21 PLEASURE PRINCIPLES | Day 16 | Wilma Rudolph

Pleasure Muse: WIlma Rudoplh    Tantalizing Trivia    She was the 20th of 22 children and weighed 4.5 pounds at birth. Her early health challenges included pneumonia, scarlet fever and polio.  As an Olympic champion, and the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics,, she was among the most highly visible black women in America and abroad.  Her welcome home parade became one of the first integrated events in the state of Tennessee.  She was an active participant in the civil rights movement, participating in lunch counter protests that led to the desegregation of public facilities in Tennessee.  Her post-track and field career included graduating from Tennessee State University, becoming a teacher, a national broadcaster, a nonprofit leader, a Goodwill Ambassador in West Africa, and a coach.  She once dated boxing legend Muhammad Ali.  Her death, at the age of 54, was early and untimely, from brain and throat cancer.    Mirror Work Find a scar on your body that reminds you that it’s possible to heal. Maybe it’s not visible to the naked eye. Run your fingers over the spot. Recall the site of injury. Remember the pain or discomfort that you experience in the moment of harm. Now, run your fingers over the spot again. Marvel at the miracle of your body putting itself back together again. Thank the scar for the work that your body did at the site to heal.    Affirmation: My scars are scared spots of healing. They remind me that this too shall pass.  I am worthy of my time. I spend it taking care of myself.  I don’t settle for the care in front of me. I seek what I need and don’t stop until I find it.    Chase the Care You Need: A Playlist  Alchemy Assignment:  Set aside an hour of time next week. Plan to sit down with a good meal and your favorite cup of tea or coffee. Put on some comfy clothes and settle into your favorite spot. Ready now? Good. Pull out your calendar and your phone and take the time to make any doctor's appointments that you have been putting off. Research naturopaths. Find a good masseuse or acupuncturist. Call your insurance and check your health coverage (yeah, we know, but that’s why we said, sit down with a good meal. This might take some of your time, but don’t worry you're worth it.) Make sure you understand what benefits you have and what care is available to you.    Didn’t catch the live recording of today’s episode? We don’t want you to miss out on getting the full experience. Check out the opening and closing songs below. Opening ⁠Song⁠ Closing ⁠Song