In an earlier episode, Well-being, I described a day full of small inconveniences and how the pillars of my well-being helped me cope and still find joy in my day. Well that was before the winter storm blew through Texas starting on Valentines Day, Feb. 14, 2021. It froze everything in its path from all the way from Mexico to Canada. The demand for heating far exceeded the Texas power grid capacity, causing blackouts and leaving more than 4 million Texans in dire straits in sub-zero temperatures. Today, I drill down on how my wellness hinges on local governance, reliable infrastructures, and the people in my community. Learn More about the components of emergency preparedness for my family.

It’s the season for Valentines and today I spotlight the love and joy I’ve discovered in friendship. I share how this kind of social connection is crucial to my Well Being and how I honor my friends. Learn More.

Seeking abundance and fullness in my life is a pretty lofty goal. What does this look like in real life? Especially on a hard day or season? What does a joy filled life look like when it just seems you can’t catch a break? I also define what being a Prudent Mama means. Learn more about the Pillars of My Wellbeing  Physical Health Mental & Emotional Health Social Connection Routines and Habits

I share a lesson from the movie Lion King about how the stories we hear about ourselves shape us. February is Black History Month, so I talk about Georgia Gilmore, a mother whose actions had a huge impact on the Montgomery Bus Boycott and yet her name is often left out of US history books. Learn More at PrudentMama.com/Stories PONDER THESE What traditions do you practice that connect you with your heritage and your history? How does being grounded in a history that spans generations shape your self-identity? How do your heritage and family traditions influence your life today?

After mentioning a type of joy that is experienced as a relief from suffering in an earlier episode. I take a closer look at physical suffering and emotional suffering. I examine how we identify and recognize emotional suffering and how it impacts our ability to thrive. To see the THRIVE chart I referenced in this episode click here. Learn more at PrudentMama.com/Stories If you are In crisis please tell someone who can help right away. Call your doctor’s office. Call 911 for emergency services (in the United States) Go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to be connected to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you. (in the United States) Ask a family member or friend to help you make these calls or take you to the hospital.

I ponder the Meaning of Joy and articulate my understanding in this episode. I answer questions like:  How do we define joy?  How do we experience joy?  What triggers joy in us?  How do we demonstrate and express joy?  My fascination with Joy stems from my desire to live an abundant life. Getting clarity about what joy means helps shape my perspective of life.  I’m curious to know what joy means to you. Please connect with me on PrudentMama.com to share your viewpoint and learn more about the Joy Within Workshop if you'd like an Immersive Experience of Joy for yourself and your team.

I invite you to give yourself a chance to just breathe.  Remember to hydrate well and release your binding garments. Sit, stand, or lay in a quiet safe place and relax into a comfortable position. Now breathe. Just Breathe. I'd love to know how this helped you. Connect with me on PrudentMama.com Background Music by <a href="/users/phannphakh-19797825/?tab=audio&utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=audio&utm_content=2169">PhannPhaKh</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=2169">Pixabay</a>

Moyo shares how she boosts her mental well-being. She invites you to practice the breathing exercise that helps her cultivate peace of mind. This practice helps her manage weighty emotions, the negative stress and anxiety of the things outside her control — like the instability and chaos in the United States and the world at large. Join her in this practice to relax your body and give your brain a break. Get more stories and Prudent Practices at PrudentMama.com/Stories

Moyo explores the Secret of Abundant Life. She talks about the idea of having a life AND enjoying it to the fullest. The idea of being more than just alive. Listen to the story of how she embarks on her very own hero’s journey, experiences an existential crisis and emerges transformed by discovering the Secret of Abundant Life. She reveals the secret to how she learned to juggle motherhood, a career, and her many passions and yet remain so zen. Curious? Learn more about ways to work with Moyo at PrudentMama.com

In this episode, Moyo contemplates the brevity of life and how death is a crucial milestone in life. She shares insights from conversations with her children as they too process life and death. Listen for a Prudent Tip on Estate Planning and how to speak with tweens and teens about end of life decisions in a tender way. Visit PrudentMama.com/Stories for a deeper dive into this topic.