{Self-Care} Accountability. Alignment. Action.

Earlier this week, I got the most random, motivating call from my best friend, Shavonna.  Random motivation is nothing new to us, but the timing of this call was... divine.

At the moment the phone rang, I was actually thinking of Shavonna.  When I answered the phone in disbelief, she sounded just as shocked to hear from me.

"Ashiya, I'm not sure what's going on right now.  I answered a text from someone else and now you're on my phone."

I knew what was happening.  Just a few days before, I made a commitment to Shavonna and myself to practice yoga everyday for 30 days to rebuild my daily practice.  There are times when practicing 3-4 times during the week will keep me balanced and focused; however, I am entering a phase of life where deeper daily practice is necessary.  I scheduled the time to practice and was just about to find a reason not to when the phone rang. What else was I supposed to do but roll out my yoga mat and practice?

Shavonna and I on a stop at the Grand Canyon in 2002 as we drove into the "Masters" phase of life. ATL to LA in 3 days.

Each year, Shavonna and I manage to mesh our health and wellness goals in some way.  In the last two years, we both launched new businesses in health and wellness, naturally creating bigger goals personally and professionally.  Without a doubt, being accountable to Shavonna over the years has been a large part of each goal I've achieved.  {Thank you, Lillian!}

Vanya Francis and Shavonna Warthen of Om Point Yoga, Atlanta, GA.  Accountability. Alignment. Action.

This year, it was only natural to bring Vanya Francis into our accountability circle.  Not only did we all graduate from Spelman College together in 2001, but Shavonna and Vanya are co-owners of Om Point Yoga, a boutique yoga company in Atlanta, Ga.  Additionally, Vanya and I act as peer coaches as we have a mutual interest in women's wellness.  Because our friendship and purpose have intersected with our personal and professional goals, we solidified our accountability circle by choosing three words to keep us focused as we progress towards our goals. When we face a moment of decision, recalling these three words offer us a reminder of where we want to be.

Accountability
Accountability is a word that speaks directly to community.  It is a reminder that our actions not only affect us, but those who may be helped by what we do.  Being accountable to each other holds us accountable to our goals.

Alignment
We all receive opportunities to grow our businesses, but we've come to a place where we realized that every opportunity is not going to lead us where we want to be.  We always make sure our decisions are in alignment with our goals and our choices support our personal and professional vision.

Action
At some point, there is nothing else to think about.  The only thing to do is act. When we become clear on our goals, we become clear on our decision and our circle prompts us to act without delay.

If you set resolutions for yourself at the beginning of the year and have already abandoned them, here is your chance to renew!  If there is something that you have wanted to do for years and you still want to do it, this is a call to action!  Call up your circle, share your desires and choose powerful words to connect you to your purpose.

Life, Health, and Prosperity,
Ashiya