A Workbook, Self Love, and Legacy

This week was pretty cool. Although its not over, I had some great conversations, amazing revelations, and I heard some of the most enlightening insights. I would definitely say, it was pretty peace.

With that said, on our radio show this week, I had the great privilege of speaking with Brooke, creator of Love's Gumbo. It was a wonderful conversation (well, it was SUPPOSED to be an interview, but u know how I get a lil comfy..) and while the topic was love, relationships, and everything in between, we ended up speaking quite a bit on the relatable "in between". That being self love.

The funny thing is, THIS is what I do. I speak on self love to others. I love on my clients. I love on my babies. I love on myself. I take time, I go to Jeju when I need it. I hang with my girlfriends, I make time to exercise, I don't eat left over pb&j sandwiches. Well on most days anyway. But there is just one thing... Do I truly KNOW myself? That question rose up inside of me after seeing this:

Sistah Circle Exercise #1

I Know Me: Love\'s Gumbo Sistah Circle Exercise #1

Well, this exercise reminded me of a special workbook that I received a couple of years ago, called A Mother's Legacy: Your Life Story In Your Own Words.

It drew to mind questions about ourselves that we may be surprised to find we actually have a very hard time answering.. Things we may think we SHOULD know. Ill give an example.

There are several chapters in the book. 11 to be exact. The first chapter goes into your personal portrait. Who you are and what your gifts are to this universe. You may know what your favorite song is. But do you know WHY? Get to know yourself deeply. The surface is there, but what do you find when you dig beneath that? This is how u cleanse, purify, and recognize the beauty that is the essence of who you are.

The chapters continue on-- Your Childhood, Your Family Life, Education, Work, Marriage, Inspirations, and on and on. The important thing is, there are so many facets to who we are individually, and how well do we know them?

This was an astonishing group of exercises for me because I truly dont feel that I neglect my internal and external needs. And I feel that my self love runs deep. But does it? Hm. I realized there is so much more to know about myself, which enriches my ability to self nurture. And if you nurture yourself, you are much more equipped to nurture those around you. How lovely.

Exercises like the ones mentioned-- Love's Gumbo Sistah Circle, and the workbook, focuses on the need to love yourself, write about it, and scream it from the rooftops. Try to make use of them, this will turn into your legacy!

llp

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The Beautiful Mind

We have all heard the phrase or at least one similar: "Be careful of what you put into your body." Why? Basically it is because your body will react to what it is being internally exposed to. Some reactions for the better and some unfortunately for the worst. If you have ever experienced first hand the effects of the latter, you soon made proper changes. For example, when you intake too many artificial sugars and foods high in fats you will eventually feel the effects; sluggish, poor skin, diabetes, weight gain, poor digestion etc. However , when you replace that with natural sugars such as found in fresh fruit, increase your folic acid by eating more green leafy veggies and incorporating whole grains your body feels the effects of that too; great skin, improved digestion, looser fitting clothes and more energy.

GOOD THINGS IN GOOD THINGS OUT.

So, with that theory in mind (no pun intended) are we just as careful about what we feed our minds? Our brain is the control center of our body. It is from there that our body gets the signals to function in a variety of ways. So why should we allow negative thinking to dwell there? Negative thinking, just like bad food full of empty calories and high fat content can break our bodies down. It has been said that disease begins in the mind. Should I repeat that? DISEASE BEGINS IN THE MIND. Negative thoughts are TOXIC to your body.

One fact to prove this is stress. We all know that stress is one of the top killers in people today. What can cause stress? Our feelings can cause stress. If we are overly worried we begin to experience anxiety, which in turn can manifest itself into a physical ailment I.e., ulcers, teeth grinding, lack of sleep. When we are carrying anger & bitterness we put ourselves at greater risk for cardiac problems, kidney issues, among other things. When we experience feelings of depression due to lack of self worth, no hope or even past regrets our body will respond to that too. Now I'm not here to list all of the NEGATIVE things...that might be defeating my own purpose. So I hope you get the point.....Think positively!

Thinking positively is not always easy, believe me. But it can be done, especially when you see the power of it. Positive thinking can be a wonderful healing tonic for the soul. Do you have the tendency to allow negative thinking to linger in your control station? Well, if you want better well being you must get it under control. Begin by checking your surroundings, are there people or things around you that evoke a negative vibe? Make some changes! Surround yourself with things and people that make you happy, that provide a sense of encouragement. Read things that inspire you to be a happier you. Begin a special ritual of gratitude for yourself, Kim Coles has a wonderful site to help with that. Research Aromatherapy and use certain essential oils that create positive energy within the home. Books by well known authors such as ; Gabriel Mojay and Valerie Worwood are awesome to read on the subject. Of course I will always be an advocate for positive affirmations and meditations: you speak it, you will think it, you will believe it.

Let go of the negative thoughts in your mind and you will put yourself on a path of positive health and wonderful well being. It takes more effort to be positive at times, but aren't you worth it?

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Talking to yourself

arly on in our lives we are taught to give hugs, to say I love you, to say I forgive you. Often times we develop a habit, a daily routine of giving to others. All of which is wonderful. The ability to give is a wonderful attribute and should be continued. However, with so much emphasis given on the value and worth of others I feel that somewhere along the way some of us have lost the value of ourselves.

Are you aware of your worth and value, truly? We all say we do but do we really believe it? How do you honor the light that is within you? It is vital to our spirit that we take time to nurture ourselves emotionally and physically. Take time to say “I Love You”…”You are beautiful” …”I forgive You”…to ourselves. When we are nourished spiritually, emotionally and mentally we can provide loving gifts to others, shedding beautiful light. However the opposite occurs when we allow ourselves to become depleted of such nourishment. A tree can only produce the fruit that is within it’s seed, It will not produce what it does not have. What type of fruit will you bear, to nourish others? What type of seeds are being planted in you?

Take time each day, if you can’t do each day then try each week to re-affirm yourself. Spend a few minutes sitting quietly and say affirmations such as these; I am worthy, I am beautiful, I love myself because…, I am open and accepting of the blessings that come to me.

Hug yourself

You can create your own affirmations, it doesn’t matter, just do it for yourself.

You are so worth it.

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