Meek Day!
“The Meek shall inherit the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalm 37:11. Many people don’t know this, but my uncle named me. 26 years ago, when my mom gave birth to “one and only little girl,” she told the nurse that her name was “Rahmeka.” What’s funny is, my uncle told her to name me “Rahneka.” Ohhhh the things that happen when a woman is in labor! Lol.
Nothing ever happens by coincidence or mistake. I’m glad my mom “messed up” my name, because she placed a special blessing of inheritance over my life. Plus, I kinda like Meka better than Neka. So hey! Thanks mom for giving me life, and messing up my name! Haha.
Every year, I use the 2nd of May to remind myself of what it really means to remain meek, gentle and mild. When I was just 4 years old, my grandmother taught me the importance of maintaining humility and explained to me how it can lead to success. There is beauty and empowerment among those who are truly meek and reply on God and the universe for direction. That’s why the meaning of my name and the “mistake” in it all is so interesting. It’s a testament that all things are intentional, and truly do work for your greater good.
It’s one thing to walk the walk, but another to talk the talk. The phrase “April showers bring May flowers,” manifested itself or me in more ways than one. April was filled with many “showers.” Not just in a literal sense, but figuratively as well. I struggled to maintain work/life balance, and often found myself feeling overwhelmed. In those moments, I went back to the roots of what my grandmother shared with me when I was 4, by not being too proud to ask for help or admit my part in things that didn’t quite work out how I would’ve liked. With failure, comes a great deal of growth that no amount of success can teach. I failed in many ways in April:
I didn’t meet personal goals set for health and fitness. I de-prioritized these things, and prioritized work instead.
I became a workaholic — at my 9-5 and my 5-10 job(s). The 9am-5pm is clinical research, and the 5pm-10pm is Miss New York).
I didn’t get much rest because I was overworking myself to perform well across the board in every. single. thing.
I ended up getting sick and having laryngitis, so I could hardly talk to candidates at Workshop for Miss NY.
I neglected not just myself, but my family and friends during this time - resulting in a form of discontentment, stress, and isolation (even though I met most of the goals I set, work wise).
Realizing some of my personal “showers,” for what they were by about mid-April, I decided to turn things around by investing in self care by my 26th birthday:
I realized that there is ALWAYS work to do. Learn when and where to draw the line. When 5:00 comes, leave the office—set healthy boundaries. Work/life balance matters!
Create office hours for the 5-10 job (LOL).
Treated myself and traveled to celebrate 26 years of life
Completely put the phone away in the safe while on vacation (You can’t enjoy a vacation or the people there with you, if you’re constantly on your phone, right)? Disconnect completely from the social world, and soak in moments. You can’t get them back.
I did something to celebrate not just me, but friends—I went to a lovely wedding and witnessed the Union of two beautiful soulmates in Miami
I beheld some of the most beautiful art Miami has to offer in the Wynwood district and ate good EVERY SINGLE DAY (don’t worry, I’ll blog about this soon).
Came up with 3 pros for every con, or “shower” that happened to me in April and created a CAPA (what we like to call in research a Corrective and Preventative Actions) to better deal with “showers” this time next April. ;)
May this month bring you many meek flowers, for your showers.
XOXO,
Meka