Have you gifted a Genealogist today? Or perhaps asked
HOW YOU DOIN?! HOW YA FEELIN’? HOW’S YOUR FAMILY?
Self-Care is a vital practice to the well-being and progress of a Genealogist: mentally, physically, and Spiritually. (more about each of these aspects in my upcoming posts.) Think about the attention required or social interaction, during the interview and or inquiry process of the sojourner whose seeking; Often underestimated are the psychological insights this service commands, weighing the gravity of the impact from stories never told, rediscovery, and even the clues from Family folktales. We carry the mission forward combing through stories of hundreds of documents to unearth story/stories for another, other, or Family Elders who must know, others who don’t wanna know, but KNOW they know, but just can’t say–might not remember or as my Mama Georgia used to say, “I ain’t gon’ rehearse nothin’,” lol, LOVE HER SO! (rest in progress)
For me, the Genealogist’s mind works like an inner network of connections, live plugs charged to activate — portals filled with mysteries ready to be fulfilled. Our minds flow like an information highway of driveby surnames, and ya gotta get back on the right exit or turnpike to make the connection. At times one may find themselves in a rare batch of “Miscellaneous Records” like the Freedmen’s Bureau overwhelmed with pages of records untapped, yet somebody “dared” to scribe them. And as a Genealogist, you dare NOT miss one page unturned. I’ve witnessed fantastic finds by Professional Genealogists from sleuth-slayer Nicka Smith to Dr. Shelly Murphy’s Freedmen Bureau Fridays. And to that, synergistic study sessions are the best. They are filled with discoveries that pop off like the clinking sounds of missing links, connecting descendants with an Ancestor’s name maybe two degrees away from THAT ONE research session with sew-in-sew– You know, that one who is related to a parish, county, township Ancestor Whew! And it does not stop for the dedicated–we stay ON! YET – Self-Care is in order!
“…a conscious act a person takes in order to promote their own physical, mental, and emotional health.“
E. Scott, PhD, VeryWellmind.com
DOWNLOOOAD, step awaaaay from the desk, including your laptop, lol Step into a Fitness, Yoga, Pilates class, virtual or on the green. Veg out on low-level drama, feel God movies; Garden and unearth, climb a hill or be in stillness near water – OOOH READ A BOOK! Perhaps something not work-related. *smiling*
Unabashedly, allow acts of kindness and when you take moments to defragment; release what no longer serves YOU, or your work, clearing your pathway for restoration through gratitude;
In moments of self-care, I appreciate the good works forwarded from my research, studying with field leaders, and learning from Family kinship sessions. Generated work transforms into gems of collateral when I downshift into creativity mode. Sometimes I flow and see clearer while sitting back to review papers, examine Family photos, or edit study notes with Tank and da Bangas, “Black Folk“ playin’ on repeat. And often I find myself smiling with appreciation as the Universe responds with tangible testimonies.
Often I’ve said from my own experience that being a Genealogist is my service through God; And if you know my Ancestors, you’d hear them respond with Ancestral Applause, saying Aṣẹ, Matondo, and Amen behbe. //: @workingmylines
breathe ~ again inhale slowly ~ now make it good…
Working My Lines 