wealth.
love. success. Yeah we say we desires these things, but are we REALLY ready to receive them into our lives if they came knocking at our door TODAY? When you get that big pay day, do you have a financial management and investment structure that will insure those seeds harvest more fruit? When he/she shows up are you ready in every way to receive them fully into your life? When you get that call and have the attention of the world finally, are you ready to handle all the interest that comes with it? My friend, beautiful and prolific jewelry designer K-Fleye and Will Smith have been saying for years: "Stay ready so you don't have to get ready." I got an unexpected text on a Wednesday evening at 7 pm to be across the country the next morning to do makeup for a TV series. I made it happen and was there. A metaphysician knows that if you don't make space for things in your life they have a hard time getting in. Sometimes they will drop in anyway, and as the unannounced guest looks for a place to get cozy, you've got to scurry about trying to pull it together to make their visit comfortable. You've been hoping, praying, desiring and conjuring but didn't believe they were coming so soon. That's the funny thing about life, each day really is an adventure because you never know what or who is going to show up. Everyday we are creating a legend. It's an amazing phenomena that every time I clean my house and let go of unnecessary possessions, I get a call for an assignment, product orders come in or otherwise somehow attract prosperity. The holiday season is here, with the powerful winter solstice leading us into a brand spanking new year. This is a really good time to explore what we need to do to get ready for wealth, love, success if we're truly serious about attracting, being, having those things. Get your passport. Keep a suitcase ready. Keep your toenails done. Lover ready undies. Have your EPK (electronic press kit) updated. Products stocked. Let's get and stay ready for all the wealth, love and success that our hands and heart can hold, because any day is a good day for miracles to occur and the legend to continue. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 16 of 11/13 Moons Waning Gibbous Ever wonder why people consistently fail at their New Year's resolutions? It's the wrong timing.
Whatever you are focused on during the Winter Solstice will be amplified during the next 365 days. For any goal, vision, desire you have, there is not a better time than the Winter Solstice, the longest nights of the year to cultivate your genius within by being still and listening. The most Ancient Egyptians were legendarily advanced because they discovered the secret of cultivating the genius within. In the cocoon of darkness, dreams, visions and insight come forth like none other. Although the Winter Solstice is over one month away, we know that the seeds for manifestation began yesterday on 11.11.16. Dec. 19 to Dec. 25: Is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the four days and four nights when the sun stops its progression are the shortest days (9 hr. and 8 min.) and longest nights (14 hr. 51 min.) of the year. Winter Solstice: Wednesday, 21 December, 2016 at 5:44 AM EST I've personally observed the Winter Solstice since 2012 and host an annual observance community on Facebook. A great deal of my observance practices were inspired by the work of Ra Un Nefer Amen of Ausar Auset Society. Not on Facebook? Shoot me an email and I'll find a way to include you in the goings-on. This year's observance will include key events: 1. Pre-Winter Solstice Cleanse/Detox beginning on Sunday, Nov. 27th 2. Global Conference Call 3. Celebration & Gathering at Metamoorphose Wellness Temple on Friday, Dec. 30th. The basic protocol during these four days (Dec. 19 to Dec. 25) are the following: 1. Eat lightly. 2. When the Sun sets don't use any artificial light. 3. Quiet your environment. 4. Refrain from speaking. and 5. L I S T E N Be ready to write down what you hear and see. When the Sun returns you will be the newborn Queen/King ready to serve, receive and shine. This is the ULTIMATE preparation for a 2017 filled with Health, Love, Unity & Prosperity. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 14 of 11/13 Moons Waxing Gibbous photo: wallpaperswide.com elation. anger. apathy. I'm glad I committed to a "mostly" daily notebook, because it's been a whirlwind week with unexpected travel, work and adventure. I've come back with so much to share with you and had other notes in mind to write today, but out of compassion for the people in America, our home - post-election, I feel I need to offer some light and comfort.
DIVIDED Apparently a quarter of our country is celebrating the result, a quarter of our country is in shock, grief and feeling angry, while half of the country is perhaps frustrated, apathetic or altogether disconnected from politics. No matter where you stand in any of those groups, it's time to, as Seth Godin writes in his blog today, "Roll Up Our Sleeves." Voting twice every few years isn't going to do the trick, nor is just balancing our chakras. This is a great time to really take ownership of our reality. What if each person treated this nation/planet and land as it were our own home? Like someone else isn't going to get the dishes and make the bed, we are. No matter where you stand, the activities that we've been witnessing on this planet of late have been a mighty catalyst for bringing the ugliness and beauty out of us all to the surface. No matter how it appears, it's can be a beneficial thing because now we can REALLY get honest, have compassion, really dig in to do the work of healing. FEELING ELATED? Be compassionate and respectful, honoring the feelings and processes of your fellow citizens. FEELING ANGRY? Be committed to not violating another's right to the pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in your expression and process. Beneath anger there's always hurt, disappointment or even fear. Anger is completely valid and natural. Knowing that all illness and disease begin in the Spirit, the key is to express your anger, then move on. Like a child expresses his/her emotion and then pretty quickly moves on - we have an opportunity to express anger while taking note of the hurt/disappointment beneath it. The goal is to process the roots of your emotion and look for "the gift" in it, which could be an insight for change/transformation/renewal, added wisdom, etc. The goal is to use your anger a tool for growth and expansion then get back to having a light heart. There's a quote from Buddha that I quite appreciate: "Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." FEELING FEARFUL or INSECURE? I can definitely empathize with a feeling of uncertainty. My last note was about "F*ck Fear! Say Yes." It's important to keep a proper perspective of our true power to create our own reality. Every choice we make is creating our future on the microcosm and the macrocosm. You've got the power. Just know that a fearful or insecure person is a vulnerable person. We don't always make the best choices when we feel afraid or insecure. And sometimes even, others set up people to feel fear and insecure to take advantage of their feeling of vulnerability. My Healing Prescription: BE. DO. HAVE. To soothe and empower yourself, here are a few things you can "do."
We're all feeling the winds of transformation and hopefully the dismantling of all that doesn't work on this planet. How we navigate this era will depend on our consciousness and mindset from moment-to-moment, day-to-day keeping our eye on the prize without distraction. The future will reward those who are productive, who contribute to the lives of others, that can pierce through the illusion, see and move in the Source of Our True Power. Speaking of the winds of transformation, the other day I was on a plane flying over Denver which is known to have choppy air. When the flight got uncomfortably turbulent, my si"star" friend held my hand and said "The plane is just dancing in the wind." ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 12 of 11/13 Moons Waxing Gibbous This note is dedicated to Stacye Branche, Fanta Celah, My Mother, My Ancestors, My Daughters and Yours. Having not read Shonda Rhimes' book "A Year of Yes," I was still inspired to deem 2016 my "Year of Yes." After watching "Yes Man" starring Jim Carrey, I was fascinated about how more beautiful and adventurous my life could be by simply receiving the opportunities presented to me.
Through saying "Yes." this year I've:
F*CK FEAR How do I, you, we trust life, ourselves, others and not be in fear? At the end of this note, I've got a challenge for you. When I think about the saying "Ignorance Is Bliss," it's a bit true. I did the most brazen things in my early twenties not because I was necessarily courageous but because I didn't know to have concerns, fears or hang ups. I walked into the offices of power players, laid out my vision and created enduring relationships. When I think about that girl, she's my muse, my rockstar. YOU KNOW TOO MUCH We get older, and consume way too much fear, lack and scarcity through the eyes of "grown-ups," media and our painful experiences. REALITY CHECK If I think about the fact that things ALWAYS work out, even when they don't, it reactivates that free-spirited adventurer within. Knowing that my highest good is always at hand, I can trust The Most High, the Universe, the Spirit Allies and my inner Oracle i.e. my Heart. Through being even more intentional about receiving and following-through with opportunities I've identified hidden layers of concerns, fears and hang ups that are just frankly out-dated and illogical. Those damn concerns, fears and hang ups of ours short circuit and block my/your/our ability to serve, share my/your/our gifts, wisdom and love with others. OFF WITH YOUR HEAD So . . . if we started or continued to ignore our monkey minds (survival-focused) and get into our hearts (not emotion, but our inspiration/passion) and be led by that - the magical and miraculous will continue/begin in our lives. In our SUPERWOMEN & GODDESSES culture, we believe (be + live): REAL superwomen think, feel and act with a mind that anything is possible and REAL goddesses inspire life in everything they touch. It's the only way if I/you/we are to really work the highest power and magic. So . . . RIGHT NOW IDENTIFY . . . at least one b*llshit concern, fear or hangup that you KNOW is illogical, challenge it and put it to eternal rest. It's our time to win, progress, and accomplish. Every accomplishment we make juices us up to create another and another and another. And not just accomplishment for accomplishment sake or our ego but the expression of our divinity, beauty and power within. DO THIS. I want you to:
♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 8 of 11/13 Moons Waxing Crescent . . . read this.
Somehow, many of us are looking to gather the pieces of who we are, very much like Auset searched the Universe for the pieces of her husband Ausar's dismembered body after Set in an angry rage murdered and dismembered him. Eventually Auset did locate every piece of her beloved's body and the moment that she placed the final piece in it's proper place, Heru was born, the original Christ, the hero, the Enlightened One, the Awakened Soul. And like Ausar, once we are able to put all of our pieces together in alignment, the Christ, the Enlightened, the Awakened within is born. KNOW THYSELF Neophytes in their education to become Egyptian priests could study the ancient temples covered in inscriptions that included the command to "Know Thyself." This command is more popularly known to appear at the Temple of Delphi in Greece, and although not the author, Athenian philosopher Socrates is credited with this essential personal duty. For most of us, achieving this charge could take a lifetime, but it is the first order of business. Knowledge of Self brings peace, power, prosperity and provides a road map of continuity for our descendants to follow. THE LABYRINTH TO SELF There was a time when huemanity was not dominated by "white" supremacy and world domination, but peoples for the most part were left to express their perception of the universe, nature and the world around them. Although not the only part of the world where colonization has occurred, in the colonization of Africa specifically, the English and French organized that they colonize every other country so the people "next door" would be unable to communicate with the other and that is why there is a leap frog set-up of English and French speaking countries next to each other in the continent. Crazy right that people would go to such lengths to alienate people from each other? Even worse is the cultural loss of ancient texts, scrolls in the burning of the national library of Alexandria in Egypt by the historically accused army of Julius Caesar. Today, when you think about what American culture is, it's really just become the pop culture created from the corporate monolith that has been unfolding for centuries and most recently through the "spin" of corporate media whose reach is worldwide. Instead of daughters and sisters learning about who they are, traditions and rituals from their mothers, grandmothers and aunties, we follow the style and trends of corporate-financed celebrities who exist not only for the expression of their art but for the profit orchestrated by the corporate monolith. Enter the internet, which is open source, free and independent from the "Truman Show"-type social engineering. Although this truly democratic way of communicating, expressing, sharing is a beautiful thing in many ways, the damage of the agenda for world domination by the financiers of the world structure has been done. People think they have their own opinions but have actually been spoon fed ideology from a very young age through university and that ideology is seamlessly maintained in our daily news, TV shows and advertising. A call to critical thought of or opposition to these intimately held beliefs are met with a Stockholm Syndrome type response. We are all attempting to reconstruct organic and essential personal cultures that are sweet, healing and resonant with our Spirit and Soul. However, it can get a bit murky in lieu of the programming we've forgone and continue to be exposed to with the agenda of world domination of the financiers of this era who have constructed our churches and religions, schools/universities, advertising/entertainment embedded with ideology that favors a male anglo homosexual agenda for power. Language is so powerful because within language you'll find worldview. A great part of what some of us have lost is the power of our native tongues. Almost twenty years ago I desired to more closely align with the culture, traditions and language of my Ancestors (which is quite a mix) so I replaced what I could with the appropriate cultural expressions, traditions and rituals. I eventually went through medicine woman training and initiation as well various trainings in Ancient African spirituality as my nomadic Fulani bloodline originated in modern-day Sudan. What is still missing for me is to be fluent in my native tongues so it makes me appreciate my Hungarian si"star"-friend who still speaks her native language with her parents while they Skype or my former Ghanaian beloved who spoke his native tongue of "Twi" with his mother on the phone. THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND So something as simple as an "African-American" young woman reading a blog about awakening her witch, leads her into a query to find a word to express her desire to create her reality using her intention and rituals leads her to questioning if foreign cultural labels like "witch" and "spells" fit because somehow it just doesn't resonate on her soul level. Disconnected from her native tongue, traditions and culture it's awfully confusing. WITCH In my estimation, all girls and women have the ability to work power, magic and express the miraculous, when they learn to tap in and harness these powers. "Witch" is a Wiccan term for a female who possesses magical powers or can command supernatural forces. In my study decades ago of the English Wiccan religion I appreciated their pre-Christian connection and honoring of nature. It indicates a certain rhythm with Universal laws. If you haven't read the book "The Mists Of Avalon" or seen the film adapted from the book by author Marion Zimmer Bradley and interested in the time during King Arthur's Camelot when Christianity and honoring the Goddess co-existed, it's a fascinating read. With the agenda of the Catholic church and those behind it: the wise woman, healer and seer have had a very tragic history which includes a holocaust of women and healers. It's funny that John Lennon actually penned a song "Woman Is The Nigger Of The World." The word "witch" for many has a great deal of negative stigma attached to it, while it's lovingly and proudly embraced by others. Similar to the word "nigger" or "nigga," the conversation and debate opens up a can of worms. BEAUTIFUL JAMBALAYA The beauty of our world is that we have at our fingertips a jambalaya of culture, tradition and ritual through food, fashion, art, etc. Is it assimilation, appropriation, adoption or alliance? At the end of the day, it is context and meaning that determine the expression and the way that one experiences a thing. To keep it simple and inclusive for me I recognize that first and foremost we are all connected as embodiments of divinity. From there our inquiry into who we are can go as simply or as comprehensively as we choose : biologically, historically, culturally, astrologically, vocationally, etc. CHOICE It may be empowering to one's personal journey back to Self to become familiar with and align with how they express and communicate their uniqueness through ancestral culture, tradition and ritual. On the other hand, perhaps we've lived many lives and bring to this life several influences and experiences that color how we resonantly express ourselves. Every human being has the right and free will to call themselves whatever the hell they choose. Our hidden treasures are waiting to be discovered if we only clear away the fog of foreign ideology and create from our essential voice. Always keep in mind the very first command to the neophytes of the Egyptian priesthood: "Know Thyself." INjoy your adventure back to Self! ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 2 of 11/13 Moons New Moon ![]() The Spirit of Order calls us to honor the rhythm of the cosmos and its enduring predictability. The Spirit of Chaos calls us to honor beingness and allowing of this moment. There's a time for order and there's a time for chaos. When we bring them together interdependently, there is a marriage which brings creation. In every spiritual school of thought we are invited to walk in the beauty of balance. The electromagnetic Universe (feminine) that we live in is governed by the universal law of Maat which brings order. Maat is an ancient goddess from the most ancient Egyptian (Kemetic) tradition. The Spirit of Maat represents order, truth, balance, harmony and justice. Maat has her laws (universal) and those laws have been interpreted by Tehuti, the god of wisdom mathematically (Maat). The most ancient Egyptians were guided by these laws in their daily 42 Declarations of Innocence. Apparently prior to foreign influences and invasion, the most ancient Egyptians maintained a Maatian civilization that lived in peace for thousands of years with no need for police. My friend Kajara NiaYaa NebtHet wrote a book called "Light As A Feather: 42 Laws of Maat For Children" on this topic for children. I digress. The bottom line is that being alarmed out of your sleep in the morning and popping out of bed to put out fires, meet deadlines and be pulled by someone else's train all day is not going to create a life that you deserve where you are cherished, appreciated and compensated on every level. Before Michael Jordan ever stepped out on the court to perform the superhuman feats that he was able to do time and time again, he had a pre-game ritual. I perceive every day of my life as stepping out on the court to play so I also have a pre-game ritual. My "pre-game" ritual is based on the things that I require to be prepared to play at my highest capability and to perform superhuman feats that I'm able to do time and time again. A couple of days ago, I hosted a LIVE Facebook event and the women on the call unanimously admitted to putting EVERYONE else's requirements and desires before their own requirements and desires. Some might see forsaking your own needs as being a saint or sweet. Being a martyr for others may give you saint status, but at the end of the day it doesn't work because it's unsustainable. At some point you will burnout and crash. And holistically speaking, in every case (wife, mother, employee, entrepreneur) we set the standard of how others will cherish, appreciate and compensate us as well as be influenced as to how they will conduct their own lives. How we care for ourselves and live our lives has a domino effect on our relationships, families, community and culture. Women are the enduring example and first teacher in every context we exist in. If you expect to live in an environment where each person is cherished and appreciated in their relationships, as well as be paid top dollar for their abilities then YOU'VE/WE'VE got to set the standard. On Sunday, 6th November, from 2 to 4 PM, I'll be hosting a FREE Workshop: "How To Create Your Daily Healing Beauty Ritual." If you would like to attend in-person or online, please send me an email ([email protected]) or text (312.566.7506) as soon as possible, NOW. Until then begin to GET CLEAR on what it is you require daily to really perform at your best everyday and get it in BEFORE heading out to save the world. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 24 of 10/13 Moons Waning Crescent
Me on the film set of a Chevy commercial in 1997 with Michael Jordan & Muhammad Ali.
Have you ever heard of the 80/20 rule?
Yes? No? Well either way, by the end of this note my goal is that you will identify where you fit in with this rule and where you want to be with this rule.
I've been surrounded by a beautiful diversity of people throughout my life; which includes people living in wealth (defined by mindset + finances) as well as people living in poverty (defined by mindset + finances). From a young age I've been surrounded by wealthy and successful examples. The first time I heard about the 80/20 rule was at a business conference and understood it to be that in no matter the circumstance, in a mass of people with evenly distributed wealth, that 20 % of the mass would end up with 80% of the wealth or that 20% of the people will do 80% of the work.
Throughout my life I have observed to see if this rule is actually true in real life circumstances. I must say in my experience that it is not only true, but it actually seems as the public is becoming more and more INFLUENCED by mass media, "group think" and the social engineering that has and is occurring, the disparity between the two numbers seem to be even larger. According to The Guardian in October of 2015: "Half of the world's wealth is in the hands of less than 1% of the population." According to Inequality.org in 2015: 71% of the world who have under 10K in assets only hold 3% of the wealth while 84.6% of the wealth is held by 8.1% of the global population. Well my focus in this note isn't only about wealth in regard to tangible and cash assets but in the the consciousness, mindset, worldview, habits and behavior that creates wealth. Wealth being defined for me as being able to choose to life how you spend your day, your life and that you get to live as you envisioned and dreamed it, fulfilling on the things you said that you'd like to do and experience. Even if it turns out differently than you planned, you feel happy and fulfilled in your life for the most part. That is wealth. So it's pretty clear that wealth, happiness and fulfillment is somehow connected to consciousness, mindset, worldview, daily habits and behavior? In the culture of this moment, we tend to celebrate the individuals that through tough odds were able to persevere, relent and break through the obstacles set in their path. In sports, entertainment, business, even health and longevity, we call those that have accomplished what most couldn't or wouldn't, heroic and lift them up as celebrity. I myself am incredibly attracted to and marvel at people who are bold, brave, and consistent in the expression of their gifts, talents and abilities or the pursuit of a goal or a vision. It's EXTREMELY attractive. If everyone chose to be bold, brave and consistent I suspect that the "wealth" gap would be even smaller; the gap between those that are winning in and loving their lives and those who as Les Brown calls it "living in quiet desperation." I've been involved in so many groups, courses, initiations, etc. where everyone begins excited, committed and on board (100%) and then after a week there are some that drop off and then as time goes on even more drop off leaving the few consistent ones to complete the envisioned task alone at the finish line and it's not even 20%, but more like 1%. Sometimes it's not even that the task was done particularly well, but the fact that they crossed the finish line and didn't give up or quit.
So my question to you is: Who are you?
Are you part of the 80 or 20? . . . the 99% or the 1%? Either way it's fine, but are you where you want to be? Whether it's how you take care of yourself by tending to your health, your relationships, fulfilling on your life's purpose, gaining a certain level of education, will you stay in the game until the end or will you just quit? This world celebrates and rewards the people who cross the finish line. Who will you be? The 80 or the 20? ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 24 of 10/13 Moons Waning Crescent
"You Must Set The Standard." PLEASE STOP AT :45 seconds then continue on to the note. ![]()
You can watch the rest of the video later, because today's note is all about the first :45 seconds of this video. "You Must Set The Standard" is about setting the standard for all relationships in our lives by doing one simple thing.
Here's the transcript of the first 45 seconds: Mind if I ask you a question? How did you end your day yesterday, then how did you begin this day? The reason I ask is that there are so many women who routinely roll out of bed every morning and look up and it's 1 o'clock in the afternoon to find they forgot to eat...but yet the children, the husband, the boss and the clients have all been taken care of. If that's you, you KNOW that's not going to work for long. If you expect to be cherished and appreciated in your relationships, paid top dollar for your abilities then YOU'VE got to set the standard. I'm Akua Auset of akua-auset.com. My name Akua means "the sweet messenger" and my zone of genius is facilitating transformation. I've been given one job to do, and it's a very sacred job and that's to inspire women and girls to be magical and powerful - because our marriages, our children, every relationship in our community depends on it. HOW DO YOU END AND BEGIN YOUR DAYS? In tomorrow's note, I'm going to go into more about this topic. THIS EVENING at 7 pm CST, I'm going to do a LIVE Facebook Event in our SUPERWOMEN & GODDESSES community about how to you end and begin your days. I'd love to hear from you on this topic, so set your alerts and alarms to join us at 7 pm CST. CLICK THE IMAGE above to join our community and to attend the event this evening. This Last Quarter Moon week is a good time to let go of habits, behaviors and things in our lives that don't work for us. Let's begin that letting go process. SEE YOU TONIGHT! So . . . whether you followed directions and stopped the video at 45 seconds or not, I'll explain what this video is for. For the last month, I've been part of a Mindset Alchemy™for Female Entrepreneurs course facilitated by one of my favorite clients: Tracy Neely of TracyNeely.com. We met when I was hired to "d0" her face for her promotional photo shoot. Gorgeous right? She's wearing A U S E T : B E A U T Y cosmetics.
. . . ever see "The Matrix?" If you're in MY tribe and orbit I'm sure you have: Neo, Morpheus, Trinity, The Oracle, Agent Smith. When I first saw the film I found it fascinating that The Oracle, "THE prophet who helps free the humans with her foresight and wisdom" was located deep in "the hood." The Black Divine Feminine leading people back to themselves, their source of power is nothing new, but is in Maat (order). It's like going home to Mama to restore yourself. The caterpillar was never the destiny of the butterfly. All things come from God (good), all things are destined to return to God (good), and there are many paths to God (good). In the METAMOORPHOSE community, we utilize the healing beauty arts as a gateway for those who seek personal transformation. The caterpillar was never the destiny of the butterfly. As human being is not our destiny, but the Hero within us. We are the restoration of the Beloved Community.
HEALING WISDOM OF AFRICA What I learned from Malidoma Some in his book "The Healing Wisdom of Africa," is that people in the West suffer because they don't have four things: 1) who they are 2) why they are here 3) a community to affirm those gifts and 4) a community with with to share those gifts. If every human being had those four things in place, as well as nourishment from high vibe food, we would experience a whole different kind of reality. I know because it's been done before and it exists even today. GIVE On the last New Moon I received an oracle to "GIVE," and so I am going to obey Spirit and have begun to follow that direction by opening up my private beauty bungalow and wellness temple to the community with regular hours. I've been looking at properties to purchase with land but I felt let's just get started where we are and just build from there. After years of serving our community through various programs and courses, we now have a physical location where METAMOORPHOSE community and invited guests are welcome to restore, heal and amp up with our next level practitioners, artists and mystics. Sip tea and take beauty shots while shopping to restock your beauty and medicine bag. Yesterday was the first day open to the community. Most of you reading ARE outside of Chicago, so we'll be hosting LIVE streaming courses and events so don't feel left out. CONNECT WITH US To check the hours, the activities and receive notification FOLLOW our Facebook page and stop by: CLICK TO GET UPDATES Not on Facebook? Neither is my mom and a whole bunch of my elder aunties so just text 312.566.7506 or email: [email protected] for updates. The caterpillar was never the destiny of the butterfly. As human being is not our destiny, but the Hero within us. We are the restoration of the Beloved Community. Come home to the hood and get restored Beautiful. We are waiting for you. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 20 of 10/13 Moons Waning Gibbous
BACK FAT
Over the last four years I put on about fifteen to twenty pounds. Until then I'd been pretty much the same size since high school. In the last couple of months I've released ten to fifteen pounds, 2.5 inches off my hips and waist, and my back fat is gone! I knew something had to give. I didn't recognize myself. I NEVER had back fat until the holidays last year. That had to go! People have always said how small I am, then it stopped. I just recently heard it again. Thank goodness. DRUGS & COMFORT I figured that the weight gain had a great deal to do with comforting myself during these years of major transition (empty nest, moving, career transformation, etc.). Walking into the unknown without family close by and the feeling of isolation drove me to reach out for yummy comfort in the form of food. I don't drink coffee or alcohol, smoke cannabis, or otherwise do any kind of drugs. Those things have no appeal to me whatsoever, never have really . . . but have you met Lola Yum Yum, my alter ego? "What ever Lola wants, Lola gets." [Sara Vaughn] FOOD: MY LOVER Speaking of harmful drugs, when I descend into my junky food craving, my pantheon of lovers are diverse: that plain donut, crispy bacon, a properly made pizza and why did my formerly veggie sister take me to Uncle J's BBQ over the holidays last year? Although I've never proclaimed myself to be a vegan or vegetarian, I eat a pretty life-honoring, plant-based menu and went about sixteen years without eating chicken, beef or pork. Just because I felt better eating this way, but "Yo! . . . " months later, I'm STILL thinking about how damn good those ribs were and I'm not even a rib girl. Did I mention how good they were? TA-TA BACK FAT! So how did I release those inches off my body and melt that back fat? I MOVED MY ASS. Yup! Every day for about thirty minutes to two hours for twenty-eight days, give or take a few days because I got sick (detox symptoms). I knew that just cleansing wasn't going to melt and sculpt my body the way I desired so I followed a fitness regimen by Tracy Anderson who I respect because she has revolutionized body transformation for women by focusing on the accessory muscles. This was the first time in my life I worked out at this level of intensity and regularity. Initially I slept a lot and it was time consuming but the results are so worth it. I'm back in clothes I couldn't get over my hips. I feel like myself again. WHOO HOO!!! A combination of cardio and muscle strengthening was the key. Cardio melts the fat while muscle strengthening sculpts your body. You require BOTH to get a toned and slim look. I ended up taking a month break due to illness i.e. healing and a million other things (thank goodness I maintained my weight release and size). I'm Day Two into starting up again to finish powerfully and to get back on the beautiful rhythm I was on. I'm an inch away from reaching my goal. BLAST YOUR ARSE OFF THE COUCH! Since people love tips, tricks and hacks ;o), here are some of the things that help me to get moving again after being kidnapped by the couch.
These five actions are JUST to get you off the couch, to put down the bag of chips and signal to your body something different is going down. Once you finally get your body moving again, I highly recommend checking out Tracy Anderson's work. You can sample her a bit through YouTube but I would go ahead and invest in her book The 30-Day Method. I'll be incorporating her fitness program with my Organic Beauty Detox this fall throughout my annual Winter Solstice Observance and the 2017 New Year. If you're interested in joining us reach out to me on Facebook or email me: [email protected]. We'll be meeting weekly at my Wellness Temple (which I'll tell you about tomorrow) and yes we'll be LIVE STREAMING for those of you not in Chicago.
Progress Photos: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3. I'll post the final progress photo soon.
Send me a message if you're down for your most powerful transformation. We're going to reach your body, beauty, health and wellness goals - TOGETHER. Remember this is the time when the sleeping giants awaken and the metaphysician, superwoman and goddess RISE.
♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 18 of 10/13 Moons Waning Gibbous
Are you being stingy with your goodies? Tell the truth.
After being homeless three times in my life, the greatest lesson that I learned from those experiences is that when I share I will always have. Every time poverty has visited me it was because I was being stingy with my gifts and goodies. Whether it was me feeling not good enough or that my ego wouldn't allow me to do certain work with my background and experience. No one likes to think of themselves as stingy. After all, if we witnessed an adorable baby animal or child in need we'd most definitely step up to take care of them to the best of our ability. Yes, we are all essentially compassionate beings. I'm convinced that when you wake up clear about what your gift is, your zone of genius, knowing what your life's work, purpose, mission is, life becomes a great adventure. The Sun seems brighter, music sounds more melodic, human beings are more delightful and food tastes better than ever. I shared in my book SUPERWOMEN & GODDESSES: Workin' Your Power & Magic Book One that my mentor years earlier proclaimed that there were basically two types of people in the world: pimps and hoes. What?! I still shudder at that idea because it's a judgment that violates the sacredness of who I know us to really be. The Pareto Principle states that when everything is leveled out equally 20% of the whole will do 80% of the work or acquire 80% of the wealth every time. It's also been said that 85% of the masses follow the 1% blindly. While I was at the farmer's market this weekend I ran into a couple of people who had mentioned one of my Facebook posts. "Facebook post? What Facebook post?" I forgot we were even Facebook friends because I never hear a peep from them but then somehow they knew all about what was going with me. It made me wonder why they didn't comment or send me any indication that they were watching, especially since they both got such a kick out of the post enough to mention it. Didn't it at least earn a response? Years and not a peep from either of these people. Weird. It's like going to a concert and you're enjoying the music but just sit in your seat without dancing, clapping or otherwise engaging. Artists feed off of the energy of the audience very much in the way our African ancestors engaged in a "call and response" interaction when someone was expressing their gifts, message, blessing to the community. For this particular topic, I see that there are two types of people:
The world will feel more balanced when everyone takes a turn to create, shine as well as champion others to continue to shine by participating in the beauty of their expression. Be generous will your goodies, shine, serve, give your time, share your wisdom and vision. As well, participate and connect to those that have warmth, beauty and wisdom to share. Leave a good tip for good service, give a standing ovation and applaud, click like or comment, attend the event people organize, support the enterprise and businesses of your community, tell someone "yes, they can do this!" Be generous Dearheart and make your presence known otherwise the heart-to-heart connections in our society dissolve. What does that look like? Robots and zombies? If you don't have (wealth, love, health, etc.), perhaps it's because you're being stingy with your Light. You wonder? What will they think of me? What if they think "Who does she think she is?" or "Who does he think he is?" "What if I look stupid, silly, needy, etc.? Who cares? Shine like the Sun on SUNday Beautiful because you are the Source and the Light. In every instance, let your presence bring the warmth, vitality and goodness. If your shine is too bright for "them" they can put on sunglasses. Starry nights are so magical. It's a wonder to behold . . . billions of stars, a supanova of light makes it clear to me that we can all be generous with our shine, our light, our goodness, our goodies and never fear running out of room to do so. Even with this being so, we must face the fact that even though the Sun sustains life itself on planet Earth, people will still complain about and hate on the Sun, the Light of the World. Ah well. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 17 of 10/13 Moons Waning Gibbous Yesterday in part 1 of my "Mind Detox" note, we began perhaps one of the most powerful protocols you can ever perform and that's the detoxification your mind/consciousness to reveal a clear and open space for the possibility and fulfillment of your destiny (could that be very simply to return to God/Good?). Although every cell in our body embodies an intelligence, apparently we have major three brains i.e. carbon-concentrated central consciousness centers that gives us gateways to our genius and supernatural powers. Being distracted by the nonsense, noise and minutiae of this world can keep us from ever activating those organic powers; our inner genius that raises us from the very basic survival activities of what it is to be a human being. bless your head Once you've cleaned and cleared an environment, it's now primed for the possibility of creation. Anything powerful ever created first began with a wish, intention, or vision. The daily blessing of your head i.e. consciousness is a daily ritual practiced in the Yoruba, Ife or Isese tradition. Many people don't know that Iyanla Vanzant (who I share a birthday with) is a Yoruba priestess and published a book called "Tapping The Power Within" in 1992. It was a very helpful book when I was looking to reclaim my indigenous African spiritual traditions in the early 2000s. This Head Blessing Ritual is a great way to begin your day or week. I remember amazing and miraculous things occurring when I first began blessing my head every morning. This was noticeable to me because when I fell away from the practice I noticed the difference in my life. You'll need:
UPON RISING, BEFORE SPEAKING TO ANYONE 1. DIP two fingers from both hands into the water. 2. PLACE fingers from middle of forehead back to the nape of your neck and declare: "I bless the Spirit of my head." 3. DIP your fingers into the water again. PLACE fingers at the center of your head (the crown) down to the ears. Right hand to right ear, Left hand to left ear and declare: "I bless the spiritual energy of my head." 4. DIP your fingers into the water again. DRAW fingers from center of forehead ("third" eye) out to each side and declare: "I bless my spiritual vision that I may see my way clearly." 5. DIP your fingers into the water again. STROKE each eye gently outward. Right hand, right eye, left hand, left eye simultaneously and declare: "I bless my eyes that I may see truth in my life." 6. DIP your fingers into the water again. STROKE each nostril from top to bottom and declare: "I bless my breath, enabling my life may be sustained by my Spirit." 7. DIP your fingers into the water again. STROKE each ear with fingertips and declare: "I bless my ears that I may recognize and follow the guidance my Spirit." 8. DIP your fingers into the water again. STROKE lips from center outward and declare: "I bless my ability to speak the truth of Spirit, to affirm the guidance of Spirit; to give thanks for the blessings of Spirit." 9. DIP your fingers into the water again. STROKE the circular outline of your face from the center of the forehead around to your chin and declare: "I bless my unique identity as an expression of the Creator, making me an expression of divinity." 10. DIP your fingers into the water again. BLESS your head again from center front and back and declare: "I bless the Spirit of my head to guide me throughout this day." 11. DIP your fingers into the water again. BLESS your head from center top to either side and declare: "I bless the Spirit of my head to protect me through this day." Amen. Ashe. Aho. Allelujah. And so it is. Thanks to my friend Tez Rhaq for his advanced knowledge on the Isese traditions and technology ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 13 of 10/13 Moons Waxing Gibbous Moon "The biggest challenge we face is shifting human consciousness, not saving the planet. The planet doesn't need saving, we do." - Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, 14 year old Indigenous Environmental Activist (Earth Guardians) and Hiphop Artist Ever feel it's necessary to just stop everything and reclaim your peace of mind? When the riddles, noise and nonsense outside get too loud, it's time to get back to basics and seek the queendom/kingdom within. How does one stop, get off and clear the negative chatter in their mind? Sometimes our body will get sick so that we are FORCED to take that time out for ourselves; time to be still and cleanse the crap out of our bodies. Getting sick is unnecessary and preventable if you'll just be a good lover to her. So let's get mentally still and detox before nature dominates our situation. Here's what I do:
To Be Continued . . . SHARE or TWEET how you're going to begin your mind detox today. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 12 of 10/13 Moons Waxing Gibbous Moon When you control a man's thinking,
you do not have to worry about his actions. - Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Author, Historian, Journalist SISTAR: If you are free, may I ask you a quick question?
AKUA: Sure. Can you type it? SISTAR: Thank you . . . yes. I have your book "Super women and Goddesses." In addition to it, can you suggest one or two good books that I can read and study? I have several already and although my journey has been long, I realize that I have a long way to go... AKUA: What are you seeking now in your life? SISTAR: Consistent authenticity . . . to walk in my goddess-hood . . . Hope that makes sense. AKUA: I have three books that I feel are required reading.
SISTAR: Yes! I have that one... I remember you mentioning it on your YouTube channel. I don't have The Spirit of Intimacy. AKUA:
AKUA: There are more but those are a great place to continue. Thanks for the question. SISTAR: Thanks so much. I will order the spirit of intimacy and start reading it. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 11 of 10/13 Moons Waxing Gibbous Moon
Did you know that the word "evil" is simply "live" backwards? The opposite of life and growth is death and destruction. I'm gonna ask that you stay with me, I may lose some of you here.
Being a metaphysician I can see the fingerprints of truth throughout all religions and holy books no matter the tampering or politics involved in the propaganda therein. There is a scripture (Romans 6:23) that reads "the wages of sin is death." The seven deadly sins according to the Christian church are: pride or vanity, envy, anger, laziness, greed, gluttony, and lust. Sin is being defined essentially as "missing the mark" i.e. violating the laws of God in other words Good or Maat which is the goddess embodying justice, Divine order, cosmic harmony and balance. Still with me? Good. Stay with me. It'll be worth it. It goes on to say: "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Knowing the background of this scripture I know that Christ is another way to address our "highest consciousness." Jesus refers to the Savior or the Hero (who before the Christians, the Greeks referred to as Horus and before the Greeks, the most Ancient Egyptians referred to as Heru, the original immaculately conceived "Anointed One.") and our Lord translated means "our Law." The scripture translated to me reads "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Highest Consciousness Heru our Law." Huh? Right. Ok. Just let that process for a bit. I was talking to my si"star" friend Aphrodite after she'd watched the film "Vampire of Brooklyn" starring Eddie Murphy and derived the message that if there is even just a small opening for evil, a person is easy prey. In the film "The Devil's Advocate" Al Pacino's character, who played John Milton who was actually the devil said: "I only set the stage, I don't do anything but I don't make it easy for you." Herein, the greatest power that we embody is our power of choice and freewill. Our greatest shield of protection from being overcome by evil is righteousness - not self-righteousness but living in Maat which means Divine order, cosmic harmony and balance. My immunity to evil becomes impenetrable through discipline. I'll be updating this as needed, but here is my working method for Construction Of My Spiritual Armor. 1. KNOW who you are. Remember that all things come from God or Good and you are an embodiment of this Divinity and benevolence made manifest. No matter how dark, malevolent and chaotic you feel or express yourself to be, you were created by Good/God and are destined to return to that. 2. DETOX, HEAL + BALANCE your Spirit, Body, Heart and Mind of its wounds and imbalances. Daily address any offenses to your Spirit, Body, Heart and Mind so as not to accumulate a high level of toxicity within. Our Ancestors knew that disease begins in the Spirit so allowing this load over time can create a compromised immune system and eventually manifest in your body. Ideas of not being good enough, pretty enough, rich enough, not popular or successful enough, feeling jealous, helpless, poor, etc. can give birth to the pursuit and/or addiction to celebrity, money, power, physical beauty, or sex. Those that are most victimized or conned are those that grew up having been abused, exploited or neglected from an early age. Emotional, mental and spiritual violations or voids that exist within can create a crack exposing an entryway for evil and destruction to enter. In this state the wonderful world of illusion and pleasure becomes an easy out. Any form of media can become a powerful vehicle for the seven deadly sins to run rampant. Pride and Vanity, like a natural opiate is the enemy's favorite sin. (The Devil's Advocate) There's a line in the Autobiography of Malcolm X that I never forgot. He said he found women to be vain based on the ability to soften up even the "hardest-looking, meanest-acting woman" by looking her in the eye and telling her "she's beautiful" daily. Be a woman who is so fulfilled and solid in her sense of self that a compliment doesn't have you handing over the keys to your queendom and strung out like a crack addict. 3. LISTEN to your highest consciousness . . . . . . your inner oracle, your own wisdom, your first mind, your gut, your heart. Most people don't realize that our heart is our most powerful brain. So when someone says to "follow your heart," people confuse that with following your feelings or emotions which are temporary. Because your emotions are temporary you most definitely don't want to give them the last word. When I say your heart I mean "the voice" of God or good, who speaks simply. You know those moments that you ignore "the voice" and in hindsight you say "I had a feeling." Put nothing above the voice of God/good within. 4. BE self-contained, whole and complete. This isn't to suggest that man or woman should be an island, however let the focus be on cultivating yourself to be a flame, a light that only becomes greater and brighter in concert with others. Be self-contained and fulfilled through simplicity and balance, never extremes. I'll never forget a line from the film "Hurricane," a story about Rubin Carter who was asked how he survived in his circumstances. He replied, "I've trained myself not to need anything." 5. RESTORE ORDER in your life. Put your life in order, top to bottom. Your health, your home, your relationships, your business, etc. 6. EAT life. Eat life by mouth, by eye, by ear. Keep in mind you're consuming at every moment. The food you eat, the propaganda and programming you watch on your TV, in the movie theatre, on social media and the radio, music, people you listen to. You are a sponge so be aware that your subconscious does not know the difference between real or Memorex (look up the popular commercial if you're too young to catch this reference) i.e. artificial, fact v. fiction. Keep your life force and your vibes high. Tune into the love i.e. life, light, good, God frequency to ward off pests, after all you can't get too close to the Sun. So eat life and shine bright. 7. SURROUND yourself with people of light. Birds of a feather flock together. It's been said and almost cliche that you are the sum total of the five people you surround yourself with. They are not only your greatest influencers but your greatest reflection. 8. KNOW, RESPECT & ABIDE by the laws of the universe and nature. When you violate universal or natural law it creates disorder, disease and destruction. Respect the "laws" and rules of your household, community, city, state, etc.. Learn, know and abide by them. There's even a law for freedom i.e. the freedom to will. Freewill is a law of nature and when you violate this law, your way will be shown back to freedom. Ever notice how when you say you will "never" do a thing that you are proven wrong? When you say what you will never do, that is a violation of your freewill very much like making vows forever. Making a vow for forever violates your own freewill. 9. UNDERSTAND your enemy and the evil within. Darkness, breakdowns and pain may look like a bad thing, but as it turns out are a wonderful catalyst for expansion, growth and clarity on what you do require and desire. Ask those who were laid off and started a successful enterprise or someone who divorced and ended up connecting with the greatest love of their life. What evil meant for bad, love meant for good. "For they intended evil against thee; they imagined a wicked device, but they did not prevail." - Psalm 21:11 At the end of the day, the story of Harry Potter was the fight between Good and Evil. He had to surrender to the death of the evil within himself. We are our own worst enemy and the people, places, things, experiences, politicians that show up in our lives are a reflection of our own insecurities, fears and attempts to con ourselves into taking shortcuts. The shortcut becomes the long way. The cheap becomes the expensive. There are no shortcuts, hacks, tricks to our ascension, there's just staying the course back home to yourSelf. SHARE & TWEET: I am Whole, Perfect & Complete because I AM whole, perfect and complete. If you don't feel like you're quite there, it's a great goal to have. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 5 of 10/13 Moons Waxing Crescent Moon If happy girls are the prettiest girls (Audrey Hepburn) and taking care of myself is the ultimate cosmetic (Akua Auset) then achieving a state of peace and wellness must be my foremost beauty regimen.
MALNOURISHED It's nothing new that people suffer silently with depression, anxiety and panic, addictions, anger, schizophrenia, all sort and form of mental illness. Since peace is our natural state that must become the standard for living if we are ever to be happy and well. When you violate the laws of nature and the laws of our biology things go awry. As a beauty naturopath I have studied, researched and personally found it to be true that often emotional, mental imbalances can occur when we are malnourished. Malnourished in America? Yes. But I am a thick girl. Yes and still you can be malnourished. People can eat, eat and eat while at the same time remaining malnourished. If the food you're consuming has no nutritional value, then the substances you're eating just becomes a form of your entertainment, not your sustenance, vitality or longevity. If we desire quality of life, we must eat life to live. Food with living enzymes, elemental and mineral value. MENTAL HEALTH I've eaten nutritional yeast for years and it began with my desire to get a vegan source of the B-complex which is a necessary component of our mental health and wellness. Every part of the coconut is basically God's gift to hueman being. A tablespoon of the once vilified coconut oil daily has been known to reverse symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. Eating anti-depressing leafy greens daily provides complex carbs, fats, proteins, and minerals and I know for myself if I've got a yummy dressing in the wings, my desire to eat a salad goes way up! Here's such a recipe. INjoy! PP (Pretty + Peaceful) Dressing i.e. Mental Health Dressing 1/2 c. bragg's nutritional yeast 1/4 c. raw coconut oil 1/2 c. tamari, liquid aminos or *coconut liquid aminos (it will be less salty and a bit sweet) 1/2 c. organic apple cider vinegar 2 to 3 cloves of garlic (2 if large, 3 if small/medium) 1 1/4 c. cold-pressed sunflower or extra virgin olive oil (try both to see which taste you prefer) cayenne pepper to taste * 1/4 tsp. pink himalayan or sea salt PUT everything in the blender except the oil. BLEND and slowly add the oil. STORE in refrigerator. DOSAGE: 1 - 2 TBSP. daily on a big green salad. SHARE + TWEET "I'm having mental health dressing for dinner tonight!" far and wide for the mental health, peace and progress of ourselves, family, friends, community and world. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 4 of 10/13 Moons Waxing Crescent Moon
And still I rise.
- Maya Angelou This note is dedicated to all of the elders, teachers, ancestors, pioneers, mavericks, trailblazers who have come before and left clues, maps, sacred texts so that we may continue the work of the Light Ones. - - - - How does one harvest an apple? First, plant the seed. Furthermore, I know that when I plant an apple seed, it is impossible to harvest a watermelon. What I sow is what I reap, this is the universal law of cause and effect at work. Author, Comedian, Health Activist Dick Gregory reminds us that the greatest and most powerful law of our lives, this land, planet, universe is Universal Law. We've learned that when we violate the laws of nature there is a price to be paid; again cause and effect. Case and point, our bodies are made mostly of water, like 85 - 95%. When I don't drink water, I dehydrate my body then all sort and form of malfunction begins to occur: lack of energy, lack of concentration, inability to breathe, perhaps even death. As "hue"manity experiences its growing pains, what Charles Dickens said comes to mind, "this is the best of times, this is the worst of times." It's easy to get distracted and take on a Neptunian style of living when you look at your life, your community, our world and have no clue of where to begin with solving the human dilemmas - so you seek escape from it all. "It's so much, it's too much. Wonder what's on Netflix?" Consider that the solutions we seek have nothing to do with worldly things but in our ability to create - to be the metaphysicians we were born to be. We are multi-dimensional beings, with intellect and yet also creativity, literally the ability to CREATE. As the author of SUPERWOMEN & GODDESSES: Workin' Your Power & Magic almost ten years ago now, I suggested that "without knowing it, we have created a great deal of painful and pleasurable experiences not overstanding our power as goddesses and superwomen." It is only in feeling powerless that we disconnect from our innate power of being creators. The beauty of seeing, feeling and otherwise experiencing what we don't enjoy is that it creates a desire for something else, a dream or vision. From there we can begin to create differently, consciously - even otherworldly. My consciousness, thought, feeling and actions precede the manifestation of things and conditions. The Plutonian influence of Kali (death/rebirth) during this Autumn Equinox gives us an opportunity to leave behind outmoded consciousness and create anew in a clean kitchen. A new month, new moon, new beginning is just days away and possibility is abound. So what if we let go of this illusion of powerlessness? What would happen if we awoke from our "mean sleep" thinking that: Celebrity, Isolation, Illness, Poverty, Violence and Prejudice are normal facts of life? Aren't they just illusions i.e. nightmares that can be undone? Also there's so much more that can be said about each of these things I'm going to skip that inquiry and suggest that we get quiet, fast from the unnecessary, and tap into the voice of our inner oracle and activate the metaphysician that works universal law, the superwoman that powers in possibility and the goddess that inspires life in everything she touches. Imagine a world where the sleeping giants awoke and expressed every gift, talent and ability. A world where there was no concept of celebrity and that each citizen of this planet was an honored member of a harmonious and honorable community, health and vitality is the status quo, each person, family and community had access to anything they required so there is no need to hoard from others, peace and cooperation amongst a diversity of cultures, traditions and expressions of hueman being with option of a dual citizenship amongst the heavens. This vision is not so far-fetched as the standard was set before by the most ancient Kemetians (Egyptians) who famously lived in peace for thousands of years without the need for police because the goal of each citizen was to be an empowered and enlightened being. I have to agree with Carter G. Woodson, that said "When you control a man's thinking, you do not have to worry about his actions." Sheep are adorable in fact I was born the year of the sheep according to Chinese Astrology, however like the caterpillar transforms into the butterfly, it's the holy hour for the beloved sheep to become the metaphysician. Get quiet. Fast. Tap In. Dream. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 27 of 9/13 Moons Waning Crescent
COME BACK TO THE LOVE
Last night I was listening to an interview Tim Ferriss was doing with strategist, businessman, author and philanthropist Tony Robbins when he mentioned a documentary on him called "I Am Not Your Guru." I stopped listening to the interview then opened up my Netflix account, typed the name in the search box, watch the opening credits and within five minutes of viewing I was in tears - completely moved by the apparent love that Tony Robbins brings to his work. The morning after I'm still enchanted by the impact of his message because it so resonates with me. From a very young age. I never had any doubt that my life would be a life where my work would be creative and was something I loved. Although there have been a few detours, I always come back to the love, no matter how much or little financially its brought me. MOM AWAY FROM HOME This feeling of enchantment I'm feeling was similar three years ago, the night after my mother's retirement celebration. My mother Bea Harris, an educator for middle and high schoolers in the area of Life Skills which encompassed World Cuisine and Home Economics for forty-seven years. I'll never forget her saying that she wanted to be a "mom away from home teaching them skills that they will use for life." Her students impact the world and she left her fingerprints on them. LOVE & CONTRIBUTION In an interview with Charlie Rose, Robbins said "people need: certainty, variety, significance, love and connection, growth and contribution." It is clear that both Tony and my mother chose LOVE and CONTRIBUTION as their guiding force. As I wrote in honor of my mother's retirement tribute years ago: "We are all building legacies as we pass through each moment, day, week, season, year. The seemingly mundane becomes a body of work later to be reviewed and enjoyed. Bea Harris discovered what she was born to do and has shared it with love: from the White House, to Seventh Avenue and the islands of the Caribbean in the most profound way through a legion of students of national diversity in whom she planted her seed of Love. Her story is a beautiful love story that continues to unfold." DO YOU DO IT FOR LOVE? What would this world look like if every person who held a job was doing it for love and contribution? Your doctor, your auto mechanic, your teacher, your customer service rep, your pilot? Our policemen and women? Can you imagine it? What is the work, mission, purpose, calling that you could do for LOVE & CONTRIBUTION? This weekend really think about it. Below are two films that may get you inspired while you meditate on these questions. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 23 of 9/13 Moons Last Quarter Moon . : Double Feature : .![]() "When strangers tell you that you're ugly, apply more highlighter and roll your eyes." - Jeffree Star, Singer/Makeup Artist/Mr. Diva I've painted over a 1000 faces as a makeup artist for mostly celebrity clients as well as teachers, high schoolers, realtors, strippers, porn stars, video vixens for over twenty-seven years and I have yet to run across any one that I would call "ugly." I find it very hard not to find beauty in every face/person I come across. On page 17 of my book SUPERWOMEN & GODDESSES: Workin' Your Power and Magic I even go so far as to say that "God don't make ugly, people make ugly with their mindsets, which shape their disposition, attitude, habits, lifestyle, thus their "package." Beauty or Ugliness is TRULY in the eye of the beholder which brings me to the latest - America's own First Lady Michelle Obama (the partner of our Commander-In-Chief) graced the cover of INStyle magazine and received "deplorable" insults that I won't even dignify by repeating. For better or worse, the internet makes voicing one's opinion, perspective and visibility possible for any consciousness and mindset that exists on the planet. Being someone who was verbally and physically bullied in grammar and junior high school, I've always had compassion for the underdog, the misfit and the outcast. To this day I don't understand the cruelty of one that can verbally disparage another person's appearance, especially features that they wore born with. When it comes to how people look, I agree with the saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing or find something you can acknowledge positively." Unfortunately many people were not taught such things so in those cases, it's best to not to give a fudgebucket about what other people think, say or do. Love yourself even deeper, affirm yourself even harder and keep it movin' because it's the moment you begin to have unwarranted insults that you know you're working power. You must be truly up to something and tapping into your magic because no one would utter a peep about you if weren't stimulating some deep emotion for that person. Have compassion for the living hell it must be for them to have such discord within. I so love what the very controversial, singer, makeup artist and all-around Diva, Jeffree Star had to say about haters which I feel is just a projection of their own internal ugliness onto others, it made me giggle. The only thing I'd add to Jeffree's response is to not only apply more highlighter and roll your eyes but FLIP YOUR HAIR (if you've got a 'fro . . . just pat it) as you walk away. And like Mama Maya said, "And still I rise!" In solidarity for the First Lady, the outcasts, the misfits and the underdogs share my remix of irreverence: "When strangers tell you that you're ugly, apply more highlighter, roll your eyes and flip your hair (if you've got a 'fro . . . just pat it) as you walk away. And still I rise!" - Jeffree Star/Maya Angelou: The Remix by Akua Auset ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 15 of 9/13 Moons Waxing Gibbous ![]() I sing the body electric I glory in the glow of rebirth Creating my own tomorrow When I shall embody the Earth And I'll serenade Venus I'll serenade Mars And I'll burn with the fire Of ten million stars And in time and in time We will all be stars Lyrics by Irene Cara & Paul McCrane "AND I'LL BURN WITH THE FIRE OF TEN MILLION STARS" : Yaassss. I've had this song on my mind for a few days now and was one of my favorite growing up. We sang "I Sing The Body Electric" from the film "Fame" in junior high chorus and for some reason I'm vibing with this message today on my birthday. I just may christen this year with this theme of "SHINING WITH THE FIRE OF TEN MILLION STARS." I have two questions for you: 1. WHAT does "shining" mean to you? 2. HOW can I, you, we SHINE 1000 X brighter in the next 365 days? When you share this post on Facebook or Tweet include your answer. ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 13 of 9/13 Moons Waxing Gibbous Yesterday (Sept. 11th) was the Nubian New Year observed by the Ethiopians, an African people who were never colonized by foreigners. This week is my birthday week, which is my personal new year.
What a purrrrrfect time for a new beginning and to shine 1000 X more than I ever have. Each one of us is needed. Will you join me? ♡ ☆ ♀ Akua Day 12 of 9/13 Moons Waxing Gibbous |
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