by Nadia Absalom
I find it difficult at times to encapsulate what I would like to share with you. Then the little voice inside always nudges me and asks, “are you practicing what you are teaching? Are you keeping it REAL? Are you living the highest truest version of yourself?
During my five decades in this universe, I realized You MUST:
FIRST be who you are,
DO what you need to do, to get what you want.
So yes, I keep it REAL, and we encourage all our young LIONESSES on our Empowering Girls Program in South Africa to do the same. Prioritizing our mental fitness muscle is crucial, NOT optional. Investing in our minds, hearts, souls, and bodies is vital. This influences how we show up in the world.
Fourteen years ago, I made a conscious commitment and promise to myself, to be mentally, physically, and emotionally fit. This decision was a direct result of warrior female friends and my only biological sister passing away before they reached the age of fifty - due to strokes and bleeding ulcers. Something in my life had to change. With immediate effect, something had to change.
I realized everyone around me was a priority excluding the person staring in the mirror, who at times I did not recognize, she was the plastic version of the real me. I had a choice. I decided to look after this beautiful gift, this vessel ONLY afforded to me. My mental fitness muscle became a priority and NOT an option nor negotiable. ONCE you know better you MUST do better.
All the knowledge in the world, degrees, and certificates holds NO weight if we are on a battleground with our mind, heart, soul, and body. If we don’t understand the importance of being in complete alignment with your HHH (Heart, Head, and Hands) system. We cannot give the universe the best of who we are meant to be if there is a misalignment.
Being mentally and emotionally fit contributes to overall well-being, enhances resilience, and enables us to cope with life challenges effectively. When we put our mental fitness on the back burner this impacts not only our physical health but overall quality of life with ourselves and others.
So, your highest return on investment will not only give you the best returns now but for sure in your later years.
We encourage all our Lionesses across the globe to be kind to yourself:
Prioritise alone time to think, be, and embrace who you are.
Get comfortable with good breathing exercises.
Connect with nature. Walk / Run at your own speed. This is your journey.
Live in gratitude, you have this moment (not afforded to many)
Surround yourself with people who put a spring in your step with their contagious energy.
Be mindful of what you consume (Food and social platforms)
Connect to spaces where you have a sense of belonging!
Be thankful if you still have all your senses operating.
Learn to say “THANK you to YOURSELF” and “I am PROUD of YOU” The greatest form of appreciation should come from YOU first 😊
It’s OK NOT to be OK (seek professional assistance if you feel you can’t cope)
If you observe yourself through your own eyes, what do you see? What do you like about her?
What are the things you would like to do better? Find time to do it. If it’s a priority, YOU will make time.
Be the change you’ve been waiting for, invest in your mental fitness muscle. She is YOUR best friend.
Your highest return on investment starts with being mentally fit, emotionally able, and physically capable.
Nadia Absalom is the founder and Director of Tranquil & Tenacious Minds. A celebrated NLP Practitioner, Life, Business and Executive Coach who inspires people on a global scale through personalised workshops, leadership programs and transformational events. She also plays an instrumental part through Youth Development in South Africa.