What inspires change in you?

Don't judge me or judge me if you so desire but when I was younger (not so long ago by the way), I was not proud to be from my country. I just did not see what was so amazing about my country. We had like what? One fido-dido, one bon-apetit restaurant and one cinema that looked like someone's living room. I on the other hand wanted the big things like Mcdonalds, disney world, endless ice-cream places and so much more. 

I just felt like I was in the wrong country, and when people thought me mixed race, or Indian I jumped a little...*yesss, I clearly don't belong here...so glad am not the only one who sees that.* Long story short I have come around over the years, I guess DSTV had a role in this. Give a girl limitless TV channels and she will calm down. 
For the longest time I remained lukewarm until my biggest breakthrough...I really am grateful to google. There I was, young and restless with irrelievable insomnia searching for ways to get more grounded in my roots. I found Keep a Child Alive, which led me to Alive Medical Services that later led me to the two doctors who have had such an immense impact on my life, and then I fell in love with being Ugandan.

How did these two people ignite this sense of national consciousness? I was moved beyond expression by how dedicated these doctors were to helping the community. They worked effortlessly for a cause they believed in, a cause that has such a positive impact on my country. They didn't do it for themselves alone but for the people and their country too. Being in constant communication and close proximity with them literally changed my outsight. It is not what my country can do for me but what I can do for my country. Now, with my cleared sight, I see many movers, shakers and changers doing everything they can to promote our country. We have got the artists, the writers, the speakers, the campaigners and the workers (among others) who are introducing new ideas and new ways to benefit us. 
I want to be part of this crew that effects the change. 

My country is different from what it was many years back, we might not be where we want to be, but we are somewhere between good and best and we are working to get to best. We need to get down, dirty and involved in our community for the good of everyone so that when the question is posed, 'why are you proud to be Ugandan?' I hope you will have an answer such as this, 'I am proud to be Ugandan because I have been part of the change.'

This one is for YOU

Playlist

Birdie- I'll never forget you...who am I kidding? Listen to the whole Birdie album

Ed Sheeran- kiss me

Kelly Clarkson- catch my breath

Swedish house mafia- don't you worry child

The wanted- Warzone

Sometimes I get my notepad to write something for you...I write for hours, only to read over what I have written and it doesn't make sense, habitually I start writing about something else but sometimes this too doesn't yield much. Days go by and there are no new posts and I start to feel terrible for neglecting you. Thing is, I don't want to write something I personally wouldn't enjoy reading, so when I write something and I am not having a good time with it, I don't post it. I have countless drafts stashed away because I find them 'dry' and missing my heart (if that makes sense), and then I have some drafts I would like to share but sometimes I think to self  'oh no! you wouldn't dare...that is too personal' so I hold back. The internet is a tricky thing, once something is published even deletion won't completely get rid of it. They are always retrievable if  you have a Zuckerberg on stand-by. 

I am not an impersonal person...When I care to know, you can't escape my gentle probing ways.  So I try to do the same with my blog, I want it to be personal to an understandable level. I share bits of me through my music, my aspirations, my thoughts and my beliefs but I do not know about you. Here I was seated in Starbucks sipping on my water pondering away and I had a 'light bulb' moment. I want to thank at least one person or two people who take their time to read my blog. I long to know each one of you personally although that is almost impossible.

Here's the plan, I want to gift one of you, (still brainstorming what exactly but I know the perfect give-away will come to me) my way of expressing gratitude (it could be anyone). The requirements are: if you have an inspiring story or done/doing something inspiring for someone else, tell me your story in an email. I promise to remain unbiased, and with your permission, I will share your story here on my blog, we can keep it anonymous or not. The gift will be posted or delivered in person depending on the distance, all these details shall be discussed at a later time. I would have loved to gift everyone of you but I am no Oprah but rest assured there's no good deed that goes unnoticed. :-)

I cannot wait to know more about you and good luck.

Ps. Please be honest about your stories.

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!