LIGHT IN YOUR SOUL INSPIRATION SEARCH YOUR SOUL
SOULFUL EATS
SOUL THERAPY
Inside Your Soul
FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tracey-Acadia Thomas CREATIVE DIRECTOR Allister Thomas
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STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Lawrence Kerr Leon Mathura
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WRITING STAFF Dr. Cynthia Stone Jim Pagiamtzis David Cohen Pastor Nikki Clarke Yolande Castello Opal Berry Viera Suzan Hart Saheeda Ali Carolyn Dickinson Angela Argentina Karlene Millwood Germalin & Yerodin Barnes Kesha Christie Harriette Patrick Barron Veronica Hislop Petra Gordon
Cover Stories & Features Rock 12. Holy of Ages with Roxanne Robinson
Soulful Image sits down with this soulful gospel singer on her persistence to accomplish her goals.
Inside Your Soul 2 3
Message from the Editor Begin To See Yourself...
Light In Your Soul 4
Traveling in the Midst of Covid
Satisfy Your Soul 6 Seeking Human Kindness 8 You Are The One For The Job 10 I See You Because I AM You
Inspire & Motivate 14
After Winter Ends
Search Your Soul 18 19
It’s NOT Too Late to Make a YOU TURN Rewire Your Brain Through Healthy Habits
Handle Your Business 20 Make Mo’ Money Marketing 21 Change Starts With ONE Decision 22 Understanding Your Relationship With Money
Soulful Eats 24 Vegan Dishes: Island Style
Family & Relationships
Soul Therapy
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Cutting the Cord and Letting Go.
Faith Filled Books My Heart Says Cady’s Kids
Be sure to check out soulfulimagemag.com for updates on new releases, upcoming events and the latest blog posts by Tracey and our contributors.
@soulful_image
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For advertising sales info@soulfulimagemag.com Disclaimer: All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the written permission from the publisher. Soulful Image Magazine is published digitally with limited print editions. To advertise in our publication, or if you are interested in being featured, please contact us at soulfulimagemag@ gmail.com or visit us at www.soulfulimagemag.com. Soulful Image Magazine is published by Faith Filled Books copyright Thomex Inc. Soulful Image Magazine is published quarterly. Subscriptions are $29.99 for one year and $59.99 for two years. Single copies are $9.99. All subscription inquiries, back issue requests and letters to the editor should be directed to Soulful Image Magazine at 685 McCowan Rd. Box 66545. Scarborough Ontario. M1J 3N8. Or email us at info@soulfulimagemag.com. No material in this magazine may be reprinted without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Copyright Faith Filled Books 2020
On The Cover: Roxanne Robinson
Photographed by: Allister F. Thomas
Soulful Image Magazine / Issue 20
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Inside Your Soul
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ometimes you walk through life and experience challenges, difficulties, and regrets that try to pull you down and stop the vision and blessings God has for your life. Well, I am here to tell you that you have the Power To Change Anything You Want. You are not a product of your circumstances. You are a divine creation, created to make a change and be the better version of yourself. I have been through so much in my life, broken childhood, had low-self esteem, and suffered betrayal from friends and family. I’ve lost people and dear ones close to me because of a lot of unresolved issues I just didn’t have the strength at the time to overcome. I’ve made many mistakes, failed at many things, and have made so many bad decisions based on how I was feeling. But I did something right when I gave my life to Christ, He healed me one day at a time. It was the best decision I ever made. I joined the church choir, sang back up, and then became a worship leader. I started to study the bible and made the decision to give my life to Him as He restored me from the inside out. Now I aim to live a lifestyle of faith in my Creator, cultivating the gifts and talents given to me to impact the lives he divinely has connected me to. So hear me when I say this, your power to change is dependent on your decision and your decision alone. You have to want it. You have to work for it. You have to chase it. I recently shared a song on social media that reflects so much for me in this season of my life. It’s called, “I Am Changing,” from the musical Dream Girls. I encourage you to stand in your truth and become all that you
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You are not a product of your circumstances. You are a divine creation created to make a change and be the better version of yourself.
desire to be. Nothing is more fulfilling than walking in the path God has designed for you without fear, in confidence, strength, and led in full faith. It’s important for you to know that if you want it bad enough you can change your life, your financial position, your self-esteem, your circle of family and or friends, your support system, your belief system, your mindset, your health, your thoughts, and even your dreams. I hope this encourages someone. If it has please let us know. Like and share this magazine issue on social media and if you want you can also follow me on FB www.facebook.com/SoulfulWoman1 or Instagram www.instagram.com/traceyacadia. Abundant blessings to you all!
Tracey-Acadia Thomas
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Light Inside In Your Your Soul Soul
By Tracey-Acadia Thomas
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aving the power to change is all about transformation. God cleans us up by taking our sins away from our life and making us a new creature in Christ. And every day He works on us to make us what we need to be for him in this life. You may have many flaws in your life, but God helps you daily to change these flaws and to become the man or woman that he desires you to be once you submit to His will for change. So when you think of changing your life, situation or habits and addictions, know that the power of change first comes from God who is the ruler of all things. “Everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible. Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” Colossians 1:16 The Power to Change first comes through... DESIRE: When you are ready to submit to the call and power of God over your life, God will plant within you a desire for change. Desire is a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen. So therefore a desire for change is a strong feeling that will affect the intensity of your transformation. KNOW YOUR WHY: Your why serves as a powerful reasoning to commit to and exercise change and transformation in your life. Because there are a lot of things out there that will tempt you to be stuck in routines, behaviours or even thoughts and actions that are unhealthy or that don’t serve you, your desire to change will be heavily inspired by your why or your reason to pursue and complete the process.
CONSISTENCY: Being consistent in your actions, thoughts and words is key. Doing the same thing over and over and over again will turn practice into habits. It takes consistency of new actions or ways of doing things to help you overcome and change negative patterns in your life. The only way to create change is by repeating daily the new actions, thoughts and speech consistently to reap the rewards. RADICAL FAITH: Radical faith is always required. Because addictions and certain habitual routines sometimes have a hard time breaking, you must have a mindset of faith that is not common. This kind of faith is activated by praying God’s Word, by having strong unshakeable beliefs, consistent affirmations and speaking life over the situation, and through determined steps or actions that will bring you the desired outcome. EXPECTANCY: Try doing something without believing its possible. You must expect you will have the results you are working towards. Expectancy is key. Without expecting the best, you will fail and you won’t have the strength to succeed in your journey of change. When you begin to see yourself as a powerful being that encompasses the ability, the knowledge and the creative possibility to achieve your transformation at the end result of your journey towards change, the more you will be able to see yourself in the new image, the new mindset, the new action, and the easier it will be to attain it. Visualizing your transformation every single day will make it a lot easier to accept and believe that it is not only possible but a guaranteed outcome.
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Light In Your Soul
By Yolande Castello
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any of us have now adapted to this new life of Covid-19. Our country has implemented safety measures to allow us to move about in what would be a new form of normalcy. It’s not unusual to see people walking around with face masks, or surgical masks. We now have new rules implemented in businesses regarding social distancing and sanitizing. As much as this may seem temporary, this may be the new way of life for a while. Hence why the Travel industry is committed to getting consumers in the skies and to their favorite destinations. We are seeing many destinations opening their borders to travellers worldwide. Although Covid-19 is here, there are still safety precautions in place, but travellers alike can still have a fulfilling and memorable vacation.
One of the top ten destinations in the Caribbean to travel to is Jamaica. They have implemented their reopening in phases. As outlined by the Ministry of Tourism of Jamaica, they have outlined health and safety protocols for the safe reopening of their borders for international travel. They have just completed a Phase 1 reopening which involves the time-period of June 15 – June 30, 2020. A Covid-19 Resilient Corridor has been introduced which includes the coastline from Negril to Port Antonio. Only businesses within the Corridor who have been trained, assessed and cleared for opening were allowed to open to tourists during Phase 1. All ground transportation for tourists must be arranged by a business that has been cleared to open, no unlicensed transportation is allowed. Included with these protocols is making sure Hotels
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Light In Your Soul follow safety measures of social distancing. This includes having hand sanitizers, visibly accessible through-out the hotel. Making sure employees are taking proper measures to protect themselves by having the temperature of each employee taken upon arrival for their shift. Those with an elevated temperature and/or visible symptoms would be documented and screened by the onsite or on-call medical professional. Also, employees will be required to wear face masks throughout their work shift and interaction with guests, including having employees to sanitize or wash their hands regularly throughout their shift. These are just a few of the many protocols implemented at many of the hotels and airbnb’s in Jamaica. Another very popular destination is Mexico which under the direction of the Government opened up in phases as well. In the month of June, parts of the Mexico Caribbean which consists of Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Isla Cozumel, Isla Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Chetumal, Costa Mujeres, Maya Kaan and Mahahual were part of phase 1 and phase 2 reopening. A new Clean Safe Certification has been instituted for hotels and resorts, water and amusement parks, golf courses, spas, food and beverage establishments, travel agencies, car rental companies, transportation companies, tour operators and more. As indicated in Travelpulse Magazine, five thousand companies have applied for the certification, which was developed in concert with national and international health organizations as well as private companies, hotels and tour operators. The certification includes more than 250 health and safety guidelines as well as protocols that are specific to each industry. The protocols set in place is definitely a big measure in the steps that Travel destinations have taken to protect not only their countries but also their international guests who come to enjoy the culture. In the coming months, Europe and Cruising will also reopen by implementing many of the safety precautions indicated. Across Europe, governments have started to open their borders after weeks of closure during the coronavirus pandemic. With the summer holiday season upon us, people have started to wonder whether
they will be able to get away for a break abroad - and how far they will be able to go. The border situation remains a mixed picture across Europe, with each country imposing its own rules and its own timetable for re-opening. The EU has recommended the bloc opens its external borders from July 1 to 15 countries, Canada being one of them. People are excited to travel, and the Travel and Tourism industry is eager to get passionate travellers to their favorite destinations as quickly but safely as possible. Overall, we are all hoping to return back to travelling. However, the key to travel is doing your research, booking with a licensed Travel Agent who can assist you with travel and where to go, and staying safe! Depending on your departure city, you also want to review what the policies are for your return and quarantine timeframe. Remember to stay safe and have fun while travelling! (To learn more about Jamaica travel, click here.)
Yolande Castello is a certified TICO Travel Agent and a member of ACTA (Association of Canadian Travel Agents).
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Satisfy Your Soul glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...
By Pastor Nikki Clarke
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man laid on the ground by the road side in tattered clothes. In full view to the people passing by, they walked by him never slowing. Not stopping once. Some laughed at him and some spat on him. The man laid on the road a few feet away from a city church. The members moved quickly into the church carefully avoiding the man lying on the ground a few feet from them. The church was now filling up as the service was about to begin. The man slowly stood from the sidewalk and made his way to the church. The members gasped and moved away from him as he walked in. He made his way to the alter and two men grabbed him and pulled him down from the alter while members laughed at him from the pews. The bearded, dishevelled man broke from the grip of the men trying to hold him down. He walked to the pulpit. The members were stunned silent. Who was this man? The man took of his hat and pulled a faux beard revealing himself as their senior pastor of that church. They were all shocked. He began to recount his experiment as a homeless man and how his own sheep, his church members treated him. He said
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no one gave him food or water while he laid on the sidewalk. Some laughed and cursed him as they entered the church. Women in the congregation began to weep openly for how badly they felt for doing this. He asked them how they could call themselves Christians and behave so Unchristian? The pastor reminded them of this bible passage. Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his Pastor reveals to his congregation that he was posing as a homeless man the whole time prior to service.
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The Bible says in Matthew 7 :1-2 Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. You know people who do that kind of thing, right? And many of us, maybe most of us, know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of people who judge others. Now in all honesty we don’t have too much of a problem with it if someone judges us in a positive manner. That’s not usually what we think of when we talk of judging. Usually we think of people who have made critical judgments about us, directly or indirectly. Comments that can hurt and make us feel inadequate. “Wow. Did you see what Sister Vera was wearing? Did she fall under the anointing again? Pastors don’t act like that.” So when Jesus says ‘don’t judge’ he doesn’t mean “Tell others to stop judging you.” He’s saying “This is about you. Don’t judge if you want to follow me. Examine yourself first.”
Satisfy Your Soul Jesus saving Mary Magdelene from her accusers.
In John 8 about the woman caught in adultery where Jesus says: “if any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” And you look at Scripture verses that speak about humility and the danger of self-righteousness and the call to consider others better than yourself and the admonition to be slow to speak and quick to listen...” Don’t judge,” Jesus says. We have to start by recognizing something basic. There is a sense in which we of course can’t live without judging in some way. We make judgements about all kinds of things… Like, if it is safe to cross the street, or what time is a good time to get up, or what tasks are higher priorities for this day. Jesus is talking about the kind of judging that simply condemns people.. It’s the judging that has a spirit of criticism and that isn’t really interested in forgiving or understanding or working something out or simply trying to connect with the other.
k So when you thin r about someone, o assess them, you er have to ask wheth t you are doing tha with an attitude of wanting to and understand them re who they are befo God. It’s an attitude of putting people down when you think they are wrong, rather than finding ways to build them up. A few years ago I did an exercise with a student teacher for a child abuse class I taught at Sheridan College. I asked the students to break into groups of 5. I gave them a paper doll and scotch tape. I asked them to pass the doll around them and every time someone had her, they had to unleash a negative judgment on the paper doll. As they judged, they had to a rip a piece off from her frame. They completed the exercise once the doll was in unrecognizable shreds. Then I asked
them to use the tape to put the doll back together again. They worked on her and although she was taped together she did not look the same as she once did before the activity. That was an illustration of the impact that critical words has on us. A judgmental, fault finding spirit is not compatible with really knowing God in Jesus Christ. If you know God in Christ, then you are a forgiven person. A forgiven person is a forgiving person. Judging others is also dangerous, God tells us, because the way we judge others and the measure we use is also what He will use with us. So when you think about someone, or assess them, you have to ask whether you are doing that with an attitude of wanting to understand them and who they are before God. If you are doing it with a desire to build up and grow the church and kingdom or if you are doing it in any way to put someone down, or put her in her place, or condemn him, or pass on gossip? Our attitudes towards judging others will influence how God will judge us. Jesus is calling us to be His disciples by judging with grace and love. “God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?” James 4:12
Father God, I lay down my desire to judge others’ heart, motives, intentions, and actions of the people in my life. You have instructed me in this, and I will obey you. I repent of the pride and stubbornness in my life every time I have a critical, judgemental thought. You have commanded me to walk in forgiveness and love, to rise above offenses, and to walk humbly with you. I choose that high road. I blot out negative thoughts with the blood of Jesus. Have mercy on me for my thoughts that come short of your ways I choose loving thoughts instead. I carefully examine myself before casting judgements on others. Thank you Lord, for answering my prayers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Pastor Nikki Clarke is the host and producer of The Nikki Clarke Show. nikkiclarkenetwork.com
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Satisfy Your Soul of it. Use your problems as steppingstones upward. If you don’t, the struggles of life will make you bitter and then bury you.
By Harriette Patrick Barron
Sometimes we are looking around for someone to step forward and take care of everything. Are you the person that you are looking for? We often think that someone else will take care of it. Someone else will speak up, or maybe someone else will do something about the problems in our world. You may be the very person that you are looking for. God will not only develop great leadership skills in you, he will cause those under your care to see you for the leader that you really are. The truth is, you were always a leader, but you may not have known it. In short, you are the one for the job, now do it! Harriette Patrick Barron is an author and motivational speaker. She is a former Youth Pastor, Crisis Mental Health Worker, and Child Abuse Investigator. She is the author of three life changing books that can be found on
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few years ago, I found myself in a horrible situation. I went from being married, taken care of, and reasonably happy to a separated mother with two premature young babies. I didn’t know where we would live or what we would eat. Sure, I had a college degree and years of social work experience, but I had a very sick baby who needed constant medical care. The other child had not learned to walk and was still in several medical therapies. I cried out to God for help and direction. I opened my Holy Bible in search for encouragement. And there it was. Joshua the first chapter. “Wow, I said Moses the most powerful leader alive had just died. His followers cried and wondered what their future would be. Where would they live? God gave them a new leader, named Joshua. He wasn’t Moses, but he was pretty good. God kept telling them to go on with life and have courage and strength. God said, “Well, Joshua you’re the guy for the job.” I can imagine him saying, “Who me? Surely there is someone else more powerful than me. What if they don’t accept me. You know, Moses was the best. I’m just average.” I think he found himself in the situation then took a deep
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breath, squared his shoulders back, and said, “Ok, God let’s do this.” That same God kept telling me, that he would be with me and my children. I was the lady for the job. I didn’t desire to be in this position, but I was basically a single mom. I had to square my shoulders back and say, “Ok God, let’s do this!” I found the power within me to laugh, write, and encourage others in my same position. Are you the one for the job? Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you did not want to be in? Has life thrown you a curve ball and now you find yourself leading when you didn’t plan to? There is good news. If you found yourself in an involuntary leadership position, then you are the one for the job. You may not have all the answers right now, but they will come. You will learn by experience and tap into a power to lead that you didn’t know that you had. Your job is to put your faith in God and depend on him to help guide you through this thing called life. God told Joshua that he would be with him, just like he had been with Moses. God doesn’t allow you to go through things in life that you can’t handle. He knows that you are going to make it, and even grow stronger because
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her website www.harriettepatrickbarron.com
Here are a couple more recruits God has selected for his personal All Star team. I’m sure you heard of them.
MOSES.
He was born a Hebrew peasant, but was adopted into Egyptian royalty and grew up as a Prince of Egypt. It wasn’t until he witnessed the persecution of his own people in the bonds of slavery that Moses was ready for his misson from God.
GIDEON.
A regular guy with a regular life, until a visit from an angel told him he’s going to lead God’s army into victory against the largest Philistine army ever assembled at the time. Gideon was so unsure, that the angel had to prove himself to Gideon a few times.
Satisfy Your Soul Eventually, I got what I wanted. Eventually I created a situation that was bad enough to blow up my entire life and force me to reevaluate myself. I was completely broken and alone. I suppose I could have become defensive and blamed everyone else. Lots of people do that… LOTS of people. For me, the opportunity to open my eyes and see all the things that weren’t working was too obvious. There was only one course of action and I didn’t even hesitate.
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’ve been in the same places. I’ve had the same struggles. I found my way out of the darkness and I know what it looks like from both sides now. I’ve spent the majority of my life, until quite recently, feeling very disconnected and isolated. Disconnected from myself and from the people around me, isolated from the world while I lived, breathed and existed in it. Certainly, I’ve had many great experiences and lots of fun. I’ve had good friends, and still do. I created a family and they loved me all the way, with no reservations. I just couldn’t figure out who I was or what it was all for and I never felt good enough. I never felt particularly worthy of praise. I always felt invisible to some extent, like I wasn’t really seen or heard and I never fully showed myself to the world. I wonder which came first. Not feeling seen, or not showing myself ? How can you be seen if you’re hiding? How do you stop hiding if you’re afraid you won’t be seen? (Lol.) That’s a conundrum. Less than 3 years ago, I had a major break in my life. My disconnection included a whole set of internal beliefs I carried around. These beliefs about myself flavored every aspect of my life. I found that as I got older, I became more frustrated with my life and myself. I felt trapped by the life I’d created and I sought out ways of feeling better. Escape mechanisms like booze, food and running around. I also hit the gym a lot, so at least that was one healthy pursuit. The funny thing is that the more I sought to relieve my pain with people and things outside of me, the worse I felt. I couldn’t see it at the time, though. I was way too caught up inside the tangle of mixed emotions, contradictory desires, fears, doubts, lack of selfworth and pain. I didn’t realize or acknowledge that the pain I felt was coming from inside and only by looking inwards could I begin to fix it. I’d completely lost myself. So I kept making poor choices and compounding them with worse choices and daring the universe to strike me down or to take action on my behalf because I wasn’t strong enough to make a big move on my own. Not at that time, at least.
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I chose to take responsibility for my own life, for all the choices I had ever made and for all the experiences I’ve ever had. ALL of it. Now it’s mine. I chose to challenge my disconnection by looking inwards and really getting to know myself. It’s been very messy and sometimes pretty awful, I can tell you that much. Simple work, but not easy. So incredibly worth it, though. I cannot recommend it highly enough. So empowering, so uplifting. I’m very much a whole new man, and yet I am entirely like myself. The difference is that I am no longer drowning under a gloppy mess of intractable thoughts and feelings. I chose to challenge my isolation by purposely doing things that made me really uncomfortable, like joining a big social networking group. Putting myself in a room full of strangers and introducing myself to each one of them. I would sooner have jumped in front of a subway train, before. I have also chosen to pursue a new career as a Self-Discovery Coach, which involves PUBLIC SPEAKING. (Where’s that train?)
I just couldn’t figure out who I was or what it was all for and I never felt good enough. I have chosen to share the lessons, insights and perhaps even wisdom that I’ve gained with the world. I feel very awake now and even though I’m still uncomfortable as hell, I keep going. I’ve found tremendous inspiration, which I have named Live-More! I have a mission and I’m driven by a new set of beliefs. Beliefs that tell me I AM good enough and strong enough. Beliefs that say there must be so many other men out there who are going through similar challenges. Beliefs that tell me I can make a difference and that my message is powerful, timely and needed. How do you feel about where your life is at? Could you be locked into your comfort zones a little too tightly? Are you frustrated with everything, but you can’t say exactly why? Do you want a change, more than anything, but you’re terrified to lose the stuff you’ve already got? Do you feel much bigger and brighter on the inside,
Satisfy Your Soul but don’t know how to let it out? What are you choosing to do about it?
I chose to take responsibility for my own life, for all the choices I had ever made and for all the experiences I’ve ever had, ALL of it. Now it’s mine. Getting a glimpse of the vast number of men and women who feel these ways has been astounding for me. I really thought I might be the only one! Isn’t it funny and tragic how each of us tends to believe that we’re alone with our pain? We are not alone. You are not alone. Just speak your truth and express your feelings, even if it doesn’t make much sense. Keep talking until someone really hears you.
of humanity’s greatest failings and challenges. When we learn to know ourselves deeply, we grow tremendously. When we reconnect with ourselves, we realize our connection with everyone else. When we can feel our intuition closely and experience our connection with each other, with the planet and with the universe itself, we are far less inclined to screw each other over, consume everything in sight and chase money at any cost. When we know, love and respect ourselves, anything is possible. I know this because I’ve experienced it. This message isn’t for EVERYONE, but it qualifies thousands and thousands of people and I have a great deal of clarity now, at least vastly more than I had before. This is what it looks like on the other side. Even though I still have miles to go, I know I’m on the other side and I’d love to show you. Much respect.
Jonathan Tarrant is a Self Discovery Coach, primarily for men, who believes that the root of humanity’s conflict and strife is the disconnection that so many of them experience.
I believe that disconnection and isolation are at the heart of all look at it, once you create the momentum and start you will soar through the process and will begin to enjoy it. Here is a few things you can do
Create mini milestones
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s we pursue a professional career we go through life where we always seem to be hit with Change. It is something that we all struggle with and don’t enjoy to do it all the time because it’s not easy and takes time to overcome it. There are few things that you can do that can make it a little easier to overcome and with some practice it will become an effortless success.
Habit
There is an adage that it takes 21 days to create a habit which seems like a long time! Here is the way you have to
As you go through the process creating small milestones of success and rewarding yourself for doing them will make you much happier and more focused on the success
Sharing is caring
This may seem little uncomfortable in the beginning but sharing with trusted friends will bring you confidence and optimism and even may inspire them to do the same.
Learn experience
As you begin the new habit you will begin to learn new things and impress yourself. You can do it! Recently, I was fixing a mask and was struggling with a needle and string so I took a break and
went and watched a YouTube video and got extremely inspired that I was able to finish the process. When I finished, I took multiple pictures with my mask and shared it on social media. I even told a friend via phone about my experience!
Passion
As you build momentum toward the habit you will become passionate and inspired that YOU CAN learn new things and be empowered to share with others about your successes.
Lesson learned
The ability to change is not easy and comes with being patient and creative in the way you tackle it. You have so many resources that can help you from online (websites) and offline (friends). Change will always be constant in your life and by taking these small steps it will become easier to overcome and create memories of success to be proud.
Jim Pagiamtzis is an expert speaker, author and actor and founder and president at 21 Connections.
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Inspire & Motivate
By Tracey-Acadia Thomas
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Inspire & Motivate
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itting down to talk to Gospel sensation Roxanne Robinson was such a delight on Saturday, August 22, for a Soulful Image Instagram LIVE interview. She opened up about her childhood and her love of doing hair at a young age, moving to Canada from Jamaica in 2009, to becoming a gospel recording artist and how her 2020 summer gospel hit Holy Rock of Ages came to be, and the collaboration that opened up this opportunity. When speaking to Roxanne she said the message of her song is... when God declares a thing no man can stop it. When God has already counted you in no man can count you out. “Every time I planned for the song to come out, God kept pushing it back. It was supposed to be released in the winter of 2019. But now you can imagine after the delay and when COVID hit, I really felt this was the time to push. Because I am very persistent in the things that I truly want,” says Roxanne. “For instance, I told my manager, I am going to dance in my video! Even with my two left feet, I am determined to learn the dance routine and make this song a celebration!”
the Administrative Overseer of Eastern Canada, Bishop Lennox Walker at Praise Cathedral worship center in Mississauga. Roxanne’s appearance on the gospel scene has imprinted a permanent statement that God is real; regardless of what life brings all praise is due to him. She has graced the stage with the likes of Shirley Caesar, James Fortune, Fire Kevin Downswell, and Judith Gayle to name a few, and was a winner at the 2015 Canadian Glass Awards for New Artist of the Year
entrepreneur, to custom cake designer. But first and foremost this powerhouse is a servant of the most high and that keeps her grounded to remain a resilient upbeat light to her family and community. She truly believes that God is amazing and that He transforms and liberates those that are bound restoring hope and salvation. Despite any challenges she has ever gone through, Jesus has always been and will always remain her HOLY ROCK OF AGES.
Although her personal story speaks for itself, Roxanne wears many hats that reflects her many talents; from award winning gospel artist, hair stylist
Make sure to download the Song available on all digital platforms. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ roxannerobinson_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ roxannerobinsonmusic/ Website: https://roxannerobinson.net
To state that developing this project from start to finish was a labour of love is absolutely right. This song proves to be a prophetic song of God’s grace, hope, prayer in an upbeat Caribbean vibes and Roxanne Robinson and her team worked for nine months on this prophetic song, and when she finally gave birth to the final product; joy, gladness and relief was what she felt from all her hard work. Roxanne is a Jamaican born anointed singer/songwriter from St Catherines, Jamaica, and was raised in the Ewarton community where sports, church and choir was her youth’s passions. After moving to Canada in 2009, she settled herself and is presently one of the main worship leaders under the ministry of
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Inspire & Motivate
By-Harriette Patrick Barron
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think we can all admit that every person whether they be rich or poor experience seasons of harsh circumstances. It can be mental, physical, medical, relational, or financial. It doesn’t matter if you are married or single. When I say cold seasons, I mean situations that make our emotions freeze or shock us.Have you ever had a situation that you did not anticipate being in? You may be going about your business and suddenly you get news that makes your blood chill. Do you know what I am talking about? Harsh news can make you feel like you are frozen in time. Everything stops for a minute and you think, “Did that just happen?” After my daughter was born at one pound two ounces, she spent almost six months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She was even on life support twice and there was little hope each time. I spent months talking to 14
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Inspire & Motivate specialists, nurses, surgeons, and social workers. I spent months praying in the chapel at the hospital asking God for strength and guidance. It was one of the most trying situations I had ever experienced. My life seemed frozen in time because all my activities came to a screeching halt. On top of all that, I felt powerless to change my situation or help my daughter. I didn’t realize that I had the power to change how I viewed my current situation. Then one day, I decided to focus and be thankful for the small victories. I was thankful for a day that she took a bottle, or gained a pound, or didn’t need a surgery. Then after a lingering cold season of surgeries, therapies, and sleepless nights, the worse part was over. The winter was over and the beauty of springtime had come. Those days of hearing my baby laughing and making great strides brought so much life to me. She was going to be ok. After the winter, new hope, laughter, and grace had come. My season had changed. The way I viewed my life had changed. What will happen in your life after your winter has ended? Although we handle tough times differently, we all have the power to change our viewpoints of how we perceive those times. Every human will experience cold harsh seasons in their lives at some time or another. The good news is that cold seasons don’t last forever. Winter does end. Although we all experience pain and disappointment, there seems to be something in our hearts called hope. Even in our darkest hour, we hope that things will get better. Sometimes we need to take it a step further. Instead of just hoping things will get better use that power within you to make your life better. We hope things and people will change for the better, but it they don’t, use your power and end toxic relationships. Hope is like a spark of heat on a cold winter day. Just for a moment, imagine what hope and power can do together. We need the heat of hope to carry us through those cold seasons and the power to change what we can do to improve our situation. Looking back, I realized that I couldn’t help my daughter heal any faster. However, I started to encourage other parents with sick children. We shared coffee and talked about what our kids would become one day. I used my power to give someone else encouragement in their time of need. The key is not giving up during the cold shocking seasons in our lives. If you quit during the cold times, you will never
experience the warm blooming showers of spring. You will never see the changing beauty of fall or the carefree warmth of Summer. Winter does end. Cold seasons do end, but you must keep pressing forward. It’s not easy, but keep that spark of hope in your heart and you will be ok.
Harriette Patrick Barron is an author and motivational speaker. She is a former Youth Pastor, Crisis Mental Health Worker, and Child Abuse Investigator. She is the author of three life changing books that can be found on her website harriettepatrickbarron.com
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Family & Relationships
I By Veronica Hislop
s there a relationship, experience from your past that you just can’t seem to get over or stop thinking about no matter how much you try? The ex-partner that you still hold on to, the one you gave all of your love to, but they just could not love you back in the way that you wanted. Perhaps you grew up with parents who because of their own unresolved emotional issues, rejected you. You might even have experienced some form of childhood abuse. You know you are holding on to negative emotions because you feel miserable a lot of the time. You understand intellectually that these negative emotions are disastrously affecting your physical, spiritual, and mental health but you just don’t know how to release and let go of them. We can learn a lot from Indigenous and Eastern cultures when it comes to letting go and releasing negative emotions. While Western philosophy and beliefs about emotional health and well-being is often left brain centered, focusing more on medication and treatment; Eastern approaches to emotional health, are more right brain centered focusing more on connecting with the subconscious mind. Practices in this area place more emphasis on finding balance, letting go and releasing. These practices include Meditation, Yoga, Martial Arts, Energy Tapping, Reiki, Drumming, Chanting, Dance and other energy practices. These practices are all about releasing, letting go, and getting back into balance. By incorporating one or more of these practices into your life, you can help restore yourself into a state where your negative emotions no longer control you. It might be useful for you to see these negative emotions and attachments as invisible cords of energy going from you to other people and from them to you. The benefit of seeing things in this way is that you do not need to have personal contact with the other person to let go of your emotional connection to them.
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Family & Relationships 9 Tips on Cutting the Cord
This is a short simple meditative exercise that you can do lying-in bed at any time. (You may even fall asleep, but that’s okay.) 1.Get comfortable, loosen tight clothes, ensure that you are in a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. 2.Breathe deeply into your belly, through your nose and exhale out through your mouth. Imagine that you are breathing out all your negativity, anything that is old and does not serve you any more. As you breathe in, imagine that you are breathing in fresh, new and clean enlightening energy, into your body. 3.Then work on feeling and relaxing feeling each part of your body, from your head to your toes. 4.Focus on one experience or one relationship and imagine all the cords of energy going from you to that person or situation and back again. While doing this surround yourself with the universal white light, and know that you are protected. 5.When you are ready see yourself cut the cords that no longer serve you. Imagine cutting them with large scissors or a large knife. Alternatively, you can ask for help from the Archangel Michael and imagine him cutting the cords with his mighty sword. Imagine all those, unnecessary cords surrounding your body, your legs, your back, your arms, being severed. 6.If you ask for archangel help, be sure to give thanks for the assistance you receive. 7.While cutting the cords, cut them with love. There is no room for anger or bitterness here. You must be willing to let go of your attachment to the emotions, the person, the circumstances. 8.Understand that each and every one of us is here on this earth, to live and learn and do the best we can. In this exercise, we are simply letting go of our emotional attachment to them we are not judging them. 9.You may need to do this exercise every night for a while, days, weeks or even months, the point is to exhale release with love any and all energies that you do not need. Work on this for as long as you feel you need to.
LET IT GO The importance of letting go of those childhood stories that keep us stuck. Are you struggling with old childhood issues that are interfering with your life and family today? If your family life was dysfunctional growing up, if you suffered as a child, if you carry childhood wounds from the past that you still hold on to, then... LET THEM GO. Give them up and let them go. Let go of the YEARNING for the family and relationships you always wanted. Let go of the childhood dreams that never came to fruition. It’s time to grow up. Really grow up. It’s time to relate to your past family, the family you grew up in as an adult now and not as a child. According to psychotherapist Jerry Wise: “Our family today can not heal our childhood wounds. They are ours to heal.” In essence we have to make our peace with these wounds and ultimately make our peace with our parents and relationships from the past. What is it that you bring from your family of origin that remains unresolved for you in your world today? What do you tell yourself about this story? What do you have to let go of in order to move forward? We have a choice we can keep the old story or we can create a new more empowering one. We can not have both. We have to be willing to let go in order to move forward. You can not move ahead if you are constantly looking backwards. According to Jim Rohn “The day you graduate from your childhood is the day your take full responsibility for your life.” BE WILLING TO LET IT GO! Life is for living in the present not the past. That’s why it’s called the PRESENT and that is the GIFT!
This very simple exercise if done correctly can consciously help you to cut the cords and let go off all the past negative people, experiences, that have disturbed your inner peace, balance and emotional wellbeing. It is an exercise that can help you move towards forgiveness. But that is for another article. By experimenting with this simple but powerful exercise, (that costs you nothing), you can free yourself to get back in a position of control over your emotions and move forward happily to achieve your full potential.
Veronica Hislop of Em-Powered-Solutions is a therapist, trauma counsellor, and life relationship coach. If you are struggling with letting go off negative feelings and emotions related to past issues and relationships feel free to connect with her here. www.empowered-solutions.ca
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Search Your Soul you continue to seek the Lord he will begin to reveal those habits and behaviours that don’t fit his perfect will for your life. Thank God that his will does not change no matter our age. However change does become more difficult with age. That’s because the older you are the longer those addictive habits and self destructing behaviours have been a part of your life. Thank God you don’t have to go at it alone.
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By Yerodin Barnes
t is very easy to recognize when change is needed, but actually doing the work it takes to make a change is usually a much greater challenge. The only thing that stops you from changing is yourself. Often times we find ourselves looking to blame the devil, God, our circumstances or even our spouse. The truth however, is that it is you that is stopping your own growth by procrastinating and doubting that change is even possible. Change is not a very difficult thing, and it requires a very high level of selfdiscipline. The difficulty in changing ourselves and our lives is that we have developed habits and patterns of thoughts that have been ingrained into our minds over time. Most of us in our lives will come to a point where we realize that we’re not where we want to be, or who we want to be, and therefore aren’t operating at our full potential. For some, it takes hitting rock bottom to see that change is required. Others may identify that change is needed very early while however, problems and circumstances prevent it from ever manifesting. Whenever this need for change is revealed to you, the one thing that remains for us all is that it can only be done by going to the power source who is our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Once hooked to the power source we begin to renew our mind to Gods word. This will give you the clarity to first recognize who you are in Gods eyes and how he sees you. As
Using will power to invoke change in your lives may prove successful but often it is short lived. This is because our failures and stressors ultimately become our biggest challenge and often work to reverse our growth. It is estimated that 80% of New Years resolutions get ship wrecked by mid February ( Ali PhD., Dec 05, 2018.) This is often due to setting unrealistic goals for ourselves that set us up to fail, which only derails the motivation to continue. Real life transformation only takes place when we connect with the one who gives us the power to be transformed and renewed, in
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and the perfect will of God.” ( Romans 12:2 KJV )
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a supernatural way. Once your mind and thinking have changed by the power source, you will need to be self disciplined in your commitment to stay the course. Understand the old self and old patterns of thinking and behaving will fight to keep their positions in your life, but those are the moments we need to lean on God and his word. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. This scripture
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is a reminder that we are not only capable of being powerful, faithful, and cultivating peace, but we are also meant to do so, even as we work through change and transformation.
Yerodin Barnes
Relationship coach of Love On Top Marriage Ministry. FB/lotmarriageministry
Search Your Soul Here are a few more good habit tips that can help you rewire your mindset for your successful change.
Creating a habit to start your day early.
When we wake up early and write down our goals, and positive affirmations about yourself, we are telling our subconscious that we are serious to make a change.
watch.
By Saheeda Ali
W for so many?
hat is change? Why do so many of us crave this change and yet this change is so uncomfortable
My name is Saheeda Ali and I’m going to take you into the journey of your subconscious mind through habits. Why habits? You see, your subconscious mind is habitual. It is a repeated pattern and programming taught to you from a very young age. Events in your daily life is run by the subconscious mind without you even being aware of it. 95% is subconscious and only 5% is conscious, which means that you are not using your brains full potential. So how do you tap into your subconscious to have the power to change? This is accomplished by establishing healthy habits to reprogram your mind because you have to convince your subconscious mind that you are serious. Nothing changes if you don’t establish this change. Your mind gets programed every day, through social media, television, from people around you, through your parents and family members, through music you listen to and the movies you
From the time a child is born until about the age of 6, you are living through your subconscious in the theta state (4-8HZ). During this time your brain is only recording data that is being fed to you and its being established as true from what you are being told. So basically, subconscious programming is habitual. It is also visual and repetitive. To rewire yourself, you need repetition of a new way of thinking and selfaffirmation. This will change the way your subconscious thinks. If you are looking to change your life and your mindset, it will not happen overnight. It needs repetition and dedication to turn your life around and to become a new person. Just as if you go to the gym and lift weights to build muscle, it does not happen overnight but repetition, being persistent and a choice to eat a healthy diet. Your brain fitness is the same, you will have to exercise it and there is no magic pill. The best time to reprogram your mind is first 20 min when you wake up in the morning and just as you are falling asleep. This means not only writing down goals and your affirmations that you would like to be (the new you) and what you want to create, and achieve in life by creating healthy habits; like waking early and doing meditation and prayers. Through meditation you are going to build your awareness to be able to recognize negative and old taught patterns. It takes about 21 days for an old habit to dissolve and a new one to jell. Saheeda Ali is a Canadian and International and best-selling author and certified coach. She is also a hypnolinguistic certified, nueroplasticity certified, horticulture therapist, art therapist, horticulture tech, reiki master, intuitive healer and workshop facillitator.
Making your bed.
When we make our bed first thing n the morning, it gives your brain a sense of accomplishment which sets the momentum for the day.
Journal Writing.
Make a habit of writing 3 things that you are grateful for which in turn will shift your mindset from worry to happiness and peace.
Make a vision board,
Our subconscious mind responds to visuals. If we look at the vision board of pictures of what we want every day without any attachment and expectation, our subconscious will start to being programmed so we attract those things.
Meditate.
When we meditate, we heighten our awareness and activate our intuition side of our brain to the right. We are able to handle every day stresses of life more calmly and become problem solvers more effectively in challenging situations.
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Handle Your Business 4. Increase profit margins
Is there a gap between what you’re charging and what people are willing to pay? Or can you reduce costs while holding sales prices steady? You may be able to identify a potential revenue growth opportunity. If you just sell 10% more this year, watch your sales take flight. Careful now, let the client give you the budget and price they want before you commit to a price—you may just be leaving money on the table. 5. Team up
By David Cohen
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love marketing, but it doesn’t have to be an expensive undertaking. Sometimes it’s the little things that get the best results...for example...here are a few strategies you can put into place to get you more business, lot’s more business!!! 1. Sell mo’ to your existing clients
Getting more revenue from your current customers is usually a low-risk, low-cost strategy. You could offer incentives on volume purchases, target existing clients with new products, create a website to provide value-added information and/ or develop a loyalty program that rewards customers for repeat business.
Remember that McDonald’s totally broke sales records when they simply asked, “Do you want fries with that?” 2. Find new client segments
Is there a market segment you’ve overlooked? Say, for example, you currently sell organic skincare products to women; maybe there is a market for men as well. Focus too on the markets you want to work with. Become an expert in them, so that you can “talk” their language and position yourself as an expert. It’s better than pitching your goods and services blindly. If you actually are well versed in the nuances
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and challenges your client segment has and are prepared to meet them, then you can watch your bottom-line sales increase. 3. Expand your sales area
My website is getting hits now from all over the world—wild, huh? I am located in North York, Ontario and I have statistics on my website to prove I am getting interest from abroad. Tap into those markets. One cool way of doing it is to subscribe to “Google” news feeds about your specific industry. Google will email you articles from all over the world about your industry. If you follow up on these articles with a media release and an idea that lends itself to the thoughts and ideas in these articles you may just grab yourself some media coverage in markets that go well beyond your own borders. If you have been successful selling in your existing market, you might consider opening a new location. Remember though to take into consideration that you are entering a new marketplace and your potential return on investment could be affected by the high costs and risks of entering an unknown region.
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A strategic alliance, such as partnering with another business to cross-sell products or services, can be an excellent way to expand. Purchase a competitive or complementary business. Perhaps if you own a café then purchasing the magazine shop next door could be a perfect fit, if done properly. While this is a complex strategy and you need to be cautious of which business to buy, the payoff can be high. Consider seeking professional advice to understand your options and avoid potential pitfalls. 6. Get the help you need
Smart business owners are getting to know the power of teams. Remember what we talked about earlier. Get a board of advisors to guide you along the way. Or develop your own mastermind team. Be sure to get a good group of five to six really progressive colleagues who are team players and will contribute willingly to your mastermind group. (Check out the “Who’s on your team?” section if you need a review.) I hope these ideas help and that you report back to me and share if these helped you. Did you use them and get more business? Let me know. Keep grinding and enjoying the grind!
David is an author, business coach and can be booked to do his keynote presentations: “The 8 keys to success, How I got to kiss the Stanley cup.”
Handle Your Business We often spend time watching influencers on Social Media, thinking they have a life that you would dream of having. Though it may appear by the Social Media reel that life is picture perfect, that is often not the case. The behind the scenes is not always shown. What you must understand is that it costs something to achieve success in life. Most are not willing to make those sacrifices. Most want the benefits without the process and work that is required that will produce those benefits. If you are reading this and you have been unhappy about your life, relationship, job, place of worship, business, etc. My question to you is this. What will you do about it? The lie that most of you have believed is that good things happen to special kind of people. That success and wealth creation is only for a certain type of personality. Can I correct you? That narrative is a lie. I want to challenge you today to start to become a critical thinker. Start thinking about what it is you want? What do you really value in life? What is important to you? If money were not an issue what would you do? Most do not ask these questions. They say general statements like, “I need more money,” but have no plan of how to create and produce something of value that could create more income. Do not fall into that category.
By Petra Gordon
S
o much time gets wasted as you wait for a sign, waiting for someone to tell you exactly what you are going to do to live the life that you desire. The truth, most do not take the time to think about what they really want. If you did not work at that job, live in that community, and money was not an issue, what would you do? The challenge is not that you need more money, as when you break down the numbers of what you really need to live, you will find that it is not much. More times than not you find yourself in financial challenges when you live beyond your means, spending on things you do not really need to live. You simply just want it, and don’t want to wait for it.
THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME.
You have gifts, skills, talents, and abilities that are transferable that you can use within the marketplace to add value. The only thing stopping you from living a different life that you love is you. That is a hard pill to swallow, but it is completely true. The only difference between you and the person you follow on Social Media and admire is that they paid the price. They made the sacrifices. They continued until they got that breakthrough. They did not quit when it got hard, they kept going. What gives a person that level of tenacity, drive, discipline, and consistency? Know where you want to go. Learn what steps you need to take to get there. Become intentional about the people you surround yourself with that are where you desire to be. Be willing to learn and act. Change does not happen outside of you, it begins within.
DON’T WASTE IT. DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE.
Petra Gordon is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, with a BA in Social Development Studies, dedicated 13 years of her life in service working in the Violence Against Women sector for three years, then working in Child Protection Services for ten years.
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Handle Your Business welfare. Clearly a person’s inheritance or upbringing does not determine how financially successful they will be destined to become.
By Dr. Cynthia Stone
Education is another factor that people believe that will dictate one’s financial status. While there is some correlation between high levels of pay and educational levels, every profession is saturated with financial moguls and those teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. It all boils down to one’s financial fitness level: are you saving what is left after spending or spending what is left after saving? In short, it’s not how much you make but how much you KEEP that makes financial success. And this necessitates learning the principles and then applying them to your daily life. It requires the knowledge of what to do and taking the action. Like buying a gym membership, you can’t expect that you will become fit just because you’re in the club. It requires a new lifestyle, mindset and routine. Everyone has an opinion about the rhetoric and how to make improvements in the reality but the real test is in the implementation and results. Continuous steps to implement the principles of financial fitness is crucial. It is imperative to apply the fitness regimen to have a better handle on your finances and your future. Be forewarned, it is not easy, like working out, it requires focus, dedication and commitment, but it IS possible. Within all of us is the ability to thrive financially, all it requires is the cultivation of your garden of abundance. Like a farmer, you must first plant the seeds, nurture them, and have patience and faith in the outcome, even if you don’t see the results right away.
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any believe that wealth is derived from one’s upbringing; however, I could point to countless souls that live far above and below the financial level of their parents. Some who grow up rich waste their resources and lose it all whilst others become very prosperous. In our previous issue, I touched on how my own father grew up dirt poor and has managed to derive financial success. He had successfully surpassed the economic upbringing modeled for him throughout his life. Similarly, within one’s own family, despite the same upbringing, there can be varying economic statuses, with some family members achieving abundance, while others rely on
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Dearest ones, the only thing standing between you and your financial affluence is the commitment to staying fit. It is something that you cultivate, nurture and practice daily. It necessitates self-discipline and keeping your eyes to the prize, implementing the teachings to assist you on the avenue to abundance. In so doing, you will lead the masses and teach the classes. Remember: it is not about being smarter than the rest, it comes down to being more disciplined than the rest. It comes down to investing in your knowledge and taking action. In the words of Robert Kiyosaki, what matters is “not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.” That’s the true measure of financial success and helping you on the pathway from squalor to baller.
Dr. Cynthia Stone, The Relationship Guru
Soulful Eats
by Angela Argentina of Kindred Kitchens
Mango Curry Jackfruit This mango curry really reduces the sugar and glycemic index normally found in most jackfruit recipes. Mango and pineapple take the stand, adding lots of natural sweetness and fiber into the mix. Feel free to swap the home-made sauce for your own storebought bbq sauce and add pineapple or mango and spice to make it to your liking if you want to save time. This is a very healthy, veganized version made with love and intentionally healthier ingredients. Either way you make it, I’m sure you’ll love it.
Ingredients Solid:
• 1 can of young Jackfruit in brine • 1/4 cup pineapple chopped Dry: • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • 1 tsp cumin • 1 tbsp onion powder • 1/2 tbsp garlic powder • 1/2 red onion (minced) • 2 cloves of garlic minced • 1 tsp sea salt • 1 tsp basil (dried) • 1 1/2-2 tbsp Jamaican curry - (use premixed or see notes) Liquids: • 3/4 pulp of a mango (Mexican) • 2 tbsp tamari (or soya sauce) • 1 tbsp red miso (or white miso or add 1 more tbsp more soya sauce) • 2 tsp worcester sauce • 2 small can (3/4-1 cup) tomato paste • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1-2 tbsp molasses or maple syrup (or to desired sweetness) • 1/4/- 3/4 fresh/filtered water
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Mango Curry Jackfruit Instructions:
1. Peel onion and pineapple and then cut them accordingly. Set aside.
2. Cut 1/4 of a mango the long side, and set aside for garnish. Remove the skin and seed from the remaining mango and add it to a blender. Mix in remaining liquid ingredients (minus the water) and add garlic cloves. Turn on high or about 1 minute or until desired texture. Set aside. 3. Set stove to med-high and add some coconut (or cooking oil) to the pan. Add in the onion and let simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly transparent.
4. While the onion is cooking, strain the jackfruit, remove the fruit and shred with a fork and cut harder pieces (the core) into tiny slivers. 5. Add jackfruit to the pan of sauteed onions, add liquids and remaining spices. Stir until evenly coated. Add in a 1/4 of
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the water and stir well before covering and reducing heat to medium. Check on it in 10 min, give it a stir and add more liquid if needed. Stir in pineapple now and continue to let cook until desired doneness. Cooking times can vary, if you want to speed up the jackfruit, keep it at medium or medium-high and continue to stir for another 10 minutes. For a slower cooking time reduce heat to med-low and let simmer adding more water if necessary. Once done, remove jackfruit from the pan and dress accordingly. Makes 4 servings and goes great on a bun as a sandwich stuffer or with rice or salad. Some fun and delicious garnish suggestions to add some creative flare are fried onions, chili lime cashews (broken up and tossed in seasoning with a squeeze of lime juice and heated in a pan or toasted), cilantro, green onion, toasted coconut.
Soulful Eats Black Beans n’ Rice Now we all know about rice and beans... this makes a complete protein and very filling meal all by itself. However, we are adding green peas to the mix, adding extra nutrients and that craving for a protein boost. Peas are an excellent source of plant protein and they make it more colourful and add to the texture and flavour. If you don’t have fresh peas, frozen peas are the best to use as a replacement or you can skip them altogether. The love is in the garnish. I’ve given a few suggestions but go ahead and get creative! If you try this recipe, please post it and tag me @kindred_kitchens and @soulfulimagemag so we can see!
Black Beans n’Rice
Ingredients: • 6 cups white rice (cooked) • 1 can organic black beans • 1 cup fresh green peas • 1/4 large red onion (diced) • 1 garlic clove minced • 1 tbsp coconut oil • 1 tsp cumin powder • 1 12/ tsp garlic powder • 1 tsp onion powder • 2 tbsp tamari (gf ) /soya sauce • 1 tbsp miso paste (+3 tbsp filtered water to mix)chili • 1/2 tsp nutmeg • *option to add chili or any other spices to customize
Instructions: 1. Prep the produce first. Peel the onion and garlic and cut them accordingly. Rinse the fresh peas and set aside.
2. Open the can and empty the black beans into a strainer, rinsing them thoroughly. Set aside.
3. Turn on the stove to medium-high heat and add coconut oil to the ceramic non-stick pan. Once heated, add the diced onions and let it cook, stirring the onions once or twice to cook more evenly. After about 3 minutes, add the garlic and cook for another two. 4. Combine all liquids in a small bowl and mix miso in until it is no longer clumpy. A blender makes it nice and smooth but isn’t necessary. Add in dry spices and mix together.
5. Pour liquid seasoning into the pan and add in the black beans. Mix well until the blend between beans and rice is even. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and let cook for 5 minutes. Continue cooking for another 3 minutes and then add the remaining green peas. Mix them in and let them cook for about 5 minutes or until al dente.
6. Remove from heat and empty rice into a large serving bowl. Garnish with love and serve hot.
DId You Know:
Growing rice takes a lot of water. Rice requires a lot of water to grow. Rice cultivation needs approximately 5,000 liters of water just to produce 1 kilogram of rice.
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Soulful Eats Coconut Cornbread Pudding
Coconut Cornbread Pudding with Maple Almond Icing
with Maple Almond Icing
Ingredients: •3 cups cornmeal •1/2 cup oat flour •1 1/2 tsp cinnamon •1 tsp nutmeg •1 heaping tsp salt •2 cups coconut milk •3 cups water •2 tsp vanilla •1 1/2 tsp almond extract •1/2 cup coconut oil •1/2 heaping cup brown sugar •1 cup coconut dissipated •2 flax eggs (2 tbsp flax + 5 tbps water) •2 tsp ginger •1 heaping tsp turmeric Topping •1/4 cup maples syrup •1/4 cup almond butter •1/2 tsp cinnamon Instructions: 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.Measure dry ingredients and combine in mixing bowl.
3.Pour coconut milk, water, and vanilla into a medium-size saucepan on medium heat. 4.Add cocnut oil and brown sugar and remove from heat once the sugar is dissolved.
Pineapple Lime Spritzer Ingredients: • Several ice cubes • 1/2 cup pineapple, chopped • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice • 7 mint leaves, shredded
Pineapple Lime Spritzer 26
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1. Add ice to the blender first and pulse several times until it is in smaller pieces. 2. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse to get a chunkier drink or blend on high speed 2-3 min for a sushi drink. 3. Pour into a large glass and top with soda water.
5.Pour 1/2 of the liquid into mixing bowl with dry ingredients and stir until smooth. Add remaining liquid, stirring until there are no lumps of cornmea. 6.Pour the batter into a 9-inch cake pan lined with parchment and place in preheated 350-degree oven for 15 minutes. (The pan I used is a 3-inch deep, 9-inch baking pan.) 7.Combine topping ingredients and set aside.
8.At around 25-minutes rotate the cake 90* and let bake for another 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour on the icing mixture. Place the pan back on the middle rack and bake another 5-7 min. 9.Remove from heat and let cool. Garnish with love. Makes 24 pieces.
Soulful Eats Pineapple Mango Salsa
Grilled Curried Pineapple Skewers Pineapple Mango Salsa Ingredients
1/4 of a Mexican mango, cut into tiny cubes 1/4 cup fresh pineapple, chopped into tiny pieces 2 tomatoes, diced 1/4 cup red onion, diced 2 green onions, diced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2-3 tbsp fresh lime, juiced 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp salt optional red pepper flakes chili spice (or any hot sauce/seasoning you like) Instructions: 1. Squeeze lime juice into a small bowl and add olive oil and minced garlic. 2. Peel fruits and vegetables and cut accordingly. 3. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and serve.
Grilled Curried Pineapple Skewers -
These are a crowd pleaser for sure. Kids approved, adults too... the sweetness of pineapple, grilled... what’s not to love? This adds a fun and tropical twist to your typical kabob, the curry blend fused with the citrus from the lime and the mellow coconut makes this sweet and savoury flavour combination melt-in-your mouth! And don’t throw out the pineapple crown, it makes a beautiful garnish on the table that everyone will love.
Marinade Sauce over Pineapple: • • • • •
1 tbsp Curry spice 1 tbsp coconut oil 1 clove Garlic minced 1 tbsp lime juice *option hot pepper or chili spice
Angela is a vegan chef and the founder of
Kindred Kitchens. Her mission is to inspire others with delicious and nutritious food and promote conscious consumption in the food industry. Kindred Kitchens has been featured on ThatChannel.com, Healthpreneur, Fit2Rich, and public events such as the National Home Show.
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Soul Therapy
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Soul Therapy
T
he world is constantly changing. We are expected to change or get left behind. But you decide for yourself and your family what kind of change you want to pursue. With COVID-19 affecting our lives, we must be more vigilant to stay healthy, know what is happening around us, and take action on the things that are most relevant to our lives. While change is a consistent part of our life's journey, we must know and understand that when we are seeking transformation from the old to the new, strength, determination, consistency, and tenacity are all common traits needed to see success. And whether you feel that change is needed for you today or tomorrow, the simple fact that God will never leave you or forsake you should be comforting enough to attain what you seek. While many are struggling through addictions, bad habits, lack of discipline and more, there is an outpouring of an energy shift that you can tap into in order to receive the fuel or the inspiration for your next chapter in life. Take this time to work on you! The more you refine your skills whether it be towards a new job or career, learning a new business, teaching yourself new financial habits, or making changes to your diet and exercise routine, transformation requires a physical change. You have to see something different as an outcome in order for it to actually have been successful. Because you cannot lose weight without seeing a change on the scale. You cannot make financial savings plans without seeing an increase in your bank account. You cannot stop eating sugar without seeing a change in the sugar levels in your body. Whatever it is you are
-the simple fact that God will never leave you or forsake you should be comforting enough to attain what you seek. changing, make the most of it now while you can. My heart says there are more things that are going to unveil itself in the next several months. Things that may create more fear, insecurities, and loss. But also there will be a huge financial shift that will make some of you very prosperous. The best thing you can do is pray about everything and ask God to direct you, give you the knowledge and wisdom needed to handle what's to come next and to follow the path you are destined to take.
God already knows what's to come and has already set your route. Just trust in Him. Believe for the best and all will work out for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. May the Lord keep you and your family safe. Please do as much research as you can to stay on top of things. And do not wait for tomorrow for tomorrow is never promised. God bless you all! And thank you for continuing to support this ministry. We appreciate you more than you know. Please continue to share and purchase subscriptions. Go to soulfulimagemag.com to get your copies or sign up for our online newsletter to receive notification of our new free digital issues. Sincerely yours,
Tracey-Acadia Thomas
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
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