The O.G. Metaphor

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Sips & Flow! I'm so excited (& equally as nervous) to have you as my companion & confidant as we embark on this journey of self-discovery & creativity together. Thank you for joining this community of Sippers — those who seek to build healthy habits around writing, mindfulness, and nutrition. I am so ready to pour my passion into every sip & syllable to help you reach your goals as a writer & a human being.

Each week, I’ll deliver to you a blend of inspiration & practical tools to nourish your creative spirit and support your wellness journey. Here's what you can expect in every edition:

• PAUSE: Personal reflections I hope you will gain insight and inspiration from

• SIP: A featured drink recipe that will upgrade your nutrition and enhance your wellness routine

• FLOW: A curated poem & writing prompt to spark your creativity & encourage reflection

• GROW: Recommended resources to support your ongoing transformation

Here’s what lies ahead in this first edition:

• Pause: The Power of "I Am"

• Sip: Manifest Your Potential with a Lit Tea

• Flow: Ego Tripping (There Definitely is a Reason Why)

• Grow: From My Affirmation Toolbox

So grab your favorite mug or tumbler, fill it with a tasty drink, and let's dive in!

Pause: The Power of "I Am"

This year, I had the privilege of attending a virtual poetry workshop with poet & actor, Steven Willis — not once, but twice! For the first time in the spring & again this fall, we discussed the versatility of metaphors when Willis introduced us to a powerful concept: affirmations are metaphors.

An affirmation (a carefully formulated "I am" statement that is often repeated to oneself or frequently written down) is the framework for a metaphor of the self. These metaphors (where the tenor is oneself) are often written in the present tense, positive in nature, & very personal. But as it turns out, "I am" is not as stagnant as we may have thought. “I am” statements are manifestation tools, echoing what Willis introduced to us as the 'original metaphor' found in Exodus 3:14: "I am that I am.".

The power of an affirmation lies in the fact that an "I am" statement is simultaneously a self-declaration & a self-realization, which is a power comparable to that of a good metaphor: "a magic trick that uses language to turn one thing into another" by making a comparison & transferring ownership & essence without using 'like' or 'as'.

In experiencing this workshop for a second time, I was reminded that “I am” statements are truly powerful metaphors for who we are becoming, not just declarations of who we are now. I realized that for years, I had been hesitant to fully claim my identity as a poet. "I am an aspiring poet," I would say, always qualifying my passion with a word that held me at arm's length from my true identity. But as I was guided through these exercises and discussions for the second time, I felt a shift within me.