Merry Christmas

I sincerely hope I am not writing because I needed to blog something o; but I really do wish every reader whatever it is you wish for yourselves during this season. I hope that the 'reason' for the season, the birth of our saviour, will, for once in possibly a long time, mean that to us; JOY.

A lot has happened this year, personally, and to the world in general; a lot of bad things still happening, but in all this, we should be grateful nonetheless; it really really could be worse.

That the 'reason for the season' is being celebrated at year end is no coincidence, it means we can decide to end the year on a very positive note, if we so desire.

In the spirit of the season, I say a very heartfelt 'merry christmas' to all my esteemed readers, thank you for taking time out to click on this blog, from where ever you are, and I pray the next year will be for you one of the best years of your lives, even as you continually visit Zouzousmuses *wink*

'JOY to the world,' why?? Because 'The Saviour is come!'

Be Free Oh.

Tree by the River

This is one of those blogs that I DID NOT plan o!

I woke up jeje to read my holy book and stumbled into this part where I have read times without number over the years, I must also say that I was NOT thinking along the lines (this morning or before I went to bed) of where it took me, it goes to prove then, that this thing about business or the work of our hands, needs to be re-visited, re-vamped, or ‘re- plain do something about!

Let’s go there…Jeremiah 17: 7-8

Believe it or not, I had to Google ‘tree,’ and ‘root’ to get a better grasp of all the thoughts that were streaming, rather furiously, through my mind, I couldn’t write fast enough so I started to voice record… questions like ‘where are you (your business) planted?’ 'What is your vision/mission statement?' 'Why are you doing what you are doing?' 'What is your source?' 'What are your values?' 'On what stands your feet?’ were running through my mind.

Is it possible that things, our businesses do not prosper because we are planted elsewhere other than By The River? If yes, what do we even consider to be our ‘river?’ That is first a problem, which, if not properly addressed, culminates into the ‘root’ not spreading  towards the stream. I understand that roots do 4 things: absorbs water, anchors the plant body to the ground, stores food and nutrient and prevents erosion!  So clear and so self-explanatory. Your ideas, plans, creativity, strategies...these are the roots of the business. On what are these founded? Are they really working like the root is supposed to? If this is well balanced, if we get them right, market survey, dynamics of the market, projections, economic situation etc, will not matter, why, because being in the right place gives (tacit) access to ‘inside information’. I recall Isaac (for some reason)…only a mad man (or well, someone who knows something no one else does) will continue to plant during a famine, but hey, he got a 100% returns on his ‘madness!’ Gbam. I say he had access to inside info. #Selah

And as you (re)-position your business ideas and strategies, you will not ‘see’ heat come. The pressure will glide off your back like water off the duck  because you have already passed that stage! You are not worried about the period when everyone is depressed because ‘there is no market’…think of it, is it possible that there is no market for anything at any point?? Is it? I am not sure. Didn’t people make it during the stock market crash? Some people hit gold where others hit the bottom, wrecked. And difficult as it may be,  yours can only always be green and fresh, you never stop producing, you product remains relevant, at all times, you never lack an idea, and because you are the one producing that particular product, (do I sense a rhyme in there? Lol) there is always a ready market for it.

So, I am thinking a trip back to the drawing board is in perfect order a this point. That soup business, cake business, fabric business, gifts business, water business, gold business and all other  n’importe quoi business is in need of being re-vamped!  Vision and mission statement needs to be reviewed! #PlantByTheRiver o!

This blog has to be for someone because I cannot say how I landed here, and if I may say so myself, coming so quickly on the heel of previous post ‘Announce Yourself?’ A coincidence?? I say divine orchestration. Biko!

Oh. By the way; trust me, you do not  want to consider vs. 6 of this chapter, it is just as graphic…in the negative!

Take a cue, be like the tree jor!

BE FREE OH.

Announce Yourself!

I knew this post had to graduate from ‘drafts’ to ‘published’  when a friend told me how, over the weekend she ended up at a high-profile party where her big(ger) boss was at and how she walked up to him, introduced herself and told him what she does for him!! And people around her commended her for being bold…she told me that she felt he needed to know what an asset he had...even my own eyes popped; strange, since I had this draft waiting since last week!

That is exactly what I feel we should do! Why shouldn't we announce ourselves? Why do most think it is better if others do it? 'Beauty being in the eye of the beholder' and all, (not the best of illustrations but I am sure you get my drift!) What if you waited endlessly for 'others' to blow this trumpet on our behalf but they are just so consumed with their business to remember us??

First I thought, oh, why broadcast your 'business' in order to get ahead? But people/companies advertise their products na...in fact, that's what sells products! We must announce our gifts, talents and abilities, because we are just what someone is looking for. Tell of how good you are and reasons why you should be checked out! Its not pride to reel out your CV...in short, I feel I should be like my Father; He never misses any opportunity to tell you about the great works He did (does), He tells you how He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He tells you how He moves mountains from one location to another, He tells you of His power to do and undo, He recounts, unceasingly, all the mighty things He did to bring Israel out of Egypt, He tells you how He numbers the stars and call them each by name, how He puts hail into storehouses, He tells you how the seas writhe in His presence, how the hills skip like lamb when He shows up....whats more? He tells, no, He commands you to tell your children from generation to come all the things He does! Talk about 'self-announcement!'

So, declaring what you do and how good you are at it is not boasting in the negative way in which we have come to regard 'boasting!' No one else is going to do it as well as you would, people can only affirm you, but they cannot tell what you do as well as you can. However, the key issue here is to maintain a balance so that you don't fall into 'self-pride', and thinking you are who/what you are by your own intelligence.

I should now announce to you that Zouzou's Place (yes, that email address is actually a Company name, duly registered and all) organizes  aso-ebi. Professionally and expertly takes care of all that business of going back and forth the market, assembling your aso-ebi for you. All you have to do is 'hand it over' to us.
I dare you to put yourself and your business out there o, 'they' are waiting to hear you, whats more, the tools to do it freely is available...why not take advantage...dust off those proposals, re-brand, re-launch, re-print, re-furbish...re-whatever it takes and get it on! You can do it, DO IT. #AtOnce.

I have a mind to add: you don't own a business, but you are good at something, you know that you are very good at that 'something'...can you make a mini-flier and begin to announce yourself, no?...just do it. do it already.

Zouzous's Place carrier bags

I have freely expressed myself...you had better Be Free Oh!

No Pain

‘No pain! No pain! No pain!’

These were the words that Rocky's coach drilled into him as he prepared to defeat a massive Russian in his (the latter's) home turf in the 4^th part of the Rocky movies.

7am yesterday morning I flipped through the channels and landed on Rocky 4 showing and for the first time since the last 100 times or so that I had seen all the movie parts, I learnt two very good lessons.

Ivan Drago, Russian had come to America to ‘seek' a fight. Apollo, Rocky’s antagonist-turned friend, elected to fight him even though he had passed his prime, boxing-wise. Long story cut horribly short,  Apollo died during the course of the fight.

A heartbroken Rocky agreed to a rematch in Russia, as insisted on by the Russians.

And so training began for him in a very hostile environment; an awful weather and the most unfriendly hosts. While Ivan had sophisticated and state-of-the-art equipment to train with in a warm sports gym, Rocky had to improvise in the raging cold. He practically manufactured all he needed to train; using the things that were around him. He didn’t lament. In fact, he had specifically requested that shack just so that he could concentrate on his goal: winning. He needed, and wanted to concentrate on beating his hated enemy. Remember Ivan killed Apollo.

And while he was being pounded almost to death in the ring during the fight, all he could think was ’no pain’, he had to get past the pain.

What are our challenges? Oh, they multiple. How hostile is our environment? Very. What resources are available to us? A lot but we don't see them, we are blinded by our inability to get past the pain of our many challenges. Are we thinking about the pain? Obviously yes, reason why we are still in the same spot!

What do we want? Do we want it badly enough to do whatever it takes to get it? After all, do the things that matter come easy? we often hear, 'no pain, no gain'. We have heard it said about mountains: jump over it, go around it, push through it…

What is your 'coach' telling you? Can you hear the chant of ‘no pain’ or its equivalent, cheering you toward the finishing line, urging you on, no matter what batters at you?

Needless to say, Rocky won the fight.

What is your pain?

Be free oh.

Project N1M: Executed

I am pretty sure you would agree with me if I said that the report of the last blog appeal should come before any other blog. I mean, I had started to post something else but thought, nah, give a report on the Garage Sale.

I must tell you though that this second Garage Sale dragged...I mean, it dragged. I tried my best to summon up the will to chase, harass and badger people into giving me something like I did the first time, but I couldn't find the will, not even from deep within...anyway, toward the  end of the journey, something came over us all and things began to happen, stuff began to roll in, fridge, brand new gold club set, shoes, original designer bags...suddenly our cordinator tagged the Sale PROJECT N1M; I am here to report that it was duly executed and delivered, gbam! 

No need to say much, except to thank all who supported us, we are so happy because we are making a difference in some lives.

The next GS will come in the first quater of 2012, I look forward to receiving stuff, anything, from all the countries of the world where my blog is being read...I see it. More details on that later....

Feed your eyes...and Be Free Oh.



The Star of the Garage Sale



'Selling' for Charity

This blog has spoken extensively on giving back to society, showing up for life and generally 'doing something'. You all agree with me of course! (or, should I say 'I believe').

It is another season to find out if we are really open to being selfless (no one is judging oh).

We have so many people all over the world who need (though they may not even be aware of it) only a chance and somebody to believe in them.

The Bliss Group is here again, organizing another Garage Sale, this time the proceeds go to Genesis House, an Arm of Freedom Foundation , a shelter for women who have been taken off the Streets; drugs, prostitution etc etc.

I do not believe that I need to write a long blog, or plead and appeal to your conscience to support in this, (if we can so name it) noble cause to give a very very tiny percentage of suffering women hope and succour. No matter where you are, reading this blog, I believe sincerely that you can do something, it takes only some determination on your part.

We have seen lives transformed through this initiative; we cannot rest on our oars, we cant not lift our fingers to help the less-privileged.

What we need by way of support:

Clothes: all kinds/furniture/electronics/bags/laptops/cars (yes)/books/CDS/DVDS/children's toys/children's books/accessories/shoes/CASH/kitchenware/household etc etc. You may want to offer a service, just holler at me.

Please note that we are not asking for cast-offs, we are asking  you to sacrifice something for a worthy cause; and...in addition to supporting, we of course ask you to be a part of the Sale. This is happening on 3rd Dec, in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Please feel free to contact me by email, zouzousplace@gmail.com 

I would be most grateful if this particular blog is 're-blogged, shared, forwarded, transferred, whatever, just send it off everywhere. Thank you.

Please click on the Freedom Foundation website for more info:

http://www.freedomfoundationng.org/?page=1

I do not take your attention to this blog for granted; THANK YOU, and...

(really, please) Be Free Oh

Re-bloggin

I read a blog post on the Lagosmums' website a few days ago and it gladdened my heart. I had been waiting to blog it because it bothered me some.

I commented on the blog so you would find my addition there.

I have told her I would reblog it...so please click here

Free Gift(s)

People! Honestly, you may be getting tired of me apologizing each I ‘run off’ but it would be remiss and rude of me if I don’t, at least I think so.

I am still basking in the euphoria of my birthday; yeeees! Still. The celebration is yet to end, gifts are still coming in, dinners are still being arranged, in fact, I demand the celebration continue and last until the next one! 40 n Happy n Fab, no try me o.

Eh hen, so, it is the receiving of gifts that brought about this blog.

God used the story below to illustrate to me how I don’t trust Him at all to do for me what I desire.

A month ago, a friend had promised me a handbag, she had murmured something about 'giving away handbags in October' or something sha. So last week I reminded her and she told me that being the lady of integrity that she is (rolling my eyes on the big grammar), she would keep her word!

So, to her house I went, she opened the wardrobe and asked me to take out 3 of my preferred bags, and she would decide which one to give me. Difficult choice, because she is nuts about bags; imagine the designer; she has it or has had it at a point!

Meanwhile, I had seen this lovely blue Hermès that she had just bought (and that prompted the discussion), but because I was thinking how very expensive I am sure it is, I bypassed it but when she noticed it was not one of the three, she asked why the Hermès was not one of the them...I quickly reached up and exchanged the brown D&G I had with the Hermes o! And yes, you guessed right, yours truly inherited that very handbag!

Now, this blog is not about the material thing called handbag, or the fact that I want to announce I now own a ‘serious’ one (in fact sef, why not announce? Wetin?) but this simple, long story only reinforced, hard I should say, how we deliberately, with our hands and our lack of faith in God, miss major blessings. My heart desired the bag, not because of the name (I don’t do names, at least not deliberately, because whatever it is I wear or carry, designers or 'non-designer', I  'carry' them and give them a name! *very big and saucy grin* but majorly because it is cute and is in such a lovely colour' but I restrained myself because I had thought (what’s my business thinking for people??) that it was something she wouldn’t want to give away. How in heaven did I know that?? Oh, by the way, she wrapped up another handbag to take to another friend of ours. (This is the part where you apply to be this my friend's friend!! :-) ).

Someone once said that having prayed, move on, the ‘how’ and ‘when’ God does it is not your problem. So I say we should catch some sleep biko….but not miss it with our lack of faith. God's gifts are free, we are not to obsess over how we get them.

This lesson I learnt again, and true to God, He knows I needed it....have had a paradigm shift since then o.

And to the giver of this bag, going by what God said about give and receiving a hundred fold.... isn’t the possibilities of what you get in return endless?? OMG!!!! The possibilities are endless o!

BE FREE OH.

PS/ Meanwhile, picture on my profile: the t-shirt is a gift from the bestest group in the world: Bliss. They are certainly very free oh! J

Happy at 40

So! the day came and went...and I cannot say it was uneventful. Oh no! It was full of events o.
In fact, the events began the day before.

I was sitting jeje on my own o, I didn't know that a conspiracy had been on all the while I was shooting off with the mouth about doing nothing...people were snickering at me. And me, clueless, it never ever occurred to me that someone, somewhere may, just may take it upon his or herself to do something...That they just may love me enough to not let me hit 40 and go over 'uneventfully?' Honestly, I do my Wall of Fame an injustice because I under-estimate them! :-)

On Tuesday I was in my kitchen quietly trying to salvage this cabbage I had into something so it doesn't waste (see pic), when my friend, who had come home with me from a meeting said she wanted me to meet a friend of hers...I came out into my living room to the greatest surprise of all my birthdays, and I mean, all 40 of them...I ain't kidding! The surprise was TOTAL. No clue, no inkling, nothing. There they were, Bliss Group Babes (not forgetting our little addition who happens to be a man!) bearing this lovely green cake (one of my fav colours, and with a kettle on it, depicting my love for tea), drinks, wine, chicken, roses, omg, roses!!! And gifts..etc etc. OMG. It was a blast. They made my day.

Not over o: On the day itself: hmmm, God had told me that 'you will be 40 and happy'...of course I snickered (or laughed as Sarah did), because I have all these many pending issues and I thought, well, if You can manage to sort them all out before Nov 9, then of course I would be happy! Anyway, I went ahead immediately to print (see pic) and saved it someplace.
I had the morning to myself so I worked my BB responding to well wishes, I had my moment of fame on BB that day oh. My pictures were everywhere. In the evening my other women group (Women for Change) took me for a Chinese dinner....with more gifts pouring in (though I am still expecting that blank cheque sha o). We had a great dinner full of such laughter and a couple of tributes...well, they told me how wonderfully dependent and loyal I am etc etc. I tried not to let it go to my head though. The secret things belong to me  and God afterall! LOL.

I must confess that I was happy, I truly was. Not because my pictures were making rounds, or that I received so many calls, some great surprises because they were people I hadn't spoken to in ages, or that I received gifts...NO. I was happy right inside; the 'unexpalanable' happy! God was right; as usual. And for the first time in my life, I wished my birthday would last 48 instead of 24 hours!

Cannot emphasize enough....BE FREE OH.

Zouzou is 40

I opened my eyes today into my 40th year, actually that's not true oh! I didn't sleep until about 2am. I had to consciously carry myself off to bed to sleep; I didn't deliberately stay awake, and I wasn't 'pondering' on my life! Sleep didn't come because I had an exciting afternoon (that's gist for tomorrow!) So I decided to (for the first time ever) watch Mask of Zorro and Why Did I Get Married Too (yeye movie, the latter, if you ask me!)

So! 40 whole years. Don't know why I can't stop broadcasting that! *big grin* What a milestone. I am trying so hard to remember my 15th, 20th (I remember 18 and 19 well), 25th etc but they are hazy!. What a journey it has been. What a journey, I tell you. SMH. Full of memories; some good, some bad, some very bad, some really really good. But the sum total of it all has culminated into this 40. I have made good and bad decisions, I have been loyal, disloyal, betrayed and have been betrayed, I have loved and been loved, I have suffered 2 (oh yeah I can count) heartbreaks, I have hated, I have cried, I have laughed, I have tried to be a super woman, I have tried to be someone the younger people dare not emulate! In the midst of it all, I have known God....all memories. And I am thankful for them all.
In these past many years, one thing I can say is that nothing comes easy to me, ever. I am no aje-butter; don't let what you see deceive you. There is always a wait, a fight, a struggle a (heart-wrenching) cry but the end always justified the wait. And there is no stopping me because I know that as surely as the Lord lives, I am headed in a destination at which I shall inevitably arrive!

I want to say 'thank you' to every single person in my life. I keep saying it but mehn, I am blessed with people!!! Come on! I am too sorrounded by an incredible human support. Me, so undeserving!
I thank family (every single one including Zachary and Adiel who have just been born), friends, colleagues, church folks, blog and tweeter followers, random readers...for being part of the wall that holds up the Zouzou Building.

To God Himself for today, I dedicate this:

Love: Your Bitter Herb

It wells up from deep within
It grips my heart in a way no other does
It is bitter herb and unleavened bread!
Bitter because our ways are so different
It is sweetness even in its bitterness
Nothing else measures in the things that matter
My heart cries and longs for it
Who else can not care what I do?
Who else but You stand by me
...in my ugliest moments?
When my garments are all but soiled?
Who cause tears to well
Just by the whisper of a word
You, alone, rock my world
So, I stand loved
Regardless

Somehow, I wish this day would increase to 48 hours!
This blog wasn't planned so take it as it is!

Be Free oh!

Random!

I apologise profusely for having disappeared after 'Salt!' Again!!!

But this time, I was ill o. Just in case you are wondering what happened to me. Are you?? I had the flu...it was bad...I had never (and I mean it) experiecend that kind of chest and back ache oh. I came out of that experience thoroughly exhaused, nose sore! And, I am still sniffing so watch how you approach!

A number of stuff happening but those would keep for now....I woke up to a devotion I subscribe to this morning, and started to ponder on this part:

Don't count the years-count the memories.......Life
is not measured by the number of breaths we take; but
by the moments that take our breath away!

Now, its possible it's been read by many of you, as are so many messages, poems, stories etc etc out there. However, I am convinced one or two people need ponder on it. I know I do.

A friend told me a while ago that no matter what physcial things you acquire, they all could be lost in any number of ways, on any given day, but the only thing that no one can take away from you are your memories. so I ask, what kind of memory are your building? Which ones do you cherish? And in your memory, are you remembered? If yes, for what? If not, why not?

Ponder o. Ponder on your memories.

Th picture below is part of an extremely expensive resort in Mauritius...I would give anything to be lying on that green with a book right now...(building a memory, you know *wink*).I hope the peaceful sight brings you peace you.

Enjoy...and have a great weekend...we in Nigeria have a looong one coming up...mine longer cos I would be taking an extra day...I hope you caught on??

BE FREE OOOHHHHH.

Salt

Sorry! Its not a review of the Angelina Jolie movie!

Someone mentioned the word 'salt' yesterday, and my mind went to the famous Lot's wife who became a pillar of salt!

…why did she look back? Was she expressly told not to? I had to go back and check to be sure and found that she was indeed told! In fact the whole episode was one of such urgency…hurry! Go! Don’t look back…get into the mountains, don’t remain on the plains…explicit, urgent instructions. What could have held such appeal for this woman in Sodom and Gomorrah that she risked dying for?

Look at the Israelites during the wilderness journey. They so tried the patience of God! Gosh! They wept and whined and cried for the leeks, the garlic, the cucumber in Egypt….we don’t want this ‘food’ coming from the sky jo! What?! Water from a rock?! Please! They couldn’t bear  this ‘hardship’, which is ridiculous and strange because they were slaves under hard labour, but it seem that as long as they could have garlic and cucumber and leeks and onions, they were content to remain slaves! (They conveniently forgot that they cried for freedom for 400 hundred years). Sigh. So typical of us too.

So, I came right down to me…and of course, you! What are those things in our past that we so long for? The things that hold us back, longings for the things we had, things that make us unable to have any (future) expectations?? What is so good in our yesterday that we can’t bear not to go back to? Didn’t God say the ‘glory of the latter house will be greater than the former?’ Is He a liar? Has He lied to you? What makes yesterday better than today? If you really want to be truthful an objective?? No matter how bad it is today, I never starve. I never go without food at anytime anymore. No matter how bad it gets today, I really do not want to go back to selling old newspaper and bournvita tins in order to feed! Oh yes! I honestly do not want to walk in pouring rain (in addition to getting sprayed by passing vehicles) at 5.30am on my way to work, where, on arrival I hide in the toilet to ‘re-wash’ and dry my clothes using the hand dryer! I really, really, do not want to end up with 4 other people, in the same house, and with 2  on the same bed! I do not even look forward to eating salad and chicken in a house full of strife, where there is no freedom. I, please and please, do not want to have to trek for miles to and fro school because I am too broke to take the bus. PLEASE.

So, why elect to ‘look back’ and die? You may presently have no job, you may be as broke as anything, you may long for a child, you may have experienced devastation in ways that no other person can understand, someone may have died, it may even be more horrible than these, still in the midst of it all, looking at The Situation really closely, tell me, isn’t there something you are truly grateful for? Ok, if you can’t find anything, may I put it to you that you are not responsible for the air you breath? As long as you have that, then you hope! Who knows whether your joblessness is an opportunity to do ‘something else?’ Who knows whether the delay in childbirth is to foster closeness with your husband (I said ‘who knows’ oh!) Who knows whether the delay in this husband is for me to learn patience (I pray this works oh! Lol) Who knows whether the death of that somebody is to deliver them from the terrible evil to come? To free them from pain? Who knows?? God does, and since in His sovereignty He has decided to take you and I through this Wilderness and says to eat manna, and quail, and drink water supplied from rock, and that in the midst of it all, however long the trip, our clothes and shoes will not wear, and what’s more, that we would come out of The Journey a better person, I think I had better cooperate, in my own interest. Oh, and did Job not say, in his own utter devastation (is your situation like Job’s?? *eyebrow raised*), ‘though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him?’ Well, I guess it is a function of what/who you believe in. You may have options, I don’t.

I do not want to become a pillar of salt; dead and useless. #Fimisile.

I dare you to search your heart (and past) and present situation and see if today is not better, in some way, than yesterday!...and…

Be free oh.

Describe Your Corner

Describe your corner; What is in it?
Laughter? peace? Joy? wholesomeness? Fun?


Are there flowers? Roses, daffodils, Jasmine, Daisy?
Is the fragrance wafting up to envelop, and bring pleasure?
Is it fresh and cool? Like the dew of Hamon?
Can the breeze sweeping your flowers left and right be felt?
Swaying them to its rhythm-
a rhythm of memories,
of the deeds of the Most High…


Is it colourful around you?
What shades of purple, blue, green, yellow, red…?
What does each signify?-
Giving? Encouragement? A word in season? A charge?


How about your curtains?
Are they in vibrant, flowery fabrics?
How are they woven or sewn?
Are the pleats perfect and minute?
Are they like a tapestry? Each patch telling a story?
Does the fabric fall in thick folds,
Singing to the floor like oil from Aaron’s head?
To heal, and anoint?


What about your flooring?
Is it made of tiles or carpets or wood?
Does contact with it bring instant peace and tranquility;
a sense of ‘home?’


Are there birds in your corner?
Chirping and flitting daintily from branch to branch?
Singing their own special songs in their peculiar cry?
Is it quiet or noisy around you?
Is there peace, in the midst of the noise?


How about music?
What beat belts forth?
Cool, smooth…jazzy…
Breathing life in the humdrum?
Whispering in notes of comfort and ...hope
A sound of heaven
Can we hear the sigh of the butterfly…in your corner?


Describe your corner.
What is in it??


-Zouzou
Be...free...oh

inspired by:  'Brighten the Corner Where You Are' at www.kunbibalogun.com.

Zouzou's Musings: The Season is Ending...(Inspired by Bookie).

Zouzou's Musings: The Season is Ending...(Inspired by Bookie).: Oh my! I have a deep sense of urgency right now! Where did this come from? Is it fear? I have to discern o...my heart is beating, is this a ...

(Dont) Rub My Back

Again, I began to think about 'constraints', how draining and burdensome it can be. an how typical of us humans.

First off, a disclaimer: I am not the perfect person, friend, sister, colleague.  In fact, I can categorically tell you that I am by far far, the less than perfect sister.  I always thought that I would never allow my sisters to write a tribute to me because if they wanted to write in all honesty, they would tell you what a terribly grouchy ‘yeller’ I am. And that  when there are  challenges at home, I become so irritated and taciturn. And when I don’t want to talk about it, I escape to my room!

But, that is not what this blog is about. I recently began to think that the people I need now are those who can be true, who can be themselves with me, just as I hope I can be to them.  The Yorubas have an adage in the line of 'you cannot say we aren’t friends anymore’, well, I beg to differ. I can totally tell you that ‘I am not doing’ friend again. 

I don’t care to have many friends on Facebook. Because you are the friend of a friend of a friend doesn’t mean we should automatically become friends, duh. If we cannot add value to one another, don't share the same interests or moral code, then there really is no point. If all someone does is make you laugh and you know you need that, please do your best to keep such a one close by, and do all your best to work at the relationship. Friendships can and should be diverse, no two friends are the same. In a 3-way friendship, two people are always closer to each other than all three together (did I make sense there?)

So friends, be yourself; let’s not ‘rub’ each other’s back because that is how it should be. Rub my back because you know its what I need and what you should do, not because I rubbed yours when it hurt. Don’t follow me because I am following you, and vice versa. Don’t share a secret with me because I shared some with you. The greatest help you can do yourself and others is to be yourself and be true. If I don't have unnecessary  expectations of you, why should you burden yourself? Its too whom much is given that much is expected. 

Lets break free of unnecessary constraints.

Be free oh.

#JustMuse

People! I am publishing through a mobile phone for the first time; hence I crave your indulgence in advance if the presentation of this blog (note I didn't say grammar), is less than excellent!
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Its after 1am this Monday morning and I cannot sleep.
I am not 'actively' worrying though I have my very many issues (they say I don't look it, which is good).
I just want to randomly muse here and tell you some of the things I have been up to...we had an awesome Women's Breakfast meeting on Saturday morning despite the heavy downpour that flooded the streets of Lagos. That I had to drive through the 'sea' really broke my heart, it hurt me badly (sad).

Sunday: I didn't go to Church, for a very simple reason, which I refuse to even be guilty about, but I spent the whole day either reading, or randomly watching The Mentalist (that Jane Patrick's wardrobe leaves so much to be desired! So much! Jeez). Anyway, I read a couple of blogs, subscribed to one or two, started to follow a few more people on twitter, read a book... But the theme of everything I read is the call to 'do something'. 'Brighten the Corner where you are!' And I felt, more than ever before that with all that is going on around us today, we must never be guilty of living the ordinary life! Someone once said that we 'dare not die, having accomplished nothing!' Steve Job, world changer, sleeps at age 56! I guarantee you his head was still full of a lot more of Apple stuff but alas!
So, as I lie awake this morning, having already 'wondered and pondered on my Face Book page, and tweeted more random thoughts (a lot of 'randoms' tonight wouldn't you say??), I am resolved (again) to 'up and do something.'
I hope you take a leaf out of my book. Some of you reading my blog should start one of their own, you have so much to offer...your comments are so passionate and full of ideas..showcase your talents and gifts, feed the poor, clothe the naked, help the needy, pray and...don't forget:
Be free oh.

PS/Am beginning to think we have overflooged this issue of 'doing something' mais, comme les gens sont si tetus et refusent carrement de faire rien!! Yeah yeah, figure it out! :-)

Proudly Nigerian

Seeing as how I have said, and reiterated quite often, that I do not (of myself) plan to live elsewhere because I am (very) proudly Nigerian, it occurred to me, and the fact was driven home (with big, huge nails) on Sunday, that I am not really doing much to celebrate, support and praise this country, my ‘pride’. Who can blame me, and a large percentage of the populace?? We get browbeaten, put down, cheated, denied of the basic(est) amenities....the government is selfish, unable to protect its citizens, full of (hidden) agendas put together for  selfish purposes, education system run down….eh hen eh hen…there I go, concentrating on the bad!!!...ok,  slow down and breathe…breathe…

During the service on Sunday, my eyes (even if there were more than a thousand people at this service, I can only speak for myself, abi?) were open to see that my country is good, My mind went in different directions of the (indeed) good things that Nigeria has to offer; it don’t matter whether I see the good today, I know she is capable of it, and seeing as the bible says that the ‘glory of the latter house will be greater than the former’, I have hope!

I was reminded of my growing up; ours was not a rich family, but we never lacked for food! I could never forget the cartons and cartons of peak milk! I remember very vividly, we drank milk like it was water, my mother bought stuff in bulk. Our house was like a provision store...our plate of food had meat swimming in it (how many people still eat with more than 2 pieces of meat these days??). We had clothes in abundance, we had shoes (gosh, am reminded of those clogs!!! I have to look for the pictures). Everything in abundance. How did it become so bad?

All I am saying here is that we had a better life then, but we can have it better again.

During this long weekend celebrating Nigeria’s 51^st, I  determined that I would henceforth concentrate on and applaud the good things! I would make a conscious effort to remember them and be grateful for them. If for nothing, that I am here, writing a blog for you to read!  I am grateful for life, I am grateful for God Himself, I am grateful that though there isn’t frequent electricity, we have learnt to survive;  I am glad for the Nigerian Survival Instinct! This is a great thing to applaud; Nigerians never give up. I am grateful that though we had a floods in some states that killed hundreds, that though Boko Haram is doing its best to hold the country hostage, that though Jos, the once peaceful City be on fire and many have died, that though the politicians are manipulating the system for their own gains, that though kidnapping of high-ranking (and now low, average and no ranking sef) people abound, that though we sleep in darkness, and spend a fortune on diesel, I am grateful we have never experienced earthquakes, landslides, tsunami, and other natural disasters. How would we have coped?? I believe God knows exactly what it is we can bear and has left us with those, not also without hope!

Today, I declare: ‘Nigeria we hail thee, our own dear native land, though tribe and tongue may differ in brotherhood we stand,…’

No matter your nationality, take stock (of your country) and be grateful too,

I am (very) proudly Nigerian.

Be free oh!

A Blogger's Award...

People! I got a ‘Versatile Blogger’s Award from Myne Whitman! Isn’t that cute and amazing?? Me, versatile. And from Myne, who has more than 700 followers…talk about ‘open doors!’ Lol. Wow.

Well, some of the rules of the award is to talk about yourself and recommend other blogs…which blended perfectly with my thoughts for today since I was going to recommend one or two bloggers, and I had been toying with writing about me and what makes me tick…kind of food, music..movies…my moments...me as a person…you know.

May I say a big thank you for the 3 new followers who just came on board?? I hope this blog does it for you…as it does for me. Keep smiling and laughing…

So, thank you, Myne for this honour. It’s a first…and the euphoria isn’t going to go away, mi promise. J

7 things about me:

1.     Anti-norm (as you all already know)

2.    I am 2^nd of 6 children, hence the mother of the other 5 including their father

3.    I love reading and movies…the former rather than the latter if it comes to choice

4.    I love tea. Omg…I love tea. I don’t care for it to be exotic; give me the good old lipton anytime and am in heaven…

5.    I am a true romantic at heart…doesn’t show, but believe me, I am the real softie

6.    I love home-making and organizing… when am in the mood

7.    I  love music. Depending on my mood and special moments..I could stick with one CD for weeks on end…I am jazzy…and beats really gets me going, doesnt matter who from. Howeever, I can categorically tell you that the rap of today aint my thing..the noise! whew.

Now to tagging blogs…this will be a bit tricky because, believe me, I am yet to explore 15 bloggers oh.…but the few I have ‘stumbled’ on, I love for their uniquely amazing thoughts/outlook.

So I recommend, in no particular order;

http://pinktapestry.wordpress.com : Pink Tapestry

www.dairyofadesperatenaijawoman.blogspot.com ; Desperate Naija Woman

www.secretlilies.blogspot.com: Secretlillies

www.mynewhitmanwrites.com: Myne whitman

http://mystylefest.wordpress.com/ Style Fest

Be free oh.