Akosua Dardaine Edwards's Blog, page 20

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

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Published on December 26, 2023 03:30

The only constant variable in life is the unexpected

The only constant variable in life is the unexpected

Everything changes, everything. The lesson with recognizing this is has been to let go of the need to control, to grasp, to sit in the illusion of comfort and certainty.

So what do we do when the change comes? Preparing for change is such an important part of the toolkit of life that without that preparation we can become stuck.

What I have learnt is with acceptance, with letting go, with the knowing that change is nothing personal, navigating it becomes easier.

As the Course in Miracles says " Are you willing to see things differently"

I must confess, change for me over 2023 was tough. I wanted what I wanted, I worked for it, I prayed for it, I got it so why would it no be different, why should things change, why should I change?

Everything changes, I had to remind myself to be ready, be prepared by focusing on the now, being in the moment. Through acceptance, through letting go, through the practice of faith and the willingness to see things differently. Not that it will not hurt, or be easy. Change does, however, provide us with opportunities for growth.

Peace and Blessings

Akosua's Books

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

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Published on December 19, 2023 11:58

The Mechanics of Letting Go

Allow yourself to have the feeling without resisting it, venting it, fearing it, condemning it or moralizing about it

This has been a year of learning about radical acceptance and letting go. Both concepts have been a journey of unlearning, trusting, courage and feeling all the discomfort around it.

These are the top ten lessons I have learnt from Radical Acceptance and Letting Go

1. Nothing is wrong with you when other people cannot meet your needs or show up for you. Sometimes people just chose not to, cannot or don't want to based on where they are.

2. Letting go of the ones who aren't able to show up for you creates room for those who can.

3. Our ego loves to remind us that we are not in control and that is not where we must be - we must always be in control and so when we listen we look for all type of ways to be in control.

4. Healing involves feelings - letting them rise up and pass through us rather than suppressing it

5. Letting go is a natural ability - we ae merely utilizing our inner nature to get freer and happier, when letting go, its not helpful to "think" about the techniques. Its simply better to do it.

6. It is also beneficial to look at some commonly held beliefs and let go of them with practice.

What is clear to me now that practising radical and letting go is an inside job, there is no looking outside of ourselves for it.

Akosua's Books

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

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Published on December 15, 2023 08:49

May your higher nature lead

May your higher nature lead, whether you are protesting, manifesting, marching, organizing, planting seeds, speaking truth, raising awareness, holding the vision, healing your heart, keeping the peace, deconstructing the old systems and building the new that will be born - Maya Hasnaa

Our higher nature is always guiding us, speaking to us, leading us. It is not intrusive, it waits and what I have learnt is that it never judges us. It speaks in whispers. When we get still, lessen the noise of busyness and other distractions we are guided.

There is nothing that we can hide from the Universe, mistakes and missteps happen, it is part of the Journey- the acknowledgement of it supports the transition to the other side. When me make excuses, justify, and rationalize them it takes a lot longer to transcend them. Guilt sets in busyness and distraction becomes the norm.

Change starts within- it really is an inside job. A huge part of the living from our higher nature is knowing who we are, accepting what is and learning as we go.

Go within - see what your higher nature is wanting to communicate with you- you will be better for it

Its a daily practice

Peace and Blessings

Akosua's Books

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

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Published on December 14, 2023 11:43

Dive into something that you tell yourself that it scares you

What are the things in your life you’re most afraid of doing that would probably be good for you? What are the possibilities in your life that make you uncomfortable? What ideas are you avoiding or emotionally rejecting? Mark Hanson

Today, I am making a commitment to do something new that scares me. This year I started by driving to the beach every week. I would not go to the beach because I was afraid of driving on the road to get there. Its a ling winding narrow road, with cliffs and drops. The views are breathtaking however I was always thinking that I may not be skilled enough to traverse those roads safely, so although I loved going to that particular beach, I would not go until someone offered to drive.

I had the great fortune of being driven to the beach on request, that relationship ended and I had to ask myself - shall I wait on someone to do the things I want to do because of fear? I resolved to give it a go and here I am months later with a routine and the ability to recognize that sometimes fear is all made up in my mind So as the year comes to an end I am resolving to add one more thing t the list that I have refused to do or acknowledge because of fear - a story that I made up.

Come on the Journey with me

Peace and Blessings

Akosua's Books

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

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Published on December 11, 2023 10:15

Rest and Play is Part of the Process

Let’s talk about this relentless pace we’re all caught up in. The never-ending to-do list, the constant race to accomplish more. It’s like we're all sprinting a marathon. But here's the thing: life isn’t just about chasing tasks or racing against time. Science backs this up – rest and play are the secret to a healthier life. Nawal Mustapha

As the 2023 calendar year winds down, I am in a reflective mood. I really want to rest and play and honor myself through that process. There are many demands on our time along with the feeling of wanting to prove ourselves/our worth to everyone, wanting to prove how strong we are and in control.

These demands can push us to say yes when we really want to or must say no. This process can lead to resentment, guilt and shame. We have to practice setting up and keeping boundaries, we have to practice honoring ourselves and the process. We have to practice showing up for ourselves.

According to Iyanla Vanzant," if you are at a place in your life where you are evolving or making a shift, I urge you to move into this new season with your eyes and heart wide open -- and with the support that you need."

I am looking at rest and play as an essential part of how I grow, evolve, achieve the life I want to live. This process supports in how I handle setbacks and disappointment. It impacts on how I show up in the world to do the work that the Most High has appointed for me to do.

My intention is to make rest and play a habit, a part of my lifestyle starting now. It is my intention to prioritize these actions to ensure that I feel at peace, feel strong enough to live a life filled with uncertainty.

Peace and Blessings

Akosua's Books

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

https://open.spotify.com/episode/69Am...

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Published on December 08, 2023 08:28

Managing Doing it All

We have to figure out which areas of life we’re going to lean into and which ones we need to table or ask for help with because we can’t do it all. Certainly not by ourselves. Needra Glover Tawwab

Many of us are rewarded for working hard, for being busy, for always saying yes and being on the go.

As much as we like to feel useful, helpful and have good intentions, our lives can be taken over with demands and schedules which may not translate into a healthy way of living.

Our bodies respond to burnout.

Our minds respond to burnout.

Our souls respond to neglect.

There is no way around it

As much as we "push through" there is a limit

I am learning that saying yes to everything is unsustainable and can lead to resentment and anger

I am also learning that asking for help in not a sign of weakness. It can open so many other doors and lessons.

It has become a practice to say no when its rooted in people pleasing and external validation - takes self awareness

It has also now become a practice to ask for help - there is no weakness in that at all.

Keep asking yourself - what is your why and that can lead you to your answer

Peace and Blessings

SHE INSPIRES

Get ready for an inspiring journey in our latest podcast episode featuring Akosua Edwards from the NiNa Young Women's Leadership Programme. Discover how "She Inspires" young women in Trinidad and Tobago, shaping future leaders and changemakers.

Tune in to be motivated by Akosua’s passion and dedication to empowering the next generation.
#CaribbeanVoices #Podcast #UNFPA #EndGBV #16DaysofActivism #UNFPACaribbean

Akosua's Books

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

https://open.spotify.com/episode/69Am...

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Published on December 05, 2023 10:18

Dear December

Your Greatest Offering is not always something you do; most often it is the person you become- Briana Wiest

Confessions on the Journey - Uncertainty scares the beJesus out of me. I want to know and I want to know now. I want to be told the why, how, if's and buts. I have learnt that there are many times that wanting to be sure of everything is a way that I attempt to keep myself safe. I want to be in control to ensure that things don't go out of control

The biggest lesson I have learnt about control is that not only is it an illusion. Attachment and the craving to control, which are intertwined with ego, also stand as roadblocks that each individual has to gradually undo if they want to enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling connection.

There are infinite ways for the Universe tobring you want you need, what you want. There is no need to control anyone andanything.

There is something in the Uncertainty that we can tap into

The Uncertainty is the price of admission to extraordinary.

Uncertainty is the price of admission to dreaming without limits.

Uncertainty is the price of admission to trusting the process.

Uncertainty is the price of admission to the willingness to be surprised, to be blown away.

Uncertainty is the price of admission yo learning about ourselves.

Uncertainty is the price of admission to wonder, awe, excitement, unlearning and feelings.

Peace and Blessings

SHE INSPIRES

Get ready for an inspiring journey in our latest podcast episode featuring Akosua Edwards from the NiNa Young Women's Leadership Programme. Discover how "She Inspires" young women in Trinidad and Tobago, shaping future leaders and changemakers.

Tune in to be motivated by Akosua’s passion and dedication to empowering the next generation.
#CaribbeanVoices #Podcast #UNFPA #EndGBV #16DaysofActivism #UNFPACaribbean

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Published on December 01, 2023 07:14

The truth is that you already are what you are seeking

"The truth is that you already are what youare seeking. You are looking for God with his eyes. This truth is so simple andshocking, so radical and taboo that it is easy to miss among your flurry ofseeking.” – Adyashanti

Hello my friends, its been a minute! How have you been. Life has been life-ing, it truly has been a time of healing, learning, unlearning and radical acceptance.

I wanted to share some of the unlearning that have come up for me during the few weeks.

1. The Most High is in everything that we do, whether it looks like it or not. The Most High is a breath away and awaits our invitation to step in - I leant that the Most High was somewhere up the sky, outside of me and far away only to return in times of need.

2. Radical Acceptance is a practice - a practice is where one has to take action consistently

3. Radical Awareness is fully accepting things as they are, instead of ignoring, avoiding, or wishing the situation were different,

4 Healing is coming back to one's self - its mind, body and soul

5. Healing is also a practice - requires action

6. Radical acceptance requires feeling all of the feelings and using them as guides, information to make decisions.

Peace and Blessings

Akosua's Books

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