Hello to all of you wonderful two-leggeds who have joined Jazi and me on our journey with Jazi’s memoir, Bee-Coming Strong. We are deeply grateful you’re taking the time to read these monthly buzzzings from us.
This is a special month because it’s Emotional Wellness Month, and we’re buzzing with excitement about it! The importance of this theme can’t be overstated. Learning to become more self-aware, developing skills to manage and express our emotions more effectively and constructively, and building greater self-esteem are all integral to Bee-Coming Strong. These are some of the key components behind Emotional Wellness Month.
I grew up in a home where emotional wellness was never considered. If my parents could have learned about this, I know their lives would have been filled with greater peace and happiness. It took me years of therapy and finally finding the path of yoga to understand that my life mattered, that there were practical tools to deal with anxiety and fear, and that it’s possible to live in a greater state of ongoing harmony. In a world that seems ever more reactive, the simple techniques and life lessons that MamaQueenzieBee teaches Jazianzza become even more important to incorporate in our lives and the lives of our loved ones, especially our young ones. It was a revelation for me to discover that acting tough came from weakness, not strength, and that being kind brought a sense of quiet inner strength and calm.
And lookie here! The wonderful rapper and actor Common is on Sesame Street, teaching belly breathing to Elmo! I know MamaQueenzieBee is very excited and grateful that this is being promoted so beautifully. Enjoy!
Dr. Dale Atkins, the wonderful psychologist who wrote the bee-utiful forward to Bee-Coming Strong, has written a lovely children’s book called The Turquoise Butterfly. It’s the heartwarming story of little Victoria and her beloved grandmother Sylvia, whom she travels to visit each year. The turquoise butterfly is an important part of their relationship and is woven throughout the book. It’s a story that helps children better understand the reality of a loved one passing and brings a message of hope, resilience, and transformation. This sweet book might have helped me deal with the passing of my grandfather, a man who changed my life for the better in so many ways. As it was, his death wasn’t really discussed in our home, and I was left to deal with my bewilderment, loss, and grief on my own. I wish I could have read The Turquoise Butterfly way back then. You can preorder it here (or on Amazon).
Wishing you a month filled with new realizations about how to nurture emotional wellness for yourself, your loved ones, and the world at large. We desperately need to live in a greater state of harmony, kindness, inclusivity, and compassion—and it starts with each of us taking one brave, gentle step forward, just one step at a time, breath by breath. 🐝
“Promise me you’ll always remember — you’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
— Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh
And as always, please feel free to share this newsletter with friends who have children or grandchildren, or are teachers, caregivers, bee lovers, or anyone else you think might benefit/delight from reading this. They can subscribe by simply going to AnandamayiBaker.com and filling out the form.