We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Renee K. Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Renee, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Many have asked how did you begin doing this work? And I honestly respond this is a calling for me that is bigger than me… I have had many careers and I like to say I am in the 5th or 6th iteration of that but this one was very different because it feels more like a calling. Years ago I attended a divination session in preparation for the birth of my daughter and the diviner shared that there were many healers in my lineage and that I would be the one to restore that profession to our family. At that time, I heard it and thought because of the current work that I was doing, I doubted that I would go down that path. Years later, I decided to dive into flower essences and flower essence therapy and through that process the plants began to speak! Its been seven years that I have continued to deepen my relationship with the Earth in an effort to reconnect others to the wisdom of the Earth through the exploration of Ancestral Intelligence.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the proud founder of Akika Flower Essence & Apothecary a wholistic wellness practice that aligns with the power and ancient understanding derived from plant intelligence in order to heal, transform and empower community. Using flowers and the vibrational medicine through flower essences, Akika is a resource for clients of all ages to tap into plant intelligence and ancient indigenous practices as a methodology for achieving balance and transformation. Since its inception, Akika Flower Essence & Apothecary has allowed for the cultivation of other community offerings including the Grand Rising Summer Solstice Summit, a virtual global summit held from 5AM-5PM on the summer solstice to celebrate our collective healing, resilience and awakening; Goddess Rising Winter Solstice Retreat dedicated to black and brown women celebrating all things goddess – this 6 day 5 night retreat occurred in Belize, Central America in 2023. We are also excited in February 2024 the launch our podcast Be The Medicine: Pathways To Healing & Liberation Through Ancestral Intelligence. This podcast is the launch of open source resources to engage community.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are what I call my 3c’s – consistency, collaboration and care. Many times people will see success and believe that it stems from luck, but it actually requires commitment to one’s vison and the ability to be flexible and grow in the experience. Consistency is key! The African proverb that states “Every journey begins with one step…” is how I remember to be consistent. It can be difficult because many times we have expectations of ourselves and of others and we may feel like we aren’t moving fast enough but every step forward is progress. So with my projects big and small, I work to be consistent including at least one step each week and setting internal deadlines to complete tasks associated with my projects and this creates cumulative progress. “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together” This African proverb describes the second quality which is the importance of collaboration. With every project, I look for opportunities to collaborate with others and expand the impact and legacy of the work. The third quality is care, self-care and care for others. The quote by Audre Lorde “Self-care is not only a form of self-love, it is a form of resistance.” centers this quality and is a reminder that in order to enact our visions, we must be balanced mind, body and spirit. Taking care of ourselves, releasing expectations and surrendering to a flow state will allow us to be in alignment with our dreams and goals. Everything happens in due time and in due season, so our ability to learn from the Earth, when to release, when to sprout, when to bloom and when to harvest are essential to continued balance and success.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
A book that has played an important role on my development and continues to have impact on my practice both personal and professional is titled Self-Healing Power and Therapy: Old Teachings from Africa by Dr. Kimbwandende Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau. Dr. Fu-Kiau was an esteemed scholar, educator and keeper of culture of whom I had the pleasure of sitting at his feet to learn about Ki-Kongo traditions for healing, liberation and collective decision-making. This book has been key in providing a framework for the importance of establishing relations and the relationship between client and healer, family and community and community and the world and how to assist in reawakening each person’s healing energy.
Contact Info:
- Website:www.akikafloweressence.com https://bethemedicine.co/ https://patreon.com/bethemedicine
- Instagram: @reneekimberlysmith @akikafloweressenceapothecary @be.the.medicine_
- Facebook: Renee K. Smith Akika Flower Essence & Apothecary
- Other: Spotify & Apple: Be The Medicine: Pathways to Healing & Liberation Through Ancestral Intelligence Podcast
Image Credits
Image Credits: Renee K. Smith Image 1: Podcast Logo Image 2: Presentation Table at 3rd Annual Gullah Geechee Herbal Conference in John’s Island, South Carolina Image 3-6: Goddess Rising Winter Solstice Retreat 2023, Belize, Central America
