IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MUSCLES!!!

Hey guys,

Welcome to another episode of my random Sunday rants. I actually said that to a friend of mine one time, and she said your random Sunday rants are what I always look forward to every weekend. Did that make me feel good? Sure as hell!..even though I felt washed and clean lol.

I'm thankful that people actually look forward to reading my posts even when I feel like I make no sense some times. Thanks to you my readers for sticking around with me. Much love from a heart of gratitude.

I don't know if you've ever been around an elderly woman for a while but women do have a high tresh hold for pain I must say. It is no wonder they are classified 'weak but yet strong'.

I was in the kitchen yesterday evening with my mum and macho of a brother when something amazing happened. My mum decided to make a large pot of zobo, being that we haven't had some in a while, and my brother decided to join us in the kitchen. Half way through the preparation, my mum decided to reduce the water from the boiling pot, hence, she lifted the pot from the fire with her bare hands, took it towards the sink which was a distance away and returned the pot back on fire after reducing the water.

A few minutes later, the zobo was ready and she needed to transfer it into another pot. My brother decided to be of use to her by lifting the pot off the fire and taking it towards the sink like she did. Half way through, he already started reacting to the pain from the hotness of the pot and he dropped it rashly on the table close to the sink which resulted in a splash on his body. Luckily, it wasn't anything major.

I found it amazing that my mum could lift off the hot pot, walk to the sink and back, without reacting to the pain or dropping the pot, wherass, my brother couldn't. What was the difference? One was strong, the other was tough.

TOUGHNESS IS A SKILL BUILT OVER TIME, CIRCUMSTANCES AND EXPERIENCES.

Most people, often confuse toughesss with strength, thinking that being strong is automatically the same as being tough, when in fact, they are two distinct qualities.

Someone is tough when he/she has been through several challenges and obstacles, and has been able to overcome over time. You find out that for each pain you bare, your threshold towards pain increases. You become stronger, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. A strength from within, which is constantly renewed, is the strength we need. It is no wonder that God puts us through tests and series of challenges to toughen us up.

Life is a journey full of obstacles and only the strong in heart can overcome. Never shy away from little discomforts cause they are necessary to keep you moving through the storms when they finally come. And if you ever need to hit the gym for a body build up, never forget to take your mind and spirit along with you cause truely, it's not about the muscles.

Have a blessed week ahead!..:)

LIFE ON THE TRACK 2!!!!

Hey guys,

I hope you had a great week and a restful weekend?

Being that Sundays are my favourite days to blog, I usually prefer sharing articles that would encourage and motivate us to kick start the new week on these days. Two weekends ago, I shared a couple of quotes in a post titled 'Life on the tracks' so if you haven't read that, I suggest you check it out here.

One of the articles I prepared earlier for this week, was a poem about life on the track, and this one is by Marv Hardin, titled: 'The train of life'. It basically tells us that life is a train. Some ride with regrets, being stuck in the past, some ride with joy, being hopeful and optimistic towards their future. It all depends on you. How would you ride your train hence forth? I hope this poem inspires and encourages you to take a different turn/bend today if you have been living life stuck in the past. Enjoy.

The Train of Life

Some folks ride the train of life, looking out the rear, Watching miles of life roll by, and marking every year. They sit in sad remembrance, of wasted days gone by, And curse their life for what it was, and hang their head and cry.  But I don't concern myself with that, I took a different bend, I look forward to what life holds, and not what has been spent. So strap me to the engine, as securely as i can be, I want to be out on the front, to see what I can see.  I want to feel the winds of change, blowing in my face, I want to see what life unfolds, as I move from place to place. I want to see what's coming up, not looking at the past, Life's too short for yesterdays, it moves along too fast. So if the ride gets bumpy, while you are looking back, Go up front, and you may find, your life has jumped the track. It's alright to remember, that's part of history, But up front's where it's happening, there's so much mystery.  The enjoyment of living, is not where we have been, It's looking ever forward, to another year and ten. It's searching all the byways, never should you refrain, For if you want to live your life, you gotta drive the train.

ON TIMES AND SEASON!!

Hey guys,

Happy new month and happy Sunday.

I believe you've had a great week past, and a very blessed Sunday like mine. :)

Its the month of March again, and with it comes the long rainy season. Anyone a fan of this season? Well, I guess not!..Especially if you are a Nigerian. You know, most Nigerians have many reasons to wish the rain away. From messy environments owing to bad roads and bad drainage systems, to getting stuck in traffic on a raining week day,..the list could go on.

The one thing I love about the rainy season however, is the goodness it brings by the basketful. Yes! The green palatable fruits.

I'm not sure anyone gets as excited as I do when its mango season. I like to think that mangoes are pretty much one, if not the
best fruits.

In march, the trees get heavily pregnant with green mangoes and the rains gradually turn them yellow over time, giving me the pleasure I desire.

People however, do not find the need in observing the transformation of this irresistable fruit, due to the viciousness to make money. And so, they result in spending time and energy, using sticks to bring them down by force, and hot water to ripen them by fire. A process I'd normally call "by fire by force".

I remember back at school when we had a big mango tree in the middle of the assembly ground, it was strictly out of bound to be seen around the tree at anytime other than the assembly time, not to talk of plucking mangoes off the tree. Being the stubborn child and a tom boy that I was, I decided to go against the rules with a gang of fellow boys in girl's skin, by mapping out a plan, and volunteering to take the lead by climbing, in other to get the largest amount of mangoes, all things going as planned.

Shortly after I climbed and had succeeded in plucking a few mangoes, a staff on duty approached and everyone dispatched quickly with the little we were able to gather, except for me, who was ofcos, stuck on the tree.

Eventually, I was asked to come down, and in the process, came in contact with some sharp branches, leading to some injuries. I got detained for a while, and even got more injuries after being whipped messlessly by the staff on duty. To cut the long story short, I got lashed, got injured, missed dinner, got in the black book and by time I went back for my share of the mangoes, they were very sour. So much for the stress. There is really no satisfaction in eating green unripe mangoes for me.

I was in my room one morning and I heard thudding sounds. I peeped out of my window and smiled at the sight. The mangoes I was struggling to pluck a few weeks ago, were falling like leaves. Yellow succulent looking mangoes covered the ground and all we had to do, was bend down and pick. No fire, no force, no stress, no injuries..and I mused at the wonders of God.

"To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." Ecclesiastes 3:1


When we force a thing to happen before its season, we don't enjoy the fullness of it. We miss out on the sweetness, and set our teeth on edge. We labour so hard for it, get bruised/scared in the process, and still end up not getting the best. Some even loose their lives in the process just because we refuse to wait for the right time.

We serve a God of seasons and every man has his season. Just because we don't see a person blossoming, doesn't mean his life is cursed or the fact that his business isn't going well, then he's a lazy man or a loser. The fact that he is not in his season doesn't make him useless. As a matter of fact, his roots are only generating and anchoring firmly underground in preparation for his sprout.

Time will come. And while we wait, let's not forget to prepare ourselves. No one cuts down a mango tree just because its out of season. Dont bring your life to a hault because you don't see immediate results. There is a season, and who knows, it might just be around the corner.

Have a blessed week ahead!..:)