Hold Your Joy Sacred: What fills your heart and spirit that isn't "work"?

Last month  I was honored to serve as a panelist on the “Master Your Mindset, Master Your Future” Masterclass in Tyson/Vienne VA  at Tower Club Tysons. While there, I offered reflections from my lived experience as a clinical sociologist and educator who has spent the bulk of my career leading, mentoring others who lead, and advocating self-care and empathy as critical competencies for advancing organizational innovation. Everything I do connects with my values that center a more just and loving world where everyone feels that they belong.

This type of service is not for the faint of heart, though. Regardless of the emotional or physical toil of the work and service you feel called to do, (and I KNOW you’ve heard this before) we ALL need to self-care. For me, this means rest, recharge, and making time for other things in life that bring joy.

🟣 How are you resting, recharging, and making time for things outside of work that bring you joy?

If you know what this is for you; hold it sacred and do more of it. If you do not know what this is for you, I invite you to lean into what this may be. Consider discovering this as a gift to yourself.

For me, this thing is creative writing and poetry. 

I LOVE getting my stories down on paper or imagining how they would be as a series on one of the streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu. I enjoy reading my poems at Open-mic nights and special events. One experience I have always held dear was reading one of my poems at Morehouse College during a special event in their Martin Luther King International Chapel. 

Another surreal moment was receiving a call from a local newspaper reporter who wanted to interview me for a feature story about my published compilation of poetry and short stories. When one of my uncles saw the featured editorial, he got it framed and gave it to me as a gift. The Silver Spring Gazette editorial was called, Young poet catches readers by 'Storm' by Monica Hogan.

I have written a lot this past year, but most of it was work related (board reports/academic/advisory). Now that we are shifting into the fall, I have recommitted myself to carving out more deliberate time for my beloved creative writing and poetry. This means finishing some of my story drafts so I can get the final drafts edited, updating my creative writing website, and more. This won’t “add” to my plate because I plan to remove some things first. 

While at the “Master Your Mindset, Master Your Future” Masterclass event last month, I offered six gifts to be included in the raffle: Three signed books and three gift certificates for a 50- Minute Self-care & Leadership Session for Women, with me. It had been a while since I saw my compilation of poetry and short stories on a display table. 

It reminded me of how neglectful I have been to this part of me that gets so much joy from storytelling. It also reminded me of an email I received from a fan back in January, asking me about one of my books she had pre-ordered a year and a half ago.

I explained that once the book is finished, I’ll send her a free signed copy. If you know me, you know I’m not one for excuses; but I did have a tender reason for the delay to share with her. For the past two years much of my sacred, creative energy was redirected to my own healing and re-prioritization of my life. 

Outside of showing up with my game face every day in the classrooms, at board meetings, and in the pulpit – once I alone, I had to leverage every ounce of my own self-leadership to self-care myself out of a 13+ year marriage that I loved myself too much to remain in.

Now that my heart and spirit have nestled back into place, my sacred, creative energy has started to bubble up inside me again; adamant about its need to pour out. It feels so good and I’m ready. I’m looking forward to starting this fall with a new, empowering schedule that reflects my values, my purpose, and all that brings me joy. 

I hope that you use this change in season to re-evaluate your own schedule, values, and priorities as well. Nothing in life will change, unless we change. Life is too precious and sacred to be a passive bystander to all that you are mean to be…to all the impact you are meant to have. 💞

"𝗗𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿; 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱."- William Jennings Bryan

P.S.

If you’re in the Tyson/Vienne VA area, join like-minded folks on September 29th at Tower Club Tysons for next month’s masterclass on “Your Future: Speak with Confidence. Influence with impact.” 

🌟 Follow Judy Go Wong and Amr Mandour, Ph.D. for the details when they’re available.

The Summer 2022 edition of Charm City Spec, “Baltimore’s premiere reader series in speculative fiction,” was held July 27, 2022 on the patio at The Ivy Bookshop. - https://locusmag.com/feature/photo-story-charm-city-spec/

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🪻With 20+ years in organization development and overseeing learning strategy, I welcome opportunities to develop leaders, teach in higherEd, and serve as a keynote speaker. 

DM me, I’d love to connect with you 💕