Gratitude

Going Down At Last – Personal

October 12, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha26 Comments

Image result for gratitude images

For the first time in almost forever, my scale has shifted downwards. I stood on the treacherous thing this morning and voila, before my eyes, the arrow was going anti-clockwise instead of standing rigid or shifting forward like it always seemed to prefer doing.

Losing a few pounds may not seem like much to some keep fit nuts out there, but the humbling lesson that trying to lose weight is teaching me is that age does count with these things. My body is no longer 22 years old and shifting these lovely bumps has become an uphill task even with eating sensibly and not indulging in all the sweetness out there.

We often don’t know what we have, or maybe we do, but we are unable to appreciate the enormity of grace that abounds in our daily lives that we get to take these things for granted and maybe even become blasé about them. I remember my svelte pre-babies figure and though she’s still somewhere in my head and in this ample bodacious body of mine, she’s been absent for many moons now.

I always took it for granted that I would get her back with the snap of my fingers instead the reverse has been the case for such a while, that some days I just feel outrightly stressed and all this has only made my fibromyalgia pains worse. I don’t like to dwell and moan over my pains, especially in my legs, however, it’s nagging presence constantly reminds me of the excess body weight that I’m lugging around.

As much as I don’t shame my present state, I’m not happy with it and it’s consequences healthwise, thus, I’m am seriously thankful that the excess is finally responding to stimuli. My hope is to stay on course and that it continues to go downwards till I get to my appropriate BMI for the sake of my health.

However it may be, appreciate who you are at whatever stage you find yourself, never take it for granted even as you work to improve your state of being.

If you wish to participate in a gratitude challenge, there are several gratitude/thankful platforms in the blogosphere that you can tune into and get your ithankful going on. I can’t express in words the enormity of Joy and fulfilment that comes from having a heart of gratitude. Please check out Maria’s blog,Colline’s blog and Bernadette’s for thankful/gratitude challenges.

Challenges

Thank You and An Open Invitation.

October 12, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha10 Comments

Image result for thank you images

Almost remiss of me, I duly apologise for the delay in publishing this post. My life has been a rat race of late that each day I fall into bed all tuckered out.

I would like to thank all my dear blogger friends who made my last blog party rock. You guy’s know how to make a girl happy and some of you do have good dance steps 😉

I sincerely appreciate the support that I receive in this place from all of you.

For those who were unable to attend the monthly shindig, here’s the link to the party. There are loads of bloggers in there waiting to say hello to you. Do take a peek.

When you read the numbers upside down, the answer to the party riddle is: BILL IS BOSS HE SELLS OIL.

picsart_10-01-09-57-291

NOW, to the interesting new thing coming up. You may be aware that The Writers’ Quote Wednesday which was primarily hosted by our amiable blogger Mistress, Colleen of Silver Threading and Ronovan, has been discontinued due to other exigencies.

However, with Colleen’s blessings, Bernadette of Haddon’s Musings and I have decided to pick up the Writers Quote baton because it is such an interesting series and it would be a shame to let it go.

Here’s the thing, we are looking for 2 more coordinators to join us in running this weekly series. Each week, a coordinator will give us a prompt word to work with, this way there’ll be four of us running the series as a team; it makes it more fun and lessens the burden when it’s just one coordinator.

Let me know if you are interested and what your thoughts are with regards to this. There are no hard and fast rules about the particular day that it should run, though the weekdays Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are preferable.

When we get other coordinators, the rules of engagement will be published and we hope to take off in November.

The intent of the writers’ quote series is to inspire your writing. You are free to write whatever you like based on the given prompt, but you must include your quote with your piece. You could write a story – preferably flash fiction, poetry, music or even share songs.

This is an open invitation to all interested bloggers. Let’s keep the ink flowing. Hope to hear from you.

Jacqueline and Bernadette

Featured Blogs

Featured Posts 137 – Share Your Post Links

October 12, 2016 jacquelineobyikochaLeave a comment

‘PLEASE KEEP SENDING IN THE LINKS.’

Today’s featured blogs posts are:

Ex-pat This poem from Rick makes me smile because it hits home. As one who has lived the life of an ex-pat here and there in the past decade, I sometimes find myself adrift in my cup, pensive with thoughts of nostalgia of home across the ocean in Africa and home across the ocean in North America.

Hurricane Matthew Haiku The gust of the wind and ripping sounds captured in Pamela’s short video and haiku tells you how of the beautiful side of nature even when it’s furious and frightening.

You are who you are? Who are you in all these things? A thought provoking poem.

Experience as an Untrained Teacher Have you ever taught before or imagined teaching? What was your experience as a rookie teacher?

Do step in and show some love.

‘Do you want more eyes on your words?’

Well then, add your LINK INTO THIS LOOP.

Comments are disabled here to keep the loop tidy. Any comments or link you want to send can be added through the link in the post.

Thank you for your understanding and regards.

‘We create a cohesive community when we come together.

Wordless Wednesday

October 12, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha7 Comments

My Thinking Corner

Tuesday Trickles – My Thinking Corner

October 11, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha16 Comments

Every Tuesday, I share snippets of thoughts that I call ‘My Thinking Corner.’

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple. You can check this link for more details.

Keep reminding yourself that you’ve got unlimited potential.

Rejoice in your unlimitedness and know that within and before you lies infinite possibilities in every area.

Our minds are completely connected and serve as a guide to how we shape and reshape our lives and even our bodies to further achieve greater potentials. You can either spend your time griping and begrudging everything that’s not going as it should or you could spend your time expanding your thoughts, thinking about worthwhile experiences.

Loving yourself, living in the moment and dwelling on happy thoughts is the quickest route you can take to create or recreate a wonderful life for yourself.

Bisi shares snippets on how you can keep growing even with your wins and Oba’s wise thoughts on intentional living is worth keeping in mind.

Rononvan's Weekly Haiku Challenge

Don’t Give Up – Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Challenge

October 11, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha8 Comments

Ronovan gives us an interesting pair ‘reward & trial, for this week’s Haiku. Who amongst us hasn’t gone through trying moments and also experienced the elation of rewards for sticking to it till the end? That’s the story of life.

Image result for image of bird digging up a worm

Without trials, there’s no triumph
without labour, no rewards
they go hand in hand.

Rewards gained from your labour
is the sweet success that follows
your tedious trials and tribulations.

Don’t give up yet!
For at the end of each trial
comes a just reward.

Reward & Trial

Image credit – Found on Pinterest

A Click A Day · Everyday People

The Bed of Sand – A Click a Day.

October 11, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha18 Comments

I honestly don’t have the right words to describe my reaction when I took a long walk yesterday and came across this Caterpillar with the man fast asleep under it. Look at the left side of the photo. Under the heavy artillery is a mound of a human being.

I was STARTLED! First off, I was ALARMED. I thought he was dead! Then I stooped low and heard the grunts and snoring. I felt relief, sad and worried all at the same time. What if he inhaled sand and choked? Did anyone know that he’s under this heavy duty machine?

I looked around and saw another fellow sitting with a far away look in his eyes’ – unfortunately, he didn’t understand one word of English, but my pointing and gesticulating might have come across to him – or maybe he ended up thinking that I’m one crazy black woman.