

Self-affirmations is the act of affirming one's own worthiness and value and when done consistently they become your reality. You have the power to speak what you desire into existence. One of the songs my mama used to sing all the time said, "Sometimes you have to encourage yourself. Sometimes you have to speak victory during the test." Speaking over your life helps you to determine who you are, who you want to be and it attracts the things your heart craves. Who are we not to participate in the illustration of our blessings?
Fear and anxiety are natural reactions to the the woes of the world but it doesn't require us to succumb those feelings. It does require us to stand flat-footed in our faith, speak from our hearts and summon the light within. Here are some affirmations to stay ignited in the most profound form.
"We are never alone in our struggles -- and right now, we need each other more than ever." - Alex Elle
Isolating yourself from family and friends automatically triggers feelings of loneliness. Declare that loneliness will not prevail knowing that you have multiple ways to connect with your loved ones. Honestly, this pandemic couldn't have happened at a better time because we are equipped with so many platforms to mind the gap during our social distancing.
When taking deep breaths, breathe in all of the people in your support system and breathe out all negative feelings towards isolation and solitude. No longer will you allow loneliness distract you from the blessing that is your life.
"I am always finding reasons to be happy with the life I have. Good things are unfolding for me because I am grateful for every blessing, big and small. The more I am thankful for in the now, the more I can create for my future." - Commanding Life
It may be hard to find hope in the darkness right now but it has never been so important. When you say this affirmation aloud, follow it up by writing down five things you are grateful for. It pushes you to find the beauty in everything. You were given your life and your circumstances to show others what's possible.
When you live in a space of gratitude, you show the universe that you are ready for new blessings. Gratitude equals abundance. One of the greatest quotes ever says, "Plant yourself so deeply in gratitude that even the greatest of landslides cannot shake your peace."
"I am worthy and my heart is open to receiving love."
Feeling worthy starts with self. Embracing love starts with self.
You have to believe you are worthy so that you can attract a partner that believes you are worthy. And if you aren't in love with yourself, how can you expect someone else to be in love with you? The law of attraction says that our thoughts and feelings shape our reality. For this reason, you have to hold yourself in the highest regard and begin to speak the life you desire into existence.
"I can't control what I can't control. I will do my best with what is in my control."
Letting go of control has to be one of the hardest things to do. As women, we especially want to help by fixing things but the hard truth is that we can't fix everything and everyone. Our superpowers don't extend that far.
Saying this affirmation aloud consistently will help you release unrealistic expectations and the need for perfection which opens you up for spiritual growth. The objective: to be untethered from unwanted emotional possessions and obligations. Relinquishing control makes us free from hindrances.
"I am grateful for another day to shine."
With the intention that every day is a new beginning, start your morning knowing that you are destined to shine bright like a diamond. This specific intention is great for the start of the day and sets the one for everything you do in that 24 hours. We are currently experiencing something that none of us could have possibly imagined. That uncertainty can create a lack of motivation but manifesting success can easily transform those feelings.
"I affirm: I'm not going to rush anything. I'm not going to stress out or worry about how things will work out or worry about how things will work out for me. Instead of overthinking, I will align my faith with divine timing and trust that everything that belongs in my life is making its way towards me right now." - Idil Ahmed
Idil Ahmed gets me together daily on Instagram with her affirmations. When I read this one, it hit different. Mostly because women have this thing with thinking that there are deadlines for things like getting married, having children and having a successful career. I have to constantly remind myself of Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." In other words, God's got us.
"April is going to be a month of massive evolution."
March was full of challenges but we are proclaiming that April is already planting seeds of peace in our minds. We are what we think so this month we will use our thoughts to launch us on a positive path.
The good sis, Dani Simone, tells us to be careful with our words this month in her monthly horoscope, it read, "Mercury's transit in Aries reminds us to think before we speak but also grants us with the conviction needed to speak up for ourselves when needed."
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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'Leave Quicker': Keri Hilson Opens Up About Learning When To Walk Away In Love
What you might call Black love goals, Keri Hilson is kindly saying, “Nah.”
In a recent appearance on Cam Newton’s Funky Friday podcast, the We Need to Talk: Love singer opened up about a past relationship that once had the public rooting for her and former NBA star Serge Ibaka. According to Cam, the pair looked “immaculate” together. Keri agreed, admitting, “We looked good.” But her demeanor made it clear that everything that looks good isn't always a good look for you.
That was all but confirmed when Cam asked what the relationship taught her. Keri sighed deeply before replying, “Whew. Leave quicker.”
It was the kind of answer that doesn’t need to be packaged to be received, just raw truth from someone who’s done the work. “Ten months in, I should have [left],” she continued. “But I was believing. I was wanting to not believe [the signs].”
Keri revealed to Cam that despite their efforts to repair the relationship at the time, including couples counseling, individual therapy, and even sitting with Serge’s pastor, it just wasn’t meant to be. A large part of that, she said, was the seven-year age gap. “He was [in his] mid-twenties,” she said, attributing a lot of their misalignment to his youth and the temptations that came with fame, money, and status.
“There were happenings,” she shared, choosing her words carefully. “He deserved to live that… I want what you want. I don’t want anything different. So if I would’ve told him how to love me better, it would’ve denied him the experience of being ‘the man’ in the world.”
But she also made it clear that just because you understand someone’s path doesn’t mean you have to ride it out with them. Instead, you can practice compassionate detachment like our girl Keri. “You can have what you want, but you may not have me and that.”
When Cam jokingly questioned what if there was a reality where a man wanted to have both “you and a dab of that,” Keri didn’t hesitate with her stance: “No,” adding, “I can remove myself and [then you] have it. Enjoy it.” Sis said what she said.
Still, she shared that they dated for a couple of years and remain cool to this day. For Keri, being on good terms with an ex isn’t a sign of weakness; it's a reflection of where she is in her healing. In a time when blocking an ex is often seen as the ultimate sign of growth, Keri offers an alternate route: one where healing looks like resolution, not resentment. “I think because I have such a disgust for ugliness in my life. Like, I don't do well without peace between me and everyone in my life. Like, I really try to resolve issues,” she explained to Cam.
Adding, “I think that's what makes things difficult when you're like sweeping things under the rug or harboring ill feelings towards someone. When you're healed, when you've done your work, you can speak to anybody when you've healed from things. I think maybe that's the bottom line.”
Watch Keri's appearance on Funky Friday in full here.
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