(Written 5-29-18)  As the spirit of the awakening moves throughout the world, our individual and collective awareness will continue to deepen. This movement causes a stirring that brings up a lot of our past experiences, so that we may look at them with a new perspective. In order for us to heal and move forward in a different and healthier way we have to first be willing to look at the past and see where we were responsible for not showing up as our best, and how that contributed to a situation. The deepest truth is that we are all one. We all come from the singular consciousness that is God, Universe or Source; but too often we choose not to live up to this truth, instead we lean on things like race, class, religion, gender and nation. All these are important qualities no doubt, but are only a piece of the whole puzzle.

     One of the most pressing issues for the citizens of the United States right now is the issue of race. Whether it be the murders of black people by the hands of police, gentrification, white supremacist rallies, or the debate about and removal of statues; all these issues polarize the country to the point where we have seen terrible violence where everyone loses. It is the debate and removal of statues that is most interesting to me because it seems to be closer to the base of the race issue and shows where we are in our growth. With the madness surrounding the Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, and more recently the relocation of the J. Marion Sims statue in NYC, there is a great divide on what the statues mean and if they should stay.

     While many say that the statues are a symbol of history that should be respected, honored and maintained, a closer look will show that this isn’t truly the case. Throughout history statues have been used and are still used as a show of power of the current regime. They stand to say “this is what we believe in now”, and as long as the statues remain, all who see these representations have an understanding of what the current power structure believes. This is why when regime changes occurred the first things to go were the statues. The removal or destruction of statues showed a shift in power and perspective. This is the reality of what is happening now; a dissonance between the old regime and the new incoming consciousness that is waking people up. None of us can change the past, but we must all understand it, and see it for what it is. What are we choosing to honor as a collective? People always throw away old furniture, clothes and whatever else when they have outgrown them. Our collective awareness is growing and we are seeing what no longer speaks accurately to where we are in our growth. What are the symbols of the new consciousness? We have to all get together and figure that out. Times are changing and as a result so will the laws, the education system, the definitions about race-gender-power, and statues we choose to erect as a symbol of the times.

      These dark changing times show we are on our way to brighter days. We all have to think and feel deeply about what it is we stand for and why. The only way to move forward is together, and although the path has its very frustrating, hurtful, and depressing moments, the other side is equity, joy and liberation. We are on our way. Life is about phases, and everything that is built up, eventually all falls down.

    Hopefully you read the piece that came before this one about how we LOVE black women. This is the other side of the coin, a companion piece if you will. Now we know it is popular to talk about how men aint shit and itemize all the ways we are messing up. Much of the points are valid, but as we do with all topics here, we need to put the lens of awareness on why men in general, and black men specifically, are the way they are.

    Before we dig too deep into this, it is important that we can all agree that masculine energy is fundamental to being balanced, and that men much of the time are the physical embodiment of masculine energy, though not always in the healthiest form. What does it mean to be a man? What are the expectations that come with being a man? With women? With other men? These are all the questions we will explore throughout this post.

    What is a man? A huge distinction that must be made here at the outset is that one of the main traits of a MAN is being someone that is able to provide safety for his family: emotionally, mentally, physically, and of course spiritually. The only way someone is able to be up to this task is if they roll up their sleeves and get to work on themselves, pushing themselves to grow into who they need to be. The work required to be fully men many times escapes us because we haven’t had the best models growing up; no one told us the areas where we fell short, and if they did tell us it was in a way we weren’t receptive to for whatever reason. Men and women are socialized differently, with women being encouraged to be more introspective and caring, while men are instructed more in how NOT to be, than how to be. Men are discouraged from articulating their feelings; talking about how you feel, especially in some of the harsher hoods, puts a target on your back. You’re soft. There are people like Daoud Abeid (@daoudsun) and places like The Cave of Adullam (@cave313) who are working with men to try and dismantle those narratives that block us from our greatness.

    It is very difficult to deny the fact that black people in general, and black men specifically are the most feared and hunted people on the planet. Given this, it comes as no surprise that black men make up a disproportionate percentage of the prison system. What happens to the family when the father is removed from the home? Here are some Pew stats:

1. 4x greater risk for poverty
2. Girls are 7x more likely to become a teen mom
3. Children more likely to have behavioral problems (especially boys)
4. Children are more likely to go to prison or commit a crime

    There have also been psychological studies that looked at the relationship between the father’s presence in the home and young girls menstruation cycle, concluding that the more a girl feels secure and protected by her father, the later in her teenhood her period will come.

    We have to address the issue of many men not having the emotional intelligence needed to be their best selves. For black men, most of us grow up looking up to the local dope boy, or the uncle who garnered all the attention from everyone’s mom and auntie. These examples very rarely had the emotional awareness to impart any real game to the young boys on how to become whole and healthy men. As a result we are usually left with men who are emotionally feral, looking for power, attention, and love in all the wrong places. When life brings this type of man in contact with a potential wife, it can start out great, but in time it becomes a gumbo of emotional abuse, miscommunication and confusion. We have to go back to the drawing board and see which types of relationships are working and how power circulates in these instances. For too long we have been adopting the European model of relationships, marriage, and family, and it has not been working for us. To our detriment we have been looking at how white men conduct themselves, viewing it as powerful, adopting it, and oppressing our women and families as a result. An important point to make about relationship models is the fact that during American chattel slavery the power dynamics between enslaved men and women were more egalitarian, or balanced. This type of power model also brings us back to the said GOLDEN times of our ancient past where the divine masculine and divine feminine were balanced and whole.

    Black man, you are a king; and although you may not be acknowledged as such, it is important to conduct YOURSELF as the lord and master of YOURSELF. Dr. Naim Akbar said it perfectly when he said “You must first be a king of your own personal kingdom. If you can't lead that kingdom on your own two feet, you can't lead a bigger kingdom”.  Our women are looking to us to be the example of stability and discipline; first and foremost with ourselves. Too often we want women to submit to us simply because we are a man, but that viewpoint is the inherited toxicity we have learned from a society that is still in its infancy spiritually and emotionally.

    We didn’t create the circumstances that leave us at a disadvantage, but we can own our power and work to fix our stuff and heal. We need our brothers to hold us accountable for our actions and remind us of our greatness. When it comes to race relations and racism, we know that change will not truly happen until white people really start challenging their own friends and families to dismantle the ideas that keep racism going. Similarly, our communities will not improve until the men challenge the men to be better. The women are tired bruh.

    So next time you are with the homies, don’t forget to bring this up; if we are KINGS, we gotta level up and be KINGS. No one is going to do it for us. There are so many moving parts to our oppression and suppression that we cannot control, but we can control how we show up for one another. No man is ever too big to not get checked by his boy, and when we do it with love, it makes everything that much more powerful. Let's be the change we want to see. 

    Dear Black Men, We Love You.

    Are you aware?

    There have been a lot of conversations over the last couple of years around White privilege as an idea and also what it looks like in action in society. Privilege can be easily understood as an advantage, making white privilege the advantage people have in society when they are looked at as or classified as white. The way this privilege shows up in society is that whiteness comes with many assumptions, most of which are advantageous to white people while at the same time working against everyone else, further widening the gap between people economically and socially. White privilege is easy for most people who are not white to identify, and almost always sparks a heated conversation with both sides holding firm to their ideas and perspectives. It is important to note that the pinnacle of white privilege is white MALE privilege, the male part being the piece that permeates all other groups of people.

      Each ethnic group is a microcosm of the larger society. With that said, we should find that male privilege in these groups is intimately linked to white privilege in general and white male privilege specifically. The #metoo movement has almost every man feeling like he needs to defend himself against the tidal wave of mistreatment claims made by an overwhelming amount of women. In these times though, the defensiveness is causing men to double down on what they believe manhood is, which is unfortunately in many ways the same exact version of manhood women are challenging. How do we move out of this stalemate between the sexes?

    A large part of expanding our awareness around a topic is seeking information on the subject. Beyond all the complaints voiced by women about cat calls, discrimination and other types of harassment, which are all valid issues, there are still other systemic problems that keep women as second class citizens. One of the most known issues is the unequal pay rates between men and women.   In 2019, it is ridiculous that women still make cents to the white male dollar. Here are the numbers:

1. Black women- 63 cents
2. Hispanic women- 54 cents
3. Asian women- 85 cents
4. White women- 79 cents  

    This alone speaks to what many women are calling toxic masculinity; a type of masculinity that instead of elevating femininity, degrades it. With all that women in general and black women specifically endure, we as a society still make it our business to prioritize men’s feelings. Why? What can we do to change this?

     Just like we as black people would appreciate for white people to use their privilege to speak up and act against the injustices of the system, we as black men have to use our privilege as well to work to heal the imbalance between men and women in our community. When black men feel stressed and oppressed we have the option of leaning into our manhood, because we know that is a place of power. We are often ignorant to the fact that when we lean in too hard to being what we think a man is, we become misguided and align ourselves with the type of masculinity that is oppressing our women. Black women have historically always come to the aid of black men, and that energy isn’t always reciprocated, but that is changing. For people who study, they know that for every Trayvon Martin there is a Renisha McBride. Too often our women feel they have nowhere to turn because the society oppresses both her blackness and womanhood.

     If you ask the average AWARE and conscious man, they will tell you they don't mean to be oppressive. Too often we as men see words and actions from women as an attack on our manhood that are actually the opposite; they are meant to build us up and help us grow. Something as common as our lady complaining about our lack of consistency is not an attack on our manhood, it is our beloved queen letting us know that the man she knows us to be, is consistent. He means what he says. He always shows up as his best. The feminine force is always going to upgrade its environment, ALWAYS. If we really want to level up, we have to do a better job at supporting our women, PUBLICLY and PRIVATELY. 

   Can all the real men please stand up? The men whose masculinity isn’t threatened in these times. The men who know the scales are tipped in their favor and are not afraid of what a world with BALANCE looks like. The men that don't shame women for embracing their sensuality because it isn't packaged for male consumption. Let’s listen to the women in our lives, listen to their experiences, their fears and hurts. Let’s raise our daughters and nieces to see value in themselves. A great quote to end this is a quote from Michelle Obama when she spoke at the Obama foundation Summit in Chicago in 2017:

   “We LOVE our boys and we RAISE our girls, we raise them to be strong, and sometimes we take care not to hurt men. And I think we pay for that a little bit”.

   So with that said we think it is important to say: Dear Black woman, WE LOVE YOU.

    Are you aware?

            Romantic relationships are probably the number one topic of interest among any age group. On any given day we can go online and see a meme about how they drive us crazy (especially when Mercury is in retrograde), how a real relationship is measured, and a whole laundry list of do's and don'ts that we are all guilty of violating at some point in our lives. With all the societal pressure of getting married and having children by a certain age like it is some sort of an accomplishment, most of our peers eventually convince themselves that they need to settle down. And while our brains are most certainly hardwired for meaningful social interaction, the question must still be asked: Are you really looking for love?

            When is the last time you've hugged someone? Like really really hugged someone. From a kiss, to a tight hug, to a few hours of great sex, meaningful physical interactions flood our brains with a hormone called Oxytocin. Famously known as the "love hormone", oxytocin makes us feel good. So good that sometimes our bodies respond to people in a way that goes against what we logically want and see for ourselves. So you saying that man put a spell on you or that woman must have put something in the food she served you COULD be correct, but it could also be the love hormone rearranging your perception of him/her.

            Besides our brains being strongly effected by hormones there is also the allure of the "in love" phase. If you're into reading, there is a book we are sure you have heard of: 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman. In this super informative book the author talks about the early stage of a relationship calling it the in love phase. You know when you just start dating that person and they can do no wrong and you agree about almost 95% of the topics you talk about? Yeah, in love phase. We all go through this phase, which lasts a few months at least. Comparable to the beginners luck of starting a business, this phase in a relationship can trick us into thinking a real connection doesn't require a lot of work and maintenance. But they do. Gary recommends we DO NOT do anything too forward in this time, like propose or get pregnant. After the in love phase is over, we sober up and begin to see the person's less attractive qualities, then the real work begins.

            Contrary to popular belief, how we see our partner has more to do with how we see ourselves than anything else. This is why the work to obtain and maintain healthy relationships is so challenging; which brings us to a Rumi quote Dr. Jessica Clemons shared on her IG live session Jan 19th 2019:

            "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." -Rumi

            Barriers. Off the top of your head, can you think of any barriers you may have created within yourself that keep you from truly experiencing love? One of the most common barriers we have is the type of person we keep choosing. There was an amazing tweet floating around about a conversation between two friends. One friend said "I keep attracting bad boys" and the other friend had a brilliant response saying "You attract all types of men, you just keep choosing the bad ones". Not sure who that friend is but she's part of the AWARE TRIBE, she just doesn't know it yet. Too often we choose a person that reminds us of someone we used to date, even though that relationship didn't end well. There is something that person brings to the table that we are almost addicted to, and as a result we walk around looking for our next hit. Relationships that are toxic are ways the Universe/Source/God screams at us "Hey! This needs healing". No matter how much we pray for a good man or woman, nothing will change until we decide to choose different. There are so many other barriers we build against ourselves that we could talk about them for the next few blogs and we still wouldn't have scratched the surface. Lets dialogue more in the comments!

            Ultimately every single relationship we have is a mirror, reflecting what we think and feel about ourselves. As our awareness continues to grow we can take more responsibility for how we view everyone around us, especially the person(s) we are intimate with. We at The Aware Brand want you to make decisions that contribute to your elevation and put you in a better position to win in life. When we make those choices, we are really choosing to embrace our true self, the SELF that is beyond all the pain, fear, and anxiety we experience from time to time. Always remember that self awareness is the gateway to self love. The more confident we become in who we are, the more self love wins. So if you are really looking for love, start with yourself!

            Are you aware?

          BLACK has always been mysterious and unsettling to people. If we took a poll on how people felt about the color black in general there would probably be a 50/50 split on people who like it (fashion, company in the black, black people), and those who don't (black magic, occult science, black people lol). Context is really everything, especially when it comes to the color black. The wide variety of looks we can achieve in black is uncanny; we can go from freakum dress to gothic really quick. Beyond the fashion sphere, it is really interesting to observe how blackness shows up in nature. When we look at nature, we have the opportunity to get a glimpse into the mind of the hidden hand that writes the story of all life; the being we refer to as God/Universe/Source. The most notable form of blackness in nature is the element Carbon, and if black wasn't controversial enough for you before, wait until you see what God has up its sleeve.

            At first glance, when we think about carbon our minds go to diamonds, coal for fire, and maybe activated charcoal for a good detox; but when we take a closer look at this essential element we see that its number is 666. Whoa. No, that wasn't a typo, just follow along with us for a minute. Most of us know what Christianity says about this number but you have to admit it is very strange and intriguing that out of all the elements in the periodic table, carbon would be the one to have 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. Why are we so afraid of this number? Whose perspective are we allowing to control how we see ourselves and the world? That feeling of uneasiness growing in your stomach right now, it is important to know that someone put that there. When we are exposed to new information, we are in a better place to make more informed decisions; without the tight grip of fear and tainted bias. With so many people leaving the churches due to breaking free from such fears, and in some part due to scientific innovations, it is imperative that we all ask ourselves this question: How do we reconcile the two worlds of science and religion in our hearts and minds?

           The only healthy way to address potential confusion such as this is to tell ourselves a new story, one that integrates the information we now have in a new and fresh way. So here we go!

            According to one of the most brilliant humans to ever live, Nikola Tesla, "black is the true face of light, only we do not see it". Lets not forget that light is a fundamental form of energy, and energy cannot be created or destroyed; it only changes form. If the original face of light is black, then it makes sense that as light continues to change form and become matter, we will see blackness reproduced in denser and denser forms (black holes to neuromelanin to charcoal to black people). In many ways, blackness is the default setting for the SELF ORGANIZING power we know as God/Universe/Source to manifest and createitself over and over. On Earth, that creation takes place through carbon. In as far back as middle school, we all learn that for anything to be considered organic and alive, it must be made from this essential element. The very air we breathe is made suitable for our lungs by the green plants who draw their power from carbon: the black light of the planet. An element whose number also happens to be 666.

            Is the importance of carbon on this planet along with its interesting numeric value enough to make you reconsider your disposition towards it? Has that weird feeling in your stomach vanished? If not, just consider; what would the world be like without carbon? Here at The Aware Brand we like to highlight information in a way that makes all of us stop, think, and take a moment to realize the beauty and power that lives in the world and ourselves. After reading all of this you can still walk away believing that 666 has nothing to do with carbon and everything to do with the devil. BUT, you would be ignoring some huge bits of information solely because it makes you uncomfortable, when the truth of the matter is, growth is always uncomfortable. When you see blackness, whether it be clothes or Black people, we want you to remember that it isn't just a color, but that it is a reminder of God/Universe/Source's mystery and creative power. If we choose to connect 666 with carbon, and acknowledge carbon as the essence of all organic life, a lot of the fear we have around the number will dissipate. It is also important to point out that all colors mixed together make black, so it is no wonder why we always come together in the darkest of times. We need to come together now more than ever to work through our fears, and looking at blackness and carbon is as great a place to start as any.

Are you aware? 

        (Written 4/5/19) It has been a long week. A week full of shock, confusion, anger, conspiracy theories, self reflection, and ultimately sadness. We are all deeply saddened by the murder of our brother in spirit Nipsey Hussle. It is said that death comes like a thief in the night, and it is no doubt we ARE ALL blindsided by Nipsey’s murder. We feel robbed. The pain hits on a few different levels, and it seems like this is the main reason we are all so shellshocked.  

        Before we go any further we want to give our love and light to all of Nipsey’s friends and family. Our thoughts are with you. Take your time going through the grieving process, and remember that the ones we love are never gone from us.

        Nipsey’s music was really just a point of entry, a gateway into his beautifully complex world; a world so many of us identified with on multiple levels. Being young, black, and from the hood there are so many intersecting influences that we all try to make sense of in our own way. Nipsey in particular, was very honest in showing us how he wove together his gang affiliation (Rollin 60s), with his love for science, technology, fashion, spirituality and entrepreneurship. He represented SO MANY of us, his authenticity charged us and encouraged us to be our best selves. A lot of the anger we feel is related to the fact that such a beautiful light was snuffed out by the very place it emerged from.

        The hood is a complicated place. Or rather, those of us from different hoods feel mixed feelings towards it. We love the hood and we hate the hood. We see the beauty and genius there, while also seeing the ugly side, which is dominated by the warped worldview of SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. When our thoughts are dominated with survival we see everyone and everything as a threat to our existence. Here in America, especially in the hood where there are limited resources, the preoccupation with survival is palpable, and people are liable to do really crazy things to try and alleviate the fear that comes with this perspective. Although all of the details surrounding Nipsey’s murder still haven’t come out, we do know that he was killed by someone he knew, in front of his own store, in his own neighborhood. By his own people. Why is it when someone is transitioning into their greatness the very people who have a front row seat hate the most? Why do we feel so threatened by our brother and sister growing? Why do we feel so negatively that we will go through great lengths to disrupt their lives?

        If you are into science fiction there is an amazing book from Octavia Butler called Parable of the Sower, and in that book there is a brilliant quote that says: “Drowning people sometimes die fighting their rescuers.”. It is impossible to save someone who doesn’t want to save themselves. This is the hardest lesson for leaders to accept, and it also means that sometimes the best way to help is from a distance. It is safe to say that in the hood, we are all drowning in some way shape or form; under the water of drugs, debt, loss, and trauma. In this situation, Eric Holder, drowning, under the water of his own issues, decided to instead save himself and kill one of his own rescuers, our beloved, and that hurts. That hurts in a way that we haven’t been hurt collectively in a while.

           We gotta stop killing each other. We gotta stop believing the lies society tell us about who we are. We gotta work to dismantle the cultural legacies of violence intolerance and fear. Nipsey was our brother and we killed him. The same hood that dubbed him a knight was the same one that took him out. This dual nature exists in all of us. We all have to see the part we play in the way the world is. The only way things are really going to change is if we feel responsible enough to change ourselves. Are you a hater? When you see people getting exposure, glowing up, and getting money, are you happy for them, or do you hate?

         Instead of being discouraged, we have to double down on our greatness. We have to work overtime to promote the spirit of collaboration OVER competition. We are stronger together. There is more than enough to go around. If there is one thing we can take away from Nipsey’s life, it is to BE GREAT. Greatness requires self awareness, self love, and an endless desire to be our best. Like he always reminded us, life is a MARATHON. Greatness is being great all the time which requires an insane amount of endurance. Nip was just warming up, and through his death he has passed the baton to us. What are you going to do with it? What ever greatness you see in our brother Nipsey, here at AWARE we challenge you to see that same amount in yourself. We all have limitless God potential, and people like Nipsey inspire us to actualize it!

        Are you aware?

    Everyone’s hearts and minds are with the families who lost loved ones in New Zealand last week. The terrible murders of all those worshipers touches a still raw wound in our collective hearts. To murder people who are worshiping takes a special kind of ignorance of SELF and evil, an evil that unfortunately we have become accustomed and desensitized to. Here at The Aware Brand we like to take things that are happening in our lives and look at them through the lens of awareness. Here is a place where spirituality intersects with race, gender, religion, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. We have heard many people over the past few days talk about sending their thoughts and prayers but not enough leaders are addressing the elephant of white supremacy in a way that really challenges us to search ourselves to see what we believe in both as individuals and as a collective.

   Where do we start? Lao Tzu said: “The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our AWARENESS”. This labor of love will try to do just that.

   Environment affects us in so many ways: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. When we look at different cultures and civilizations throughout history we consistently see the societies that were living in predictable and harmonious environments highlighted aspects of nature like cycles, harmony, and beauty in their spiritual/religious systems. On the other hand, cultures that were born from harsher circumstances usually have brutal gods and stress concepts like punishment and control because they see nature as cruel and unforgiving. It is no secret that the earliest days of modern Europeans were born in ice: cold, harsh, and unpredictable. Like Game of Thrones unpredictable. Living in these conditions until the ice melted enough for immigration, really shaped the minds and hearts of early white people, so much so that there has always been a preoccupation with survival, accentuated and made popular by Darwin. That idea still persists to this day in cultural legacies of violence and intolerance. Keep all of this in mind as we continue on.

    The heinous crime committed (and live-streamed) in New Zealand by Brenton Tarrant is the newest act in a long line of racially driven attacks on people considered “other”. Whether it be Dylan Roof in Charleston, Anders Breivik in Norway, Robert Bowers in Pittsburgh, Michael Page in Wisconsin or Alex Fields Jr., who drove the car into the crowd killing Heather Heyer in Charlottesville, the impulse pushing these men to action is fear. We do not have to guess what this fear is, we are told in chants of “you will not replace us”, and 70-page manifestos; the fear is centered around the thought of not being able to survive the growing tide of multiculturalism. Multiculturalism coupled with the declining birth rates across the globe, is triggering some white people into active resistance, or more accurately, terrorism. If you are aware, you can easily see that the consciousness of inclusion, integration, compassion and acceptance is growing more and more, and with its growth, causing much agitation. Now white supremacists are not the only ones uncomfortable in these times, they are just the most vocal and most dangerous. It is their loudness and boldness that is very disturbing. Especially when many white people who claim to be allies of non white people remain quiet and passive. While there are allies who speak up consistently, there is an overwhelming majority of people that remain silent. This silence is loudest in the spiritual communities all across the world.

   What is spiritual to you? Is it feeding the homeless? Is it social justice? Is it about meditation yoga and affirmations? Crystals and sage? Most would agree at least conceptually, that we are all many out of one, emerging from a singular place of origin (God/Universe/Source). We share that place of origin with all of creation. This is the biggest and deepest truth. Most spiritual leaders, whether it be of churches or otherwise, have difficulty teaching their audience how to make that truth a living daily practice. It is such a shame really just how quiet or avoidant most of these leaders are when these types of incidents come up. The people are looking to them for clarity, honesty, and reassurance, and what do they get? Seemingly heartfelt words about God’s love and how one day it will all get better. But nothing challenging. No words to truly challenge the minds and hearts of those who wish to tear humanity apart. Spirituality is not about tricking ourselves into believing everything is okay, it is about being real with ourselves and transforming our lives for the better. We cannot do this without being uncomfortable. We must move beyond the popular abundance-law of attraction teachings and dig deep into ourselves to see how we are contributing to the current state of affairs.

   It is also important to note that none of the above mentioned men are what the media loves to call a “lone wolf”. No, they are an expression of a part of us that has committed and given in to fear. Fear leads to doubt, isolation, and toxic exclusivity. These things stand in direct opposition to the incoming and growing consciousness of the future. All of our destinies are linked and for the coming days to truly be better we must all step up to the plate and do the necessary work to grow and change. White supremacy has burrowed deep holes into the consciousness of the planet, and it is our responsibility to undo the damage it has caused, so that tomorrow might be brighter than today. Where do you standing in these times? What does your spirituality look like in real life? How does your religion inspire you to make the world better? What personal work is there left for you to do on yourself? Our hearts truly go out to New Zealand and everywhere in the world where more love is needed. What can we do to make sure this doesn’t happen again?

   Are you aware?

We all can agree that this COVID-19 crisis is UNPRECEDENTED. As millennials, we’ve experienced a lot. From two economic crashes, 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, a Trump Presidency, and we’re not even 40 yet. But one thing this coronavirus has brought to our awareness is our health. Our health is super duper important and the only way we can sustain it is to ensure we are herbing up and boosting our immune systems.

So with that said lets make Dr. Sebi proud and check out our list of herbal medicines you can take right now to protect yourself. 

1. Seamoss

Made famous by Dr. Sebi himself for curing “incurable” diseases, this superfood is loaded with vitamins and over 92 minerals that your body needs. Sea Moss can be used in smoothies, health drinks and more. You can cook it or eat it raw (for best results). Other benefits include: immune support, healthy mucus membrane support, digestive health, thyroid support, weight loss, mental health and fertility. 

2. Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil contains thymoquinone, which is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that’s reported to have tumor-reducing properties. Other benefits include: weight loss, increased kidney and liver functions, eczema reduction, antipsoriatic, and fertility. 

3. Elderberry

The berries and flowers of elderberry are jammed packed with antioxidants and vitamins that boosts your immune system. Benefits include: Taming inflammation, increased heart function, and it’s said to be a destresser. It has been known to treat headaches, kidney problems and infections that affect how we breathe. 

4. Burdock Root

This native vegetable of North Asia and Europe is a powerhouse. Burdock root contains big antioxidants and is known to reduce inflammation. It is a blood detoxifier and has been reported to increase circulation in the body. Other benefits include: a natural aphrodisiac (Get right Kings) and it's great for the skin.

We could’ve made this list way longer. But this is a great starter kit, especially if you’ve never experienced herbal medicine. At the end of the day, awareness is about the mind, the body and the spirit. So be sure to add these to your cart on your next grocery run or if you’re online shopping. Stay tapped in, be kind to yourself and eat your medicine. 

We love you!

• Find a guided meditation on YouTube or download Mindful app to help
• You can also just find some time to get in a quiet space to sit in silence, and let your mind just go. Sitting in silence is so good because one, we never get to do it and two, you can possibly hear what God has been trying to tell you for a min . The benefits are amazing. #Solitude

• Praying is another form of meditation. Use the time to pray to talk to God. Affirming who you are and what you’ve received or gained.
• Talk to the source and thank God for the things you have.

• Binaural beats in the alpha frequencies (8 to 13 Hz) are thought to encourage relaxation, promote positivity, and decrease anxiety
• Binaural beats in the lower beta frequencies (14 to 30 Hz) have been linked to increased concentration and alertness, problem solving, and improved memory.

• Breathing exercises can decrease anxiety
• Begin with just 5 minutes a day, and increase your time as the exercise becomes easier and more comfortable.
• If 5 minutes feels too long, start with just 2 minutes.
• Types of exercises
• Pursed lip breathing
• Alternate nostril breathing
• Humming bee breath

• It increases happiness
• Decreases stress

• Allow yourself to self reflect on gratitude, things you are happy you achieved so far this year, things you can work on etc.

• It increases the blood flow to your muscles. We need to get that blood circulating in our bodies so we can fight off these potential diseases and sicknesses
• It’s great for stress release.
• It improves your range of motion and posture.

• Just take 30 mins out of your day to take a walk or a light jog outside to get some fresh air.
• It’ll improve your mood for the day
• You’ll burn some of the quarantine snacks off and stay in shape

• Increases muscle tone
• Increase endurance
• Helps with weight loss

• It’ll increase your flexibility
• Improves respiration, energy, and vitality
• Increased muscle strength and tone

These are just a few things to help you stay in mental and physical shape during this quarantine. Just start one day at a time and make it a practice. And share with you family and friends too.

We love you!

      To say that this has been a stressful time is an understatement. We’ve gone from empty shelves where food and water used to be, to stores now limiting the amount that people can buy (Thank the gods). But still no toilet tissue. The whole entire world is feeling the effects of COVID-19’s dirty dance through our collective immune system. With the number of confirmed cases continuing to rise here in the U.S., scientists and lay people alike have been trying to figure out just how to stay safe in all the madness. So far, social distancing and self quarantining have been the best suggestions. Initially an unofficial measure taken by the public, quarantining was eventually suggested and urged by the President and his team, and this is when we saw the majority of businesses and schools close. 

      Now what? 

      In a society where we are always on the go, always on to the next thing, social distancing and quarantining ourselves haven’t been the easiest thing to do. With most of us staying indoors and minimizing our physical interactions we are left to deal with who we are beyond our jobs, clothes, events, and hairstyles. Now we get to see first hand just how much time and energy we devote to things that don’t really matter when our health is at stake. 

       A lot of people are worried right now, and understandably so. As we quarantine and distance ourselves from other people, we can use this time as an opportunity to get in touch with SELF. 

      We have the chance to really do some self work  and put some distance between our true selves and things like doubt, fear, and anxiety that trick us into thinking we are something we are not: powerless. 

      While we are at home here’s some things we can do to open our awareness to that truth:

1. Clean and organize the house
2. Open the windows to let fresh air in
3. SAGE (spend more time in corners where energy tends to accumulate)
4. Rearrange furniture! Get your Feng Shui on
5. Be creative! (write, draw, record content)
6. Stretch
7. Workout (so many challenges on IG)
8. MEDITATE MEDITATE MEDITATE! 

      Social distancing and quarantining ourselves is a really important piece to prevent our healthcare system from being more overwhelmed than it already is. And it doesn’t have to all be super zen and boring. If you’re with your partner you can get creative in the bedroom (or whole house), and of course check in with your friends and family. People like D-Nice have been trying to keep our collective spirits up with amazing music in their livestreams; he had over 100 thousand people rocking with him Saturday! 

     Even though we cannot be physically next to each other, let’s use this time to still be close to one another while getting to know ourselves on a deeper level. Some people find it really hard to be alone with themselves and they will need a friend or two to help them with this new normal. If all goes well we will be back outside turning up in no time; as a new version of ourselves. As always, every moment is an opportunity for us to expand our awareness of self. We will do our best to check in with our tribe and make sure ya'll are good! We hope everyone stays safe and healthy! Remember, stress and fear lowers our immunity and makes us easier to control. Never forget that you are a limitless being with the power to decide how you react to the twists and turns of life. Tap in! 

     Are you aware?