Illusions of Womanhood

Hallo Wonderbeau Everyone! I hope it’s well with your soul?

So I am trying to pick off my musings one by one, not because I have more time, but because I am giving up something (my personal care, at the moment) to write. But currently, I will rather write than brush my teeth. Hopefully, that doesn’t become a habit. 😬 😅

I just read another chapter of a novel from from Notes to Women, an author on this platform, gripping stories she writes, I tell you. I stop over at her “place” on this WordPress “Avenue” to read her latest novel updates, before coming “home” to muse.

Advertisement

A Call to Rescue and Nurture

Dear Mama, Susie and Janie,

Serving as a missionary on God’s call in Africa has been an adventure…

A 👶🏿 wail interrupted Mary’s letter-writing, followed by another👶🏾.

‘Suppose I’ll continue later, Mary thought, as she fed the wee twins she’d recently rescued.

Mary Slessor

Weekend Writing Prompt #197 – Call

Chronicles of the Crown: Indira to Sapphire

He battles

To possess

He believes

Another possesses

…his wife’s…

heart…

Weekend Writing Prompt #196 – Possess

February 2021 Writing Prompts – All Inclusive

Little by little, I had to recover

From misshapen realities that hit me like feverish fiascos

Little by little, I am building up what was lost

Like the egg nest, I strived to have

Fight, Kim. Not Run (Yet)

Hello, Wonderfully Made Folks! I know it’s hard on a lot of us, as we are required to stay home and dress like a surgeon, anytime we have a (very important) NEED to go out. But I believe like one heroine says, “this too shall pass”.

Thirty minutes prior to typing this post, I was watching on Instagram, Monique, an Oscar Award winner, boxing in the gym. And she was encouraging us to fight for our health and well-being.

Then I watched a commentary, about a Black soul singer whose name is being snatched from her, by a singing group who happen to be mostly white. I said mostly because they look white to me.

The name they are both dragging is Lady A. What I learnt from this though, is this:

Focusing on growth is good, but you need to PROTECT your brand like it’s worth one trillion. Copyright ©️ and safeguard your works, ideas, name… everything, so if anyone wants to blindside or rob you, they would have to pay dearly for the attempt.

Now I’m race-right/light/good, fighting against race-wrong/evil/dark. My racial ideology consists of more than colour, culture, or location.

But I am aware that racism and racial superiority complex exist and many black people are at the receiving end of having their ideas, works, brand and names stolen from them; and the system seems biased in favour of the thieves. 

Then the coup de grace happened, while I was watching a commentary of Kanye & Kim’s current situation. And that just drove me here to speak my mind.

Already, I have been seeing and hearing their names being mentioned with tension, with some folks being too gleeful about it.

Now, when glee is laced with the mention of this couple, you know it is not a jolly time for the couple. I’m not a fan of either, because I can’t relate to their lifestyle, but that doesn’t warrant wishing them ill will, now does it?

Well, according to the commentator (who was sounding too sunny by the way, but I would like to think that’s his natural manner of speaking), Kanye had tweeted that his wife, Kim, is a white supremacist! That among other accusations. (What! On twitter — in public– for goodness sake!)

You know. This is why I tried to encourage us in the first paragraph of this post. Because this stay-at-home pandemic seems to be shaking “things” out of people. 

Maybe it’s having to stay indoors all day every day with people you hardly spend time with, that is pushing people to the limit of their endurance. Dr D.K. Olukoya once said, that when people are shaken like a bottle, it’s what is in them that will come out. If nothing is in them, nothing will come out!

The world is going through shaking, and a lot is coming out.

Back to the couple.

So Kim’s reply was that she is considering divorce. Well, my humble opinion is that Kim should consider fighting on Kanye’s turf.

When I say fight here’s what I mean:

Kanye: My wife is a white supremacist etc…

Kim: Hey husband!😲 Take that back! That isn’t funny😐

See? That’s fighting. Since he’s decided to publicly accuse her, then she should publicly reply him. Like they are having a private argument/conversation gone public. Politeness is required and easy to do, because typing your thoughts and response, is slower than a verbal response. Written words can be edited for better understanding and communication, but no spoken words.

Running away and not addressing what he has tweeted, puts a stamp of credibility to his accusations.

I understand that it hurts because a husband is supposed to be his wife’s cover, confidant, mentor, friend, and supportive critique (not public!) among other things.

However, I don’t know what has been brewing behind closed doors. But whatever the case may or may not be, don’t/shouldn’t they have a marriage counsellor in their corner, they can talk to anytime talking to each other, is not working?

I had to give you a preview of what I had fed on before reaching this couple’s issue. Because I think that is what inspired the theme fight, in this post.

It was Nelson Mandela who said, “Speak to a man in a language he understands, and it goes to his head. Speak to a man in his own language, and it goes to his heart.”

Obviously, speaking to Kanye’s head might be out of the question for Kim. But I think she ought to fight, by speaking to his heart in his own language.

At this moment, he’s speaking twitter. Good. Then have a conversation with and engage him on twitter.

I heard she’s a lawyer now. It’s time to use those skills to defend herself in the court of public opinion and bring her husband to heel.

I guess it’s for the best, she have a “Red Table Talk” kind of conversation, with her husband on twitter.

She needs to politely ask him to prove his accusations and if he can’t or his accusations are found to be untrue, she must firmly and respectfully demand he gives her a public twitter apology — since that’s where it became public.

Fight Kim, but don’t run away by getting a divorce. 

Stay safe and healthy!

Shalom!

https://puttingmyfeetinthedirt.com/2020/07/01/july-writing-prompts-2/ #10 Regretful Happenings 

Faith&Religion

Hello Beautiful People. How are you doing?

Religion and faith are somehow intertwined. To live a healthy lifestyle, you have to be religious about it. It’s not about what you “feel like” doing. It’s about what you need to do to be healthy and strong.

Faith is believing that your efforts will yield good fruits in the near future, even if you can’t “feel” or “see” the results.

Early morning sunshine gives you a healthy dose of vitamin D. 

I had to work most part of the night, and I “woke” up tired. But faith — I think — propelled me to drag myself, mat, radio and cover cloth to the balcony where the sun had hit at about few minutes before 8AM.

I flopped down under the warm sun trying to catch headline news, and roll around on the mat trying to have a complete sun bath.

When it starts to get hot, it’s time to head in.

Usually, I exercise under the before-8:30AM-sun. But like I said, I was tired but my faith dragged me out to “sun bath”.

I hope you try that too. Afterall, many of us aren’t rushing out to work in the mornings anymore.

I think another name for “works” is religion. Faith is what brings life into our works. 

Or what do you think?

#staysafe #stayhealthy 

Shalom!

A Daughter’s Hero, A Father’s Legacy.

Hello Beautiful People! I hope you are keeping safe and sound.

21st June was Father’s Day. 

A bittersweet day for a girl who has lost her first earthly hero. As it’s rightly said, a girl’s hero is her father. 

However, like Elisha having to watch Prophet Elijah his mentor, a man he called My Father, “charioted” up to Heaven; all I am left with, is the Mantle that flutters down as I begin to feel my father’s absence. That, and all the memories.

The memories of tough discipline, gentle instructions, his listening patient ears, as I nearly chatter his ears off… By the way? If my father didn’t loose his handsome ears for all my yakking, then no one can loose theirs for listening to others. Just said, I should put that out there.

I learnt the art of listening (eventually) because my father listened to me.

Because of that, I tried to do as he instructed, because I didn’t want to displease the only one after God who understood me.

It was a journey for him, because as a child I remember him, saying he didn’t understand me, usually, after I have been caught in an indiscretion. He would scold me. Then he gets real quiet, as if he was trying to solve the great mystery behind my behaviour. And then, like he was speaking to himself, he would say, “I can’t just understand…”

And I would feel sad and then resolve to not worry my daddy again. Which unfortunately, never happened.

Eventually, he began to understand me, and he began to teach me on what to do.

My dad is an angel. 

I adore my daddy and I miss him. I suspect I always will.

Now, his Mantel has rested right on the floor in front of me.

I just need to pick up my courage and the Mantle to cross the Jordan river….

Shalom.

When You Find Yourself Alone…

What do you do when you find yourself alone? It’s no fun and I can tell you that for free (you can thank me later– or not *smiles*).

It’s not a big deal to be alone. It’s when you notice it, that it becomes an issue. 

It’s worse when you find yourself alone. Because then it’s sudden. It’s like one moment, you had company, next thing you know, you have no company. One moment you relished being alone, the next you wished you had company. And that wish lingers longer stirring in you a yearning you never thought you would feel since you gained your independence or whatever was your be-it-all. 

You find yourself, in a “place” were, being alone is fast becoming less appealing.

These could bring about despair and all sort of negative thoughts/feelings of unworthiness: as issues and insecurities you thought long dead, seems to come alive — in the pit of your stomach.

“What is wrong with me?” You may ask. Well, plenty. 

I’m sorry! But something is indeed wrong with you, for actually thinking something is wrong with you.

Usually, this awareness happens when we want to share a moment or day with someone and we find that those we have around us, are otherwise occupied, simply absent or not exclusive to us.

Often times it becomes awkward for us, when we are at weddings, family gatherings, friends hang out(or in), and we seem to be the one of the few unattached person in the mix…. No matter how non chalant you want to be, it will still be….awkward, because it’s hard to act indifferent with people who really know you. Before you know it, you find yourself avoiding events and gatherings with people who know you too well.

When loneliness hits the hardest or you are painfully aware you are alone, is when you get home and it’s no longer as warm and welcoming as it used to be. Instead of you feeling at home, you feel like you just walked into an empty shelter, that leaves you feeling emotionally discontent and vulnerably.

At that point, you know it’s your need for companionship that can no longer be ignored. 

However, finding a companion takes a lot of thoughtful resolutions and commitments. So while you work out the details to having a companion for keeps, there are few things to do that will help you prepare:

…you have much to give which is why you feel lonely…

• Begin a humanitarian journey. Which of the societal ills or needs are you most passionate about?  That’s your niche. Find a reputable Foundation or NGO to assist and work with. There’s always an NGO for whatever you feel needs to change for the better.But if you can’t find one around, start one. However, reputable NGOs welcome enthusiastically, any one willing to volunteer. Trust me. 

• Hobbies, New or Old

There’s something very therapeutic when you’re into any form of art or vocation.

Your creative side comes alive and sparks life into areas of your being that promotes wholesome and oneness.

Arts and vocation just has a way of putting you together. You feel found and alive. It encourages you to be purposeful. It promotes emotional stability, because you find that arts helps filter your emotions, sieving through your emotions soothingly as the negative is separated from the positive, as opposed to the jumbled  mess you where before emotionally.

It builds the desire to have a more organised and settled lifestyle, both internally and externally.

In the culture I was born into, we are encouraged to learn a trade, a craft, handiwork or vocation — no matter what we desire to have as a career.

The believe was one day you will retire and it’s the trade, craft or vocation you have learnt, that would sustain you when the job is over.

A career is seen as non replicable at a small scale, but a vocation can be practiced with little, or no capital.

Although, some school of thought will argue that, it’s best to pursue a career path you can start on your own, people aren’t really listening.

However the focus here is internal self help. You want to be settled and not feel achingly alone.

Join a reputable club for what you like. 

What did you enjoy doing as a child?

Do you still do them, and why?

It’s time to reconnect with your childhood. What were those hobbies that made childhood exciting and memorable? It might be the missing link in your life’s puzzle. Or a reaffirmation of something.

Wholeness:

Sometimes, being more vested in physical, material, career and social media even drains our spirit, leaving an emptiness behind.

Our spirit and soul is what feeds the physical. If you spend more time investing in physical things, you may soon end up bankrupt in other areas of your life.

Wholesness is important to living a healthy lifestyle. All round health is key to enjoying and experiencing life to the fullest.

Meditating on God’s word helps you more than thinking about the next big idea.

Spending quality time with God refills, refuels, renews and energises you to be better….

We will talk more on this some other time. Until then, work on being closer to God.

Shalom🌷🌴🌱

Unexpected Turns

Hello wonderfully-made! It’s an honour to be in your reading pleasure.
I found myself smiling to myself remembering a movie scene:

J: “Is there anywhere on this list that says, marry a man that isn’t your fiancé?!”

One of the girls just waking from a hang over, squinted her eyes to better see the said list shoved in her face, replied with a calm and barely concealed amusement, that I and the character found annoying:

 “I don’t see anything like that here”

I was about scolding the wild friends for allowing a bachelorette party end, with the bride-to-be waking up in the suite of a stranger, she had drunkingly married the night before. (Taking a deep breathe)

How wild is that?

But my mind companion, reminded me that it ended well for her good. She met an amazing man she would have missed out on, or not have met ordinarily.

The movie title is “I Married Who?”

That was one unexpected turn, because the bride had a plan, had a list of what she would do and how.

By the way, I don’t recommend taking alcohol. People have found themselves in irreversible and damaging situations because of alcohol. Avoid it like a plague, please, because it is.

However, there are certain things that are beyond our control, that could affect us positively or negatively.

So if you are reading this, and you don’t like surprises or unplanned changes intruding in your space and imposing on your plans, you need Jesus more than anyone else. 

Why?!

Well, because: 

1. Jesus Christ is the only guarantee you have for everything working together for your good.
2. You can’t control and predict everything.
3. Unexpected turns are part of life and living. And that is totally out of your control.
4. Jesus Christ is an anchor especially when nothing else makes sense. And is there a day that everything ever makes sense? Non!

What holds me and keeps me sane when things fell apart, is that Jehovah through Jesus Christ holds my future.

That and the truth that Jehovah is more powerful than any situation, circumstance or happenings.

He knew they could or would happen. Nothing catches God by surprise. Jehovah is all knowing, all seeing, Almighty, all sufficient.

Aaand nothing is out of His control.

I think it makes sense to form an alliance with Someone Who can do all things, so I can get some things done! I mean isn’t that what world leaders do among themselves?

“I don’t have this but you have it and I need it. Let’s form an alliance.”

Next thing you know a trade by barter arrangement is made for mutual benefits of all parties involved.

Unexpected turns are inevitable. They take you by surprise, sweeping you off your feet sometimes. But when you have Jehovah as your God, you call on Him and He will answer.

He may not answer as we expect Him, but He will answer in a way that will make you say with joy and thankfulness, “If not for that unexpected turn, I would not be in this happy state today“.

Like one of my favourite persons would say, “ It will end in praise”.

However, if you try to do life alone without Jesus Christ in your life, it’s will end in tears. That’s just the Truth.

“Lord Jesus Christ come into my life. Take control of my life. I surrender everything to your control. As from this moment, I am, yours and yours alone, completely. Oh Jehovah my God as I become Yours completely, complete me, in Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen.”

Read your Bible and pray everyday. For all round growth.

Shalom🌴

Untwist the Truth

What do we do about people who twist the truth and insult those who point it out?

As a Christian a lot is expected of you in God’s Kingdom and in relating with others for the development of all.

Some people who I’m beginning to think are trying to create hype, are always verbally attacking anyone whose expression and interpretation contradicts their own.

Hard as I try understanding people whose lives aren’t that sterling, but think it’s their duty to impose corrections filled with faults on everybody else, sounds hilarious, except I’m not laughing. 

Reading the Bible is a study in mystery that I think someone should write a book on.

The Word of God is a living breathing Word, powerful enough to make flesh. 

It’s a cleanser, purifier, transformer, healer, comforter, shelter, edifier and so much more.

It is also a double edged sword and a mirror.

And if you think too highly of yourself, you are likely to see only what you want to see in the mirror-like sword and then point it against others.

Your reason or should I say motive for reading the Bible is more important than the reading itself — God forgive me if saying that is a sin.

Because you read your motives into what you are reading. Therefore if you are looking to justify yourself in what is wrong, you will likely find an example that may seem to agree with you.

The right way to read God’s Word is to have the motive to right your ways to God’s satisfaction. Anything less than that is no different from reading history or the law. 

God’s Word is HIStory. If we want something different from that then we should write our own story.

Plagiarism is still a crime, I believe.

Reading into God’s Word what isn’t there is no different from plagiarism.

The last statement of the Bible in the Book of Revelations is clear on how God feels about twisting HIS Truth.

It’s save and wise even, not to get it twisted.

Shalom!

https://wp.me/p9YJOH-v7 

https://hopeandstay.com/2019/09/05/breaking-spells-and-shedding-dragon-skins-when-narcissus-refuses-the-mirror/

via Your Daily Word Prompt – Annoy -September 5, 2019