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

2014 was indeed one of the best years of my life, with everything that happened, the good, the not so good, the great and the ugly! I chose to step into uncertainty and I was scared shitless! (excuse my French) I remember stating the year with enough rent for 2 months and to rent a car for 2 weeks and 600 in cash, no job, no prospects and too much pride to ask anyone for anything because I said I chose this I owned it! I had my book, I had my family, I had my friends and I had the Universe behind me full tilt and I stepped into Life and 365 days later I have learnt so much and will take the things I want to take into 2015 and leave the rest! When we see that EVERYTHING is happening FOR US and never TO US, we see the tremendous amount of Grace that our lives are filled with and we can nestle into that knowing that - indeed, every-little-thing-is-gunna-be-alright - and even better than that, everything is PERFECT as it is! So for today, leave the goal setting aside, leave the...

If possible, each time you leave the house, take with you something that doesn’t come back!  Pick a habit, belief, behaviour, or some emotional residue or energetic holdings that no longer serves you. C hela Davidson Just over an hour' drive from San Salvador is the town of Sushitoto. The town is a complete throwback in terms of the so called modern things that we associate with a town! There are cobble stoned streets, big plazas with a church in the middle, hand made snow cones but at the same time it is the most progressive town in terms of social causes, women's rights and women empowerment!  I spent the day there with the Casa De Mujer. They are some radical women who are determined to make their lives, their children lives and the town a better place! They focus on Entrepreneurship, Women's Rights and Equality, Children's rights and Ending Violence.  There are museums, shops, hotels, art exhibitions all in the town for the people by the people, there are ...

Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth-  Fear comes with not knowing what is going to happen next - Perma Chandon  I am getting ready to go on the road again, checking in to give an update! Off to Suschitoto! A historic place that played a huge part in the revolution! I get to visit another women's organisation In the war, the women were majors and generals and after the war they insisted that if you made us fight with you side by side now everything must be equal! They have quite an impressive gender policy coming out of that! I thought that was quite awesome I will drive for about two hours to get there, well not me but someone, Robert, will be taking me! I know not what happens next but I know it will be good , its all good! Peace!!

You are exactly where you are because all that you have to give and receive is right where you are now. Where you are now is valuable and important, everything you can so is doable right where you are. If you were over there or over here there would be a big void where you are now. How much do you believe in who you are?, serve where you are and use what you know can make a very big difference in who you become, where you go and what you do when you get to the next place! Been here for a few days now, I must admit, my soul feels great! That's my measure of a place! I ask my soul or it just tells me immediately! I love the place! I am excited to start working here in 2015 and I give thanks for this opportunity It's been a packed few days! Robert my guide picked me up with his wife and son and we have been on the road for two days, we even got down to the Guatemalan border! El Salvador is a mixture of modern and throw back! There are malls like the US and then there are ...

Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself. from the book as a man thinketh Cheers to you and yours for the season! Wishing you an awesome one filled with joy, laughter, good food, family love and peace!! I'm off on another journey for the season to El Salvador so as soon as I am able to check in I will holla!! I'm pretty excited about it, the last few days, trust me, I have been having a test of many of the lessons that I have been learning and sharing and to be honest its been a really eye opening experience for me, so as back in the day when I was studying, when exams are over for the term I celebrate! Don't think I got an A+ but hey, all I need here is a pass! Viva El Salvador! Muy fantastico Peace, Love and Blessings!

Here's how to know whether you're putting up with less than you deserve: ·   When you have to work yourself into a state of excitement rather than naturally experiencing joy and passion, you're probably settling. ·   When you bargain with yourself about what you can do without rather than f eeling gratitude for what you already have, you're probably settling. ·   When your focus is on the time and energy you've invested in an endeavor rather than the love, joy and gratification you've gained, you're probably settling. ·   When you're making excuses about why you should stay put rather than going for what you truly want, you're probably settling. ·   When you spend more time complaining about what you have than appreciating it, you're definitely settling. Iyanla The quote above was a reminder to me today to look in the mirror and say "I deserve the best!!!" and  I would urge you to do the same as...

“It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.” Elanor Roosevelt I haven't done the "Christmas thing" in ages! And thinking about it yesterday, usually by choice! And what I mean by the "Christmas thing" is the shopping, painting the house, changing the curtains. I have been either working or on holiday for Christmas for as long as I could remember. I was reminded why yesterday, I decided to go to the mall. The traffic was out of this world! then to get a parking spot was also off another planet, I also wanted to go to a Christmas market, I finally got there and they were charging you to go in and shop! I jumped in the car and thought" yea this is why I run from this" And just like that my perception changed..... no, not just like that LOL! I was driving in the traffic and saw some children by the road standing. As I passed them, I saw three trucks with people on them all dressed in red and with Santa Claus hats...

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. Ralph Waldo Emerson When we make a decision, a firm one, and believe it, act then let go, things start happening! The Universe creates by thoughts as well, so be the key is to make sure your thoughts as well as your words align because when it doesn't it confuses the Universe!  Making a decision with belief  sends a signal that you are ready! You may not now how it will happen but you are ready! Making a decision sends a signal that despite the fear and doubt you are ready! Making a decision sends a signal to the Universe that you know that you will be alright no matter what! Making a decision means that you've put the world on alert that this is happening and not asking anyone for permission Yesterday as I was driving I decided! I made a decision. And let me tell you something, a peace came over me for a minute that felt so good and calming I smiled! I thought hey, why didn't I just decide ...

W e may cling to the irrational belief that things are good enough in the relationship - that we feel a measure of security and that this is as good as it's likely to get. In the process, however, we give up the chance to explore our sense of fulfillment in life. We give up our own life dreams in order to maintain the security of a relationship. Symmonds I'm no relationship expert, trust me I'm not! I have been learning lessons as I go along! And learning is to do!  Opportunities come up again and again to see what I have learnt, and as I now know for sure, to know is to do!  When you look at that person as well as the other people in your life, they are a reflection of the relationship you are having with yourself. Some of us cannot see the detrimental, unflattering things we do to ourselves. What I have learnt is that many of us believe that the problems in our lives, the problems in our relationships are the fault most of the time of the men in our lives. That man...

Every positive change--every jump to a higher level of energy and awareness--involves a rite of passage. Each time to ascend to a higher rung on the ladder of personal evolution, we must go through a period of discomfort, of initiation. I have never found an exception." - Dan Millman Note to self: Can I continue to complain about what I do not have, cannot do, criticizing myself and others? Or can I take a chance, find an opportunity and know in my heart what I want to do is possible?  Can I? Can I continue to buy into the belief that there is not enough, settling for whatever I can get? Or can I do my best in every situation, expecting the best from every situation, recognizing that what I put out must come back to me tenfold?  Can I? Can I blame the world, hate my enemy, feel sorry for myself as an excuse for what not to do what I desire to do? Or can I raise my consciousness , pour love into every situation and take responsibility for myself? Can ...

It isn't always easy to express our desires. We worry that others will see us as pushy or demanding, or that we'll be turned down. But asking for what you want is a necessary part of life, and I've found that the more you practice it, the easier it becomes . Iyanla Vanzant Hands up if you can identify with Miss Iyanla! Right now my both hands are up! And give yourself a huge round of applause if you ask for what you want! Bravo!!! Listen, me? I am learning this! I was always the "nice cool one" and I bought into that wholesale! So now that the label was on how could I be what the masses would call "pushy" and so it went! Proverbial shit had to hit the fan for me to ask! Let the peace be!!! So I've been practice it why? because practice leads to mastery and when you practice sometimes it gets tough but you continue and you get better at it! So, ask without fear, be prepared to hear no and have a plan when you do, be committed and most of all lo...

Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our time running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous. Giving up on love and belonging and joy – the experiences that make us most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to expose our darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. ( Brene Brown,author) She asked me "can you own that?" and that was a tough question for me because I went straight into  blame and projection mode! "Can you own that?" a simple question that causes me to pause, reflect inward and then choose a response! "Can you own that?" facing up to my own part in what is going on in my life! The awesome and the not so awesome! If it's going on in your life you have a part to play in stopping or continuing it! If its going on in your life yea, it is about you! Why? because you get to choose the response, not always what happens, but the response  Can I own...

Then you learn about love. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You learn that alone does not mean lonely. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. The Awakening The need to be right, the need to be in control! Two things that human beings fight tooth and nail for! Including me! No one likes to be wrong! Right?? But I have learnt the constant need for those two things robs you of a peaceful existence and I am not saying to take everything anyone dishes out to you! Throughout life we develop ideas on how others should be, how they should behave, and how they should treat us. When things are not as we think they should be we resist!  People will be who they be! Good luck i...

“Ten times a day something happens to me like this – some strengthening throb of amazement – some good sweet empathic ping and swell. This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know: that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness.”  Mary Oliver The clock is ticking, the book deadline is looming near, the adrenaline is flowing, the pressure is building, the fear is growing, the expectation is high! In between it all, I want to do something everyday that brings me joy, to enjoy the little things so I committed to do this as of Now, go to the beach, whatever it is, I am committed! What are your big goals, dreams, and how are you balancing that with the joy and attentiveness that life is about? Have an awesome weekend! I'm going for the joy by watching a whole load of footie!!! Peace!! 

"People typically struggle with boundaries because they find it difficult to hurt someone else’s feelings, or they get caught up in the desire to change the other person or make them treat them the way they want to be treated. This never works."   Mark Manson A great buddy of mine sent me an article yesterday from Mark Manson and the quote above hit me like whadaappp!! like a slap in the face because it spoke directly to me! (Thanks B for the article!) We can't change people! Let people be who they are and then you get to choose if you want to be around them! And while you are choosing you get to learn some awesome lessons of acceptance, patience, compassion and unconditional love - of yourself and others! But try to change someone or have no boundaries to give them hints, ideas, options of how to treat you is setting up yourself for hurt and frustration, you cannot argue with reality, you will suffer! So what's real? Real is what is happening right no...

Why are you doing it? Why? ... the work... the projects... the places... the worship... the people... the living... the shopping... the reading, listening, watching... the time... the giving... the inviting... the caring... the carrying... the praying... the staying... the making.   Why ya doing it? Danielle La Porte Back in Port of Spain! It feels good! I called my grandma when I got in, she answered her voice was sounding nice and strong! She welcomed me back, said she's better,  said nothing will  beating her down anytime soon, started talking politics so I knew! Oh yeah she's feeling good! It's on! I better sit down, the conversation will be a long one! She asked me if I spent time with my folks!  I told her but of course! she said I am Happy that you did .I told her I have something for her from them, she got quiet! She said you know, my grandchildren don't have to bring me anything, I remember when Sana was in college I was there with her right th...

Houston is good to me! A shot of inspiration hit me yesterday, OMG! I started writing and literally it was flowing like a river on a rainy day! The love I feel, it just came through me and manifested itself in words! I felt the excitement for my new book coming out early next year, I felt a connection to my authentic self, and what I have learnt is that your authentic self is the foundation of my power!  "Nyabo (Madam) Why are you Here?" - the title of my new book! I'm overfull with excitement and gratitude, you guys are the first that I have shared this with, I woke up with that vibe! Look out for it! Coming soon! Peace!! https://www.facebook.com/AkosuaDardaineEdwards www.akosuadardaineedwards.com @AweCapt http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Lessons-Journey-Unconditional-Self-Love/dp/1452580111/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418225358&sr=1-1&keywords=what+did+i+learn+today+lessons+on+the+journey+to+unconditional+self-love

It’s simple – without feeling your feelings – your life can’t and won’t improve.   Mastin Kipp Feelings are a huge part of our lives, an extremely important part, without feelings we cannot move! I have been one who have ignored, denied and dismissed my feelings and what happens when I did that? I remained stuck! Feelings are teachers, they lead you to a lesson. It can be really scary to feel the feelings but its important to go there and sit with it for a moment. We do a whole range of things to hide from our feelings, lie, drink, do drugs, irresponsible sex, work, judge, justify, make excuses, overeat, exercise and the list goes on. Instead of sitting in the feelings and acknowledging them we run and do things that are not self honoring According to Mastin Kipp  "When love yourself enough to feel your true feelings – that is when transformation begins to take place – not before. Your feelings are guides – they are sign posts – they are asking you to pay attention to ...

We want attention, affection, appreciation Learn to give those things authentically to others Deepak Chopra Hello from Houston! I'm here for the week, it's really nice to mix work with play, I get to see my family this week.  My three favourite boys, six, five and four years old have been relentlessly by my side, I'm tired now! lol! Collecting books, talking business and then back home! Life is nice right now!

We have to make a choice, whether you want to grow or transform When the transformation comes you are not telling the same story anymore, that story is now irrelevant When you transform the old stuff is not what your life revolves around anymore, there’s a revolution, a shift in the centre. What is your life revolving around? Deborah L Johnson I love the question "what is your life  revolving  around?" Simple yet impactful! I ask myself the question from time to time when it seems like the rails are coming off! Then I see where and what I am giving most of my time to! A Course in Miracles reminds me that we create idols to things and we begin to worship them when we are not paying attention or forgot who we are!  We create idols! Worship people and things that are destructive! Interesting right? When you don't know who you are you create idols- things you give your time and mind to that are destructive! So who are you? who am I? Preparation for my new...

Discipline means not just planting the seeds I want to grow, but watering and nurturing them daily. Discipline means not allowing what I can’t control to affect my stewardship over the other areas I can control. Discipline means giving up the idea of instant gratification and giving myself over to the pleasure of earning and anticipation. Discipline means growing to love the word discipline. Discipline means being a disciple to what matters most. Tivi Jones I was told yesterday, point blank, that I am holding on to a lot of resistance in making my goals and dreams a reality! It was a shock to them system and you know why it was a shock? Because it is true! Notice how you become defensive when people tell you the truth? You start making excuses, or you get upset and want to justify why you are still doing or not doing what you are supposed to be doing! It was a wake up call for me, and I needed it! Stop the resistance, I don't need to be "right" a...

Seek not outside yourself. For it will fail ACIM What did I learn today?  Brutally honest -You can fool some people some time but you can never fool yourself! You can tell yourself almost anything to excuse away your fear. You might actually believe it for a while! But, there will come a time when the excuse will not be strong enough, or big enough to camouflage your fear. Eventually what you tell yourself will begin to sound so weak, so lame, so utterly ridiculous that you will have a hard time convincing yourself or anyone else that it is true. When that time comes, don’t be defensive. Be willing to face the thing you fear! When you defend yourself for not taking a particular action, you are denying the foundation upon which your peace of mind depends upon – Truth! When you wait or prepare to the point of avoiding what you really want you say you really want to do, when you know you are afraid but refuse to admit it, there is no way you can have peace of mind, espec...

Release all stories/let go of all excuses, be willing to do the thing that scares you - Iyanla Don't we make up a lot of stories? Yea we do, we make them up, especially when we are in fear, listening to the ego and want to justify our position. Making up stories mean we are convinced that something or someone or we are either right, that "they" did that to us. Or perhaps, we have no other choice, that we are powerless or have you heard or said "if only they would change, or do what I want my life, our lives will be happy and simple" Sometimes the stories are simple, sometimes they are dramatic, sometimes they have elaborate characters and lines that send us into a frenzy, getting angry, depressed or smug as hell All this to justify our position, to make  ourselves  feel safe and to more importantly to avoid what's staring us right in the face, to keep being in denying what is and to remain in a false comfort zone! As Byron Katie says " when you ...

Work can be an important part of our lives, but we should never let it be how we define ourselves. Putting all your energy and resources into your work may feed your ego, but if you’re relationships are falling apart, your health neglected and your spiritual life ignored, you could end up sitting alone in your castle of glory.  Gail Kelly Balance and release of ego, two of the things I give thanks in advance for, meaning that I believe with me putting in the action and work and letting go it is already done! My grandma always said, everything in moderation. Now I can fully relate to this! What does your life revolve around? And when you pay attention to what you give the majority of your life to see what happens? What you put your focus on grows, that goes for everything and focus can be like a laser beam, it cuts through the "thing" and that is why it is really important to balance, when you cut through you want a purpose. You just want to cut and cut and cut t...

You cannot learn about yourself if you are always staying within the safe confines and borders of the familiar I got a late call to speak at an event today, this morning I was at our National Library in Port of Spain, There was a book club event where all the book clubs from all over the country gather at an annual event to celebrate the year. They asked me to come and be the feature speaker at this event! I couldn't refuse I thought wow, how humbling! The word is spreading! I got there early and sat down, watched the scenes and took it all in! People kept asking me what book club was I from, I said none! They looked confused! The book club from my hometown was well represented, when the hostess finally arrived she introduced me and asked me what part of the country was I from, when I said San Fernando, the hooping and the hollering broke me into a huge grin! South South South, they kept shouting! I felt really good! There is no substitute for action, none at all, we ca...

The body does not exist except as a learning device for the mind. ACIM Peace is better than anything you can tempt me with!   Truth is, I'll take my excitement in peace packaging...thanks!   Indeed, in fact I'll experience my ups and downs via peace perspectives, if you don't mind...thanks!   That's right...Peace.   Oh...and lets not forget the calm   Yes   Calm   I deeply believe that the best way to face chaos is with calm   In fact, allow me to update that   I know that the only way to greet chaos is with calm   And I'm at peace with that fact.   Fact! Thank you Flo for this message! Peace!

We are creatures of comfort, and we also don’t like to go against the belief systems of the tribe. Complacency, placing blame on others so we don’t have to accept responsibility for our own life, believing in a savior outside of ourselves because we do not see our selves as worthy or powerful, “blindly” choosing to accept the ideas of others without seeing how we feel in our own heart, the inability to speak up and tell others how we truly feel out of fear of confrontation, and the fear of being alone all contribute to the “following of the heard” mentality. Sa brina Reber Healing takes time Healing takes support Healing takes acceptance Healing takes forgiveness Healing takes surrender Healing takes release of ego Healing takes pain and discomfort Healing takes movement Healing takes truth Learnt all of that yesterday at the Brasso Seco meeting held with the villagers! I went there with no expectations and boy was I in a space of healing! It was super emotional, crying...

Only the mind can create, and that correction belongs at the thought level. ACIM Today I am on the radio at 11am EST talking about the journey! Pretty excited about the invitation and looking forward to being on one of the top radio stations in the country! Its gonna be a whole load of awesomeness and fun! Here is what I have learnt, and it's an old African proverb "To stumble is not to fall but to move forward faster, every problem brings with it a gift" I sat and said myself today "Who knew? Who the heck knew that my experiences of the job going, the man going, the house going, the money going, me going, would turn into this absolutely simple yet magnificent experience? I said, when I accepted and took responsibility for everything that was happening in my life, that I wanted to be a demonstration of what was possible when the ego leaves and forgiveness comes and letting go takes place! I had no clue what I meant at the time but the Universe said "Reall...

FORGIVENESS MEANS . . . accepting what is or what has been and becoming willing to see it differently. You cannot un-hear what you have heard or un-see what you have seen. What you can do is stop believing that what occurred has somehow left you broken, damaged and wounded. Forgiveness results in a shift in your perception and yourself and . . .everyone else. For this reason, forgiveness is an absolutely essential step toward your personal growth, healing and evolution. YOU MUST DO THE WORK ! Iyanla  I've learnt that we are all connected, one of my best and favorite teachers always says " the only thing that needs to be healed is our sense of separation" and I never really understood that until she broke it down very simply to say , you are connected to each and every person and living creature on the planet whether you want to admit it or accept it. And therein lies the laws of karma, an eye for an eye, the collective responsibility and pain etc. Do not for on...

Don't fight the ego...just watch it - Deepak Chopra This was my huge lesson this weekend! people construct their lives around two responses: thinking and doing. They think about things, and they do things; think about things and do things; think about things and do things. And what they do depends on what they think . It’s what people believe that creates their behavior. It is at the level of belief, not at the level of behavior, where humanity’s experience will be most profoundly modified.  Many people would rather die for their beliefs—or kill others—than change them. It doesn’t matter whether the beliefs themselves are functional. It doesn’t matter whether they are making people happy and producing a better life. Some people would rather be unhappy doing what they believe, than happy doing something else. And sometimes I fall into this category  I've learned to start at my initial position, and say that to the other pa...

“ Change doesn’t happen from someone announcing the plan. Change begins from deep inside a system, when a few people notice something they will no longer tolerate, or when they respond to someone’s dream of what’s possible.”Mrs Wheatley This weekend I was invited to participate in a workshop/retreat. When I got the call and they told me that I would have to give up my weekend I was like ugggg, Man United v Arsenal today how can I miss that game? But then they explained what they were trying to do for my country I said hey, this is history right here I can watch a rerun! (I know I love me some Arsenal)  Do you know everyday you can create history? Yea, just like that! What you choose to do to make a difference to our life, your family's life, your country's, your people it creates history, just like that! What type of history do you want to make? You get to choose! So I'm locked away at a hotel for a couple of days except to go and run on Sunday morning, cr...

When you show up fully everything around you has more meaning . Bring your A Game to everything! Everything!   Rev Deborah l Johnson I have been looking around at how we have been interacting with people over the last week, even how I myself have been interacting. I have been paying attention to how I have been showing up! I am almost embarrassed to say that I myself have been showing up halfway! What do I mean by that. I have been focused on my phone. I'm at the bank, I'm on the phone, I'm even driving and I am on the phone, I am having conversation and I am on the phone I wake up in the middle of the night I check my phone! What is that about?? What is so interesting on the phone? I am seeing it in my friend as well, the phone is a part of my friend's body!  So what is it about me and this phone? What is it that has me disconnected to the world? or maybe disconnected from my life?  Missing the moments in reality to catch the moments virtually! Is t...

When you awoke this morning, what was the first thing on your mind? On your list of Things To Do, what is #1? As you contemplate your current priorities, is there a person at the top, or is it some kind of doingness ...? Only you can know what is catching your attention, what is calling to you for your energy. Yet you can ask yourself a key question... Where is love in all of this? Neale Donald Walsh Did my first Google hangout yesterday for Women's Entrepreneurship Day after hosting an event in Trinidad with some awesome vibes! Love hearing and sharing stories! Google Hangout included women from Africa, USA, Tortola, Anguilla, Antigua and me from Trinidad and Tobago, it was a lot of fun! The breakfast meeting showed me love and support, my friends who inspire me no end shared their stories, made some new friends as well and always always learnt something new! What are you doing with this one awesome life that you have? I'm showing up! Every single day! As me! And m...

Notice when your dream has come true. If you're addicted to accomplishing things, you might miss the fact that you've actually accomplished something pretty awesome I'm all in! I am fully in this and I am learning lessons along the way! Today Wednesday 19th November 2014 is World Entrepreneurship Day, the world celebrates women entrepreneurs at events in 140 countries and I am making history by hosting the first event in Trinidad and Tobago with the support of so many awesome people that really rally behind me and I love them so much for it and grateful too So here are the events tomorrow for me, holla when you have a chance On a side note, congratulations to my buddy Maxine Attong on the launch of her second book yesterday Lead your team to win! Proud proud proud of her! Peace!!

Before you start the Next Big Creative Outpouring...  crush your gimmicks, throw out your trophies, clean your desk, set the people free who should be working elsewhere, clear your calendar with a big declaration of  No Thank You . White gesso the canvas. Delete the files that bring up shitty memories. Why not? This is your script to writ e. Take a sneak peek of my new website soon to be officially launched! As part of my extended family you get to sneak peek it and send me comments! I'm pretty excited about it! Just spent the day picking cocoa off the tree in Brasso Seco! Ain't life spectacularly awesome? It sure is! Peace!! http://www.akosuadardaineedwards.com/