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

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...

  "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." – Wayne Dyer How I  see the world is shaped has been shaped by my experiences and mindset at any given moment. But what I have been learning lately is that sometimes  life calls for us to shift that perspective—to see beyond our current beliefs and expand into new ways of thinking. It’s never easy, and it often comes at a cost. Growth doesn’t just challenge our own inner narratives—it challenges the expectations others have for us. When we evolve, some people will resist, insisting, “You’ve changed,” as if change is a betrayal rather than a natural part of life. Some will see our transformation as an act of superiority rather than self-discovery. And that can be hard. But staying the same simply to keep others comfortable isn’t growth—it’s stagnation. And sometimes, the price of evolution is releasing relationships, expectations, and old versions of ourselves that no longer align with who we ...

Even people who have done great work on themselves will not be able to show up as the best version of themselves every hour of every single day . Stacey Hererra  Yesterday, I set out on a hike with one goal in mind: reaching the waterfall. I was prepared, determined, and excited. Step by step, I made my way up the trail, pushing through fatigue and undulating terrain. And then, near the top, just shy of the falls, I stopped. The rocks were slippery. I was alone. I considered taking the final steps but hesitated. Was I willing to take the risk? I sat there, surrounded by nature’s beauty, yet filled with disappointment. I judged myself—harshly. Thoughts of failure crept in: I should have pushed through. I should have made it. But then, something shifted. I looked around and saw the breathtaking view from where I was. I realized that there was beauty in this moment, too. My journey still mattered, even if I didn’t reach the final destination. Sometimes, arriving at a certain point and...

  This life holds so much. May we hold ourselves and each other gently. And may the miracles keep revealing themselves; may we keep finding them amid it all .  Lisa Olivera  Life, like a river, is ever-changing—never the same from one moment to the next. As we navigate the currents of uncertainty, we are invited to embrace the process of learning and unlearning, becoming and unbecoming, facing and feeling. It is not always easy. The water can be choppy, disorienting, overwhelming. Yet, just as a river has banks to lean on and rails to guide its flow, so too do we have sources of steadiness to turn to in times of transition. Over the past few years, I have witnessed this continuous ebb and flow—through jobs, relationships, and friendships that have mirrored back to me the undeniable truth that change is inevitable. The movement of the river does not stop for our doubts or fears. It finds its way around the rocks we place in its path: stubbornness, hesitation, resistance. A...

Make yourself a door through which to be hospitable, even to the stranger in you. Even to the one who still questions if you’ll ever feel okay, the one who still finds it hard to let okayness in when it’s here, the one who still needs your very own hand to hold it.  Lisa Olivera For years, I’ve asked myself the same haunting question: Is this enough? Am I enough? What is enough? It followed me through every challenge, every heartbreak, every moment that forced change upon me. Losing a job— Am I enough? Divorce— Am I enough? Rejection, new beginnings, stepping into the unknown— Am I enough? Every time I searched for the answer outside of myself, I ended up right back where I started. Exhausted. Worn down, Questioning my worth. Trying to prove something that was never in question to begin with. Enoughness isn’t found in achievement. It’s not measured by approval or success. It doesn’t live in external validation. It is, and always has been, within me. I was born enough. So, today...

We tend to think of intuition as a tool for answering practical questions: Should I take this job? Is this the right decision? We frame it as if it serves the rational world. But intuition is not a rational skill. When you treat it as one, you’re already misunderstanding it. Intuition is, in truth, a mystical capacity—one that calls for a different kind of listening, a different kind of knowing . Carolynn Myss  Carolyn Myss once said, "The only way to hold onto something is to give it a false value." This quote hit me differently when I realized how much I had been clinging to comfort—attaching meaning to people, places, and things in ways that kept me from moving forward.  I had been hesitant to do the work, stuck in doubt and fear, ignoring my intuition. But life has a way of pushing us forward, whether we're ready or not. Now, I find myself in a place where I must change: I must find another source of income. I must elevate the Nina program. I must grow. We hold onto t...