Akosua Dardaine Edwards's Blog, page 2

Running Into Presence

In the presence of eternity, the mountains are as transient as the clouds. Robert Green Ingersoll

Sunday mornings have taken on a new rhythm. A new challenge. I lace up my shoes, press play on my soca playlist, and head out into what we lovingly call “the bush.” Trees stretch tall like elders, rivers hum low like secrets, and the bike trails twist and turn like stories waiting to be told. It’s absolutely lovely. And it’s mine.

I stopped running just before Covid. A shoulder injury slowed me down, and then the world did too. But now, I’m back. And soca—sweet, pulsing, unapologetic soca—has become the soundtrack to my return. Without it, I feel lost. Slow. Like I’ve forgotten the beat of my own body.

But this morning was different.

As I ran deeper into the bush, off the road and into the quiet, I felt a tug. Not in my shoulder, but in my spirit. A gentle nudge to take the music off. To be present. . To run without distraction. To run with myself.And so I did.The run continued, but something shifted. I wasn’t chasing pace or distance. I was listening. To the land. To my body. To the questions that popped into my head:
How can I be present wherever I am?

How can I show up fully in the moment, even when it’s uncomfortable or unfamiliar?

How can I live in a state of continuous acceptance—continuous surrender—yet still move toward the goals I’ve set for myself?

These are my questions for September. Not to be answered in haste, but to be held. To be run with. To be danced with. Maybe even to be sung to, soca-style.

Because presence isn’t passive. It’s active. It’s a choice. And sometimes, it’s a run through the bush with no music, just breath and trees and the quiet knowing that this—this—is enough.

Peace and Blessings

Something sacred is coming.A journey back to your truth, your joy, your boundaries.The Rooted Series begins October 5.This is not just a course—it’s a homecoming.

       Rooted Series

A 4-week online immersion in truth, boundaries & belonging

Begins October 5

Created by Akosua Dardaine

#RootedSeries #BoundariesAreLove #JoyIsRevolutionary

The Sacred Pause: When Ego Wants to Run the Show

I am seen. I am significant. I do not need to perform to belong.

 Last Sunday, I found myself triggered. I was at a workshop, and something in the room made me feel... unseen. Ignored. My instinct was to do something—to retreat, to isolate, or to make myself visible in ways that didn’t feel aligned. But instead, I did something radical. I paused.

I took a sacred pause.

In that stillness, I asked myself: Why am I feeling this way?

What surfaced was fear—fear of being seen as unimportant by this group. My negative ego had slipped into the driver’s seat, whispering stories rooted in scarcity and self-doubt.

But was that story true?

No.

I realized I didn’t need validation from anyone in that setting. My worth wasn’t up for negotiation. I let it go.

And I was proud of myself.

This was one of the first times I chose the pause over the performance. I didn’t act out. I didn’t shrink or shout. I simply sat with the discomfort and looked at the bigger picture.

 Why the Sacred Pause Matters

When our negative ego runs the show, it often comes from a place of fear:

• Fear of being unseen

• Fear of being unimportant

• Fear of not being enough

But the pause gives us space to:

• Reframe the story

• Reconnect with truth

• Respond with grace

It’s not about suppressing emotion—it’s about honoring it without letting it dictate our actions.

 A Practice for the Next Time Ego Speaks Loudly

1. Notice the trigger: What stirred the discomfort?

2. Pause intentionally: Breathe. Sit. Listen.

3. Ask the deeper question: What am I afraid of?

4. Challenge the story: Is it true? Is it mine?

5. Choose your response: One rooted in truth, not fear.

Peace and Blessings

________________________________________________________________

Ready to Trust Yourself?

Change is inevitable. But fear? That’s optional.

If you’ve been feeling the nudge to move forward—toward clarity, courage, and deeper alignment—this is your moment. Coaching isn’t about fixing what’s broken. It’s about remembering what’s whole. It’s about building the confidence to act, balancing intuition with logic, and crafting a life that reflects your truth.

You already carry the wisdom. I’ll help you trust it.

Whether you’re navigating a transition, seeking clarity in your work, or simply ready to reclaim your voice, I’m here to walk beside you. With tools, reflection, and gentle accountability, we’ll co-create a path that feels both grounded and expansive.  Let’s do this together.

Let’s do this together. Book a session today  and step into your power!

https://www.akosuadardaineedwards.com/

The Power of Telling: Why Our Stories Must Survive

  “Let’s keep reminding each other: our stories survive because we continue to tell them. Period.” Ava DuVernay

 Reading that Ava quote, It felt like a whisper from my grandmother’s kitchen.. Not because it was new, but because it was familiar. It reminded me of something I had always known but had, somewhere along the way, tucked into the back pocket of life’s busyness: I am a storyteller. I come from storytellers. And stories are how we survive.

I grew up in the presence of voices that painted worlds. Women who could turn a simple pot of soup into a parable. Elders who didn’t just recount events—they passed on wisdom, encoded in laughter, caution, and grace. I learned how to listen before I learned how to speak. And when I finally spoke, I realized I was echoing generations.

But life, as it does, got loud. Got fast. Got practical. And somewhere in the shuffle of building programs, shaping policy, and navigating transitions, I forgot that storytelling wasn’t just a tool—it was a lifeline. Not just for others, but for me.

It was during my TEDx talk, There Is Power in Your Story, that I reclaimed this truth. I stood on that stage not just as a speaker, but as a witness. A witness to the resilience of my ancestors, who told stories to stay sane, to stay connected, to stay alive. A witness to the women I mentor, I have met, who find themselves in the telling. A witness to myself—who is still learning that authenticity is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Storytelling is joy. It is history. It is pedagogy. It is protest. It is prayer.

And when we tell our stories in our own voice—unfiltered, unpolished, unafraid—we do more than entertain. We remember. We reclaim. We resist.

So let me never forget:

That the passing on of stories saved lives.

That the telling of stories is an act of love.

That my story, your story, our story—deserves to be heard.And if you’re reading this, consider it your reminder:Your story matters.Tell it.
Peace and Blessings
________________________________________________________________

Ready to Trust Yourself?

Change is inevitable. But fear? That’s optional.

If you’ve been feeling the nudge to move forward—toward clarity, courage, and deeper alignment—this is your moment. Coaching isn’t about fixing what’s broken. It’s about remembering what’s whole. It’s about building the confidence to act, balancing intuition with logic, and crafting a life that reflects your truth.

You already carry the wisdom. I’ll help you trust it.

Whether you’re navigating a transition, seeking clarity in your work, or simply ready to reclaim your voice, I’m here to walk beside you. With tools, reflection, and gentle accountability, we’ll co-create a path that feels both grounded and expansive.  Let’s do this together.

Let’s do this together. Book a session today  and step into your power!

https://www.akosuadardaineedwards.com/

Consistency: The Consolation Prize That Changed Everything

Part of courage is simple consistency - Peggy Noonan

 I started going to a boxing class. Five days a week. It’s intense. The kind of intense that makes you question your life choices mid-combination. I struggle—let’s be clear. Compared to the other participants, I’m often behind. My feet don’t always follow the rhythm, and the fitness tests? Let’s just say they test more than my fitness.

But I show up.

Every day, I hear my name echoing through the gym.

“More power on those bags, Akosua!”

“More speed, Akosua!”

“Akosua, Akosua!”

Sometimes I smile in annoyance, thinking, Can’t he see I’m flat out and ready to faint? But I keep punching. I keep moving. I keep showing up.

Last week, after a group session, the trainer said, “I want to give a prize for the most consistent boxer here. Rain or shine, I know this person will show up. Y’all be like Akosua.”

Me?

I was shocked. Pleasantly surprised. A little embarrassed. I didn’t win for speed or strength or technique. I won for consistency.

On my walk home, I passed my usual neighbor who always asks, “How’s boxing?”

I told him, “My friend, I cannot beat or knock anyone out, but I got a consolation prize for being most consistent.”

He smiled and said, “No, my friend. Consistency means you show up. That’s an important quality to have.”

That stayed with me.

I love consistency. I crave it. I lose friends over inconsistency. I write people off when it’s missing. So to see my own consistency mirrored back to me—acknowledged, even celebrated—was an eye-opener.

I consider consistency to be safe. It’s a quiet kind of loyalty. A rhythm. A promise.

It says: I can count on you.

And somewhere along the way, I decided that if there’s one person I’ll always be able to count on, it’s myself.

So no, I may not be the fastest or the strongest in that boxing class. But I’m there.

Every day.

Punching.

Breathing.

Becoming.

And that, my friend, is its own kind of power.

Peace and Blessings

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Ready to trust yourself and move beyond doubt? Change is inevitable, but fear doesn’t have to hold you back. Through coaching, you’ll build the confidence to act, balance intuition with logic, and create a life aligned with your truth.

Let’s do this together. Book a session today  and step into your power!

https://www.akosuadardaineedwards.com/

Minding the Mind

 "Your whole life is a manifestation of the thoughts that go on in your head." - Lisa Nichols 

Rev Deborah L Johnson , one of my favorite spiritual teachers, says  that one of our most sacred responsibilities is to mind our mind—to be consciously aware of our thoughts and how we choose to direct that energy. It’s a call to presence, to stewardship of the unseen currents that shape our lives. Because whether we notice it or not, our thoughts are always making an imprint. They ripple outward, forming the architecture of our reality. How many times do we realize that the thoughts we place the most energy on, manifests itself into reality - whether we want it or not?

 So why do we not pay attention?

Why do we allow our thoughts to run unchecked, as if they were background noise rather than the blueprint of our becoming?

I believe in the energy. I believe that what we think and say is where we are living. Our thoughts are not passive—they are generative. They are the quiet architects of our words, our choices, our stories. And when we speak, we name our experience. We give shape to the formless. We declare what is real.

This is not about toxic positivity or pretending away pain. Life will continue to do what life does—there will be loss, joy, uncertainty, and change. But we have agency. We have the power to respond, to choose the story we want to create despite what we see and experience before us.

From our thoughts come our words. And the combination of words and thoughts becomes our reality.

So let us look at how we name our experience. Let us examine the mindset we carry around what happens. Are we rehearsing what we don’t want, or are we consciously cultivating what we do?

This is the quiet revolution. The sacred responsibility. To mind our mind. To direct our energy with intention. To live in alignment with the story we are choosing to tell—not just about the world, but about ourselves.

Let’s not underestimate the power of our thoughts. Let’s not forget that we bring about what we think about, whether we like it or not. Let’s choose to be aware. To be deliberate. To be rooted in the energy of what we truly desire.

Because that is where we are living.

Peace

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Ready to trust yourself and move beyond doubt? Change is inevitable, but fear doesn’t have to hold you back. Through coaching, you’ll build the confidence to act, balance intuition with logic, and create a life aligned with your truth.

Let’s do this together. Book a session today  and step into your power!

https://www.akosuadardaineedwards.com/

A Rainbow Over the Fishermen

 

“When you abandon yourself to please others, you teach the world that your truth is negotiable.” — Unknown

There are moments when the world aligns in such a way that it feels like a whisper from the universe—a gentle nudge to pay attention. Today, the beach offered me one of those moments.

The fishermen were already out on their boats when I arrived, casting nets, pulling ropes, calling out to one another in words I couldn’t understand but whose meaning was clear: Here, take this. I’ve got you. Let’s work together. There was grace in their labor, a kind of poetry in the way they bent and lifted, in the way the sea accepted their efforts without complaint.

And then—just above them—a rainbow, as if placed there just for them. For a moment, I stood frozen, struck by the sheer beauty of it: these men, doing the most ordinary of work, bathed in something extraordinary.

How Many Rainbows Do We Miss?

How often do we rush through our days without seeing the magic woven into the mundane? How many rainbows appear above us while we’re staring at our phones, lost in thought, or chasing some distant idea of happiness?

We’re taught to seek the spectacular—the grand adventures, the life-changing moments—but what if the real magic lies in the quiet, ordinary things? The way sunlight hits the water at dawn. The sound of laughter between friends. The steady, uncelebrated work of hands that feed families and communities.

We chase rainbows, thinking they’re always somewhere else, only to realize later that we were standing beneath one all along.

The Sacred Is Hidden in Plain Sight

Today, the fishermen reminded me that sacredness doesn’t always announce itself with fanfare. Sometimes, it’s there in the rhythm of daily life—in the way people help each other without expecting praise, in the persistence of those who do hard work with soft hearts.

The rainbow was a gift, but so were the fishermen. The real miracle wasn’t just the colors in the sky, but the fact that I was present enough to see it.

A Practice in Paying Attention

What if we made a habit of looking for the sacred in the ordinary? What if we paused long enough to notice:

The warmth of a cup of coffee in our hands.

The way a stranger holds the door for someone else.

The sound of the ocean breathing in and out, as it has for centuries.

Life isn’t just made up of the big moments—it’s the small, seemingly insignificant ones that stitch everything together. And sometimes, if we’re lucky, we catch a glimpse of a rainbow arching over it all, reminding us that beauty and meaning are always within reach.

Today, I didn’t just see a rainbow. I remembered how to look for it.

Where have you found the sacred in the ordinary lately?

Peace and Blessings

_______________________________________________________________________________

Ready to trust yourself and move beyond doubt? Change is inevitable, but fear doesn’t have to hold you back. Through coaching, you’ll build the confidence to act, balance intuition with logic, and create a life aligned with your truth.

Let’s do this together. Book a session today  and step into your power!

https://www.akosuadardaineedwards.com/

The Grace of Losing: A Redefinition

 Rather than think about what you have to do to change a situation, consider what the situation might be doing to change you. How it might be seasoning and transforming and growing you. You are not responsible for everything and everyone. Allow that as a possibility. Jessica Dore

There are some situations that don’t come into your life to stay. They show up like quiet teachers, nudging you to shift, stretch, evolve. They whisper of change, even when you’re desperately clinging to what’s familiar.

You say you want to grow—but are you ready to release?

You say you long for transformation—but have you made peace with the discomfort of the unknown?

Let’s be honest: loss is terrifying.

We grieve even the things we no longer want.

The familiar, no matter how confining, wraps itself around us like family.

It becomes our safety net, our story, our shield.

But maybe it’s time to redefine “lose.”

What If Loss Is Just a Beginning?

I don’t say I lost my house anymore.

I don’t say I lost my marriage, my mind, or my way.

I don't say I lost the relationship or lost out to someone else.

I say I opened.

I say I was invited into a new possibility.

A deeper question. A fuller truth.

Loss taught me to see from the inside out.

Not with fear, but with discernment.

Not as punishment, but as permission.

The Shift Begins Within

Transformation doesn’t arrive at your doorstep with a tidy bow.

It’s messy. It aches. It breaks you open.

But when you begin to ask different questions, the world shifts.

What am I learning?

What am I showing myself?

Who do I want to be?

And the most powerful question of all:

How can I see this differently?

That’s where the shift lives.

Not in the outcome.

In the choosing.

In the reframing.

In the willingness to turn loss into liberation.

Feeling It All Let me be clear—this journey is not tidy.
It is painful. It is gritty. It feels shitty, often.
But every uncomfortable emotion is a teacher.
Grief, anger, fear—they each hold a gift.
And so I walk forward with grace.
Not because I have no wounds.
But because I’ve chosen to let my scars become symbols.
Of growth. Of resilience.
Of sacred redefinition. Peace and Blessings
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Ready to trust yourself and move beyond doubt? Change is inevitable, but fear doesn’t have to hold you back. Through coaching, you’ll build the confidence to act, balance intuition with logic, and create a life aligned with your truth.

Let’s do this together. Book a session today  and step into your power!

https://www.akosuadardaineedwards.com/

Climbing with Grace: The Nina Ladies at Zorro Falls

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” –Albert Einstein

Yesterday, the Nina ladies took on a short but spirited hike to the breathtaking Zorro Falls. What began as a physical challenge quickly unfolded into a living classroom—one where nature, uncertainty, and sisterhood taught us more than any indoor session could .

We use these outdoor journeys as practical learning spaces: to explore how we navigate challenges, embrace uncertainty, and show up for one another with both strength and softness. And this hike delivered all of that—with a splash of fun and a whole lot of heart.

There were moments that tested us: slippery rocks, steep climbs, and the rope-assisted ascent up the falls—the easiest way up, but still no small feat. What stood out most was the cheering. The genuine, soul-deep encouragement that echoed through the trees as each woman tackled the terrain. It was a reminder that support isn’t just about lending a hand—it’s about believing in each other’s ability to rise.

We laughed, we stumbled, we climbed. And in between, we learned about accountability—not just to the group, but to ourselves. To keep going when it’s tough. To ask for help when needed. To celebrate every small victory.

There’s something sacred about learning life’s lessons through nature and movement. It’s a blessing to be outdoors, to feel the earth beneath our feet and the water on our skin, and to grow together in real time. These hikes are more than excursions—they’re metaphors in motion. And yesterday, Zorro Falls reminded us that with grace, grit, and good company, we can climb anything.

Peace and Blessings

Holding Space – A Different Rhythm of Success* 

"Before Holding Space, I was busy. After it—I was clear."

Are you ready to rewrite success with aligned action & radical softness? This isn’t just another program—it’s a  journey for the woman who wants to achieve without losing herself.

Date: August 4th, via Zoom

Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

💰 Investment: $250TT / $35USD

🎁 BONUS: Sign up & bring a friend for FREE!

What You’ll Walk Away With:

✔ Clarity on your next aligned steps

✔ Compassionate tools to honor your rhythm

✔ Consistent practices to grow without burnout

This is your invitation to hold space for your own expansion.

__________________________________________________

Ready to trust yourself and move beyond doubt? Change is inevitable, but fear doesn’t have to hold you back. Through coaching, you’ll build the confidence to act, balance intuition with logic, and create a life aligned with your truth.

Let’s do this together. Book a session today  and step into your power!

https://www.akosuadardaineedwards.com/

Rooted: A Return to Knowing

No one comes to the earth like grass. We come like trees, we all have roots - Maya Angelou 

 August arrives like a roar. A reminder. A reckoning. A return. This month, I choose to remember what it means to be Rooted—not just in place, but in presence. In truth. In love. In the quiet courage that says, “I will not abandon myself.”

To be Rooted is to stand firm in the face of winds that try to sway you. It is to know, without needing to explain, that your worth is not up for negotiation. It is to feel the pulse of nature in your bones, the rhythm of spirit in your breath, and the clarity of truth in your choices.

This August, I root myself in:

- Nature – the original teacher of resilience and grace-  Truth – even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s mine alone-  A Positive Mindset – not toxic optimism, but intentional hope-  Love – for self, for others, for the journey-  Spirit – the unseen force that guides and grounds-  Courage – the kind that whispers “stay” when it’s easier to run-  Fun – because joy is resistance too-  Reverence – for the sacredness of everyday moments-  Growth – not just upward, but inward-  Joy – the kind that bubbles up from deep knowing-  Patience – with myself, with the process-  Consistency – the quiet power of showing up-  Discipline – not rigidity, but devotion
Rooted is not stagnant. It is alive. It is movement with memory. It is the base point I return to when the world feels too loud, too fast, too demanding. It is the reminder that I do not have to bend to be accepted. I do not have to shrink to be loved. I do not have to perform to be worthy.As Maya Angelou said, “I shall not be moved.”And so, I root. I remember. I rise.Closing Invitation: This month, I invite you to join me in choosing Roots. In remembering your own knowing. In standing firm, with grace. Let’s grow—not just tall, but deep.

Join us on August 4th - its so nice we do it twice

Holding Space – A Different Rhythm of Success* 

"Before Holding Space, I was busy. After it—I was clear."

Are you ready to rewrite success with aligned action & radical softness? This isn’t just another program—it’s a  journey for the woman who wants to achieve without losing herself.

Date: August 4th, via Zoom

Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

💰 Investment: $250TT / $35USD

🎁 BONUS: Sign up & bring a friend for FREE!

What You’ll Walk Away With:

✔ Clarity on your next aligned steps

✔ Compassionate tools to honor your rhythm

✔ Consistent practices to grow without burnout

This is your invitation to hold space for your own expansion.

__________________________________________________

Ready to trust yourself and move beyond doubt? Change is inevitable, but fear doesn’t have to hold you back. Through coaching, you’ll build the confidence to act, balance intuition with logic, and create a life aligned with your truth.

Let’s do this together. Book a session today  and step into your power!

https://www.akosuadardaineedwards.com/

What Do You Think About Most? — A Reflection on Meaning, Movement, and Divine Guidance

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” Maya Angelou

I picked up one of my old journals this week—something I don’t often do anymore. I've started letting go of them when the pages run out, a quiet rite of passage, I suppose. A moment to say: I’ve learned from this, now it’s time to move forward. But this time, I was searching. A line, a moment, something I scribbled while half-listening to a podcast and reaching for the nearest page.

What I found were two questions written in my own hand:

- What do you think about the most?

- What would you do with your life if you didn’t have to pay bills?

They stopped me. I’ve been feeling rudderless lately. Moving, but not quite arriving. Doing, but not fully being. These questions didn’t demand answers—they invited me home.
What I Think About Most?I think about being healthy.I think about showing up kind.I think about being great—not performative greatness, but a quiet kind that echoes. Being great at everything I touch.I think about how to follow divine guidance even when the signs feel illogical.I think about staying calm as I navigate a new landscape of life, and unfamiliar rhythms, when I get pissed, betrayed, angry, judgmental.I think about becoming the kind of person who makes a mark—not by force, but by essence.
What I’d Do if Bills Didn’t Exist? I’d live in the countryside. Near the ocean. On land that breathes with intention.I’d serve through the Nina Foundation, planting seeds of transformation.I’d grow my own food and nourish others with it.I’d travel the world—teaching what I’ve lived, learning what I haven’t.I’d write more, breathe deeper, and listen longer.
A Closing Invitation Sometimes the most profound clarity emerges not from strategy, but from simplicity. A question written years ago can become a compass today. If you're feeling lost, maybe start there. Ask yourself: What do I think about most? Let the answer reshape how you move.
Peace and Blessings

Join us on August 4th - its so nice we do it twice

Holding Space – A Different Rhythm of Success* 

"Before Holding Space, I was busy. After it—I was clear."

Are you ready to rewrite success with aligned action & radical softness? This isn’t just another program—it’s a  journey for the woman who wants to achieve without losing herself.

Date: August 4th, via Zoom

Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

💰 Investment: $250TT / $35USD

🎁 BONUS: Sign up & bring a friend for FREE!

What You’ll Walk Away With:

✔ Clarity on your next aligned steps

✔ Compassionate tools to honor your rhythm

✔ Consistent practices to grow without burnout

This is your invitation to hold space for your own expansion.

__________________________________________________

Ready to trust yourself and move beyond doubt? Change is inevitable, but fear doesn’t have to hold you back. Through coaching, you’ll build the confidence to act, balance intuition with logic, and create a life aligned with your truth.

Let’s do this together. Book a session today  and step into your power!

http://www.akosuadardaineedwards.com