/ psych/ addictions registered nurse and I found my dream job (for now, anyway– because best believe dreams evolve as we do!) working at a detox facility where I get to serve PHENOMENAL, COURAGEOUS, BOLD, BRAVE men and women who are detoxing from drugs and/ or alcohol.
I was speaking with a client as they were preparing for discharge, discussing their eagerness, excitement, apprehension, and joy to return from the detox facility– their temporary home in close community with people who intimately know their struggles with addiction– to their own home. Standing tall, they said:
“[When I go home,] I’m remaining firmly grounded in peace [stomps left foot] and serenity [stomps right foot].”
My powerhouse client
“Firmly grounded” in peace and serenity?! Yes, please! Strong same! I agree!
The older I get, the smaller my circle gets. My parents warned me of this but I didn’t believe them. And it’s because I, like this client, value the prizes that are peace and serenity. Less really is more!
Every time I saw this client after that, in my mind’s eye I saw them walking in peace and serenity. Becoming more firmly and deeply rooted, much like a tree planted by still water. Left foot, peace. Right foot, serenity. Left foot, peace. Right foot, serenity. Left foot, peace. Right foot, serenity. And I pray they continue to walk in peace and serenity as they navigates the world.
May we all choose to ground ourselves in peace and serenity instead of dysfunction, chaos, addiction, abuse, or whatever has historically plagued us. Whatever has kept us stuck or bound or in bondage. Not just because it sounds good, but because peace and serenity, whatever that looks, sounds, feels, tastes like for each of us, is quintessential to our overall health and wellbeing.
May peace and serenity be ours as we begin this new year. Correction: May we choose our peace and serenity so we can live the life we each were uniquely, purposefully, and magically, and divinely created to live.
With love, peace, and serenity,
Joval
