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

  There’s a quiet revolution happening—one that begins with a simple, radical truth: I am worthy. Full stop. Not because I’ve ticked off every item on my to-do list. Not because I’ve stayed busy from sunrise to sunset. Not because I’ve earned a certain income, gained a certain following, or built a certain network. I am worthy because I exist. The Hustle Myth We live in a world that often confuses productivity with value. We’re told our “net worth” defines us. We’re praised for being booked and busy. We’re encouraged to chase metrics—followers, likes, connections—as if they are proof of our significance. And so, we hustle. We overextend. We say yes when we mean no. We perform. We prove. We push. All in the name of being seen as “enough.” But here’s the truth: Hustling for worthiness is a losing game. Because the finish line keeps moving. And the more we chase it, the more disconnected we become from our true selves. A Different Starting Point What if we began...

“if the ocean can calm itself, so can you. we are both salt water mixed with air.” Nayyirah Waheed There’s something sacred about the morning. The hush before the world fully wakes. The promise of a new beginning from the Most High Each weekend, I return to the North Coast—a ritual, a rhythm, a remembering. I walk the shore as the sun rises, watching the world unfold in its own quiet ceremony. The sea, the sky, the sand—they speak if you’re still enough to listen. This morning, the ocean whispered something new. At first glance, the water looked dark—almost black. I paused. Then, as if on cue, the surface shimmered and broke open. Hundreds of fish leapt from the water in perfect symmetry, their silver bodies catching the light like tiny mirrors. It was as if the sea had exhaled a secret. I gasped—no, I screamed. Not from fear, but from awe. From the sheer beauty of it all. What looked strange and out of place at first—dark water, an unfamiliar movement—revealed itself to be something e...

  For a few minutes go within, be with the silence and stillness and you will hear the wisdom of the Spirit. Remembering our rituals is key. It is our duty to become our own best friend, to silence the punishing inner critic. It is our sacred assignment to honor the light within, and work every day in partnership with God—and one another. Let love lead the way! Susan L Taylor  There is a sacredness in stillness. In a world that constantly demands our attention, energy, and care, we often forget the one person we are with 24/7 — ourselves. Before we give ourselves away — to work, to family, to causes, to relationships — what if we paused? What if we gave ourselves to ourselves first? This isn’t selfish. It’s sacred. That silence you take in the morning before your phone lights up, that moment you place your hand on your heart just to feel it beat, that walk in nature where your mind unclutters — these are not small things. They are rituals. Acts of devotion. Invitations to com...

  “ Courage is the most important of all the virtues because, without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage. ”Maya Angelou  This month, I am committed to showing up with courage—not the kind draped in capes and fanfare, but the quiet, daily kind. The kind that shows up despite the knot in your stomach, the racing heart, the voice hissing, "What if you fail?" This is my biggest lesson : Courage is a muscle. It weakens with avoidance. It strengthens with action. And no, it doesn’t mean you’re unafraid. It means you refuse to let fear stop you from taking action, from growing. Courage in the Wild Last month, I watched a leatherback turtle (yes, Bobbi! - I named her) drag herself up the beach to lay her eggs. Every labored flipper-scoop was an act of courage—no guarantees, just faith in the process. She didn’t overthink it. She did it. We’re no different. Your July Cour...

This morning, the ocean gifted me a miracle. There’s a reason I run this 3km stretch of beach at dawn—it’s where I recalibrate, where I ground myself, where I talk (and listen) to the Most High. The rhythm of the waves, the salt in the air, the sun painting the sky —it’s the place that I believed healed me and kept me during some of the toughest moments. But today, the ocean offered me a sacred lesson, courtesy of an old friend: Bobbi the leatherback turtle. Yes, I named her. Because this isn’t the first time we’ve met. But today? Today, I witnessed her entire ritual—the slow, deliberate crawl up the sand, the digging of the nest, the laying of her eggs, the careful covering of her treasure, and finally, her exhausted but determined return to the sea. All while the sun rose behind her, as if the universe itself was bearing witness. The Art of Preparation Bobbi didn’t rush. Every movement was intentional—the way she used her flippers to carve out the perfect chamber, the precision with ...

D ear Woman, In a world that applauds the hustle and celebrates exhaustion, what if your strength was in the pause? My one-on-one coaching isn’t about performance.   It’s a sanctuary—an unfiltered space for you to show up exactly as you are. Not because something’s broken. But because something deeper is ready to rise. Together, we unpack the noise, the pressure, the stories.   We breathe. We reflect. We begin again—with clarity and calm. You’re already whole.   And there’s always more of you to discover. I’ve got space for you if you’re ready. → Book your one-on-one session here -  Link with Akosua Peace and Blessings Akosua   www.akosuadardaineedwards.com

  Your attention can be redirected in any moment, over and over. It is never too late to notice where your attention is going, to turn it in another direction if you need to. Lisa Olivera  There is a quiet voice within me that has always been there. It doesn’t shout or scold—it waits. It waits for me to pause, to notice, to listen. Every time I ignore it, the proverbial shit hits the fan Over the years, I’ve come to recognize this voice as my conscience—my inner compass and soul’s gentle guardian. What I’ve discovered is that when I block it out, when I override it or pretend I don’t hear, I begin to lose balance. I lose me. You see, the conscience is not alone on this sacred journey. It partners with intuition—that deep, knowing nudge that whispers, “Pay attention.” Intuition nudges, conscience confirms. Together, they ask that I not only listen, but honor what I feel. Not just what is right, but what is aligned. Not just what is good for others, but what is also good for me...

“ Low self-confidence isn’t a life sentence. Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered–just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better.” –Barrie Davenport People often ask how I speak so freely on stage, how I seem at ease in front of a crowd. The truth is, it’s not always easy. I’ve stood on stages with a calm face and trembling hands. I’ve looked out into audiences with a voice that wavered—then steadied—not because I was born with unshakable confidence, but because I made the choice to build it. Confidence, for me, isn’t something you have —it’s something you create . It’s forged through doing the scary things, showing up prepared, silencing the inner doubt, and choosing belief over fear again and again. I wanted to be a speaker. I wanted to share the wisdom, the mistakes, and the magic from my journey. And wanting it meant doing the work. I started small: running a 5K even when my legs and my mind protested. Speaking...

  "Life delights in surprises and specializes in uncertainty. Change is the price of admission for this wild ride called being alive " Akosua Dardaine  The energy inside the Winnifred Atwell Hall was electric. The graduating class of St. Francois Girls’ College entered with poise and pride—uniforms crisp, hair styled, faces lit with anticipation. Their excitement was palpable, each step echoing years of hard work, commitment, and personal growth. What struck me most was not just the formalities of the ceremony, but the way they celebrated one another. When awards were announced, performances delivered, or pans played, the room erupted—not a single cheer was held back. It was pure, unfiltered joy. That deep sense of community and shared success reminded me of a truth I often speak about: the journey is as sacred as the destination. Milestones like these are layered with lessons—not just for the graduates, but also for their parents, guardians, and teachers who walked alongside...

  " Those who disappointed you have been instrumental in forging you into the person you are today, my love. They forced you to find love elsewhere because they simply did not have it for you. They pushed you to either die of sadness or go on a journey to the center, to the true source of love. They made you find your own ground of being. They built the cathedral of your heart with you — and yes, even for you." Elizabeth Gilbert I have learnt- it took me a while, that there is a quiet wisdom in heartbreak, in unmet expectations, in the pain of realizing that those we love—those who once claimed to love us—could not always meet us where we stood.  It is tempting to dwell on the disappointment, the grief, the lingering ache of rejection. But what if every one of these moments, every wound, every act of abandonment was part of a divine design? Elizabeth Gilbert’s words linger in my mind: “They built the cathedral of your heart with you — and yes, even for you.” What if those ex...

  " When the moment comes, learn to live beyond the expectations that you once had for yourself. Have faith and believe in yourself because it's the consistency with which you act on your vision that enables them to transform from vision to reality"  Brianna Wiest  There comes a time when you sit with your own reflection and ask: What do I truly expect of myself?  For years, I may have carried expectations rooted in survival, in proving, in striving. But today, I choose differently. Today, I expect to be of service to this world—to show up with open hands and an open heart. I expect to leave wherever I am better than I found it, whether that be a place, a conversation, or a person. I expect to be great—not for the sake of grandeur, but because honoring myself demands nothing less. I expect to make choices that reflect who I truly am, not who I was told to be. I expect to give myself grace in the moments I fall short, and to remind myself that growth isn’t a straight...

You have power, power of the Most High not the change the weather maybe not to bend time but to choose what you believe and right there that’s the key because what  you believe becomes the house you live in - Maya Angelou  Transition. It is bound to happen. It is woven into the fabric of life, an inescapable force that moves us forward, whether we feel ready or not. And yet, so often, we resist. We hesitate. We grip tightly to what is familiar, fearing what lies ahead. Why is it so challenging? Why do we resist? Is it the uncertainty? The unknown? The loss of control? I have learned that resisting life's transitions brings us undue suffering.  That is not to say there is no pain or discomfort in the process. Resisting what is, creates tension between what is and what we wish it to be. And yet, in every transition, there is an invitation—an opportunity to trust, to prepare, to step into a deeper version of ourselves. The Art of Preparation There is no handbook for navigati...

“ Words have wings, they are not vibrations in the air. They build, they break, they become the architecture of our reality.” Maya Angelou  Words are not just sounds carried by the wind—they shape, they construct, they define. They are the blueprint of our lives, the foundation upon which our dreams stand or crumble. Every word we speak carries weight, intention, and energy. And when we are pursuing our goals, when we are walking in our purpose, the words we choose become even more critical. This is the lesson that resonated with me over the last few weeks. I have been noticing that my words - good and not so good- have played a huge part in manifesting the reality I now live in. The Power of Alignment I have come to believe, deeply and unwaveringly, that thoughts, words, and actions must align. When they do, movement happens—swiftly, effortlessly, powerfully. It is as if the universe conspires to clear the path ahead, removing obstacles, opening doors, and ushering us forward. Bu...

There are places in the world that don’t just invite you to visit—they demand that you surrender, listen, and become part of their rhythm. Portland, Jamaica, is one of those places. Away from the crowded beaches and tourist hubs, its hills hold whispers of Maroon history, its rivers wind through stories of resilience, and its waterfalls flow with a quiet kind of magic. On this trip—an escape off the beaten path—I found myself answering a call I hadn’t expected. With the expert guide of Teika of Being Jamaican, I was transported into a place and space that I did not know I needed. Facing the Water I have always admired waterfalls from a distance, content to soak in their beauty without surrendering to their depth. Fish Dunn was different. It wasn’t just another stunning cascade; it was a series of intimate pools, each one inviting yet unfamiliar. I hesitated at the edge, feet skimming the water, heart racing with the familiar pulse of fear. Teika's  from Being Jamaican, said: “Hold ...

  "As the illusion of Control As Safety falls, I’m finding myself more and more drawn to finding safety right inside of the storm, right in the middle of the mystery, right alongside the sheer unpredictability of everything." Lisa Olivera June always arrives to me  like a doorway, standing between the past and the future, inviting me to pause, reflect, and embrace the unfolding road ahead. Six months behind us, six months stretching forward. This year, I find myself standing at a crossroads, personally, professionally, and otherwise. The steady ground I once depended on has shifted, the familiar markers have faded, and certainty no longer holds the same weight. And yet, as Lisa Olivera beautifully describes, there is safety not just in control, but in surrendering to the mystery—standing right inside the storm rather than resisting it.   Endless possibility. Rather than fearing uncertainty, I am choosing to welcome it. The removal of the grants for the Nina program,...

  "When your safety once depended on being useful, agreeable, or invisible, you internalized harmful ideas, like: 'Don’t rock the boat.' 'Be grateful for any opportunity.' 'Give your best without expecting anything in return." — Dr. Mariel Burque   This quote stopped me in my tracks. Not because it was new information, but because it voiced an inner dialogue I’ve wrestled with for years.   As I transitioned into speaking, coaching, and providing online courses, the opportunities came fast. I found myself on TV interviews, podcasts, speaking panels—sharing my expertise with eager audiences. It felt like momentum. It felt validating. But something was missing.   While my calendar filled up, my bank account remained stagnant. The responses were familiar: "There’s no budget for speakers."  "It’s great exposure." And at first, I accepted it. Exposure was currency, or so I thought. Until the moment I asked myself—"what now?"   The F...

Over the weekend, I had the profound honor of witnessing and participating in a truly transformative experience—a Rite of Passage retreat with the inspiring young women of the Nina Young Women's Leadership Program. For the first time since leaving State care, these incredible ladies spent the night away, surrounded by the beauty of Tobago, embracing a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.   The retreat centered around *Roots and Wings*—a conversation about claiming our strengths and designing our flight paths. We explored what it means to stand firmly in our personal power and how to create a future shaped by intention and courage. We spoke of *Personal Hero stories*, reflecting on resilience, identity, and the narratives we choose to author for ourselves.   Beyond words, the weekend was an embodiment of freedom and connection. We walked horses to the ocean and stepped into the water with them, a moment symbolic of trust and surrender to the tides of change. We ...

You must learn to let your conscious decisions dictate your day - not your fears or impulses - Brianna Wiest Routine. The word alone tends to conjure images of monotony, predictability, and the opposite of spontaneity—the very things we’re told make up a “good life.” But what if the beauty of routine isn’t found in rigid repetition, but in the consistency of our commitment to it? What if our routines aren’t confining, but instead, liberating? Brianna Wiest once wrote, “Your habits create your mood, and your mood is a filter through which you experience your life.” That single thought has stayed with me, reshaping how I view the patterns I follow, the rhythms I create, and the impact they have on my mind, body, and spirit. My Routine, My Compass For me, routine is a sanctuary. I meditate daily, allowing silence to hold space for my thoughts. Three times a week, I lace up my gloves and let boxing teach me discipline through movement. Every Saturday, the ocean calls me, and I answer—letti...

Devotion begins at home, inside your own awareness .  Debbie Ford Growing up, the word “devotion” carried a very specific meaning—church services, prayers, scripture reading, and acts of faith performed in a church setting. It was structured, expected, and outwardly expressed. But as my  life unfolded, I learnt that  devotion is something far deeper and more intimate than physically going to a church to sit, pray, sing and praise. Devotion is the choice to be in full relationship with our own incarnation. It is the willingness to meet ourselves in every season, every lesson, every transformation. It is staying present—not just when life is clear and expansive, but also in moments of stillness, confusion, and contraction. To be devoted is to surrender—not in weakness, but in strength. It is the conscious decision to trust the unfolding, to listen to the inner guidance that calls us toward our soul’s purpose, and to accept life as it is, knowing that whatever comes, we will...