I have just one tattoo: my hands with long acrylic nails pressed together in prayer. I designed it with my late best friend, Mya Anderson, and it serves as a reminder of the intersection of who I am as a Black woman and my spiritual beliefs, both of which have helped me get through this pandemic.
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Constant prayer, writing, and reading faith-based texts sustain me. I think people think that prayer and meditation are complicated, and that meditation is an activity that requires a huge amount of time to prepare, but I don’t think so. Whatever I’m doing, it’s not uncommon for me to stop, close my eyes for a moment, and let out my innermost thoughts. Prayer, even if it’s just a few silent lines, is helping me make big decisions about what my life will be like on the other side of COVID-19. I take comfort in the fact that I have God’s guidance and protection through all of this.
I also listen to gospel music to lift my spirits. “Pure Gold” by the Clark Sisters is a particularly relevant song right now because it’s about persevering through hard times.
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Fulfillment is a process, every experience is meaningful, and we learn from every challenge. —”Pure Gold” by the Clark Sisters
I spoke with guest editor Najma Sharif. Reconstructed magazine And the founder Radarginand Robin Mowat, Okay Playerhe talks about his religious experiences during this period.
“In Islam, anything with the right intention is an act of worship, and it relieves my anxiety,” Sharif said. “My rest, my patience with myself and the kindness I show to myself are worship.”
Tomorrow, May 23, marks the last day of Ramadan, a period of fasting, prayer and togetherness. With people around the world in isolation and separated from their families, that last part may have been a bit tough for some. But Sharif is undeterred.
When I asked her how she maintains her faith now, she replied, “I take each day as it comes, try to pray at least five times a day and fast. Is my faith being tested? Yes, but when it’s not being tested, life hasn’t been smooth sailing for me as a black Muslim woman of Somali descent. I maintain my faith the same way I did before: I put up with it all, get back up and keep fighting for my faith.”
Sharif’s words have been an inspiration to me on my own journey and reminded me that all I can do is take each day seriously.
Mowat grew up attending a Southern Baptist church in Florida, and after moving to New York five years ago, she started attending her grandfather’s church on Long Island. But after moving to Brooklyn in January 2020, she couldn’t find a church, and COVID-19 began spreading soon after. “It was a little tough,” Mowat said. [her] To deal with it.”
“At the beginning of social distancing and isolation, I assumed churchgoers would not be encouraged to attend services,” she said in an email exchange. “I will admit that there were times when this caused me to feel a sense of looming sadness, self-loathing, and depression, as I had become so accustomed to attending services as a normal part of my week.”
Therapy, participating in virtual services, and journaling have proven effective.
“I recently started therapy again (online) which has helped me realize the need for self-care during these difficult times,” she wrote. “I think these two actions are helping me stay mentally strong. I’ve also been journaling lately.” As Black women, especially those of us who are religious/spiritual, we must not be afraid to try therapy. We must let go of the idea that church is all we need when we’re going through a tough time. Use the tools you have in your pursuit of wellness.
We all know these are trying times, but I am confident that we will get through this. To those who believe, keep the faith and stay strong.
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