AggieStrong the Ultimate Life Coach

Faith is a huge part of Black culture. On the last Sunday of Black History Month, I took the liberty of visiting Toronto’s first Black church and establishment—First Baptist Church.  It was a true jubilee. Rev. Dr. Wendell Gibbs's message was powerful and deeply moving. He reminded us of our identity in Christ, declaring, “Black history didn’t begin with slavery or emancipation but in the Genesis beginning.” He also spoke of “The anguish of our ancestors… those who died [so we could have] peace… May humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. [And] we… vow[ed] to uphold this.” The service reached a pivotal moment when the congregation joined the choir in singing: I’m no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God. Founded in 1826 by formerly enslaved people who sought refuge in Canada, First Baptist Church has long stood as a pillar of the Black community. While the original congregation laid its foundation nearly two centuries ago, the current building, complet...

A New Year's Eve Devotion - The Hands of God My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens. ~Isaiah 48:13 NIV What I woke up to this morning. I quickly sprang from my bed, okay, sofa where I have been sleeping for a while now, and grabbed my phone quickly to capture the vision in front of me. Half hour later, I am still snapping pix and vids. If only my camera could see what I could see. One of the best things about living in this space is the marvellous sunrise and moons I get to experience. REFLECT & PRAY The vision inspired me write a poem reflecting what the image of God's hand was saying to me: THE HANDS OF GOD: Crimson Curtain, Sunrise Framed Through crimson curtains God kissed my eyes, A glowing dawn begins to spread. The city rests still and serene, While crimson skies ignite the scene. A balcony, aged but full of grace, Embraces the glow in its weathered space. Below, a waking town appears, Its shops and streets, calm pion...

A personal Sunday reflection of my brother’s life and legacy, in what I call the three stages of life—birth and development, the pursuit and the chase, and sickness and dying— illuminating the gift of mortality. Rest in peace, my brother. Life often demands reflection in its quietest moments. It's no wonder some people are always busy. The recent passing of my brother, Donovan, brought me to one of these moments—confronted by the stillness of an early morning ten days after his departure, I had an epiphany . In that silence, I considered the arc of life, its inevitable stages, and the truths that define us. From the beginning of birth to the vigour of youth and its pursuits of adulthood, to the finale—the fragility of aging and dying. I contemplated that life unfolds in three distinct but interconnected phases: birth and development, the pursuit, and sickness and dying.   Birth and Development: The Foundation of Self Life begins with hope and infinite potential. Each birth represe...

What is spirituality? White lady looking up, index finger on side of chin with multicoloured thought bubbles above head. company logo Here is the thing, I was reading a post the other day that really got me thinking, and after reading through the entire post, I went back to re-read a passage. While searching for the passage, my eyes stopped on the word SPI RITUAL ITY , and for the first time ever I saw the root word " ritual " in it. Immediately I asked myself, so what does " Spi " means? Immediately I took to google in search of the prefix and what I found out actually was astounding! It states...

How do you begin to answer this question? Do you begin with your name, relations, occupation, achievements, life status or family lineage? How about sexual, spiritual or solar orientation? No? Then you must be your race, creed, nationality, or background? Right?... So, if none of those define you, tell me... do you really, truly and honestly know who you are? How might you begin to find out? As individuals we have so many intricacies and facets to our lives that if we have not consciously taken the time to find out who we are, we could be living a lie or someone else idea of who we are. I know, I know...I can hear the protest loud and clear: "I know who I am." But really, do you? I have news for you. What you do and where you came from are NOT you!  That's right, it is an extension of who you are, but it certainly isn't you in its entirety. You were who you are, long before you learned how to walk, talk, read, or write. Long before your passed or cu...

Some people say perception is everything —but let 's just toy with that idea for just a minute. Trying to pretend or believe that perception does not matter may help you feel better about yourself, but it sure won’t change the way others perceive you, nor their actions towards you as a result. So sure, perception is a big deal, but it is certainly not everything.  Not even the truth is everything. So then, if perception is not everything and the truth is not everything? What is everything?? Nothing.  Nothing is everything; to tell the truth. Ironic, eh?! Let’s test this theory….Pff!! Nothing?! What a load of crap? What’s that…? Nothing. Alright, you got me, explain... Here we go: Nothing is everything because everything is nothing.  What the what? Let’s break it down a bit here:   The air, the universe, the clouds, --God! Human? Are all nothing. I bet most of you are ready to throw stones at me now…what are you talking a...

Meditation is an ancient practice that holds the key to inner peace, self-relaxation, and personal growth. It can be your path to tranquility, clarity of thought, and the attainment of your loftiest aspirations. So, why should you meditate, and how can you harness its incredible potential? Let's delve into the art of meditation, uncovering the 'how' and 'why' behind this transformative practice. Creating Your Serene Sanctuary Before you embark on your meditation journey, it's vital to find a serene space that allows you to escape the clamour of everyday life. Whether you choose to sit or lie down, the location should exude a sense of calm. Silence, or even some gentle background music if you prefer, can set the stage for your meditation session. The Path to Relaxation As you settle into your chosen spot, take a moment to consciously relax every muscle in your body. This step is crucial, for it prepares you to embark on your meditation adventure. Gently close you...