Lessons from Left Eye by Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D.

Lessons from Left Eyeby Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D. | NewBlackMan (in Exile)
After the initial airing of CrazySexyCool, a 17-year-old girl who has been in my mentoring program for three years, said, “I thought of you Doc when I heard Left Eye talk. Things she said sounded just like you.”
After thinking for a moment, I replied, “Because much of what I say came from her. My friend Alicia worked with Left Eye during the last years of her life, and was with her in Honduras at the time of her death.”
It was in this moment I realized the vast expanse of Left Eye’s impact and the potential we each have to affect the lives of many.
My friend Alicia served as my creative advisor for several years. In addition to assisting with my image, she challenged me to expand the realm of my thinking. She directed me to various readings and videos exploring new age concepts. It was in this capacity she began sharing the artist and personal development lessons Left Eye shared with her. Alicia would often say, “These lessons were not supposed to be buried with Lisa. She gave me this knowledge so I could share it.”
Here are three of the most influential lessons passed on to me from Left Eye through my friend and creative partner Alicia:

1.) Be aware of your thoughts and frequency because they reflect back to you. Literally.
Alicia introduced me to this idea and the concept of “law of attraction” during our earliest lessons. When describing the remote LaCieba, Honduras village, she said Left Eye warned them to avoid fearful thoughts because they would quickly manifest into reality. Alicia stated mind over matter became everything, as a strong fear of an insect could rapidly lead to the gathering of a swarm of insects.
This lesson ushered me into a manner of thinking that I have shared with thousands of youth and professionals globally.

2.) We must be deliberate about what we put into our bodies.
Left Eye’s discipline amazed me when our lessons moved towards nutrition and physical health. Veganism and organic food consumption are gaining popularity today, however during Left Eye’s lifetime they were progressive. She encouraged those she mentored to make fruits and vegetables the primary components of their diets. I learned Left Eye had several longstanding physical conditions that reversed when she changed what she consumed.
This lesson introduced me to the work of Dr. Sebi and the healing power of nature.  
3.) Energy never dies.
The concept that energy never dies but transcends highlights a compelling experience of how lives can connect in remarkable ways. While I did not know Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in life, I have felt her presence since her passing. The lessons she shared with my friend have shaped my thinking, lifestyle, and global movement.
Left Eye’s energy reverberates at her final resting place as well. Alicia and I have witnessed remarkable events that made us smile and say, “We see you Lisa!”Left Eye believed life was more than this physical existence marked by our birth and death dates. She understood our inextricable link to one another.
This lesson continues to offer teachable moments, as highlighted by the call I received from the 17-year-old girl in my mentoring program.
Left Eye’s only solo album, Supernova, was released overseas a year before her passing. A supernova occurs when a star explodes in our universe emitting a blindingly bright light that radiates more energy than our sun in its entire lifetime. Based on my lessons from Left Eye, this describes her perfectly.
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Dr. Dia is an author, psychologist, and rap lyricist. She has been a guest on several television and radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, National Public Radio, and InContact Atlanta, and featured in JET Magazine.  Dr. Dia and Left Eye’s recording engineer, Alicia (also known as 4Bia or DJ Lady Cherry) are completing a book exploring Left Eye’s holistic lifestyle, through lessons and narrative stories. Left Eye mentored Alicia until her untimely death on April 25, 2002.

Learn more about Dr. Dia at letsgethype.com.