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Botanical Musing Meditation: Summer's Heat Blessing (Gift), Brain Health Awareness Month Edition
- Andrea Angie (GA)
- Jun 29
- 6 min read
Summer's Heat Blessing (Gift): May you find wisdom in the seasons when everything feels too intense, when your nervous system runs hot, and when the world seems to press in from all sides. May you trust that this heat—whether from hormonal shifts, sensory overwhelm, or life's demands—is not punishment but transformation, escorting you into deeper truths about pacing, boundaries, and what truly matters.
Botanical Observation: During summer's peak heat, wise gardeners know that many plants enter a protective dormancy, slowing their growth to conserve energy + water. The midday sun that nourishes in gentler seasons becomes too intense, requiring shade, strategic watering, and respect for the plant's need to withdraw from full exposure until cooler temperatures return.
There is purpose in this heat response. Plants don't push through scorching conditions or apologize for needing protection—they adapt their rhythm to match what their systems can handle.
Your experience with overwhelm carries this same wisdom. Whether it's the sensory heat of a crowded space, the emotional heat of conflict, or the neurological heat of processing too much information, your system knows when to seek shade, when to slow down, and when to conserve energy for sustainability.
Recent research by Dr. Jessica Eccles and others reveals the fascinating neurological underpinnings of our experience with "heat." When we think about hot flashes, for instance, they often manifest most intensely in the face because the brain itself is experiencing a form of inflammation—a neurological fire that the body's thermostat struggles to regulate.
This insight illuminates something profound: the heat we experience isn't just peripheral sensation but central nervous system communication about deeper somatic + systemic changes.
Perimenopause creates an erratic inflammatory state throughout the body, with declining estrogen triggering inflammation that affects multiple systems. Many menopausal symptoms are fundamentally neurological, impacting hormones—hot flashes, disturbed sleep, mood changes, and forgetfulness—because menopause is not just a reproductive transition but a neurological one.
For neurodivergent souls, this neuroinflammatory process can intensify existing sensitivities, making the heat of hormonal transition feel overwhelming.
But here's a personal + pastoral reframe from my heart as an autistic, post-menopause soul: what feels like your system "malfunctioning" is your brain organizing itself to meet new support needs. The neurological heat that creates hot flashes, brain fog, and heightened sensitivity is part of your system signaling what no longer serves, to make room for what wants to emerge. Science reveals that the brain changes during these transitions often lead to increased creativity, authenticity, and freedom from earlier constraints.
Blessing in Hebrew: Berakah (beh-rah-KHAH) - literally means "to kneel." In ancient contexts, kneeling to present a gift symbolized offering something valuable with honor + humility. This imagery suggests that blessings flow from a heart posture of generosity + abundance.
Blessing in Ghanaian Twi: Nhyira (N-yih-RAH) - is both a noun + a verb, meaning "blessing" or "to bless." It is seen as a robust invocation of divine favor that brings prosperity, peace, joy, and hope to individuals + communities. Beyond personal wellbeing, the belief is that blessings are meant to be shared + multiplied within the community.
Reflection for Your Journey
SOULjourner,
Just as plants know to seek shade during peak heat while trusting that cooler, more comfortable conditions will return, you too can honor your need for protection and pacing yourself during life's most intense seasons—especially when that heat is literally neurological transformation happening in your brain.
What does "heat" feel like in your life right now? Notice whether it's sensory overwhelm, hormonal intensity, emotional processing, or the accumulated stress of navigating systems not built for your needs. Remember that facial heat, brain fog, and overwhelming sensations may be signs of your nervous system adapting + reorganizing, not failing.
In your personal tending, practice the wisdom of strategic shade-seeking without shameful judgment. Perhaps it's leaving social situations before overwhelm hits, using cooling strategies for hot flashes, taking supplements to close hormonal + nutritional gaps, creating buffer time between intense activities, or acknowledging that your brain fog isn't laziness but neurological renovation. How can you honor your heat sensitivity—whether sensory, hormonal, or emotional—as intelligent self-care rather than weakness?
In our collective tending, imagine communities that understand + accommodate everyone's heat sensitivity—creating cooler spaces for those who need them, respecting the need for withdrawal during intense neurological transitions, and recognizing that what looks like avoidance might be wise adaptation. When we design environments that account for different heat tolerances—whether from menopause, neurodivergence, or the intersection of both—we create sustainable spaces where everyone can contribute their gifts without burning out in conditions too intense for their systems to handle.
The heat you're experiencing, whether it manifests as facial flushing, sensory overwhelm, or systemic inflammation, carries ancient wisdom about transformation. Trust your system's divine intelligence in knowing when to seek shade, when to slow down, and when to honor the profound reorganization happening within your beautiful, complex brain.
Brain Health Awareness Month Benediction: May every blessing (berakhah / nhyira) flow freely—from reverence, from grace, from the deep well of God's generosity—reminding you that your brain + being are sacred gifts worthy of love + care every single day.
Amen + Asé ♡
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.
Featured Gift Set SOULution
The Workspace Gift Set - Nourish your mind + workspace with this thoughtfully designed, succulent-themed gift set.
Why This Set? Every item in this set is chosen to create a workspace that supports your mental clarity, creativity, emotional regulation, and daily peace + play. Fabulous for Brain Health Awareness Month (and beyond), it’s a beautiful way to honor the connection between your environment and your wellbeing.
What’s Included + How Each Item Supports Brain Health:
Whimsical Respiratory-Sensitive Paint Can Candle (8 oz., hand-poured, wood wick, non-toxic): The gentle, non-toxic fragrance + soft crackle of the wood wick create a calming atmosphere, helping to manage stress and support mindful work-play + relaxation.
Pre-Planted Fresh Mini Succulent: Having a living plant at your desk has been shown to lower stress, boost mood, and improve focus. The act of caring for a plant also nurtures a sense of self-tending + connection to nature.
Affirmation Phone Stand: This daily visual reminder keeps your phone upright + your spirit uplifted. Positive affirmations are proven to support emotional wellbeing, essential for brain health.
4 x 6 in, 50-Sheet Sticky Notepad: Jotting quick notes, ideas, or gratitude lists by hand stimulates cognitive function, enhances memory, and helps organize thoughts—supporting both creativity + mindfulness.
Faux Feather Pen: Writing by hand with a unique pen can make note-taking more enjoyable, encouraging creative thinking + providing a tactile break from screens.
Color + Journal™ 'Thank You' Card + Envelope: Expressing gratitude + reflecting on meaningful relationships is linked to improved mood + cognitive wellbeing. The card’s message + succulent coloring activity offer a mindful pause + a nourishing soul care reminder:
Front of postcard: “Thank you, you stuck it out with me, I’m forever grateful." Back: blank Back quote: “Like the life of a cactus, it blooms at night to conserve water + energy. This is a soul care reminder that blooming is about a grace pace, not performance."
Soil Moisture Stick Sensor: This simple tool makes caring for your succulent effortless, reinforcing daily rituals + the satisfaction of nurturing life—routines that can ground you + support sabbathing rhythms.
Free Gift Wrapping Included: A beautifully wrapped gift elevates the experience, signaling that your well-being is worthy of celebration.
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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