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As we approach the holiday season, let's muse how we can gift ourselves with soul care that nourishes hospitality + gift-giving from within and extends outward as we ground ourselves in the slow + peace of a grace pace.
The ARTvocacy of Hospitality - A Hebraic Lesson
First, let's draw wisdom from the Hebraic art form of hospitality, where hachnasat orchim (Ha-kh-naw-SAT or-KHEEM) signifies "bringing in guests" or "welcoming strangers." This concept illuminates the path to savoring the spirit of slow + peace amidst the seasonal whirlwind.
By nurturing our inner landscape + savoring the present moment, we can transcend the overwhelm and reconnect with our sacred selves—body, mind, and spirit. In doing so, we embrace the essence of hachnasat orchim, welcoming the wholeness of our beings as honored guests into our lives, and then, letting it overflow into the lives of others.
Without this mindful intention, we risk succumbing to the frenzy of gift-buying, entertaining, and time management, ultimately feeling hollow, stressed, and disconnected from our bodies and God's shalom (peace).
This year, let us prioritize soul care as an act of generative hospitality, emanating from the inside out. As we embrace the beauty of the festive season and tend to our homes with loving attention, we will create an environment that invites connection, tranquility, and the grace of slow + peace into our lives.
By integrating the wisdom of hachnasat orchim, we can cultivate a sanctuary for ourselves and those we hold dear, extending the ARTvocacy of hospitality from the inside out.
To experience the respite of slow + peace, let's plan to make soul care a hospitality priority from the inside out, embracing the beauty of this festive time while tending to our hearts + homes.
Navigating Holiday Overwhelm with Compassionate Soul Care
To support your soul care hospitality during the holiday season (and beyond), I delight to gift you with a free Soul Care Safety Plan PDF filled with gentle reminders + practical strategies to help you prioritize your wellbeing and find moments of shalom amidst the chaos.
Let's transform your home and gift-giving into a sanctuary of slow + peace, with soul-nourishing items from the Melanated Musings design collection.
A word to all of us, especially neurodivergent souls, consider implementing these additional soul care strategies to swaddle you in the fast + frenzy of the holidays:
Embrace sensory breaks: Dedicate time each day for calming sensory activities you list on your Soul Care Safety Plan.
Communicate your needs: Share your soul care intentions from your Soul Care Safety Plan with loved ones so they can offer their loving support throughout the holiday season.
Align your to-do's with to-be's: Too often, we create things to do without focusing on who we want to become in the doing. So, alongside your holiday task list, create a to-be list to nourish your activities beyond gettin' things done — become a sanctum of peace. Feel free to download the one I created for you.
Too often, we create things to do without focusing on who we want to become in the doing.
SOULutions for Slow + Peace in Dining
A thoughtfully prepared meal can bring comfort + connection during the holiday season. Embrace simplicity in your holiday dining with these strategies:
Curated charcuterie boards: Simplify meals by assembling with the elegant Melanated Musings, Mocha + Leaves charcuterie boards featuring a selection of meats, cheeses, desserts, and accompaniments. It's a beautiful, effortless way to nourish your loved ones and create a relaxed dining experience.
Sustainable paper cocktail napkins and elegant dinner cloth napkins: Elevate your holiday table with eco-friendly napkins adorned with captivating artwork.
A stunning table runner: Set a calming, elegant ambiance with the Melanated Musings, Mocha + Leaves table runner designed to complement your table setting + create a soothing backdrop for your meal.
Pastoral Care: When we create meals we are engaging in the priestly practice of peace offerings. Drawing on the Hebraic peace offering, or "shelamim" (שלמים), we connect with an ancient priestly practice rooted in the gift of "shalom" (שלום), embodying peace, completeness, and harmony.
By mindfully preparing meals + gathering at the table, we engage in a sacred act of gratitude and solidarity.
This holiday season and beyond, we get to embody the essence of the peace offering by nurturing a spirit of hospitality that emanates from the depths of our souls.
In doing so, we minimize the occurrence of overwhelm + anxiety, and honor the abundance of our shared humanity as we partake in the beauty of our personal + collective wholeness (shalom/peace).
SOULutions for Slow + Peace in Gift-Giving
As we cultivate sacred sanctums of shalom and embrace the spirit of slow + peace, our mindful intentions resonate with compassion, nourishing our shared humanity. In this spirit of generosity, let us thoughtfully select gifts that both soothe the soul and amplify our collective wellbeing.
When choosing meaningful gifts that make a social impact for the phenomenal women in your life, become a beacon of slow + peace by choosing presents that soothe the soul + nourish generosity, featuring:
Luxurious coconut wax affirmation aromatherapy candles are marvelous for creating a calming ambiance in any room. These make excellent gifts on their own or paired with a Melanated Musings tea towel.
Delightful tea towels adorned with Melanated Musings designs can be used as an eco-friendly gift-wrapping solution. Simply place the candle in the center of the tea towel, gather the corners, and secure it with a beautiful ribbon or string. This creative presentation adds an extra touch of thoughtfulness to your presents.
Gift bundles are thoughtfully curated to take the guesswork outta gift-giving with soul.
Present them with a meditative playlist: Mohawkmomma Mornin' + Midday + Moonlight Meditations on Spotify. This meditation series invites your humanity into the soothing soul care practice of breathing + blessing throughout the day.
Melanated Musings "Soul" Affirmation Candle with the Gold, Electric Candle Warmer 
Melanated Musings Mocha + Leaves Tea Towel
This holiday season, remember to extend the ARTvocacy of peace (shalom) + compassion to yourself and others as you prioritize soul care, create inclusive spaces, and amplify slow + peace.
SOULjourner, this is your invitation to embody the courageous grace of slowing down to savor during the festive period with a soul-nourishing touch, intentionally + mindfully.
Experience the transformative power of shopping with soul + ARTvocacy. By choosing Mohawkmomma Studio's luxe-designed collections, you become a part of our mission to uplift and empower marginalized women + girls.
Each purchase contributes to our quarterly donations in the fight against human trafficking. Elevate your gift-giving and make a meaningful impact by shopping our soul care collections at mohawkmommastudio.com/giftguide.
Experience the transformative power of shopping with soul + ARTvocacy.
Until next time,
Scribble. Speak. From your soul.
Links to go deeper
Explore the stunning tabletop collection
Discover much more 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 and my journey, plus, bring to you valuable research, it is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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