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...
Thursday, 24 November 2016
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.
Monday, 4 May 2015
Things don't make us better
I don't even know if this is the most appropriate title but you will soon understand what this article is really about.
In recent years, with all the technology advancements in Africa, I too have not been left behind in the thrill and have become very tech conscious. The gadgets, the websites, the blogs, the Internet, the mobile apps and so on. It's really exploding everyday.
Anyway, so when I started this blog, all I wanted to do was write impactful things. I thought to myself that if I had "better" gadgets, I will be a more efficient writer. So my target was get a 'smarter' smartphone, a top specs laptop, better Internet access and so on ...I hadn't realised that the soul of the passion for writing wasn't found in the things I was amassing but in me. This is were I started to notice a downward spiral. I wasn't more effective than I was when I first started. I had trusted things too much over me.
Technology is good but humans are the brains behind it. No application ever ran without a computer geek somewhere, no site ever ran without the programmer, no machine (even artificial intelligence) ever made that didn't involve humans. These 'things' are here to make our lives easier not show us that we can't do without them. They only have value because of you and I. So the next time you think it's your laptop that's slowing you down, just remember that you are the boss and smarter than it. You will soon realise that restricting yourself to the confines of machines, doesn't just limit you to what it can do, it slowly kills innovation and creativity.
"Things" won't work until you've gone to work.
Cheers 😉☺
In recent years, with all the technology advancements in Africa, I too have not been left behind in the thrill and have become very tech conscious. The gadgets, the websites, the blogs, the Internet, the mobile apps and so on. It's really exploding everyday.
Anyway, so when I started this blog, all I wanted to do was write impactful things. I thought to myself that if I had "better" gadgets, I will be a more efficient writer. So my target was get a 'smarter' smartphone, a top specs laptop, better Internet access and so on ...I hadn't realised that the soul of the passion for writing wasn't found in the things I was amassing but in me. This is were I started to notice a downward spiral. I wasn't more effective than I was when I first started. I had trusted things too much over me.
Technology is good but humans are the brains behind it. No application ever ran without a computer geek somewhere, no site ever ran without the programmer, no machine (even artificial intelligence) ever made that didn't involve humans. These 'things' are here to make our lives easier not show us that we can't do without them. They only have value because of you and I. So the next time you think it's your laptop that's slowing you down, just remember that you are the boss and smarter than it. You will soon realise that restricting yourself to the confines of machines, doesn't just limit you to what it can do, it slowly kills innovation and creativity.
"Things" won't work until you've gone to work.
Cheers 😉☺
Friday, 20 February 2015
The plank in our eyes
I want to start by saying that this is first of all talking to me..more than anyone else. Most times its easier to see the fault of others..its easier to point fingers to the next person and blame him/her for your short comings...its easier to give advice or criticise someone else even when your in the same boat. But is it right...? Certainly not.
I've been in many situations where I was hurt by what someone did or didn't do..and also where I criticised, judged and passed sentence...loool...But then I painfully remember when I was in a similar situation and didn't respond any better...I still let out my steam and trash whoever though... but deep down I can now put myself in the person's shoes and realise just how much I've hurt someone else...It takes my eyes off the current situation I'm in where I'm demanding to be treated "right" and I find myself really sorry about the persons I have previously mistreated..
The fact is..nobody is perfect...This isnt to say everybody should go on and treat people without respecting them just because they must have hurt someone else too ..No! Rather its a call to treat people in the way you will want to be treated...So next time before you pass that judgement "Judge"...take a step back and be sure to remove the plank in your own eyes first...I'm sure by the time you're done.. you will have very little strength left for criticism. ...
Enjoy your day...
N:B I know I've been the most slothful blogger....no excuses...no blames on anyone but myself...picking up the pieces and starting all over...
I've been in many situations where I was hurt by what someone did or didn't do..and also where I criticised, judged and passed sentence...loool...But then I painfully remember when I was in a similar situation and didn't respond any better...I still let out my steam and trash whoever though... but deep down I can now put myself in the person's shoes and realise just how much I've hurt someone else...It takes my eyes off the current situation I'm in where I'm demanding to be treated "right" and I find myself really sorry about the persons I have previously mistreated..
The fact is..nobody is perfect...This isnt to say everybody should go on and treat people without respecting them just because they must have hurt someone else too ..No! Rather its a call to treat people in the way you will want to be treated...So next time before you pass that judgement "Judge"...take a step back and be sure to remove the plank in your own eyes first...I'm sure by the time you're done.. you will have very little strength left for criticism. ...
Enjoy your day...
N:B I know I've been the most slothful blogger....no excuses...no blames on anyone but myself...picking up the pieces and starting all over...
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Are you a local Champion?
Bidding a friend farewell as she went out to meet a couple of some other friends who were not in our own circle of friends, I realized just how relevant she was/ is. I smiled to myself and told her to keep being relevant. Of course she didn't understand what was going on as she wasn't aware of the thought being processed in my head at the time. I spared her the trouble of explaining the weird response though and left her puzzled...Now to the real puzzle of the day, I have observed that amongst our close niche of friends, we portray a strong and confident personality, but outside this circle, when situations arise to test all that confidence, our response is usually a different story entirely. Why?
Using myself as a case study, I belong to a wonderful unique clique of friends (league of extraordinary gifts), where we use our talents for the advancement of God's kingdom. The league has given us something to be proud of and made us realise just how important we are. We have a central place where we all feel at home and function at our best but outside these walls, its a tug of war to remain as relevant as we were at 'home'. It’s almost like we are a different people.
All we think of is how to come back and enjoy each other’s company. Now this isn’t wrong in itself as it shows our bond and strength in love. However, on the flip side, it reveals a big weakness. If the motivation for coming home is to just be with loved ones rather than because you are bored of where you are, it’s ok. But that is usually not the case.
Yeah, I'm sure you are about to say that there's no place like home, I agree, but we can't dominate the world by staying at "home". Now, DON'T GET ME WRONG, its not that I'm against staying in our comfort zones where we are accepted and valued, but I'm against getting TOO COMFORTABLE THERE. I want us to realise that if we want to be the impactful, relevant people we talk of, then we have to get comfortable with adapting to 'foreign lands'.
Remembering my friend I referred to in the beginning, maybe you now see everything I saw in that seemingly common situation and maybe understand my reaction a little. It got me thinking just how valueable she was (at least that was how I saw it, I know its a long shot). I think the question that should be foremost in our minds now is “Just how relevant am I and what is the boundary of this relevance”. What am I doing to become relevant anywhere at any time? Answering these questions will prepare us for life's uncertainties. This post as much as I’m writing to everyone is also to myself. As for me, I have made up my mind not to be a local champion or be limited by the geography of a place. I'm going to be sharing "how" I plan on being relevant everywhere and anytime in my next post. You can join me, there’s still space for some international stars.
Cheers!!!
Using myself as a case study, I belong to a wonderful unique clique of friends (league of extraordinary gifts), where we use our talents for the advancement of God's kingdom. The league has given us something to be proud of and made us realise just how important we are. We have a central place where we all feel at home and function at our best but outside these walls, its a tug of war to remain as relevant as we were at 'home'. It’s almost like we are a different people.
All we think of is how to come back and enjoy each other’s company. Now this isn’t wrong in itself as it shows our bond and strength in love. However, on the flip side, it reveals a big weakness. If the motivation for coming home is to just be with loved ones rather than because you are bored of where you are, it’s ok. But that is usually not the case.
Yeah, I'm sure you are about to say that there's no place like home, I agree, but we can't dominate the world by staying at "home". Now, DON'T GET ME WRONG, its not that I'm against staying in our comfort zones where we are accepted and valued, but I'm against getting TOO COMFORTABLE THERE. I want us to realise that if we want to be the impactful, relevant people we talk of, then we have to get comfortable with adapting to 'foreign lands'.
Remembering my friend I referred to in the beginning, maybe you now see everything I saw in that seemingly common situation and maybe understand my reaction a little. It got me thinking just how valueable she was (at least that was how I saw it, I know its a long shot). I think the question that should be foremost in our minds now is “Just how relevant am I and what is the boundary of this relevance”. What am I doing to become relevant anywhere at any time? Answering these questions will prepare us for life's uncertainties. This post as much as I’m writing to everyone is also to myself. As for me, I have made up my mind not to be a local champion or be limited by the geography of a place. I'm going to be sharing "how" I plan on being relevant everywhere and anytime in my next post. You can join me, there’s still space for some international stars.
Cheers!!!
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