My Thoughts

This week we shall start off with my playlist...

The game of love - Michelle Branch and Santana
When I was your man - Bruno Mars
MIRRORS - Justin Timberlake (my mental husband of 22 years)
Like the morning dew - Laura Mvula
Every time you go away - GloriaGaynor
Come away with me - Norah Jones

MY THOUGHTS...

Lately, well this week more than usual... I have had mostly sad thoughts. I have so many questions and no satisfying answers to put my poor brain to rest. See... my problem is simple, I get too deep into 'the what's not right in this world' and then I brood over that till kingdom come. 
Does it frighten me to be human? yes, it scares me a lot. We do not know what we are capable of. I know good things and bad things have to coexist, and call me naive but I really wish for a world free from war, hate, disease and famine. 
I am trying to enclose my mind around all the atrocities that have taken place in the past and the present one...(see my life?) Trying to find explanations to all the wars, I have taken time to educate myself and research about them and all these governments to get a logic explanation but no matter how much I want to believe its bigger than man...the answer is right in front of my eyes... man is the root cause of most evil. My discovery was not new or shocking, it is simple...we are selfish human beings, if it does not concern us then we cannot be bothered. We want power, we want to be esteemed, we want to be feared, we want to be the last one standing. We take and take more than we give, and yet somehow we expect to receive more like we are entitled to it. The people who have done the least to cause these horrid situations have suffered the most for them. 

I am not going to name countries, or peoples or governments because we all know of at least one or two countries or a group of people suffering, like that is their sole purpose on this earth...to suffer endlessly! It's like the world has written some peoples off...
What can we do? Us, the small beings only taking up 1% or less of the world's space? In my very unscholarly opinion, I believe in goodness...as much as we all have a dark spot, our good spot has the ability to drown out the dark....so be good, be good politicians, be good citizens, be good leaders wherever you have been placed in this life. Maybe, just maybe one person can start a trend that will leave some "actual earth" for our greatest grand children. I know things take time but who ever believed THEN that slavery, ethnic cleansing, racial segregation among others would be history? or Genocide, rape, child soldiering made international crimes? Someone was good enough to want better for the rest of human kind, whoever that person was, let's join him or her because the world needs good citizens... the world needs peace makers...the world needs YOU.

GeT PassIONate about IT.

I am fully capable of being a certified "Israelite" (refer to their contemptible manner under the leadership of Moses) and lately,  I have witnessed a significant drop in my levels of dissatisfaction. I am sort of proud of this grand achievement. Hopefully, I will do away with the remnants of the "art of complaining" sooner than expected. That is my positive achievement and yes, it feels good. 

So... I thought of sharing with you some random stuff that I have found to be very entertaining, encouraging, bits of wisdom or things I do that help me to focus and get me through the week without the need to painfully punch people, and if you've got any recommendations do feel free to share with. 

Bits of wisdom.
Church was amazing today, Pastor John Gray (google him) gave it to us hard, cold, honest and hilariously. His teaching point was "The measure of LOVE" and I love all things love so I was excited to hear him speak on this subject. I will just write down a few of the MANY things he said and hopefully you will mediate on his wise words. 
"How do you quantify love? How do you define love? Love is a lot different when you are in it than the romantic idea you have when you are outside of it! Love is subjective because it is personal BUT there's only one definition of love and that is GOD because love is the essence of His character. Love will force you to step away from the masses and chase after the one that matters, love celebrates, appreciates and elevates. Love is mercy, it extends, stretches and intends to do good. Love illuminates...it awakens you to the reality that you are NOT alone. Love is selfless, suspends disbelief about people" Re-examine your definition of love and identify what true love is measured by. Love is pure

Entertainment
If you have not watched "Life is but a dream" by Beyonce...I don't know why you're still here reading this!!! (No, keep reading then go watch it) Her hard work will leave you speechless. Whatever we want to pursue, let's pursue it ALL with such burning and fierce passion. Giving everything we do 100% of ourselves so that when we look back...we can all happily say "yes, that was me and I never slacked a day". On a side note, Blue Ivy undeniably looks like Jay-z. (That resemblance blew my mind!) I am literally bursting with inspiration after watching Bey. 

Phone-App
And the girl discovered "The free dictionary" by Farlex. This app is amazing because it has 'word of the day, quote of the day, this moment in history, puzzles..e.t.c" I am certain that in a months time, the Queen's language will slip off my tongue like I were born in Buckingham palace. I highly recommend this app.

Moment of the week
BATH TIME!!! I never thought I would live to see the day I got so excited about shower hour but the day came way quicker than I expected. Thursdays are my long bath-days, I have made it my duty to use all shower gels and soak for half an hour. I close my eyes and drown out the world and in that moment everything is still. The thought of Thursday bath-day gives me goosebumps! I recommend this for anyone who is fortunate enough to have long week days and sore feet. Soaking is the cheapest stress reliever! 

Ipod playlist: unnamed 
Beautiful surprise - Tamia
We don't have to take our clothes off - Jermaine Stewart
Waking up in Vegas - Katy Perry
Tiny Dancer -Elton John
Talk  you down - The script
I miss you - Beyonce

Encouragement
For those of us having hard days, and things are simply going everyone's way but yours, just remember that it is too soon to give up on anything. This too shall pass.

Verse 
"But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy (and acknowledge Him) as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defence to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully." 1 Peter 3:15 AMP

xxx

Don't let hatred dwell in your heart

When I like someone, I let it be known to them unknowingly. I will follow them on all present social networks and those yet to be created. (NO, it is not stalking otherwise everyone following anyone they have no personal relationship with would be a stalker!) I do this because they have ideas similar to mine or ideas that make me want to know them.There's an essence of individuality they possess and I admire such fine qualities.

I like people who are not afraid to be themselves, it takes a lot of nerve to be yourself in a world that demands you to be worldelf.(your-self<world-self). I like to tell my friends about people I like despite their acquaintance status. I think, if you are able to see, acknowledge and talk about the good in others, it speaks volumes about the kind of person you are. Now more than ever we need to aggressively lift one another up instead of finding ways to tear each other apart. 

Let's be supportive of one another, and see the good in others. Honest to goodness hating on someone because your best bud hates that person is very high school like. See, that is the problem with us, we take on battles that shouldn't be ours.  If it isn't your battle do not fight it. This doesn't mean I have no loyalty to my friends because I do, I just think that if you don't have to get involved in something that does not concern you then don't. Do this for your sake and stay out of it. We are all mature enough to strike balances.

Many times the worst picture is painted of us and those who are brave enough to investigate these unchartered waterways find the real truth. I know we need to be cautious because there are wolves in fine wool sheep skin but sometimes people are slanderers. Geez, if you like someone like them and if you do not then stay away from them. Things really should be that easy just use your heart, gut and mind before getting a second opinion.

I would follow Beyonce on twitter, instagram, Facebook, and if possible, I would sit outside the gate to her mansion and work free hours as a lawn maintenance specialist just because I think she's awesome, and if she were to have a problem with that, then she'd clearly not understand how awesome I am, and I would therefore ask her to please excuse me as I relentlessly continue to like her. 

Open letter

So last week I just existed...I simply could not be bothered to do anything. My self examination showed results of cryophobia, itis, procrastination and the lazy syndrome. I know, I know Bruno Mars is sorted for life but when he made that lazy song, he knew what he was singing about. I cannot argue with his song anymore. That song is deep...I GET IT! I found myself closer to my bed like never before, giving hourly speeches about the importance of sleep and how one should use it in their youth. (I will argue for anything that benefits me)

And am doing that again...this post is NOT about the above^^. 

Live in a state of gratitude... 

I want us to take some time off to think about what we are grateful for this year. I know it has just started but January is almost over with and am sure there's one or two things we can recognise as being good.  

'O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!" Psalm 107:1

What am thankful for.

• My warm and cosy bed with its white sheets that feel so good I could sleep for eternity. I now understand why some people would not buy bedding from IKEA.
• My daily skype calls with one of my favourite people...oh my life the internet is a good thing people!
• Spending those 4 hours with Jay and eating chicken burgers at Byrons.
• Conversations with Blair over absolutely nothing but feels like everything.
• Tea and waffles...
• The gentleman who made my day today...He is the kindest old man I have ever met and I know we are going to be great friends. 
• Little sisters and morning chaos
• Family and friends...new friends...kindred spirits
• I am grateful for faith and hope...that I can use those two options every single day I wake

I know on bad days its hard to acknowledge any good thing, but when days like that swing our way, let's strive to remember that they too shall pass and be grateful that we are alive. At least we are alive to see happier days.:-)

What are you thankful for? 

You-Star...

I walked into a T-mobile shop and asked for blackberry services and the shop tender literally mind laughed at me...I could see it in his eyes. 
"Hi, what blackberry services plan do you have?"
... hmm...*looks through book* I don't know, no one uses blackberries anymore...*blank stare*
Have I been living under a rock? Yes, I am in a state of disbelief! Now I have to change my blue ivy phone...I do not like change. (Okay, maybe in moderation). I guess it won't be that bad...out with the old and in with the new.

That's the thing with life, nothing remains the same except change itself. Although change can be good, we tend to associate it with negativity. I mean, we are always trying to sharpen our skills in order to make ourselves indispensable. Such change is good, right? Besides, style changes and so do people. I do not believe anyone who says "I do not change, I am always the same"...Lies lies lies...we all change. We change who we trust, we change how we dress, we change how we speak, we change our friends, we change our hairstyles and all this can be positive change.

I don't want to be afraid of "upgrades" and just to make it more interesting, I will compete with myself to get that phone upgrade and christen it I will gladly embrace it. I dare us to embrace positive change, do not be your own enemy by nipping your potential to be a you-star in the bud.  It really is possible to adapt to change or to change certain aspects about you and yet still remain yourself. You'll just be a better version of you just like phone upgrades!

*Whistle*...followed by *Taxi!*

Home is where the heart, body and soul belong, and the thoughts about leaving home for a longer period of time are scattered all over the brain. I am excited to leave and grow and spread my wings as New York is my 2nd biggest dream from rock ages. Now, it is more than a dream, it has manifested itself into reality.  For a while I was beyond EXCITED, although now that I am left with a few more days at home am catching the blues. I miss home already and yet am still here. Maybe that is a good thing, maybe when I get there, I won't miss home as much. 

You know what really frightens me? Being forgotten by the people I hold so dear to me or worse me forgetting them.  Distance sort of gives us only two options. 1. You either miss people or 2. you forget people. I'd rather be missed and miss. I pray to God with all the faith in me that everything will work out just perfectly and when the time comes for us to be reunited it will feel like time stood still just for us. 

New York, New York singing my name, you and I are going to be great friends. I guess you can make home anywhere you choose. This is my dream come true, scared like a little girl but not afraid for I trust in the highest power that is God. I will miss the colourfulness, I will miss my car and bed, I will miss my friends immensely, I will miss her and him but I will miss you the most. 

We are young, have no strong commitments or attachments at the moment, so we should live in technicolor and put a 'ding' wherever we choose to go. I am ready to live, more now than ever!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

-- Mark Twain

Open letter

I have always wanted to live in hotels because I am the queen "lover of things". Waking up to tables filled with breakfast goodies and rolling around in clean white sheets. The cheery good mornings and "some more tea?" followed by late lunches on table set Islands.  That fast enviable wifi that I use so greedily as if it would be lost if I were to shut my laptop even for a minute. Oh what a life! 

Without further ado, I am ready to go home. I know, I know...the irony!  What can I say? I miss my home. I miss the loud noise at the dinner table (we are only four people but we manage to sound like thirteen people and a hen.) I miss watching television with one of us or all acting as the commentator. I miss curling up in my bed watching repeated episodes of friends, that Julissa and Adrienne reality show which by the way I think is extremely unpleasant and the rib cracking Will and Grace. How I miss you Karen!

I am grateful to God that He has given me these hotel days to change my mind on that whole highlife lifestyle. As of tonight, I do want to live in a house, one that will become a home filled with warmth, love and guaranteed good times. Sorry to my high maintenance side but I think we have grown up a bit. Now that I have found new appreciation for homes, I am going to do some house hunting for when the monies come rushing in. I mean, if I have to get a house it must at least look like a hotel.