Category: Mental Health Awareness

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I had A Phonebook and He had a Shotgun

In my mid-twenties, struggling financially, I decided to get a part-time job to help make ends meet. I signed on to be a part-time delivery person who delivered telephone books. My instructions were to deliver the phonebook to local residents. If no one was home, the directive was to place the phonebook on the front porch.

My second day on the job, I arrived at a residence, got out of my car with phonebook and identification in hand. As I walked down the driveway to place the phonebook on the front porch, a white gentleman came around the house from the back yard with a shot gun in his hand. As I tried to identify myself and state my purpose for being at his home, he yelled obscenities at me, held up his shotgun and told me to get off of his property.

I retreated to my car, phonebook and identification in hand and I drove away crying.

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I will never forget my feelings from that day and I can’t help but think I was greeted in such a way because of the color of my skin. I was a small-framed, 24 year old single-mother to an infant baby girl. I had a phonebook and he had a shotgun.

At Origins of Peace, LLC, my mission is to create an all-inclusive space welcoming all who’ve experienced hardship, conflict and turmoil. My goal is to help you create a new way forward. We are founded on Romans 12:18 NIV – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

In this season, I am focusing my intentions on promoting the health, safety and well-being of Black Americans. Our struggle is real and it deserves extra attention. My experience occurred over 20 years ago and to still live in a society were we are judged, disrespected and in many cases killed because of the color of our skin is awful and heartbreaking.

I am outraged over the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and all the other murders that have occurred because of racism and police brutality. These people had families, careers, hopes and dreams. It’s terrible to have it all taken away simply because of someone else’s opinion of who they think you are.

There are so many changes that need to occur but let’s start with informed, intentional voting. Can we please demand more from our government leaders? We need healing, justice, and a progressive way forward.

There is an initiative called #8cantwait. were you can demand change right now.

1.Visit8cantwait.org

2. Find your city

3. Call your mayor

4. Demand change

8cantwait

Peace.

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You Should Definitely Write This Down!

Today my mind kept pondering on one thought….”I wonder how America’s response to this pandemic will be documented in history books.”

I mean we are directly in the midst of a pandemic and America basically said enough playing it safe, we have to re-open, we must re-open! Covid-19 cases are continuing to rise and social distancing is becoming non-existent.

No vaccine, no documented way of slowing the spread beside staying put and all 50 of the United States of America are in some variation of the re-opening phase.

Personal thoughts aside, it’s happening. I just wonder how we’re going to look on the other side of this. When the federal government initially predicted 100k deaths everyone was like what, wow, why would they say that but last time that I checked, we were at 96k. Not too far from 100k. I guess WuTang Clan called it in 1994, when they said, “Cash Rules Everything Around Me!”

I say all of this to remind you to journal. You should definitely document this period in time and document your personal thoughts. It’s a great way to release tension and also to reflect on current events.

Some of the greatest solutions are developed after the fact. So grab your pen & notebook and be sure to journal.  

I’ve added a journal to my product offering and I would love for you to purchase one. Head over to my site: www.melissaarivers.com/products and grab your Origins of Peace Journal.

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Day 20: You Can Do Anything!

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If a carrot can become bacon, you can continue to stay at the house and be the teacher, hair dresser, personal trainer, chef, movie attendant and any other role that you’ve recently taken on.

I know the government has given the green light for some states to open a few “select businesses”…but please don’t do it. It ain’t safe, it ain’t safe, it ain’t safe!

Today’s challenge: Don’t be the test subject, continue to be the jack of all trades…at the house! You’re doing great.

Peace✌🏾

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Day 19: Don’t Over Do It!

Good Morning! I recently came across an article that stated calls to Poison Control were up more than 20% in the month of March.

In an attempt to sanitize and disinfect basically everything…people are mixing  hazardous chemicals together and failing to dilute properly.

Listen family, I know we’re all trying to figure out this new age that we’re in, but let’s not over do it. Remember safety first.

Today’s challenge is to remain safe and follow the directions that are on the label.

Use only as instructed.   Peace!  (click here to read the full article)IMG-1894

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Day 18: Psalm 46:1

Good Morning!

Today’s challenge to keeping your peace in the midst of this pandemic is a simple reminder that I am holding close to my heart. Psalm 46:1

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I can confidently say that God has shown up to 100% of the battles that I’ve faced in my life. His safety and power never run dry. His grace and mercy follow me each day.

Today I challenge you to believe with all your heart that God knows your name and that he is searching throughout the earth for people that aren’t afraid to profess his goodness. It’s a good time to remember every battle you’ve won and every blessing that you’ve received. That’s God.

Peace

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Day 15: Try A New Treat

IMG-1856A Facebook Friend posted a simple cookie  recipe and I couldn’t wait to make my own personal version of it.

  • Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Peanut Butter
  • 1 Egg (I used 2 cups of unsweetened applesauce)
  • 1  teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • 1/2 cup of Walnuts

Baking Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Spoon mixture into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake on 350 for 8-13 minutes.

Your challenge for today….try and new treat and Enjoy!

Peace,

Melissa

 

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Day 14: Find Someone To Thank

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Today’s challenge is to find someone to thank.

Think about your relationships. Is there anyone in particular that you miss having contact with. Is it time to pull out your pin and paper and compose a sweet note of adoration?

Handwritten notes go a long way. Get creative and bless someone with a hand written thank you note today!

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Day 13: Remember How You Started

PoemHappy Monday Family. I pray all is well. I hope you had a wonderful Easter Weekend and I am believing great things for you today and everyday.

So of course we’re still going strong with our 30 Day Keeping My Peace During COVID-19 Challenge.  Today’s challenge is to remember how you started. When we first started the Stay At Home order, countless people were sharing the poem above but in the past few weeks the focus has shifted to anxiousness about extended time at home, unsettling feelings about not being able to visit the hair and nail salon and absolute depression over not being able to engage in social activities that do not involve logging in for a conference call or entering a pin number to participate in a Zoom Meeting.

Today I challenge you to return to the optimism of how you began this thing. Now is not the time to lose focus or to become careless because you want what you want.

Today I challenge you to #stayhome, #readbooks, #listen, #rest, #exercise, #mediate, and #create.

You can do it. I am rooting for you!

Peace.

 

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DAY 12: Keep Shining!

Good Morning! It’s Saturday and we’re still standing. As we conclude another week of the Stay At Home Order, remember….it’s okay to celebrate what you’ve accomplished thus far. Let’s do a quick recap:

  1. You’ve become Superintendent, Principle and Teacher at your new homeschool academy.
  2. You’ve become the new Supervisor of HR at your remote work location.
  3. You’ve become Head Strategist of Sanitation at your home.
  4.  You’ve learned how to purchase and apply Personal Protection Equipment for times when leaving the house is necessary.
  5. You’ve learned how to memorize your shopping list and create a mental blueprint of where each item is located in the store.
  6. You’ve learned to budget accordingly, knowing the #Walmart is no longer accepting returns!
  7. You’ve become a personal trainer and nutritionist, making time for exercise and selecting foods that will boost your immune system.

My list could continue, but I’ll stop right there….

Today’s challenge…continue to be great, and if you want to have a Margarita…do so! (responsibly)

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