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

There’s a difference between wanting something and being ready for it . Ebonee Davis There was a particular book that I was searching for on the bookshelf, as I was going through the shelf, a small red and black notebook fell out and onto the ground. When I saw it, I screamed out, this must be a sign and had me a good chuckle. This was a red and black notebook that I kept right after leaving University. I would write in it when  I  rode the London Underground from work in Soho Square  to the hairdresser in Tooting. Anything I found inspirational I would jot down the contents and read it hoping that one day I would live a life that will inspire myself. Seeing the book brought me to the present moment - I felt proud, I do inspire myself- I admit that I am not perfect, make poor choices, stupid ones even, I fall down. I still felt proud because back then I did not believe that I would inspire myself to achieve the goals I set out for myself, and live a full life. I am doing ...

  Character—the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life—is the source from which self-respect springs. We flatter ourselves by thinking this compulsion to please others is an attractive trait: a gift for imaginative empathy, evidence of our willingness to give . Lisa Herrera Who do you believes holds the responsibility (the ability to respond) for your healing? Who do you believe hold the responsibility for your feelings? Who do you believe holds or has responsibility for your joy? Who do you believe has the responsibility for your relieving your sorrows? Who do you believe has or holds the power and responsibility for your choices? Who do you believe holds the power and responsibility  for your decisions?  Who do you believe holds the power and responsibility for your thoughts? Gentle reminder to self - in  your life, be very clear about what you hold the power and the responsibility for and when you do, don't give it away, outsource it, neglect it o...

Return to what is simple. What’s simple is doable, and doing what is doable now is the only path to whatever comes next. Lisa Olivera Life is simple. We make it complicated for a variety of reasons- mainly our ego. We want to be special, we want to be seen as unique and different. And here is the thing, without having to do anything and prove it to anyone, we are born uniquely made. We are ALL special and unique. The world has perfected the art of making us believe that there is something, someone, that will prove to not only ourselves but to others that we are different and special. This makes life a little more complicated We separate ourselves when we "other" people. It is compounded by how we live Pay to travel first or business class- be special Pay for front row seats - be special Be included in this specific club - be special Buy brand names - show that you are special The challenge is the message that we are sending and the lengths that some of us go to prove that we ...

  The road is messy, it leads us out of denial and into reality; out of theory into practice; out of our heads and into our hearts Gloria Steinem I have been writing this blog since 2012, it started off as a way to both document the journeys I was on in Uganda and a method of getting my thoughts out while going through- what I thought then- was the hardest period of my life. Everything that I placed value on was either gone, shifting or changing. My sense of self was shattered because I placed value on material things, external things and other people's valuation of me. When all of it was gone, I was left with me. I used this blog as a journal to share, to learn, to heal. I wanted so much to be seen, to heal. I look back on many of the posts and thought - wow, I wrote that? sometimes in cringe or sometimes in awe.  Eventually, the journal turned into the first book that I wrote - "What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self Love" with many of the ...

nothing has to happen immediately, this minute,  or "right now." It's okay to pause for just a moment. Just take a breath. Then go quietly inside. Ask Life Itself to lead you to your best outcome. There's nothing you have to do, really, except get out of your own way ... Neale Donald Walsh  It's been 2 years today since my beloved granma Sheils transitioned. I remember her fondly not only because she had the best stories and lived to see 89 years of what this world had to offer, she was a ball of wisdom and shared it freely. There were times we would collectively groan when she would unleash one of her wisdom bombs when we least expected it or wanted it. In hindsight, it was always right on time. She was one of the most open minded and funny people I have ever met. She would always say the only thing urgent is my next breath because if I don't have it I am dead and gone. I would always laugh and say Sheils you live in your own world rather than the real world...

  We think we, and life, are supposed to be neat and tidy, organized and ready for the photo-op. We think the sign of readiness is a lack of tangle, a lack of messiness. We assume we’re the messed up ones if our behind-the-scenes secrets and processes and next steps don’t look as clear-cut and set in stone as they seem to for “everyone else” .Living is important; living isn’t neat. Lisa Olivera Self Acceptance is the recognition that ALL of who you are is purposeful, useful. Self acceptance is a remembering that you start off as Divine, a manifestation of the Most High. Self Acceptance is holding yourself accountable & responsible for your every thought, word & deed. The elimination of outsourcing blame to anything & anyone external to you because although there are situations that may be out of your control, you have the power to respond. Self acceptance is remembering that you have innate power, taking it back and living your life minus self judgement, denials, u...

  What do you think your power of choice is dependent on? Carolyn Myss  Over the past few months, I have been reading about how we see ourselves in the world.  Many of us have been taught that power comes from what we have, what we earn, where we live and who we know, what relationships we have and hold. All of which are external and fleeting. There is a line in Bob Marley's song "don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver and gold" which comes to mind. We look towards gaining so much that is outside of ourselves that we lose ourselves. Today, we can live one place, and tomorrow its gone.  Today we can have a particular job, tomorrow its gone- does that mean that we have lost power to live, to choose, to move forward? For women in particular, there is a belief that our status and power comes from attracting the right partner, keeping them for a ling time and getting married. Our power comes from within. There is a level of confidence, ...

  That which fills us will radiate from us without effort right in the place in life where we stand. Emily Cady Over the past few days I have been travelling through Cost Rica. It was the first visit, I pray not the last. I loved the combination of nature and city life, a harmonious balance of having green space in the middle of everything. The streets were lined pink poui trees which were all in full bloom, making a pink carpet on the pavements and roadways. I marveled at it all. These are my top ten lessons on the Journey : Day 1. There are not separate truths for different areas of your life. You don’t have personal life, a professional life, a spiritual life, a political life, a romantic life,  you have one life and you take you with you wherever you go.  Day 2: allow yourself to be where you are Day 3:  Patching back your soul into the beautiful mosaic it is takes time, remembering who you are and falling back in love with yourself. Day 4: there is nothing...

However I am perceived and deceived, however my ignorance and conceits, lay aside your fears that I will be undone,for I shall not be moved . Maya Angelou I consider Maya Angelou to be one of my famous aunties - you know the type that you never met, but you just know they are your aunty, and the advice they are giving out is really for you? Well.... this is how I thought of Ms. Maya Angelou having received from my grandmother at the age of 13, Ms. Angelou's books and was told to read them during the day when granny went to work. There and then I declared her Aunty Maya. On her birthday, I read or listen to her interviews, to remind myself that there are great teachers and leaders out there who share their gift willingly with the world. Today, as part of my celebration of Aunty Maya's birthday I want to share with you my top 5 lessons from her life and work 1. Say Thank You - in the midst of a storm, even while bawling your eyes out, stop and say Thank you because there is...

  The moment in front of you is not bothering you. You are bothering yourself about the moment in front of you. Michael Singer Over the past week I have been paying attention to the self talk and thoughts that surface. It has been an amazing realization to me what I think about, what I tell myself and how I speak to myself. When I found myself in the endless cycle of thoughts and words that bring me harm I stopped, I said to myself- wow look at that? you are thinking these thoughts again, and saying that to yourself again. These two actions stops the thoughts immediately. I then get the opportunity to pause and start again.  I may have to do it many many times in a day. I have noticed though that when I do pay attention and see or feel the thought coming I can shift quicker. I firmly believe that thoughts become things and how we speak to ourself opens a pathway for how others speak to us. The famous line "what were you thinking?" bares out in our actions, in our daily l...

  People love to say they can’t afford to feel their emotions because it will take over their whole day and they have stuff to do..Whole time those emotions are coming out elsewhere including irritability, headaches, irritable bowels, sleep problems, appetite changes etc. Feel the feelings people! Nicole Lewis  Hey April, I’m here for: -  Movements from love, rather than fear -  Movements from compassion, rather than judgement -  Movements out in nature - Movements with less chocolate.nah, scrap that! - Movements from a space of abundance in thought, word, deed. - Movements to different countries. -Movements with discipline. -Healthy movements -Fun movements - Movements, always with gratitude & self-acceptance. I’m ready.let’s move! Peace