On Christmas day after early morning gift giving with my
family, Sunday worship and dinner I went to see the movie Hidden Figures.
Although I
had planned for an early viewing the unexpected crowds left no ticket
availability at my selected theater so I went to Times Square to get one of the
last few tickets for a later show that night. While waiting I read more about the movie back
story on the Black Girl Nerds blog.
Reading while I'm waiting at the movies to see @HiddenFigures. @BlackGirlNerds https://t.co/VUb6wXHUQ8 #HiddenFigures— Kat Ellington (@katellington) December 26, 2016
I had listened to the
movie sound track last week and have just downloaded the Hidden Figures book by author Margot Lee Shetterly. The layers of this American story unfolding
in Hidden Figures are worth seeing
(and reading). The new horizon of science, the young gifted black women and the
global context that yield so much to enjoy and learn. The
backstory is also fascinating. Listen
here to The Charlie Rose interview
Hidden Figures
challenges us to understand the tools of collaboration, commitment in an era
where science and technology surround us; we can still do things that seem
beyond us. While I believe children
should be able to move through math and science whether or not it becomes a
chosen profession, adults need this kind of understanding to navigate not just
the world of technology, but science and systems shaping more and more of our
everyday lives. Hidden
Figures is also story on collective courage moving through America during
the Civil Rights era. It is
uplifting. It reminded me of my early
days in high school and college with algebra, geometry, trigonometry and
calculus. Learning to solve problems as
well as think critically will lead on a good path.
On “Wellness Wednesdays” I am intentional with experiences moving
me forward with healthier practices in eating, physical activity, relationships
and being enabling my growth and development for living well. I do share some of this on social media with
the hash tag #WellnessWednesday. In my
year-end reflection here are a few a notes on helpful approaches:
- Prayer and meditation shape my creative and practical life. I read scriptures, journal too. Sometimes I have 15 minutes other time I have hour, but I need this time.
- Walking and yoga have been at the core of my physical activity. I walk about 3 to 5 miles (10,000 steps) daily and stretch a few times a week.
- I do plan to eat well with new recipes including more fish and legumes, but there are many new takes on food to keep my good habit going forward.
- Getting in at least 7 hours is a challenge, but I also take time to rest because I have long days usually starting very early in the morning.
Each effort listed above is easier on glance, but
challenge me to stay focused on my health and well-being. It is phenomenal that at 98 years old physicist
Katherine Johnson lived to see her story revealed in Hidden Figures. Dr. Johnson is living proof like my grandmother that the power of
learning never grows old.
What new
things have you learned this year? Do
you have plans next year to try something new?
Feel free to share comments here.
