Women's History Month Edition: When Favor Turns to Flow
Every March is a tribute to Women! Telling herstory, history is made each time. From Dolores Huerta-to-Malala-to-Ruby Bridges-to-Rosa Parks, we marvel at these stupendous sheros with awestruck wonder and admiration. How they struggled for the cause, risked their lives for the principle...some beat, shot, and denied. Many spat at, robbed of a seat, snatching an education right from their nail polished finger tips. And yet, there was no relenting---the call too great, the mantel from Heaven's decision room, destiny spilling into the next era of feminine freedom fighters.
To say that women who impacted histories playbook inspires me is a grave mistake and understatement. Each examination brings me closer to my oil, the flow within that drips from my spirit every morn.
As of late, I've been doing some massive inner-child work. Cleaning out the webbs, using jagged glass edges as a mirror to really see myself, I mean see myself. Uncovering layers upon layers of worth, even amidst the rubble...there's this rebirth happening and I'm here for it.
Many have asked what are my secrets to recent successes, recent triumphs, sudden seats at the table.
Lean in, where my girls at? Though this is for anyone with an ear to hear, in light of Women's History Month, this one's for my girls.
As a woman of color nestled deep within the cross hairs of intersectionality, I’ve had to work twice as hard in some instances-so it’s my joy to share what I’ve learned here in hopes it will amplify the voices of my fellow justice warriors in La Lucha.
I have some secret sauce ingredients that if applied will turn favor into flow. In the words of Dr. King, it will let justice flow down like a river. Girlfriend, you have no idea. My student recently complimented me on a denim dress I wore to school this week. She said, "Mrs. G., I love your demin look, it's giving."
"It's giving," in teenage speak is it's doing you justice, you look really nice-you get the picture.
These ingredients to my secret sauce of favor and execution and manifesting are giving and it's here for the taking.
Ingredient #1: Meditation-Visualization-Prayer: This I do simultaneously. I meditate on what it is I feel drawn to in my justice work, my life's duties, the call of my existence on this earth through prayerful postures. When I catch it in my mind's eye, I write it down in my journal, on mirrors, in my iPhone notes. Habakkuk said write the vision down as one of the OG's from the OT (Old Testament). I actually visualize me there whether it be the next fellowship, the next speaking engagement, the next country, the next conversation with folks of influence in arenas I care to penetrate. And I'm relentless in this first layered step. This step could be the most important because it's the origins of destiny's essence. Falling in step with my Maker is of optimal importance and can't be skipped. Here we set our intentions. Always do things with clear intentions---set the reason, the purpose for this chase.
Ingredient #2: Manifesting Thoughts: Next, I match my thoughts with my beliefs and my desires to ascend to that next dimension and graduate to that next level of influence, position, role, and platform. I also read book after book that will fan this flame of thinking. Like these books are water, I'm drinking them in. Your thoughts also have to match your faith, your mind's conversation has to speak back confident reactions even to things not materialized yet. The Universe rises up to meet those who sit in patient confidence with positive thought-lives. We are and become what we think. Our minds literally have the power to change courses, turn a page, and align with our highest good. EVERYTIME! Sometimes in this stage, I talk to myself---OUT LOUD. Making sure I hear my own thoughts, I play them back to me like a recorder. "You got this Sofia. That next role is yours. My name will be called. I'm next, it's my year. They will be blessed to have me. I'm worthy of good things. I am enough."
Ingredient #3: Engaging courses of action: We can not reap what we do not sow. We can not eat good fruits if there is no labor. Here's where you have to put on your grown up pants and get to work. Scour for opportunities in alignment with your vision, do the work and fill out lengthy applications, being willing to jump through hoops, be willing to apply to various positions--be willing, be willing, be willing. You have not because you ask not. Friend, this stage is critical to the graduation of self. What's more, when you do get into these spaces, keep working--become unforgettable---offer up your gifts and assets beyond your call to duty. People marvel at that, and it inturn, flings open more doors and widens your networks like crazy. DO THE WORK!
Ingredient #4: Activate your Networks & Advocate for Yourself: You cannot do this solo. You'll only get so far. I've learned quickly to advocate for myself and call in for reinforcements. Whether that's asking folks to look over my applications (because many of the ones I fill out are arduous and lengthy), writing me a letter of recommendation, or prepping me for an interview-----I be asking my people to help make me better and have my six! And they DO. Every time! People are willing to help folks who are already visualizing, doing the work, and in motion. Trust me when I say they will come and lift you out of your limitations and make you an even stronger candidate than before. Be willing to reciprocate help and support as well. This strengthens your networks, forming cords of trust and commitment to each other. It's a beautiful dance to see take the stage.
Ingredient #5: Stay Your Authentic Self: Man, this one could be my favorite. To know thyself is magical in its own right. Imagine arising within yourself at the center of your truth, not backing down, and letting all your glitter shine and spill all over the table of opportunity. I catch folks off guard in interviews and conversations that are pretty formal when I say things like, "Can I just be real in this moment? Can I just share my heart?" OOOF, let me tell you child, they lean in with such anticipation I wish I had a camera each time their faces changed colors and their actual bodies leaned forward in curiosity. I'm a very animated and passionate person, and I don't dial back---FOR NO ONE. I don't shrink for no one, nor do I dim my light even in the face of other's disapproval. You don't like my light, stay out of this orbit! You either rise to meet me, or we go different directions. I stay on my frequency and people love it. They are so drawn to it. Secret sauce right there.
Ingredient #6: Fix your Frequency: If you listen to a radio station, there are channels right? If you don't like the station, the level you're on, you change the channel--adjusting to a different frequency. This has a lot to do with energy too. One of the highest compliments I got from a student recently was, "Mrs. G., you have good energy." That is a high compliment. We can talk a great game of being a kind person, a loving person, a this or that person. Yet, energy doesn't lie, one's discernment of the energy that we put out in the atmosphere can't be manipulated into something it's not. IT LITERALLY PAYS TO HAVE GOOD ENERGY. That's when favor among the people starts to turn into flow and fast blessings with doors flying off the hinges. When you become contagious, infectious, and harness good energy, that will draw not only other likemindeds, but also folks who have the power to let you sit at that seat you've been pursuing. No one wants to be around and give poor energy a chance. We regulate this by getting on a high frequency that reflects our greatest self.
I'll stop here---this is enough to interrogate.
Ultimately: know your worth, who you are, who you want to become. Settle for nothing, but expect all good things instead. Let go of heavy weight, and welcome endless joy and possibility. Allow healing to constantly flow in spaces that need constant comfort, correction, and grace.
I truly am blessed and have been very successful in my exploits because of these ingredients. I'm committed, devoted, like a loyal friend to them. I will not waver, because I affirm that I am enough, worthy, evolving, capable, and spectacular. Electric flames bake in my skin and people feel it and are drawn to it. I will continue to use this magnetism for the good of the world. Each time.
Lots of things brewing, I've been up to so much in this season. I can't wait to reveal my series of nexts. They are even blowing my mind. You know you're on the right trajectory where you blow your own mind and your mouth stays steady open! When you are walking in a fear-like curiosity of what's behind the next door, and you move with courage's leading----you are on the path my friend, you are on the path made clear.
Ladies, (and gents if you're reading)----continue to roar, to win, to lose with deep reflection and lesson grabbing, and don't rescind for one minute.
In the words of Oprah from her new book, The Path Made Clear, "Find your lane. Make space for the flow to show itself, and you will discover a force far greater than your own."
Put that game face on my fellow traveler. Stand in a stance that declares: "They ain't ready for me, they just ain't ready for me."
Dedicated to every bad ass woman that set fire to history's hallways of fame.