Finding Wellness Wisdom

At 42, I've found myself unexpectedly drawn into conversations about wellness, menopause, and Black maternal health. What started as casual listening has become a profound learning journey that's reshaping how I think about my body, my health, and even my faith.

Delita and Yvette

Last weekend, I attended Rooted In Wisdom: A Menopause Garden Party hosted by Yvette Highsmith Francis and my cousin Delita Rose-Daniels at the Community Health Center here in Middletown, CT.

This wasn't just another health seminar, it was a beautifully curated experience that included a screening of The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause, a groundbreaking documentary directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jacoba Atlas. This first-of-its-kind film about menopause truly lives up to its mission of shedding light on a topic that's often shrouded in silence.

The event also featured doctors for a Q&A session, a Tea and Holistic Session with Sasha's Whole Earth, and a floral bouquet exchange. While this conversation wasn't specifically designed for women of color, it was incredibly powerful to see so many women in one room united by a shared experience...menopause.

Sitting there, absorbing all this information, I felt a familiar pang of sadness wash over me. Here was knowledge I desperately wish I had possessed at 25, or even 35. As a young Black woman, I often felt like I was navigating my health in the dark, piecing together fragments of information from family stories and brief doctor visits that rarely felt comprehensive or culturally informed.

There's this voice that whispers, "Why start now? You've already done 42 years of not knowing better. What's the point?" But then I remember the truth that has carried me through every season:

it's never too late to start caring for the temple God has given me.

One of the most surprising aspects of this journey has been learning from women who don't look like me, don't share my faith background, and come from completely different walks of life. I've discovered a wealth of knowledge about natural medicine, herbs, and holistic wellness practices that have genuinely transformed how I approach my health.

As a Black Christian woman, I'll admit this wasn't always comfortable territory for me. There's often hesitation in our community about learning from sources that don't explicitly align with our faith traditions. We get caught up in the language people use or the spiritual practices they incorporate, and sometimes we shut ourselves off from beneficial knowledge because of fear.

But here's what I've been reflecting on:

everything on this earth was created by the God we serve.

Before our ancestors were brought to America, they lived on the African continent where the earth provided everything they needed, food, medicine, healing, and wellness. They understood the properties of plants and the rhythms of nature because they were connected to God's creation in ways we've forgotten.

The herbs and teas we learned about

When we dismiss natural wellness practices solely because they're presented outside of a Christian context, we might be missing out on reclaiming knowledge that was always meant to be ours.

Scripture reminds us to seek wisdom wherever it can be found:

"The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps." - Proverbs 14:15

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights." - James 1:17

"Test everything; hold fast what is good." - 1 Thessalonians 5:21

God calls us to be discerning, not closed-minded. He encourages us to step outside our comfort zones in pursuit of wisdom:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - James 1:5

Being in the world but not of the world doesn't mean we isolate ourselves from all learning opportunities that don't come with a Christian label. It means we approach new information with prayer, discernment, and wisdom. We can learn about the healing properties of turmeric without embracing Hindu traditions. We can appreciate the benefits of meditation and breathwork without adopting Buddhist philosophies.

The key is taking what aligns with our faith and values while leaving what doesn't serve us.

I'm learning that wellness isn't just about what I put in my body or how much I exercise. It's about honoring the body God gave me with intentional care. It's about educating myself so I can make informed decisions. It's about connecting with other women who are on similar journeys, regardless of whether they share my Sunday morning routine.

Most importantly, it's about extending grace to myself for not knowing everything sooner and embracing the excitement of learning something new every day.

To my sisters who, like me, are discovering wellness wisdom later in life: it's not too late. Every day we have breath in our bodies is another opportunity to honor the temple we've been given. Whether you're 25 or 65, your wellness journey can begin today.

And to my Christian sisters who might feel hesitant about learning from diverse sources: I encourage you to pray for discernment, ask God for wisdom, and remember that He is big enough to guide you through any learning experience. We can remain rooted in our faith while being open to the knowledge He places in our path.

After all, the same God who created us also created the herbs that heal us, the foods that nourish us, and the community of women who support us on this journey.

Let's commit to approaching our wellness with both faith and wisdom, knowing that God wants us to flourish in every area of our lives.

What has your wellness journey taught you about faith and learning? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

All of these beautiful photos in this post were taken by Barbara Mcclane, CEO of Barkel McClane Photography