Akosua Dardaine Edwards's Blog, page 117

May 5, 2018

Spicing up the Spice Isle - Day 5

Love as a tool for Disruption - Layla Saad

The workshops are finished. A group of 15 people from all over the Caribbean came together this week under the PISCES project, with the aim of improving communities and lives. Nothing much more makes me happier. The sessions were long but fun, the people were knowledable and lovely. The co-facilitators were excellent, I love working with Keisha, I learn so much from her and give thanks for the opportunity to be able to do sessions with and spend time with her.

After the workshops, the readings began, I was grateful for all present. I had fun. I learnt that I must market my programmes more agressively and sometimes differently in different markets. I learnt that taking the country's culture into consideration is important, I learnt that I must show up with my whole self no matter who is in the audience, I learnt to expect the unexpected and handle it
I learnt that there is room for everyone on the planet to do their thing, we all contribute to the whole.
Back to Trinidad Today!
Peace



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Published on May 05, 2018 14:45

May 4, 2018

Spicing up the Spice Isle - Day 4

There's been so many things that's held us down
But now it looks like things are finally comin' around
I know we've got, a long long way to go
And where we'll end up, I don't know

But we won't let nothin' hold us back
We're putting our selves together
We're polishing up our act!
If you felt we've been held down before

I know you'll refuse to be held down anymore!
Don't you let nothing, nothing
Stand in your way! Ain't No Stopping Us Now



Yesterday we went to the other side of the island, visited a sea moss farm and a comunity business. Both having massive impact on the community. To see the people in their element was a treat, it was inspiring, it was educational, it was an eye opener. I always admire anyone who go after their dreams no matter what!? Everytime I meet any one I like that I get a little bit more courage to live my best life, this is one of the main reasons I go, and it is always a bonus to support our brothers and sisters
So thank you to Wilan Andrew od W Andrew and Associates Seamoss Enterprises and Gouyave Fish Friday Association for sharing lessons on the Journey


Today is also the book reading..... excited!


Peace


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Published on May 04, 2018 04:38

May 3, 2018

Spicing up The Spice Isle - Day 3

the reality is, I want to share my work in a BIG way! And I want to be brave enough to step out on the edge with the hard stuff. That means my chances of messing up are high, so instead of avoiding the hard, scary stuff, I’ve got to be willing to stay open and learn from others. Sara Alvarado

Fear - what a hell of a thing! I keep myself in a box because of fear, this feeling reared it's head here on the Spice Isle in two instances
I walked to the beach, I mean out of a post card, white sands, blue water, empty beach, I looked at it lovingly but I would never step in the water! It scares me shitless!
When I was younger I almost drowned twice, the feeling of helplessness, I never let it go. It still lives within me, on top of that, I have a fear of wearing a swimsuit, yup there it is, I said it! I feel soooooo naked and judged, I know I know It is all me and in my head, still holding on to those fears which has me missing out on white sandy beaches all over the world!
The other fear, a woman told me at the workshop yesterday that she uses the TedTalk that I had the absolute priveledge delivering and What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self Love - the book that I also had to absolute priveledge in writing - as part of her tools when she delivers programmes to young ladies. It blew me away and I got scared too. What if it does not help them? Wht if they rebel against using it? What if, What if, What if!
Fear! 
If I want my message and journeys shared I must be willing to step out of these comfort zones, so with you, what boxes are you still in because of fear? In what ways are you holding yourself back?
After processing all the what if's in my mind - that took about 3 minutes, I told her thank you and smiled. 
Peace
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Published on May 03, 2018 05:06

May 2, 2018

Spicing Up The Spice Isle Day 2

Little things seem nothing, but they give peace, like those meadow flowers which individually seem odorless but all together perfume the air . Georges Bernanos

Grenada is lovely, the laid back vibe is unmissable, the people are friendly and the hotel that put us up is just fabulous! And it is close to the beach - nothing beats that!

I took the opportunity to run to the beach this morning at 6am, to my surprise the beach was full of people, seems as though it was a senior citizens party that was either starting or continuing. Senior citizens were there having a good time. I smiled at the scenes, I smiled because the simple things can bring us so much joy, nature, the beach, good friends, companionship! The little things are usually the big things
The excitement they were giving off made me stop to watch them further, and I smiled more
What a great simple way to start my day
I will be co-facilitating a workshop today, giving thanks for the oportunity to share lessons on the journey

Peace
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Published on May 02, 2018 04:17

May 1, 2018

Spicing up the Spice Isle

Enjoy the Journey because you are always where you are meant to be - Mayam Hasnaa



At this said moment I am waiting on a taxi to take me to the airport to catch a flight to Grenada. They call it the Spice Island - only because they have a history of nutmeg, clove and other natural spices that grow in abundance! Yeah, really, that is the only reason it is referred to as the Spice Isle!

I will be there this week facilitating sessions on rural development on behalf of an NGO called CANARI, and on the last day I do a reading. I am excited to visit, this will be the second time that I will be on the island. The first time I was there I absolutely fell in love with the place, the people, the nature, the beaches. Absolutely stunning. I have committed myself to making time to run on mornings on the beach and to taking advantage of being close to all the nature

So, let me get going, the taxi soon come!
Catch you on the flip side
Peace


Have You Read Any of Akosua's Books?

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

Nyabo (Madam) Why Are You Here?

Daily Lessons on the Journey - A Journal




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Published on May 01, 2018 05:41

April 30, 2018

Comfort Zone Smashed...Again

Whenever you feel uncomfortable, instead of retreating back into your old comfort zone, pat yourself on the back and say, “I must be growing,” and continue moving forward.”  – T. Harv Eker

Another comfort zone smashed again. I received a call late on Saturday evening to appear on a very popular morning radio programme. I was apprehensive as I do not consider myself an expert on the topic of "Girls Sex Ed in Schools" the producer told me to share my views.
So, I listened to the lessons that I have learnt on the journey to "show up as myself" 
At first I was a bit slow, I lost my train of thought, I thought that the ground would open up and swallow me, I paused, relaxed and got into it after! I did not let the slip deter me from not only showing up, but also having fun! And I did have fun.

Peace




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Published on April 30, 2018 10:50

April 28, 2018

Comfort Zones Smashed

When Was The Last Time You Did Something For the First Time? Anonymous


Today I participated in an event called "Ole Mas" it is a historical event held in Trinidad and Tobago where people dress up in costumes and give social commentary on issies affecting the world and the country in a comical fashion.
I have never done it before, it always looked like it took courage and balls really!

So when a friend asked me to participate, I was giving tons of excuses about why and why not and maybe or maybe not
Then when I sat and gave it further thought, I said to myself
Self, don't you want to be more courageus? - Yes
Don't you want to smash comfort zones? - Yes
Don't you want to meet new people? - Yes
Don't you want to see what is on the other side of fear? - Yes

After that conversation with self I decided to say yes
What absolute fun I had! It was a blast and I was able to support my friend in her endeavour
We even won a trophy, a bottle of wine and a hamper!
Not bad right?

Comfort zones smashed
and I am still alive!
How many times do we just say through fear and habit?
Either way, the experience will be lessons and all things are lessons that God would have us learn
Peace
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Published on April 28, 2018 17:46

April 27, 2018

Wanting....

Wanting is universal. We all have something we want. Sometimes those wants are huge and overwhelming. Sometimes, those wants are simple and humbling. Regardless of what it is that we want, too much wanting can strangle the beauty in just being, in presence. Wanting can be a finely danced balance. But if you do a few things right, you'll experience more of what it is that you want without being poisoned by the wanting . Maxie McCoy

Have you ever wanted anything so much that it hurt?
Have you ever wanted something so much that you felt that you would lose your mind?
Have you ever wanted a thing so badly that you deserted all manner of common sense?
Yes, my friends, the Universal wanting! What do you do when the Universal wanting takes over?

My top 5 tips

1. Know your Why- Why is the want so pressing

2. Patience. Patience. Patience.

4. Trust is essential

5. Take responsibility

6. Do the Work

Peace


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Published on April 27, 2018 09:47

Houston Day 5

Desperation is unstainable - Cheryl Strayed

Yesterday I felt desperate, I really did. All day meetings with the publishers did not yield the results that I believed would aid in the success of my trip! Desperation had me acting like a nutter! It was almost like a total out of body experience.
Desperation adds to reactionary behaviour
It promotes doubt and uncertainty
Making a decision out of desperation can be a recipe for disaster.
After I had my out of body experience I realised that, because of my desperation I made choices out of fear and said a few things that I cannot take back! Alll that I can do is apologize!

Lesson- feel the feelings, take some time before reacting and most of all trust that once you have put in the work that whatever happens it's all good!
Peace
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Published on April 27, 2018 05:30

April 24, 2018

Houston Day 4

No man is an island entire of itself: every man is a part of the continent, a part of the main - John Donne

More time spent with the fam fam yesterday, my cousin and I stepped into the boing ring. I love boxing, I started boxing a few years ago, it promoted my stress belief and anger management on the journey. My cousin loves boxing as well, we have had many long conversations on it so getting a time to step into the ring last night was a happy moment for me. We had loads of un.
It is interesting how me living my own life impacted others. Over the past two days this has been pointed out to me in ways that have humbled me and brought me back on track.

What I am saying today is, living your life, your best life, your most authentic life, is a demonstration of what is possible.
What is possible when you take one day at a time, when you are authentic, when you make decisions out of love rather than fear, when you show up, when you live your own life, mind your own business and love YOUR own ,ife rather than pandering to what others thinkl, what they want and what they believe you ought to be doing
Many times they are doing it out of love, but really, they are not in your shoes and not living your life!

You are responsible for your own life, sometimes it may bring some heartache or some pain, , par for the course. There is no harm in listening but ultimately you have to, you absolutely must choose.
Choose You!

Peace




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Published on April 24, 2018 08:51