Author: Brittany M. Edwards

On a journey to be healthy and wealthy.

Forgiveness

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Mindful Living

How easy is it truly to forgive others for things done to you? Depending on your spiritual background, you are supposed to forgive others and forgive yourself on a regular basis. I started my spiritual journey as a Christian, raised in the church, and this is what I was taught from a very young age. When I was little the first thing I would think is “Why should I forgive them for hurting me?” It was always a question that I had unanswered in my mind because I did not understand the real meaning of forgiveness.

Matthew 6:14-15 reads as follows:

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Once I found this passage, it became easier to understand the concept of WHY I should forgive others; however, I still did not understand exactly HOW to do that. It has still been a challenge, I am not perfect. To truly forgive someone though you have to be able to let go of the hurt and the pain associated with the trauma/situation. Take an abuse victim for example; they have constantly been hurt either physically, verbally, or mentally and still have to be able to forgive their abuser. That is if they want to begin healing, according to the Bible verse.

A lot of things are easier said than done, so HOW do you do it? For me, it is a process that I have changed over the years. I have tried to tell a person I forgive them for hurting me and have learned that telling them only confuses them. They ask more questions about why you are forgiving them and it re-opens the wounds you already closed. I have tried forgiving others and learned only later that I really did not when I see them again.

I have come to discover recently that forgiveness is all for you to do just for yourself. It is a covenant between you and God (or The Creator depending on your preference). It is only for you as an individual. We should all practice forgiveness, but I have found that it is best to not publicize your forgiveness of others. Most times they do not even feel they need to be forgiven and that is never a debate you want to get into if you are working on healing.

How do you forgive?

Rose Colored Glasses

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Uncategorized

I will never forget the day when someone told me “oh you finally took your rose colored glasses off huh?”

There has never been a day when I thought this world was “rosey” in the slightest! Come on now sir…move all the way around!!

Do not get me wrong I am a full believer that there is a lot offered to us as humans, but most of us have ruined it. I take each day for what it is: another day I am blessed to breathe. I do constantly remind myself to appreciate each day and be thankful because it could be my last. It would be nice if one could be at perfect peace, however it is not possible.

Life is no crystal stair either and the grass is not greener on the other side. All those sayings correlate in some way. The beauty of it is that it allows you to really be more aware and see all things for what they are. Plain and simple. I put on my shades as often as I need to.

Sidney Poitier is oldest living Best Actor Oscar winner – Black History

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Uncategorized

Sidney Poitier won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a leading role on April 13, 1964, and as of Monday, Feb. 20, when he turned 90, he is the oldest living actor to have received the award.

When Poitier took home the award for his work in Lilies of the Field, he was also making history as the first black man to receive the award, and it was definitely well-deserved. The film also received nominations in four other categories but did not take home any of them.

Ernest Borgnine, who died in 2012, was previously the oldest living actor to have won the award before he died of renal failure. Borgnine won his Best Actor Oscar in 1955 for “Marty,” which also won Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay that year.

theGrio

Love – Genuine Love

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Uncategorized

Thousands of young couples go through with a loveless marriage because no one ever told them what genuine love is. I believe we need to read the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, in which the Apostle Paul gives us a definition of love. He says, “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” If people today knew that kind of love, the divorce rate would be sharply reduced.

With that being said, do not be afraid of love. It is one of the best feelings in the world. Love heals old wounds that we may allow to stay open after moving from one love to the next. Love gives us hope when we feel all hope is gone. I love love. It needs to be spread more. With yesterday being Valentine’s Day, I hope you made sure to tell someone that you love them. You never know what tomorrow may bring. Love your loved ones today while they are still here for you to do so.

With much love from your’s truly,

Have a great day!

Namaste

African American Inventors

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Uncategorized

Taking a look back to appreciate the many many contributions to the American race, African American Inventors make a difference and insight change. From creating the air conditioning unit & the refrigerator – Fredrick Jones, the elevator – Alexander Miles, and the ice cream scoop – Alfred Cralle to name a few; African American inventors are to thank for the many things we use still to this day. I am grateful to be part of such a rich history and appreciate these inventors for their great works.

More can be found on the African American Inventors Site and on Wikipedia.

Celebrating Black History Month with African American Medical Pioneers

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Uncategorized

To get Black History Month started, I decided to find some information on the pioneers in the medical field. I love that so many great accomplishments from my culture paved the way for later generations. I hope that one day I too can become a pioneer in my own right. I will continue to pay homage to those that came before me and appreciate their great works.

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1858–1931)

Known as the physician to perform the first successful open heart surgery, Dr. Williams became acutely aware of the lack of training for black doctors and nurses. As a result, he organized the first black-owned hospital in the United States, Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses, in 1891. (source)

Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845-1926)

After working at the New England Hospital for Women and Children Training School for Nurses for 15 years, Mahoney was finally accepted into the school in 1879. She became the first professionally trained black nurse in America and went on to advocate for race equality in the medical field. (source)

Dr. William Augustus Hinton (1883-1959)

Born to former slaves, Dr. Hinton attended the three-year, pre-medicine program at University of Kansas. He completed the program in two years and transferred to Harvard University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1905. After teaching for several years, Dr. Hinton enrolled in Harvard’s medical school and eventually became the first black instructor at the prestigious university, where he taught bacteriology and immunology for more than 30 years. He became internationally recognized for his work on the detection and vaccination of syphilis, known as the “Hinton Test”. Dr. Hinton published the first African American textbook, Syphilis and Its Treatment, in 1936. (source)

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1895)

Frequently recognized at the first African American women to earn a Doctor of Science degree, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, M.D, graduated in 1863 from the New England Female Medical College. “She devoted her life to improving health in the black community through research and clinical work. When the Civil War ended, she realized that whole communities of newly-freed blacks in the South would urgently need medical care,” according to PBS.

Dr. Charles Drew (1904-1950)

During World War II, Dr. Drew “forged a new understanding of blood plasma that allowed blood to be stored for transfusions,” according to PBS. He was also the first director of the American Red Cross Blood Bank.

So many more advancements and medical milestones are attributed to African Americans and include these contemporary pioneers:

  • Dr. Benjamin Carson became the first African-American neurosurgeon to separate conjoined twins.
  • Dr. Jocelyn Elders became the first Black Surgeon General of the US in 1993.
  • Dr. David Satcher became the first Black to head the CDC in 1993.

IU Health, a unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the nation’s leading medical schools, honors the accomplishments of these medical professionals whose lessons are still taught today.

Source: Celebrating Black History Month with African American Medical Pioneers

Breathe – Big Smile

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Mindful Living

It can be so easy to have a great day. All you have to do is start by taking a deep breath and smile. Smile big, smile bright, smile often.

Have you tried smiling your bad day away recently? I know I have had to. Just this morning as I was leaving out for work – on time and everything – the unthinkable happened. My bus that was scheduled to depart at 7:19 AM was there right when I walked out my house at 7:11 AM. Then I get to the train station and no train is in sight and over 150 people are standing and waiting. I wanted to scream, but instead I smiled and said to myself “it is going to be okay.” It is easy to just start yelling and saying “this is not fair” or “why did this have to happen to me?” or “could this get any worse?” or, in my case, blame the bus driver for speeding down the street and arriving early. I had no words for the train.

So even though things pretty much went south and had me late to work, I still reminded myself that maybe it was not meant for me to be on that bus. I will still get to work, I just will not arrive early as planned. There is nothing wrong with that. Letting all those negative thoughts leave out of my mind put me in a much better mood for the rest of my day ahead.

The best part of all this is every time I smiled, someone smiled right back at me. It made me feel good and I could tell the other person was in a good mood as well. It is amazing what something so small as a smile can do for you. So if you have not already done this today, put a smile on your face and enjoy the warmth of others smiling back at you!

smile-03

CPR & First Aid Training Complete!

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Health & Wellness

I am getting all my ducks in a row to be able to provide the best information I can.

Today I completed my CPR & First Aid training. In the health & fitness world, it is a must. On top of that, it is always a good idea to have basic training for what to do in case of an emergency.  I highly recommend going through the training yourself when you can.

I used International Open Academy (IOA) to complete my training and they have a sale going on right now that you can take any class for only $19 using the promo code NYSALE. It surely does not hurt to have life-saving training up your sleeve!

Sister Science Experience

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Ayurveda

Getting ready to start the year off on a good note. Let’s all do what we can to stay positive and keep pushing towards healthiness and greatness. Bringing in 2017 with new goals and plans. Looking forward to new and fun things starting with this first journey: Sister Science Experience.

Sister Science: Beyond Asana is an in-depth and intimate experience into the world of Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy. This program is a Karma Service Centered 100% Free Experience for our global community.

So far, I am enjoying the program and implore you to register and give it a try!

https://www.facebook.com/events/217431135346324??ti=ia

Post-Holiday Workout

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Workouts

I hope everyone had a blessed and wonderful holiday celebration with their loved ones. I am sure you ate great and now have a little belly action as a result. I am here to tell you that all is not lost and give you some small tips to help you get back to feeling great!

If you have not already started enjoying the weather we are having in Chicago, please go for a light 15-20 minute walk. This will get you started by warming up your muscles and allow you to fully reap the benefits of a post-holiday workout. Make sure you drink lots of water prior to and after your walk.

After you go for your walk, you are going to need to stretch out those muscles you just warmed up. Nothing too major, you can do a toe touch, hamstring and calf stretch and make sure to stretch your arms and neck as these can be the tightest areas in your body and where most people carry their stress.

From there, you should begin with setting your intention: “Today I want to workout for (choose your time frame).” Then, begin your workout. I’ve listed below some exercises you can use in your practice; however, you are more than welcome to create your own workout.

  • Jumping Jacks: 3 reps of 15
  • Squats: 3 reps of 15
  • Lunges: 3 reps of 15 on each leg
  • Arm Circles: 30 forward & 30 backward
  • Push-Ups: 10-20 (or however many you can do with proper form still intact)
  • Plank: Hold for 30 secs – 1 minute
  • Alternating Push-Up Plank: 3 reps of 15-20
  • Tricep Dip: 3 reps of 10-15
  • Hip Raise: 3 reps hold for 20 secs each
  • Sit-Ups: 3 reps of 10-15
  • Leg Spreaders: 3 reps of 15
  • Supine Bicycle: 3 reps of 20 to each side

Cycle through each exercise and rest for 30 secs – 1 minute in between reps. You can also take a rest for 15-30 secs every time the exercise switches focus to a different area of the body.

I hope you find this helpful and that you have a great new year of healthy choices in front of you. Enjoy!