5 THINGS YOU LEARN WHEN YOU TAKE A BREAK!!!

Hey guys,

Its been exactly a month since I got on here and as I write this down, I officially put an end to my long hiatus.I must say, it was a much needed break. 

Asides being literally fagged out from work almost every night, I had to deal with a few personal issues, travelled a couple of times for different reasons and ofcos, had a couple of responsibilities to take care of. I did however, find time to respond to the few emails that were sent in with regards to my absence and a few previous posts. Thank you again to those who emailed and sent in their messages. I really do appreciate you all. 

The very typical me would have struggled to put up a post or more in the past month, despite the number of things I had to deal with, the stress from work and the responsibilities I was faced with. But for once, I decided to take a break. And guess what!..I learnt 5 things from taking the break. 

EVERYONE NEEDS A BREAK

Most people think taking a break is wasteful but in actual sense, it is very useful. Sometimes we get so consumed trying to do a whole lot at the same time, and then, we end up not getting the best results. Blogging is lots of fun I must agree, but it can also be pretty time consuming sometimes. From writing new posts to engaging with readers, it sometimes feels like there aren't enough hours in the day. Taking a break sometimes can help boost your enthusiasm, increase your creativity, that way quality is placed over quantity with regards to your posts. 

THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN WORK

Family bonds, elusive love, friendships, fellowship, proper exercise, self improvement, healthy diet, adventure..the list could go on when it comes to life but guess what? We focus on one thing because we feel every other thing would certainly come through it. I usually find myself getting so consumed with work sometimes, that it feels like all I live to do is work. And though I need to earn a living, I never really get the time to live in the first place. During the break however, I decided to take time out to travel, spent some time with family and friends, did some exercises and more fellowship. It felt really different, and that made me realise how much I had neglected the most important things in life - Joy and fufilment which can never really be bought with money. 



YOU REMEMBER YOUR ROOTS

Your WHY in life. Your ultimate purpose. Your deepest love that drives you. All of these are important as they inspire you all the time.

Sadly, a lot of us forget about them all the time as we get caught up in life. Shit is always getting in the way.

You’ll need to take a break and remember your roots 

PERFECTION DOESN'T EXIST

Confession: I have 5 posts sitting in my drafts now that I need to edit and I am dreading it because once I start, I sometimes cant stop. I'll agonise over a sentence for longer than necessary, re-read it until I am sure I haven't offended anyone, worry so much about what people will think about the post, that I end up not publishing it. Sometimes, it could be that I am not as inspired or motivated to start or complete a post but yet, I spend so much time trying to come up with something just to be consistent and on time with my posts. My point is, no matter how good you think you are at something, you can never be perfect. And sometimes, you need to understand that a little break could help inspire you or rekindle your creative spark, that way, you'll be able to come up with a better content.

PEOPLE DO LOVE YOU

I have nothing but heartfelt thanks to my readers who bothered to write in and give me their well wishes when they noticed my unannounced absence. Thank you so much, for real.

The people who care will be the same ones who wonder where you’ve gone.

Don’t lose these people.

Have you ever taken a break from blogging?

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!..:)

HOW I ROCKED MY DENIM DRESS!!

Hey guys,

So I noticed that, the blog gets more veiws each time I put up a post full of pictures..especially that of myself lol..

I'm not one to be really into trends and fashion, but I do love taking pictures, especially when I feel like I put in some effort into getting my acts essembles and make up together.

In light of this, I decided to share a few pictures showing how I rocked my denim dress on Sunday.

I don't know why, but my sudden love for denim is becoming a bit awkward. I dont understand the sudden crave popping out from no where. I guess its because of it's uniqueness, durability, colours and shades, plus the fact that, you can pretty much do anything with it.

I  particularly love this shade of denim because you can use different colours on it and they would still blend in perfectly.

For me, I just decided to keep it really simple.

I'm sure there are better ways to rock a denim dress but this was how I rocked mine. What are your thoughts?

IF WISHES WERE HORSES!!!

Hey guys,

I hope the week started off great? I did have one of the most beautiful weekends last week, and as much as I'd like to gist you guys, I'd rather save it for later. Or better still, talk about something different today.

So I wrote a poem a few weeks back, but I had no tittle for it. Two days ago, I stumbled on this picture amongst the ones I took on my day out to the park, and it inspired the tittle of this post. I hope you enjoy it. Please also let me know what you think.

If wishes were horses,
I'd have the best stories,
Some of those fairy.....
Tales with a happy ending.

If wishes were horses,
The moon would be blue
Then I'd find me a boo..
With just the perfect bloom

If wishes were horses,
There would be no pain
And the world would be,
Just a better place.

If wishes were horses
I'd give some pennies
In exchange for the worries
Or a sudden burry..

But wishes aren't horses.
So tales aren't fairy,
Happy endings do happen
But once in a blue moon.

But wishes aren't horses
So pain would be in cursive
life would be no bed..
Certainly not of roses

But wishes aren't horses
So worries have no boundaries
A penny can get you berries
But certainly not the merry.


- poem by Sophie Audu.

LIFE ON THE TRACKS!!!

Hey guys,

Its been a while I must say. These days, all I keep asking my self is 'Where did my childhood go'? Honestly, I'm not about this adult life:- new day, new challenges and responsibilities. To make matters worse, the economy isn't even helping lol.

I don't know if it's just me but everyone seems to be facing difficult times right now in one way or another, and the road to recovery is long- very long, feeling longer everyday. You keep striving to move forward, but the path seems endless. The farther you go, the more it looks like the journey is stretching out longer ahead of you. Every time you think you've caught a break, something new comes along to challenge your progress.

You know how it is. Just when you get a bit of money saved, your car breaks down, an eye needs a laser surgery, a tooth needs a root canal, your roof starts to leak, costing pretty much what you've saved.

You get a raise at work and praise at your annual review, then three months later, get laid off because you are a drain on the payroll budget.

Maybe its even more deverstating, you and your children are evicted, you loose your health, a loved one.

Whether its something major that knocks the wind out of your spirit, or dozens of small things that pile on, crushing you under the weight of worry and strife, your energy is gone, your strength gone, your resolve shaken. You just want to sit down and rest physically, emotionally and spiritually. You may not feel as if you're moving forward, but, like the earth that continues to turn in its axis without your feeling it, life is moving on and so must we.


In light of this, here are some quotes to keep you going.

• Dont give up trying to find your way. But remember, sometimes it takes bending to avoid breaking.

• Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.

• Dont go where the road leads rather, go where there is no road and leave a trail

• Its never too late to be what you might have been

• If your train of thought is going no where, switchtracks

• A bend in the road is not the end of the road except you fail to make the turn.

• Follow your dreams, they know the way.

The most beautiful people I’ve known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. No matter what you go through on the track of life, stay strong and never give up. Remember, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Have a great weekend.