Feeding the Soul - A Book Review

Because someone needs this...

It's been some time since I read this book but I could not find it in myself to put my thoughts into words. I am going to try this but bear with me. This book was that perfect sip of hot coffee (or your fav beverage) on a breezy sunny morning with the birds chirping. This book gave me everything I needed and did not know I needed. This idea of doing a book review is fresh and I feel it is necessary. The world has a hidden bank of knowledge inside the covers of a book and I want to discover everything that was not intentionally written for me to see. Going forward, I will be reviewing the ones that have made such a huge impact on my life.

So let's take a deep dive... a little background as to how I even grabbed this book. It was one of my book club reads for WW for March. Little did I know... that this book of 288 pages was going to carry me through my father's passing and my biggest challenge yet to date. Through the long late hours of stillness, I found myself listening to this book and it was speaking to my spirit. Something that I had been unintentionally working on as well. As we grow and mature, we encounter moments in our life where our faith is the only thing that keeps us grounded.

What I loved most about this book, is that it was genuine and authentic. Auntie Tab allowed me to accept being who I am and learn how to lead with my spirit. This was something that was never actually spoken to me. I didn't know that there was a specific calling in my life. I did not know that I was going to lose my father and lose myself... I did not see a thing that I had coming my way. Auntie Tab carried me through and wiped every tear that I cried.

Forgiveness

She has taught me lessons of love, authenticity, happiness, forgiveness, looking towards the future, goal setting, manifesting, prayer, spiritual vessels, God-given gifts, intention, and purpose (this is only a small part!). Auntie Tab taught me the power of forgiving and being human. Helping others heal and having those uncomfortable conversations. These moments are what allow us to work in spirit and help those that need it. We have to release whatever is holding us captive in our bodies and soul. If we do not release it, it is the very thing that can be making us sick. "Those grudges can turn to stress that leads to sickness, anxiety, depression, and cancer. What if telling the truth was the remedy to all of that? Work on loving each other. One day that person can be gone and it could be tearing you to pieces. Release what you are holding on to" Forgiving yourself is key to accepting love from others. You have to address the hidden things and get to the root to get to your healing. You're only stunting your growth. Tell your story. Let God heal your heart. This is the only way God can heal and cure. Do what you need to do to heal. Life is so much more beautiful on the other side of healing.

Have the most amazing day!

Do right by yourself... You have to be willing to act in urgency and take care of yourself. There is nothing wrong with putting yourself as a priority. Don't wait until it's too late. Start doing something about it now. Take a walk, park a little farther from the door, get the baked/grilled instead of the fried, or better yet, add another spoon of veggies to your plate. What steps can you take to be better? This does not mean always mean taking popular supplements and detoxes but finally taking the steps to make sure you're health is okay. Putting ourselves as a priority is what guides us to have a good day. Thinking of all things positive. Being optimistic and thinking of the cup as half full instead of half empty. Pay attention to what is taking your attention. Allowing things to happen because it is out of your control. We put more stress on us preventing what is going to happen than preparing ourselves to handle the situation. If we are not right, how can we handle what's coming for us?

Stop looking at Others and everything else that mattered (to me) in this section!

The biggest downfall of our success. Comparing our lives to someone else. The grass is not always greener on the other side. Be thankful for the life you have. So what if you don't have the extra money to take the trip? Gas up the car, go to the next major town over and take a city walk. If you have kids, take them to a new park. Not everything you do has to involve money nor does it need to involve partying. Not saying, you can't party but at some point, if you want to grow and be successful, you have to change your surroundings. You're not going to get ahead if you're constantly at a bar. Surround yourself with individuals who are constantly seeking growth, opportunity, and happiness. See success is not hard. It just requires discipline and consistency. Comparing yourself to the next person's success is not terrible but if you're constantly in someone else's life, how much time can you put towards yours? Someone else's lifestyle is just that. Their own. It's only bothering you. They are doing just fine as they are. Don't go around trying to shove your ideas on someone else. As Auntie Tab says, it's their business and it's not ours. We have to stop attaching ourselves to other people's problems. If you bring attention to it, are you going to help them or hurt them? Continue to love them for who they are and let whatever it is pass. If it doesn't pass, Let It Be. Because that's part of who they are and how they're supposed to be. You mind your own business and be okay with it.

Recognize the difference between being right and being caught up in our feelings. Take a step back and reflect on the situation. We often find reasons to blame someone when we are hurt instead of trying to understand the situation. One of my biggest takeaways is that being okay with being wrong is powerful. It means that you have learned and that you are growing. Nobody can tell you how to feel or whatever you feel or felt. It should be honored and recognized but never should it be ignored. It's important to know that being in your feelings won't always make the situation right you have to set them aside to understand the situation. One of my favorite quotes - Blame is a prison that gives the illusion of freedom. You think you feel better about it but you're bound in your misery. Blaming someone is never going to help you get unstuck from misery.

(Whewww... take a minute to reflect on that one)

Like so, Like that (part 4)

Freedom is knowing you are enough. Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable (Janelle Monae). Not everyone is going to like you. Not everyone is going to love and embrace and support you. You matter and that's what you need to accept. Your feelings matter, and your ideas matter. This here.. brought life to me. As we grow, we will lose those that we thought mattered. You will continue to grow. You will find more friends and people that will support you. People who will support your work and your life. People who will support your vision. Do not force them back in. Be okay with them being removed from your growth. Continue on your path. God will show you when should be there and who should not. Pay attention to when someone shows you who they are. If your circle does not serve you or does not make you better, you are in a cage, not a circle.

This is where you take the time to start discovering who you are. Be okay with being who you are. Who you feel God has created you to be. Being our authentic selves is what matters in life. Do not conform to the life of others around you. Be who you are. You will be respected for walking intentionally on your path. Be your own person. Live for you. Choose freedom and be yourself no matter who likes it or doesn't. It's okay to take your time and do it right. Ask the questions, This is a journey. Not a race. It is a marathon and you do not have to rush. Grab a mentor, or a life coach, read some books, your dream is your baby. Make your journey work for you. Be intentional in everything you do. Change your mindset.

Remember that every season in our lives has a purpose. It's intentional. But sometimes we can stay too long in a season. Do not waste your time with foolishness. You only have 24 hours in a day. Be wise in how you are using it. Be intentional... It is necessary to ask yourself who are you trying to be and is whatever helping you or hurting you?

You deserve to know who you are. Love yourself first. Figure out what you love and like. This way you will know what you need. When you don't know yourself, you are liable to fall for anything. This will take time but it's so worth it. I challenge you to go on a journey of discovering who you are. Finding out what your destiny is. What do you dream of doing?

You are capable of achieving anything you put your mind to.

This is what I want to see you do.

This book was soo much more than words on a page. I felt it was my call to feed the soul of others. To share my thoughts and experiences because someone needs them.

Allow this book to feed your soul.