This time of the year, many of us are thinking of starting new things, launching new projects etc. One thing is for sure. God has already graced you to start. The book of genesis is a perfect example of what it means to create from the start. The world was formless and God brought things to life in divine order of creation. The same spirit that hovered over the waters lives in us so there is an expectation of God on His children to create. 

So long as God released the vision to you and told you to get started do not fear, do not fret just keep pressing on. This month on my podcast Tea and Peppersoup, I share some insights on the beginners grace and anointing. When God releases you to do what He has asked you to create, build and bring to life, take that step of faith and be obedient. Understand one thing, that God will look for your obedience to take the first step before He reveals the next step. It is generally in our acts of obedience that God reveals the next set of plans as we build that business, that organization, etc.

​As  you decide to take that next step that God has laid on your heart remember to remain in His presence, commit your plans to Him and walk boldly towards accomplishing what has been destined for your life. 

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The other day I had the opportunity to attend a business coaching workshop for my communications firm WCA Creatives. I had been pondering on a few things for my business and needed professional support to fine tune a few internal systems. The coaching sessions ended up being so helpful, provided me clarity, and even boosted my confidence around some of the areas I was having anxiety about. Yes business owners have anxiety and worries like the rest of the world. I remember once the call was completed, I thanked my coach for just having such a safe space for us to build and work and develop a stronger business for me. I remember how good I felt getting off the call and realized that this felt similar if not better than when I leave the spa. A huge lightbulb came on for me, and I began to examine my idea of selfceare. I came to one of the realizations that in fact self care for business owners also looks like taking care of the internal things in your business and showing your business  love so you can sleep better and breathe better. It was such a blessing having the call it was so pivotal for me in many ways, that it made me wonder how are other women entrepreneurs handling such things in their businesses? Are you avoiding the mundane yet important hard questions for your business? why not take some time to think through what selfcare your business may need to make it a bit stronger this year? As we go into the final 6 months of the year, I challenge you to do something to make your business a bit better, or your career, what are the internal mundane things that you ignore but could potentially help you? Here are some suggestions for selfcare:
​1. Hire a business coach to give you some coaching in the areas of need you may need support in.
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2. Speak to a business colleague you trust about  a challenge you are having or a milestone you hope to achieve and take them as an accountability partner.

3. Develop a plan to accomplish no more than 2 things by the end of the year to show more love to your business. 

Of course these aren't your typical selfcare tips eg. go get a pedicure etc. but I believe these are also a form of selfcare because the better your business is breathing and behaving the better for your peace as well. Welcome to the month of July! 

Check out my podcast on staying focused for the rest of the year called : Distractions and Destiny Killers 

I have been reflecting a lot on the importance of leaving behind a strong legacy and what then it means whilst one is here on earth. Simply put I am realizing one simple thing: that life takes time to build itself and we all have to be patient in seeing how things are supposed to unfold. I am realizing that the paradox of Legacy building is not loud, pretentious, attention seeking. That in fact it is actually the opposite. It is doing the mundane things no one enjoys doing, it is working behind the scenes and not expecting praise and it is about building the right relationships to serve the populations I have been called to serve. 

In this digital age, this means we must be more intentional with how we interact with each other. I find more and more these days with the growth of digital communities we sometimes want to substitute a text message for a phone call or a face to face meet up for a skype call. If we truly want to impact the lives of the people around us we must be intentional in how we show up in our relationships. At the same time one must be proactive and take inventory of the relationships that you find yourself in, ask yourself how am I serving in this relationship and how I am I growing in this relationship?  From the girls that I serve through GESL my non for profit organization to the women entrepreneurs I mentor on a year round basis, it is important for me to be diligent in how i provide the tools, resources and spaces they need to thrive and live dignified lives. That is my sole purpose and so if I find myself doing anything outside of that call it is easier to know what is a distraction and what isn't.

Lately I have found myself planted by God in spaces to leverage and amplify the voices of the girls and women I serve through my work. I know it is a season to continue to build legacy by cultivating the relationships that are most critical for the lives of the girls and women I work with to thrive. It is a season to continue to work, stay focused on my call and do what I am here to do. 

How do you build legacy? What things are you intentional about?

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I can't believe we are completely done with the first quarter of the year. Last month was extremely busy for me as a women's rights activist and gender and development professional the month of march regrettably always has me moving around much more than I'd like to, to the point where I usually get depleted; but it is the order of the day.  I started my month with completing my spring semester with my graduate  students ; attended the board meeting for the African Women's Development Fund USA which was held during the commission on the status of women; and co hosted our 3rd annual Afriwomen Hangout event, an intergenerational feminist gathering of African Diaspora and continental women. Those gatherings in addition to my work trip to Egypt Cairo left me completely drained and tired. I returned back to the U.S. thinking of how to better ground myself after such a busy month as I continue into the second quarter. Here are three things I am practicing this next quarter

1. Being more present in the moment and enjoying quiet time

This is such a cliche statement but it's so true. I can count the amount of times my husband tells me to switch off mentally from work; or from social media. More and more I understand the importance of setting things to the side and just tuning into the moment. Social media and my work being partially remote sometimes has me always on. I am making more intentional effort to switch off at a certain time and just focus on being in the moment and cherishing the little things. Being in Cairo leading a workshop on selfcare for female entrepreneurs, I found myself immersing myself much more in the moment and it felt so good! It felt good to just be in the desert and ride a camel, or drink mint tea at a tea parlor after midnight in one of Cairo's oldest neighborhoods. I want to replicate these moments more.  I also aim to spend more time in quiet this quarter with little to no distractions. Wish me luck :). 

2. Saying No and cutting back on commitments and not taking anything I didn't put on my annual plan The concept of saying no is not just about saying no but it also about being confident in your No. A lot of times when people don't have clear boundaries they struggle or can be resentful when you say you can't take on a project or give a discount for a class you are offering etc. I am learning that saying No is also an opportunity to have a conversation in hopefully sharing a way of creating boundaries in the various relationship spheres I find myself in. 

3. Listening to my body and spirit more
Sometime we push our bodies so much and by the time we realize it it catches up to us. After a month of constantly being on the go, I was knocked down with a really bad cold. I am realizing that I need to be more proactive with wellness as it relates to my body. I plan to take walks at the end of each day and get back to a better eating and breathing regiment. Because if our bodies aren't right, our work can come to a complete stand still.  Paying attention to my spirit means spending more time in prayer.