Alone with five children, Mom worked more than full-time as a nurse and pulled double- and triple-shifts whenever possible. Her schedule left my sister Sharron in charge of a motley crew of siblings. With just seven years between us, she as the eldest and I the youngest, Sharron was the perfect mini-Mom. Expert multi-taskers, they both are able to walk, talk, think, problem-solve and execute faster than the speed of light.

"Are you ready?" The question was rhetorical - if we weren't ready, too bad. Unkempt hair, teeth brushed or not, deodorant or no deodorant, it was time to go. With the dexterity and precision of a skilled neuro-surgeon, Mom (or mini-Mom) would securely hoist her handbag onto her shoulders, grab the hands of the two youngest children, manipulate keys between the fingers of the other hand, bolt the door and off we'd go to get it done, ready or not. It didn't take long for me to develop a habit of being ready. This is my inheritance and my legacy. My headstone may read, "Loving mother, mate, sister and friend. Wellness advocate. Seeker of truth. The sistah was ready."

Being ready means staying five minutes ahead of the storm. Are you ready? More than any other, this moment in American history is demanding ... daring you to be ready. As a nation. As a gender. As a people. As a race. As an individual. Are you ready with stamina, clarity of thought, high energy, health, wealth and a willingness to focus on the future. Are you ready?

According to the CDC, as of 2007 - 23.6 million people in the U.S. had diabetes (7.8% of the population). In 2007 there were 36.7 million Americans living in poverty. A 2007 CBS News investigation revealed a suicide epidemic among Veterans. The report states 6,256 active duty veterans in 45 states committed suicide in 2005. That's 120 senseless deaths each and every month. This does not count reservists or the remaining five states. The highest numbers were ages 20 to 24, veterans who served in the War on Terror. Are you ready to welcome our men and children home from the war? Are you ready and able to use your whole self for the years it may take to save your baby's life...your son's life...your baby's father from himself? From 2006 to 2007, the US Census Bureau reports a 1.3% increase in the median household income. Current rate of inflation is 3.8%. Are you ready? McCain...Obama...win, lose or draw...are you ready?

The change is coming whether you're ready or not. Now is the time to invest in your well-being or you won't make the cut. Be ready. This is the season for radical self-care and a Wellness Uprising! Stay connected to BWP Online to learn the many ways you can strengthen your mind, body and spirit to endure the years ahead. Reiki, feng shui, theta healing, safe exercise, holistic health, food as medicine, a healthy pursuit of prosperity and other topics will be presented to help you along the way. And for your bank account, consider a Warm Spirit business to supplement your income. What could you do with another $300 a month? Be ready.

Sincerely,


Rhonda Kuykendall-Jabari
Reiki Practitioner, Self-care Consultant, Warm Spirit business owner