As we get ready to close out the year, what will we focus on, and what will we release with gratitude ? Last fall, I wrote about rest and Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s seven types of rest: physical, mental, emotional, sensory, creative, social and spiritual. A year later, as I get closer to closing out my… Continue reading What are you putting to rest this fall?
Tag: mental-health
The Questions I Keep Coming Back To
Decades of experiences; one quest for understanding. More than 14 years ago, I started a blog called Don’t Forget the Sparkle. It was really just a place for me to capture my life—the big moments, like having a baby, but also the small ones, like making chili on the first cold day of fall. I’ve… Continue reading The Questions I Keep Coming Back To
Hope, Community, and a New Definition of Wealth
A reflection on how hope is reshaping my understanding of wealth, community, and what truly makes a life rich. I used the fall season to rest and heal. In that quiet, I had time to sit and think. What has become clear to me is this: while there is an objective view of wealth—assets, income,… Continue reading Hope, Community, and a New Definition of Wealth
The Power of Facilitation in Community Work: Creating Spaces for Growth and Advocacy
Facilitation has been the thread connecting all of my work — from social work to education, housing, birth justice, and farming. It’s not just about managing meetings; it’s about creating spaces where people can learn, find their voice, and advocate for themselves. True collaboration happens when every voice is honored, and facilitation is what makes that possible.
Beyond Silos: Rethinking How We Build Healthy Communities Together
True community cannot be built in silos. My journey across social work, housing, education, farming, and birth justice has shown me that thriving communities depend on cross-sector partnerships, multigenerational wisdom, and the courage to bring all our strengths together.
Learning to Rest without Regret
By: Makeda Marshall-NeSmith We’ve all heard it before: rest can save your life. If you want to explore that deeply, I’d point you to two powerful pieces from voices I admire: Why Is Exhaustion So Normalized for Black Women? from Allure, and Yes, Even Social Activists Need Rest Too from Verywell Mind. Both speak to… Continue reading Learning to Rest without Regret
