“cherish yourself as the sacred temple that you are. self respect requires self care”
dr thema
dear muse,
in a world that's constantly moving, it's easy to forget to slow down and take care of ourselves
as we are so close to the day we celebrate the nurtures in our lives "mother's day", i had to take a moment and reflect on the james baldwin quote "all the children are ours," and explore the cherishing of one's self but also cherishing the children in our lives
this week's newsletter explores cherishing ourselves and the children of community
enjoy this week's love letter...
*all photos are links to more information, the bookshop.org link is an affiliate link
our meditation
let's start this week with something different... a playlist
from spotify
with sade, minnie riperton, the internet and more
our podcast
this is not a “podcast interview”
this is an intimate conversation between a mother and a son about the most important topic you could discuss: self-love
mel and her 17-year-old son (at the time), oakley, talk about self-love in a completely unique, surprising, and tactical way
even if you’ve spent your whole life being hard on yourself, you will get some tools that will help you learn to love yourself
how do i learn to love myself, really?
from the mel robbins podcast
our journal prompt
self-love is no new concept
maybe you’ve written a love letter to yourself, kept an affirmation journal of compliments or achievements, or given yourself some tlc with a face mask and a glass of your favorite wine
we know we’re supposed to love ourselves and are told to learn and practice self-love
but in a world that simultaneously picks apart women’s appearances and pits us against each other, here are some self-love practices that really work beyond the aesthetics
eleven ways to practice self-love that therapists swear by
by wondermind.com
our book selection
in her memoir "black single mother," jamilah lemieux reframes single motherhood as a journey of self-acceptance and intentional parenting rather than a state of lack or failure
she moves past the societal stigma of being a single mother to show how cherishing oneself is the key to raising thriving children
along with her own story, she includes twenty one testimonies from other mothers to show that "cherishing" often involves building a community of support that honors the depth and humanity of every child
enjoy
by jamilah lemieux
finally, our film selection
set in a rapidly changing new york city, inez, a fierce and uncompromising woman who decides to reclaim her six-year-old son, terry, from the foster care system
the film centers on the theme of cherishing children through inez’s relentless, albeit illegal, commitment to giving terry a stable home and a sense of belonging
her love is active and protective, fueled by a desire to break the cycles of neglect she experienced herself
simultaneously, the story explores cherishing yourself as a form of survival
inez battles a city, and a system, that often treats her as invisible
her journey is one of reclaiming her own identity and worth, proving that even in a world that doesn't always value you, the act of choosing yourself and your family is a profound declaration of dignity
tt is a gritty, beautiful look at how the struggle to build a future is, in itself, an act of self-love
starring teyana taylor, william catlett, and josiah cross
your ritual
to be cherished is to be held in deep affection, admiration, and care — and beloved, that starts with you
this ritual is an invitation to treat yourself with the devotion you long for and deserve
think of it as your daily love letter to your soul
dress with devotion choose an outfit that makes you feel adored — even if you're staying home; silks, cozy knits, a favorite color; get dressed not for approval, but for pleasure
sanctuary hour light an affirmation candle — something romantic and warm, like rose, vanilla, or bergamot; wrap yourself in a robe or blanket; read poetry; watch your comfort movie. listen to music that feels like honey
in closing
you deserve to be loved gently
to be chosen and kept
may this week be a practice in cherishing yourself and welcoming those who do the same
as always, affirmations from pervious weeks are available here
you'll be hearing more from me soon
promise
tamara charese
as always, affirmations from previous weeks are available here
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