EBOLA OUTBREAK: Africa’s Wake-Up Call

The recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in Africa has once again bring to fore the nagging issues of the continent’s readiness to truly be in charge of her destiny. No doubt, this is one event that has altered the calculus of the continent’s economics, environment and public health status. While I will not want to bore you will the details of my claims; I will condense my thoughts to the following:

Musings: Why I Write

 

When asked why I have a blog or why I write, I guess I can simply pull out the picture above.

 

It simply explains why I created this blog in the first place and why I still drop by, albeit not often, but when I can; not just to write but to connect with people who just want to "think" and see life through similar lens.

 

Live long and prosper.

 

XOXO.

LGLG

 

Have you ever had times when you felt the whole world rested on your poor fragile shoulders and if you don't play out your role as the "Saviour of the Universe", everything will fall apart?

 

If you have been in that dark place before, then you will know that the more you worry, the deeper you sink.

 

Ironic yeah? One would think that with our  "superhuman" powers we are supposed to lift up all the mountains without breaking a nail.

 

But have you ever wondered why humans believe in the existence of a supreme being; watching over us and protecting us from harm?

 

I would assume that is because even while we struggle and try to become like Oliver Pope in The Fixer, our subconscious still tells us that we can't do it all.

 

Not because we are lazy or not trying hard enough but because we are naturally not equipped to do it ALL.

 

When we get to this point of awareness, we realize that the best solution is actually to Let go and Let that Supreme being (as Christians, God) take over.

 

I recently read an article that resonates my musings above, I will add what each line means to me in red.

 

I sure do hope it resonates in your heart too and you realize you don't have to walk that walk alone.

 

Life doesn't have to be a battle, maybe it is time to stop struggling; relax, Let Go and Let God (LGLG).

 

 

Rejection: Stumbling Block Vs Stepping Stone

 

We all have experienced things that happened to us that didn't make us feel good. But the difference between people who are happy and healthy and those who are miserable and bitter is that happy people don't internalize or create a meaning about themselves based on a particular rejection.

It is best to look at rejection as an opportunity for something else, something better, waiting just around the corner. 

Resist the temptation to blame or hate the person who rejected you (yes it is hard but it is also possible), even if he or she wasn't nice about it. 

Find a way to wish that person well instead, you may not realize it in the moment, but that person is actually an angel in disguise, leading you in the right direction by putting an end to the path you were on. 

See it as a divine redirection instead, to learn more about improving your self-esteem and stepping into your full potentials. 

At the end of the day you choose how you see rejection; as a stepping stone to newer and better horizons or as a stumbling block that keeps you imprisoned in the past, which will you choose?

Music of the Week: Nico & Vinz Am I Wrong

Now this is a song that says:

"It is OK to be YOU in a World that is constantly trying to make you someone else"

"You don't have to see it to believe it, you just have to keep holding on"

Am I Wrong; a track that has been on constant replay since I first heard it, is a uniquely crafted song with great and meaningful lyrics.

It is not your typical main stream music yet it is a song you can actually dance to.

Of course it is different and that is exactly why I was drawn to it.

If you are one of those people who appreciate great lyrics, self-differentiation and feel-good music.

Then this is a song for you.

Do enjoy and ask yourself : Are you wrong for trying to reach the things that you can't see?

Lyrics after the cut:

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:

Happy New Year

Happy New Year and thank you for turning up in 2013.

XOXO

R.I.P Madiba

The World has lost a selfless hero.

R.I.P Nelson Mandela.

A man who despite challenges and hard times never wavered in his passion.

A man who never let bitterness cloud his mission on earth.

The World is now left with indeed very big shoes to fill.

We will honour your legacy and your name will forever resonate in our hearts.

Sleep on Madiba; heaven is lucky to have you.

Tick Tock

2013 is almost up.

How time flies yeah.

With the end of the year comes nostalgia and a careful review of the past months.

For me, a review of lessons learnt also comes to mind.

And here are some I would like to share with YOU:

1) Your happiness is solely your responsibility, never place it in the hands of another human being.

2) Money is important; whoever says otherwise hasn't lacked it for one second.

3) Trust but verify; not saying we all have to be detectives but you have to learn to shine your eyes.

4) If you don't like it, don't do it, stop with the people pleasing.

5) You are stronger than you think, don't let fear win.

6) Friends are precious, they are like the icing on the cake of life. Treasure them.

7) Family is very very important. Love them even when they piss you off like my sister alwaysssss does.

8) God is God...need I say more, don't joke with Him.

9) When in a shitty place think of the type of tissue you will use to clean yourself up, you can't afford to stink forever.

10) Life may not go the way we want it to but honestly without darkness will you appreciate light?

11) Don't think about it if it won't improve you in positive ways, have selective amnesia.

12) Stop forcing things and people to come to you; just relax, what is yours will come.

13) Bad people exist, now the choice is yours to either be bitter about it or be better than them.

13b) Laugh at your problems, trust me it sounds better than hearing someone else laugh at them.

That is a long list but hey it had to be thirteen (13) and a half (13b) *straight face* :) .

Life is good...explore, savour and enjoy it.

Quick question: What has 2013 taught you?

Xoxo.

Imperfect Moment

Semira, you haven't written a thing in months, what's wrong?

Is your blog still active, I haven't seen any recent post?

Why have you stopped writing?

....and the list goes on.

As always my response is usually a mumbled; I haven't being in the mood or ehen, I will post something soon (when I know at that moment "soon" means the same thing as never).

The truth is I have been waiting for a sign from Heaven, a thunderous voice that will say "Semira, my beloved Child, pick up your keyboard or keypad and type", then I will suddenly get inspiration from above and start writing like a maniac.

Obviously I don dey wait tire because the only thunderoussounds I have heard so far are the noises emitting from my neighbours' generators.

So after waiting for that very elusive perfect time, I realised there is really nothing like perfect timing.

What really makes an activity "perfect" is doing it even when you don't feel the whole vibe.

The realisation that those imperfect moments are actually made perfect by our actions.

Nike (the brand not Nike in Ibadan) knew what they were doing when they picked the motto "Just Do It".

The truth is right now I am not totally in my element, am writing this post and one little critic in my head is telling me "shey, you have come again, let's see how long you will last this time"?

Btw: sometimes I think my inner critic is just a mean old woman because I can't understand how a voice can be filled with so much negativity.

Anyway, let's ignore her.

Back to the matter....

What really matters for me is RIGHT NOW.

This imperfect moment where I get to talk through my words and do my favourite thing.

What really matters is the happiness am deriving from just doing it.

And yes, of course I am surely going to come down to the moral of my story which simply is:

JUST DO IT.

It may not be the perfect time to start writing that book; just do it.

It may not be the perfect time to hit the gym; just do it.

It may not be the perfect time to start something new and positive in your life; just do it.

At the end of the day what really matters is how well you made good use of an imperfect moment.

Now I always love hearing from you guys, so do feel free to tell me what you think; Is it right to seize the moment or instead wait for that perfect moment?

Be inspired....xoxo.

Music of the Week : Khona Mafikizolo ft Uhuru

The first time I heard this song I had to move, not just my neck (not that idle bobbing of your head when all you want to do is stand up and tear down the dance floor).

But the real deal :).

And I can rightly guess most people had the same reaction when they heard the smashing hit.

It really didn't matter if I didn't know what "Khona" meant at the time, all that mattered was how great it sounded.

But curiosity got the best of me and I had to find out what the song really means and luckily I got a very elaborate article on the song written by Prince Adewale Oreshade.

So for all the Khona lovers and curious minds out there, do click on the link after the cut to know more about the song:

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: 

Casting all our cares

In recent times, I have been coming across spiritual messages centred around absolutely trust and reliance on God. 

And these messages couldn't have come at a better time.

Sometimes our faith waver; after getting so engrossed in our own human strength we tend to forget how to rely on the Supreme being.

Somehow we block out that trust and faith and instead fix our gaze on mind-draining thoughts and actions; trying to be our own super heroes.

Wouldn't it be nice to just relax and let God do His thing sometimes?

Joyce Meyer seem to agree with me.

Here is an excerpt from her (Joyce Meyer) devotional, titled; "Relying on God".

Read, Reflect and Refresh your minds:

I believe every time we feel frustration, it means we've really stopped relying on God. 

That might sound like a bold statement to you, but think about it: God's given you and me His Holy Spirit and His grace to help us walk through anything that comes our way. 

Frustration hits when we stop depending on Him and try to make something happen our own way.

Understanding this really helped me. Every time I became frustrated, I reminded myself that what I was really doing was trying to take the place of the Holy Spirit. I was trying to be Holy Spirit Junior!

Do you struggle with an independent spirit? When you refuse to depend on God, in essence, you're saying, "Okay, God, I appreciate that You're around, but watch me do this." 

Depending on God for everything may be difficult, but it's the key to the victory we need every single day of our lives.

When God saved us, He didn't help us and then say, "Ok, that's it. You're on your own now!" He's eternally saved us, which means if we depend on Him, He will guide us and help us. 

Galations 5:16 urges us to "walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit...then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh".... Notice that it doesn't say "conquer the flesh independently...then you will certainly not gratify the desires of the flesh." No, it says to live in the Holy Spirit.

Choose to stop living independently, and rely on the Holy Spirit.

I promise you won't regret it!