Akosua Dardaine Edwards's Blog, page 11

What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self Love

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Published on November 03, 2024 06:33

November we Balance the Wheel

In life, you're given the responsibility for yourself, and the opportunity to serve everyone else. True fulfillment and success arrives when you’ve achieved a balance between these two worlds . . .Guru Singh

My grandmother would say in response to the question "How are you?"

"My child I am holding on to the balance wheel and holding on to courage"

I would laugh, I had no idea what she meant and to ask would start a long conversation that I usually would not want to enter into especially as a teenager. My cousins and I would make fun of it, we would change it up, make variations, sing songs about it.

As I got older I started paying attention to it. I never did ask what it meant, I made up my own meaning and have been using that as a guide

I am living my life with balance and with courage no matter what comes my way.

An important question to ask yourself as you journey through November when faced with a decision "is this going to support balance in my life or will making this choice throw me off balance?"

Life is always reflecting whether we are in balance or not. It is up to us to pay attention. When we are living out of balance it shows up in what we do, it shows up in what happens around us. We get the opportunity to turn it around. Balance also reminds us that everything is temporary, fleeting and impermanent.

According to Hiro Boga "Sovereigntybegins with knowing who you are, in all your beauty and complexity; knowingyour soul’s true desires and capacities; understanding the nature of yourrelationships with all forms of life and your place in the great web of being;and living in harmony with your soul, and the soul of the world."

May your November be filled with balance and harmony.

Peace and Blessings

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Published on November 01, 2024 01:51

Journey to Cape Town Day - Day 10

When you have a decision to make, ask yourself does this keep me in balance or does this throw me off balance? Carolyn Myss

Cape Town continues to fascinate me with its beauty, its diversity, its history, its realness.

I made a decision to do a safari. Of course I did, why would I come to Africa and have an opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat and miss it?

The bus collected me in town at 6.30 as we set out on just over a two hour ride outside of the City of Cape town to the Aquila Game Reserve. The sun was just coming up over the mountains as we headed West. The clouds, the rising sun and mountains combining together made for a postcard setting as we drove towards the reserve.

The mountains started making way for rocky cliffs that looked almost hand made, like little huts with thatched roofs made out of stone on both sides of the road with vineyards in between. There was the choice of going through a tunnel cut amongst the mountainous cliffs or using the road over the mountain. The driver opted to go through the tunnel which made for its own adventure. Cutting through cliffs for 4 kilometres is not for the faint hearted. The tunnel was well kept, organised and allayed the fears that I had of being "underground" for such a lenght of time.

Arriving at the Aquila Game Reserve and greeted by colder breezes than I anticipated, I was so happy that I brought a jacket and a hat because, trust me, I did not expect freezing weather (at least by my Caribbean standards, anything under 15 degrees Celcius is freezing in my book)

They fed us, took care of us and then put us in the ranger vans as we set out to see the animals.

The game reserve is over 20,000 acres, and so very well put together with huts, luxury cabins, swimming pool, bar b que area and a spa AND enough land for the animals to roam. Perfect combination of harmony.

We set off on our dive and had the priveledge to see ostrich, rhinos, buffalo, zebra, springboks, elephant and of course the lions. The graceful and powerful lions, the personality of an elephant, the speed of the ostrich. I was in awe. Seeimg them in their habitat, sometimes together (except the Lions, who seems to not play well with others and sometimes themselves)

The Laws of Nature reminds me of balance, there is and must be balance. When there is no balance,in your life, in your decisions, situations that will reflect this. The beautiful thing is when we pay attention to our intution, to the divine guidance, we are led right back to balance. The Universe will continue to wait on you. As with every choice there are consequnces, when we continually choose to live out of balance or ignore the divine nudges there will be the consequence of greater challenges and a long lead time in learning what we need to know.

The lion eats every 3 days because that is the time it takes to digest its food, anything outside of that is out of balance - killing other animals and people for fun, sickness and sometimes death

The elephant tribe has rules, any elephant playing outside of the rules is banished - out of balance

And like with the animal kingdom, we need balance. Start with the simple things, sleep, food, connection, community, purpose and watch how it unfolds.

The safari reminded me that we can coexist with nature, learn from nature and yet at the same time enjoy it

Peace and Blessings

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Published on November 01, 2024 00:01

Journey to Cape Town Day - Day 9

Newsflash: Anger is spiritual too. Anger does two things: responds to real threats in your environment, or lets us know when a boundary has been crossed. The only time anger is unhealthy is when it is not expressed in the present. Your Spiritual Mermaid

I was scheduled to travel to Namibia on Monday morning. So excited, I was I could hardly sleep, the taxi was arranged to pick me up at the hotel at 5AM, I checked in online the night before (as you do with all that excitement) and waited to fly 2 hours to Nambia. It would be my first time in that country.

The taxi collected me, I checked in, got my boarding pass and as I was about to take my laptop out to scan a representative of the airline asked me to step out of the line as I was being flagged. He asked me if I had a visa.

"A visa?"

"No sir!"

"You need a visa to go to Nambia madam"

"Can I not get it there?"

"No maam"

"Step out of the line and come with me"

Now I was kicking myself, this trip has been organised since early August, and not one time did I think it was a good idea to check if a visa was required. I have travelled throughout the Continent many times and never required one so I assumed - Lesson number one is never to assume always ask.

I got out of the line accompanied the gentleman - who was very kind/ He gave me the options. I could get a visa, that would take some time, I could put my ticket on hold or I can change destinations. The lady at the counter , who was also very nice said to me "It is clear, you was not to go to Namibia, I don't know why, please don't beat up yourself, these things happen. People turn up without a passport, stay here and enjoy the time"

I needed to hear that - I was in solution mode, looking to "make this right and not fail" Lesson number two - surrender

In the end I decided to stay in Cape Town, hopped in a taxi and got back the same room at the same hotel that I checked out of earlier - seems like I was meant to be here.

I felt sad. Lesson number three - feel the feelings, let it pass through you. I would hurry or shall I say hustle to a solution and bypass the feeling. This time I sat in it and let it pass through me.

Last night as I sat down to write a blog for the SVRI Forum. I realised that I felt peaceful. It actually startled me - I did not go on this trip and I am at peace. This is so unlike me, I would be ruminating the reasons why, how can I make it better, how can I change it. I just sat there thinking - I am here and it is ok. Now what you gonna do?

Lesson number four - surrender brings a level of peace.

So here I am back in Cape Town for the next week, I am grateful, I am peaceful and I am ready for new experiences.

Peace and Blessings

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Published on October 29, 2024 01:58

Journey to Cape Town - Day 8

Today is a good day to learn, today is a good day to die - Prisoner on Robben Island

And just like that I have been in Cape Town South Africa for the past eight days. The Conference came to a spectacular close with a celebration and an opportunity to reflect on what was discussed and learned during the week, The last day offered another opportunity to meet in small groups to discuss innovative ways of philantropy and measurement of what works in giving grants to grassroots organisations and feminists/

Immediately after the last session on Friday, I rushed out to catch the views at sunset at Cape Point - This is where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meet, to see the pengiuns at Boulder Bay.

Natural beauty and landscapes speak to me like nothing else. To experience nature is both healing and a testament that there is something bigger than me. There is no competition amongst the sea and the treas, the sunsets and the clouds, they all co-exist in majesty. Seeing this is a wonderful reminder that we humans can also live this way.

Driving along the coast, seeing the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the dark green colours of the Indian ocean brought me a lvel of peace and gratitude. The opportunioty to witness this uo close and personal feels like a reboot. A remembrance that light and dark exists in me and there is no need to push one, hide the other or make them good and bad.

On Saturday I took the opportunity to visit Robben Island. This was used as a prison to house political prisoners during the apartheid regime the most fammous prison being the one of Nelson Mandela. Being a witness to what those men stood for left an indelible impression on me and I have been asking myself - What do I stand for? What will I fight for?

I also felt a pride in knowing that humans have the capacity to forgive and move on. Thank you Nelson Mnadela and all the politcal prisoners that were housed on Robben Island for the willingness to die for a cause.

Peace and Blessings

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Published on October 28, 2024 02:12

Journey to Cape Town - Day 5

Part of healing requires you to release your attachments—whether it’s to people, places, or even dreams you once held dear. This doesn’t mean you stop loving your family, friends, or those around you. Rather, it means learning to love them while also growing beyond the need to be tethered to them. Dr Robin Smith

Today we did a sacred circle. Women from Sri Lanka, South Africa, The UK, Vietnam, Australia, Kenya and of course Trinidad and Tobago sat together, made space and shared in a non judgemental space how they felt about doing "the work"

What is doing "the work"

Doing "the work" is

1. Radically accepting that we are born worthy

2. Giving ourselves grace in times of poor choices, being exausted and in feelings of defeat

3. Forgiving ourselves - as a practice rather than a one-off

4. Supporting each other through it all

5. Letting go of guilt and shame especially for things that were put on us by others

6. Telling the truth even when it is hard - being kind when speaking the truth to others

7. Resting - mind, body and soul

8. Trusting, respecting and honouring Self

9. Knowing when to release, surrender, walk away

10. Being Authentic

I left there thinking about the areas in which I still have some work to do, where I am doing well on the work scale and most importantly asking myself what are some of the things that I still have attachments to.

Peace and Blessings

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Published on October 24, 2024 12:27

Journey to Cape Town - Day 4

Forgiveness is for us, for ourselves - Robin

Today my day started off with a forgiveness session. What is a forgiveness session? I sat with a counsellor and we talked about forgiveness for about thirty minutes before I proceeded to make my presentation.

I thought that this was a brilliant addition to the day's activities, I did not even realise that I was holding on to all this resentment - both to myself and others.

At the end of the session, I came up with a declaration

South Africa 2024- Forgiveness Declaration

So...

It really is an inside job

Balance IT

Your work is to Let go, accept, be content in the now, with where you are, be grateful

Your work is to forgive

I Akosua now declare

1. To allow myself grace

2. To take a sacred pause before choosing

3. To stop people pleasing and performing

4. To be honest and authentic

5. To forgive Self and others

6. To let people BE

7. To be Kind

Peace and Blessings

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Published on October 23, 2024 12:07

Journey to Cape Town - Day 3

Our hearts, our minds, our bodies deserve all equal treatment

One woman said today that all women have a story about a man that is a threatening or a scary story, whether it is an intimate one or one of walking down a street and having a fear of being attacked. I sat there and thought, this is also my experience, there is in my experience a story of fear around men. Starting off the day like that is truly an eye opener. I mean after all, I am at form that discusses violence against women and girls. Its a stark reality/

I love that there is yoga, counselling, visualization sessions built in to allow for sharing, decompression and a reminder that we are not what we do or defined by it. Brilliant addition.

I made a decision to remain open this week, to be more friendly and outgoing, Rather than just remain quiet, cut conversations and do nothing new. With that, I have sat at the front of the sessions, spoken to more people one on one and did a magazine interview improptu! Proud of myself for sitting in the discomfort of the newness.

What new decision can you make today to stretch and grow yourself?

Peace and Blessings

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Published on October 22, 2024 06:37

Journey to Cape Town - DAY 2

Gratitude doesn’t send you out shopping to find satisfaction; it comes as a gift rather than a commodity.Robin Wall Kimmerer

After just over 26 hours of flying I arrived in Cape Town on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. Quite a long haul to get here, I felt a sense of excitement, gratitude and relief having reached to the hotel.

Cape Town is a beautiful and orderly city, having the famous Table Mountain as the backdrop never get's old. The winds were gusty and that made the sunshine almost disappear into cold winds. I was determinded to walk to the Waterfront to take in the sights and get soomething to eat, despite the winds, the cold and my lack of proper attire - Lesson one - Check the weather forecast especially when you are asked about it.

Hotel Sky is a perfect location, the Waterfront is nearby as well as the Cape Town Conference Centre is literally accross the road.

I ventured out with as much layers as possible to check out the sights and get something to eat, the wind was literlaly pushing me and helping me along. I was determined to cope with it. The walk to the waterfront was refreshing, the sun was setting mixed with the clouds of Table Mountain, made for a postcard photo. I took in a short cultural performance, had a coffee and started venturing back to the hotel. The place was now colder with the wind blowing even harder. I started walking so fast, almost running next thing I remember is me being picked up by two men from off the floor, my hand was bleeding, my lip was busted and my knees were burning. How???

The two kind men asked me if I was ok. If I could walk, but what I thought was the most important question was " What is on your mind, where was your head?" Exactly sir! I said to him, I just wanted to get out of this cold wind. I started hobbling back, blood was dripping. I started looking for a coffee shop or something of the sort to go inside to use the bathroom. I saw one, it was packed as a live band was playing and the people were jam packed and well into it - their hands were up in the air, singing loudly, swaying. I found a spot to get to the bar, grabbed a few napkins and left. My knees wewre throbbingm my hands had multiple cuts and bruises.

I had to have a serious talk with myself - Day 1 you fall? How? At least you can walk, there goes all your plans of running along the waterfront on the morning, then heading to the gym, hiking and on and on. Wait. this could be worse, be grateful that it isn't

I managed to hobble back to the hotel, hoping that I had bandages and some semblance of a first ain in my bags. I just had 2 bandaids. This would have to do at 8pm. My knees and wrists were on fire, the cut on my lip seemed to be less of a problem - more good news. I am willing to take all the good news that I can get at this moment. I patched up one knee and went to bed. I kept talking to myself about acceptance of what is and looking for the gratitude and good, focusing on that rather than feeling sorry for myself.

As the morning dawned, the knew felt a lot better, my wrist though was a hot mess. I have to register and meet the committments of my contract while I am here and I intend to.

Stay tuned...

Peace and Blessings

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Published on October 21, 2024 03:24

Day 1 - Journey to Cape Town South Africa

What's making you into the person you're going to be? - Briana Wiest

During the period 19th October to 4th November I will be in Cape Town, South Africa at the SVRI Forum 2024. The opportunity to share and learn among practioners from accross the globe on programes and research on gender issues is an unbelievable opprtunity. I was absolutely over the moon to be be invited to share the lessons learnt on the Nina Young Women's Leadership Program. and in one of the most beautiful cities that I have ever visited. I do feel a tinge of sadness going back as this will be the first time returning to South Africa since my sister friend Kele passed away in 2023. When I would visit South Africa in previous years, she would always take such good care of me, we would have tons of fun - she taught me about seizing the moment and being present to take advantage of all and any opportunities that would present itself,

The literal journey is a long one, I leave Port of Spain Trinidad on Friday night and arrive in Cape Town on Sunday afternoon. Passing through Houston and Washington DC will be a first.

Look out for the highlights of the trip, send me any recommendations and anything you want to know about as I spend the next few days in South Africa and Namibia,

Peace and Blessings

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What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self Love

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