Once upon a time...

Who made you judge of anybody she retorted, tears streaming down her face….

They once were happy but now that joy seems to elude her.

Going down memory lane, she remembers how the sound of laughter always filled her home, they once were the couple everybody wanted to be like, the promise of tomorrow was bright but today it all looks bleak.

Who else could she have married if not him? They dated through university and even when it got tough, they grew stronger in love. The one true love of her life, her happy ending.

2013

Some predicted that the world would end sometime last year but here we are :-)

Passing moments….quick seconds, a life given, a life taken!

New aspirations, new dreams, fresh moments, new years…

Miracles, disappointments, break ups, pleasant surprises.

Clinging onto every bit of hope as nothing else is worth holding onto.

We were made to be ‘diamonds in the sky’ lighting up our world wherever we find ourselves for our next moments can never be predicted.

Life’s moments are not to be taken for granted…the good, the bad, the ugly all make up the experiences. It’s up to us to learn from them or not.

When you forgive, it’s not for the other person but for you because you cease to let the offender have power over you but when you do not, the offender has power over you and so many times, unknowingly, because you begrudge the person while he/she continues with life oblivious of what may be going on in your mind. If you need to have a confrontation, go ahead and move on, life is too short to hold grudges.

What you give out is what you attract, when you harbour evil, be rest assured that it will find its way out and sadly will return to you in some way.

Difficulties arise from time to time, how else would we know that we can be strong without them? Life is beautiful, life can be simple but so many times, we complicate it. We take for granted the ones who love us most and look for things that are out of our reach when what we really are looking for may be right in front of us.

Its 2013, so many woke up with new resolutions…a tweet from Kirk Franklin stated that ‘if you don’t deal with your junk in 2012, it will be waiting for you in 2013’ I couldn’t agree more! People expect miracles with the strike of the clock into the New Year but if the junk is not done away with, it will be carried over; the work needs to be done. If there is a flaw to work on, accept it and do so…after all, we all have flaws but some have learnt that working on them and exalting/dwelling on virtues makes the difference.

Whoever means anything to you, be good to them, hold them dear. When you meet people, treat them right, try not to be impolite. Things cannot always go the way you want, the world doesn’t revolve around you, there are way too many people in it. Find a balance and be considerate of other people’s feelings. Love deeply, laugh as often as you can, try something new, live in the present, don’t dwell on yesterday or tomorrow (not saying don’t plan though). It’s okay to get angry but don’t be for long and watch what you say because words are like eggs, once broken, you never get them back. Bitterness can very easily be given room in our hearts but it is so not worth it, it takes too much energy and destroys everything that has any potential to be good.

There is only one you, find the good in you and be the best you can be, it takes too much effort to live in other people’s shadows…

This goes to give you my very best wishes for 2013, hope it brings all you have dreamt of and so much more!

Frustration explained

I once read a piece titled ‘The Writers Curse’. That curse is exactly what controls me right now, I sit here not sure where I am going with what I write but I am compelled to write, and write I will do...

Chinyere and Tobi were best of friends, they had grown up together and despite being girls, they never had 'trouble' living together. These two had to move in with Nkiru, another friend of theirs who was the sweetest person, a doting mother hen as Tobi always teased.

Unnecessary issues as Nkiru called them seemed to come up every day at work. Having a boss who didn’t appreciate a ‘small girl’ (as he liked to say) standing up to him was not the easiest task. He seemed to make extra efforts to find faults in everything she did. Being human, the pressure began to get to her but the mistake she made was bottle it all up.

The National Pledge

Ok, I think I have been silent long enough. . .

Nigeria marked the 52^nd year of being independent from the British rule on October 1^st but obviously as the number of years increase, the state of the nation keeps deteriorating. It’s shameful, it’s sad! Nigeria the once fertile land is fast being destroyed. We once were referred to as the giant of Africa but today, we are the sleeping giant.

The independence celebration has always been a celebration for all but this year, the president took it to the Aso villa where access is definitely restricted, that's a first and hoping it will be the last. The opposing political party to the president’s political party put it that “the president took the celebration to his bedroom”. The same party has described the president as “a president on internship”. 

That special creature

Beautifully created, moulded bit by bit. The strength inbuilt but the fragility reflects when looked upon, radiance and gloom all in one.

Multifunctional but made to complete. Curves that work up a million images in the mind but at the same time could be an instant turn off. Every part has a uniqueness about it…soft, supple, beautiful, an assignment for the mind to solve.

Made up of qualities that form good or bad…Beauty they say lies in the eyes of the beholder but beauty to some lies at face value.

Hands of steel, hearts of gold define many…naturally caring and gentle, traits present from the very beginning.

On the flip side, cunning, seductive, evil, mean… a side shown especially when scorned. Hurt and bitterness could easily be held onto but in all, easy to forgive is another trait that covers these.

Building Castles

Tony walked to the ATM with such heaviness of heart because he was about to empty his account. Notwithstanding, he went ahead as there was a basic need. As the notes came out, he wondered why he was so broke but then, the year so far had been one full one. Most challenging yet rewarding, the kind of projects he had carried out, he never thought he would. At the same time, he had been broke a few times but this broke? No! The thought terrified him but his comfort was something he heard recently and chose to apply at the moment...’this is the poorest you’ll ever be’. A smile broke out and with satisfaction he got into his car and drove off. Who would see such a good looking lad and know the kind of challenges he could be facing.

The 'home' front

From a distance where I sat, I watched as this child continually threw a tantrum and his mother acted helpless and gave into every whim of her child. All he wanted was to have his way and by simply looking, it was rather obvious that he was a handful. I felt for her but at the same time, whose job is it to instill some discipline in him? Reminded me instantly of another child I saw at a mall who almost gave her mother a heart attack simply because she wouldn’t listen nor stay in one place. That’s almost common pIace right?

 

On the other hand, there was a beautiful girl, dressed like a doll, looking all glamorous…judging from her looks, the first thought could be…”she is so spoilt” but to my surprise she looked right into my face while she passed and greeted. Since she seemed interested in chatting, her mum had a seat and we all had an interesting chat. She would apologize and say thank you at every instance. Her mum had to remind her not to apologize when it isn’t needed. As small as she is, she was so well mannered; her parents have done a fine job so far.