What did I learn today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self Love

This morning, my usual practice, I wake up, meditate, read something while drinking a cup of tea and a bowl of fruit! Nothing unusual there, I picked up an Iyanla book and started reading and the tears just started flowing! Now I'm not the tear up type so my first response was , hmm what's going on here sister? stop it! then I thought to myself why? why stop it? obviously there's some trigger happening, feel the feelings and let it go! After I felt light!!!  Still not sure what the trigger was though but thought I would share what I read with you " Thank you for reminding me that it is not loving to hold on to hurt or to withhold forgiveness from myself and others. I thank you for allowing my life to reflect back to me those things about myself that I have been unable to see, unwilling to acknowledge and unable to heal. Thank you for demonstrating to me that I can experience joy and happiness without pain and that the greatest joy of all is being able to accept and

How do you react when you think you need people's love? Do you become a slave for their approval? Do you live an inauthentic life because you can't bear the thought that they might disapprove of you? Do you try to figure out how they would like you to be, and then try to become that, like a chameleon? In fact, you never really get their love. You turn into someone you aren't, and then when they say "I love you," you can't believe it, because they're loving a facade. They're loving someone who doesn't even exist, the person you're pretending to be. It's difficult to seek other people's love. It's deadly. In seeking it, you lose what is genuine. This is the prison we create for ourselves as we seek what we already have.” ― Byron Katie I’ve been reading and hearing that   we seek what we already have and I must admit I have been confused about exactly what that means! I kept asking myself so does that mean I have everything t

We are all imperfect, flawed, neurotic, and quirky. If you think a perfect team (or partner) is one that is quirk-free and collectively has their shit sorted out, then you should probably consider hermitude as an option. Everyone has their weird stuff, they will bring it to the table, and it will cost you money and time. That’s just the way it is . Danielle La Porte She came into the room shouting! Why hasn’t this been done, what is going on? Is anyone in here serious about this place? Everyone was now quiet and either staring at her or staring harder at their screens. I thought to myself hmm ok the fireworks will not start going off. She continued to shout and I tuned off! Then I heard, the next time I come into the room you stand up and greet me and you do it every time until either you and I are no longer here. What? What did I just hear? It just flew out of my mouth! What? You must be joking! Everyone remained quiet, even the lady who is now subjected to the gre

Journey to Release of Ego Operating out of ego means you are operating out of fear. Operating out of fear means that you always going to be scared and running for your life instead of being in alignment with your life. It’s about really remaining conscious and connected with that piece of yourself that knows that you are not the thoughts in your head…you are not identifying with the thoughts in your head or the things that surround you. You are not defined by your possessions or titles or positions in life…that you are aware and live in the space of awareness and are connected to it in such a way that every day you move from a space of peace. (Oprah’s Life Class) UGANDA She asked “What did you achieve in 2012?”   Now this time I did not just open my mouth and answer as I would normally do. I asked her, “What did you achieve in 2012?” She laughed and said “You are quick, let me tell you my daughter, your achievements are important, particularly when you set goals but make no

Now please clearly understand that every relationship is a relationship with yourself, firstly, mirrored by the significant other.  After you have accepted yourself, unconditionally, then, secondly, you can give acceptance to them of what, and who, and when, and how, they are. I have been seeing Uganda through someone else’s eyes over the past ten days. I have been seeing myself reflected in someone else over the past ten days! Let me confess here right now, it’s been at times scary as hell! I mean, so many of the things we see in other people and most times do not like is what we have buried deep down inside and people come around, in fact, the Universe sends them, to call you on your stuff! It is actually quite a humbling experience!   So been having fun sharing the experiences and learning and creating new experiences. The Africa that many of us have been taught about falls into a number of categories.   There’s the starving children, there’s the magnificent animals, there’

Step. Up. This is your spotlight speaking. I invite you to put one foot ahead of the next and move. Even if you can't see two steps ahead, I invite you to take the next one. I invite you to your greatness. Even if you think it doesn't exist, I invite you to see it in others' eyes. The world needs you so very much. Do not deny them you. Do not allow one more day to pass without living your light into the world. There is no one else that can do it.It's not their job, it's yours Do it.Now. Step. Up. Nisha Moodley Been in the bush for the past few days on Safari! The place is awesome! I am talking about pure peacefulness and nature, in the animal’s natural habitat! I was so in awe to be close, within touching distance of the giraffes, impala’s, water bucks and wart hog’s! The place we stayed is powered by solar, and just no noise!!! Each morning, the monkeys would come to my room and wake me up! At first I was so frightened! They are bold as ever, they come to

The truth is: Belonging starts with self-acceptance. Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater than your level of self-acceptance, because believing that you're enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect. When we don't have that, we shape-shift and turn into chameleons; we hustle for the worthiness we already possess.   Brene Brown Yesterday we drove for about 2 hours to meet the Nubian people of Uganda! They greeted us with drumming, singing and dancing which they insisted that we join in and get loose! I did my best!! What struck me was the women drummers, first time in Africa I have seen women and men drumming together. The Nubian people migrated to Uganda from the Nuba mountains in northern Sudan during colonial times, they were brought by the British to fight the Ugandan’s. Today, the Nubian community in Uganda is a minority group recognized in the 1995 constitution. The biggest concentration of Nubians lives in B

Having a great time chatting with my girl Nadella! Check it out Peace! http://www.thenextwomen.com/2013/11/20/getting-creative-caribbean

Real achievement comes from choosing to achieve, again and again, moment after moment, until the goal is attained. Real achievement comes from choosing to achieve, and then continually reaffirming that choice with action ( Ralph Marston) Stick with it! Stick with the dream, the vision, the project! Stick with it when it seems that its all falling down around you Stick with it even when people keep either telling you that you are crazy or to chill a bit! Stick with it just a little bit longer and see how the magic unfolds! One of my favorite teachers say "the vision will pull you forward" and for me that means to set out exactly what you want! feel it, touch it, visualize it! Write it down and with massive action and focused intention move towards that!! Stick with it!! I'm sticking with it a little bit more today and forward! Peace!!

Creating boundaries is not about convincing someone else to behave in a way that YOU THINK THEY SHOULD . It is about YOU behaving the way you want your life to go . Melanie Evans I was driving alone, now that is usually not something out of the ordinary here in Kampala, but this time it was late at night and I was heading to a place I have never driven myself before. I asked for directions at base, I verbally noted them. Things were going well! Then I made a wrong turn and nothing looked familiar, there were almost no cars on the road so it seemed easy to drive slow and navigate my way! I turned the car around and just as I did the police appeared in front of my car and ordered me to stop! I had to choice of running him over or stopping! Stopping seemed the best option! I stopped the car, the police was livid and shouting to me, pull the car over park it and get into the can I am taking you straight to jail and you collect the car tomorrow morning when you come out. It took

We arrived at the next town late! the roads to get there are not tarmacked, there was driving rain and as  we entered a different district it was pitch black. "There is no power" the driver said, "we will also reach later than planned because of the rains" We stopped along the way as the woman who was riding with us insisted that she buys tangerines. I was thinking hmm how is she going to buy this in this darkness! Well, they say there is a high level of innovation in Africa. We slowed down in Kamdini town and I just say about 5 lights running towards the car. Vendors saw the car approaching and with torches and their produce, was making a sprint to the car to rival Usain Bolt! They got to the car and offered us tangerines, roasted nuts, corn and mangoes! Ok, so this is how you buy items in the dark, we didn't even have to leave the car As we approached where I was to stay the place seemed to get even darker. " Madam Akosua you cannot stay here, I woul

http://digitalbooktoday.com/2013/11/10/learn-today/ I'm off to the North of the country this week, the Internet access there is a bit hit and miss so if you don't hear from me that's why! Chat soon Peace!!  

Real achievement comes from choosing to achieve, again and again, moment after moment, until the goal is attained. Real achievement comes from choosing to achieve, and then continually reaffirming that choice with action Ralph Marston What did I learn today? Road trip time, I am heading 6hours away to the North for my last session as my time here draws to a close. The war ended in 2005 and signs of progress are evident. The buildings are being rebuilt.   I look at the buildings going up and I think can these buildings replace the houses with families that were destroyed? The roads are being re-laid, I think can these new roads replace the dirt ones that the young ladies walked for days with no shoes and heavy loads on their head? I look at the businesses coming back and I think will these jobs replace the time lost by these girls who were made soldier wives at age 13? And yet I have learnt that there are no victims here. That is the anthem drummed in me over and over again. When

I've decided to start sharing some of the awesome blogs that I read weekly, here's the first one, hope you like it as much as I do Fierce, Fabulous and Free by Nisha Moodly http://fiercefabulousfree.com/how-to-hustle-through-hearbreak/  

If its Spiritual, factual, beautiful, political, something to roll to, let it be, whatever it is let it be, let it be, let it! Maybe I’ve been trying to be what they need of me, Be. When I should’ve just been me. Why? Whatever it is let it be, let it be, let it .Jill Scott (one of my favourite artists!!) Confession time on the journey, Some of the lies that I have told myself     . That I don’t already have all the wisdom I need to begin. That I should do business the way the “masters” do because it works.  That if I’m not at this event or that event I’ll miss out on something important.   That people don’t buy inspiration – because all the “experts” tell you that. That so and so is the person I need to know.   That anyone anywhere holds the key to my success & happiness. That I have to “monetize” shit.   That business is hard.   That I don’t have enough money.   That I should do all the hard stuff first and THEN have fun. That fun is frivolous.   That I waited too l

“As long as there are ways we can serve, then we have a job to do.” ― Marianne Williamson, Everyday Grace: Having Hope, Finding Forgiveness And Making Miracles This morning I met with the Grameen Foundation, there is a strong commitment on both of our sides to work together to change the lives of many of these farmers. The history of Grameen is one of innovation in eliminating poverty in Bangladesh through microfinance but the key philosophy also is the whole emphasis on treating the less privileged with dignity and respect, giving them an opportunity to DO, to make a life and living for themselves, The philosophy works! So here I am, in the middle of this project in Uganda, it is such exciting opportunity. Once the legalities are ironed out I will share them with you! Today I am truly humbled to be if service Peace!!

The truth is: Belonging starts with self-acceptance. Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater than your level of self-acceptance, because believing that you're enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect. When we don't have that, we shape-shift and turn into chameleons; we hustle for the worthiness we already possess.   Brene Brown Sometimes what we call support is not really support at all. It is your need to be affirmed in your smallness, your hurts, your pain. For others to validate this for you makes you feel like you are seen and understood. The Universe’s support requires that you move to a place of non judgement about yourself and all others. The past does not matter that much anymore just for the lesson. The slate is wiped clean and you can now start afresh on new footing. Why do you desire to stay stuck in places that you really don’t want to be anyway? What did I learn today? The Universe will support me

"People talk about the reality of their life as if it is important. And we want you to understand it's only the temporary indicator. Do you go to the gas station-your gas gauge is on empty-do you go to the gas station and look at your gas gauge in horror? 'How did this happen? Why, why, why did this happen to me?' Do you lay your head on the steering wheel and just sob? 'Oh, look what it's come to. I'm finished. I've lived all of this life, and look where I am.' Or do you just fill up?" - Esther Abraham-Hicks This too shall pass. It’s one of the most prophetic and true statements that I have ever come across! I’ve learnt that situations come to pass through and more times than not are an indication of where I am in life and to point in the direction of who I ‘m becoming! One of my favourite teachers, Deborah L Johnson says all the time “who you be?” And by that she refers not to what I have or what I am doing but who am I, who am I beco

Being too busy does not make you important. In fact, being too busy makes you annoying and useless to those who really want or need your time. Gail Hilgendoff   I just got back from a wedding. I was asked to be a witness at this wedding that took place this morning. So, I met this woman at a dinner that I attended. We were among the few foreigners in attendance, we struck up a conversation, she told me that she was from the US and knows a lot about Trinidad because back in the day she met a woman from Penal, which is a town in the South of Trinidad. After that dinner a few weeks passed and I was facilitating a workshop and was quite surprised to see my American friend. She was taking the class. Last week, out of the blue, she sent me a message asking if I can be a witness at her wedding as she doesn’t know much people in Kampala, and even less women. I accepted after she stated her case. I remarked that I didn’t know that she was seeing someone. She told me that they recently

Know that you are filled with infinite possibilities Deborah L Johnson I have a training  session on today, two more until I wrap up in Uganda! I like these sessions because it pushes me beyond my self imposed limits! I was for most of my life considered a “quiet person” I would stay in the background, not talk much, now I am choosing a path where I speak in public, I put myself out there! This morning at boxing I was thinking about it, self imposed limits and how magnificent our mind is! Every time to smash a self imposed limit you feel so much more confident, you have a little bit more faith in yourself and your abilities and you know that you can do it This morning at training I was howling because it was tough, the coach kept telling me “you must be joking?, you must be because you ARE doing this, just because you can” and I did it! Just with a change of mind! So, this weekend, smash one self imposed limit that you have put on yourself and watch how the magic unfolds!

A moment is not momentary .My tour of duty in this part of Africa is coming to an end very soon. Now that I know and they know that my time is limited, the requests and requirements are coming thick and fast. Seems like time is running out! I’ve been unconsciously been telling almost everyone, either not at this moment or when I have a moment! And exactly why are you in such a hurry Madam? Is there some place you can go where this moment is more precious there? Is there some time frame in which life is more precious or sweeter, than in another moment? Do you know that a moment – the moment- is the point in time when you actually experience life? What you consider a long time is essentially just a series of moments. The moment is when you DO! The moment is when you do anything. Are you afraid that there will not be enough of you, that you will run out, exhaust, all of your resources? Are you afraid that you may miss something? You have so many excuses for not acknowledging lif