Hello guys...Its been a very long silence here but that's life (I really hate to say that). So I've decided to really push myself. A blog post each day. More like a live update of my life as it happens. Anyway, I started getting out all the drafts I've kept stored for the longest of time. I'm not sure how this would go yet, I've made too many promises before now, lol...it's time to just get on with it.
I'm sure that most of us are familiar with the title above, but for clarity sake and to jog up someone's memory, I'll say where I culled it from. This is a popular statement from Snow White's movies/cartoons used by the wicked step-mum that wanted to reign forcefully. Yeah! that's it. Although this post has nothing to do with the story, the statement she makes has a lot to do with the write-up.
This post is a sequel of an earlier post (the beautiful soul). the link will send us right to the genesis of this master piece. I am soooo sorry it has taken a long time now from the previous one. This was not my original intention and actually its been too long to remember what my original intention was. Anyway, what you see in the mirror is what you get, most of the time, except you're using concave, convex stuff. What you see is pretty much who you are on the outside. You can't wish yourself away, you can't wish that fat tucked in your tummy away, or the bulgy eyes that's staring back at you. You just have to accept the person you see first in front of you before any change can begin.
A lot has happened in my life, some good, some not so good but its all a learning process. One thing I've learnt is that no one can deal with you except you. We can motivate you, encourage you, criticize you, but no one can cause anything to happen in your own life without your permission. Own yourself, take responsibility, you have to first accept life as it is, then you can move forward.....
well that's it for today guys....see you tomorrow....
Friday 3 August 2018
Friday 3 March 2017
In Pursuit of my dreams....
Welcome to the month of March, guys...
As I stated in the previous post, I'll try to keep up with bi-weekly posts...which means I owe you guys 2 posts for the month of February. But here's a fresh post from March on pursuing our dreams...I hope it inspires you to dream again....so please read on, like, comment and share. Thanks...Enjoy!!!
http://cdn.tinybuddha.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Follow-Your-Dream.png
Dreams, imaginations, interests, purpose…etc, whichever vocabulary you prefer, but I use dreams for this post. Dreams in this context are those imaginations within us that light up our souls when we think of them, the kind we day-dream about. That is what I’m referring to in this post
I was having a chat with a friend and I realized just how intertwined this topic is and so I decided to share from my own experiences on pursuing my dreams.
I have always had dreams for as long as I can remember…I’ve
had interests in a variety of things, some more lasting than others. At one point when I was younger, I wanted to be an athlete but that dream quickly faded away, as I couldn’t
even keep up with a 100 m race (I tried in Secondary School). But some others ran and
enjoyed it. Even when they fell, they ”licked” their wounds and kept going. I realized that my interest in the sport was mainly because I was exposed to
sports at an early age and just loved what I saw. I was merely an admirer and
not a partaker. I’ve had several other
interests which along the line, I realized I wasn’t tailor made for, so I dropped
them. But looking back, I can say that some interests
have stood the test of time over and over again, while some new dreams have
been born and new ones are still yet to be born...lol. To a large extent, I think our capacity to dream lies
in what we’ve been exposed to and what we took interest in. That’s why even till this day, as my
knowledge of my environment grows, so have my dreams. Dreams never have a
constant shape or container, so they're always changing or evolving. It’s
like I said earlier about the athletic dream I got rid off, it’s no use sticking to a
dream you aren’t built for. Even, though dreams can be multi-faceted, I realized there's usually a common rooted thought
were all others spring from…and for me its solving problems and spreading hope.
Due to the intangible nature of dreams, they can be
easily lost if not held on to tight. But never let reality drown your dreams, hold onto them as tightly as you can and work towards them. There's a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from seeing our dreams come to life. It gives a sense of pride and joy and its in those times we feel like we have truly accomplished and have become a success. "One day..I
would like to do this and that…" isn't a foolish/childish talk, it's a sign that you are not done yet and there's yet more fulfillment ahead. I know reality can be challenging, (I'm in it too..) but with dogged determination we can make our dreams come true. For some of us that may be asking, "What are my dreams?.. " Its anything you think about that gives you joy (that's within the human rights law...lol). It could be prospects of a peaceful family, work at it. Sometimes its an infamous path, work at it. Anything at all you dream about is worthy and the beautiful thing is they keep evolving as we go and grow through life. At times our dreams become unclear, that we even forget, but anytime we see something that looks like it, we light up. It is good practice to keep the things that inspire us close, so we should start digging up for them, the more the merrier..lol.
Start trying out the things you love..so you know where you stand, if you're the admirer, or a partaker. For instance, I keep bloggers close on my Instagram page, I follow writers, I follow makeup artist, I follow musicians, I follow photographers and others…lol. They are a dose of inspiration to me and a pointer at what the reality of my dreams might look like. Now, I may not end up doing all but I can say I will not be doing anything outside that.
In conclusion, don't chase after false hopes, but real dreams. Just because you see people on social media or wherever "living the life" doesn't mean there isn't hard work holding it all together. Work at your dreams and dream some more. Cheers to following our dreams and making them a reality!!!
Sunday 29 January 2017
Be Intentional in 2017
Happy New Year guys..It was an awesome 2016 but it will be an even better 2017. Please read on;
A lot has been on my mind. I've been very behind in keeping up with this fast paced world..you know, the one we see on screens, media etc. Even in my own space where I am queen, it felt like I had been dethroned, I was now second place. This is so not the introduction I was seeking in the new year..the pressure to measure up was rising and still is...Take the blogging world for e.g "almost everyone posted about lessons learnt in 2016, I didn't...almost everyone talked on the New Year & resolutions, I didn't and this wasn't because I was doing something else...lol. Please ask me what I've been doing then...I've been reading other blog posts and saying I should be doing this and I've actually written down some posts (in my notebook) but nothing has been happening on the surface. Now instead of being inspired by other bloggers, I was feeling discouraged (not the serious kind anyway..) because it just amplified how lazy I had been by seeing how diligent they were.
But enough with the ranting....I like to see myself as a solution oriented person..so I've decided to be more intentional with this blog. I will try to post once or twice at least bi-weekly and plan topics ahead to share monthly. The major problem has always been I write as I'm inspired and inspiration hits at anytime hence the irregular pattern of the posts. So I intend to start pursuing the inspiration as against just going with the flow, so that i can write more from my heart. My encouragement for the year ahead is to be more intentional in creating the change we desire, be it a relationship, career, spiritual life etc. This is my happy new year post especially to all of us starting slow...it will take shape and speed. May your dreams (the selfless ones) come true in this New Year. *kisses...*
A lot has been on my mind. I've been very behind in keeping up with this fast paced world..you know, the one we see on screens, media etc. Even in my own space where I am queen, it felt like I had been dethroned, I was now second place. This is so not the introduction I was seeking in the new year..the pressure to measure up was rising and still is...Take the blogging world for e.g "almost everyone posted about lessons learnt in 2016, I didn't...almost everyone talked on the New Year & resolutions, I didn't and this wasn't because I was doing something else...lol. Please ask me what I've been doing then...I've been reading other blog posts and saying I should be doing this and I've actually written down some posts (in my notebook) but nothing has been happening on the surface. Now instead of being inspired by other bloggers, I was feeling discouraged (not the serious kind anyway..) because it just amplified how lazy I had been by seeing how diligent they were.
But enough with the ranting....I like to see myself as a solution oriented person..so I've decided to be more intentional with this blog. I will try to post once or twice at least bi-weekly and plan topics ahead to share monthly. The major problem has always been I write as I'm inspired and inspiration hits at anytime hence the irregular pattern of the posts. So I intend to start pursuing the inspiration as against just going with the flow, so that i can write more from my heart. My encouragement for the year ahead is to be more intentional in creating the change we desire, be it a relationship, career, spiritual life etc. This is my happy new year post especially to all of us starting slow...it will take shape and speed. May your dreams (the selfless ones) come true in this New Year. *kisses...*
Thursday 24 November 2016
HAPPY NEW..DAY
A new day isn't nearly as celebrated as a new month or a new year. I think its because most of us just expect to wake up everyday and its not really anything special, but it is and I'll tell you why.
Recently, I was thinking of some changes I wanted to make as regards growing spiritually but unconsciously I decided to start next year since we are almost at the close of this year...(very unwise decision). It was then the Holy Spirit asked me this question "what is wrong with the 29th"..( which was the day I was meditating). This really sank deep...Now I ask you guys the same question, what is wrong with today? Why I'm I postponing a good plan till next year..just so I can begin on a New year...or month? It was then I realized that most of us unconsciously don't recognise a new day as a privilege but as our right. We find ourselves waiting for a new phase to present itself before starting that business, breaking that bad habit, learning that new skill and so on. We don't even realise that each day is "a new phase". In the Bible, God says His mercies are new each morning not every month or every January... but everyday. Let's get up and start executing those plans and stop waiting for the new year.
As for me, I will start cherishing everyday as if it was a new month or year...I'll start implementing those plans right away because I've been given another opportunity at life today and not next year.
You know how we get all excited and energetic in preparation for the New year that even drives us to make those "new year resolutions" we often never fulfil...let's say we put in just a little of that energy into each day, I can only imagine the success stories that would be flooding us.
No two days are the same, so let's stop dragging the happenings of yesterday into the new day and treating each day as if it were all the same. Lets be excited about each day because its truly a gift. Learn to forgive, live fully and love richly because guess what, if we are alive today, then we still have hope and an opportunity to right our wrongs and make whatever contributions we want to society and whether tomorrow comes or not we will have lived without regrets...
With love from Queen Amina...
Recently, I was thinking of some changes I wanted to make as regards growing spiritually but unconsciously I decided to start next year since we are almost at the close of this year...(very unwise decision). It was then the Holy Spirit asked me this question "what is wrong with the 29th"..( which was the day I was meditating). This really sank deep...Now I ask you guys the same question, what is wrong with today? Why I'm I postponing a good plan till next year..just so I can begin on a New year...or month? It was then I realized that most of us unconsciously don't recognise a new day as a privilege but as our right. We find ourselves waiting for a new phase to present itself before starting that business, breaking that bad habit, learning that new skill and so on. We don't even realise that each day is "a new phase". In the Bible, God says His mercies are new each morning not every month or every January... but everyday. Let's get up and start executing those plans and stop waiting for the new year.
As for me, I will start cherishing everyday as if it was a new month or year...I'll start implementing those plans right away because I've been given another opportunity at life today and not next year.
You know how we get all excited and energetic in preparation for the New year that even drives us to make those "new year resolutions" we often never fulfil...let's say we put in just a little of that energy into each day, I can only imagine the success stories that would be flooding us.
No two days are the same, so let's stop dragging the happenings of yesterday into the new day and treating each day as if it were all the same. Lets be excited about each day because its truly a gift. Learn to forgive, live fully and love richly because guess what, if we are alive today, then we still have hope and an opportunity to right our wrongs and make whatever contributions we want to society and whether tomorrow comes or not we will have lived without regrets...
With love from Queen Amina...
Wednesday 13 April 2016
Dating as we know it (PART II)
So just picking up from where I left in the first part of this post... Dating shouldn't be done as something you engage in just because you are attracted to someone but an intentional direction towards marriage. It shouldn't be an exaggerated form of getting to know someone. When you do marry, you will continually be unfolding every part of yourselves which is what makes it fun and exciting. Its no wonder some marriages are dull, because the essential "knowing" has been done during "dating". Instead of having the thrill of newness spice up your marriage, what you get is a dull obligation to someone else. In doing this (keeping your relationship pure), you honor God (at least for a Christian) and because of that you can trust Him to come through for you in marriage and other aspects of your life.
To be sincere with you guys, I think "dating" is a waste of time because I just end up doing things that please my flesh and not my spirit. I don't glorify God with my body by presenting as a "living sacrifice" and fleeing all forms of sexual immorality because dating places a pressure to thread in that way.
Some people are of the idea that dating is a process of trying to see if you guys fit and if you don't, well you move on. But lets take a serious look into this, a popular example used is shopping. Its like going to a store to try out shoes to see which size fits you well. First of all, you should already know your size, not by trying all the shoes but measuring your feet with some measuring tape...lol. (This is a message here people, know thyself using a standard(Christ). Stop trying too many things.)
Secondly, once you know your size and during the process of trying out a shoe, it gets damaged, like the heel got broken or any notable damage to the shoe, you shouldn't expect to receive a pat on the back. You will have to pay in one form or the other for damaging the shoe, because it will be harder to sell a damaged shoe as the value would have depreciated. So can you see the end point of this logic, (its not my idea to compare dating to a shopping exercise by the way...). It shows you that if you must date never damage each other in an attempt to see if you guys fit. You have a responsibility to either leave the person how you met them or add value to them. Now if you're not doing any of these, then I'm sorry to say but you guys aren't DATING you're PLAYING...Have a great day guys. God bless.
To be sincere with you guys, I think "dating" is a waste of time because I just end up doing things that please my flesh and not my spirit. I don't glorify God with my body by presenting as a "living sacrifice" and fleeing all forms of sexual immorality because dating places a pressure to thread in that way.
Some people are of the idea that dating is a process of trying to see if you guys fit and if you don't, well you move on. But lets take a serious look into this, a popular example used is shopping. Its like going to a store to try out shoes to see which size fits you well. First of all, you should already know your size, not by trying all the shoes but measuring your feet with some measuring tape...lol. (This is a message here people, know thyself using a standard(Christ). Stop trying too many things.)
Secondly, once you know your size and during the process of trying out a shoe, it gets damaged, like the heel got broken or any notable damage to the shoe, you shouldn't expect to receive a pat on the back. You will have to pay in one form or the other for damaging the shoe, because it will be harder to sell a damaged shoe as the value would have depreciated. So can you see the end point of this logic, (its not my idea to compare dating to a shopping exercise by the way...). It shows you that if you must date never damage each other in an attempt to see if you guys fit. You have a responsibility to either leave the person how you met them or add value to them. Now if you're not doing any of these, then I'm sorry to say but you guys aren't DATING you're PLAYING...Have a great day guys. God bless.
Dating as we know it (PART I)
Hey guys..Long time, no post. So I can say I've been so busy but I know that's not the main reason I haven't posted anything in a long time. No excuses, just repentance, receiving forgiveness and carrying on from where I stopped. So the topic today has been on my mind..and I actually journal-ed it in my diary on the 13th of January this year, but have not been able to post it until now.
Dating in this sense is the coming together of a guy and a girl who are attracted to each other for a romantic relationship. This gives them room to get to "know" each other better and later decide if they want to continue to marriage or just break up and either become enemies or stay friends...lol.
Lets go back in time for a bit, in those days when a guy was interested in a lady, he got to know her and met the family to state his intentions. Shortly afterwards, "courting" (which is a form of dating but with marriage in view) began and in most cases marriage followed. Fast forward to these days, another intermediary process has been included..DATING. This happens after a guy sees a lady he likes and then "asks her out" and they start dating. In other words, they get into an exclusive relationship, where they get to know each other more. Sometimes its official and other times its not..lol. I wouldn't have had a problem with this concept as its an avenue to get to know each other but it always has a tendency of derailing or going far from its high minded intentions/ purpose.
Since the goal of dating is to "know" each other, they start meeting frequently, having long conversations, wanting more privacy, sometimes even move in with each other, all in an attempt to know someone better. Mind you in all this time, there has not been marriage in view (even though sometimes they occasionally discuss it). They want to keep "knowing" the person before they commit to a lifetime mistake. Well, the aim is noble but I dare say the process is. This "Dating" has led to a lot of single parenting, abortions, unwanted babies, abandoned children and so on. My question is two-fold, can you know a person fully? how long will you know each other before its enough for marriage or break up? The truth is we can never really know someone fully and new chapters of our lives open up now and then that even surprise us. Lets cut this deception and get serious with our lives. Guys if you find a lady that interests you, check her out, get closer, know what her values and ideals are, her dreams, goals and aspirations, the kind of family she's from. Take your time to pray and ask God for wisdom and direction before the aforementioned. Then if all is well, make a formal declaration of your intentions to her father or any other close leader figure in her life. This helps you to stay on course during the relationship and treat the lady with much regard.
I definitely have a lot to say on this but it will be too lengthy on one post, so I'm going to stop here and pour out the rest of my heart in the next part. Stay tuned guys, God bless.
Dating in this sense is the coming together of a guy and a girl who are attracted to each other for a romantic relationship. This gives them room to get to "know" each other better and later decide if they want to continue to marriage or just break up and either become enemies or stay friends...lol.
Lets go back in time for a bit, in those days when a guy was interested in a lady, he got to know her and met the family to state his intentions. Shortly afterwards, "courting" (which is a form of dating but with marriage in view) began and in most cases marriage followed. Fast forward to these days, another intermediary process has been included..DATING. This happens after a guy sees a lady he likes and then "asks her out" and they start dating. In other words, they get into an exclusive relationship, where they get to know each other more. Sometimes its official and other times its not..lol. I wouldn't have had a problem with this concept as its an avenue to get to know each other but it always has a tendency of derailing or going far from its high minded intentions/ purpose.
Since the goal of dating is to "know" each other, they start meeting frequently, having long conversations, wanting more privacy, sometimes even move in with each other, all in an attempt to know someone better. Mind you in all this time, there has not been marriage in view (even though sometimes they occasionally discuss it). They want to keep "knowing" the person before they commit to a lifetime mistake. Well, the aim is noble but I dare say the process is. This "Dating" has led to a lot of single parenting, abortions, unwanted babies, abandoned children and so on. My question is two-fold, can you know a person fully? how long will you know each other before its enough for marriage or break up? The truth is we can never really know someone fully and new chapters of our lives open up now and then that even surprise us. Lets cut this deception and get serious with our lives. Guys if you find a lady that interests you, check her out, get closer, know what her values and ideals are, her dreams, goals and aspirations, the kind of family she's from. Take your time to pray and ask God for wisdom and direction before the aforementioned. Then if all is well, make a formal declaration of your intentions to her father or any other close leader figure in her life. This helps you to stay on course during the relationship and treat the lady with much regard.
I definitely have a lot to say on this but it will be too lengthy on one post, so I'm going to stop here and pour out the rest of my heart in the next part. Stay tuned guys, God bless.
Tuesday 11 August 2015
Riding the Highs and lows of life....
Have you ever felt soo good at one time you felt like you were going to burst but you didn't and not so long after you felt like the worst person on earth....Well, I have and recently it has become more frequent that I can't ignore and immediately needs addressing.
I've struggled amidst high and low points in my life soo much that being consistent became difficult to keep at. I could go for a very wonderful service and come out soo alive and instead of fanning the flames ...I douse it with one mistake. The worse part is if you're introverted like me, you probably keep your struggles to yourself because "they" might not just get it...Anyway, this article isn't to solicit for your pity but actually share steps that are helping put me on a better platform of enjoying a more wholesome steady life.
1. Your mistakes don't define you. This is very important to me and should also be to you. If you take the lovely things about you as seriously as you took the bad...the bad wouldn't even have as much impact on you.
2. Learn quickly and move on as fast as yesterday. The more time we wallow in guilt and self battering the harder it is to come out and do the wonderful things that are waiting for us out there.
3. Remember your future. Is your "past" mistake really worth throwing away your priceless future which by the way starts right now. I don't think it does. So please stop selling yourself cheap.
4. Take your lessons learned seriously. This will help avoid future disappointment in that same area and if you don't you will repeat that stage till you learn.
5. Talk to a wiser person. If after doing stuffs to remedy your situation and the problems still persist, talk to someone who is much wiser and can also identify with what you're going through. This will help in many ways like access to sound advice, someone to encourage you to be your best. Chances are you are less likely to fall into the same thing with a good mentor/ friend than without.
Life doesn't give promotions without kowing that you have got the corresponding strength to manage it. God even said He will not allow something you cannot handle come to you (Paraphrased). Whatever you currently face you have the power to conquer.
I'll end by leaving the picture of a surfer in your mind. Don't complain or struggle or feel down about your lows, study the wave pattern and Ride gracefully. Love you guys.
I've struggled amidst high and low points in my life soo much that being consistent became difficult to keep at. I could go for a very wonderful service and come out soo alive and instead of fanning the flames ...I douse it with one mistake. The worse part is if you're introverted like me, you probably keep your struggles to yourself because "they" might not just get it...Anyway, this article isn't to solicit for your pity but actually share steps that are helping put me on a better platform of enjoying a more wholesome steady life.
1. Your mistakes don't define you. This is very important to me and should also be to you. If you take the lovely things about you as seriously as you took the bad...the bad wouldn't even have as much impact on you.
2. Learn quickly and move on as fast as yesterday. The more time we wallow in guilt and self battering the harder it is to come out and do the wonderful things that are waiting for us out there.
3. Remember your future. Is your "past" mistake really worth throwing away your priceless future which by the way starts right now. I don't think it does. So please stop selling yourself cheap.
4. Take your lessons learned seriously. This will help avoid future disappointment in that same area and if you don't you will repeat that stage till you learn.
5. Talk to a wiser person. If after doing stuffs to remedy your situation and the problems still persist, talk to someone who is much wiser and can also identify with what you're going through. This will help in many ways like access to sound advice, someone to encourage you to be your best. Chances are you are less likely to fall into the same thing with a good mentor/ friend than without.
Life doesn't give promotions without kowing that you have got the corresponding strength to manage it. God even said He will not allow something you cannot handle come to you (Paraphrased). Whatever you currently face you have the power to conquer.
I'll end by leaving the picture of a surfer in your mind. Don't complain or struggle or feel down about your lows, study the wave pattern and Ride gracefully. Love you guys.
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