Gratitude

When the feelings are down…

September 8, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha15 Comments

Having spent two scores on Earth, I know from experience that life’s manual is not built to be easy by default. Yes, some may get more free rides than others now and again, but all of us have issues that we are battling with which does seem overwhelming at times.

For days, waves of anger and depression have lurked under the surface of my emotions and I have found myself snapping and breathing fire like a Dragon over minor issues at my family; as a matter of fact, after tossing and turning at night over the issues behind my mood, this morning during our quick prayer session, I had to apologise to my children for my snarling and snapping at them unnecessarily, because I not only have to be accountable for any bad behaviour on my part and the possibility that I hurt their feelings through my expressions, I equally have to teach them by example.

I could list loads of reasons behind my poor thoughts and depressed feelings at present and choose to marinate in them as well, but going down that track only creates more chaos, ill-feelings within me and most likely won’t resolve my challenges.

Would I wish that everything is in perfect shape? Yes! Of course. Is it ever going to be perfect? NO! The lesson that I have learnt over time is that by focusing on the small things that are not going as well as one wants, takes away the focus on all the blessings that we’ve received.

Sometimes we have to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and jumpstart our gratefulness. I had to start praising and expressing my gratefulness and not only did I feel a shift in my soul but calming answers dropped into my heart.

The power of praise uplifts and opens up the spirit while the spirit of gratitude takes little and turns into a lot. I enjoy listening to the renditions of “Women of Faith.”

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.

InLinkz

Gratitude

When The Cock Crows At Dawn…

August 31, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha23 Comments

Phew! We are halfway there before the first weekend since school resumed. Thanks to the alarm clock we have been able to crawl reluctantly out of bed again, even before the rooster crows – not that I have heard or seen any rooster in this concrete jungle that I live in; except on a plate – but this hardwired brain of this African child still remembers the cocks crow at dawn back in my fathers’ house.

I recall those days when we would wake up early, sweep the house with the broom made from palm fronds and bent to the waist, after which you dusted the furniture and ran several errands for my mother as she prepared the meal before you could get ready to go to school.

Things haven’t changed so much except the broom sweeping part – thank God for vacuum cleaners – I still wake up early to do the necessaries before we set off for the days business of school, work, after school etc.

It’s ironical that when I was back in my parents home, I thought that when I got married and had my kids, I would become what we refer to back home as ‘Thick Madam,’ who would roll around in bed and rise like an indolent Cleopatra with a retinue of handmaiden’s waiting to rub cocoa butter on my feet 😉

Well, the opposite of Thick Madam is the case. I hop out of bed, reluctantly resisting tossing the alarm clock out of the window whilst I hustle the children to get ready like a Sergeant Major as I run a mental list in my head of all that needs to be attended to for the day.

Today as I watched my trio file out after the runaround of getting ready, I acknowledge once again the beauty of having these blessed children. My house might be a bit messy most of the time but I wouldn’t have it differently. I appreciate the daily shebangs as these young souls grow, for I know that one day in the near future they will fly my coop, no longer littering the counter with breadcrumbs, dumping their stuff where it shouldn’t be and warming the house with their noise.

Who knows maybe in the near future, my house would look like the pages of an interior decor catalogue and I just might get to become a ‘Thick Madam,’ after all, but for now, it’s all wonderful and I am thankful to be like a Sergeant Major rising when the cock crows at dawn.

InLinkz

Gratitude

Waking with music…

August 24, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha17 Comments

“We thank thee each morning for a new-born day,” an old classic tune by Jim Reeves woke my brain up this morning and has been on redial all day in my head in the background of everything else that’s going on around me.

Do you find yourself stuck at times with a particular tune that follows you through the day, humming in the background of your mind?

This old song was a daily staple in my family home when my dad was alive. He would wake up early and start playing it followed by a medley of other music and I believe so much that this helped to set a happy mood and tone of the day as the household rose to this sound of music.

My thanks for today stems from having beautiful childhood memories that make me smile and warm my heart when I remember them.

It makes me know that even when a loved one is no longer here in the physical realm, that I have been blessed to have shared some time here on Earth with them and hold close the candle that they lit in my life.

Along with our thankfulness to God, our state of appreciation for our loved one’s should be expressed to them while we still have them with us. There’s never a better day to say ‘I love you’ or ‘I appreciate you’ than the day that you have.

Let me share the beautiful Jim Reeves song We thank thee with you.

P.S. Our monthly Meet and Greet/Blog Party comes up this weekend Sat 27th/Sun 28th August. Hope to see you there.

Gratitude

But I want some more…

August 17, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha26 Comments

As I spent some early morning moments attempting to reach in deep into the reflection of my inner spirit to draw strength from there, I oscillated between moments of thankfulness and the selfish wants of human nature to ask and want for more.

I totally appreciate this Summer time spent with family doing things together without the harried mix of school runs and homework in the mix. I was even persuaded to rejoin Karate Dojo classes despite my debacle several years back and yes, yours truly is inching up to a yellow belt in no time (though I suspect that the Sensei (Trainer) is treating me nice 😉

The beautiful times spent discovering new things and many raucous moments of sibling squabbles and motherly scolds are all cherished, and surprisingly, my grey hairs didn’t multiply in anguish. We are a palette of individualities meshed together to form one loving and sometimes maddening unit and I can’t have it any other way. If truth be told, I hate to see the Summer season fly past in such a hurry – the good side is that the heat will come down a notch as well – all things being equal.

Underlying my state of thankfulness is certain discontent that I can’t disregard but it doesn’t diminish my gratitude for the blessings of these past days. I guess the Oliver Twistish part of me simply wants more of such goodness so I’ll strive to keep enjoying and living fully in the moments that I’m given.

I hope your heart is grateful for something today.

Shalom

P.S: 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

InLinkz

Gratitude

The little things…

August 10, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha31 Comments

Today, I am grateful for the little, simple things of life. For the gift of a new day, waking up, working out briskly, enjoying a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and my own tasty homemade minestrone soup. Yummy 😊

I am especially grateful for passing an academic assessment that had kept my studious nose on a grindstone like a high scholar.

I appreciate the little moments of life’s serenity to exhale and to be my best. The bits of opportunities life brings me each day must never be taken for granted; to live, to laugh, to love, to cry, to hope and to believe.

Each day I strive not to toss the day aside like an unwanted penny left by the sidewalk, knowing fully well that the addition of each penny increases the value of your total holding.

There’s always something to be grateful for.

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Gratitude

We Never Know…

August 4, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha38 Comments

On Wednesday an Emirates plane crash-landed at DXB tarmac and burst into flames. Thankfully, all 300 passengers made it out alive but it was all so surreal to me.

It felt surreal because less than half-an-hour before the incident occurred, I had just picked up my husband from a long haul 19hrs flight from the US where he went for an Award ceremony – he’s also an award recipient. As we watched the plane blaze on television, I couldn’t even imagine the horror the passengers must have felt when they knew that their plane was going to crash-land.

It dawned on me that though a minute might seem so small, a minute can change everything. Things that we take for granted like a loved one saying, “see you soon,” just the way my husband did before he boarded his flight in NewYork, might very well be the last words exchanged forever.

It drew it close home to my mind that not only should we live fully in the moments that we are given – not just existing, but love living and never fail to let those who are dear to us know how we feel about them. I am not trying to sound like a prophetess of doom but to face the reality of the life that we live.

I am grateful that the crashed plane’s situation was contained and well managed. I am grateful for my husband’s safe return even as I watch him reschedule his travel plans to Lisbon since all flights from Dubai have been suspended in the interim. I hold onto hope that as Grace kept him and brought him home safely, journey mercies will also proceed to Portugal with him.

Let us never forget that a thankful and grateful state of mind is to have a great attitude and a whispered prayer that keeps our earnest hope bright in our hearts.

P.S: 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 fulfillment that comes from having a heart of gratitude. Please check out Maria’s blog, Colline’s blog and Bernadette’s for thankful/gratitude challenges.

InLinkz

I hear the reverberations of the magic that’s hidden within.

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Gratitude

Mixed Feelings… personal

July 27, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha41 Comments

Often, getting older can be viewed with a mixed feeling of excitement and dismay. For the younger person, they feel that they are getting closer to independence while the older person sometimes wishes time could slow down a notch.

Having two of my favourite men (husband and one of my boys) celebrate their birthdays this week is a lot to be thankful for, asides from all the sweet consumptions that accompanies birthday celebrations, I am reminded of the countless blessings that my life has been decorated with. We are well. We have shelter and food. We have hope. We have a bright future. That is more than enough.

My son is fast galloping into a grown man and these days when I look at his tall, 6ft plus big frame, I remember my cute, itty-bitty baby boy with a head full of hair and shiny eyes. A boy who clung to me as a lifeline and laughed at my little jokes and play with him. Now he has his own ideas and jokes, independent in many ways and we are going through teenage ups and downs which I must confess baffles me at times.

Sometimes, the song “wish we could turn back time to the good old days,” hums in my head but I realize also that I wouldn’t have it any different than I do right now. Would I want my child to remain forever a child and not grow older? NO! This is the cycle of life and I am grateful to be a partaker as well as the parent of this beautiful child.

There are times I ask myself where time ran off to when I look at my darling Himself and realize that we’ve been married now for two months shy of 16 years and I realize that I’ve been awesomely blessed even when I didn’t know it. We are all aging with grace and maturing like fine wine and I am thankful 🙂

InLinkz

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.

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‘A Richly Layered and Passionate Read.’ Jan Cliff

If you enjoy my works, you can fuel my creativity with a cup of coffee or a slice of cake

Gratitude

TODAY…personal thoughts

July 20, 2016August 4, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha9 Comments

TODAY is bright and the beginning of the rest of my life. Each day is an opportunity to improve on yesterday and I must make myself accountable for each day.

The fragility of human life has grown even more tenuous these days that I wonder if at the hurried rate hatred and violence is eating into the fabric of humanity if people will grow to ripe old age anymore even with the fact that we seem to be more scientifically aware than ever before? I don’t think so! For it does seem that the more we know, the more tenuous life becomes and it brings it home to me that I have to endeavour to live better each day.

I am a firm believer that God inhabits the praise of his people and I see the pep in my steps when I wake each morning and face the rising Sun in thanksgiving. I have compared my grateful heart to my heart that has often sojourned in a labyrinth of dark emotions and I know the better difference.

I have no crystal ball to show me all that may transpire around me before the day is over, all that I am in a position to do, is to accept the Grace and Mercy given and the Will Power to equip myself with mindful, positive truths and reflections to live my life for each day like a prayer.

I am grateful for a conscious heart, mind, good health and the simple things of life because every other thing is just an addition.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22

InLinkz

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.

Stars, Five Stars, Logo, Icon, Symbol, Five, Rating

‘A Richly Layered and Passionate Read.’ Jan Cliff

If you enjoy my works, you can fuel my creativity with a cup of coffee or a slice of cake

Gratitude

Just Because… personal

July 13, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha32 Comments

I woke up this morning with a heart filled with gladness and gratitude. I have no particular reason for feeling this full, but simply ‘Just Because.’

Thankful just because that’s the best way to feel. I haven’t forgotten the things that are wrong, need to be fixed and all that, but my philosophy is that those things I can’t change in the immediate, I offer them up to God and for those I can deal with, I worry about them and seek solutions for them during my appointed/scheduled worry time early in the morning and thereby freeing my heart to enjoy the joy of living in the present.

I am thankful just because the children are on holiday after a rigorous school session. Yes there are lots of squabble time on their hands but there’s also a lot of laughter, fun and love caught in-between.

I am thankful just because of this medium of expression that I have. A medium that offers me the opportunity to interact with great and beautiful souls who enrich my thoughts every day.

I am thankful just because I am alive to live a new day, to write a new story, to make a difference in my own little way and just to be me.

I am thankful Just Because you are there and the thought of you makes me glad. Be Happy ♥

P.S: 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 fulfillment that comes from having a heart of gratitude. Please check out Maria’s blog, Colline’s blog and Bernadette’s for thankful/gratitude challenges.

InLinkz

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.

Stars, Five Stars, Logo, Icon, Symbol, Five, Rating

Jacqueline writes from her heart on passion, pain, suffering, loss and LIFE. I have been incredibly moved by her poetry and I know I will return to “Out of the Silent Breath” again and again.

If you enjoy my works and would like to do so, you can fuel my creativity with a slice of cake or coffee

Gratitude

Balance in the midst of chaos – my thoughts and thanks.

June 29, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha22 Comments

Do I have all the answers? No, I don’t and I guess no one else does. Each week we wake up to stuff that sends us on a tailspin of holding our breaths, pensive thoughts etc, but I’ve learnt and learning each day to hold on to the still peace within me even when the sails of my ship are battered in the wind and my candid advice to anyone would be to hold on to their sanity in the midst of chaos and be thankful for life. Harmony, Relax, Rock, Moqui, Stone

I woke up yesterday with a hot, scratchy throat, heavy head and stuffy nose and I knew that finally the cold that I had tried to outrun had caught up with me. I went in briefly to work, did two miserly posts for my blog and shut down all gadgets to take a long nap and I woke up later still croaky and groggy but thankful for the rest.

It’s been some tedious weeks of school activities, work, writing a book, blogging, networking and living life in a hyper-stressful World. However, I realize that fretting over these things serves no purpose other than to make one feel more stressed about them so I always try to break my thoughts and to-do’s into bits and pieces to get them balanced and done. I achieve far more when I do that and I’m also able to eliminate chaff that doesn’t fit in anywhere.

The hours spent yesterday shutting off all negative noise from TV and internet allowed my brain to rest and wake up rejuvenated. I am totally thankful that the kids will vacate tomorrow for 2 solid months of Summer holidays…bliss 🙂

I may not have all the answers to today’s troubles in our present World, but I have my thanks and gratitude to a simple life and a loving family.

Be thankful

Jacqueline

P.S: You can join our online party this weekend. It’s always a good time 🙂

InLinkz Bernadette is running a 52 week of thankfulness challenge and you might want to join in.

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.

Stars, Five Stars, Logo, Icon, Symbol, Five, Rating

‘A Richly Layered and Passionate Read.’ Jan Cliff

If you enjoy my works, you can fuel my creativity with a cup of coffee or a slice of cake

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“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22

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