Akosua Dardaine Edwards's Blog, page 111
July 31, 2018
NiNa Vacation Camp - Day 7
“None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” —Fred De Witt Van Amburgh
The young ladies were excited to have a graduation off site, they planned the programe, they wanted to decorate the place, to shop for the decorations, to have music, and to dress nicely with makeup. The buzz was contagious. On the day they all looked so beautiful, they showed up all dressed up with a level of excitement that hung in the air.
They really stepped up, they sang, they said poems, they danced, as they said "nervous and frightened" but they did it despite the fear! I looked on in admiration at their courage
A few of the supporters showed up and got an opportunity to see how their dollars were spent, I appreciated the support
The mentors were wonderful!
The two angels who showed up to give this thing wings, were as susual, present, supportive and accepting- I appreciate them so much
I must say that this is always a highlight of my year, no matter what I do and where I am
Peace
The young ladies were excited to have a graduation off site, they planned the programe, they wanted to decorate the place, to shop for the decorations, to have music, and to dress nicely with makeup. The buzz was contagious. On the day they all looked so beautiful, they showed up all dressed up with a level of excitement that hung in the air.
They really stepped up, they sang, they said poems, they danced, as they said "nervous and frightened" but they did it despite the fear! I looked on in admiration at their courage
A few of the supporters showed up and got an opportunity to see how their dollars were spent, I appreciated the support
The mentors were wonderful!
The two angels who showed up to give this thing wings, were as susual, present, supportive and accepting- I appreciate them so much
I must say that this is always a highlight of my year, no matter what I do and where I am
Peace
July 30, 2018
NiNa Vacation Camp - Day 6
“
Make a pact with yourself today to not be defined by your past. Sometimes the greatest thing to come out of all your hard work isn't what you get for it, but what you become for it. Shake things up today! Be You...Be Free...Share.”
Steve Maraboli
Today the young ladies were scheduled to do their pitches for the judges- they were supposed to pitch their idea and receive feedback from the judges
They were all nervous
They were on edge
Then an argument broke out
They decided that they were not going to do the pitch
flow
Anger flared up
OMG I thought, this is a test!
I sat down and spoke to them and asked them do the pitch as a favour to me because I trust them and know that they can do it
They did it and they were absolutely fabulous
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be around them.
They are so real, so unfiltered, so genuine
it reminds me that one of the qualities that aid in living a life on purpose is authenticity
and I thank them for that
Peace
Today the young ladies were scheduled to do their pitches for the judges- they were supposed to pitch their idea and receive feedback from the judges
They were all nervous
They were on edge
Then an argument broke out
They decided that they were not going to do the pitch
flow
Anger flared up
OMG I thought, this is a test!
I sat down and spoke to them and asked them do the pitch as a favour to me because I trust them and know that they can do it
They did it and they were absolutely fabulous
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be around them.
They are so real, so unfiltered, so genuine
it reminds me that one of the qualities that aid in living a life on purpose is authenticity
and I thank them for that
Peace
July 27, 2018
NiNa Vacation Camp - Day 5
“
Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.”
– Ann Landers
I have heard it before, you may have also heard it before as well - Love is the answer.
Total cliche - this was my perception when I heard people say it. Now I can tell you with absolute certaintly that I believe it, I believe that love is indeed the answer.
Love - wanting nothing from another person, wanting only the best for them, holding no ill will or malice
Spending the week with these young ladies whose stories vary from not knowing their parents, from knowing their parents but not living with them for a variety of reasons, from the "bad girls" and the list goes on and on to the break of dawn. Spending this week with them made me know for sure that in our actions which show them that we want only the best for them and nothing in return has been the answer
The answer to the anxiety
The answer to the building of trust
The answer to the the uncertainty
When someone feels loved, they feel safe, they feel needed, they feel supported
and if all I can do is show some love then I have done something
I cannot solve their problems, nor can I make them go away but what I can do is let them know that there are some people they know who love them regardless of what has happened in the past
and that is an answer
Peace
I have heard it before, you may have also heard it before as well - Love is the answer.
Total cliche - this was my perception when I heard people say it. Now I can tell you with absolute certaintly that I believe it, I believe that love is indeed the answer.
Love - wanting nothing from another person, wanting only the best for them, holding no ill will or malice
Spending the week with these young ladies whose stories vary from not knowing their parents, from knowing their parents but not living with them for a variety of reasons, from the "bad girls" and the list goes on and on to the break of dawn. Spending this week with them made me know for sure that in our actions which show them that we want only the best for them and nothing in return has been the answer
The answer to the anxiety
The answer to the building of trust
The answer to the the uncertainty
When someone feels loved, they feel safe, they feel needed, they feel supported
and if all I can do is show some love then I have done something
I cannot solve their problems, nor can I make them go away but what I can do is let them know that there are some people they know who love them regardless of what has happened in the past
and that is an answer
Peace
July 26, 2018
NiNa Vacation Camp - Day 4
Learn to ask for what you really want
- Iyanla Vanzant
These young ladies are bold, they are unfiltered, they ask for what they want regardless of how it sounds, how it comes across and how anyone feels about it
They just ask and ask and ask until someone says stop!
I love how they just ask! A reminder to self, that if I don't ask for what I really want chances are I would only get what others think I want and what others want to give
Today the girls cooked my favourite food for breakfast! Love over Love times Love
Peace
These young ladies are bold, they are unfiltered, they ask for what they want regardless of how it sounds, how it comes across and how anyone feels about it
They just ask and ask and ask until someone says stop!
I love how they just ask! A reminder to self, that if I don't ask for what I really want chances are I would only get what others think I want and what others want to give
Today the girls cooked my favourite food for breakfast! Love over Love times Love
Peace
July 25, 2018
NiNa Vacation Camp - Day 3
When emotions are suppressed they become frozen in your body and start eating cellular structure. This is responsible for all emotional pain – including guilt, shame, anger, seeing how unharmful emotion is. You resist
in the moment the emotions appear they have no power. Thus is the importance of feeling feeling when coming aware of them, not suppressing.
Suppression is doing anything other than feeling. When suppressing you blind yourself from seeing ACIM
Two of the young ladies did not return for the second day. One of them told me that she would not be coming back after the first day, that she was bored. The other one did not say anything.
There is usually a story behind us all, and I truly believe that there is power in our story depending on how we choose to tell it.
I wanted her to return after getting the story however, if we are not ready, there is no one who can make us or take us to the point of readiness.
She had never been to school. She did not know how to write, She could not do the journalling exercise. She was not interested in anything where she had to write - to show others that she had this weakness
She was strong, a rugby player, her weight was her advantage, she used it as such - and sometimes destructively.
I don't know if we will ever see her again but what I do know is that I will continue to be an example to the one's that did show up and remember not to judge anyone because I don't know the full story
I know that if I get an oppotunity to see her again my approach will be different given my new lessons
Peace
www.akosuadardaineedwards.com
Suppression is doing anything other than feeling. When suppressing you blind yourself from seeing ACIM
Two of the young ladies did not return for the second day. One of them told me that she would not be coming back after the first day, that she was bored. The other one did not say anything.
There is usually a story behind us all, and I truly believe that there is power in our story depending on how we choose to tell it.
I wanted her to return after getting the story however, if we are not ready, there is no one who can make us or take us to the point of readiness.
She had never been to school. She did not know how to write, She could not do the journalling exercise. She was not interested in anything where she had to write - to show others that she had this weakness
She was strong, a rugby player, her weight was her advantage, she used it as such - and sometimes destructively.
I don't know if we will ever see her again but what I do know is that I will continue to be an example to the one's that did show up and remember not to judge anyone because I don't know the full story
I know that if I get an oppotunity to see her again my approach will be different given my new lessons
Peace
www.akosuadardaineedwards.com
July 24, 2018
NiNa Vacation Programme Day 2
What Did I Learn Today?You want to serve?
Forget your regimens & lists .
Be very still and lean in to listen.
& then it will be very clear what to do when you know the Truth.
You will let your heart blaze.
& your solutions will be fierce with Love, fast with delivery, & sustaining.You will walk into any room & you will bring joy to bear on the situation.
& it will sound like this:I am listening.
I know who I am.
I honour you
I do my best
there is nothing to prove
& I am here to serve10 young ladies
6 mentors (past participants)
2 Angels( Patricia & Avinash)
1 true blue supporter from day 1 (Karel Mc)
because...
respect for those who came before me & paid for my ticket to roam freeDay 2
July 23, 2018
NiNa Vacation Programme - Day 1
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
It's about that time again! The annual NiNa Vacation Camp has rolled around again.
This week 10 young ladies from the St Jude's Home for Girls come together with the aim of taking a business idea and pitching it to a panel of judges, in between there are some motivational speeches and a field trip or two.
This would not be possible without a couple of angels
Ms Patricia Ready Toby and Mr Avinash Ramsubhag and all the other speakers who come and volunteer their time freely. I am always eager to be here because I do learn so much from being around these young ladies, it is indeed a pleasure to be a part of this movement
Looking forward to all the lessons on this Journey
Peace
It's about that time again! The annual NiNa Vacation Camp has rolled around again.
This week 10 young ladies from the St Jude's Home for Girls come together with the aim of taking a business idea and pitching it to a panel of judges, in between there are some motivational speeches and a field trip or two.
This would not be possible without a couple of angels
Ms Patricia Ready Toby and Mr Avinash Ramsubhag and all the other speakers who come and volunteer their time freely. I am always eager to be here because I do learn so much from being around these young ladies, it is indeed a pleasure to be a part of this movement
Looking forward to all the lessons on this Journey
Peace
July 21, 2018
Live Your Life in Simple Sentences
Live your life in simple sentences of what is now. Identify where you are going now! If you continue to talk about what no longer is, you allow it to continue. Focus on what you desire. Clarify what you need to do to make it happen. Look forward rather than backward. Describe your past in simple sentences. Look for the clear and simple lessons. Be open and receptive to the pure and simple blessings.
Iyanla Vanzant
This morning as I was writing in my journal - a morning ritual, I had one of those moments!
The penny dropping ones, the type that happens where in my mind the heavens open up and says "Yes!!! this is what I have been telling you all along"
As a speaker, there are times when I am called upon to speak impromtu, no advance notice or preparation. Confessions on the Journey - this scares the holy shite out of me! I get quite nervous, to the point of blank! nothing, nada!
Yesterday I was at a workshop and this happened, I had to get it together! Then someone I know quite was in the exact position and guess what? just like that...boom! They got up and spoke like a badass boss.
Ok, I thought, what's different?
Self Belief!
Walking through the fear knowing, with unwavering faith that all will be well
So this morning I am on the proch writing in my journal and it hit me..badaow!
Speak slowly, think about what you want to say, not about the fear, think about now, not what happened the last time and all the other noise that I allow that prevents me from focusing on the NOW!
Simple right?
How many times we find ourselves in a moment we focus on what happened the last time we in a similar situation, we focus on what other people may be thinking and saying (as if we could read minds), we focus on the story that we want to tell - and not the one where we are the hero but where we blame and victimise and be the victim?
Rather than that why don't we focus on living in simple sentences of where we are and what we want?
Focus - it is a fertilizer - an organic one
makes stuff grow, so be careful what you put your fertilizer in
Peace
This morning as I was writing in my journal - a morning ritual, I had one of those moments!
The penny dropping ones, the type that happens where in my mind the heavens open up and says "Yes!!! this is what I have been telling you all along"
As a speaker, there are times when I am called upon to speak impromtu, no advance notice or preparation. Confessions on the Journey - this scares the holy shite out of me! I get quite nervous, to the point of blank! nothing, nada!
Yesterday I was at a workshop and this happened, I had to get it together! Then someone I know quite was in the exact position and guess what? just like that...boom! They got up and spoke like a badass boss.
Ok, I thought, what's different?
Self Belief!
Walking through the fear knowing, with unwavering faith that all will be well
So this morning I am on the proch writing in my journal and it hit me..badaow!
Speak slowly, think about what you want to say, not about the fear, think about now, not what happened the last time and all the other noise that I allow that prevents me from focusing on the NOW!
Simple right?
How many times we find ourselves in a moment we focus on what happened the last time we in a similar situation, we focus on what other people may be thinking and saying (as if we could read minds), we focus on the story that we want to tell - and not the one where we are the hero but where we blame and victimise and be the victim?
Rather than that why don't we focus on living in simple sentences of where we are and what we want?
Focus - it is a fertilizer - an organic one
makes stuff grow, so be careful what you put your fertilizer in
Peace
July 19, 2018
Take the Next Step
So if you're at a cross roads, if you're doubting your choices, if you're confused about what's next...close your eyes or open a journal and ask her...that future self one year, five years, twenty years or beyond...ask for the help, the wisdom and the encouragement to take the step.
Maxie McCoy
Have you ever been thrown in on the deep end of something, either because you wanted to solve a problem or someone decided that the reward for your good work is more work? And here is the clincher, you probably have never done any of the tasks that you have been asked or have little skills in the area.
What do you do?
How do you feel?
Confessions on the Journey- I feel scared, just a tad bit!
So what do you do?
I feel all the feelings
I get prepared, I do the work and I go brave- full on work
What would you do?
Peace
Have you read any of Akosua's work?What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self LoveNyabo (Madam) - Why Are You Here?Daily Lessons on the Journey - A Journal
Follow Akosua onTwitterInstagramFacebook
Have you ever been thrown in on the deep end of something, either because you wanted to solve a problem or someone decided that the reward for your good work is more work? And here is the clincher, you probably have never done any of the tasks that you have been asked or have little skills in the area.
What do you do?
How do you feel?
Confessions on the Journey- I feel scared, just a tad bit!
So what do you do?
I feel all the feelings
I get prepared, I do the work and I go brave- full on work
What would you do?
Peace
Have you read any of Akosua's work?What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self LoveNyabo (Madam) - Why Are You Here?Daily Lessons on the Journey - A Journal
Follow Akosua onTwitterInstagramFacebook
July 16, 2018
Remain open
I will gain more understanding when I realize...as long as I have an emotional attachment to a goal, I am attached to the fear of not achieving the goal.
Iyanla Vanzant
My disappointment always comes with having a particular attachment to how something must look. I want it a certain way at a certain time
Or sometimes I want it to look like it did in the past
Or sometimes I want certain people to be involved or notice
Or sometimes I want the thing to end sooner than it has to
Attachment to the way things look and how it is supposed to be is different that setting a goal/having a vision and working it
Once the work has been done, the faith has been activiated, the self belief has been tapped into, you are on the right path. Things may show up in ways you would never ever ever imagine.
Do not block the flow by wanting it to be one way, remain open and willing to have things on the road to where you are going look different, feel different, be different!
These past few weeks, raising funds for the NiNa Programme have reinforced these lessons
I wanted a couple corporate sponsors, I wanted to have the cash now so I could be morecomfortable as this is the week before it begins, I wanted to have more time to plan and speak to people, but alas, as soon as I let go of all of these attachments of how it is supposed to look and feel and what happened last time, I realised and confirmed to myself that no matter what, this thing is happening
I also have some angels who support and assist me in ways I cannto even describe- from their heart too!
So as much as we want something, we must remember that there are many different ways to achieve it, many different avenues. Be open to the many possibilities, do the work, have the faith and watch how it all unfolds
Peace
Have you read any of Akosua's work?What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self LoveNyabo (Madam) - Why Are You Here?Daily Lessons on the Journey - A Journal
Follow Akosua onTwitterInstagramFacebook
My disappointment always comes with having a particular attachment to how something must look. I want it a certain way at a certain time
Or sometimes I want it to look like it did in the past
Or sometimes I want certain people to be involved or notice
Or sometimes I want the thing to end sooner than it has to
Attachment to the way things look and how it is supposed to be is different that setting a goal/having a vision and working it
Once the work has been done, the faith has been activiated, the self belief has been tapped into, you are on the right path. Things may show up in ways you would never ever ever imagine.
Do not block the flow by wanting it to be one way, remain open and willing to have things on the road to where you are going look different, feel different, be different!
These past few weeks, raising funds for the NiNa Programme have reinforced these lessons
I wanted a couple corporate sponsors, I wanted to have the cash now so I could be morecomfortable as this is the week before it begins, I wanted to have more time to plan and speak to people, but alas, as soon as I let go of all of these attachments of how it is supposed to look and feel and what happened last time, I realised and confirmed to myself that no matter what, this thing is happening
I also have some angels who support and assist me in ways I cannto even describe- from their heart too!
So as much as we want something, we must remember that there are many different ways to achieve it, many different avenues. Be open to the many possibilities, do the work, have the faith and watch how it all unfolds
Peace
Have you read any of Akosua's work?What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self LoveNyabo (Madam) - Why Are You Here?Daily Lessons on the Journey - A Journal
Follow Akosua onTwitterInstagramFacebook
