Akosua Dardaine Edwards's Blog, page 202

Rooted yet Flexible

Love shows up in so many ways - Madonna Badger


When you open yourself up to possibilities magic happens, when there is flexibility in your approach, magic happens, when you can see another way of making it work, fireworks go off!

I used to get stuck, starting with reasons why something may not work out as I wanted it to Of course I did, there are so many ways that things can go haywire right?  And that, my friends made me so stressed! Like grinding my teeth stressed! I was forced into flexibility and oh how magical it is! We don't know everything, yip, I said it, we don't! And that is why there are internal guides, our intuition, the little things that happen along the way that points us in a direction that most times makes absolutely no sense! But they all lead to "that place"
When I decided to move to Manchester, it was illogical to me but I felt it was something that I absolutely had to do, I had no clue what I was in for and that was just the door being opened for me to become an author. As one of my favorite teachers Deborah Johnson says "every divine idea has its own supply, it's own way of coming into fruition, trust that"
You will not get an idea and not get the tools, your job is to pay attention, listen and take what seems like risks as it goes against what most people are doing, trust me they aren't risks!

Peace!!

Feel. Feel it All!

When you’re cut off from your emotions, they often manifest in your body Dr Christiane Northrup
I think one of the best lessons I have had is "Akosua, feel it, feel it all, everything" 
I  now know that feelings are a guide, a great source of information, inspiration and guidance. Running from them, numbing them, dismissing them will keep them coming back and the whispers will then become shouts which you cannot ignore through illness, depression, and many other symptoms.Humans want to avoid pain, or what we think will cause pain, we want to avoid discomfort, uncomfortable situations and feelings, this is par for the course! 
Feel it, let it pass through you, it's really ok!
Ask your feelings before you take a pill, a drink, a partner, a pull, a shot
What are you trying to tell me?What am I missing?What is it I need to pay attention to?Where do I need to slow down or speed up?Who do I need to forgive?
Then wait and listen to the responsePeace!

There is never the end...

There is never the end. There is never the last word, the last poem, the last song, the last song has not been written. The last anything has not been done, this life is constantly moving, constantly and beware, be very aware of anything that  tries to put a ceiling on it, a ceiling on you and says that this is it. Deborah  Johnson

The end! Endings become beginnings, what is really the end?  Most times it is in how we view and perceive a situation.

Things change, things move, things happen when they are to happen and there is nothing that you or I can do to move things along. But we spend time stressing, worrying, hoping, that we can move things along faster, that we can harvest our crops before its due and ready!

Chill out! there is no need to stress, no absolute need for you to know if you are doing the right thing in the right time. It will happen and if it doesn't you will continue to find yourself in a situation that will provide you with the opportunity over and over again. You will know, especially if you are paying attention to how you feel, to the signs that are presented in front of you.

If something really is for you, you can't miss it, you can't miss it!
Trust the process, let go of the attachment and be open to the possibilities. Your way is not the only way, past performance and history is not the only indicator of the future.

Feel the feelings,
somethings you cannot control
it's not that kind of party!
And its ok!
the change will happen.
Peace!


Leaving the lovely island of SVG! lessons learnt and love all round

Adventures on the ferry

don't try to "figure it out." Stop it. Just focus on
what you now wish to create. Keep moving forward.
There's nothing behind you that can possibly serve
you better than your highest thoughts about tomorrow. Neale Donald Walsh
  
I was told that there are 32 islands off the main island and before I leave I ought to go visit one of them! No one had to tell me twice today I hopped on the ferry and went to one of them called Bequia.I must admit I did not prepare, I had a free half day and I thought here we go, now is all I have!  When I got there I was like hmm Prepare for what? Show up and magic happens!

I spent a day on the island of Bequia I saw the entire island in one day,6000 population and pretty as ever, ate some fresh fish at the beach, sat and watched boats, watched  people and marveled at the beauty of the place and grateful for the opportunity to see somewhere new!

Ok so here's the lesson, I am on the island, enjoying the vibes and then these thoughts start flooding in like a tidal wave, I decided to let it wash over me, what was trying to get my attention, I invited them in and came up with this.....
whatever it is, love you believe
leave it on the table. But keep it in your heart. Focus not on what you're leaving behind but on what you're taking with you.Keep connecting. Keep experiencing. Love left and lessons won is anything but lost.Peace

3 out of 4 ain't bad!

"It’s hard to get what you never ask for.” Cheryl FordeDay 4 in SVG, quick highlights and why I am proud of me:
1. The electricity went at the place I was staying, I didn't bat an eyelid- oh well! Sleep will be early! it came back in an hour.2. My ride to the Diamond Village Council Meeting which was scheduled for 3 never came and had to be rearranged as the people were waiting for me, eventually I got there at 5 and I didn't bat an eyelid3. Had to walk home from the Ministry meeting - more taxi woes - didn't bat an eyelidOMG this making friends with reality is awesome! My eyelids remain in tact!So what kicked me was when I the power returned, no wifi, I started screaming! LOL! 3 out of 4 ain't bad I said to myself!!Off to Bequia Island tomorrow I am so excited!Peace!!

Trade perfectionism for progress

trade perfectionism for progress. Mastin KippThe best part of my work is seeing how people use what they have to create what they want, it is for me a testimony that most times we stay stuck or don't move because we are either not uncomfortable enough or that we are trapped in fear! I get to see and experience with my own eyes people who have decided that for whatever reason their life is more than sitting and complaining or wishing that things get better without taking some sore of responsibility for making it happen! And my prayer each day is to use the lesson that I learn from these experiences in my own life, to move ahead despite feeling so fearful, to stop moaning and complaining and to make small steps towards progress, to also share my stories in an empowering way.So I am here in SVG and there are many examples of this, the fall of the banana industry and the reduction of tourism has had quite a negative impact on the economy and by extension the jobs, and employment but there are groups who have decided that despite this something can be done! I am heading to the area called Diamond today to work with a group who have made that leap! stay tunedOn a totally separate note, this to me was also a testament of this but on a lighter note. I asked around where can I take a run on mornings, the lady told me that they have an aerobics class that I can come to and have some fun! okay then, haven't heard or done aerobics in ages! but why not, She was so happy I said yes. A group of 30 women found a space and decided to start an aerobics class every evening using one of those old time boom box cassette players. I was smiling all class, just seeing the scene, in a school classroom, the boom box and the happiness on their faces, mind you I was struggling a bit too with my coordination which was funny as hell they were all laughing at me as well!After the class, Charmaine said "I bet you never had a good workout like that?"  "We decided we were fed up of asking the Government for a space and someone to teach us so we do it ourselves"What could I have said??" Thank you for the invitation, I had fun!"Make some progress today people!Peace!

Food Fest

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” 
― Ruth Reichl

I was tempted by the food! I had just finished eating a huge plate of grilled fish and they come out with a bowl big like the island steaming and smelling good! What's this?
 It's for you to get strong!
 I kept saying , no, no thanks, I'm good. Ha!  seems like I was speaking a different language.

Inside the bowl was fish, ground provisions, ochros, vegetables, corn meal dumplings and it seems another thing they could have found in the kitchen! OMG the thing is addictive! Tasted divine and then I couldn't move too full up with all the good stuff! Welcome to SVG!!!

Food made with love is a joy! Having a good meal is like a prayer!

I must admit I struggle with the food thing, apart from fruits, I don't really bother too much about anything else, I love watermelon, I eat it everyday wherever I am in the world. Food, days can pass and I would be eating bread or whatever is close and easy so I know that these few days will be a food fest! Looking forward to it, if only I had 2 humps like the camel I would save it for when I leave!

Back to work!
Peace!!

On the road again

before you think, do, or say anything -- imagine what it
would be like to receive what you are sending.

Then, go one step further. Decide ahead of time what
you would like to receive...and then send it. Florence Scovel Shinn
I'm flying to St Vincent today, a lovely island in the Caribbean, the first place I saw black sand beaches! This trip has been postponed many times but I have learnt everything is in time, and on time all the time even though I may think or want it differently!
So what will I be doing in St Vincent?
I will be meeting and working with four rural community groups to assist in developing their rural businesses that was set up to improve, enhance and uplift their community particularly after their series of natural disasters over the last couple of years, that's about it in a nutshell, oh and I will also be taking in the sights on my one day off!
Holla at ya on the other side
Peace!!

Making it happen

In novels — as in life — there is no perfection. We do the best we can with the tools we have at our disposal. Given that we are changing, the tools are changing, the thing itself is changing — there must be a moment when we stop. When we say, This is the best I can do for now… There is nobility in the effort, courage in the dailiness — the doggedness. It is a process of trying and failing. Of beginning again . Dani Shapiro
I had the distinct privilege to be asked to do a feature presentation for the Pink Diamond Ladies of Tobago, a group of young dynamic women doing some awesome awesome work out there in the lovely island of Tobago with young women like themselves! It was such a pleasure being there yesterday, firstly Tobago is a pearl, what a lovely island, I always feel so relaxed when I touch down and walk off the plane with the  coconut trees surrounding me and the beach breeze blowing as the beach is opposite the airport

The ladies wanted me to talk about what it takes to make it happen. "It" being achieving their goals and dreams and making both themselves and Tobago by extension a better place
I thought it was an interesting topic as it falls into the whole notion of service and giving back, I told them here's the deal, I will share some of my own stories and then we can discuss how I made my "it" happen, keeping in mind that it is an ongoing process

Making it happen involves encouraging yourself, not everyone will encourage you on your journey, to make it happen some of you have to pat your self on your own back. Those who are for you will be for you, those who are not bless them and move right along.

Making it happen involves having a vision.A  vision is a call to your higher self, creating a future state with creativity and imagination, one you can see, feel and touch before it is even manifested in reality.
Making it happen involves a strong  NO, this is where the intuition comes in handy, you know you want to say no as it does not sit well in your spirit in your soul. When you don’t have a strong NO you have a weak yes. You take on more than you can or want to people please, to look good,you start becoming resentful and ineffective.
Making it happen involves placing no limitations on yourself.It involves being uncomfortable- think about it, things happen when you are uncomfortable, you move, you act. It involves facing uncertainty – knowing that uncertainty in no way means that things are out of control, you may not have control but things are not out of control.
Making it happen involves letting go of the so called need for perfection
Making it happen requires you to be authentic, to remove all the masks, to stop being fake, to show up as you every single time.
Are you ready? Are you willing?To make it happen?Peace!!

Life is a collection of decisions

Do you love what you feel? Chaka KhanI often think that life is not just a collection of moments, but decisions.Decisions to leave. Decisions to stay.Decisions to hide. Decisions to shine.Decisions to wait. Decisions to try again.Trust me when I say that owning my choices has completely changed my life. I, like many of you, have been through the wringer of life school. I’ve been hurt and healed and have come back for more because of who I am on the other side.As I evolve, my choices do too. Instead of feeling sad for myself for decisions I made years ago when I was a different person, I see every choice (past or present) as a part of a whole; that is, a divine step on my staircase to my castle in the air.When it comes to our influence, taking personal responsibility for how we want to feel and then acting as empowered creators of this feeling into our everyday life is a treasured gift to ourselves, our families, and our world.  We tap into a collective love more powerful than media or low-level gossip, and create our own agendas for joy and freedom through personal expression that others can’t help but be lifted up and forever changed.Thank you Tiffany Joseph!Peace
Heading to the radio station in a short short.....