One Good Thing: Honoring Ancestral Wisdom

This week, as many of us sit with the weight of the world and the challenges it brings, I’m reminded that resilience is not only a practice but a legacy embedded in the human spirit. For Black folks, this legacy often feels like a lifeline.?

This cultural thread connects the folks throughout the African Diaspora to each other. No matter where the each other may be. It’s also the thread that will forever connect us to the Maroon societies that redefined freedom, the hush harbors that sustained spiritual resistance, and the infinite ways our ancestors turned hardship into hope.

But here’s the thing: resilience isn’t exclusive.?

While my work often centers on the wisdom and brilliance of Black ancestral traditions, it’s also true that all of us (regardless of racial or ethnic identity) carry some form of ancient knowledge within our DNA.?

Whether your roots trace back to the resilient Irish communities that weathered famine and displacement, the rich traditions of Indigenous peoples who have stewarded the land, or the cultural survival of the African Diaspora, there is a well of wisdom in all of our lineages waiting to be sought and honored.

Why focus on ancestral wisdom?

Because in times of despair, it’s a reminder that we are never alone. We are the product of generations who dreamed, fought, and loved us into existence. We inherit not only their struggles but also their tools for survival, stories, rituals, practices, and a capacity for joy that refuses to yield.

Hence why I want to amplify one particularly good thing this week…

The Liberated Love Notes Affirmation Deck was created by Brittany Janay Kess , the Founder of In Loving Accountability Coaching and Consulting. This affirmation deck is a testament to the strength and creativity of Black ancestral wisdom. Rooted in love, accountability, and liberation, these cards offer gentle but powerful reminders to center our humanity and our collective commitment to justice.

This deck is a must-have for folks throughout the African Diaspora. And it's a wonderful way for non-Black folks to honor Black people and our continued fight for humanity.?

?? Explore and purchase the deck here: Liberated Love Notes Affirmation Deck

This deck and Kess's ongoing Liberation and Legacy work remind us to remember and be curious. What practices, stories, or traditions have been passed down in your family or community? When you think about resilience, what does it mean to lean on the wisdom of those who came before you?

As we honor the rich legacy of Black resilience this week, I invite you to also consider the unique wisdom carried by your own lineage.?

One good thing—be it an affirmation, a ritual, or a moment of connection can remind us that we are all part of something larger than ourselves. Now is a perfect time to reconnect with the sacred traditions of your ancestors or from another lineage and seek inspiration to honor your own cultural heritage. This journey is our shared opportunity to reflect, heal, and grow.

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Thank you for being here and for walking this journey with me. Together, let’s continue to honor and amplify the wisdom that connects us all.

With gratitude,

Joquina M. Reed

Creator of One Good Thing

Founder of J Reed Consulting LLC