My Mission and Commitment to You + Black Lives Matter + My Deep Inner Work on Anti-Racism
Last week was emotional.
My eyes were opened to the hurt, pain, discomfort, and grief that people have been feeling in this country for far too long.
I was ignorant of the systemic racism that is rooted so deeply in our nation.
And I was scared, nervous, confused to say anything.
I kept thinking:
…What should I say? I don’t want to say the wrong thing! Maybe I should be quiet…
Every week, I send out an email newsletter about tips, strategies, and healthy eating ideas to help people feel their best.
To help people strengthen their bodies as the physical vessels of their minds and spirits.
So when I thought about crafting the week’s newsletter, I kept thinking:
…Do people really want or need to hear from me about the Black Lives Matter movement?
What could I possibly say that would add value, since I’m a total beginner to anti-racism?…
I decided to commit myself to deep inner work to listen, learn, and educate myself.
And in the process of learning, I reconnected to my mission and values.
My personal mission and values are 100% intertwined with my professional mission and values.
I thought it was important that you know what I stand for.
What I’ve always stood for.
What I will continue to stand for.
And as I learn and grow, my mission and values will not change.
But my understanding of the world I live in will change and deepen.
So I decided to send my weekly newsletter last week.
But it wasn’t about healthy eating or habit building.
This is what I shared:
I want to acknowledge the pain, sadness, and despair that the people of our country, and the world, are experiencing.
I am committed to listening, learning, and educating myself on anti-racism.
Dr. Michael Beckwith, Reverend of Agape International Spiritual Center, said on Wednesday:
“We all can’t do everything, but we call can do something.
This is a marathon.
Find the something you can do and integrate it into your daily life.”
I questioned whether to send a newsletter this week to you.
Things of ordinary life seem trivial in times of gravity.
But I thought it was important that you know my mission.
The mission I write in my journal every morning:
“To serve generously to help people live full, abundant lives.”
I want this for everyone.
I want each of us, you, to live a full, abundant life.
And I believe that to live a full, abundant life is a right of birth for all, not a privilege available to a few.
Health is more than just what you eat. Health is a holy trinity of body, mind, and spirit.
Strengthen your physical vessel for a strong mind and a strong spirit.
I’m committed to my mission to help you live a full, abundant life.
To helping you strengthen your physical body for a strong mind and a strong spirit.
I pray every morning that I will serve you generously.
And I pray that in serving you, that service will positively ripple from you into the lives of others you touch each day.
I’m honored to walk alongside you on this journey.
In service,
~Chelsea
In the last week and half, I’ve spent hours each day listening, learning, watching, and educating myself.
So today, I sent out my weekly newsletter on what I’ve been watching, listening to, and learning.
I thought it would be helpful to share this week’s newsletter publicly as well, in hopes that it will help you find resources and conversations that you can dive into.
Here’s what I shared:
The past week I’ve been pouring myself into the deep inner work of educating myself on anti-racism.
I wanted to share with you a few things I’ve been watching and listening to, in hopes that you will find the messages helpful, encouraging, expansive, uplifting, and actionable.
Last night, I watched Part 1 of Oprah’s special, Where Do We Go From Here.
It was eye-opening.
You can watch Part 1 here>>
I’ll be watching Part 2 this weekend on the actions we can take to make real change in our country’s racist systems.
You can watch Part 2 here>>
I also joined a Live Zoom call hosted by the creators of the World’s Greatest Motivators.
They interviewed Reverend Dr. Michael Beckwith of Agape International Spiritual Center.
I received the replay link to the interview and wanted to share it with you.
You can watch the replay here>>
I also watched Jess Sims, a Peloton instructor, share her experience as a woman with a white mother, a black father, uncles who are black policemen, and a white grandfather who disowned her due to his own racism.
Her story is a powerful testimony to the hurt and discomfort so many are experiencing.
I loved how she shared “When we’re called to war, not everyone has to be a front-line soldier.”
She provided actionable ideas for people to get involved who are unable to be on the front-line of protesting.
You can watch her video here on Instagram>>
I’ve watched a couple of documentaries and movies in the last week that have, again, opened my eyes to the systemic racism present in our country.
Netflix made The 13th available to everyone!
You can watch The 13th here>>
Amazon Prime made The Hate U Give available to rent for free!
You can watch The Hate U Give here>>
Another episodic series I’m beginning:
When They See Us>>
And I ordered the book “How to Be an Anti-Racist” by Ibram X. Kendi.
It’s out of stock on Amazon, but you can still order it now to be delivered in a few weeks.
What have you been watching, listening to, and learning?
Reply to this email so I can continue to listen and learn and be able to share your recommendations with others.
In service,
~Chelsea
P.S. In the coming weeks, I’ll resume sharing helpful tips, strategies, and healthy eating ideas into how to strengthen your body as the physical vessel of your mind and spirit.
I would also like to continue the conversation around anti-racism and learn from you about how to make real and lasting change in this country.
Let’s keep the conversation open so that we move the needle forward during this inflection point in history to ensure that all are honored, respected, and treated equally.
If you have documentaries, podcasts, books, movies, etc. that you would recommend I dive into, please do not hesitate to email me: chelsea@victae.com
