Month: May 2017

The Results Are In!

Posted on by Ashaki Omikunle

Peace fam. To say that I am overwhelmingly excited would be an understatement this morning. A few months ago, I submitted my DNA to be tested for my ancestral lineage. I have always wanted to know what countries my bloodlines led to but had never taken the time or resources to do so. As you may or may not know, I am legally changing my name from my birth name. I love my family, no doubt, but my attachment to a name that is not reflective of my lineage, heritage, or lifestyle (among other things) led me to want to choose a name more in line with the life I am building and the legacy I am leaving behind. Thus, you have Ashaki, a West Afrikan name that means beautiful.

Well, let me get to it. Drumroll please lol! I received my results last night. My DNA is a combination of Cameroon/Congo, Nigeria, Benin/Toga, and Senegal. I only have 8% European (and a message from Ancestry saying that it is a “low confidence region). Anyway, I am highly honored to be one of the few Afrikans living in Amerikka that actually knows their origins. I am also very happy to have found some family that share DNA with me. I also reviewed the birth records of my paternal grandfather online which showed where he was born in Jamaica, as well as the birth date of my maternal great-great grandfather, who was born in 1886. How amazing this journey of self discovery is!! I was moved to tears looking at the military records of my great grandfather, the census of my maternal great grandfather, as well as other documents.

I am piecing together history for my descendants. They will know where they come from. We are resilient, we are strong, we are Afrikan!! I have been under reconstruction now for months, learning who I am as a woman, finding my weaknesses, my strengths, my shortcomings, my quirks. I have been taking care of self. Now, I am finding out parts of myself that I did not know existed. Thousands of years ago, my ancestors in Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal were living, loving, working, and dreaming. I am my ancestors wildest dreams. I am my ancestors. I am back.

 

Hetepu,

Ashaki Ma’at Mirembe Ali

Today’s Insights

Posted on by Ashaki Omikunle

Peace peace fam! I have been uber busy these days and I feel absolutely awesome about how everything is finally coming together for me. I do genuinely hope all is well on your end. I want to talk about a few things.

First of all, I finally have figured out that being busy and being productive are absolutely two different things (though I often use busy to describe my days). I have wasted time literally on nonsense. I notice the RESULTS when I am being productive versus when I am “busy”. Being busy is like riding a stationary bicycle– no matter how hard or fast that you pedal, your ass is going nowhere fast!

Secondly, I have come to the realization that my reach and impact on others if far more than I could have imagined. I have had a few very interesting encounters over the past few weeks–the most eye opening coming from a brother from Ghana. He “knew” me through a mutual friend from Nigeria that I have known for several years. Nevertheless, he explained how much he loved me because of my outspokenness on Afrikan and Amerikan Afrikan issues. I was caught completely off guard but honestly humbled at the same time.

Lastly, I am absolutely bursting with joy these days and it is seemingly contagious. The people around me beam with joy as I “cut the fool”. I have been caught dancing in the hall at my job a few times. I wake up smiling. I must have spring fever LOL!! No, in all honesty, my joy is a choice. I am naturally very bubbly and energetic. But, I am purposely choosing to live each day basking in joy because the universe is conspiring to make all of my dreams a present reality.

So, I encourage you to open your eyes to the possibility of what you think may be impossibility…….You never know where your intentions and heart may take you…

 

Hetepu,

Ashaki Ma’at Mirembe Ali

Repainting Your Life Landscape

Posted on by Ashaki Omikunle

Peace, love, and light fam! Hope you are enjoying your Sunday. It is not even 8:30 here and I have to say I am feeling quite lovely. Well I launched my business this past week and am so excited about all that is to come. I was thinking on how I have changed the course of the past few days by choosing not to participate in activities or conversation that are based on negativity or things that simply are not feeding my spirit. I have literally woke up everyday with a smile on my face and not because everything is copacetic or perfect but because I am truly grateful for my life and all that is happening and going to happen. I have found peace and  am literally chilling in the eye of the proverbial storm!

I have also been reflecting on the connectedness of us all and how awesome it is to be connected to so many amazing people. I am seeing great work among them, progress, babies being born, couples dedicating themselves to each other, and so much more. I am ecstatic for them and their journey. So, I wanted to share 3 insights to help you begin the process of changing the landscape of your life.

  1. Know that your life matters. I know that may sound trivial to some but as a woman who did not know that my life was worthy, was never told that my life mattered, or that I was important, learning that my life mattered was life altering.
  2. Know that just as there is light and dark, there will be trials and triumphs. The universe dictates that there be balance in all things. Life will present obstacles and it is not always easy. Just hold onto the fact that all things are temporary and that you can weather the storm
  3. Know that you have a purpose to serve. Your soul chose to come to the planet at this time to serve a particular purpose. I once believed that I was damned and somehow had been a mistake. But now I know and realize that the little voice that was telling me all of these hurtful things was not my voice, but voices of others that had been an influence in my life. They no longer dictate how I feel. My life has an amazing purpose and so does yours.

So, there you have it. Your life matters, life will have ups and downs, and you have purpose. Meditate on these insights today. Allow your spirit to lead you. Each new day is a promise for more of everything and an opportunity to begin again. If you would like more guidance and assistance on living your best life, please subscribe to www.ashakiali.com. You can also find my on social media (Instagram as CoachAli17 (True Transformation Coach), Twitter (@TrueTransforma1), and FB at True Transformation Life & Health Coaching Services. I look forward to hearing from you!

 

Hetepu,

Ashaki Ma’at Mirembe Ali