Akosua Dardaine Edwards's Blog, page 197
August 8, 2015
What would you do differently?
“If we weren’t trying to control whether a person liked us or his or her reaction to us, what would we do differently? If we weren’t trying to control the course of a relationship, what would we do differently? If we weren’t trying to control another person’s behavior, how would we think, feel, speak, and behave differently than we do now? What haven’t we been letting ourselves do while hoping that self-denial would influence a particular situation or person? Are there some things we’ve been doing that we’d stop? How would we treat ourselves differently? Would we let ourselves enjoy life more and feel better right now? Would we stop feeling so bad? Would we treat ourselves better? If we weren’t trying to control, what would we do differently? Make a list, then do it.”
― Melody Beattie
Many of our decisions are based on what other people would say, think or want us to do. How did we get to that place? What about doing what brings you peace, joy, love, harmony and doing the best for yourself? Uncertainty, being right, having our own way got us to that place! A Course in Miracles teaches that the sense of separation is what causes us to make these decisions and it is more times than not, it brings you peace to be happy rather than to be right. A sense of separation means we believe that people are separated, disconnected and different to us, we judge ourselves as better and we love to be liked!
Newsflash- you are not in control of everything and definitely not in control of anyone else! So do your best, do what makes you happy, sometimes this may piss people off (no I am not not saying to be a complete a-hole). Find some level of comfort with uncertainty and letting go and see how the magic unfolds!
Peace
― Melody Beattie
Many of our decisions are based on what other people would say, think or want us to do. How did we get to that place? What about doing what brings you peace, joy, love, harmony and doing the best for yourself? Uncertainty, being right, having our own way got us to that place! A Course in Miracles teaches that the sense of separation is what causes us to make these decisions and it is more times than not, it brings you peace to be happy rather than to be right. A sense of separation means we believe that people are separated, disconnected and different to us, we judge ourselves as better and we love to be liked!
Newsflash- you are not in control of everything and definitely not in control of anyone else! So do your best, do what makes you happy, sometimes this may piss people off (no I am not not saying to be a complete a-hole). Find some level of comfort with uncertainty and letting go and see how the magic unfolds!
Peace
August 7, 2015
One star in the galaxy
You are the beginning and the end of the phenomena called YOU!
Iyanla
I love my grandmother, she tells me in her scolding voice "Yaki, what you see in the mirror is just a little piece of the whole of the best of you, so do not ever be fooled" I always used to laugh when she said it, now, today my friend has passed I wish I passed on the message, I am doing it now to all of you
You look in the mirror and you see yourself
but really
it's not you at all
I mean, there is your eyes, your nose and your cute little smile
but that's not all there is to you
Because you are not seeing the amounts of lives you've touched with your presence
You are not seeing all the people you made laugh and smile
You are not seeing how strong you are
In fact all the battles you have overcome are completely invisible when you look in the mirror, hidden beneath your outside features
So my darling, listen to me when I say this, you are not as simple as a reflection
You are complex, wonderful and simply brilliant that a mirror does not have the capability to show
It's only one tree in the forest
one star in the galaxy
one grain of sand in the beach
and you are so much more than that
Please believe that
Peace!
RIP Mr. J McLeod
I love my grandmother, she tells me in her scolding voice "Yaki, what you see in the mirror is just a little piece of the whole of the best of you, so do not ever be fooled" I always used to laugh when she said it, now, today my friend has passed I wish I passed on the message, I am doing it now to all of you
You look in the mirror and you see yourself
but really
it's not you at all
I mean, there is your eyes, your nose and your cute little smile
but that's not all there is to you
Because you are not seeing the amounts of lives you've touched with your presence
You are not seeing all the people you made laugh and smile
You are not seeing how strong you are
In fact all the battles you have overcome are completely invisible when you look in the mirror, hidden beneath your outside features
So my darling, listen to me when I say this, you are not as simple as a reflection
You are complex, wonderful and simply brilliant that a mirror does not have the capability to show
It's only one tree in the forest
one star in the galaxy
one grain of sand in the beach
and you are so much more than that
Please believe that
Peace!
RIP Mr. J McLeod
August 6, 2015
Something more than hustle
You are the creator of your own reality, and so you are not in jeopardy. You do not need to control the behaviour of others in order for you to thrive. Your attention to things that you think they do keeps you from thriving is, in fact, what keeps you from thriving. It is not what they do to you; its what you do to you in fear of what you think that they will do to you
Abraham.
A crazy thing happens when you stop all of the chasing and consider attracting.
What would it take to attract everything you want, the opportunities you're seeking, the doors you're opening and the people you're wooing.
It would take knowing who you are and what you are when you've dropped the hustle. It would force you to know what brings you joy other than finally climbing that mountain you tasked yourself with. It would require you to know fulfillment brought by something other than "inbox zero", something other than "I'll be happy when", something bigger than "Once I've...".
Something more than hustle.It would require you to go in. Way in. And orbit in the cosmos of your heart.It's uncomfortable. Life without the hustle is quieter. And yet louder. So much louder. You hear your own voice. You notice your own shit. You feel your feelings. And you hear the questions that your soul finally had the strength to bubble to the surface. You'll feel naked.
And yet so beautifully free.And eventually, you'll feel tempted, to fill the void with the hustle. Because doesn't busy mean success? And shouldn't hard work be hard? You'll feel tempted to look at the rest of the world and say yes.But don't. Because when you choose to sit there in your stillness, that beautiful heart you know is in your chest will make itself known to you. You'll know what you really want. You'll put out a pure energy of desire and intent. And that grid of energy will begin to pull toward you that which you've been hustling.
So if you're tired. If your energy is down. Or if you're wondering if this is the only way. Drop the draining pace of the hustle. Forget about what everyone else is doing and go your way. Through the doors to your heart.
Peace!
A crazy thing happens when you stop all of the chasing and consider attracting.
What would it take to attract everything you want, the opportunities you're seeking, the doors you're opening and the people you're wooing.
It would take knowing who you are and what you are when you've dropped the hustle. It would force you to know what brings you joy other than finally climbing that mountain you tasked yourself with. It would require you to know fulfillment brought by something other than "inbox zero", something other than "I'll be happy when", something bigger than "Once I've...".
Something more than hustle.It would require you to go in. Way in. And orbit in the cosmos of your heart.It's uncomfortable. Life without the hustle is quieter. And yet louder. So much louder. You hear your own voice. You notice your own shit. You feel your feelings. And you hear the questions that your soul finally had the strength to bubble to the surface. You'll feel naked.
And yet so beautifully free.And eventually, you'll feel tempted, to fill the void with the hustle. Because doesn't busy mean success? And shouldn't hard work be hard? You'll feel tempted to look at the rest of the world and say yes.But don't. Because when you choose to sit there in your stillness, that beautiful heart you know is in your chest will make itself known to you. You'll know what you really want. You'll put out a pure energy of desire and intent. And that grid of energy will begin to pull toward you that which you've been hustling.
So if you're tired. If your energy is down. Or if you're wondering if this is the only way. Drop the draining pace of the hustle. Forget about what everyone else is doing and go your way. Through the doors to your heart.
Peace!
August 4, 2015
Forward home
Hey there don't you know, there's an isle with a style and a win that sings a calypso, and a soul calypso sun with a people with a passion forged from a fire
Two island in the fun, with a spirit that moves as it grooves just taking you higher
Here's a super island, call it T&T
Heading back to T&T today, it's been fun, its been lessons, its been love
I had the great privilege this time to have my family supporting me, even in Toronto, that was pure love!
I had a few days that I really had to dig deep and remind myself "Why Are You Here?" and I had a few wake up calls in between where I had expectations that were based on my own wants rather than the reality so it's now great to know what works, what does not work, who are friends and who are just people you know and like (if that makes any sense!)
be still.observe.indentify.accept.eliminate - lesson on this tour and what I will be taking with me as of today
So thank you for joining me on the tour and see you on the other side
Peace!
Two island in the fun, with a spirit that moves as it grooves just taking you higher
Here's a super island, call it T&T
Heading back to T&T today, it's been fun, its been lessons, its been love
I had the great privilege this time to have my family supporting me, even in Toronto, that was pure love!
I had a few days that I really had to dig deep and remind myself "Why Are You Here?" and I had a few wake up calls in between where I had expectations that were based on my own wants rather than the reality so it's now great to know what works, what does not work, who are friends and who are just people you know and like (if that makes any sense!)
be still.observe.indentify.accept.eliminate - lesson on this tour and what I will be taking with me as of today
So thank you for joining me on the tour and see you on the other side
Peace!
August 3, 2015
Day 8 - Book Tour Updates
When you come clean and tell the truth, you can be sure that it will blow up an old pattern in your life. And it might even end a relationship. But living a lie is far worse over time Dr.Christiane NorthrupStatements and Sangria - book readings in the garden. I can't even begin to explain! I am grateful beyond anything that I can explain for the love, the support and the fun that I had yesterday in the Brooklyn garden of Miss Phoebe, who embraced me as a daughter after reading What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self Love she offered her beautiful home and garden to host a reading and what a lovely time it was to see my friends who, some were in NYC passing through, shout out to Maxine and Sirlon, some were from London, shout out to Geraldine, and of course I made some new friends yesterday as well.All I can say is thank you!Ekhart Tolle says, if the only prayer you can offer is Thank You, that alone is enough! And honestly, it is all that I can say at this moment.......Pure love.pure vibes.Peace!
August 1, 2015
Day 7 - Book Tour Updates
I
talk to myself constantly. I am ALWAYS in intentional inner conversation with myself. I tell myself how capable, amazing, valuable and needed I am. If I pass a mirror I say "hey gorgeous" if I need motivation, I go to a mirror and give myself a pep talk. If I am mad, I discuss my feelings with myself. The parts of my body I don't like, I tell it "I love you and I'm going to make you better." If I don't get something, I ask the Holy Spirit to teach me. I make sure that I'm rehearsing in my mind what I want to see play out in my day.and I'm always SPEAKING OUT what I desire to see happen.
Shanell Cooper SykesToday is the annual Queen Series Extravaganza, it's a celebration of womanhood, of sisterhood, of love and sharing, being held at the YWCA in New York City, I am quite humbled to be a part of this celebration! Truth be told, I am nervous and this is where I call on my friends and teachers like Shanell Cooper Sykes to remind myself that this is what I asked for, what I wanted and here we are so what you gonna do? My mum and aunt flew to NYC as well for this, while I love the support in my head it's pressure to be better than usual! So constant speaking to myself is the order of the day today!It feels good to be a queen!Peace!
July 31, 2015
Day 6 - Book Tour Updates
Father, help me today to realize that I am abundant. The storehouse of my mind is filled with miracles. I can come to this storehouse and, in this holy instant, receive them. You entrust them to me for the giving. Let me pause often today, to meet here with You, and then carry these treasures forth to offer them to the world. This is my whole purpose in life; this is why I am here
. Marianne Williamson
The flight got delayed by two hours as I was checking in they told me "Miss your ticket does not include your bags you will have to pay for them I was upset, I started telling her who sells tickets and pays for bags separately? Then I stopped because it wasn't about her, the taxi sent me a text, he had been waiting over two hours now and the price would be doubled. My aunt sent me a text that she needed money for Saturday's event. I turned off my phone. No more texts about money please!As I sat on the plane thinking about it, I realized that abundance comes into my life in surprising and miraculous ways so chill out, and focus on the task at hand and put a plan in place! Stop worrying and start doing, start believing.So today I have a day off, I am visiting a boxing gym in Manhattan and Karaoke later on tonightHave a super duper FridayPeace!
The flight got delayed by two hours as I was checking in they told me "Miss your ticket does not include your bags you will have to pay for them I was upset, I started telling her who sells tickets and pays for bags separately? Then I stopped because it wasn't about her, the taxi sent me a text, he had been waiting over two hours now and the price would be doubled. My aunt sent me a text that she needed money for Saturday's event. I turned off my phone. No more texts about money please!As I sat on the plane thinking about it, I realized that abundance comes into my life in surprising and miraculous ways so chill out, and focus on the task at hand and put a plan in place! Stop worrying and start doing, start believing.So today I have a day off, I am visiting a boxing gym in Manhattan and Karaoke later on tonightHave a super duper FridayPeace!
July 30, 2015
Day 5 - Book Tour Updates
You are the creator of your own reality, and so you are not in jeopardy. You do not need to control the behavior of others in order for you to thrive. Your attention to things that you think they do keeps you from thriving is, in fact, what keeps you from thriving. It is not what they do to you; its what you do to you in fear of what you think that they will do to you.
Abraham.
Knowledge bookstore is da truth!! I walked into the store and it spoke directly to me. My favourite authors on the shelf, wooden floors, art and sculptures all around all set in an old Victorian house. The owner, Sean, made the place look like home. 18 years ago he and his wife decided to start the store and people called them crazy and here they are almost 20 years after with one of the best and baddest stores on this side of town.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to present my work at this store and give thanks for getting here!
I am flying back to NYC today, 2 more events left on the tour!
Peace
Knowledge bookstore is da truth!! I walked into the store and it spoke directly to me. My favourite authors on the shelf, wooden floors, art and sculptures all around all set in an old Victorian house. The owner, Sean, made the place look like home. 18 years ago he and his wife decided to start the store and people called them crazy and here they are almost 20 years after with one of the best and baddest stores on this side of town.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to present my work at this store and give thanks for getting here!
I am flying back to NYC today, 2 more events left on the tour!
Peace
July 29, 2015
Day 4 - Book Tour Updates
Until I stop being in solution mode and just relish in the present moments of my day to day life — they’re neither good nor bad. Literally, in an exact moment, everything just is. Is perfect. Is as it should be. Only when our mind wanders to past and future do things get out of whack.
Here's the thing...It's natural to feel weird and want out. And it's normal to strive for joy and joy and joy. Without realizing you are joy. Maxie McCoy
We hit downtown Toronto with the intention of being tourists all darn day! First stop Royal Ontario Museum! The radio has been advising to stay inside as much as possible as there was a heatwave on! Ha! Nothing like a little heat will be stopping these tourists!Next stop, Queen Street, to shop (window shop lol), then to CN Tower and end at Harbour Front with dinner!My cousin and I had nuff catching up to do, a whole 20 years of it! Really proud of her. As you know I zone in on the lessons! I have learnt that the time we take to "fix" our life to make it look like something we feel is perfect, that time can be used to be joy, to bring joy, to accept that the things that we feel that needs to be fixed are all part of the journey and to spend less time fixingThat family are my greatest teachers and biggest classroomand that the word "shame" and "bringing shame on the family" is a complete waste of good time, effort and ego trip. Ban that word, and that term from my vocabulary! So today, Knowledge bookstore here I come!Peace!!
We hit downtown Toronto with the intention of being tourists all darn day! First stop Royal Ontario Museum! The radio has been advising to stay inside as much as possible as there was a heatwave on! Ha! Nothing like a little heat will be stopping these tourists!Next stop, Queen Street, to shop (window shop lol), then to CN Tower and end at Harbour Front with dinner!My cousin and I had nuff catching up to do, a whole 20 years of it! Really proud of her. As you know I zone in on the lessons! I have learnt that the time we take to "fix" our life to make it look like something we feel is perfect, that time can be used to be joy, to bring joy, to accept that the things that we feel that needs to be fixed are all part of the journey and to spend less time fixingThat family are my greatest teachers and biggest classroomand that the word "shame" and "bringing shame on the family" is a complete waste of good time, effort and ego trip. Ban that word, and that term from my vocabulary! So today, Knowledge bookstore here I come!Peace!!
July 28, 2015
Day 3 - Book Tour Updates
Question if you still love what you once loved
We hold on. Because Love does that. Embracing, rocking, reserving space. Love holds, it treasures, it tucks away for safe keeping, it loyally protects. Holding on is one of the many great powers of Love.
And it feels so good to hold on that sometimes we forget to look at what we’re holding on to. Danielle La Porte
Ana drove from Montreal to come to the event in Toronto, a clear 6 hour drive, she walked in and while I was wrapping up and I paused, so shocked, so happy, so grateful for the effort she made to come see me, she had to leave after the event to get back to work. I will always remember my time in Toronto just because of Ana and the effort she made to see me!
My cousin who I grew up with who moved to Toronto and I haven't seen for years and years made sure that everything was in order, she was at my side every step of the way! more thanks to give!
A Different Booklist is a historical bookstore, in it's 20th year, it is almost like a community center for people of the diaspora who live in Toronto. The event was held on the "island" the back of the store under a tent, very homely, very open, almost like a bar b que held at one's house.
All the books sold out, every one! I give thanks to each and everyone who came out and made
As the event was done, we went to have a drink, drove down Queen street, passed through Yonge and looked at all the new and shining changes because of the recent PanAm games which finished last Sunday and I was smiling
Today I am chilling out, spending some time with my cousin and getting ready to go to Knowledge bookstore tomorrow
Here's TO the Journey!
Peace
And it feels so good to hold on that sometimes we forget to look at what we’re holding on to. Danielle La Porte
Ana drove from Montreal to come to the event in Toronto, a clear 6 hour drive, she walked in and while I was wrapping up and I paused, so shocked, so happy, so grateful for the effort she made to come see me, she had to leave after the event to get back to work. I will always remember my time in Toronto just because of Ana and the effort she made to see me!
My cousin who I grew up with who moved to Toronto and I haven't seen for years and years made sure that everything was in order, she was at my side every step of the way! more thanks to give!
A Different Booklist is a historical bookstore, in it's 20th year, it is almost like a community center for people of the diaspora who live in Toronto. The event was held on the "island" the back of the store under a tent, very homely, very open, almost like a bar b que held at one's house.
All the books sold out, every one! I give thanks to each and everyone who came out and made
As the event was done, we went to have a drink, drove down Queen street, passed through Yonge and looked at all the new and shining changes because of the recent PanAm games which finished last Sunday and I was smiling
Today I am chilling out, spending some time with my cousin and getting ready to go to Knowledge bookstore tomorrow
Here's TO the Journey!
Peace
