Understanding the Meaning of L-O-V-E

Everything You Will Need to Know About Love is found in   1 Corinthians Chapter 13 1 Corinthians 13 King James Version (KJV) 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

The ABC's of LIFE

 

Please watch and Be Inspired!

 

Commonwealth Games 2014

Something else I watched over the weekend was the Athletics from the Commonwealth Games 2014 which concluded on Saturday, 2nd August 2014. I did stumble upon a few other races/competitions but I must confess, none was as exciting as watching Usain Bolt. Yes, I watched Usain Bolt win the Gold medal (again).

Even if we know he will win every race, as he has been doing for the past 9 years or so, we can't help but keep rooting for him. He brings the showmanship to the games. He makes the competition fun and exciting for all the viewers . He loves the cheers. He dances, does the running man, we cheer more. He knows his capabilities and is confident that he can surpass even his own expectations. I think people love him more because he is so down to earth and humble. If you notice, after putting on a performance for everyone worldwide, 20 seconds before his race, he focuses. He knows he needs to concentrate on the race ahead of him, so all that showing off wouldn't be in vain. He gives it his all. He delivers every time he runs. For the 9.69 seconds he actually runs, I am sure the millions of viewers watching him around the world does not batter an eyelid. You wouldn't want to miss a millisecond. For the final race on Saturday evening, Bolt and his team mates won the 4 x 100 relay in 37.58 seconds which is a Commonwealth Games Record. Well done to them. We should all be inspired by that achievement.

See a list of the Top 10 Medal Table.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the event and won an award for their country.

Ps. England came 1st and Nigeria came 8th in the Games. Super proud of both teams!

  Host nation (Scotland)

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	England (ENG)	58	59	57	174
2	Australia (AUS)	49	42	46	137
3	Canada (CAN)	32	16	34	82
4	Scotland (SCO)	19	15	19	53
5	India (IND)	15	30	19	64
6	New Zealand (NZL)	14	14	17	45
7	South Africa (RSA)	13	10	17	40
8	Nigeria (NGR)	11	11	14	36
9	Kenya (KEN)	10	10	5	25
10	Jamaica (JAM)	10	4	8	22

Keep Praising

This month of August is our month of Praise.

 

Let us praise the Lord for who He is. Let us praise Him for all He has done, all He is doing and all He is yet to do. Hallelujah.

 

Sometimes we find ourselves stuck in a rut. There are so many distractions taking us away from appreciating the love of our Lord. We get so deep into our situations we forget to Praise God. Do you realise that when praises go up, blessings come down? Lets stop complaining. Lets stop moaning. " Lord, see what I am going through", "Lord, this isn't going well in my life", "Lord fix this situation". Sometimes, the secret to our answer is not asking the question, but its by simply Praising God.

 

 

Praise Him for who He is. He is the I am that I am. The Alpha and the Omega. The Ancient of Days, our Redeemer, our Deliverer, Healer, The Rose of Sharon. The omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient God. He is our creator, our maker (Elohim). The maker of Heaven and earth. Wow! The man who created every part of you. He loves you incredibly. Praise Him for He is your Father. He is your Lord (Adonai). El-Shaddai (God Almighty).

 

He is faithful and true, He is the Excellent One, He is the Lily of the Valley, the Bread of Heaven, the Bright and Morning Star, the Refuge from the storm, the Hope of his people, the Living Word, our Prince of Peace. Isn't it amazing to know you are the child of such an amazing God? Put what you are going through to the side and Keep Praising. Keep worshipping. Keep dancing for the Lord. Keep jumping. Keep shouting. Hallelujah. Give Him  all the adoration.

 

 

There is none like Him. Who is like our God, Jesus? No one. Be proud of that. He is everything to us. He is our Joy in sorrow. He is our Hope for tomorrow. Keep Praising the Lord. Don't get tired. Keep Praising. Praise Him in the morning. Praise Him at noon. Praise Him in the evening. Don't stop Praising. Only if you knew all he was doing on your behalf. Only if you knew how much He loves you. Keep Praising the Lord. For the Lord is GOOD.

 

 

 

Be Inspired!

xoxo

iLove Nollywood Movies

I used to be one of those girls that HATED Nollywood Movies.

Years ago, when you watched a Nollywood movie, you would literally feel like you have wasted 6 hours of your life that you will never get back! You either saw something fetish or strange. Sometimes the soundtrack to the movie was so loud you could barely hear the actors talk. For most movies that "touched the heart", you  will spend 30 minutes or more watching a character strolling through a park and crying about how life is so hard or how heart broken they are. I remember quite vividly hearing Celine Dion singing "my heart will go on" during some of those strolls. In some movies, you can watch someone eat their pounded yam and egusi from the beginning to end. Or remember every time you watched an action movie? Those were so lame. The sound of a gun going off used to irritate me (pop, pow, pop), like its popcorn. Whenever my husband turned it on, it felt like he was punishing me to watch something I was so disinterested in. But it was his "thing", so I had to grudgingly embrace it.

10 years on, as an industry, Nollywood has matured in leaps and bounds. Now, instead of a 6hour movie (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), the movies have now been reduced to 4 hours (Part 1 (a) (b) and Part 2 (a) (b)). Now, you can watch a big budget movie that only lasts 1hr 30mins. That alone, is a big improvement. All the gimmicks, over-acting and improvisations have been removed. The script is well delivered. Sharp and largely to the point. We still watch movies that last for 4 hours, but rather than the long walks in the park, the story is more dense and in-depth. We still get the odd camera man's shadow in the movie or the microphone dropping into the final product, but I must admit, it has improved over the years. The quality of the actors acting is better. The quality of the post-production is better. Right down to their storylines. I have loved watching movies like Ije, Last Flight to Abuja, Mr and Mrs, Figurine, The Mirror Boy etc. I remember falling in love with Nollywood, every time I watched Ukwa (aka Osuofia) real name Nkem Owoh. After a long day, its refreshing to come home and watch some light entertainment comedy. He was and is simply the best. I'm always in stitches when I watch him. His facial expressions alone send me into a frenzy. We love watching him at home.

 Nollywood is still an industry that highlights the lives of Nigerians and that is why it is so relatable. People connect to the stories because maybe you know someone who is going through the same situation. Sometimes, Nollywood movies act as an eye opener, so you see what is actually going on in Nigeria. It also serves as a comfort for those of us in the diaspora who miss home. Maybe if we were living in Nigeria, we wouldn't be so excited coming home to watch a Nollywood movie. We love the fact that with every movie, regardless of the twists and turns, the trials and tribulations, good ALWAYS prevails over evil. The winners are usually the people who encountered the worst crises, yet they conquered in the end. Sometimes at work, aside from looking forward to seeing my kids, I look forward to watching the conclusion of a movie I started yesterday. Nollywood, is now a part of my DNA, all thanks to my husband, Mr O.

Another person we ADORE is Mercy Johnson. Say what you want about her, but she is a skilled actress. She makes any role believable. She is by far, my favourite actress. She is naturally gifted with her talent. Sometimes you just want to enter into the television and give her a massive hug. She has perfected her skills over the years. A few months ago, I watched her first movie the Maid, and oh my goodness, how much she has grown and developed. Even then, you could see her potential and star status. She is so underrated. I guess that is why she won the best actress award for her role in Dumebi The Dirty Girl at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. She can take any script, interpret the character to the best of her ability and delivers. Every time. I honestly look forward to watching her on screen.

Yesterday we watched "The Victims" and "Slave of Destiny" - the conclusion. Other notable actors in this movie among many were Mike Ezuruonye, Ngozi Ezeonu and Olu Jacobs. My husband and I were gripped from the beginning to the end. Mercy (as we fondly call her) never disappoints.

Lets all try to support Nollywood Movies as much as we can. Its "our thing"!

Be Inspired!

xoxo

Strawberry Picking

My weekend was so good, Monday came too quickly.

Now in the office, all I can think about is how amazing our weekend was. I loved it so much I keep replaying the events in my head. I must, I must, I must share.

Last week Monday, a colleague suggested "Strawberry Picking". So I will focus on that for this post.

 Every weekend, my husband and I try to look for activities that we can engage the kids in. Of course I still need to cook, clean and do the laundry on the weekend but.....its the Summer! Even if you want to lounge around the house in your little nothings doing nothing that is your business, but your kids still need to keep active. They will literally drag you out. This all encapsulates as part of their "childhood experiences", so we try to keep it as filled and as fun as we can. We work like dogs during the week anyway, so quality time on the weekend is essential. Its not about the time, its the bonding experience.

So on Saturday, that it exactly what we did. With Strawberry Picking, the kids get to pick their own fruits and vegetables on the farm, put it in a basket and go home. It sounds boring, but trust me, with the children, it is anything but.

We went to a Parkside Farm on Hadley Road in Enfield. The minimum charge is £3 per person which means you are having a fantastic time, yet not burning holes in your wallet. The farm reminded me a lot of my grandfather's farm back home in the village. It brought fond memories.  Being in the open space surrounded by crops. Back then, farming was seen as a chore/working and not a fun past-time. We needed to farm to live because the produce we get from the farm is either cooked or sold!

It was nice to replicate such experience with my own children - without the working aspect. They loved it. They were in their own zone. Picking (and eating) the strawberries and plums. The farm was huge. Apart from the strawberries, it had other crops including sweetcorn (which so many people sat down and ate raw/uncooked), blackberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, French beans, courgettes, marrows, onions, spinach, tomatoes and beetroot.

The view from the sweetcorn section was amazing. It was nice to see London from a different view. We are used to seeing high rise buildings, flats, big smoke and over-congestion. But this view was idyllic.

For a moment, I stood there and closed my eyes. It was nice.

What made the experience even more special was we went with my favourite little boy in the whole world. My handsome nephew, LY. My girls simply love him, so it was nice we got to spend some time together as a family. My sister, her husband and my friend B, and her daughter also came along. The kids loved it. The adults loved it. Result. It was a nice family day out. We will certainly do it again soon (weather permitting).

Be Inspired!
xoxo

Weddings on My Mind Pt 1

When you see the right one, you just know!

The Proverbs 31 Woman

Now who wouldn't want to be the Virtuous Proverbs 31 Woman?

Proverbs 31 King James Version (KJV)

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

² What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

³ Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

⁵ Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

⁶ Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

⁷ Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

⁸ Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

⁹ Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Wow! Be Inspired!

xoxo

Happy New Month!

 

Happy New Month Beautiful People!

 

Wow! What a month July was. The year has gone by so quickly, who knew we would be in August so soon. I remember January like it was yesterday. Looking outside, I see the sun is out, the kids are on holiday and summer has officially begun!!!!! Yippeeeeeeeee.

 

In this month of August what are your hopes and aspirations? What do you intend to achieve this month? What are your expectations for the month of August? How's your New Year's resolution going? Kept any? Achieved any? Broken any? Forgotten most? Now we have crossed over the first half of the year and July is over, I can't help but think Christmas is around the corner. Winter is fast approaching. Oh well.

 

What I do want to thank God for is all the great things that have happened so far this year. Most importantly the gift of life. I am so happy to be alive! I am so grateful for the life of my children. This is my husband's birthday month so I am particularly excited. I am more excited than he is, don't even ask why. 

 

The beginning of a new month or even a new week always marks the new beginning of a new chapter and verse for me. I see it as an opportunity to keep growing, to keep learning, to keep doing what I am doing right, and change on what I am doing wrong. To improve on areas that are not quite perfect. To keep my dreams ALIVE and keep it moving.

 

 

 

Bring on August!

 

Don't forget...... Be Encouraged. Be Uplifted. Be Inspired.

The Power of Positive Words

Our words have life. They have power. Our spoken words are usually indicates what we are thinking. We speak what we think and what we think is centred on how we feel. The words we speak determines our destiny. Now that may be hard to believe but the sooner we understand that our words carry an enormous amount of power, the sooner we will learn to speak positively into our lives or not speak anything at all. The words that come out of our mouths can either encourage someone or bring someone down. It can either make someone happy or make someone sad. Our words can hurt or heal. “Words call forth emotions and are universally the means by which we influence. Words can give the greatest happiness or bring utter despair!” Sigmund Freud

We should be mindful of what we say because our words can build or break. Don't say the first thing that comes to your head. Think about it first. Is it good? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Sometimes, it is a good idea to change the way you think, thereby renewing your mind. Proverbs 12: 2 says but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

It is important to understand that when you think positively, you speak positive words. Our train of thought too should be positive because you can't speak positive words and think negative thoughts because the outcome you were hoping to get, you wouldn't get it at all. When you speak positive words, you reinforce the positive thoughts you are thinking. Believe it or not, we spiritual beings, so the words that you speak carry power in them. Whether you want to admit it or not, isn't it better to say the right things so you can change your words to be in line with your dreams and aspirations, so are putting words in place towards achieving those dreams.

The words we speak from our mouths should edify our spirit, mind, body and soul.

Positive affirmations are words that you say to yourself that are positive. They are conscious and deliberate thought out words that are in line with your dreams and that will help you to achieve your dreams.

“Affirmations are one of the simplest and most powerful things we can do to change the quality of our lives, and to create the things we want.” Mark Allen

“Believing something can be done paves the way for creative solutions.” David J. Schwartz, Ph.D.

 

The words you speak can also create your destiny. The tongue is such a small part of our human body yet it is the toughest and most powerful. It has the ability to determine the way your life is shaped. It is important to ensure negative words are not spoken into your body, into your children or into your future, irrespective of how you feel at that moment because most times, our feelings fleet. Sometimes the circumstances around you makes you question your ability to achieve a certain goal. You have to speak those words that will create that dream you have always wanted. If your desire is to be a doctor and at the moment, it looks highly unlikely. Do not settle for less. You can achieve it regardless of what you think. You first have to believe it, speak it and then achieve it. Stop complaining how hard life is and how everything around you is tough. Life is tough for everyone, but there are still people who have achieved greatly be it in their personal lives or in their professional lives. They are living human being like you too. Some of them are not even Christians, but they know the power of their words. They dreamed big from the moment they knew who they were and worked hard to achieve it. No one stumbled into success. If some did, then it is very rare and they needed the same success and hard work to keep up with the level of success they had.

Everyday, speak words that have meaning into your life. Practice it and it will become second nature. You will soon see greatness manifesting in your life. It will make such a huge impact, your transformation will amaze you. It might take a whole to get used to, but if you keep practising it, it will get easier.

I am beautiful.

I am the seed of Abraham.

I am a success.

I am rich.

I am blessed.

I am more than a conqueror.

I walk in divine health. Sickness has no place in my life. My body is the temple of Jesus Christ

I can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens me.

I walk in righteousness. I walk in the glory of God.

I am blessed and highly favoured.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

I can never be discouraged.

I will never be confused.

I will never be despondent.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places.

I have a goodly heritage.

I am full of wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

I have a discerning spirit.

I will never lack.

I am the light of the world.

Christ is in me.

I am perfect in His perfection.

Great shall be my children's peace.

I am waxing on greater grace.

Greater is He that lives in me.

These are words that you can speak consciously into your spirit on a daily basis. When you find yourself speaking negative words or thinking negative thoughts, immediately counter it with a positive one. When you find yourself complaining about life, remember, it could have been worse. So praise God for where you are today because you know that tomorrow will always be greater than today.

Speak Positively. Speak Life. Be Inspired!

xoxo