Opal Lee is the woman who set out in 2016 at the incredible age of 89 to trek the 1400-mile distance from her home in Fort Worth, Texas to Washington DC. Her spirit is as beautiful as the iridescent stone that bears her name.
She arrived on June 10, 2017. And what was her goal? To harness the momentum of the publicity to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
The Feat Is Accomplished
President Biden signed the bill on June 17, 2021, and Opal was ecstatic. But at the age of 94, she suffered no delusions of grandeur, indicating when interviewed that many significant racial inequities persist.
In her opinion, only a joint multi-racial effort will generate critical changes. But this was a step in getting the country to acknowledge its wrongdoing and move forward.
Speed Bumps Enroute
I am sure many naysayers tried to dissuade her from her purpose. They probably derided her as a fool or something similar.
But she dismissed all that. Instead, she obtained petition signatures, handed out flyers, and made sure she involved the media in covering her journey.
In a way, she is a shrewd politician. But she’s also a courageous human being who endured a horrible white supremacist act at age 12. Her home was invaded and burned by a huge mob, and no one was ever held accountable or prosecuted for the blatantly criminal act.
Self-Examination
So what is my point in retelling this story? To begin with, reading her account made me examine the patterns and motives in my life.
You would probably benefit by doing the same. Think about it: Are you brave enough to begin a late-life journey—whether it be an internal or external exploration?
Do you venture forth without worrying about whether your situation is ideal? In your mind, is that always a must before making a new move, assuming a considerable risk, or taking a stand?
Worse still—because it can be such a hindrance—do you scout around to get permission or agreement from other people first?
It Takes Guts
Let’s face it: it takes courage to do something different or swim against the tide—no matter how passionate you are. And experience has taught me that when you make a fearless and positive declaration of any kind, challenges immediately arise.
Then they intensify. And maybe even multiply. Sometimes it’s just part of the process.
On the other hand, things can fall effortlessly into place like the pieces of a computer-generated jigsaw puzzle. Holistic thinkers like me remember that positive outcomes are just as likely. You never know.
Another Perspective
But part of maintaining mental health is living a life that aligns with your core identity. Ignoring that can cause anxiety and, subsequently, adversely affect your physical health.
So you might as well go for it. It’s worth taking a scary risk sometimes, even when things go insanely opposite the direction you want them to. Why? Because you get to learn. And grow. And strengthen.
Let’s Get Real
I didn’t say it was easy. Repeat: I didn’t say it was easy—far from it. I just said it was worth it. My suggestion is for you to find a mentor, meetup group, or friend who supports you and doesn’t let you quit as you navigate the obstacle course toward your target.
As a holistic wellness writer and speaker, I love encouraging mature black women to pursue their dreams by refusing to let anything mar their determination.
Just don’t let age, fear, a lack of confidence, or uncertainty stop you. Opal taught us that.
Have you ever succeeded at something that required all the courage you could muster? Share your triumph in the Comments box.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (Including a FREEBIE):
The next session of my holistic health and wellness class, Ebony Jazzed, is scheduled to begin on August 3, 2021.
To enjoy a virtual pampering session and a feel for what the class offers, mark the date and time of my next FREE Relaxation/Stress-Relief seminar on your calendar: June 25 at 6 PM Eastern. I hope you can join us. Here’s the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83607220378?pwd=SlhCR2lGSGNuZ0dnN2Irdm1qQlA2dz09
May you be holistically blessed!
Terise Lang
SOURCES:
Thornton, Keri. “Most federal offices remain open Juneteenth, due to last-minute signing of law.” tahlequahdailypress.com, 18 June 2021, https://news.yahoo.com/most-federal-offices-remain-open-195300470.html Accessed 19 June 2021.
Kindelan, Katie. “Meet Opal Lee, the ‘grandmother of the movement’ to make Juneteenth a federal holiday”, abcnews.go.com/GMA/News, 18 June 2021, https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/meet-opal-lee-grandmother-movement-make-juneteenth-federal/story?id=78356537 Accessed 19 June 2021.
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