Chronicles of a Clogged Toilet

Nobody wants a clogged toilet but it sometimes happens. The effect is unsightly and inconvenient especially if you've got a single bathroom. Sometimes what causes a clogged toilet are not necessarily what you'd think especially if you've got  children in the house. These culprits could range from a doll head or anything deemed fit to take a royal bath in the loo.

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In anticipation of these unwanted accidents- because surely they do happen- I have a toilet plunger ready at hand. In fact after the first incidence I waltzed off to YouTube to learn simple tips on how to unclog a blocked toilet. No point being caught unaware  again!
Just like the basic loo, life too can get clogged up despite a person's best intention. A clog is an obstruction or hindrance that prevents the flow of a process. A simple life can be clogged with too much activities especially in ones daily pursuits and commitments.

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In the hurried existence that is synonymous with today's lifestyle, it is a trap that many people are unconsciously caught in. Many people are bogged down or chocked wit a lot of issues. The past, fear of tomorrow, financial worries, and health scares are some of the issues that can clog the lives of people. If a normally pleasant person starts acting contrary it could be evidence of a clogged up life.

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 Sometimes in trying to be helpful to others we take up too much and the result is frustration, stress,bouts of anger and for emotionally charged people, the teary waterfalls. Even unhealthy relationships can clog up a person's life. Any activity or relationship that does not enhance your effectiveness or capacity as a person but drains you emotionally, financially, psychologically etc. is definitely a clog.

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In the Christian life, Sin is the major clog for the believer. It hinders, impedes and hampers every aspect of a believers life. An otherwise "fire band" becomes lukewarm and lacklustre in bible study, prayers and vibrant relationships become practically non existent. Fellowship becomes a drag and a bore. Hebrew 12:1 encourages us to "throw every sin that easily entangles us".  These includes habits and thought patterns that hamper a persons effectiveness.
Like the occasional toys and bric a bric that find its way into my loo, distractions will happen but be on your guard! Be Prepared!
How to deal with a clogged life.
1. Guard your thoughts-As a man thinks in his heart so is he. It is imperative to watch what goes through the gates of our heart "whatever is true, whatever is pure, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.things. Phil 4:8 Watch your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the issues of life Proverbs 4:23. 
2. Relax-Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46:10
3. Stop Worrying- Cast your care on the Lord and he will sustain you;He will never let the righteous be shaken.
4. De-clutter-If you have too many things going on then its time to prioritise and balance your life.
5.Be Prepared- Don't let the challenges of life catch you on aware. Immerse yourself in the word so much that the sword of the spirit is ready for the draw at the given opportunity. "your word have I hidden  in my heart that I might not sin against you" psalm 119:11
6. Pray-prayer is not a past time but a lifestyle that enhances relationship with God."pray without ceasing" 1Thess 5:17.

7. Unforgiveness- You know the saying that unforgiveness is drinking poison and expecting another person to die. It is the person who's holding the grudge that is hurt most by its effect.
8.Know you strengths and focus on them.
9. Let go off the past and embrace the present-"therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
10. Praise; have you heard the phrase, Praise changes perspective? well it does. Many times we are hampered in life because our focus is on the self instead of God. Change your perspective and life will be easier.
Chances are we will all get clogged up sometime but the way out is found in the word of God. lets get plunging.

Choose HAPPY.

No, the lady in the first picture is not me. I wish!

The next picture looks more like it..lol.

The battle of the flabs is taking too long abi? I get frustrated sometimes too.

In a bid to shift the belly flab, I went for my normal exercise this morning. Exercise for the body, music for the soul remember? At least according to my Physical Education teacher back in secondary school. I was so engrossed putting one leg after the other that I did not notice the man on the bicycle until he shouted a boisterous greeting that startled me. He rode away barely missing a stride while I mumbled a response in return. With a smile, he busted into an Irish melody and whistled away oblivious to the cold weather.

Many things came to my mind as I continued my walk and top on the list was the whistling stranger.  His high spirits did not match his appearance. He looked very unkempt with very shaggy beards and somewhat dirty clothings. It wasn't a work-dirty look, more like a lack-dirty-look. There was nothing about him to even suggest "secret millionaire", I would have known(I have an inbuilt raider for these things..lol)

He was singing this very catchy lively song but his circumstances was contrary. It didn't matter that the weather was cold and nippy, my new friend chose happy over dreary. He could have chosen to be morose despairing on whatever was wrong with his life but instead he chose to enjoy the day and spread his joy by shouting a warm greeting to a strange woman battling to shed her belly fat. 

This strange encounter reminds me of what scripture says about happiness. It is devoid of the circumstances around us whether good or bad but founded on the truth of God's Word "Whoever trusts in the lord, happy is he"Proverbs 16:20.

 

If happiness was determined by circumstances and stuffs, what poor fellows we are indeed. For such people life will be frustrating because circumstances change. "weeping may last for a night but joy comes with the morning" psalm 30:5. Basing your joy on transient situations is an unstable way to live. So instead of wallowing on what you have or don't have, the storms that are raging in your life, the situations you may not be able to handle at the moment, chose Happy.

I finished my walk with a new bounce to my feet grateful to be alive belly fat or not. Instead of complaining I am spurred to LIVE HAPPY.

My name is Gladys, I'm a GARRIOLIC!

Its no longer breaking news that I love food as  my ample plus size is a testament to that fact. I love food in whatever form and from wherever; if its edible, I'll gobble. However what may look and feel like pleasure can also become a bondage. The transition most times are not instantaneous  rather subtle and unnoticed. They most times start out simple and easy to control, then like a flood it overwhelms.  My struggle with garri started eight years ago (Garri is a by product from cassava which is a staple food crop in Africa,Asia and South America)

Cassava

 It was my incessant crave during pregnancy. Its dry, flaky and strong sour tasty was like heaven on my tongue. The Ijebu variety was my favourite

Garri

 I knew it was bad for my health because of its starch contents and I was pregnant and suffering badly from gestational diabetics but I didn't care. I was being closely monitored by the diabetic team and dieticians but I still found a way to smuggle garri into my diet. I was alone and pregnant and garri was my go to comfort food.  Like any addiction, garri was my solace, my cocaine!  I thought my unholy craving might disappear after the birth of my son but  it was not to be rather it became worse. My diet was incomplete without garri. no matter how sumptuous a meal was, I'd finish it off with garri. A spoonful of the flaky product was all I needed- no need to add water or sugar. I'd just flip it into my mouth and I'd be just fine. My friends were not safe from my crave either. Like an addict I'd seek out garri in their pantry but we would all have a good laugh about it. yeah, it became our joke but MY PRISON!!. You see whatever habit you have no control over is an addiction and most times bad for you. Dictionary.com defines addiction as "the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psycologically or physically habit forming" Man was created for dominion but for me garri had become my boss. Garri was bad for my me but I just couldn't seem to help myself. I became tired of  the constant trips to the kitchen at odd times and places. I needed help! All my self efforts to break this bondage was not working and it was now hurting my health again. Garri in itself is not bad but my uncontrollable desire was the problem so I decided to pray. You might wonder, pray over food again? Yes Pray! if it matters that much to me, surely it matters to God. "pile your troubles on God's shoulders-He'll carry your load, He'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin" psalm 55:22. God cares about the big and little things that trouble His children. He cares enough to send His son to die for me so my "little" addiction matters to Him too
Its three weeks since I started the journey with God to break my addiction to garri, 3 weeks since I last craved the tasty sour powder in my mouth. I still have garri in my pantry because it has several other uses but I no longer abuse its usage. Your addiction might be worry, fear, sex, porn, alcohol, drugs etc. Never mind how many years the unlawful claws of bad choices and habits have held you captive, Jesus came to set the captive free. All you need is ask and believe He can help. God wants His children to live life victoriously. "

MY NAME IS GLADYS AND I AM REDEEMED.

slowly but SURELY

Hurray! I have lost a whopping 6kg in a month!!!!. I'm so excited and very pleased with myself. I was shopping yesterday and decided to stop by at a pharmacy to check my weight. imagine my surprise when the result came out...almost screamed the shop down(apologies to the attendant that I hugged and the poor shoppers that thought the pharmacy was under attack when they heard this crazy black lady dancing and screaming at the same time.... poor joshua must have been very embarrassed. The things I put him through!) My excitement stemmed from the fact that my weight loss program was actually working. I'd made some serious dietary and life style changes but nothing prepares you for the outcomes of some actions don't you think? I don't particularly have a laid down regime but I do take lots of green tea and that boosts my energy levels. Infact, I'm addicted to green tea. I've practically stopped taking regular tea-no more sugar and milk for this lady. Losing this extra lard of fat is a very big feat for me since I've been desperate to be slim and healthy for a long time. Right now, I'm motivated to push the envelop further. Cant wait to show off a slimmer and healthier me in the summer. Already, I can visualise my now delectable self in a tribal bodycon dress with no bulge in sight and no constricting girdle as well.....lol . In january, I made a decision not to buy any new outfit till I reach my target weight. it'll make the idea of shopping for the unveiled new me more exciting. In the words of Joan Rivers, "my body is a temple and this temple need redecorating"...lol Hard work sure pays and I'm determined to win this battle of the bulge. ISIOMA WATCH THIS SPACE!!

Journey to a healthier me

I woke up this morning feeling *frisky*(it’s that feeling you feel when...you know what I mean...and Yes! I still have those feelings-I'm human albeit one abstaining from SEX b4 marriage). So I decided to soak this hungry body in a luxurious bath complete with candles. After setting the perfect scene, I got into the strawberry scented bath and bring on heaven! Haaaaa! However, before I could enjoy my much anticipated gratifying soak, I faced two problems. 1. I could barely fit in the tub. 2. There was absolutely nothing sexy or flattering about my folds floating above the water! Seriously. That brief experience dashed my dreams of having a scintillating bath and flushed that sexy feeling right out of my head. I REALLY NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT. My excess weight is not only cramping my style but crushing my libido and crashing the fantasy of a SEXY ME. I'd started a journey to a better me last year but my effort went down the drain because I was not serious enough. I completely lost the plot during my visit to Nigeria (I just could not resist my sister-in-law's cooking). Beyond the urgent need to be SEXY again or more importantly fit in my bath tub, I need to lose weight because of my health. I went for a medical examination yesterday and the result was ALARMING. The results showed that I NEEDED to drop a WHOPPING 60kg!!! So right now I'm logging two of me around. I realised my organs were created to carry a single me so the other half is definitely EXCESS LUGGAGE. Today, I have decided to start another journey and this time with the element of COMMITMENT AND SELF RESTRAINT-commitment to my weight loss goals and self-restraint from indulging in every food that catches my fancy. Joel Osteen in a sermon titled "SAY NO TO YOUR FEELINGS" made a cogent point that caught my attention. He said "you can’t follow your flesh and expect victory". Romans 8:8 "Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God".

The truth is you can’t live a victorious healthy spiritual and physical life if you don’t exercise SELF RESTRAINT and be committed to your goals. Jesus achieved his success because he was committed to the vision of reconciling man back to God if not he should have given up and made a dash for his dear life when the first flesh ripping lash landed on his back(I know I would have and would not even look back. Lol) but he was committed that's why he bore the shame and indignity of the cross for you and I. Exercising self-restraint by sticking to a healthy diet and giving up on junk food is really going to be PAINFUL but the end result is so gonna be worth it. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.2 Cor 4:17. So I'm setting aside scriptures to encourage myself on this new journey and enlisting the support of a dear friend (I need an accountable partner with the help of THE HOLY SPIRIT). If Jesus could suffer that brutal beating for the joy of a better glory that was set before him, then I can endure eating less junk and exercising more. Bring on the TREADMILL *SOB*SOB*SOB*....nobody said it’s not gonnna be painful *sob*