.png)
Soul Care Meditation: Ancestral Lessons from Oral Storytelling - Pt 1, A Spring Blessing - Mental Health Awareness Month Edition
- Andrea Angie (GA)
- May 25
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Storytelling is the heartbeat of our collective memory. Stories were not simply entertainment—they were lifelines. Around fires, in kitchens, and on porches, elders shared tales that carried wisdom, warnings, humor, and hope. These stories shaped identity, taught values, and preserved the legacy of those who came before.
In this season of Mental Health Awareness Month, when we listen to or share stories aloud, we engage in a sacred act of connection. The cadence of a loved one’s voice, the pauses for laughter or tears, the repetition of familiar phrases—all these elements root us in belonging.
With open hands + contemplative hearts, we practice Sankofa—reaching back to gather the grace + creativity of oral storytelling—a living tradition: every retelling is an act of love, every listener becomes a bearer of memory. In times of struggle or transition, returning to spoken stories—whether through conversation, song, or spoken word—can offer comfort + guidance.
Oral storytelling is a living bridge between generations. When we share stories, we don’t just recount events—we pass on living memories, imagination, and the assurance that we are not alone. Spoken stories, whether whispered in the dark or sung in the light, are vessels of light.
A Holy Haiku - Oral Storytelling
Stories that travel
Embodied echoes expand
Living memories
Amen + Asé
This haiku invites us to recognize that stories are not static—they move through us, carried in voice, gesture, and presence. Each telling becomes an embodied echo, expanding across time + space, keeping memories alive + vibrant.
This is the heart of Sankofa: returning to the gift of storytelling—remembering + reclaiming the practices that ground us in gratitude, connection, and hope.
Reflection for Your Journey
SOULjourner,
Who are the storytellers in your family or community, and what have they taught you?
How can you honor or revive oral storytelling in your daily life?
Let these prompts invite you to explore oral storytelling as a sacred, ancestral practice—one that brings communion through shared memory.
A Blessing
May the stories that travel through your life,
Find a welcome in your heart and home.
May the echoes of stories of truth,
Expand your courage, deepen your roots,
And remind you: you are accompanied.
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 collective care 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.
JOIN THE SOULJOURNER COLLECTIVE
Receive soul care wisdom + exclusive peace practices in your inbox. Enter your name + email to join our global community of intentional gift-givers.
