This podcast is broken into two parts because shadow work is a very deep, complicated and huge part of awakening to our true nature. We dive into specific examples of what dark and light shadows are, how you can detect a shadow and ways to integrate them back to your whole self. I share my personal relationship with my husband where our lowest selves and darkest shadows called each other to learn our greatest lessons.

Our life is not to be small where we confine ourselves in a limited place and create unfair rules to live by, punishing ourselves and others if things don’t fall in line with our expectations. Our creator made us to live the fullest life, to experience it all. But we can only do that if we give ourselves grace and show ourselves mercy.

The invitation this week is to ask yourself: which voice are you listening to?

…The inner critic or your True Self?

…The voice that believes in scarcity or abundance?

…The voice that keeps you stuck in fear or moves you toward faith?

I truly believe we are powerful beings. You manifest your mindset. Your thoughts are powerful. Your thoughts become things, become your feelings, your beliefs and your actions. You manifest your mindset.

Shadows are parts of our personality we hide behindmasks to show we are perfect. Society has groomed us to search outside ourselves for validation, keeping us in a cycle of striving for something in the future to make us happy. We are taught to never be satisfied. We strive to be special so we hide parts of our selves we deem unlikable or not acceptable behind masks. We feel broken and search outside ourselves for validation and love, when what we are searching for is already within us.

You don’t have to do something really big to start following your dreams. You don’t have to become something other than who you are now. There’s NOTHING TO WAIT FOR. Everything you need is right here. It’s YOU who people want to hear from. It’s YOUR gifts that are unlike any other. Take a messy step into the unknown and take action towards your dream. Small actions combined with consistent actions lead you a step closer to your goals and dreams.

Balance is not a destination. It's a verb. It's in flux. Getting clear on your priorities help you care for yourself more and only do the things that light you up and be with the people who fuel you. Listen in on this quick Mantra Monday to learn 3 STEPS to TRUE self care.

Being a woman is a funny thing. When we were younger, there was so much competition and comparison with each other. It created more separation and cliques. I’m sure this stems from our own judgment of ourselves.

This week, my invitation to you is how can you stay in celebration of others? Support others? Stay in that abundance mindset?

As soon as you are aware of this scarcity mindset, you immediately connect back to your power to create change in your beliefs and actions.

L’areal will help you get clear on your core WHY behind your goals, and will show you how to easily accomplish your goals in order to live your fullest life. She shows you how to overcome procrastination by being mindful of the goals you keep recycling and your excuses, and how to replace negative self-talk with a positive mindset and take actions to align with what you desire.

Although you may feel broken, not all things are broken.

Think of how you are supported. Expand your thinking and see the creative ways the Universe is opening up doors for you. Pull yourself out of that dark hole and see what is blooming. Just because you may feel broken, please don’t see all things as broken. You are loved, adored, and supported. Open your eyes. Celebrate yourself. And most importantly give yourself grace.

Owner of Balanced Black Girl, Les Alfred, shares how she found the courage to pivot in her career and follow her calling to fill a necessary gap in the fitness world and create a safe space for women of color to have candid conversations about wellness, self-care, and self-love. Through her Balanced Black Girl podcast and live community events, Les fosters a powerful community that is all inclusive of all shapes, sizes and colors. She shares how you too can find your courage to follow your dreams.