What’s up ya’ll?
This is the first blog of 2025, and it’s focused on community. As I sit to write this blog, the song Lean on Me by Bill Withers echoes in my mind, and it is indeed the perfect soundtrack for this blog. It’s in uncertain and scary times that we lean on ourselves and each other the most. There’s been a lot of conditioning among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to encourage separatism, but this is not our way. Separatism is an internalized aspect of Western culture, and now more than ever, it is time to unlearn separatism and center togetherness.
For many, the state of the world, specifically the current political climate and upcoming inauguration, signifies the continuation of perilous times.
It is a time in which we anticipate politics to use fear as an oppressive tactic justifying hate-based legislation and decision-making targeting LGBTQ folks and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. In uncertain and fearful times, it can be easy to revert back to what you know, which, for many, is carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders alone. Try as we might to see this as strength, it is isolation. Carrying the weight of the world also means carrying symptoms like fear, stress, worry, sadness, powerlessness, disappointment, and confusion. Our ancestors and higher selves do not wish for us to experience difficult things in isolation. A world of help and community is available to you that only requires your acknowledgment and participation. So, how do we get through what we are going through? In community.
When we come together, something transformative happens. We share our burdens, amplify our joys, and remind each other that no one has to walk through life’s difficult seasons alone. This collective strength is especially vital when facing fear or adversity. Community offers emotional support and a space to learn, heal, grow, and thrive together.
Why Community is Necessary in Difficult Times
1. Emotional Support and Validation
Hearing someone else say, “You are not alone, I understand, or I am here for you” can be incredibly powerful. Shared experiences create bonds and help normalize our feelings, reducing the sense of isolation that often accompanies hard times. Shared support is love in action and it is important that we all participate.
2. Physical and Mental Well-being
Studies consistently show that people with strong social networks experience lower levels of stress and better overall health. Engaging in group activities can release endorphins, increase oxytocin, improve mental clarity, and foster a greater sense of calm.
3. Spiritual and Personal Growth
Coming together with others allows us to reflect, share wisdom, and find deeper meaning. A sense of belonging can lead to personal transformations that ripple out into all areas of our lives. It is in giving that we receive. Being a part of a community creates a repetitive cycle of giving and receiving positivity like love, support, understanding, and vulnerability. Using our hearts to raise the vibration in ourselves and each other also reverberates into the world.
4. Historical and Cultural Wisdom
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, have long relied on collective strength and unity to endure hardship and build resilience. From mutual aid networks to cultural gatherings and healing circles, these communities have created supportive spaces that reinforce identity, belonging, and shared healing. This deep-rooted tradition highlights the importance of community as a form of resistance, empowerment, and survival. Participating in community is one of many ways we pay homage to those who came before us and lay a healing path for those who come after us.
F.L.O.U.R.I.S.H: RISE’S Mind-Body-Spirit Group
Recently, RISE’s owner, Christina, decided to shift to a community focus. At RISE, we’ve worked for years helping individual clients achieve healing through mind, body, and spirit tools, and have realized the necessity to reach more people. During scary times, it is important that we come closer together and not further apart. Recognizing the power of community and holistic well-being, we’re excited to offer a F.L.O.U.R.I.S.H— a nurturing space for those looking to manage stress, foster resilience, and build deeper connections. F.L.O.U.R.I.S.H centers the power of love and community as a propelling for revitalization.
Whether you’re navigating personal challenges, global uncertainty, or just seeking greater balance, this group is designed to offer tools and connections that foster holistic well-being.
What to Expect:
- Guided mindfulness exercises to center the mind
- Gentle movement practices to engage the body
- Reflective discussions and spiritual practices to uplift the spirit
- A supportive group dynamic that encourages growth and healing
Join Our F.L.O.U.R.I.S.H Support Group in Baltimore, MD, Now! 
- Step 1: Register by scanning the QR code in the flyer or by visiting this link
- Step 2: Get approved and submit payment
- Step 3: Start FLOURISHING!
You don’t have to face difficult times alone. Together, we can cultivate strength, resilience, and hope. Let’s lean on one another and grow in ways we never thought possible.
Other Services at Revilatizing Inner Self Essence in Baltimore, MD
In addition to the F.L.O.U.R.I.S.H support group, I am happy to offer a variety of services to support you and your mental health. Other services offered include clinical supervision, consulting, training, and presenting in Maryland. I specialize in combining trauma-informed interventions with mind-body interventions. Along with Mind-Body Medicine, I am trained in EMDR as a trauma therapy approach. If you want to learn more about my practice and therapeutic methods, reach out to me.