Meal Prep- Trust you have the right ingredients.
God has been prepping me to create this journal for you for at least the last four years. That is why I know it is a resource that YOU need. Let me give you the back story…
In 2016, I started listening to Bishop Walker, the Pastor of Mt. Zion Nashville, religiously. At the time, people called him the Periscope pastor. He would hop on to share some encouragement randomly throughout the day, and that’s exactly what I needed. One day, he told everyone who was watching that God placed it on his heart to say that something BIG was going to happen in our lives. From that day forward he ended every call saying it. “Something BIG is going to happen in your life.” That sat with me. It rested in my spirit. I believed it and began to expect it. It was my affirmation.
Fast forward to 2018. I had already decided a year before that I wanted to create a journal. Journaling was so helpful for me! I wanted other people to experience the freedom I felt. I knew I would call in Soul Food. I always felt that words and actions could feed us just as well as a home cooked meal. I started outlining the journal. I didn’t finish that year because I would go back and forth trying to decide whether or not I wanted to write narratives or release a refection questions. The indecision hindered me. But GOD.
In 2019, I can recall a day I was driving, it was near the end of the year and I was talking to God as I usually do. The people passing me probably assumed I was on Bluetooth, but nope! On my car rides me and God chat it up. I remember hearing something clearly and the words being accompanied by an overwhelming feeling. God said “Next year is the year you’ve been preparing for. Your life is going to change for the good. Get ready.” For a second, I thought it could just be my ego buying into the “2020 is going to be the best year of your life” tweets and Instagram post we saw alllll year long. But the feeling I got with the words confIrmed that this message was God sent. I won’t lie, I got excited.
So, boom. 2020 hit. And boooooyyyy, did it hit. At the beginning of the year I wrote a note to myself on a little scrap piece of paper. It said “Me and my family 2020.” I had absolutely NO clue what that meant. I was just led to write it. It sat on my dresser until I moved out of my apartment a month ago. As you can imagine, when COVID hit, I was very confused about my message from 2019. God, you sure you meant THIS year? THIS is the GOOD year I’ve been preparing for? But even in my questioning, I stayed committed to what had been placed on my heart. I decided to make an official move on the journal I had been thinking about for YEARS!
I wanted my first published writing to be very special. I didn’t want it to just be dedicated to my family, I wanted them to be included. So, I scheduled time to speak with my mom, dad, sister and the three eldest members of my family, transcribed their interviews and worked them into the journal questions. From that birthed the Soul Food: A journal that feels like home.
I had no clue that in 2016 when Bishop Walker said, “Something BIG is going to happen in your life”, he meant in 2020. I didn’t know that in 2018 when I was indecisive about providing you all with journal questions or narratives, God was preparing me to do both. Who would imagine that my 2019 conversation with God about a great life change would still hold true in the midst of a global pandemic. Who knew my random 2020 note to myself about connecting more with my family meant I would have the opportunity to listen to the heart felt stories of six of my dearest family members, have the time to write down their stories, include them in a creation that I would share with the world and allow their stories to live on forever? God knew.
That’s the whole point of purpose, life’s work or as the Alchemist calls it, our “Personal Legend.” I believe our one responsibility for our time on earth is to accept the call. Not everyone will. Some will, but then they will retreat because it gets too hard, or scary or because it’s taking longer than they expected. My hope for you and everyone who purchases and experiences this journal is that you accept the call. Lean into your purpose. Stay in search for your personal Legend. Don’t tap out. The result is rewarding, but I promise you, the beauty is in the journey.
That is why I created the Soul Food journal. So that you ALWAYS have a resource that helps you stay the course by guiding you through the practice of affirmation, prayer and gratitude.
That is what Soul Food is about- community, love, unity, growth and wellness. Truth is, the world would benefit from more resources, products and spaces that are centered around the Black experience. Prioritizing the wellness of ourselves and our communities should no longer be an after thought. I am confident that when you use the Soul Food journal, light the Sweet Potato Pie candle or when you wear The I am Soul food Crew Neck, you will feel more connected to yourself and the people around you. You will feel more empowered and proud.
I would love to welcome you into our community! There are PLENTY of ways to engage. You can start by following me and the Soul Food brand on social media @iamsoulfood_ and @mayahmalikah. Subscribe to my email list at www.mayahmalikah.com. Take the Soul Food quiz, sign up to be a guest on our Wednesday, Soul Food Conversations or leave a comment about other things you would like to see from me and this brand. I have created this for YOU.
Be kind. Be great. Get fed. Get free.
With the deepest love,
Mayah Malikah
