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Being a person who believes that, we are all here to serve
one another in some capacity, I say "seeing a need is always
an opportunity to fulfill it." While in this observer mode I
found a growing community of people being over-looked. This
was disturbing to me because this demographic is one that I
am also a part of. I call this group the “In-Betweeners.”
Many of us “In-Betweeners" are care-givers of others,
neglecting ourselves and our needs. In-Betweeners are ages
35-64, many of us have children and parents for whom we are
responsible. Although we are a growing group there aren't
many things that we can do to release tensions and have fun
that don't require time off, babysitters or a boat load of
cash.
The problem is that in many cases the “In-Betweener” is the
breadwinner, the nurse, the chef, the chauffer, and may be
juggling all of this as a single person. The stress of this
is overwhelming and can greatly affect our health. I've not
only seen it but, experienced it for myself.
Since Detroit began this new uprising there have been many
different community programs popping up all over town. The
common denominator I see is that all of these community
programs are being geared toward the youth or elders. This
dynamic leaves my generation as the ones to bear the weight
of the other two. It began to feel like we are just supposed
fade into the background, sacrificing our enjoyment for
responsibility.
I just don't see why this has to happen and I refuse to sit
idly by and allow it to continue. So the question for me
was: How can I be of service? The answer came after reading
an article on Native American Shamans. The first question a
Shaman would ask his patient was "When did you stop
dancing?" This simple question was the catalyst to combine
several of my loves into a program that would be geared
toward my peer group. This monthly event is aptly called
Save Your Soul Sundays.
Save Your Soul Sundays or SYSS is an experiential program
that includes movement, open dialogue, meditation, music and
light healthy snacks. This monthly event brings people from
all walks of life together to form community bonds as well
has fun, alternative self-care healing in a group setting.
To complement and support the therapeutic programming our
next gathering will be May 1 and will continue on every
first Sunday throughout the summer. . .if you are ready to
dance, have an open mind, and are looking to have some fun,
love, and laughter…come join us to make our growing
community better and brighter. . . All are welcome!
Makeeba Ellington, PhD, is
a native Detroiter who has her doctorate in Metaphysical
Sciences. For more information Ellington can be found on
Face Book/theabstractoracle.org./ Her blog can be found at
theabstractoracle@wordpress.com. |
