10 INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES TO KICKSTART THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER!!

Hey guys,

I know its been a while and I probably have to do an explanation post which I plan on doing as soon as I sort out a few blog issues. In the mean time, I thought to drop off some quotes, which I hope would inspire and help you kick start the new month.

As we all know, a new day, a new week and a new month is upon us, and it's starting to feel like summer is already gone and all there is to do is welcome the new season. There is no doubt that time flies!.

I guess that’s the journey and changes we face through the seasons. The sunny and rainy days, warm and cold days, colorful and gloomy days. We are faced with different challenges – big or small. But we cannot get discouraged by it all for life goes on and we have to somehow find the strength, will or whatever to go along with it and LIVE. Hence, I thought to share a list of inspirational quotes to inspire you to the month of September, to live and conquer whatever aspirations, dreams, obstacle or goals!

Whatever you set your mind to – go get it. Like I said we are faced with different challenges in life but to every challenge there is a solution. The first step is to not be afraid to dream. Believe you are capabable  and that what ‘seems impossible’ is actually possible. 

Dream – Believe – Achieve

IN MY SHAGGY LUXURIANT HAIR!!!

So I was being hairducated last week, and someone referred to my hair as 'shaggy' yet luxuriant. I thought it was a slang at first, but it turned out it was a real word. Anyways, the main statement that caught my attention reasoning was this: "you are your hair'. Do you agree or nah? I think I'd say yes! I am my hair cos we are both natural, beautiful and strong, we've both suffered from the hands of people who didn't have a clue as to how to treat us well so we could thrive, we are both growing, we are now both a lot more healthy since we eliminated bad treatment...and yeah, we both love to be showered with love, care and appreciation. In light of this, I have put together a little poem expressing my love and appreciation.

In my shaggy luxuriant hair 
exists an exotic energy 
that has been there for centuries,
strengthening me continuously and
allowing me to muster the ability 
to see, act and think clearly. 

In my shaggy luxriant hair,
The soul of Africa lives, giving my spirit culture and foundation, 
Enlightening me on the essence of creation,
Bringing me education and elevation 
of the truth of my beloved Nigerian nation 

In my shaggy luxriant hair are African songs 
that make me STRONG,
that tell me who I am and where I belong. 

In my shaggy luxriant hair,
There are probabilities and positivity in large capacities,
traveling at high velocities,
possessing infinite possibilities 
of peace, progression and prosperity. 

In my shaggy luxriant hair are powerfully 
refined proteins,
packaged with profound principles
which make me such an invincible queen

In my shaggy luxriant hair,
Knowledge, wisdom and insight 
have been unwined to 
form the admirable forces of passion and fire that drive me.

My shaggy luxriant hair 
is natural 
is magical
is original 
is BEAUTIFUL

C.A.P.T.U.R.E.D!!!!!!

There was something so different about that particular shot. Whether it was the angle with which it was taken, the background, the pose that was struck, the lighting or just the picture quality,.. I just couldn't explain it!. It was different. Different from the normal smiley, picture perfect portrait. I saw an image..an image that had been refined in the most beautiful way, an image that had been patched and mended from years of brokenness, pain, bitterness,...an image that had stumbled and risen countless times, an image that had known strength through years of struggles, laughter through years of tears and joy through years of pain. An image that pulled up the past and present in one shot, an image that radiated so much glory and transformation at the same time. I saw that image with so much love in my eyes and joy in my heart. I was proud of the lady I had become, thankful for the things God had let me go through, and in that moment, I knew I had been captured. I was captured by grace.

LESSONS FROM A TRIP #2!!!

Hey guys,

Its another beautiful Sunday and I hope you had a lovely and well rested weekend like I did.

Two weeks ago, I shared the first lesson gathered from a trip made by a friend to a distant village some weeks back, and I promised I was going to share subsequent ones as time goes on. If you haven't read the first one, it'll be nice to check it out here . There are three main lessons from the trip and I'd be sharing the short second one with you today. I hope you enjoy.

LESSON 2: YOU ARE POOR WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE.

Rich and poor is what I am faced with everyday in Nigeria. It hits me as I look outside in the morning and see people rummaging through the bin.

I feel so sad when I see children with dirty clothes and no shoes come up to ask me for money.

Or when I meet a lady with TB lying in agony on the road to work.

Or when children I know sleep on the floor as there is no space on the single mattress

Or when I get ushered into a private waiting room in the hospital because I can pay, yet on the other side, is a waiting room crowded with people who cannot.

So many situations which actually remind me that I am rich. That life is unfair.

Have you ever learnt a lesson from kids?

I've learnt so much from kids in d past years, and day by day, I keep learning.

I remember a question being asked to a 6 year old boy at my church the other day. The question was simple " What does it mean to be poor"? The boy replied saying "Being poor is when you dont have anything to give".

Everyone can give a smile, a hug, a word of encouragement.

Those were profound insights from a 6 year old. I was indeed touched.

Being rich is not simply about having more things and money. Being rich is seen in the richness of relationships and togetherness in families and societies.

Being rich is in the richness of the faith I see in people who materially have nothing, yet, daily wake up and pray to God whom they trust to provide their needs.

Being rich is the gratitude, love and encouragement we give to our friends who are down and depressed.

Being rich is in the little act of kindness we share and pass on to even those who do not deserve it.

Richness is in the smile this little boy gives even when it seems as tho, there is no reason to smile.

This week, I want to remember that being rich is not simply about material things or having a lot of money. Being rich is about having something to give.

How will I share my wealth this week? How will you share your wealth this week? Give your time, give your love, give hope, give kindness, share a prayer, give a smile.

Have a blessed and Rich week ahead:)

A STORY BEHIND THE COLOURS!!!!

Hey guys

How's the week coming up? I hope you enjoyed your weekend? I was going through my blog posts and realized how much I have derailed in being consistent as I should or rather, do I say, like I used to. I guess it isn't unusual especially when you have a job that is pretty much time consuming and a blog theme which requires you coming up with creative contents. A couple of times, I will reach a point where I cannot think of any new blog post ideas. Its like they just stop flowing, and the inspiration is gone. Its such a bummer when this happens and it really throws me off my game. So I've decided to draw my inspiration from pretty much anything. For the weekend, it was from my outfit.

So I've had this beautiful multicolored dress for a while and I particularly love it because, not only does it bring back memories, it also tells a beautiful story. I hope you enjoy it.

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel.
All claimed that they were the best.
The most important.
The most useful.
The favorite.

Green said:
"Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."

Blue interrupted:
"You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."

Yellow chuckled:
"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun."

Orange started next to blow her trumpet:
"I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you."

Red could stand it no longer he shouted out:
"I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy."

Purple rose up to his full height:
He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey."

Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak:
"You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me."

Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands.

The rain continued:
"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of colour as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The rainbow is a sigh of hope for tommorow. And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

Enjoy the rest of the week :)

LESSONS FROM A TRIP #1!!!!

Hey guys,

Happy beautiful Sunday to you. I hope you all had a great weekend and a blessed Sunday?

So a friend of mine recently travelled to the East on a mission trip through his school to reach out to a community. Specifically, he travelled to the state of Imo, into the village of orlu, outside the capital city of Owerri, where he was opportuned to witness the way people lived in the deepest part of the village. It's amazing how there were loads of lessons to be learnt from the people he saw and the life they lived. A couple of pictures were also taken to depict the lifestyles and situations he experienced whilst on his trip, and in light of that, he has decided to kick start a project which I'd be sharing with you soon .

In the mean time, I'd be sharing (subsequently), the lessons from the memories gathered from his trip. The first would be the most important.

BE THANKFUL: YOUR COMPLAINTS ARE SIMPLY BLESSINGS TO OTHERS. 

A few days ago, I remember complaining to a friend about my job and how time demanding it is. I remember saying " I work over 40 hours a week, place over 20 calls a day, attend endless briefs and meetings, visit sites upon sites, run office errands, attend to clients,:- the good, bad and ugly.. You name it!". I remember having this look on my face which pretty much read "TIRED" and then she goes "At least, you have a job". Nigerians will say " your own better pass". Many of us may have gotten responses like this, may be with regards to grades, marriage, possessions and many more.

 I have come to realise that one of the hardest things to do is to be greatful. I think at times, it's just human nature for people to take things for granted. I'm guilty of this I must confess. In some instances, its not intentional. We take our jobs for granted, our friends and family for granted, our health for granted, our mate for granted....the list could go on. We often assume that we will always have what we currently have. We forget how blessed we are. We go to our jobs everyday with no thought about the number of people who need a job and are unable to get one. We go to sleep in our nice comfy beds, with no thought about the number of people who are homeless. We complain about the food we eat, with no thought about the number of people begging on the streets. We wake up everyday healthy, with no thought about the number of people dealing with life threatening diseases. We are in relationships with people who love us and value us, with no thought about the people who may have lost the ones they loved to death or no thought about the people who have a broken heart or are in an abusive relationship. Many of us are blessed beyond measure, yet we still don't appreciate it..we want something different or we want something more, forgetting that the only way to get more is to be greatful for what we've been given first.

Be greatful for what you have. There is always someone, somewhere, wishing they had what you have. What you take for granted, someone else is praying for. Happiness never comes to those who don't appreciate what they already have. Always remember that your complaints are simply blessings to others. Be Thankful.

Ps: This post was inspired by the talented Joshua Jacobs of Jacob's craft photography. Look out for his project and the subsequent lessons learnt from his trip.

Have a blessed week ahead.

THE LEMON IN THE LEMONADE!!!

Hey guys,

Welcome to the beautiful month of May. We have now began the second quarter of the year and I must say, I am really thankful for the previous months, and hopeful that this month would be even better.

I'm pretty sure most of you would be wondering what this post is all about, as the media has now been infested with the recent release "Lemonade".

Well, let's just say I chose to focus on the "lemon" bit of the "lemonade" which most of us, I admittedly, fail to recognise.

The problem of "seeming" versus "being" isn't a particulaly new one when it comes to social media. We find people aspiring to create an image of who they are not, just to portray some sort of lifestyle. In other cases, we find it easy to read meanings into almost everthing we come across on the media, and even get very judgemental with regards to other people and their businesses. More worse, we start to kill our self esteems by comparing ourselves with others, forgetting that the juice (lemonade) is what they give and not the chaff (lemon). In essence, we don't know the real deal. We only see what they want us to see and based on that, we begin to asses ourselves, compare and possibly pass our endless judgements.

Speaking of judgments particularly,  we can't change the way we appear to others, it is something we aren't in total control of. But we can change the way we look at other people.

Everyone goes through challenges in life and we need to remind ourselves that in other to know the full story, we have to give others the chance to tell it. We cant make our own assumptions based on the little we see. It all begins with having empathy.

Dont judge the young mother who can't calm her child down at the mall, it doesn't mean she is not a good mother. Empathise with the fact that her child might just be grumpy that day. Don't judge the couple arguing at the shops, it doesn't mean they are in an abusive relationship. Empathise with how all relationships go through difficult times. Dont judge a friend for how they express their emotions, it doesn't mean they are cold hearted. Empathise with the troubled childhood that led them to feel that way. Dont judge someone on their past alone, it doesn't mean they can't change. Empathise with the fact that even good people make mistakes.

Always remember that the "cover" that we see is only a part of the book itself. Let's not be too quick to judge without turning the pages first.

Have a blessed week ahead.:)