No Pressure

Hello Friends, my son accidently poured water on my laptop so its with the repairs. Thank God for insurance. It would have cost me a dollar and a dime to have it repaired if I had not covered  the computer when I bought it. It was not convenient at the time to pay the extra money for the insurance but years down the lane its been worth it. I've had to take it in twice for repairs now and never had to pay extra. Please try and insure your valuables because accidents do happen no matter how careful you are. Don't think of it as an unnecessary luxury but a neccessity that will come in handy sometime.

Now today's post.
I'm all about goal setting but don't feel so pressured to achieve your desired plans that you'll sacrifice your morales for them. Its not healthy for you or any one at that. Do your best and leave the rest to God as the saying goes. This is no excuse/ reason to be shoddy at your plans or not make any efforts at all. I simply mean you don't have to sell your soul or hurt others in your efforts to achieve your goal."what will it profit a man to gain the whole world and los4 his soul" Mark 8:36.   Neither should you be selfish or cut corners to be fulfilled or successful. Don't put yourself under pressure and don't put others  under as well. Do what you can! Go the extra mile but with wisdom.

In Genesis 24, Abraham gave his servant an assignment to find a wife for his son isaac. The servant who was not overly familiar with God's covenant with Abraham(he was not as convinced as his master) became worried about the responsiblity placed on him as the instruction was specific "go to my country and to my own relatives. Get a wife for my son" vrs 4.
 The servant was concerned that the intended woman might not want to return with him to which Abraham responded and this inspired this article. "the woman may not want to come with you. If she doesn't, you will be free from your promise but don't take my son back there". 
In essense Abraham what meant was

• don't kidnapp the girl.. lol-be righteous in your dealings
• don't take my son back there-don't fall back into sin to achieve your goals
• Come back home if your mission fails-If you encounter difficulties in your plans feel free to re-evaluate, re-strategise and re-trace your steps back to the beginning
• Abraham freed him from the oath-your goals are not tied in stone. you can readjust them. No need to comprise your values
•  Abraham understood that the covenant was between him and God not the servant.  He also understood that he needed the young man to achieve his goal but Abraham  was not going to force him. He rather encouraged him  and  trusted God for good success for his servant

NO PRESSURE!! As you journey onwards to a better you, be mindful of the people you meet along the way. Don't treat people as disposable tools. Treat every man equally and be considerate of others.  Tust God with your plans and He will establish your path. NO NEED TO CUT CORNERS. NO PRESSURE JUST HAVE FAITH.

No excess baggage allowed

Its already day seven of the new month. How quickly time flies. It seemed just yesterday that we ushered in the new year. I read a rather sad story about a young lady who suddenly died a day  after celebrating the new year with much pomp like everybody else. She reportedly slumped and and died while jogging in the early hours of the morning

Late Nebo Olive

 Stories like this should bring us to our knees and be thankful for mercy and grace. "He does not treat us as our sin deserves or repay us according to our iniquities."Psalm 103:10"

How is it going with the action plan for the year? Travelling  is hot on my list..lol. I love travelling a lot but was not able to do much of it in 2014 for many reasons. Even if I don't make enough international trips(which I plan to) I'll be exploring the historic and heritage centres in Ireland. The only problems I have is packing and unpacking. Today I'll be discussing PACKING.  I simply don't know what to pack and how much to take along. Most times I just end up logging unnecessary stuffs along. I HARDLY UNDER-PACK-excess is my un-doing..lol.

 Fortunately, I've never had to pay for excess luggage but the extra space taken by unwanted clothes affects holiday shopping space. Most of the clothes also end up unworn during the holidays. Why Pack em'?

Excess baggage refers to baggage in excess of the stipulate weight or unnecessary burden.

Every airline has baggage/ luggage restrictions in weight and contents for health and safety purposes which every passenger is mandated to obey. If its over the allocated weight and the passenger insists on taking the luggage along, he or she has to pay for the excess. However certain contents are not allowed on board. It does not matter your station or class, YOU MUST OBEY THE RULES as it applies to everyone (except its a private jet can't help you with that information yet..BE PATIENT).

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Certain emotions, attitudes and relationships stand as excess luggage in a person's life. When you are overwhelmed by situations, people or emotions, you may be carrying what can be labelled as UNNECESSARY BURDENS.  DROP EM'!

Bitterness, strife, anger, regrets, drunkenness, fornication, revelry, gossip e.t.c.  all fall under the unnecessary category. LEAVE THEM BEHIND. These are sinful and unproductive habits that only take up useful space in your life. They cause a person to stagnate and impedes fellowship with God and man. Remember if it is not enhancing you, its a burden. Like my belly fat, LET IT GO

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However there are certain attitudes that you absolutely need for the journey ahead.  Some of these don't come naturally and you can't have too much of them. These include forgiveness, kindness, joy, prosperity, abundance, favour, gentleness e.t.c. YOU CAN'T HAVE TOO MUCH OF THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. "against such things there is no law" Gal 5:23. 

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I got upset with someone on Sunday and almost marred the whole day with a stinking attitude. Mid way driving home, I checked myself, prayed and gladly let the emotion go. I have learnt to check myself with these questions,

•  would I want to be remembered with my present attitude, behaviour and actions? 
• how does my present attitude profit me,others and the kingdom of God.
• is it necessary?
• Does it enhance my relationships with others?
• what example am I setting?
• if I reflect on the days activities, will I be proud of myself?
• is their an alternative reaction to the situation that is not toxic?

Do not make room for unnecessary burdens in your life this year. If you insist, you'll pay for it just as you would excess baggage. If it's necessary let God do the heavy lifting for you "Cast your cares on the lord and He will sustain you" Psalm 55:22.

STRATEGIC PLAN.

• Plan for the journey-set goals.
• take only what is relevant and necessary-dump unnecessary habits.
• seek assistance/advice
• Research read books
• have a life style of prayer

The Journey.

Its my birthday today! I was not going to write anything but just couldn't resist the urge to include you in my day.  This particular celebration is special for many reasons and I want to share with you.
I was at a book launch yesterday when a friend asked how old I was. For a brief moment I forgot and had to tell her the year I was born. After deep consideration, I realised my life has been filled with so many glorious moments that time seems suspended. In fact, there was a time my life seemed paused but that is a topic for another post.

Truth is, the past years have been a journey, a bumpy one at that but an adventure nonetheless. I have been battered, bruised but not broken. My body bears physical scars that cannot be hidden but others are not visible to the naked eyes, testament to deeper wounds. I survived an accident in which over sixty people died but lost three fingers on my right hand. The scars and partial disability do not detract from who I am but only enhances the fact that physical features do not truly describe a person but inner beauty does. I have been emotionally abused and rejected but I always bounced back; bigger and better (my ample folds are a testament to the bigger part..lol). Some of my experiences are still too raw to share and are in the healing process but I'm not lying under. NOT THIS GIRL.

  A lot of friends, acquaintances and strangers wonder how I am able to laugh and make others laugh in the midst of the ugliness and I laugh the more.

You see life is a journey with unexpected bumps and detours with network of connections called failure, rejection, distractions, pain, regrets and mistakes. Some you prepare for and still run headlong into them while others happen upon you despite your better choices and plans. However these bumps do not discount the realities of success, fulfilment, achievement. and other pleasures that are intertwined in the process and most times have to be deliberately sought out.

 A lot of times of times the bumps lead to the bounty, if only you bear the discomfort. never think for a moment that whatever challenge or trials you'r going through will destroy you because it won't. YOU ARE BUILT TO LAST...beyond the pain, rejections, illness, separation, divorce, bankruptcy, betrayals etc.
I have been through some situations that I thought I would never survive but years on, I look back and marvel at how I managed. I even wondered why I worried in the first place. NOW I KNOW BETTER.

Challenges no longer faze me, I have learnt better and mostly from the low moments. ITS ALL GOOD. My new attitude has nothing to do with positive thinking or any new age mumbo jumbo, ITS THE GOD IN ME.

Jesus has been my anchor, my sanity in the midst of the madness. How else do you find humour when your world is turned turpsy turvy? By seeing through the lens of God's Word. I realised The same power that made laughter well up in the heart of Sarah dwells in me.
So I am celebrating because "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" Rom 8:37.  Despite my challenges, I AM THRIVING. I AM GETTING BETTER AND BETTER.
 I've got so much to say but you get the gist. Every trial you've gone through make up your story and your story is meant to comfort and encourage others not kill you." blessed be the God and father of our lord Jesus Christ,...who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with comfort which we ourselves  are comforted by God" 2 Cor 1:3-4. 

Since bumps are a necessary part of the journey, I'd like to share certain truths I've learnt along the way.

• Challenges are part of life-"dear friends do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come upon on you to test you as though something strange were happening to you" 1 peter 4;12 .
• You have to be connected to Jesus-"I am the vine;you are the branches...apart from me you can do nothing" John 15:5.
• The Word is indispensable-"thy word is lamp for my feet and light to my feet" Psalm 119:105.
• The Holy Spirit is Guide, Helper, Comforter, Standby, Grace.
• God has a plan- "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. plans to prosper you and not harm you" Jeremiah  29:11.
• Trust God and His plans.
• It will end well-"all things God causes everything to work together for those who love him" Rom 8:28.

• Walk in faith
• Pray without ceasing.
• Form godly relationships
• learn from every challenge.
• Have a good attitude-don't complain.
• learn from the experience of others
• don't isolate yourself
• it shall pass-don't give up
• be patient- the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1;3
• Expect something good.

Life is a journey. You don't have to go it alone. Weave your experiences into a tapestry of interesting stories with the Holy spirit driving the narrative.

I am grateful for the journey so far and excited for the journey ahead. First stop, dinner with my son, that's a story I'll share tomorrow. Now, what to wear?...lol.

Chronicles of a good Samaritan

I was at an accident scene yesterday and thankfully nobody was seriously hurt in the single car collision. My friends and I were on the way to a meeting when we noticed the bashed up car at the side of the road so we got out to help although there were other people at the scene already.  We were running late for a meeting but it was just impossible to drive by without lending a helping hand. Not solely because the people gathered round the scene were making their way to the same meeting (I knew because of their attire); IT JUST SEEMED THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

 Mind you, none of us was a medical personnel or had any knowledge of first aid but it was a show of brotherly love. As my friend parked her vehicle some short distance away and we ran to the scene of the crash, I noticed several vehicles with people going to the same meeting zoom pass. while some had the good heart to stop and enquire if all was well, some simply stared and went their way. Like me they were late but it seemed more important to get to the meeting than stopping to help.
I was not going to make mention of the incident until I overheard someone say she'd seen the accident but didn't stop because other people were there already.
HOLD ON A MOMENT

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That statement tore at my heart. On one side of the argument, How many times do people overlook others in need simply because we assume others have taken charge? You are not others and your contribution counts. You have something to offer that others might not have and this has nothing to do solely with material assistance. It could be advice or even a shoulder to lean on. You are uniquely fashioned to be the answer to specific problems. At the accident scene, I made the driver's wife sit down as everybody's attention at the time was on her husband. She was not physically hurt but she was in shock and getting some attention helped ease her pain. It wasn't much help in the scale of things  but it was something. I CONTRIBUTED.

How many times have you been in too much of a hurry to help a brother in need; more concerned with your destination to be of use in the present? I was like that too until I purposed never to be so pre occupied with my future that I loose sight of the moment. Fours years ago a strange woman stopped me on my way to college and requested that I prayed for her. I hurriedly prayed for her because I was late for lectures but I somehow sensed the woman also desired to talk but I didn't "have" that time. I didn't make that time for her and was riddled with guilt for a long time. My lecture notes would always be there but that moment with the stranger would have counted more in eternity.
In Luke 10, the story is told of  a man who was badly beaten and left to die on the roadside. A priest and levite walked past the injured man but offered no assistance. However a Samaritan came by, helped him and gave all the assistance he could. He went the extra mile to show compassion. He went above and beyond what was expected. 

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Jesus was a man of compassion who had time for people. He stopped for the woman with the issue of blood while on his way to Jarius daughter Luke 8:43-48. He also had time for lepers, sinners, children and everyone that crossed his part. HE HAD A HEART OF COMPASSION AND ALSO ACTED.

• Its about time as a people we started showing love instead  of just talking love.
• Its about time we stopped and helped instead of zooming away
• its about time we unrushed ourselves from the busyness of life and take a moment to live
• its about time we translated compassion into action.
• its about time we took time to be our brothers keeper.
• its about time we acted
• stop staring and lend a hand.

Life will be worth living if we all could be walking, talking good Samaritans.

Let it Rest

There is no easy way to write this but I think making a sequel to Dumb and Dumber was a mistake! The first instalment was a comedy classic, absolutely hilarious  but there is nothing  funny about this "upgrade".  I actually feel offended! There seemed to be a desperation in the characters to make humour instead of embracing the inane humour that was the appeal of the movie. Pardon my mini rant but if you'd watched the first movie you'd also find this follow up story lack lustre.  I find it had to believe that twenty years since the first Dumber and Dumber, the producers would churn this quasi interesting story line. Since they could not improve on the film. They should have just LET IT REST.

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Like the Dumber and Dumber movie, some things are best left buried figuratively. Any emotions, situations or relationships that will not contribute to your effectiveness, LET IT REST. Stop dragging a painful past around, it will only hurt your future. 

Some people are stuck in the past; constantly reminiscing about past successes or failures never really being able to move beyond that certain point of presumed heights or disappointments in their lives. If its not helping you now then its not relevant.

Paul was a man that was no stranger to having a sullied past but he made s choice and move on nevertheless. "I focus on one thing forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead" Phil 3;13.  The past the apostle laid to rest included guilt, consent to murder, regret, self righteousness and persecution of the early Christian church. Moving ahead is a conscious choice and not a passive decision. YOU HAVE TO BE DELIBERATE IN YOUR DECISIONS AND ACTIONS

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You cannot un-make some of the mistakes made in 2014 but 2015 is an unmissable offer laden with fresh opportunities. Don't jinx it!
Strategies for ditching the past.

• Identify the situations that don't belong in your future and relegate them to the box labelled useless.
• Acknowledge that some situations are best left in the past.
• have the courage to let go
• Learn from them and improve on lessons learnt
• Don't transfer the negative outcomes of  past experiences into the future.
• .Get rid of relationships and situations that will drag you back 

What better time to ditch the bad habits, negative thoughts and toxic relationships than now. Remember if its not enhancing you, its pulling you back SO LET IT REST.

Be slow to Judge.

Editors Note: I watched a video posted on Facebook a year ago about a little boy throwing tantrums and embarrassing his mother in a shopping mall. The comments that followed that post varied from insults on the woman for raising a disgraceful child to calling the boy unprintable names. I didn't know more than what other viewers knew but I do know that some special needs children behave likewise. It is possible that the child had behavioural challenges that was not pointed out in the video. People only judged what they saw but being the mother of a special child I KNOW BETTER. In the early years of my son's diagnosis he'd throw tantrums in public places too not because he was deliberately being bold but crowded places got to him because of his sensory needs.  Many times people judge others without knowing the full story. We jump to conclusion without bothering to find out why people act the way they do or the reasons for their behaviour. Though  it may not be possible to be privy to the whole story, that is the more reason to set a guard over your lips and heart. What you see might be more than face value.
Read this touching story copied from a friend's wall on Facebook. It will change your perspective on judging others."My dear brothers and sisters,take note of this; everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" James 1:19

Excel 2015- tips to goal setting

Everyone resolves to improve at least one aspect of their life every new year. Gym memberships  soar in the first month with people looking to make lifestyle changes in the new year only to lose steam before the second month. Its a vicious cycle that occurs every year as only few people stick to their plans up till the end of the year. It was a quagmire I found myself too until I discovered the strategy for achieving ones goals. 

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For a number of people 2014 was rife with  pockets of challenges but was also laden with buckets of opportunities.  Many people did not achieve all they set out to achieve last year but 2015 is another opportunity to achieve your goals. Don't despair about the errors of the past year but learn from them and restrategise your goals in the New year.  

As you sit down to make those ever important and necessary resolutions, here are certain facts to consider..

• Resolutions are not wishes but visions and plans for an effective and impact life.
• Wishes are left to happen-stance but the fruits of resolutions are products of concerted and concious efforts 
• It must be written: "write the vision down" Habakkuk 2:2.  Writing is a system of documentation that can be used as references.
• Make it plain: your plan must be clear, easy to understand, well articulated and clutter free. You don't need to have too much going on. leave the jibber jabber to Einstein and other braniacs.

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• Read it out to yourself not in future tense but describe your achievement in the NOW e.g I am a healthy eater. "with the heart one believes and is justified and with mouth one confesses and is saved " Romans 10:10 
• It requires commitment. if its desirable then put your and heart back into it.
• Discipline is crucial to its success.
• Determination means firmness of purpose. You must be resolved to achieve your goals. Read Daniel resolve not to defile himself in Daniel 1:8
• Consistency: this is the ability to do right thing everyday without giving up no matter the situation or prevailing circumstance. Just keep at your goals.
• Invest your time and resources into it.

• review your progress along the way
• get someone to go the journey with you; Share your goals with someone who's passionate on impactful living as you.
• Envisage your reward. "Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him,endured the cross,despising the shame,and is set down at the right hand of the throne God" Hebrews 12:2

If you love reward, then it pays to stick to your goals. It will not only benefit you but will also inspire and positively impact lives around you. THAT MAKES IT WORTHWHILE.

The other underlying principles are prayer, faith, and grace "in their hearts humans plan their course but the lord establishes their steps" proverbs 16:9.

"in all your way submit to him and he will make your path straight" Proverbs 3:6.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

ITS 2015!!! Despite the challenges and upheavals in 2014, we made it into 2015. You did not crawl into the new year but soared in like an eagle. You are stronger than you know. YOU ARE A CHAMPION. I want you to know that eagles are created to soar and rise above storm. Its in the storm that it spreads its wings wide and flexes, riding above the turbulence and going higher.
I want you to know that your experiences in 2014 good, bad and ugly only served to strengthen  your spiritual muscles and prepare you for the bounties in the new year.
I AM SO EXCITED.
Church was beautiful and my voice is hoarse but I am not keeping quiet. 2015 is not the year for silence, we'll be making some holy ghost noise on this platform this year. Got some friends over. Catch up later. Have a blessed day.