Have you ever felt different or like you didn’t fit in? Have you ever found yourself in a challenging or co-dependent relationship? Today’s guest is award-winning author and intuitive and self-worth coach Abiola Abrams. As a first-generation American born to parents from Guyana, South America, Abiloa talks about the struggles she felt and the difficulty she had fitting in. She experienced a very different upbringing compared to her neighborhood friends in New York City. She always felt like an outsider.  Eventually Abiola fell in love with her high-school sweetheart and when the relationship fell apart, she realized she needed to dig deep and surrender. She realized she was a people-pleaser because she so badly wanted to fit in. She explains how so many people do this as a coping mechanism. Women around the world have been told for so long that we are “less than,” and that things are wrong with us. We are made to feel insecure – ads show flawless, perfectly photoshopped women and marketing companies tell us there’s always something wrong or something we can do, be, or have that’s so much better. For most women, this can be stressful and hurtful. It’s challenging until we empower ourselves and realize there is actually nothing wrong. 

Abiola explains that although she felt very lucky to have kind, loving parents, they couldn’t understand her and what she was experiencing. They were not able to teach her, as they, too,  were also people-pleasers. That’s how they coped and interacted with the world, especially as an immigrant family. She felt love from her family, but Abiola didn’t find self-love until she surrendered. She explains that if you don’t have self-love, start with self-acceptance. Start by asking “What do you desire?” This is a very vulnerable question that allows us to express our desires. We know what we don’t want, but do we know what we do want? This can be a very challenging question. Once we begin to find the answers, we can begin to cultivate self-acceptance and eventually self-love. She also discusses Divine feminine power and energy, and how to empower our Yin energy to develop our feminine side. Compassion and love are the keys. 

As a teacher and international retreat leader, Abiola empowers women to find freedom from their personal fears, manifest authentic power, and align with purpose. She is the founder of Mawu's Goddess Mystery School and the international Goddess Retreats. She is the author of womanist theology guidebook, "African Goddess Initiation: Sacred Rituals for Self-Love, Prosperity, and Joy,” and the best-selling "African Goddess Rising Oracle Deck." Her most recent meditation album is called, "Enter the Goddess Temple." Info: Womanifesting.com.