Mindfulness Q&A with Touré Folkes
FOH: What is your name?
Touré: Touré Folkes
FOH: Your current job title and place of business?
Touré: Executive Director & CEO Of Turning Tables
FOH: How do you define mindfulness?
Touré: Mindfulness is bring present and taking stock of yourself, your environment and the people around you through a lens of empathy. Paying attention to what’s happening in the present moment without judgement. Being aware of yourself in the moment and how it influences how you make decisions, creating your own template for how to move forward in life and in your moment to moment decisions. A lot of decisions that I make on a daily basis come from a place of being mindful within my own life, as a leader, as an individual, and ultimately how that makes an impact large or small in my own life and the life of others.
FOH: How does mindfulness play a part in your everyday life?
Touré: Mindfulness is everything in my everyday life. I was out of balance for a long time in the beginning my career in the service industry but I always remember waking up right before work and thinking to myself that I just missed this whole fucking day and have nothing to show for it. It wasn’t worth it to be in a perpetual 'Groundhog Day,' where I went to work, decompressed in an unhealthy way by drinking til late and then hit repeat. At some point, I had to take a step back and realize that certain lifestyle choices were making me miss out on a lot. If i wasn’t aware of the factors that brought me here then I wouldn’t be doing the work that I doing am now. I see a huge difference when things are out of balance for me in my life. I know that I have a better shot getting through my day if I remember to just do the basic things. Sleeping, Hydrating, Providing myself with proper substance and fuel, feeling the son on my face. Prioritizing and reminding myself to disconnect when needed and at the same time connect to the people and things that I value.
FOH: How do you actively work to bring mindfulness to your community?
Touré: Part of being a being a part of a community is taking a step back to see how you can be a part of it in an informed and intentional way. Whenever I become a part of a new community, I stay in my lane become an active participant where I can. In my heart, There are always things that I want to do and hit the ground running but my perspective had to shift to what does the community need and how can I contribute. I started seeking out like minded individuals and organizations to do the work and look for ways to collaborate and bring people up.
FOH: Who provides you with inspiration when it comes to living life mindfully?
Touré: Ashtin Berry gives so much to the community in so many different ways. One of her best attributes that I try to incorporate in my own life is that she also knows when she has to establish boundaries and make time for herself. A part of of being mindful is navigating how to do that on your own terms and I think she does that super well.
FOH: How do you actively work to create a work/life balance for yourself?
Touré: I think you start working on what you want to see for yourself before the New Year comes so you can hit the ground running. Also, I think it's good to tackle one thing at a time and to set a timeline for yourself.
FOH: Anything else to add?
Touré: It is real easy to look at all of the bad things that happened from this past year but for me, It helped to bring me back to a person I had almost forgotten. Try to see the value in everything both Good or Bad.
