Hope · Life · Midnight motivation and musings · Self Help

Midnight Motivations and Musings # 78

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Now and again, I read articles that people write or listen to people where they sound as if there’s nothing good about their lives.

I have been privy to desperate cries of help and despair, but what saddens me is not the desperation, what saddens me is when the despairing soul feels so hopeless that they’ve given up hope on themselves, that no amount of counsel and reasoning seems to penetrate.

No one is guaranteed a breezy life that’s not laden with struggles, for it’s out of our tests that we obtain our testimonies.

The truth is that no one can walk through individual tribulations for another. No two people have the same mantle or message, but what they can do is to hold your hand while you wade through the mess.

Sometimes, you may not even be fortunate to find someone to hold on to. You hold on to God. He’s the ultimate fortress, refuge and present help in the time of need.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Brand me whole as only you can

That the entire score of me

Knows nothing but the fullness of you.

Family · Personal · Photographs

To my child of promise…

Ikenna[1]

Your legs are stretching longer

each day extra inches are added

as you gallop out of cradle-hood

into the years of boyhood.

I marvel at the speed of time

so fast, you’ve already turned nine

tears prick my eyes in wistful thoughts

as I go back through the years.

Through the years of your babyhood

holding on to mama’s hands

you are always close

hugging and dogging her footsteps.

You, my greatest cheerleader

my fiercely protective one

my loving support

my son and my friend.

You are always quick to notice my looks

never failing to pay heartwarming compliments

“you look beautiful mama, the bestest mother ever,                                                                                      

 I love you to the moon and back always,” and indeed you do.

My Chiemerigo – The Lord has won                                                                                                                

you are a beautiful child through and through

a generous, kind soul and considerate one

your earnest eyes are eager to help me

and quick to forgive and apologize

My child of promise

you’ve promised me everything under the Sun

your words “I’ll always take care of you, mama,” which are older than your days, never fails to

make my heart expand in love and                                                                                                                  

makes me wonder at the wisdom bestowed to such a young one

May the arching rainbows of your life remain vivid and bright

may the Lord’s lamp remain at your feet and direct your steps.

His Grace and Mercy shall never depart from you

as you journey through life, the Lord will uphold you.

He will surround you and will remain your right hand.

To my Child of Promise,

your days are blessed.                                                                                                                                        

Today as you turn nine, I give God all the glory.

Happy birthday my boy.

I love you to the moon and back, if not further.

Love, Mama

Ikenna[1]

Haiku · Humor - Bellyful of laughter · Poetry/Poems · Rononvan's Weekly Haiku Challenge

Cosy up!…Ronovan writes weekly haiku challenge.

I like rain, but not lightning. It still scares me especially when it crackles fiercely, though I wear my big mama panties, grit my teeth and pretend to my children that I ain’t scared. I prefer to be ensconced in my warm abode during such weather. Preferably, with a mug of warm cocoa or tea and some biscuits.

When possible, I always prefer to be ensconced in my warm abode during such weather. Preferably, with a mug of warm cocoa or tea and some biscuits.

Now Ronovan’s prompt makes me hungry and desirous of some gentle rainfall.

Huddling in bed under my cosy duvet

I enjoy a blissful read

forgetting the fierce lightning and heavy rain.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Image credit: Pixabay


Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Brand me whole as only you can

That the entire score of me

Knows nothing but the fullness of you.

Inspiration - Motivation · Life · My Thinking Corner

Tuesdays Trickles….My thinking corner # 21

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.

Each Tuesday, share your very short snippets of positive, inspiring, motivating, health, spiritual, writing advice, clips, posts etc, that can serve as a prop to motivate others and simply add my link to your post.

I call it my thinking corner because, I actually take out a bit of time just to think through things, encapsulate my thoughts as much as possible and detoxify my mind. It helps give me clarity of vision and might help you too.

It might work for you in a different way, but the idea is to get the positive thoughts flowing.

Please send in your little thoughts. You never know whose life you might inspire.

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♦ Until you start, you don’t know how far you’ll go.

♦ High expectations from yourself is the secret to achieving great results.

♦ Heed to inner counsel before flying off the hook. React in haste, regret at leisure.

♦ Everyone has the power to excel as long as they don’t give up.

♦ You can look at defeat in the eye, but don’t embrace it.

Today’s thoughts came in from beautiful thinkers:

Today’s nuggets: Wise counsel for those who seek.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Patience The virtues and value of patience can’t be enunciated enough. Are we able to wait through it without complaining?

Positive: Beautiful, positive vibes all the way. At our low moments, the Grace of God always comes through. Annette’s post is uplifting.

Cinderella Blessing How hot are your cinders? I so love the way my friend Noirfifre turned this classic into a beautiful poetic message. Take a look 🙂

I hope that you find these little drops useful now and again. Do check them out and please share snippets of your thoughts with us.

Thanks and blessed be.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Brand me whole as only you can

That the entire score of me

Knows nothing but the fullness of you.

Blog · Featured Blogs

Featured Posts # 51 …Let me share your post links.

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‘PLEASE KEEP SENDING IN THE LINKS.’ 

Today’s featured blogs are:

Sophia You have to read Tanya’s posts on Post Prodigal Son to appreciate when I say that she’s a wonderful, talented writer. Her flow is so natural, so sublime. I will leave you to take the time and be the judge 🙂

Laugh till it hurts: Living with MS (multiple sclerosis) is a tough call but with a positive attitude to get through each day with humour is a blessing in itself. I laughed even though I knew that the issues she addresses are tough. Here’s my comment below:

You tell this in such a lighthearted manner that one can’t help but laugh. However, I know it must also be a struggle and strain sometimes and it’s a good thing that you’ve got a positive disposition and your grandma is a wise woman. Laughter is good medicine.

A quick drive-thru to say hello can gain you a friend.

‘Do you want more eyes on your words?’

Well then, add your LINK INTO THIS LOOP.

P.S. 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.’

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Brand me whole as only you can

That the entire score of me

Knows nothing but the fullness of you.

Everyday People · Family · Humans · Life

Have a bite…Every day beautiful people #38

“If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way.” BUDDHA

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I enjoyed watching the lady take morsels from a tray and give the man standing in front of her whom I presume is her husband and a younger gentleman, possibly her son.

She reminded me of my mother and the lesson that when we share, we always have enough 🙂

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Brand me whole as only you can

That the entire score of me

Knows nothing but the fullness of you.

Midnight motivation and musings · Self Help

Midnight Motivations and Musings # 77

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We spend valuable time waiting for the best opportunities, the best time, the best scenario and creating a million and one reasons why we are unqualified to create our own opportunities.

What if that expected opportunity never comes our way? What if no one else believes in us sufficiently to want to hand us such chances?

What would you do? Will you just curl up and watch the time pass or would you take a good look around you and see the little openings that surround you?

Like the saying goes, that opportunity comes but once, however, it has to find you willing and ready.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Dance to your heart’s delight my African child, until echoes of your stamping feet, beating heart; bright eyes, smiling lips; and waving hands, resonates over and over like thunder claps, reverberating throughout the Universe.

Blog · Featured Blogs

Featured Posts #50…Let me share your post links.

1456149614808[1]

‘PLEASE KEEP SENDING IN THE LINKS.’ 

Today’s featured blogs are:

The schnoz memories and emotions: Interesting post. Have you ever thought of what life would be like without your sense of smell?

“Smell goes into the emotional parts of the brain and the memory parts, whereas words go into thinking parts of the brain.” This could explain why memories sparked by smell feel nostalgic and emotional, rather than concrete and detailed. Dr. Ken Heilman

Watching the daisies Brigid’s blog shares some of the therapies and lifestyle changes which have aided in her own self-healing and would be useful to a whole lot of people.

The tree reminds her to find peace nature speaks if you listen well, you can learn to trust the journey. Short and beautiful post.

Fading picture of unknown beggar girl. Some of the vivid faces of harsh reality that we stare at in this World sometimes leaves one feeling hollow and haunted.

Giveaways: My friend Sam is giving away all his poems, and song lyrics, if you are interested in using any of them, please click the link.

A quick drive-thru to say hello can gain you a friend.

‘Do you want more eyes on your words?’

Well then, add your LINK INTO THIS LOOP.

P.S. 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.’

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha’s poems portray images that stare us right in the face. Images of love, joy, death, pain, challenges, violation, and freedom. She writes in a language that’s rich in imagery, earthy, honest, vulnerable, yet full of the promise of hope, of loving and of Grace. A collection of light and dark soulful prose.

Creative Writing · Fiction

A ticket to Athens…

Bertha could hardly stop herself from preening in pride as the Mayor cut the tape for the new boating dock and the marble, torch statue that would be seen for miles and miles. It would blaze at night, welcoming all seafarers back to the safe harbour of their small fishing town of Little-Uptown.

Who would have thought that out of all the submitted landmark sculpture entries, that her O’Deon would be chosen? She was the cynosure of all eyes.

In a small town such as this, female artistry was hardly encouraged much less acknowledged but the new Mayor seemed more progressive.

Even when she was teased by mates for taking up sculpting classes that were male dominated, she hadn’t relented in her pursuit but learnt to ignore the snide comments like ‘Luv shouldn’t you be in the weaving class, you are in over your head,’ and the male guffaws that followed such wise-cracks.

Now the prize money is more than enough to buy her a ticket and tutelage in Athens, which had always been part of her dream.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

InLinkz

Thank you, momtheobscure, for the photo and Priceless Joy for hosting this charming platform where we unleash our stories:-)

Uncategorized

New Book Fanfare – Poetry – Out of the Silent Breath by Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

I am utterly delighted to be the recipient of such generosity from a senior and well-respected colleague, a writer and blogger whom I admire very much, ‘Sally Cronin of https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/

Hosting a book fanfare for my new poetry book ‘Out of the silent breath’ is not only an encouraging gesture but such an opportunity that I wholly appreciate.

Thank you, Sally for your priceless advice and the generosity of your time.

Please do take a brief moment and take a peek into the fanfare and you can show some love by sharing. Thank you. https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2016/05/09/new-book-fanfare-poetry-out-of-the-silent-breath-by-jacqueline-oby-ikocha/