1 (One) Minute Wonder

There is something inside of you that keeps calling out to be heard. Something looking for you to respond. What is that thing? Are you being called to dance, but not dancing? Do you love to mentor, but not mentoring? Do you feel called to offer a skill that you bring in a unique way? Whatever it is, it needs a conversation with you everyday. Get a journal and respond to it. Create a conversation. You'll might be surprised where that takes you.

Life across the world has changed dramatically over the last few years. In the past it was exciting to look forward to the New Year but after events such as the Covid19 pandemic, shutdowns, mass unemployment, food shortage, unprecedented natural disasters, unanticipated war and political upheaval, the New Year holds far too much uncertainty. In the midst of the unknown and end of what you have always known, there is always an opportunity to create something new. The process may not be comfortable but you do have a say in what comes next you and what you create from your discomfort. What greater possibilities can you create from letting go? I wish you great joy in 2023 xx

Holiday seasons when families get together can have its ups and downs. People who have known each other for a lifetime come together but find they don't always like each other. Some do all the caring and giving, some the spoiling everyone else's fun. Now is the time to do a little self-nurturing. What gift are you going to give yourself so that your body, mind and spirit feels renewed and you start the New Year filled with a great sense of possibilities for the year ahead?

Are you procrastinating? Are you waiting for someone's permission? You may not even be aware that's what you're doing but unless you ask yourself that question, you may end up waiting even longer to be/do You.

Depression can be a normal part of loss. Resist the urge to fall into a dark place by recognising it when it comes. Practice the discipline of picking up the fragments of your life and piecing them back together, being thankful for the pieces that you can work with and actively do something for other people who are in need of assistance. You might be surprised at the blessings that will turn up at your doorstep.

When your life feels like a hurrican and an ongoing storm take moment to reflect on what you choose for your next phase of life. Nothing last forever. When you reach a stillpoint, what can you do to make your next phase better than the last?

A smile, a kind word at the right time, a small gesture that shows you care, sharing your skills, talents and abilities, can make a big difference to someone's life. We all have to leave this earth at some point, what difference will you choose to make in the meantime?

The fear of failure can stop you in your tracks but what if it were your friend?

I recently hosted a dinner to celebrate my mother's 95th birthday. It was small gathering. My mother's cousin came and brought Caribbean breakfast. Later in the day other people brought gifts of food, others brought their singing voices, all brought love. It was so beautiful it brought me to tears. It was a reminder to me that each one of us can make a difference, just by showing up. You may not think that you are ready or that you're good enough but believe me you score points just by being present.

Life doesn't always come wrapped in tinsel but it is always a gift.

Both the Ups and the Downs of life have a lot to offer in teaching us how to become more humane Human Beings. In making mistakes we can learn how to do better, how to treat others with compassion but more importantly how to treat ourselves better.

When you feel low, allow yourself to experience it just enough to recognize it, so that you can choose in the moment to change the experience.

Here are a few ideas that might work for you

1) reach out and do something for somebody else. It could be as simple as making a phone call.

2) Get active - do something physical, an activity you enjoy that uses your whole body and takes you out of your heads space

3) Get a journal and write, be your own therapist. You never know what your words could turn into, perhaps re-written into a song, a play, a novel, a movie or just an account of where you were emotionally at the time and a tool to help you reflect on where you are in life and where you would like to go next.

These are simple tools that could help to change your reality in the moment that you need it most. Before I forget here's a link to Afrikaba Radio, showcasing African music from around the globe.. Enjoy!