When the sun perks up, we know the day has started. Just as so, the year 2022 is on the starting point. “On your marks” the whistle is blown.
But are we really ready for it? How enthusiastic are you? Do you think it’ll be your year? Don’t just say it, claim it. And how do you do so? Many are the times we write resolutions but on reaching February, the course is diverted. By July life is back to normal. Helter skelter we run. Forgetting we had a mission to loose weight, stop drinking or start that business.
A recent study has shown that most people by January 17th are either on track with their resolutions or are off track. Which side of the pendulum do you want to be on? My dear reader, be enthusiastic but keep the faith. The load might be heavy but don’t be weary. If your goal is to end an addiction, start by identifying the triggers and why you engage in a certain vice. Might it be you smoke when stressed?
Then find alternative methods to vent. You can decide when stressed to go for a run, or take a walk, read a book. And that way your goal will be reached. Have a destination set for December and start the journey. Fuel the car (dreams, hopes, aspirations), look at the map (what do J need to do to get there?) Then embark on the journey (perseverance) and lastly arrive at your destination (goal).
The past month leading to this was quite a heavy one on me. From ailing friends and family to overwhelming school projects. I questioned why all this was happening. Why to family? why to my friends? why all this work? but then again I remembered that I have been to far much worse circumstances and overcame them. The experience lead me to write this months article worry not. At times, we are confronted with strenuous circumstances which deprive us of our moxie and we end up low blown, depressed and with nowhere to turn to.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has gone through such. Life is not a straight line where everyday the sun shines and we giggle on amusement. There times where we feel gloomy, just like clouds preparing for a pour. You receive those disappointing news, a family member is demised, you have contracted Covid, you have been laid off. Usually when they come, 90% of the time people are not yet prepared. That’s why after burials people still wish that those gone to be around. Even getting rid of their personal items becomes tedious.
What then do you do? I’m not a counselor nor a spiritual leader but I feel my experiences and what I did can be of great value to all who come across this article. Be male or female, suffering knows no gender. Though there might exist disparities, I firmly believe not so much. Death of a family member will affect both a father and a mother the same way just the expression of the pain might be different. When you are faced with a difficult or overwhelming situation, I believe the first thing is to take a deep brerath.
Be in the moment. Then allow yourself to digest the news. Follow by telling yourself that you will overcome it. A positive attitude has been linked to speeding up recovery in patients. Then look for ways to maneuver through the tussle. As you look for ways to maneuver, remember that you are not the only one going through the problem. And as you do so, look for a book or a video, or a podcast that will always keep your spirits up.
And most importantly, don’t forget the wise words of the bible that God will never put you through something that he cant get you out of.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. In my film classes, one of our lecturers has persistently told us on the importance of planning before going out to shoot. He says that you need ample time before you can pick up the camera and start recording. Which is actually true. Because there is so much that takes place behind the scenes before the whole process starts. You have to have an idea of what you will shoot, the location, the actors and the script.
And this got me thinking. Many of us are aimlessly wondering through life without a clear direction of where they want to go. We wake up without plans, just living for the moment (YOLO). Yes it might be great to live for the moment, but for how long will you do so?
I recently saw a meme that said : “Your hustle today will determine whether you will be a grandfather who plays golf or draft.” It was funny but at the same time reflective. I’ve seen this from family friends whom we grew up with. How our parents planned themselves for their sunset years. And those who didn’t are now suffering. You might think that since you are energetic now, you don’t need to plan for the future.
Nobody knows about tomorrow but tomorrow is created by today. If you fail to have a steady career or built on your talent, how then do you think in the future you will reap benefits? Mbusi from Radio Jambo was the other day conversing with Jalango, and he said he first was an actor and stage performer from 2002 and from then he knew this is the thing he wants to do with his life, and he planned for it and today he is a household name in our radios.
It all started from 2002 and the vision he had has taken him to where he is today. He even has a head of state recommendation. So I urge you my dear readers, be planners and people who prepare for the future. Like in Game of Thrones when winter is coming, be ready for it.
“A good name is better than precious ointment and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
When the news that DMX was hospitalized for an Od, I was surprised. Just a few weeks before he was on drink champs sharing his life story. Then a week later we lost him. My world for a moment was standstill.
Growing up, he was among the few rappers I emulated telling my self I must one day be like him. Same to Jay Z, Eminem, Kanye west and Lil wayne. I liked him because each time you took a listen to his songs,there was something he wanted you to learn. Also the way he penned his thoughts down. You could feel his vulnerability being let out to the world.
And for most of us that is why we felt a sense of affiliation towards him. But today my piece isn’t a tribute to him rather it’s a reflection from the life he lived.
After his death despite having a recurrent addictive behavior, people remembered him more for the good rather than the bad he did. Something that got me pondering. What will we leave behind when we die? Is it the money, the cars, the bungalows or the impact we had on people’s lives?
We’re in a society that is materially motivated to the point we forget the teensy-weensy things that make life memorable. One would rather have a high walled house with no disturbances than having to see a neighbor each and every day. Were also taught to work hard and acquire a lot but never taught how to share. Were told if you’re not materially successful,then you don’t have a place in society.
Yes being affluent is good but there things money can’t buy. Money can’t buy happiness, joy, comfort, encouragement or even a good name. It can place you in a certain place in the society but if you lack the basics, it’s worthless. People remember one more for what he/she did to them in their lives than how many cars they owned.
You might be on top of the world right now but when you die, all that can topple in seconds.
“seen the rovers roll up with ribbons, I seen them re-poid re-sold then re-driven” Jay Z
“When power, power gets into your head, I can tell you, you will never remember that one day there is a bigger power almighty that will deal with you” (James Orengo) And that’s how most of us conduct ourselves when we get into authority. We forget the enabling force that put us into the position. And when we fall, we are full of regrets.
There’s been an ongoing discussion about the conduct of presenters from Homeboyz radio (breakfast show) and the remarks that they made a week ago. I happened to have a listen to the clip and was utterly disgusted by what they said. With such a huge platform, there are better and sane things to talk about rather than insulting and insinuating false beliefs into the minds of listener’s.
But that hasn’t been the first time presenter X (pseudo name we will give him) has behaved in such a way. Many at times he has had to either been reprimanded or pulled off air and instead of learning from the mistakes, continues to carry on with his behaviors. And that’s what James Orengo says; “when power, power gets into your head, you can never remember there is a bigger power…”
On the other hand, it should serve as a lesson to all of us. When God grants you the opportunity of influence, use the opportunity well. Educate, uplift, motivate and try to bring out a better society than you found.
Currently I’m reading A Promised Land by Barrack Obama and in an excerpt where he discusses bill passing, he says; ‘I think back to my community service days. I think of the steel – plant workers, there families and I remember the reason why I ran for office. I must make sure I deliver on the promise’. I wish those in office would emulate such kind of a person.
While we may be hard headed and think that power will last forever, God will remind you that he is the giver and taker of the same power. Presenter X has been moving with the notion of “bad boy” & that he can’t be brought down but shock on him.
As Lucky dube sings; “be good to the people on your way up the ladder you will meet them on your way down”. Away from him. Look at our politicians and so called celebrities. Those who walked proudly like pekoks are now nowhere to be seen or are fighting cases in court.
So I urge you my dear reader. Be humble, allow God to exalt you and when he does, serve him with all your strength.
One of the strengths that introversion has brought me is intuition. Whenever I go somewhere I get to notice the little bitty details that bypass people. Or I’m able to remember things and what people told me years ago. (well that hasn’t always been nice)
Still I like it. Apart from my queerness of reading four books a month and 2hrs of workout in the morning,there’s something positive in my introversion. That’s what has happened for the past two weeks. I’ve noticed a pattern of similar messages shared by different people that I’ve interacted with in the last 14 days. What has stood out is as if God is trying to tell me something. That despite my brokenness, he still has a greater purpose for me.
It started when I visited a tattoo parlor while redoing a tattoo I’ve had. I was in the company of a female friend and the tattooist asked her if she is saved and if she doesn’t mind he plays gospel music. I was intrigued. And he started asking me when were you last in church? And we chatted and chatted and even others who were getting tattoos contributed. It became more of a community sharing session. He shared how God picked him from the mess he was in and transformed him. I also shared what I’ve been through and where God has placed me and what I’m doing to be better while helping others.
Before leaving, we prayed and I remember his last words: “Don’t mind how rugged your past looks like. Infront lies better opportunities and God can’t put us through things he can’t get us through” We headed for home with my friend and the next day early at cockcrow we were in church. Afterwards we went back home, prepared breakfast, some snacks for a friend’s birthday she was going to and while I was leaving, she insisted I accompany her to the birthday. I did and while we were there, there father(catholic priest) came and shared the celebration with them. He got to talk to me abit as well as her friends trying to get to know me.
The sister of the birthday girl was quite keen on knowing me and how my spiritual life is. That evening they were going for bible study and insisted I come. I couldn’t make(considering I was going back to my place) but insisted I should be a frequent visitor and accompany them whenever they go for meditation prayers.
Three days later while leaving school I bump into my film lecturer. He quizzed me on where I live and how I find school life. I shared and the challenges I face. He told me: “don’t indulge in things you’ll later come to regret. You’re here for a short while. Use the opportunity you have well”.
Then on Sunday which has become my tradition; (not missing a TD. Jakes sermon) he was taking about shame, brokenness and knowing that you can do it. He shared in analogy to the greatest people in the bible, they had their weaknesses yet God choose them. Then in the evening churchill show big ted was talking about why he writes and that he wanted to use that as an opportunity to grow the quality of his life.
And that’s the message of my blog this morning. God will use the simple but disregarded things to teach us lessons. You might be waiting for an angel from heaven to touch down on earth (which might happen) but at times it’s the simple things we see in life that God uses to communicate to us.
God might use your mother, your father,your teacher, your friend or even a preacher on TV to tell you something. So next time when such happens to you, be willing to accept it with an open heart 💜💜
“I smile Even though I’m hurt, see, I smile I know God is working so I smile Even though I’ve been here for a while I smile Smile It’s so hard to look up when you’ve been down Sure would hate to see you give up now You look so much better when you smile” (Smile chorus) A favorite song of mine. If I had a top- ten list, it would comfortably seat among the first five alongside slave mill and never let you down. Not because of its popularity or because we share a jones history with the singer(Kirk franklin) but of the words dispatched by the singers.
The song basically has a story line of hurt and depression and urges people to forge forward in that God will be there for you 🙏. Which brings me to the message of today’s blog. Our attitude. From the merriam webster definition, it is; “a mental position with regards to a fact or state”(noun) With that, we can now see it all starts from our cognitive. Dripping down to our entire being. And if we fill it with antagonism, it will pull us down.
The human nature requires an equilibrium between good and bad, right and wrong but if we lean too much on one side, we might end up falling down like the seesaw game we played as kids. When a heavier opponent sat against you, he would lift you up the sky and leave you to fall. Similar to how our attitude operates. Yes we might be undergoing a harsh moment, but if we lean too much on what is happening, we miss the chance of picking ourselves up.
Just this week on Spotify I discovered a new podcast titled Happy place by Fearne Cotton. And the latest episode she was doing was with Rhonda Bryne the famous author of The Secret. A book that delves into knowing oneself and bettering of thyself. I enjoyed the 48 minutes episode. And Bryne said if you hold onto anger and hurt, it grows into you limiting your possibilities. She further said that you should let in the emotion, process it and let it out. ‘Everyday may not be a sunny happy day but despite the gloominess that comes, we shouldn’t let it take a hold of us’
An advice I would recommend. And as I finish, I urge you to always carry the positive luggage, leave behind the burden and imagine of endless possibilities ahead. We might not always have brighter days but we can create the sunshine we desire. It all starts in our minds. ☀️
In September 2016 on a fine Saturday evening I was briskly walking home and I happen to come across a multitude of people gathered and singing in joyous celebration. It was on the pathway between holy family basilica and city hallway. I was intrigued and decided to go and see what is going on. I was ushered in with warm hands and given a pamphlet that read; “happy new year”. I thought to myself; “this seems quite interesting”.
And that is how I found myself in a new years celebration in September. I enjoyed the fete not only the singing and dancing but also what I learnt. After we sang and danced ourselves out, the preacher took to the podium and shared words that have stuck with me ever since. “We are celebrating the new year not as others do but as we do. Let this be a new beginning but also the continuation of the previous. As you plan and write resolutions remember they will only come to pass if you are willing to work. Not forgetting the destiny that God has placed in you”
He continued sharing and urging people to think of where they want their lives to be and what they need to do in order reach there. Rather than just coming up with yearly based resolutions. And that is what has prompted my article. Resolutions and the new year. You might be surprised by the tittle but please don’t be. I heard of it from media personality G money(Cornad Garry)on his podcast; (the mics are open). He was asked by fellow podcaster Andrew what are his resolutions for 2021 and he said he doesn’t write resolutions, rather he reflects on his life to see if there is an improvement towards where he wants to be.
A point worth jotting down. Many of us usually begin a year with a list of things onto which we project and say we will do but rarely accomplish. Why you may ask? it’s simple. If you don’t have an elevated mindset and drive, rarely do you see things through. You may want to go to the gym and look well but what is your overall notion towards fitness? do you enjoy working out? are you willing to forfeit eating unhealthy to a more greener and cleaner diet?. Or take another example savings. What is your relationship with money. How do you look at money? is it something you fear addressing?. If most of the above questions keep your mind buzzing, it’s high time you elevate.
Elevate in the way you see things, the way you do them, the way you handle them and that is how you’ll accomplish all you want. Another point worth jotting is having a vision board. A vision board will help you know where you want your life to be and it will guide you on the steps to take. For example I want to be a best selling author and a show host(just like Oprah Winfrey).
On my vision board I have written that down and broken the steps to get there. I have started with my blog and I’m also doing youtube videos. When each year ends and I begin the next, I usually try to see if I’m closer to my dreams and what do I need to improve to get there. Not just a list of 10 things to do for 2021.
But don’t get me wrong. I’m not dismissing resolutions, rather I’m guiding you on how to make them work. So when each year begins, try to see if you are elevating or downgrading.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1)
“This is going to be my year. The beginning of a new decade.” Most of us (myself) included hollered that at the beginning of 2020 with lots of enthusiasm not knowing things would take a turn. We didn’t know the year would be as it is. A pandemic swept through the air leading to confusion and distress. Job loss, demise of loved ones, businesses crumbling and to make matters worse, there is no near end to the pandemic. With such, lies no hope for a brighter day. But it shouldn’t be. Yes there is an affliction but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be upbeat. It actually might be preparing us for the better in store. Just as depicted in Things Fall Apart by (Chinua Achebe): “The year that Okononkwo took eight hundred seed-yams from Nwakibe was the worst year in living memory. Nothing happened at it’s proper time …. But the year had gone mad. Rain fell as if it had never fallen before”. If you read further you will see that people laughed at Okonkwo when he was planting and others lazied around. When the rains came, it caught them in surprise as Okonkwo’s barn was full to the brim. So I urge you my dear reader. Despite the year being full of ups and downs, loosing of loved ones, businesses going down; stay auspicious. Look at the heavens with a bright heart and let the most high know that you are prepared for the coming year. Pray to him with a hopeful heart. And actually you will find he will bless you in the midst of the storm. So take charge and declare that 2021 is your year.
Through The Mask 