We talk a lot about soul care here. We talk about the quiet moments, the meditation, the journaling, the long walks, and the intentional breathing. And don’t get me wrong, those personal rituals are the foundation. They keep us grounded when the world feels like it’s spinning a little too fast. But lately, I’ve been reflecting on a deeper truth: Our souls don’t exist in a vacuum.
True wellness, the kind that lasts and transforms, isn’t just about how we feel in our private spaces. It’s about how we show up in our shared spaces. It’s about recognizing that “soul care” actually includes addressing the governing systems that impact our daily lives. If our community isn’t well, can we ever be truly, fully well ourselves?
This past week, I had the privilege of stepping out of my personal bubble and into a space that reminded me exactly why civic engagement is the ultimate act of collective soul care.
A Sunday Kind of Strategy: Christ Community Church
I found myself at Christ Community Church in Reseda, and let me tell you, the energy was different from the jump. Hosted at the church and led by the incredible Pastor Doc Jacobs, this gathering was spearheaded by Shania Accius, founder of the Zawadli Cultural Collective, and that intentional leadership was felt from start to finish.
Sometimes, when we think of “church” or “community meetings,” we think of stiff chairs and long-winded speeches. But this was something else entirely. It was local, it was accessible, and it was deeply rooted in the San Fernando Valley. Shania Accius, founder of the Zawadli Cultural Collective, did a beautiful job bringing people together, especially in creating space for the Black in the Valley community while also making it clear that the event was intentionally open to all cultures and races. Pastor Doc has a way of making everyone feel seen, and the intentionality behind the event was evident in every detail, from the well-informed attendees to the fact that we were actually well-fed (because you can’t feed the soul on an empty stomach, right?).
They even provided resources and materials to take home, along with some pretty generous giveaways. It felt like a space designed to empower us, not just talk at us.
Meeting the Mayor: Why Your Voice Matters
The “dope bonus” of the day? Getting to meet Mayor Karen Bass.
Seeing her in person, right there in the heart of our community, brought a certain reality to the concept of civic engagement. We didn’t just listen to a stump speech; we participated in a Q&A. This is where the bridge between self-care and civic-care really lives. When we ask questions about our housing, our safety, and our local resources, we are advocating for the environment in which our souls have to thrive.
What stood out most in the meeting were the very real issues shaping everyday peace in our neighborhoods: the state of homelessness, the challenge of owning property, the struggle for small businesses to secure spaces of their own, and the need for stronger resources for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs trying to build something sustainable. These are not just policy conversations; they are soul-care conversations. When people are worried about unstable housing, rising barriers to ownership, or whether their business can survive another lease renewal, that stress settles into the mind, the body, and the spirit.
Meeting Mayor Bass reminded me that these systems aren’t just abstract ideas, they are led by people who need to hear our voices. Participating in that dialogue is a way of saying, “My peace matters, my neighbor’s peace matters, and I’m willing to stand up for it.” And honestly, collective peace gets stronger when communities have access to stable housing, pathways to ownership, and practical support that helps local dreamers become rooted, resourced, and resilient.
Shout Out: Black in the Valley
I also have to give a massive shout out to Black in the Valley, along with Shania Accius, founder of the Zawadli Cultural Collective, for bringing the gathering together so intentionally. Their mission and leadership are so beautifully aligned with everything we stand for at Soul & Self-Care Sunday. The event centered the Black in the Valley community in the Los Angeles San Fernando Valley area, while still being warmly and intentionally open to all cultures and races.
In a world that often overlooks the specific needs and stressors of our community, having a group that focuses on collective wellness is vital. And having organizers who know how to create an inclusive space where different people can come together in support of that mission matters too. They understand that soul care isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity for survival and flourishing in the Valley. If you’re looking for a tribe that prioritizes both heart, heritage, and community connection, look no further.
Financial Soul Care: Retiring the “Waiting Game”
One of the most transformative parts of the event was meeting Mark Henderson from Thrivent. That conversation sparked a whole new perspective on what it means to be “well,” and honestly, it cemented something in me: it’s time to take corrective measures toward real financial empowerment.
For a long time, I think many of us have viewed finances as separate from our mindset, our spiritual journey, or even our self-care. But the truth is, financial empowerment is a form of self-care when you look at it through a stewardship lens. How we manage what God has entrusted to us affects our peace, our options, and our ability to serve well.
There was a real moment of clarity in that conversation, like the lights are on and somebody’s home. It felt like a wake-up call in the best way. Not shame. Not pressure. Just readiness. Readiness to stop operating in “grace mode,” where you’re just surviving and making it from one tight moment to the next, and start moving toward sufficiency and abundance.
That means going beyond living paycheck to paycheck. Beyond hand to mouth. Beyond constantly feeling like there’s never enough room to breathe. It means making choices now that can support a healthier, more stable future for both personal life and community impact.
And this conversation felt even bigger when I thought about property ownership. Owning property can create stability not just for families, but for communities. It can mean less displacement, more legacy, and a stronger sense of rootedness. At the same time, we have to be honest: for many people, ownership feels painfully out of reach. That gap between desire and access affects peace in a deep way.
The same is true for small businesses. When local businesses are constantly renting without clear pathways to secure their own property, it becomes harder to plan, grow, and serve the community long-term. And for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs, access to real resources—financial guidance, education, networks, and community support—isn’t just a business issue. It’s a wellness issue. When people are equipped to build sustainable work, they experience more dignity, more breathing room, and more hope.
As I was talking with Mark, I couldn’t help but think: This could really be a match made in prosperity heaven, the kind of alignment that helps turn financial clarity into a lifetime of independence in every way.
Financial independence isn’t about greed; it’s about the freedom to choose, the freedom to rest, and the freedom to give back. It’s about moving from survival into sufficiency and abundance so you can truly invest in the collective good. In that sense, financial soul care is also community soul care, because healthy systems and accessible resources make it easier for all of us to live with a little more peace.
Why Collective Wellness is the Future
So, why does this matter for you, the person looking for a gratitude practice or a better sleep routine?
It matters because you are part of a whole.
When we engage civically: whether that’s voting, attending a town hall at CCC, or supporting organizations like Black in the Valley: we are practicing a form of high-level self-care. We are saying that we deserve a world that supports our mental health, our physical safety, and our financial prosperity.
Ways to Bridge the Gap:
- Stay Informed: Know who your local representatives are. Follow the work of Mayor Karen Bass and local leaders like Pastor Doc Jacobs, especially around housing, homelessness, and economic development.
- Support Local: Find groups like Black in the Valley that are doing the work on the ground in your neighborhood and advocating for community stability.
- Champion Ownership: Pay attention to conversations around homeownership and commercial property access, because ownership can create long-term peace, legacy, and neighborhood resilience.
- Resource Entrepreneurs: Support small businesses, solopreneurs, and local founders by sharing tools, networks, and opportunities that help them become sustainably rooted.
- Show Up: Civic engagement isn’t just about the big elections. It’s about the local meetings where decisions about your streets, housing, business corridors, and community resources are made.
Closing Thoughts
Soul care will always include those beautiful relaxation techniques and quiet mornings with God. But let’s not stop there. Let’s take that peace we find in our rituals and carry it into the streets. Let’s use our restored energy to demand a world that is as kind to our souls as we are trying to be to ourselves.
Collective wellness is the only way forward. When we all thrive, we all win. And honestly? That’s the most prosperous heaven I can imagine.
Stay inspired, stay engaged, and most importantly, stay well.