Releasing the Grip — Style & Energy

Despite what the world says or what social media messages may drill in our minds, I’m learning that the most effective way to live life is by letting it be. Yes we have the power to manifest beautiful things in our lives, but we also need to learn the balance of controlling what we can and letting the rest flow however it’s meant to flow. Most of the stress we create in our lives comes from trying to control a situation. If you take a second and think about a stressful issue occurring right now in your life, you will probably discover that you’re adding more stress to the situation by constantly trying to control it, or figure out how to make it better, or how to stop it. And what you really need to do is release your grip, and let it go (I’m preaching to me on this one).

For the past few years I’ve been enduring a tough but much needed lesson on learning how to take my hands off certain situations and letting them be. I’m always trying to figure out how I can speed the process up, help the process out, or get rid of the process all together. I’m constantly thinking that maybe I’m not doing enough, or maybe I should have said this, or maybe I just need to add a little more of that to make it better. When in actuality, all I’m doing is interfering with the natural/spiritual process that is taking part on my behalf. It seems when I’m constantly trying to make something work, it moves further away from me. But when I release it, it works out how it’s supposed to work out when I least expect it.

The other day while going back and forth in my head over an issue, I was reminded of some simple yet sound advice my father gave me years ago that can be applied to any situation. Back then I was battling some acne issues which made me obsessed with every product that claimed to rid my face of the hideous critters. I would walk around the house every night with about 20 creams on my face then follow those up with some new mask. I did this religiously for about two weeks but nothing seemed to help. One night, with a white mask caked on my face, I walked into the kitchen - passing my father up in the living room - to get a snack. My father, whom I’m assuming was tickled at the sight of his daughter resembling a mime, took one look at my face and smirked. Just as I was about to head back to my domain, he stopped me and said, “you know the bumps will eventually go away if you just leave them alone and stop focusing on them.” In typical teenage fashion, I rolled my eyes and continued on the journey to my room to sulk. But his words sat with me. The next day, I didn’t use any of the masks or creams I accumulated, nor did I use them the day after that, or the day after that. I just did the simple tasks of washing, toning, and moisturizing. I also made it my business not to stare at the bumps in the mirror every chance I got, and just like daddy said - they eventually went away.

I’m not telling you guys to give up on your endeavors. I’m simply saying declare what you want, control the part you can control, then release your grip and watch life work its magic. By doing so you allow all the bumps to work themselves out, and eventually things will change. And what's for you, will come to you.

Releasing the Grip,

- Samjah Iman

P.S. - I don’t have any outfit details on this look because I purchased it from a garage sale!! Sweet huh?! But what I do have is some info on a cool event happening during Essence Festival! The one practice that has been keeping my stress levels low, teaching me meditation, discipline, and the art of being still is yoga. And this year my yoga community (Magnolia Yoga Studio - Nola’s 1st black owned yoga studio) is kicking off Essence Fest weekend with a super cool yoga event! See below!

For more information on tickets, visit their website.

Oh and a couple days after the yoga event, come see your girl on the panel at Brunch for the Soul. I’ll be there stuffing my face and speaking from my spirit! Details below!

Purchase tickets, here.

See some of ya’ll at Essence 2019!