Not only is she from the same Caribbean, island I’m from, (St. Croix), she grew up across the street from my grandmother’s house.
Anyway, she was motivated to write her book when she realized “the importance of including our ancestors on our journey.”
“It wasn’t until I got to a place where I fully surrendered to the guidance of our ancestors, that is when things truly began to shift for me,” she explains.
What holds folks back from living their best life?
Fear, she says — fear of surrendering and doing the hard work of personal development. “You have to be ready,” she says. “People can give you advice, but you have to be ready.”
Healing is a journey that never ends, says Ife. “We are never fully healed. Your new level of existence requires a new level of healing. As we ascend, more healing is required.”
I really hope you check out our conversation. She shares gems we can all benefit from. Interview With Ife Milligan.
Ife and I share similar views on purpose. “Your destiny and purpose are inside of you,” she says. “Our purpose might shift and change as we evolve. There are destinies within destinies.”
I love the notion of destinies within destinies — sounds so mystical.
What would your life look like if you released your fears and surrendered some more?
If you trusted your intuition more? If you stopped caring about what others think? If you made a commitment to work on self-improvement every day?
If you are willing to make some changes, you can end 2022 strong. And you can blossom in 2023.
This is all for now. I would love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to reach out to me, and I will write you back.
Also, please subscribe to my new You Tube Channel. I will be interviewing healers, spiritual coaches, authors and finance professionals, and I don’t want you to miss out. Here’s the link: James Weeks You Tube Channel.
May the ancestors guide and protect you until we connect again.
Love
James Weeks
Author
Meditations Across The King’s River
P.S. If you would like to book a spiritual reading, you can do so here: Book A Reading.
Well, he’s gone but not really gone; he’s making his presence known in many ways.
The accident happened last month in Bermuda when his motorcycle collided with a car.
Leric is the son of one of my clients. He was only 21. He left us on his sister’s birthday. She’s only 25.
We’re still in shock.
I learned about his passing almost in real time via Whatsapp.
One minute, I was talking to his Mom, Angela, about my upcoming trip to Bermuda this month to perform a spiritual ceremony for her.
Then, some sixty minutes later, she called back to tell me there’s been an accident, and it doesn’t look good.
“We need some prayers,” she said.
While she was on the way to the hospital we were messaging each other back and forth. She managed to get there in time to see him still breathing. But a few hours later he was gone.
Angela is a strong woman — yet no parent is ever prepared for the loss of a child.
“I’m struggling with abandonment, and the loss of my son, my blood, my responsibility, my true friend. Someone who was not just good company, but deep company. I’m boring myself to death with these tears but they won’t stop. I definitely need help.”
I’m sharing Angela’s story because even in the midst of all her pain, she is a healer. She wants to use her loss as an opportunity to bring wisdom and encouragement to others.
Angela is a rare soul; God put her together in a different way than most people I know.
In her September 26 eulogy to Leric, Angela said:
Leric’s death is not a tragedy but a radical invitation to explore our connection with spirit and to begin to focus on the deeper meaning of our lives. Leric’s death is a dramatic revelation of not just the continuation of life but the glorious elevation of it.
She added that:
“The fact that Leric may very well have successfully passed all of the requirements his soul endeavored to achieve on earth, and has graduated to the next level of existence with flying colors and the highest honors, and it only took him 21 years to do it — amazing!”
This morning, Angela sent me photos of Leric. They were taken on one of their many walks in nature. She loved how the sunlight mystically enveloped him in each snapshot that day.
Although Angela is struggling, she’s trying to get back on track, doing the things she’s always loved. She still makes time to do spiritual readings for clients using her favorite deck of orisa-inspired tarot cards.
Her advice to others who are grieving the loss of a loved one?
“I love the African indigenous perspective of no separation between worlds. There is no loss. It’s an illusion. I know that we’ve all been through this before in countless lifetimes, but we just can’t remember. Stay close and strong in spirit. Keep your spiritual practice up even when you don’t feel like it because that is truly where our empowerment comes from.”
She’s been encouraged by signs of of Leric’s presence.
About one week after his passing, Angela asked me to do a reading to see what Ifa, the deity of wisdom can reveal about her son.
Using advanced divination techniques I’ve learned over the years, I was able to tell her what family member he was spending the most time with, what his core mission on earth was, and how he is making his presence known that week..
“Pay close attention to butterflies,” I told her.
Rather than tell you about the astonishing encounters that Leric’s family and friends have had with butterflies, I’ve attached two audio files that you can download to and listen to yourself. (See below) I love the enthusiasm in their voices. You MUST check these audio clips out.
AUD-20200918-WA0004(1).mp3
Spiritual messages are real. They happen more often than we think.
Our loved ones do indeed speak to us.
Does this mean all loved ones in Spirit might be communicating via butterflies? Not necessarily — I shared other ways in my book, Meditations Across The King’s River (see the chapter, “Return of the Matriarch.”)
Spirits can choose to communicate in an infinite number of ways such as dreams, memories, songs, inspiration, fragrances, intuition – they can even manipulate photographs, electrical appliances, garage doors, lights, alarm clock and cell phones.
From what Angela tells me, Leric was a quiet soul who loved gardening and had a deep respect for nature. He was employed by the Bermuda Land Development Company, and his entire department shut down for his funeral to pay their respects. Three of his co-workers were pallbearers.
“They talked about his dedication and hard work — that he came to them fully knowledgeable, professional, prepared and ready to work. That he was mature and respectful, and if he stayed he would have gone far. They said the place will never be the same again.”
“Leric’s transition is prompting many people to delve deep into spiritual matters, the possibility of life after death, what it’s like on the Otherside — all the things that people never like to take into consideration.”
This is all for now, .
It’s clear that Leric was a master teacher. Honored to have been in his classroom. Job well done.
We can’t take this moment nor our loved ones for granted. Of course, we all know this — the challenge is to remember it.
The challenge is to also remember why we are here, and to treasure each blessing we’ve been given.
Sending love to you and yours.
I’m on my way to Bermuda but will be thinking of you.
Let’s talk soon!
James
Author Meditations Across The King’s River
P.S. Still available for spiritual readings.
P.S. Meditations Across The King’s River can be ordered here:
Like the rest of the world I was shocked and saddened by the passing of Chadwick Boseman — our beloved Black Panther.
…Yet I am also inspired by the incredible legacy he left us all.
My son, Diallo, broke the news to me late Friday evening. Then, over the next 48 hours, I learned what had been hidden for so long.
Mr. Boseman had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2016, which eventually progressed to Stage 4.
Yet, Chadwick
“persevered through it all and brought you many of the films you have come to love,” his publicist said. “From ‘Marshall’ to ‘Da 5 Bloods’, August Wilson’s ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.”
And Oprah Winfrey said:
Chadwick was a “gentle, gifted soul. Showing us all that greatness between surgeries and chemo. The courage, the strength, the Power it takes to do that. This is what Dignity looks like.”
Chadwick Boseman as Tchalla, The Black Panther
Even “during this summer’s wave of protests against systemic racism and police brutality, he expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement and joined other black entertainers and executives in calling on the industry to cut ties with police departments,” says the New York Times.
To prepare for his role in Black Panther, Chadwick studied the speeches of Nelson Mandela, grooved on the music of Fela Kuti, interviewed a Yoruba diviner, trained in the African martial arts, and traced his African roots through DNA.
Then, in the final months of his life, Chadwick married Taylor Simone Ledward.
“Simone, you’re with me every day. I have to acknowledge you right now. Love you,” Chadwick told her during his acceptance speech for Outstanding Actor.
How did Chadwick do it all? How did he stand tall, and perform at peak levels as his body was failing?
One quote by Chadwick circulating on the internet gives us a clue:
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope I would not have a single bit of talent left, and can say I used up everything you gave me.”
In passing, I can’t help but feel Chadwick is challenging us all.
What are we willing to endure? What excuses are we willing to drop? What will we contribute to the world? How can we make the best use of the time we have left TODAY and every day?
If you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed that’s understandable. After all, 2020 has presented daunting challenges none of us could have foreseen.
But knowing what we know now, surely we can imagine that Chadwick Boseman often woke up to challenges that felt overwhelming.
He gave us his all, and in passing he is challenging us all.
I think you might agree that the legacy of the Black Panther will be etched into our memory forever.
And it’s a legacy of majesty, brilliance and wonder!
Rest in power, good brother. The ancestors are proud.
I would love to hear what Chadwick or the Black Panther meant to you. So feel free to respond and I’ll write you back asap.
Mom made her journey home to the ancestors in September.
I’ll never forget that moment. I’ll never forget that smile, and I’ll never forget her love.
It happened early one Monday morning… I went to check on Mom before my morning walk; she wasn’t breathing. Her face was still warm, but she was was among the ancestors.
I’m in a good place. Because Mom is at peace, I’m at peace. Because Mom is free, I’m free.
Mom was a mentor and mother to many. Children were her first love. She worked as an early education teacher for many years. Once a teacher, always a teacher.
Even after she left earth, Mom has been busy teaching me profound things: lessons about patience, faith, vision, love. I witnessed miracles after Mom passed, blessings beyond imagination. Can’t tell you about the miracles right now, but what I can tell you with full confidence is this:
Your ancestors have a vision for your life; trust it and trust them.
Your ancestors have the resources you need and will assist you.
Even when things don’t seem to be going your way, keep the faith.
There is nothing to fear; you’re being guided and will be taken care of.
I bet you’re probably wondering why things have been so difficult for you if your ancestors and spirit guides really have your back? That’s a good question. The answer, from my experience, is that we all need to be tested in order to grow spiritually. Bob Marley said “the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory.”
Believe you’re on your way to living your best life. Dig deep; take action; have confidence. I’m happy Mom will be guiding me as an ancestor. Trust and believe powerful ancestors are guiding you too. Expect good things… Have to run, but I would love to hear from you. If you write, I’ll respond as soon as I can. Still available for spiritual readings if you need one, so let me know. All my love.
That’s what my friend, Jewel Love, told me when we met for coffee in Oakland about two weeks ago.
Jewel is a therapist and the founder of Black Executive Men…
He’s also my accountability partner. We help each other stay on track professionally.
Jewel Love
When we met for coffee, I was reminding him that less than two years ago we were sharing our dreams. He was hoping to build his private practice as a therapist, and I was telling him about my plans for launching my book Meditations Across The King’s River.
Today, Jewel’s business is booming, and my book has arrived in many homes around the world. We are both grateful.
Near the end of the second chapter of my book, I share strategies that help keep me focused each day.
But since 2019 is here, I just wanted to share a tip on goal setting. You don’t necessarily have to set new goals, but you absolutely must decide what goals are most important to you and focus on them.
Having too many goals is just as unwise as having zero goals.
Since Jewel is a gifted therapist, I’ve asked him to share three tips for coping with depression and anxiety as you navigate through 2019. Here’s what he suggested:
Therapy: Don’t be afraid to seek therapy, says Jewel, who’s specialty is psychotherapy. If you’re struggling emotionally from current or past wounds, meeting with a gifted therapist can help you heal.
Have a Wellness Practice: Meditate, walk in nature, eat a balanced diet, and stay away from toxic people who leave you feeling drained. Pick a wellness practice that resonates with you, and commit to doing it at least three times a week.
Share Your Gifts With The World: “Many people are depressed because they’re not living in alignment with their purpose and higher calling,” says Jewel. “As you give your creative gifts away, it will likely lessen the load in your own soul.”
This is all for now. To get more wellness tips from Jewel Love, sign up for his FREE newsletter at Black Executive Men.
Please know I will be here to guide you through 2019. Feel free to inbox me and share your goals for the new year. As you know, I always write back.
On behalf of my family and elders in Africa, I wish you and your family a prosperous, healthy and happy new year.
Thanks for your support of my new book and for your well wishes over the years. Here’s the link to get your copy of Meditations Across The King’s River
