Love as Rest, Rest as Love

Dear Friends,

 As this month closes, I am mindful of so much uncertainty, threats of war, and chaos in the world. In the midst of it all, I have been intentional about stepping away from social media, ditching content  that chases likes and follows, being quiet- and intentionally adding NOTHING new to my plate. What I know is that now more than ever we must tap into love.

This month, as the world turned its attention to Valentines and love, I want to ask: how do you embody love? Not only in giving, but in receiving.

 I see the language of rest everywhere now. But for me, rest is not a fad. It is an act of love—an act of sovereignty, of care for myself and for community. Rest is how I receive love, how I allow myself to be nourished, and how I create space to give more fully.

 And I want to speak directly to a truth: Black women have not always been perceived as worthy of love. Too often, we’ve been labeled as less attractive, less feminine, less deserving. Yet we have loved ourselves enough to turn those stereotypes into dust. We have claimed our worth, our beauty, and our right to be loved—on our own terms. That self-love is revolutionary.

 So, I invite you to reflect:

• How do you allow yourself to receive love without guilt or hesitation?
• What agreements of love do you keep with yourself?
• Where do you resist receiving, and what might shift if you welcomed it?

  For those who want to explore this further, I recommend Receiving Love by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt. It’s a powerful reminder that learning to receive love can transform our relationships and our sense of self.

 Love is not only what we give—it is what we allow ourselves to receive. Rest is one way of receiving love. As we leave February, may we honor both sides of love, and may our authenticity guide us in how we give, receive, and rest.

 With love,

Sunya