Here Is Your Invitation….RSVP Please

February 3, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha181 Comments

Bring out all the whistles and the bells,

Turn up in your dancing shoes and your glad rags,

Let’s have the bottles of wine and cookies,

Some decadent chocolates, cakes and ice-cream would do too,

All the good vibes that’s on your mind.

It will be happening live.

Let’s jiggle and mingle

And show some love

#It’s a love thing connection time.

I hope to see you at this party

‘Cos it will be blog-hopping 🙂

♥ ♥

Blogging · Blogging Like Nature. · Humor - Bellyful of laughter

Blogging Like Nature #1…

January 31, 2016January 31, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha21 Comments

Blogging can be likened to fishing.

You cast your line with a bait and hope.

Patiently you sit and wait, praying to catch a fry.

I’ll suggest you take some music and a flask of warm drink.

It will make the waiting period pass more pleasurably 🙂

Image credit: Pinterest

A link to my neighbours/Community · Blogging

Let’s Have ‘An I Love You’ Party…

January 26, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha105 Comments

We are approaching the commercial month of love, though I am of the opinion that love should be a practiced existential part of our everyday lives. Sometimes, I kinda feel that the commercializing of valentine is a bit much, but that’s just my opinion.

Why don’t we have a lovely, lovey-dovey blog hopping party weekend :0))

If you are interested, I can be the hostess. Just sending out feelers.

There will be lots of candles and flowers, cakes and chocolates too *at least virtually* and we can share loads of links to our soppy love stories – non-fiction or fiction, poems, lyrical prose, pictures etc.

Posts that tugs at the heartstrings, plasters smiles on our faces and makes you bring out your scented tissue box.

Let’s make it a date ‘cos I am falling in love with you 😉

If you think it’s a worthwhile idea, please indicate below.

I will be re-blogging this post till the Valentine weekend.

Please do share if you can and invite others. The more the merrier.

Regards,

Blogging · Inspiration - Motivation

Let’s Do The Mathematics Of Blogging…

January 25, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha70 Comments

If I were to lend an ear to a new blogger, my first words would be: Cartoon Teacher | lol-

Go to school! WordPress Blogging University offers such facilities at no cost. Get involved and learn how to make your blog better.

Don’t sweat it! Don’t chew off your fingernails in anxiety with your eyes glued on the statistics of your blog right from the onset.

If you keep your eyes on that statistics dashboard, it will leave you with lots of angst, which can get pretty exhausting.

Easier said than done, but if you really want to grow, you have to be pragmatic in your approach.

Write from your heart and not someone else’s heart.

After the writing, go and mingle with others as much as you possibly can.

No! Don’t just pin up a post, then go off to the beach to pluck your toes in the water and your butt in the sand, surfing YouTube and sipping pina colada. Your blog will not read itself. Nope! It won’t.

I will say it again. ‘MINGLE IN THE MIX.’ As time goes on, you will find your footing, gain some lovely friends and it will surely grow.

Be social media friendly. Yes I know it’s Evil, but it has it’s good sides too 😉

The Truth and Nothing But The Naked Truth is that every good and successful blog out there took a lot of work and time from the blogger.

Lest I forget, please check the grammar as well. No one likes to read mumbo-jumbo. An occasional mistake can be overlooked, but I must warn you that there are grammar Nazi out here looking for who to catch 😉

Now Go Ye And Be Blog Happy. Every successful blogger started with zero follows and when you add these recipes plus more, you will see the digits come up.

The Daily Post Key Takeaway.

Give your newer sisters and brothers-in-WordPress one piece of advice based on your experiences blogging.

If you’re a new blogger, what’s one question you’d like to ask other bloggers?

Image credit: Cliparts.co

Blogging · Inspiration - Motivation · Musings · Quotes For You

Ubuntu…I am, because we are!

January 14, 2016January 14, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha21 Comments

Our sense of not feeling lost comes from our deep sentiments to have value and common acceptance as an individual. Nothing validates us like a sense of belonging; of being part of a bigger unit.

As humans, we all have this desire and craving for the care or that sense of feeling cared for, which when we receive it, nurtures our intrinsic being.

Knowing that I can come here and write without giving thought to prejudice, but to being myself, leaves me with warm fuzzy feeling. That I can traipse around and blog hop to visit others and later return to my own little domain to find little sticky notes all over the door of my blog, makes me realize that I have found my tribe.

Naturally, we all have tribes that we are born into by virtue of genetic pool and geographical placements.

Then, we have tribes that our driving passion, needs and experiences makes us seek out.

Blogging cum Writing is such a tribe. A unique, wholesome, heartwarming, dynamic tribe where even the most flagging of hearts can be revived and get a boost if they should keep an open mind, heart and seek out the welcoming hands within this tribe of ours.

As is normal, even in nuclear families, you will find those that do not particularly agree with each other, but like every symbiotic existence, we still need each other in order to thrive.

Therefore, for me to be, we all have to be. I am because we all are, irrespective of our differences, in brotherhood, we stand.

Let me leave you with a couple of African proverbs to ruminate on:

‘A bundle of firewood cannot be fastened with one hand.’ In essence, you cannot go the journey all by yourself. You look up to others for support, to teach you the way and to benefit of their experience.

‘A single tree cannot make a forest.’

‘A single string of bead can never jingle.’

My appreciations go to Random Ramblings who invited me a while ago to take part in the 3 days, 3 quotes challenge. My posting calendar has been a bit hectic hence the delay.

I would like to invite these following bloggers to participate in the challenge.

The rules are:

Post 3 Quotes on 3 consecutive days.
Thank the person who nominated you.
Nominate 3 other bloggers on each day of challenge.

The Shivas Ponder

Anghulinghugetero

Christian Dequita

Blogging · Little rants · Musings · Social critic

Please Correct Me If I Am Wrong, But I Beg To Disagree!…a little rant.

January 7, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha188 Comments

Maybe I am wrong to rant, but allow me to stew a bit in some of my righteous indignation juices 😉

I came across a post with regards to blogging etiquette and best practices and I would like to holler a bit.

A blogger friend had to start extra blogs based on another bloggers advise to break down her current blog into different blogs, because they deemed it that her articles on devotion do not fit in with articles concerning her mental health and I am like what?

In essence, the advise is that for a mental health blog, all that is expected of the blog are issues about the person’s mental health and depression. How depressing is that? Is that all that her life is about?

Who decides these things and makes these rules? I feel that humans who tend to make this suggestion have issues with other peoples happiness and therefore decides that a person who has mental ill health has no business praying

I am still struggling to grasp and understand so maybe someone will educate my poor mind a bit more.

The ‘so-called blog experts’ say that your blog must be themed to be deemed worthwhile and to get like-minded followers. I don’t need only like-mindedness. I love variety and its that simple.

It’s all a matter of choice, or isn’t it? My blog, my rules 😉

To me, it sounds a bit as if she is being asked to break herself into compartments *the blog represents* her to me.

Some of us write not necessarily to score points and what not, but because we find healing in our hearts by doing so. We write because we hope that our words will encourage someone else out there, even if it is just one person.

Why do we like to put ourselves in manacles and strictures? Actively managing one blog can be hectic not to talk of two or three.

Some of us just want to share our mundane conundrums without having some persnickety human, pointing fingers at where you should fit in x or y and souring the juice of fun in the blog.

Very soon, they would want us all to turn into little wound up robots, all saying the same thing and fitting into one tiny box.

Typically, I dislike stereotyping and labeling. I see it as being narrow-minded, when we assume just a little too much.

If someone who has mental health issues or any other issues for that matter, cannot have a category in his/her blog where he/she connects with his/her intrinsic self, as well as show her readers her self-help survival tips through her devotionals, just how dry do you want the blog to be?

What if a reader is not inclined to follow all the other blogs they have started because they like the original one-stop shop of a blog? Then I suppose they should just be contented in losing their readers.

Mental ill-health or any ill-health is not who the individual is, but a condition that he/she has.

A link to my neighbours/Community · Blogging · Echos Of My Neighbourhood · My Thinking Corner · Reblogs

Where Is My Blogging Heading To?… I need your input.

January 5, 2016January 5, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha101 Comments

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‘What is my 2016 outlook for my blog?‘

When I started blogging in May 2015, I had no idea what tangent it would take and how engaging it could get.

All I knew was that I had this burden to write poking me in the ribs. I had started writing so many stories and books but never arriving at the end. I needed something that would hinge and balance my writing lifestyle so, I decided to poke my toes in, to feel the waters, to be motivated and to learn.

I find that I like these blogging waters. Truth be told, I love these blogging waters 🙂

Even on cold days, there are voices to keep you warm and to encourage you on the journey. I wanted to feel the pulse of my own blog first before wading in deeper and I believe that I am gaining a little more confidence as I go on, which brings me to this point.

There are Two (2) ideas that I have been fomenting and have actually started on my own. I wish to push it a little further by inviting you to join me and to also seek your counsel just in case you have ideas on how to make it work a lot better.

I want to invite you to join me on any or both ideas enunciated below:

My Thinking Corner: In my attempt to grow, I always strive to keep a positive frame of mind especially in these trying times. I would like to invite you to join me in sharing on Tuesdays, your short snippets of positive, inspiring, motivating, health, spiritual, advice, clips and posts that can serve as a prop for others. I call it my thinking corner because, I actually take out a bit of time in a day to think, encapsulate my thoughts and detoxify my mind.

Echos Of My Neighbourhood: This is a little space to share your photos of bits and pieces of wherever you are at any point in time. It could be houses, backgrounds, activities and so forth. No hard and fast rules. Just ping-back’s and we can build it from there.

I would appreciate your feedback if you are interested in this. It may be possible to get the WP engineers to advise on how to create a page for any of this, but that would depend on the success of response received and I will enunciate the modality for both a bit further in another post.

Let’s talk about Re-Blogs:

If you’ve noticed, I have been doing a bit more re-blogging than I used to and it hasn’t affected publishing my own posts in any way.

Why? On the average, I read at least a hundred posts a day and sometimes more, leaving comments, likes – when I don’t have comments and so on. I always find posts that resonate, motivates, inspires, teaches me and a lot more and would love to share them with you as well.

I waited to understand a little bit more about re-blogging and I know that not only is re-blogging all part of networking, sharing, complimenting and encouraging others, it is a practice that I want to embrace a bit more.

Initially, I must express that I was a bit concerned about re-blogging so much of other people’s work, worrying over the fact that it might reduce the authenticity of my work. I did not really want to start something that I didn’t have much understanding of.

Now, I think I feel more comfortable to re-blog as many posts as possible on specific days and times.

I find no problem in writing my posts from scratch, but there are also loads of beautiful, inspiring and wonderful posts by others out there which needs to be shared and it would be a shame not to do so if you can.

Although, I always recommend and link other bloggers posts on my Short Stories Series each week, there really is always room for more. ‘The generosity you extend is also the generosity that you receive.‘

I am giving you the heads up in this direction so that it doesn’t come as a surprise.

If you have any issues about your articles being re-blogged, please do let me know so that I don’t offend anyone.

Lastly, let me reiterate that I would really appreciate your candid feedback on this post with regards to my challenge invitation and your opinion about re-blogging.

Blogging · Uncategorized

Help Somebody!.. I know WordPress Engineers are hibernating, so I am turning to you.

January 3, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha54 Comments

Please can someone tell me where Freshly Pressed has run off to?

I can’t seem to find the freshly pressed articles anymore or is it no longer part of WP platform?

I know it was re-baptized sometime ago but where is it?

Is something wrong with my blog?

I think there might be a worm chewing up my stuff ‘cos,

– I have lost my Re-Blog button somewhere. Could you check to see if it came over to visit at your end and is still stuck there?

HELP ASAP. If you know how I can find my re-blog button and Freshly Pressed, do share your advise.

Pretty Please. With a cherry on top.

Thank you.

Jacqueline

A link to my neighbours/Community · Blog Awards · Blogging · Gratitude

A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR…

December 30, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha55 Comments

The year 2015 is practically a wrap.

We made it through despite so much upheaval around the World, so many individual challenges that looked insurmountable, and if there is nothing else to say, the fact that we waded through it all, is a massive blessing and a huge reason to be thankful.

My gratitude challenge today is two pronged.

Foremost, I am truly thankful to God for so many things that I can’t begin to count but above all, the gift of life, the gift of family and the gift of friends.

I deeply appreciate the connections that I have made on this platform.

A lot of you have been winds in my wings and oxygen in my lungs.

Your words have decorated my heart in indescribable ways and I am grateful that I met you in this space.

I have received a whole bunch of award nominations from my good friends and I truly must appreciate them for the generosity of their hearts.

Please, let me apologize upfront if I missed out mentioning a nomination.

It is not a slight but an oversight, because it has grown in number (over 20 of them) and I truly didn’t want to inundate people with putting out an award post ever so often.

For the Epic Awesomeness Award, I thank Yinglan of This is Another Story, for this kind nomination.

awesome-award

For the Versatile Blogger Award nominations, my appreciations go to: iamabloggertoo, Gharkepakwan, Emma of Shut that negative noise off, Amra of Perfect My Days, Izzyasabee, Star Scrolls, Koolaidmoms

To Sam of Starlit Octave , I say thank you for The Word Magician Award:

The nominations for Leibster Award comes from: Recharge Your Day. Sister Emma, Pamela of K. Phoenix, Walty, Rebirth of Lisa, you warm thoughts are very encouraging. Thank you.

liebster-award-discover-new-blogs3

For the Sisterhood of The World Bloggers, my appreciation goes to Inspiring Max, Susan, Jake of The Peasant Blog,

sisterhood

Now I have a loyal Dragon to guard me from marauders and I say thank you to Kaushal of Expressive Human/Original Thoughts, An Off beat bluestocking, for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. This made me smile.

dragons-loyalty-award

Chape, a heartfelt thank you for the Darts Awards/Premios Dardos

Premio dardos 2

Dear Joanne of Vellissima found my blog neat enough to nominate me for Real Neat Blog Award. Thank you my friend.

In my place, it is said that ‘the man who has human support is better than the one that has money.’ Money can buy you a lot but cannot warm your heart with it’s words.

So, to all of you, dear friends of mine, who have supported me by breathing life into my blogging journey, ‘may the Sun shine on your path and may the shadows fall behind.’

Thank you very much and do stay blessed.

Blogging · Humor - Bellyful of laughter · The Daily Post

Into the Future, and away we go; You and I…

December 24, 2015December 24, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha11 Comments

Bloggy dear, I just got you a piping hot, burgundy coloured new laptop. You know I love things with a little pizzazz and spice, so off we go to three years down the lane.

I am enjoying the journey with you my dear blog-o-mine. It’s just six months that we started interacting with each other, though we shall pretend that’s it’s been three years and sometimes, I wonder why this tête à tête didn’t start a wee bit earlier. No matter. It’s all good.

Dear diary was a bit worried that you would steal her show, but she understands that you both are good for my soul and that your individual roles in my life is well defined. Diary has been my very best friend way back, when this lady was itty-bitty, but you have come to mean so much to me as well.

You have helped define my writing culture, made so many fantastic friends for me, taught me so much, all in all making you a very worthwhile and profitable venture.

When we started this journey, you and I, I wasn’t quite sure that we both knew what direction we were headed or if anyone would even bother with us, but you have managed to surprise me so much that you have become a big treat for me.

You kept so much momentum and got yourself acquainted to a whole lot of interesting fine gentry out there.

We have had fun visiting all manners of nooks and crannies, even the dodgy paths and you have taken me along this wonderful enriching voyage to unexpected arenas.

The rate at which you churned out posts, I thought that you should be sputtering dry by now, but girl, you are like a steam kettle with bells and whistles and you astonish me at times with your thoughts.

Blog-o-mine, you have almost taken a life of your own, all by yourself and I am astounded as I watch you evolve and blossom into an enriching hub.

It’s been an honour working with you and sometimes I wish that I could take a peek in a crystal ball and see what your dimensions would be like in another three years to come, but since I am denied such supernatural abilities, I shall just have to wait and see what the years with you have to offer, don’t I?

So, let me buckle up and enjoy the ebb and flow of the ride with you.

By the way, did I remember to mention to you that you are such an awesome blog-some blog-o-mine.

The Daily Post prompt ebb and flow.

Our blogs morph over time, as interests shift and life happens. Write a post for your blog — but three years in the future.