How are things? I pray you are well. It’s been amazing to me to see how different things are depending on WHERE you are. While the temperatures are soaring in some parts of the world, I’m sitting here in the southern hemisphere, at 1,400 metres (4,600ft) on the southern slopes of Mount Meru all bundled up. Warmer days will start to arrive next month but for now, with highs is in the mid 60’s and lows in the 50’s, along with no insulation and no heat it does get chilly!
Thankfully when the sun comes out it’s glorious. And my garden is loving it. I have a nice patch of kale and other greens looking vibrant and delicious. Some are going into my warming soups. The baby kale is going into my salads and smoothies.
Just like the weather, we all face different situations. And we all have different reactions to those situations. We have different strengths and challenges. We have different needs and desires.
That’s why I have always, in whatever line of work, or endeavor, focused on encouraging people to find what works best for them. Even when I was working with small children in my in-home daycare WAY back in the day, I found that it made a huge difference. And I find it makes a difference now when I’m working with folks making diet and lifestyle changes.
In my day care, when I tried to dictate or prescribe the learning process, the kids shut down. “Here do it this way.” “Hey it’s time to stop doing that thing you are so engaged in and come do this thing I think you should do now.” They were disengaged and only half heartedly participated. What they got out of it was limited.
When I simply followed them, or invited to join me while still offering plenty of space for them to make it their own, they would get so much more out of what they were doing. “Oh, tell me about what you’ve been doing with those building blocks.” “I’m going to work in the garden. Want to help me?” Now there is a rich opportunity to learn deep lessons based on what is real in their lives. Lessons that are meaningful and memorable.
This past week I launched the new Black Vegan Academy site which provides courses to help you make creating a healthy diet and lifestyle work for you. It follows that same philosophy of meeting you where you are, and inviting you to engage in ways that will help you create rich learning opportunities and meaningful and memorable growth based on what is real in your life.
In my mind this is the only thing that can really work. I won’t be there with you when you go out to eat with your friends. Or when you’re standing there looking in the fridge trying to decide what to eat. You’ll have to figure out what to do on your own.
So my goal in Black Vegan Academy is to guide you towards finding your own personal path to successfully navigating the unique situations you face in your life. Of living in a non-vegan world that doesn’t necessarily support your goals.
I’ve pulled together over 10 years of material to create these courses. I will be adding more to it as time goes on. Come check it out and get in on it now at the introductory pricing. Take advantage of the all access option and you’ll also get access to new courses or expanded material as it becomes available.
Come on over to https://blackveganacademy.com and check it out.
Til next time,
Ama Opare
