Getting Ready to Step Into the Light

Greetings-

I was in the midst of preparing for today's workshop, when I was struck to stop and take a minute to reflect. The past few weeks have been really hectic as I prepare for an event that I produce called "When Harlem came to Paris". The event itself is a lesson in mediumship as the artists involved portray actual figures from the 1930s. There is no script, so the artists must learn about the people they are portraying and "become" them for the night. The buzz is building and it has me in awe of the progress I have made along my path.

Recently, I did a radio interview with Amina Carter of WomanSphere By Amina and we talked about many things. She said I was a "pioneer" and I found that an uncomfortably fitting description. Surely, there were people before me who traveled the same path and as the saying goes, "There's nothing new under the sun." But as I sit here and do a mini review, I think Amina may have a point and I humbly accept the compliment. I am determined to live a life that has width and depth. Everything I do reflects that desire and even when things don't pan out as I would like them to, the effort of digging deeper is always worth it.

Life is more than what you make it, it is also how you live it. I am presenting at "Loving Self" today, because there are things I want to share and feel are valuable. There are so many things at our disposal to make this life a little sweeter. The talk today will be a great deal of fun; I can feel it! In pulling the seminar together, I am more than excited, I am at peace. Things are moving in a forward direction and the goals I set so long ago are coming to fruition. As scary as it looks sometimes, I am ready to step into the light and be recognized and noticed. I want people to see that it is possible to live a life of width and depth, but it takes hard work, action and most of all faith. The light is truth and in that truth there is no place to hide, so take heart and know that we are all built for the journey that we are on and embrace those things that you want--fully.

IA

"Loving Self" Workshop: Saturday, February 14th

I have been wanting to conduct more workshops, so I am partnering with my AZA sister Andrea on a first of many to come. The point of these will be to present information in "bite-sized" format so that attendees can enjoy the information without being overwhelmed. This first one will explore herbs, rituals and moon cycle basics.

"Loving Self: Herbs, Rituals and Moon Cycle Basics"

Saturday, February 14th
2:30pm-4:00pm
Emergence Community Arts Collective (ECAC)
733 Euclid Street, NW-WDC

Event Overview:

This workshop will offer three mini-sessions in one!

* Herbs for whole female self-care;
* How to create daily rituals for physical, mental and spiritual well-being;
* Introduction on lunar cycles and how to create your own lunar rituals.

Presenters:
Risikat I. Okedeyi, Iya Agba Centering Services
Andrea R. Thompson, Daughter of Waters

Light refreshments will be served. Loose tea, bath and oil blends will be sold at special seminar pricing.

Woman Powered By:
LiL SoSo Productions, Make It Happen Consulting, Daughter of Waters and WomanSphere by Amina

For more information and registration log on here!

February Herb of the Month: Damiana

February: Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca)

While love should be celebrated year round, February is often the celebrated month of love. In keeping with such earth plane traditions, I figured damiana would be a good herb to highlight. While it has many properties, it is known for its aphrodisiatic qualities. Now please don't rush out and go buy buckets of this herb. It's not going to get you in a 'raging" mood. It's properties are very subtle. In a nice blend that includes, rose petals, lemon balm and a touch of spearmint, this herb can be a delicious starter for and evening of sensual pleasure. It can also be used to decrease anxiety in a variety of stressful situations. As with anything that reduces inhibitions, damiana helps to bring out what is probably always been there.

You can find it in loose and pill form at Smile Herb shop. For more information click here.

January Herb of the Month: Astragulus Root

Greetings!

My apologies for the laxness, but with all of the new change ushering in 2009, I was swept away.

Astragulus (Astragalus membranaceus)

When I started working at Smile I still suffered from mild attacks as a result of a 1998 diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. This chronic dis-ease is essentially an auto-immune disorder, where the colon does not function normally. A severe form of irritable bowel syndrome, it becomes "ulcerative" when blood loss becomes an issue. Upon supplementing daily with Astragulus root tea, I found that not only was I better able to manage the colitis, but I wasn't as sick for as long. Astragulus is known specifically for it's immunity boosting elements, but it also has other really great properties.

Traditional uses include the treatment of the following:

• Colds and influenza
• Persistent infection
• Fever
• Multiple allergies
• Asthma
• Chronic fatigue
• Fatigue or lack of appetite associated with chemotherapy
• Anemia
• Wounds
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Hepatitis
• Stomach ulcers

It is also used to treat general digestive disturbances, including diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

Astragulus root can be found as a loose herb, as a tincture and in capsule form. I have found that conitnued use in a tea form, really helps keep the immune system charged and makes it harder to get and if you do, stay sick. I found in the first two years of continued use, my normal seson of sickness, was reduced by 85% and my colitis was easier to control.

For more information click here.