West Palm Beach, Fla. (April 26, 2023) — Iliana Rentz’s personal experience with heart disease was a private tragedy for years. The U.S. Army veteran and NextEra Energy team member could never have imagined the impact she would make by sharing her story with others, or that it would make her a nationally recognized champion for heart health. At the April 19 Palm Beach County Go Red for Women Luncheon, Rentz was named the 2023 Woman of Impact not just for Palm Beach County – but for the nation.
“This campaign has been incredibly meaningful for me,” Rentz said. “Through all of my outreach, I was taken aback by how many people I know who have been impacted by heart disease in so many ways.”
Palm Beach County’s 2023 Woman of Impact nominees were: Collette Cattafi, Jyrece McClendon, Shenetria Moore, Thais Sullivan, Maya Asha Underwood and Rentz. They were joined by Palm Beach County’s first Teen of Impact, Eva Vukusich.
“To have the national Woman of Impact winner right here in Palm Beach County just goes to show how critical this issue is for our community. We’re also grateful to Eva Vukusich, our first-ever Palm Beach County Teen of Impact, for helping us reach incoming generations with heart health awareness,” said Kayla Fox, Executive Director of the American Heart Association Palm Beach County. “Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. and it’s largely preventable – the more we can all learn aboutprevention, the more lives we can save.”
Each of these participants was celebrated at the April 19 Go Red for Women Luncheon at the Pelican Club in Jupiter. The event also featured a “Power of Red” panel, highlighting ways for audience members to drive health changes in their lives and in the community at-large. Panelists included: Sally Soter, Dr. Wilhelmina Lewis, Jinga Oglesby-Brihm, DNP and Yanela Vickers. Nathalie Pozo, morning anchor for WPBF, was the event’s emcee, and Ashley Vertuno, CEO of HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, was the event’s chairperson.
“We are so grateful to Iliana and to all of our nominees for their work elevating the Go Red for Women message and raising critical funds in support of our local mission,” Vertuno said. “While our work is far from finished, we’ve made considerable progress in women’s heart health awareness. With the incredible Go Red supporters who attended the luncheon and do important work year-round, our community is stronger and our future is brighter.”
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and Together to End Stroke is nationally sponsored by Encompass Health. Sponsors of Go Red for Women in Palm Beach County include Florida Power & Light, Blue Lake Service, Cross Country Healthcare, HCA Healthcare Foundation, ArborWorks, Asplundh, Burford Construction, GE, HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, Lewis Tree Service, MasTec, Medtronic, Moss Construction, Pike Electric, Quanta Services and Utility Power. Media sponsors are WPBF, Hubbard Radio West Palm Beach, Florida Weekly and Jupiter and Stuart Magazines.
For more information about the Palm Beach County Go Red for Women movement, visit PBGoRed.Heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Instagramand Twitter.
Cost: $80 (Morikami Members $70) Advance Registration Required *Intermediate courses are for students with prior experience or have taken at least three sessions of Ikebana classes.
Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. Dating back to the 15th century, the IkenoboSchool is the oldest and most traditional. Students in this course learn the basic principles and style of Ikenobo, creating fresh flower arrangements each week to take home and enjoy.
Wednesdays, May 3, 10, 17, 24
Ikebana Flower Arrangement: Sogetsu School(Class)
Time: Beginners – 10:00am –12:00pm
Intermediate – 1:30pm – 3:30pm*
Cost: $80 (Morikami Members $70) Advance Registration Required Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. The Sogetsu School is a contemporary school which focuses on the creativity and individuality of ikebana. The idea is that ikebana can be done by anyone, anywhere, with almost anything. Students will learn the basics of Sogetsu and create pieces each week to take home and enjoy. *Intermediate courses are for students with prior experience.
Cost: $70 (Morikami Members $65) Advance Registration Required
Sumi-e is a form of Japanese ink painting brought from China in the 12th century. Primarily done in black ink, the name literally means “charcoal drawing” in Japanese. Students grind their own ink using an ink stick and a grinding stone and learn to hold and utilize brushes to create the primary sumi-e brushstrokes. Floral and landscape classes will start with a review of the basic techniques before moving on to the main subject.
Cost: $70 (Morikami Members $65) Advance Registration Required
Sumi-e is a form of Japanese ink painting brought from China in the 12th century. Primarily done in black ink, the name literally means “charcoal drawing” in Japanese. Students grind their own ink using an ink stick and a grinding stone and learn to hold and utilize brushes to create the primary sumi-e brushstrokes. Floral and landscape classes will start with a review of the basic techniques before moving on to the main subject.
Friday, May 5
TakuichiFujii: The Artist and the Person
Joint presentation by Curator Barbara Johns and Art Historian Sandy Kita
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises Inc. Time: 1:00pm Cost: FREE with paid museum admission.
No reservations. Tickets will be given out the day of the event, at a first come, first served basis.
I. TakuichiFujii: Artist and Wartime Witness – Talk by Barbara Johns Barbara Johns will discuss Takuichi Fujii’s life and art in its historical context, with particular focus on the World War II experience of Japanese Americans on the West Coast. Her talk will provide a close look at Fujii’s wartime diary, which has been called “the most detailed and informative” document of its kind and provides the basis for the majority of paintings in the current exhibition.
II. II. TakuichiFujii: A Japanese Path to Modern Art – Talk by Sandy Kita As an immigrant from Japan, Fujii was Japanese not only in language, but also in culture. Japanese culture offered a way of becoming a modern artist that embraced, not rejected, its traditional arts back to the Heian Period (794-1185). This talk concerns how one experience that Sandy Kita’s Grandpa had in incarceration provided one step in his development towards a Japanese form of Abstract Expressionism.
Barbara Johns is an art historian, curator, and author, with a doctorate in art history from the University of Washington. She was formerly the chief curator of the Tacoma Art Museum. She previously held curatorial positions at the Seattle Art Museum, when she also managed regional projects for the Archives of America Art. Following her museum work, she served as executive director of Pilchuck Glass School. As an independent scholar, her work in the past two decades has focused on Issei, or immigrant-generation Japanese American, artist. Her books include The Hope of Another Spring: TakuichiFujii, Artist and Wartime Witness (2017); Signs of Home: The Paintings and Wartime Diary of KamekichiTokita (2011); Paul Horiuchi: East and West (2008), and most recently, Kenjiro Nomura, American Modernist (2021). She is the curator of Witness to Wartime: The Painted Diary of TakuichiFujii, which opened at the Washington State History Museum in 2017 and is touring nationally until 2025.
Sandy Kita (Ph.D., Univ. of Chicago, 1981) is Professor and Senior Scholar at Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA. He is the author of five books, 10 scholarly articles, and a dozen other publications. His The Last Tosa: IwasaKatsumochiMatabei, Bridge to Ukiyo-e (Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1999), won the Millard Meiss and Japan Foundation subventions and was nominated for the Charles Rufus Morey Award and twice for the Shimada Shujirō Prize. He has curated over 60 exhibitions of Japanese prints, including those of the art museums of the universities of Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington as well as Berea, Beloit, Union, and Chatham Colleges. For his exhibition of the Japanese print collection of the Library of Congress published in The Floating World: Shadows, Dreams, and Substance (New York: Harry N. Abrams,
Inc., Publishers, in Association with the Library of Congress, 2001), he spoke at the Royal Academy of Arts, London. He has also been the Ellen Bayrd Weedon Lecturer, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia,
and spoke yearly at the U.S. Department of State until he retired. In 1993, Dr. Kita was inducted into the Freshman Honor Society Phi Eta Sigma for the Distinguished Teaching of Undergraduates at the University of Pittsburgh and in 2001, became A Lily Center for Teaching Excellence Teaching Fellow at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. With Shojo Honda, Chief Research Librarian in the Japanese Division of the Library of Congress, he translated the art diary of his grandfather, Takuichi Fujii, selections out of which appear in Barbara Johns’ Hope for Another Spring (University of Washington Press, 2017). He is presently writing a memoir of his grandfather.
Sunday, May 6 Family Fun: Children’s Day Time: 10am – 4pm Cost: FREE for members or with paid museum admission Join us in celebrating Children’s Day by making akoinobori, a Japanese flying carp, an origami kabuto hat, or color in a Japanese kimono-inspired bookmark.
Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55) Advance Registration Required
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season.
Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55) Advance Registration Required
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season. Intermediate course requires approval by the instructor before registering.
Saturday, May 13
Koto (Demonstration)
Time:12pm, 1:30pm or 3pm
Cost:$5 with paid admission to the museum
Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument first introduced to Japan from China in the 7th-8th centuries. Learn the fascinating history of this exquisite instrument and listen to its captivating and tranquil sounds demonstrated by koto teacher Mrs. Yoshiko Carlton. Be introduced to the basics of how this instrument is played and receive a kotomusic sheet of the most famous Japanese song Sakura, “Cherry Blossom.”
Saturday, May 27 Sado: The Way of Tea(Demonstration) Time: 12pm, 1:30pm or 3pm Cost: $5 with paid museum admission.
Observe Japanese sadō, an ever-changing demonstration rich in seasonal subtleties. Your involvement in the true spirit of sadō — harmony (wa), reverence (kei), purity (sei), tranquility (jaku) — along with a sip of matcha green tea and a sweet will help you bring a calm perspective into your busy life.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org.
WELLINGTON, FL – Three new retail destinations are joining the more than 160 stores at The Mall at Wellington Green. Alma, Lovisa, and Wellington Mart add to the growing and robust offerings in apparel, health and beauty, and culinary fare at this lifestyle destination in Wellington.
Alma
Meaning “soul, spirit, and heart” in Spanish, Alma opened its fourth Florida location on March 13at The Mall at Wellington Green. Inspired by The Sunshine State’s fun-in-the-sun lifestyle, the 1,200-square-foot boutique showcases a well-curated collection of vibrant, resort-style apparel. Products range from bohemian sundresses and luxurious caftans to modern swimwear and de rigueur accessories such as feather necklaces, puka shell sandals, raffia handbags, and embroidered headwear sourced from Bali, India, Indonesia, and other exotic locales. It also carries home décor like lamps, pillows, hammocks, and umbrellas. For more information, call (786) 740-4300or visit them on Instagram (@alma.eurosia).
Lovisa
Lovisa, the nationally renowned, fast-fashion jeweler that takes its design cues from high fashion couture runways and current street style, unveiled its seventh Florida-based brick & mortar store at The Mall at Wellington Green. The 1,497-square-foot store opened on March 17 and carries the season’s top trends for adults and children priced at $36 and less. The retailer also sells products for hair, body, and face along with accessories stretching from jewelry boxes to cell phone covers and charms. For more information, call (561) 270-6069 or visit them at lovisa.com and on Instagram (@lovisajewellery).
Wellington Mart
The Mall at Wellington Green recently welcomed its first one-stop convenience store— Wellington Mart. Located near the Grand Court on the lower level, the mini-mart’s footprint encompasses 1,201 square feet. It stocks staples like snacks and candy, cold beverages, pre-made breakfast and lunch, children’s toys, first aid essentials, and more. For more information, call (561) 249-7912.
The Mall at Wellington Green is located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington, FL. For more information, call (561) 227-6900 or visit shopwellingtongreen.com.
Mall hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
About The Mall at Wellington Green
The Mall at Wellington Green in Wellington, FL is a 1.2 million-square-foot, two-level regional shopping destination, and it features over 160 stores. Retail and restaurant favorites include Macy’s, Dillard’s, Apple, Brighton, Forever 21, H&M, Tommy Bahama, City Furniture, Lemongrass, The Palm Beach Museum of Natural History, CMX Cinemas Wellington 10, and more. For more information, visitshopwellingtongreen.com.
About Spinoso Real Estate Group
The Mall at Wellington Green is managed by Spinoso Real Estate Group. Since 2009, Spinoso has taken a creative, entrepreneurial approach to real estate development and management, delivering and sustaining successful projects across a wide range of property types and across the country. Spinoso’s robust portfolio includes work on hundreds of enclosed shopping malls, lifestyle centers, and large-scale retail projects from coast to ;coast. For more information, visit spinosoreg.com.
Wellington is excited to announce the reopening of local community favorite, Scott’s Place Barrier-Free Playground. After being closed in July 2022 due to construction activity for the Town Center Phase 2 project, the playground is finally ready to reopen. As the project nears completion this May, Scott’s Place is scheduled to resume regular hours of operation starting Monday, May 15, 2023.
Scott’s Place Barrier-Free Playground was made possible by a generous donation from Wellington residents Del and Barbara Williamson in honor of their son Scott who passed away at age six. The playground is designed to meet the needs of both able-bodied and disabled children. The playground includes a full acre of accessible playground equipment including:
Sensory Items
Shades
Slides
Swings
Wheelchair Ramps
Regular hours of operation for the playground are Monday through Saturday, 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM; and Sunday, 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM. For more information on Scott’s Place Playground, along with other Wellington parks and playgrounds, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/Parks.
Stay up to date on events and activities coming up in Wellington by signing up for the monthly Play Wellington Newsletter at www.wellingtonfl.gov/PlayWellington.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
The annual St. Jude Walk/Run, presented by VoLo Foundation, is an inspiring, family-friendly event that brings to life the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital here in the local community.
Walkers, volunteers and spectators will get a chance to experience elements of the hospital while rallying together at the Downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront for a fun 5K to help cure childhood cancer. Download the St. Jude Walk/Run mobile app to participate!
WHEN: Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 7 a.m.
WHERE: Downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront – 141 S Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL
WHY: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Our purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and it won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
Thursday, May 4th | 11:30am – midnight – Kapow Boca and West Palm Beach
Not too long ago, within this very galaxy, Star Wars enthusiasts discovered the perfect occasion to express their deep obsession: May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day. And this year, at Kapow Noodle Bar in Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, the celebration reaches new heights with a thrilling blend of cosplay, exciting giveaways, and delightful surprises. Enthusiasts can indulge in the ultimate movie trilogy while raising a glass of Star Wars-themed cocktails, joyfully proclaiming, “May the 4th be with you!”
Kentucky Derby Watch party
Saturday, May 6th | 5pm – Kapow Boca
Dust off your seersuckers and don your stylish Derby hats, as Kapow Noodle Bar Boca Raton presents its highly anticipated 4th Annual Derby watch party. Prepare to immerse yourself in the exhilarating spectacle of the fastest two minutes in sports, while also getting a chance to win fabulous loot and prizes! Calling all fashion-forward attendees, the best-dressed couple will be awarded a generous $500 prize. As an added bonus, the first 50 guests who RSVP will be treated to a complimentary Redemption Bourbon Mint Julep, and all attendees can savor this classic cocktail for just $10 throughout the event. Join us for an unforgettable Derby experience at Kapow Boca!
MORE INFO:
Kapow Noodle Bar
431 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432 | 561.3477322
519 Clematis St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | 561.246.3827
Wellington and the American Legion Post 390 – Wellington will honor all veterans with a Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023. Veterans are invited to walk in a Memorial Day Parade beginning at 8:15 AM at Wellington’s Village Hall, located at 12300 Forest Hill Boulevard. The parade ends at Wellington’s Veterans Memorial, located on the corner of Forest Hill Boulevard and South Shore Boulevard, and will be followed at 8:30 AM by the Memorial Day Ceremony.
If you are an active or retired veteran attending the ceremony, you will have an opportunity to register at the Wellington tent, on the morning of the event, to be recognized during the ceremony. To become a part of this event or to walk in in the parade, please contact Michelle Garvey, Assistant Community Events Director, at (561) 791-4082.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
Have you ever been to a place of business that was so great you felt like you’d found a treasure and wanted to share it with the world? It’s like you’ve stumbled upon a place you can’t believe everyone wasn’t already aware of.
Boosting a business with reviews and ratings is how many of those places thrive and succeed. So if you want to make sure those doors stay open so you can keep going back, help them out by leaving a review in as many places as you can.
How and Where to Start
There are many places to leave reviews, but here are a few of the biggest ones to get you started:
Google Local Guides
Google Local Guides is the largest online business review platform with over 158 million in US traffic alone. When a customer is looking for a type of business, the review will normally show up during that search. It has a 1–5 star rating system and allows you to upload photos and videos.
To leave a review, look for the business’s Google Business profile. Then click on write a review. You’ll see a pop-up titled “Rate and Review.” You can leave just a “star” rating, but it’s far more helpful to write a short review as well.
Amazon Reviews
Amazon Reviews comes in second with around 85 million a month in US traffic. Far more than book reviews, Amazon’s e-commerce is heavily dependent on customer reviews. Once you’ve purchased an item, you’ll find a spot on the product’s page to rate and review. Again, it’s a 1-5 star rating system with space for a review with a title.
Uploading user photos greatly helps anyone who is thinking of purchasing that product. Amazon is vigilant about stopping companies from incentivizing positive reviews (coupons or gift cards exchanged for positive reviews) so if a company approaches you to do that, Amazon asks that you report that vendor immediately.
Facebook Business Pages
Facebook Business Pages are excellent for learning about a company and sharing your experience with them. With over 85 million a month in US traffic, it’s right up there with Amazon as far as the number of people reading and posting reviews.
There are no “star” ratings on Facebook’s business pages review options. Instead, you go to the business’s page and on the left side of the screen, you’ll find a menu with an option for reviews. Once you’ve clicked that, you’ll see a prompt to its right asking you if you would recommend this place. If you want to leave a positive review, click yes.
If your experience was negative, click “no.” You then write your review as normal. Facebook also allows you to choose from relevant tags. Then simply select “Post” and you’re done.
Review Do’s and Don’ts
Before leaving a negative review, try contacting the owner or manager first and see if the problem you encountered can be resolved. It’s only fair to allow them the chance to make things right. Their livelihood depends on the feedback they receive that is shared publicly, so always give them the opportunity to make things right if they can. It’s not wholly fair to disparage an entire business based on what may have been one food item that you didn’t care for, or one errant employee that may not reflect the company’s policy.
Reach out using clear written communication strategies, especially if you’re requesting that some sort of action be taken. Include a proper introduction that is brief but lets the business know why you are writing. Support that with one or two body paragraphs that provide specifics regarding why you are requesting a service or exchange. And in your conclusion, restate what you have requested and include a contact method. If that business fails to respond, then, by all means, go ahead and warn others of a place that is potentially problematic.
Reviews that Get Views
Reviews with photos and videos are by far the ones people rely on the most heavily. You’ll be taken far more seriously if your photo is uploaded properly, though. Fortunately, migrating content from PDF to JPG is easy. Once it’s converted, you can resize the image online for free. It’s also simple to adjust the size and dimensions and it only takes seconds to do. Use an online grammar aid, too if your spelling and grammar could use a little help.
And don’t just review companies that offer online shopping. Local businesses need good exposure, too, so take the time to visit and review your experience. If you’re not sure where to find local shops in your hometown or when you travel, look for areas where there are quite a few shops, restaurants, and cafes within walking distance. These areas tend to attract smaller, local business owners.
Be a Responsible Reviewer
Leaving reviews online for businesses shouldn’t be done for any other reason than to honestly inform potential customers about what they can expect when visiting that business. It’s how many businesses succeed or fail, so it’s a bigger responsibility than one might think at first glance. But, it’s a wonderful opportunity to say thank you to businesses that have gone above and beyond to give you excellent service and a great way to pay it forward for all those reviews that guided you in the past.
Are you looking for interesting content about Wellington and the communities beyond? Then check out Around Wellington!
Jessica Brody created Our Best Friends so others could find a place to share stories and photos of their beloved animal companions.
Find Out What’s Allowed and Not Allowed Inside the Gates
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) – SunFest 2023 is just days away and fans are packing their bags in preparation! There are a few items that are allowed inside the gates and items that SunFest workers suggest fans leave at home.
“We are so excited to welcome fans back to the waterfront starting on May 5,” said Paul Jamieson, Executive Director of SunFest. “Whether planning to join us at the festival for one day or all three, we recommend fans pack light, bring sunscreen and a refillable water bottle to drink plenty of water while they’re enjoying themselves at SunFest.”
Items allowed inside the gates:
Small bags/ backpacks no larger than 12” x 12” x 6”
Non-glass, empty, refillable water bottles, cups or containers
Food for infants or those with medical conditions in non-glass containers
Service animals for patrons with disabilities
Single collapsible lawn chairs
Blankets
Umbrellas may be brought in, but fans may be asked to put them down in concert areas to allow guests access to stage viewing
Non-professional cameras – no removable lens
Wheelchairs/medical scooters
Strollers
Items to leave at home:
Coolers, outside food or beverage including water, glass bottles or glass containers
Pets
Frisbees, scooters, wagons, skateboards, bicycles or skates
Professional still or video cameras
Selfie sticks
Glow and laser products
Sports balls and water guns
Weapons, knives, firearms or explosive products are not permitted
Drones
SunFest is an enforced drone-free event. All bags and items are subject to inspection. SunFest reserves the right to deny entry or remove from the festival anyone in violation of these policies. Fans are also asked to be vigilant and take care in handling their cellphones. SunFest has alost & found where fans can file a claim and browse lost items.
SunFest is a rain or shine event. No refunds are given due to inclement weather. More information on theticket policy can be found on the SunFest website. Buyer beware. Fans are asked to purchase tickets from a trusted source such as online atwww.sunfest.com or at the SunFest gates during event hours, listed below.
● Friday, May 5th 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
● Saturday, May 6th Noon – 11 p.m.
● Sunday, May 7th Noon – 10 p.m.
SunFest is produced by SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc., a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc. consists of a 19-member board of directors; 25 committees; nearly 2,400 volunteers; a full-time, year-round staff of 5; and approximately 75 corporate sponsors. SunFest is funded in part by the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council through the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. SunFest is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
Fans are encouraged to download the app to stay up-to-date on everything that is happening at SunFest. Tickets are still available for SunFest 2023! To purchase tickets to this year’s waterfront music festival, go towww.sunfest.com/tickets. For more information about SunFest, please visithttps://www.sunfest.com/join-our-email-list. For questions or comments email info@sunfest.com.
As we enter into Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to acknowledge and empathize with the millions of Americans suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and the many other mental health conditions affecting our society. These conditions dramatically impact the lives of patients and their families. They require intensive treatment, therapy, and maintaining consistent guidance from healthcare professionals. However, for the purposes of this article, I’d like to bring awareness to general mental well-being rather than any particular diagnosis or disorder.
Many people quietly suffer from the feeling of being overwhelmed. Not only is this a growing phenomenon, it’s one that is not recognized as a clinical diagnosis. Ask anyone how they feel lately, and chances are many would describe themselves as “overwhelmed”. Although feeling overwhelmed is a common symptom of anxiety and depression, many of us assume it’s an isolated feeling and never seek help, much less a diagnosis.
Studies have shown that the vast majority of Americans feel overwhelmed, lack fulfillment, motivation, and struggle to find direction in life. This means many of us are suffering while ignoring symptoms assuming they’re normal. We’ve grown accustomed to answering “how are you?” with “I’m fine” , or spend countless hours feeling so overwhelmed, we don’t know what to do. Most will never receive a diagnosis, nor would they benefit from treatment with prescription drugs. Often times, the root cause can be traced back to an unhealthy mindset – a lack of purpose or the self-doubt that comes with believing our problems can’t be solved. Why does this happen? Why do we get so caught up in fear-based thoughts, hold onto guilt, and allow ourselves to become so overwhelmed by life?
While most research will point to early childhood trauma or emotional and physical abuse, we are also infected with a cultural environment that has polluted our positive growth mindset.
We need to ask ourselves whether the age of Google and Amazon has robbed us of our resiliency to find solutions and to work for them. Has our political party system taught us to blame others and encouraged divisiveness rather than holding ourselves accountable? Have we reached the point where we allow artificial intelligence to replace our own critical thinking skills? Has social media lead us to become so insecure with ourselves that we now lack the ability to be vulnerable and share who we truly are with the world? When we add these things together, it’s easy to see how one could feel so constantly overwhelmed.
I’d like to offer 7 simple steps to help create a healthier mindset. While I wish I could go into more detail, this article is simply too short; I suppose one could use the aforementioned Google or some other form of AI to learn more, though I believe the following is a great foundation to build upon a more empowered and positive mindset.
Unplug from the noise. Reduce exposure to digital media and screen time.
Discover your why. Put in the work to identify your purpose. What drives you to get out of bed each day?
Practice removing limiting beliefs and negative self talk.
Step into the resistance. Whatever is ailing you the most is likely the answer to moving forward.
Evaluate your support group. If you are the average of the people you spend the most time with, ask yourself if they are honoring you on your journey toward better health.
Remember what you are grateful for everyday.
Commit to learning. Spend time in books, podcasts, and journaling.
These 7 tips combined with a healthy diet, consistent physical activity, and restorative sleep can dramatically change your mental wellbeing and add purpose and fulfillment to your life.
If you have symptoms of mental health disorders, you should seek professional guidance immediately. Our mental health and wellbeing has perhaps the most impactful influence on our quality of life. Remember we’re all in this together. I encourage you to make a conscious decision every day to focus on growth, fulfillment, gratitude, and creating positive change in the world. Together, we can conquer our sense of being overwhelmed and find the answers we seek.
Stay healthy and thrive with kindness and purpose.
