Why A Sistah Needs Chocolate

Ok, my Sistahs- I have rarely spoke about the subject of Pleasure Seeking but there is a time and place for everything and now I confess that I have been eating chocolate for the last three days. After years of being a vegan and truly avoiding the whole "food" I recently just gave into my urges and got a nice expensive bar of chocolate. Ummm... it was soooo yummy, soooo delicious. I ate the whole thing and it felt good.

According to Italian researchers, women who eat chocolate regularly have a better sex life than those who deny themselves the treat. Those consuming the sugary snack had the highest levels of desire, arousal and satisfaction from sex.

The urologists from San Raffaele hospital, Milan, questioned 163 women about their consumption of chocolate as well as their experience of sexual fulfilment.

The study, which will be presented at the European Society for Sexual Medicine in London next month, found: “Women who have a daily intake of chocolate showed higher levels of desire than women who did not have this habit. Chocolate can have a positive physiological impact on a woman’s sexuality.”

Dr Andrea Salonia, author of the study — funded from a university research budget, not by the confectionery industry — said women who have a low libido could even become more amorous after eating chocolate. He believes chocolate could be particularly medicinal for women who shun sex because they are suffering from premenstrual tension.

“Chocolate is not like a food, it is like a drug. Women who suffer mood swings as a result of their menstrual cycle may also suffer a dip in their sexual function. I strongly believe eating chocolate may improve their sexual function,” said Salonia.

I understand the work that has to be done in the world - the healing that needs to take place, the fight for justice AND I also am beginning to understand the need to invite JOY into our lives. I am the first to tell you that health is important and I understand (or as my friend Mama Yaa says "overstand") the need for sensations of joy and pleasure in our lives. Many of us don't allow ourselves the simple things that bring us moments of happiness.

I have checked out so many erotic blogs lately and I love the way Sistahs are re-claiming the realm of Joy in their lives. Many of us work hard and as another friend says "we need to play hard". The new moon in Taurus is about making real what is in our minds.

I am a big advocate of abundant thinking - having the belief that every being on this planet deserves for the cup to overflow with prosperity. I notice in all my years of prosperity practice that blocks divert your flow. Many of us long for happiness, financial independence, success, love, peace and those things are already in our lives we just have to see with new eyes.

Lately, I have used the practice of inviting Spirit to create abundance, love and peace in my life. One morning in my meditations I made a specific INVITATION and do you know that immediately before I could get up from my meditation cushion I had a call for a new client! The rest of the week worked that way, too. My life was overflowing with opportunities...I told a couple of friends and they said the same took place for them. You see prosperity needs an INVITATION - you can want something all your life but you need to formalize the request to the universe. In this action you transition to ACTION.

Sistahs, I want you to take this week and INVITE in pleasure for yourself. Everyday, in small ways or BIG ways take a pleasure trip. Be bold and see where it gets you - what doors does it open up for you? Discover what you have been suppressing - release and let Life Flow in You.

I got a deep message last weekend, that now is the time for Sistahs to step into the river of abundance - to change our lives so they Work for Us. If you need help, here are a few suggestions:

1. Buy a bar of Lindt Chocolate and eat is slowly, deliberately while in a bathtub with scented bubbles.

2. Instead of a shower every morning, take a candle lit bath everyday before work - see how this changes your day...

3. Dress up in your most beautiful outfit and take yourself to lunch or dinner.

4. Ask your mate for a sensual massage or go get a nice massage from a professional.

5.Invite a another pleasure seeking friend to a glass of wine/tea after work (yes, pay a babysitter and get out)

*Remember, husbands can watch children, not everything cost money, pleasure can be found in a cup of herbal tea or bubble bath...SMILE and for just this moment find 100 things to feel joyful about...*

I could go on...but write me and give me more ideas...

Peace,
Sistah C

Rape of A Nation: The Congo Genocide

I have not written in a while and I have been distracted by a thing called life but I cannot let International Women's Month go by without saying anything about the suffering of our Sistahs in the Congo...last year I put up a post with a video on the rapes in Kenya and the same horrific things are happening in the Congo. I wonder why there is such silence? The Congo is one of the mineral richest countries in Afrika and her people suffer so much from war, poverty, lack of basic medical care and rape of resources.

Here is a powerful photographic and video documentary called "Rape of a Nation by Marcus Bleasdale.

http://mediastorm.org/0022.htm

Description:

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to the deadliest war in the world today. An estimated 5.4 million people have died since 1998, the largest death toll since the Second World War, according to the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

IRC reports that as many as 45,000 people die each month in the Congo. Most deaths are due to easily preventable and curable conditions, such as malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, malnutrition, and neonatal problems and are byproducts of a collapsed healthcare system and a devastated economy.

The people living in the mining towns of eastern Congo are among the worst off. Militia groups and government forces battle on a daily basis for control of the mineral-rich areas where they can exploit gold, coltan, cassiterite and diamonds.

After successive waves of fighting and ten years of war, there are no hospitals, few roads and limited NGO and UN presence because it is too dangerous to work in many of these regions. The West's desire for minerals and gems has contributed to a fundamental breakdown in the social structure.

International Women's Month: Black Love in Public

Sistahs, in my meditations this morning I concluded that Greatness is our divine birth rite AND it is in not only our best interest but the world's interest that we live a life that is elevated to that status. There many situations and or environments where the Greatness of Sistahs is not valued - in fact many people are intimidated by a SistahGoddess that knows what she deserves and stands firm in that belief. So this month of honoring of Wombyn all over the world for our tireless efforts keep our children fed, our communities in tack and our connection to Spirit everlasting is very important. Let us use this month to give honor to each other on the personal level - to reach out to each Sistah we know and tell them "I see you. I appreciate you and I love you."

In the SF Bay Area this weekend, SistahGoddess Eboni Senai organized Black Love in Public. This effort was part of the Intimacy Project and she describes the event as:

For ONE hour on ONE day, The Intimacy Project calls upon Black folks in the Bay Area to SHOW their love for one another.

This is an OPPORTUNITY to CLAIM SPACE...
In a city that is slowly rendering Blackness invisible.
In a time that fails to support us as emotional beings.

This is an EXAMPLE to OURSELVES + to OTHERS...
That Black folks are capable of deep + sustained affection towards each other.
That we are able to heal wounds, old + new, starting with the simple act of TOUCH.

I loved this idea!!! I often think that the real war we are fighting has to do with the oppression of our emotions and our ability to truly love each other with heart - Black Love can dissolve any negativity we experience as a people. It is funny that many movements within our community have yet to grasp this as the ultimate tool against oppression. Love of self, Love of other = trust = community.

The FIRST HONOR goes to SistahGoddess Eboni Senai of the Intimacy Project. I see you, I appreciate you and I love you Sistah!

Words of Power: Interview with Spoken Word Artist, SistahGoddess Amaris

Peace Sistahs,
About a couple of months ago I got an email from a reader thanking me for my work on SistahGoddess blogspot. I was thankful this Sistah sent me her myspace page because from there I encountered her BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL AND REVOLUTIONARY work. Amaris is the type of Sistah who inspires this blog because this blog is dedicated to the Sistahs who stir the winds of consciousness each and every day - Sistahs who tap into their Creator given wisdom and TEACH! I give thanks for the opportunity to meet and learn from Amaris on this sacred path.

How did you get your start as an spoken word artist?

I would say I was born a poet. I got my start in spoken word once I was introduced to it my freshman year in college at North Carolina A&T. I went to a venue and there were people on stage speaking their truths in poetic rhyme. It was powerful to me because through it I saw them connecting with us and each other. I wrote poetry before then but it was always for myself. I never really shared it but through this experience I was able to see the value of sharing myself with others. It brought us together. It allowed us to heal together. Needless to say I fell in love with the art of spoken word poetry. The next time I went I shared and began to write more and more. I began reciting and performing all over Greensboro then NC then the U.S.

Who would you say your work speaks to? Do you have a specific
audience in mind? Does it surprise you who is attracted to your work?

My work speaks to people, mainly people of African descent because I speak out of who I am but I am surprised often to see Natives, Hispanics, Asians, even Whites approach me with tears in their eyes saying how much my words meant to them. I never forget those people we are always connected by this powerful art. It speaks to young as well as old. Elders hold my hand and look me in the eye and tell me to never stop speaking. I am indebted to all the people that my work speaks to. I believe that art has the power to transcend many barriers. (If you get the SistahGoddess subscriber email then click this link to the Oxygen video.)



Who has influenced your work?

I am influenced by so many things but the question was who, so the Creator of course. I am but a willing vessel. I don't know the words that heal, I am just willing to open my mouth, my heart, my ears, my soul, my hands and give what is given to me. I am influenced by my family and friends, people that I don't know but feel. People of the African diaspora and by other writers and artists like Sonia Sanchez, Amiri Baraka, Audre Lorde, Nikki G.,the Last Poets, Nina Simone, Mos Def, Erykah, Lauryn, you Sistah C. So many people that I connect with in some way or another. Life is an influence all by her self. Everyone who crosses my path is there for a reason so I am influenced by all of them in ways unique to them.

What do you want people to get from your art?

I want people to get Love and Truth from my art. I want people to be able to heal themselves thru a greater connection to the Creator which is the source of Love and Truth. I want them to re- remember who they are and who we all are. To love humanity and themselves and seek the light of truth to guide them through this reality called Life.


"Rooted Womb" original art by Amaris

Your work speaks a lot to what needs to changed in this society.
Many people are very excited about the new president. Who do you think
in this society is the best equipped to lead us to change?

I feel as if we are all agents of change. It can not be ONE person who lead us but rather many leaders dedicated to the same purpose of change and progress. These people should be grounded in love and truth to do this. I am excited about Obama but I understand that no change has ever occurred in our reality with one person. It takes combined efforts and will. We all are responsible for being the change we want to see in the world. No one person is equipped to handle it alone, it is too heavy a load. I believe Obama is a beautiful example of the change that we all want and need.

What about being a Sistah inspires your work?

Everything about being a sista inspires my work. The pure nature of being a sista allows me to see things in a very unique way. We, sistas are at the bottom of society which allows us to see things more purely. I always say that people at the lowest place of society have a better grasp on reality because they see things as they really are. Out of our oppression we can see righteousness and where we all need to be. I can see and overstand every -ism that we must face. Also being a sista means we are the mother of all. We have a great responsibility to the world. It was said if you heal a woman, you heal a world. We are the spiritual leaders and the spirit guides the physical so we are leaders of the world even from our low state. This consciousness greatly inspires who I am and therefore my work which is an extension of me. Sistas are beautiful powerful beings, my work is inspired to be a reflection of that beauty and power.

Listen to her work at her MySpace page or try this link.

What is your next project? Also, tell us about future performances
and how to get your cd.

I have been doing a whole lot of self-cultivating which I believe is necessary for the purity of the art. I take this gift very seriously because I affect people's lives in very real ways. It mandates that I am in the right place spiritually as well emotionally and mentally. I was working on my next CD but it keeps being postponed due to my need to grow to where I need to be in order to divinely reach who I need to reach.

I am also applying to Grad school to cultivate my "raw" talent and be able to use the traditions of the past to move my art into realms where it may not have been able to exist or be respected. I want to grow as a writer so I am working toward a manuscript and album for next year. Also my visual art has grown greatly during this time of cultivation.

Amaris' cd can be found and purchased at www.cdbaby.com/amaris. My art and poetry can be found at www.myspace.com/amaris7.

40 Days of Prosperity Check In

Greetings Sistahs,
I hope you are doing well with the 40-day prosperity plan. A friend wrote me earlier:

It is very important that I say the words (affirmations) no matter what--even if I don't completely internalize them, understand them, or completely believe them.

It is creating the vibration that is important--that is what frees you from lack.

In fact, conscious thinking can be the ultimate deterrent to prosperity.

I agree. I once heard that if your consciousness hears something about 2000 times it will automatically begin to accept it as truth. Maybe it is 2000 or 200 or 20 but the key fact is that repetition whether it is truth or not influences consciousness. Words have power and vibration so saying the affirmation aloud may actually be decoding a deeper message or maybe even breaking through a self imposed limitation.

The key to prosperity work is to just let go and let God do the work. When you get into your car and put the key in the ignition you expect it start. Most of us don't do a 20 point mechanical check each time before we start our car unless we KNOW something is wrong. Imagine prosperity work like that...just use the affirmation to start your prosperity consciousness and let it do the work. Recognize it is YOU who is the vital key - how you work with your world will out picture your success. I have mentioned this before but I love the Ancient Kemetic saying, "Live today as yesterday and tomorrow as today." Live - truly LIVE today fully and present and watch how tomorrow greets you with open arms. Our thoughts fertilize the future...feed what you want to see manifest. Train your mind with meditation to let go of what you can not change and watch how the doors of opportunity fly open.

Lets keep working and reaping our divine inheritance!

I have a wonderful interview with spoken word artist Amaris coming up in a couple of days. This SistahGoddess is most powerful and full of light - so check back in...

Peace,
Sistah C

40 Days of Prosperity, Day 11, 2009

Greetings,
I am listing all ten affirmations so that you can continue on your own until day 40. Remember that day 11 starts with affirmation #1. (I will also post these in the margin when I update the blog next. May you be happy and prosperous!

From the Abundance Book by John Randolph Price
The Statements of Principle:
1. God is lavish, unfailing Abundance, the rich omnipresent substance of the Universe. This all providing Source of infinite prosperity is individualized as me — the Reality of me.

2. I lift up my mind and heart to be aware, to understand, and to know that the Divine Presence I AM is the Source and Substance of all my good.

3. I am conscious of the Inner Presence as my lavish Abundance. I am conscious of the constant activity of this Mind of infinite Prosperity. Therefore, my consciousness is filled with the Light of Truth.

4. Through my consciousness of my God-Self, the Creator within, as my Source, I draw into my mind and feeling nature the very substance of Spirit. This substance is my supply, thus my consciousness of the Presence of God within me is my supply.

5. Money is not my supply. No person, place or condition is my supply. My awareness, understanding, and knowledge of the all-providing activity of the Divine Mind within me is my supply. My consciousness of this Truth is unlimited, therefore, my supply is unlimited.

6. My inner supply instantly and constantly takes on form and experience according to my needs and desires, and as the Principle of Supply in action, it is impossible for me to have any unfulfilled needs or desires.

7. The Divine Consciousness that I am is forever expressing its true nature of Abundance. This is its responsibility, not mine. My only responsibility is to be aware of this Truth. Therefore, I am totally confident in letting go and letting God appear as the abundant all sufficiency in my life and affairs.

8. My consciousness of the Spirit within me as my unlimited Source is the Divine Power to restore the years the locusts have eaten, to make all things new, to lift me up to the High Road of abundant prosperity. This awareness, understanding and knowledge of Spirit appears as every visible form and experience that I could possibly desire.

9. When I am aware of the God Self within me as my total fulfillment, I am totally fulfilled. I am now aware of this Truth. I have found the secret of life, and I relax in the knowledge that the Activity of Divine Abundance is eternally operating in my life. I simply have to be aware of the flow, the radiation, of that Creative Energy, which is continuously, easily and effortlessly pouring forth from my Divine Consciousness. I am now aware. I am now in the flow

10. I keep my mind and thoughts off "this world" and I place my entire focus on God within as the only Cause of my prosperity. I acknowledge the Inner Presence as the only activity in my financial affairs, as the substance of all things visible. I place my faith in the Principle of Abundance in action within me.

40-Days of Prosperity! Day Ten! 2009

Write the affirmation down in your journal and repeat aloud a few times. Meditate on the affirmation for 15 minutes and then journal your thoughts.

10. I keep my mind and thoughts off "this world" and I place my entire focus on God within as the only Cause of my prosperity. I acknowledge the Inner Presence as the only activity in my financial affairs, as the substance of all things visible. I place my faith in the Principle of Abundance in action within me.

***PLEASE NOTE*** There are 10 total affirmations. On day 11 we will start again with affirmation #1 and repeat all the affirmations until we reach day 40.