Brimstone Vs Honey

Can we talk about God?

*long silence + you can literally hear a needle drop*

I have discovered that we are more comfortable talking about recent trends, politics and gossip than talking about God, you can automatically hear the bleep in your audience's minds as soon as the word God is mentioned, just like on TV. 

And when we do talk about God there seem to be that attachment of thunder and condemnation to the message; for example:

Love Story:how death led to life

 

Short Story

Bola was the life of the party; she had the latest clothes, knew the hot spots and was the unopposed leader of her bubbling group of hot chicks. Nonso is the classic definition of a geek; quiet, studious and to top it up he was a very very religious brother. 

Time and fate led Bola's and Nonso's paths to cross and for some reason (maybe opposites really does attract) an intense love filled relationship started between the duo. There was something about Bola now; a certain glow, and Nonso suddenly developed a more confident stride in his steps. 

But there was a huge problem...

Neither could share this new found exciting-giddy-intense-feeling with their close friends or even the public. How would Nonso explain falling in love with Bola, a "sinner"? How would Bola keep her social prestige intact after falling in love with geekolious Nonso (that was the nickname she and her group had coined for him), surely they would laugh at her? 

So they kept it on the down low until neither could contain their excitement; for it was already obvious something had changed in both parties, and they decided to tell the whole world about their relationship, regardless of the effect such public declaration would cause and it sure did cause a storm; Bola was overthrown from the bubbling group and Nonso was judged by the "Scribes" and "Pharisees".

But they didn't care, for at last they were free to love and grow as a couple and of course as all classic love stories goes; they obviously lived happily ever after.

The End. 

Now bringing it back home (of course I was heading somewhere with that story), Bola in the story represents me (not in all components since from my records I can't remember leading a bubbling group..lol) and Nonso (not in all components also) represents God.

You see, I fell in love recently...

Hidden Clues

Just the other day, I failed to adjust my side mirrors before setting out and half way through my journey, I noticed my right side mirror wasn't set right so I put on my multitasking cap and proceeded to adjust my mirror while driving; obviously one task had to take precedence, so I did not realize that I had set the adjuster wrongly and kept on clicking and adjusting (messing up) my left side mirror while staring from time to time at my right side mirror. 

Obviously, I wasn't seeing any change and I began to worry; thinking of the time that I may have to spend trying to get it fixed since I assumed it refused to budge because it was broken but alas I decided to quickly glance at the adjuster and then realized it was set wrongly. With a sigh of relief, I went on to place it in the right place and adjusted the mirror.

By now you must be wondering why Semira would come here just to tell you about her side mirrors; but do you know seemingly mundane events can also be a reminder of simple life lessons? So this is not just a story about my side mirrors; there is more:

Letter to My Younger Self

And the story continues...

Over a year ago, I wrote about my mom's passing and lessons learnt from the experience, see post The Awakening and literally dropped the mic (for lack of a better phrase). 

I have had to give one excuse or another when asked "Semira, why haven't you written in a while?" - ranging from writer's block, absence of the urge to write etc. 

But the truth is beneath all those excuses was fear; after loosing my parents and a series of other events that had me wondering if an old woman in my village was on my case, my idea of reality was shaken from the core and I was not the same person I used to be anymore, I was a different person with a largely new perspective trying to get comfortable in my new skin and it was scary as hell. 

And since I largely write from my real life experience, I was worried about putting these new thoughts and emotions, which I was still trying to make sense of, out there; wondering what if I seem too philosophical now, what if people can't relate to what I am writing now, blah blah and each time I opened my computer to type, I quickly shut it; saying tomorrow, tomorrow I will write but not today.

And finally tomorrow came and here I am; drowning that irrelevant critic's voice (God, i have missed this sound - hearing my keyboard click) about to write a letter to my nineteen (19) year old self; things I wish she knew back then and things I am glad she didn't know:

Senseless Sense

 

Every day I turn on my TV, I get flashes of destruction, man inhumanity to man and just plain old evil.

 

And seeing such darkness may make one wonder what is the plan of God in all these chaos;  that is a question I cannot answer but one thing I am absolutely sure of is God's plans are always for good.  

 

It is so easy to direct our anger and disappointments towards God in the midst of chaos but in such times that is when we need to believe in Him the most and trust in His ability to make things right.

 

So in the midst of the darkness and destruction, all we can do is speak up, act, hope, pray and trust that things will someday make sense in the world.

 

Let us hope for a better World. Let us hope for a better Nigeria.

 

May the souls of the innocent children that died in the recent bomb blast in Yobe State continue to rest in peace.

 

The article by Joyce Meyer after the cut reiterates my words above.

 

Take It Off

 

The world has taught us to only celebrate joy and the brighter life but it never teaches you how to embrace pain, accept pain as a transition tool and how to go through pain.

Everyone is predisposed to say “cheese” when taking pictures even if deep inside a war wages; threatening to tear them apart.

We have our societal masks always in place; ready to show everyone everything is perfect when we all know perfection is only an illusion.

And living this way stops us from seeing the lessons attached to pain.

I used to be that way, live in denial that life will always be rosy and am not saying I am a cynic now; I just have a better understanding of reality.

I know what it means to rain and rain really hard and I also know how to go through drought and feel the cracks in your soul; wondering when the rain will fall again; watching the skies with anticipation and hope.

I know what it means to have and not to have.

I know what it means to smile from the depth of my heart and cry from the depth of my soul; rendered with anguish and despair.

I know all that now.

Yes I have been broken, exposed to harsh sunlight but do you know what all these harsh conditions did to me?

 

Second Chance; To Use or Not to Use

"When we know the end is near, we want to survive, jump at opportunities and explore. It is in the idea of impending death (or deprivation of freedom) that one decides to live. And that, truly, is the great irony of life".

The quote above reminds me of an edition of American Gangster that focused on a gangster or should I say former gangster; Guy Thomas Fisher.

A convicted racketeer who was once part of "The Council", a notorious African-American crime organisation that controlled the heroin trade in Harlem from 1972-1983.

He had it all; money, women and power.

Or so he thought until...

The big "L" word

Well, those who know me know am a sucker for romance and happy endings.

But as you grow older you realise love isn't perfect; it is the merging of two imperfect hearts that are willing to stick together through the sometimes not so easy journey.

Fairy tales and M&B give a distorted impression but I think this picture is a true description of love.

Sometimes you just have to mend that heart and start again :)

Xoxo.

Adapt, Migrate or Die

Life throws us curve balls sometimes and if you are someone who is averse to change and uncertainty, it can be extremely hard to cope.

So how do you deal with it?

Some months back I wrote about change :).

At that point I viewed change as a big scary monster that I would have to tackle despite my fears.

 

Months down the lane, I know one thing for sure; change is surely a big scary monster; it just rips that safe cosy rug from under your warm feet and leaves you out there trying to navigate foreign and sometimes less pleasant waters.

It is very scary especially if you are the type that likes things aligned in near perfect order or an impulsive planner.

And of course I am guilty of the charges above.
 

Not to rumble; I sha like to get all philosophical abi :).

Here is the point I am trying to make:

What do you do when life throws you curve balls?

From my time in change "prison", my solitary confinement has taught me that we have three options:

To Thyself Be True

Hello Diary,

Yes, I know I am tired of this appearing and disappearing act too.

But promising to be a consistent blogger who updates her blog every single day will be the same as our government's promise to provide sustainable power in 2020.

So I'd rather keep mum and dwell on this moment.

So hello again, I have missed you as much as a dog misses its bone and I mean it :).

A while back I wrote about CHANGE; the exciting yet scary feeling it brings.

Months later, I can say it has been a roller coaster ride.

From me seeking escape in the warmth and wealth of Arabian soil to me evaluating and reevaluating different aspects of my life.

And I must say the basic output of it all has been the essence of the quote "To Thyself be True".

Subconsciously we go through life based on other people's / societal approval.

Starting from the right way to dress to the right way to conduct oneself in public.

Yes, I honestly embrace the idea of law and order but where does one draw the line between being uniquely you and being the person others want you to be.

It gets blurry sometimes.

Even while writing this piece, I kept going back and forth wondering if I am saying the appropriate thing.

And that is quite tiring.

Most times I just want to say whatever, do whatever and be whatever without getting so engrossed in other people's opinions.

And this time away from my usual routine has taught me that the approval you really need is: 

Before I Die....

A friend of mine once posted a disturbing question on his bbm status:

What will your epitaph* say?

And my first reaction was "shooo, is this guy already planning his funeral"?.

But that was until I really sat down and thought about the question.

Really what will be written on your tombstone?

That simple yet disturbing (since no one wants to die) question defines your purpose on earth.

Its simply asks :

Why are you here?

What will be your story when you are gone?

What footprints will you leave on earth?

Weekend Nugget #1

Connecting to intention means listening to your heart and conducting yourself based on what your inner voice tells you is your purpose here.

If you are overly concerned with how you are going to be perceived by everyone, then you have disconnected your from "intention" and allowed the opinions of others to guide you.

Do what you do simply because your inner voice is connected to it.

And don't forget to be grateful to your Maker while at it.

Smile.

Poetry #1

Today's poem is titled; Desiderata by Max Ehrmann.

*Desiderata are, technically, things considered necessary or highly desirable in life.

Thus, the poem is a list of things we desire in life.

I picked this poem because it simply resonates what we need to always remember in our day to day life on Earth.

Enjoy:

A New Phase Begins

In just a few days I will be a year old in the blogging World.

Precisely, the 23rd of February, 2013 will mark a year since the existence of Everyday Life With Tosyn.

A playful idea crafted out of my need to write and most importantly share ideas and articles that will leave a positive impression on my audience is gradually leaving its infancy phase.

So far, the journey has been good and I owe it all to God, He has been very very very faithful.

:).

In light of the upcoming Anniversary, I will be introducing a new twist to Everyday Life With Tosyn.

Doctor Bello : The Movie

I just saw the making of this movie; Doctor Bello, last night and I loved it.

The blend of Nollywood and Hollywood Stars is encouraging.

We are definitely going places :).

Don't you think so?

And the good news is that this lovely movie directed by Tony Abulu is now showing in Nigeria.

Movie Trailer after the cut:
 

Be Inspired!!!

Becoming Linda Ikeji

So someone in a "kind" way suggested that I become a clone of Linda Ikeji.

And although Linda is someone I can learn from and admire based on her ability to effectively engage her audience via her blog posts.

I simply don't want to be her.

Sweet Vinegar

Have you ever read a story, at first nonchalantly, and then when you get to the middle, a “light bulb” just comes on.

And at that moment you realize, this is just what I need right now!!!.

Well, that is exactly what an article by Joyce Meyer titled Shake It Off did for me.

Changing Seasons

Different seasons all rolled in one.

I totally fell in love with this picture the first time I saw it.

What got my attention was the fact that every twist of your neck gives you a different landscape reflecting a different season.

Nice yeah?

You can tell me "thank you" for sharing later :).

Enjoy!!!!

How To Enhance Your Life

"Change your Thoughts, Change your Life"

A simple statement that holds the all encompassing truth about Life.

Sadness and Happiness resides in our little heads.

You can have a huge mansion and still be as miserable as Scrooge.

Or....