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A Sankofa Soul Care Meditation: Collective Care, A Spring Blessing - Mental Health Awareness Month Edition
- Andrea Angie (GA)
- May 13
- 6 min read
Today, we welcome Collective Care as we Sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah)—a word + practice from Ghana meaning “go back and fetch it.”
With open hands + contemplative hearts, we reach back for what is precious in our ancestral memory, bringing it forward as a blessing for our present lives. In this season of Mental Health Awareness, we remember: the wisdom of the past is a wellspring for our healing + wholeness today.
A Holy Haiku - Collective Care
Shared collective care
Roots entwined in sacred rest
We rise, restored, whole.
Amen + Asé
This haiku invites us to reclaim the ancestral wisdom of communal care as a form of sacred rest. In a world that glorifies individualism + relentless productivity, we are called back to the ancient belief that shalom (wholeness, wellbeing, peace) emerges through interconnection.
There is a certain solace in the reciprocal act of caring for others and receiving care in return.
Consider the healing circles where grandmothers shared herbal remedies while quilting together; the sacred sabbath traditions that honored collective care; the shared meals where stories nourished spirits as food nourished bodies; the way aunties + uncles stepped in to parent not just their children but all the neighborhood youth who needed guidance.
When we tend to one another's spirits, we create a tapestry of support that holds us all—through community gardens that fed neighborhoods while healing the land; prayer vigils that carried collective grief; front porch conversations where wisdom flowed freely between generations; neighbors who showed up with casseroles during times of loss without being asked; and friends who created childcare rotations so parents could breathe.
This collective care is not a modern innovation but a return to the ways our ancestors knew as they gathered, singing songs that wove their voices into one tapestry of belonging—that healing happens in community, that rest is revolutionary, and that our restoration has always flourished in the artful soil of togetherness.
This is the heart of Sankofa: returning to the gift of collective care that nurtures our souls + bodies together. Our ancestors understood that care was never meant to be solitary but shared like breaking bread—a communion that sustains us all.
They knew that when one person rests, they create space for others to rest too. When we honor these traditions of mutual care, we reclaim something precious: the understanding that wellness is not a personal achievement but a collective practice, passed down through generations of hearts that knew how to create sanctuary for one another through delight +
disheartenment alike.
Be Sabbath To One Another
Ritual of Refuge: Be a sabbath for one another—engage in active, deep listening, create space for one another's joys + grief, mail a note or care package to remind each other that collective care is both a practice + a byproduct of this sabbath connection.
Ritual of Release + Reciprocity: To release the day’s or week’s challenges, create space for honest exchange with someone. Begin by expressing gratitude for something that nourished you, then acknowledge a difficulty or disappointment you’ve carried.
Invite your companion to do the same, trusting that this mutual sharing is not just cathartic, but also a meaningful act of rest + resistance against the harm of isolation. In this ritual, empathy becomes renewal for both the giver + receiver.
For instance, every evening, my husband and I invite each other to share three things that went “right” and one thing that went all the way "left.” This communal practice weaves our places of soothe + setbacks together, reminding us that we are not alone in our journey, and that collective care is built through honest self-disclosure, one moment at a time.
Reflection for Your Journey
SOULjourner, how might you welcome collective care as a sabbath this week? (Think in terms of the Ritual of Refuge or the Ritual of Release + Reciprocity)
And what would it feel like for someone to become sabbath—a living refuge—for you?
It might feel like a soft exhale after holding your breath all day, a gentle unburdening, where your heart is allowed to rest.
It could feel like warmth spreading through your chest, the comfort of being deeply seen + accepted, without needing to earn it or explain yourself.
Perhaps it’s the feeling of relief, knowing you are not alone, that your struggles + joys are held in tender community.
It may feel like the quiet joy of belonging, where your tears + laughter are both welcomed and honored.
Or the feeling of peace that comes when someone sits beside you in silence, their presence a balm, reminding you that you are safe, cherished, and enough, just as you are.
To have someone become Sabbath for you is to experience the communal ARTvocacy power of shared humanity, to feel your spirit gently restored by the grace of being cared for, together.
Blessing:
May you remember that you were never meant to carry your burdens alone.
May we become sanctuary for one another, woven together in the gentle rhythm of Sabbath.
May our rest ripple outward—restoring bodies, mending hearts, and renewing the world we share.
May your hands remain open—ready to receive support and offer it freely to others. As you walk the path of Sankofa, may you gather the wisdom of collective care from those who came before, holding it gently as treasure to share with those who will follow.
May your rest be deep, your community strong, and your spirit restored through the sacred practice of caring together.
For May's Mental Health Awareness Month, affirm: "Through empathy, I/we return to our belovedness + reclaim in the spirit of Sankofa, to go back and get it, by the enablement of the Holy Spirit”
A Special Free Gift for You
To deepen your journey into sensory awareness + sensing pleasure, I invite you to download my complimentary PDF guide, Savoring Sensuality with Soul.
This pastoral guide explores the importance of presence, surrender, and gratitude in experiencing life's replete pleasures more fully. It offers pastoral care on how to engage your senses and celebrate your neurology.
Download Your Free PDF Here:
As you explore this resource, remember that your unique journey is a celebration of soulful living. May you find daring shalom + sensual pleasure in every moment.
With soul,
Pastor Angie
SOULjourner, go Deeper on my Autism+ page for more resources.
A Gift Set SOULution
Featuring the botanical-themed Charcuterie Gift Box
Elevate your next gathering with the Melanated Musings Charcuterie Board Gift Box Set.
In the heart of your home or gathering, add flair wherever you dare with a fusion of art, Black culture, and whimsical elegance.
Add a pop to any tabletop for your hors d'oeuvres + desserts.
Let the captivating charm bring a touch of soul to your next soirée (bridal shower, hostess gift, team party, bachelorette party, birthday party, anniversary celebration, or just to feel lavished), as they remind you that sometimes, the most beautiful stories begin with a simple, heartfelt gesture.
What’s Included: Free Gift Wrapping
1 x Choose board shape: Round Charcuterie Board with Groove - 13.5” x 13.5” or Rectangular Charcuterie Board with Groove - 12" x 9"
1 x Choose Board Design: Noir + Leaves or Mocha + Leaves
1 x Tamarind Oh! Sauce, 10.5 oz. Ingredients: Guava, Water, Tamarind Puree, Ginger Juice, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Organic Lemon Juice, Organic Lime Juice. A phenomenal sweet and tangy sauce for veggies, meat, and YES—desserts. Use it on your charcuterie boards to replace jams + jellies.
Or you can BUILD YOUR OWN GIFT SET >>
Until next time,
Gift from your soul.
✧
Deepen Your Soul Care Journey
Beloved SOULjourner, as you continue to nurture your gift-giving practice, discover sustainable gifts designed to embody intentional gift-giving + connection.
Soulful gifting for social change in the soul care boutique. Be inspired to amplify your ARTvocacy through peace + play vibes.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only as I share my pastoral care, my journey, and bring to you valuable research. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing any medical concerns or symptoms, please seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
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