For me, the month of April was both really awesome and exciting, but also emotionally exhausting and busy. An abundance of love and laughter, “authentic” communication, combined with the spiritual and emotional maturity to really “see’ one another…showed up as masculine energy to align with my feminine energy. But even with all of that “amazing” energy and the promise of more it can shift with the blink of an eye. So you can quickly find yourself back in the familiar emotional realm of self-doubt and self-sabotaging behavior — adding tint to those rose-colored glasses.
Furthermore, my day job has been kinda stressful. Working in higher education has certain cycles, like around the end of the semester and final exams, that not only contributes to student anxiety but faculty and staff too. So as a result of knowing these cycles and sabotaging behaviors, I arm myself with various spiritual and emotional tools to support my ongoing healing and growth through these cycles and from the behaviors.
Along with my established practice of yoga, meditation, ancestral prayer and gratitude, I also love to engage in deep reflection because it’s essential part of self-awareness. Thankfully, I’ve learned it’s ALL ABOUT THE SELF, and not anybody else. Once I get the self in balance, I now know how to engage with others on all levels. According to Wikipedia, “Self-reflection is the capacity of humans to exercise introspection and to attempt to learn more about their fundamental nature and essence.” So I find that checking in on myself and assessing specific emotional and spiritual markers helps me determine what’s working and what’s not working. What I need to keep and what I need to get rid of. Who I need to keep rocking with, and who I need to love from a distance.
There are many ways to practice self-reflection, but here are just a few that I use:
1. Walking in Nature
2. Deep Breathing
3. Writing Poetry and/or Journaling
4. Reading self-help books that feed my mind and cause me to think on deeper levels
5. Meditation
When a person commits to SELF Awareness it becomes a lifelong commitment of reflection to become a better version of yourself consistently and raise your positive vibrations to the highest levels possible. So I encourage you to intentionally pay attention to your own thoughts, emotions, decisions and behaviors. Make time to work on SELF and watch your life become more joyful, loving, peaceful and successful.
About the Author:
I was was born in Blytheville, AR, but grew up in the Delta region of Grenada, Mississippi until the age of 14. I found my way to Flint Michigan and lived there for 18 years.
During this time I began to write and perform poetry as way to help make sense of myself and the world I lived in. It also helped define my role as a mother to three great children, Tyerica, Tiffany & Shakil, and the newest member…granddaughter, Sevalli.
Eventually, I moved to Atlanta and have been here for the last 19 years. I found my tribe of fellow poets and spoken word artists and dove into that scene with excitement and enthusiasm.
I have a BA in English & Organizational Communication and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Michigan-Flint. In 2007, I started working at Agnes Scott College, a private women’s liberal arts college in the Registrar’s Office. I am happy to say that I am still there, but now in a new position as an Academic Adviser. Being an advisor provides me with the unique opportunity to motivate and empower my students.
However, one of my most important accomplishments has been taking my health and well-being into my own hands. I truly believe that the body, mind and spirit can be healed. One just has to give it what it needs. Which is why I incorporate yoga, meditation, prayer, tai chi, and reflective writing into my everyday life. Additionally, I plan to take classes to become certified in Reiki healing. And I am currently in classes to get a more in depth knowledge about herbs and how to use them.
Interesting facts: love to read, dance, play cards and board games (chess is a favorite), action & sci-fi movies, and the beach is my happy, happy, joyful place.
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