Gratitude

Abundance of Grace

October 26, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha8 Comments

When I was a little girl, we would match to the beat of the school drum in our pinafore’s, singing in our high-pitched staccato voices ‘the day is bright, it’s bright and fair, oh happy day, a day of joy, the day is bright, it’s bright and fair, oh happy day of joy.’

The little girl in me has been humming this song each morning these past few days. Our weather is getting lovelier by the day. It’s no longer a melt in a puddle, burnt to bacon crisp temperature and I am so looking forward to making the best of this season.

The fact that nature blesses us with such respite is totally wonderful and yes, coupled with the fact that finally, I’ve launched my self-hosted blog, I feel light, merry and grateful.

I am fully aware that there are those who have multiple blog babies and quite frankly, I wondered how they kept up with all that and the rest of their lives with ease, but what each day teaches me is that once you set your heart on achieving something and you ask for the grace, it shall come in abundance.

Shall I tell you that my heart is filled with gratitude? Indeed it is! I didn’t expect the amount of support that I’ve received from you – my friends – once I announced that I’ve launched. You are truly an awesome community. Thank you.

When we ask, not only do we receive, but our abundance shall overflow.

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 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.

We will be having our monthly blog party this weekend – Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th. It’s a Halloween themed party. Stay tuned and hope to see you in your dreary, scary drags.

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

My full plate…

June 15, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha20 Comments

Crowded, Nest, Egg, Full, Overflowing, Overcrowded

For several weeks, I’ve felt listless and dissatisfied and recent incidents in the World emphasizes the sense of futility that I feel about life. My morale justs dips and I practically have to hang on with tenacious tentacles to all the positive mantras and pick-me-ups that I can think of.

My plate is heaped full of things to do and sometimes, taking a mere glimpse at them makes me want to go and lie down and sleep and hopefully, they will get themselves sorted out without much of my help and mental exertion.

I woke up this morning with a message tucked into my head that kept telling me to be appreciative of the privilege to be alive and the opportunity of having interesting things to tackle.

The message kept reverberating in my head that the gift of each day which is given, should never be taken for granted irrespective of our struggles because the death knell is a final and last call on this side of the divide.

As long as there’s life, hope lies within and today I’m grateful for my full plate of busy-ness and the opportunity to feel the Sun’s shine on my face.

I hope that are you grateful or thankful for something today. We have a lot of privileges surrounding us.

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

From the very first poem, “Dreams,” this book captivates with passionate and perceptive words. Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha captures a broad expanse of the human experience in this book of richly layered poems.

Out of the silent breath

appreciation · Musings

A Season and Friends like this…

April 20, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha13 Comments

I love the blooming flowers and the cheery mood on people’s faces. There’s something very pretty about this season, even if we are all sneezing in my house at this point in time.

I appreciate that it’s not yet baking hot which is a condition synonymous to the Middle East and as such, I am still taking advantage of the airiness of the outdoors and spending as much time as I can before it all changes.

I am quite thankful for the connections that I have made in this space.

Some bloggers have extended their hands of fellowship way beyond my expectations this past week in their show of kindness to me.

To you dear Dehan Taylor and Tasha , I say thank you.

Both of you might not see what you’ve done as much, but it means a lot to me.

I sincerely appreciate your care and can only leave this word of blessing for you, ‘as you show love to those around you, you pave way to your own greatness.‘

I hope that you are thankful for something today. You can join Colline’s or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.

Family · Gratitude

Killing The Fat…

April 6, 2016January 31, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha19 Comments

Virtue the say lies in the mean. In lay man’s term, I should exercise my laziness virtue in moderation.

I have been absolutely so laid back with my workouts and relaxing far too much to be of productive use to anyone except maybe by talking their ears off.

I am grateful for the rest time. Truly, I appreciate these moments of exhaling in-between hectic periods and I am not being mealy-mouthed about this opportunity, especially knowing that the good slice of indulgence will be over next week.

However, today my body got tired of me and begged me to take it for some concerted exercise.

My pillow gave a good fight but lost the battle of the senses.

I am happy and thankful that I got off my backside and got some sweating in. I killed some fat today!

I could practically feel the endorphins and dopamine galloping all the way to my brain in utmost pleasure. Ah! Quelle bliss.

My appreciation goes to all those who took out the time to take a peek at my book cover to help me make a decision.

Nothing prepared me for the fact that choosing a cover could be a pressure. A detail that I had been ignorant of. Ignorance indeed is bliss but can cost you some good sleep. It’s a good pressure and I am happy to be in such a position. I pray that my body will keep winning over the pillow so that I can murder some fat 😉

A heart that knows thanks for friends is a heart that will know many delights. Who or what gives you the delight to be thankful this day?

You can join Colline’s or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.

Family

Laughter and Love…

March 30, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha21 Comments

Laughter and love are the best things in life, no doubts about that!

I am thankful for such a time as this honestly. For family and fun times. For Spring break and a chance to generally loaf around a bit, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Good and beautiful memories interspersed with sibling squabble and lots of food.

If the truth be told, I feel outrightly lazy and decadent from these past few days of sleeping late and waking up late. Very unusual practice, that my body is about to go on a riot.

As I write this, I am reminded of a happy post shared by dearest VAN and I urge you to take a quick peek. 🙂

You can thank me later.

Are there itty-bitty things that your heart knows thanks for?

Do share if you will. Thank you.

You can join Colline’s or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.

Family · Health

Sometimes, it pours heavily….

March 16, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha23 Comments

Today, I have so much to say, yet I fail to know where to start from.

Life is such that we honestly have no inclination what the next hour will bring our way, much less the next day, week or year.

Our lives hang in the daily delicate balance of providence and most times, we don’t get to chose what happens to us, but the only thing that we can choose is how to react to the curves on the path of our journey and not losing grip of ourselves.

We also get to choose friends who journey along with us on life’s path and a whole lot of times, they serve as a prop and support on those shaky days.

My heart knows a lot of thanks for the restoration of health of my family members and an enormous sense appreciation for the huge outpouring of gracious wishes from all of you on my birthday on Sunday.

Your thoughts warmed me.

Regardless of the fact that online relationships may appear untenable due to it’s nature, we should never fail to appreciate or undermine the strength and support that we have in our friends and we truly have no idea the beautiful far reaching effects of these friendships.

‘It’s until you are caught in the rain that you realize that a tattered umbrella has it’s good sides.’

You can join Colline’s or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.

Uncategorized

It’s One Of Those Dear Diary Days….

March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha51 Comments

Today’s one of those days that I wake up questioning my madness once again. It’s 4.30 am and my mind was to toss the alarm clock under the bed.

My body felt heavy and I had a dull headache as if I hadn’t slept *well, some creatures were perambulating in my head as I was trying to get my beauty sleep* and I honestly felt like just getting the children to school in my nightwear and crawling back under my lovely duvet.

Excuse my French, I simply felt shitty! For so many reasons both known and unknown.

The primary thought on my mind is why on Earth am I grinding my teeth, determined to keep writing, when I can choose a nice calm career that might not require a lot of my mental faculties.

At this point I was beginning to think fleetingly that a career as a dog walker would be just fascinating and soothe my frazzled nerves.

The dogs will keep me in shape and amuse me as well, and I could tell my tales to them as they gaze at me in pure admiration. Madness.

I dragged myself into the steamy hot shower and allowed the water to cascade down for several minutes. It’s so soothing and blissful. It revs up my engine.

Jumping into my exercise gear, I dilly-dally on the computer a bit before waking the young’uns to get ready for school and breakfast.

Mind over matter, I kept muttering to my mind and mind won.

I hit the trail, poured out some sweat and the headache was lost in transit.

Now, I sit down here in Starbucks, checking out freelance opportunities and looking at people pass me by. It’s all good as I feel a lift in my spirit and I am thankful for the ability to literally drag myself by my boot straps and get going.

Indeed, there are days in our lives that are filled with such moments of misgivings, but when we sit and appreciate the little things that surrounds us and our well-being, the picture looks brighter.

Have you experienced one of such day’s recently? How did you handle it? I like learning new ways.

‘It will all end in praise.’

You can join Colline’s or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.

Devotions · Musings · Photographs · Uncategorized

Thank You!!

February 28, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha11 Comments

Devotions · Family · Hope · Life

Our Circle Of Life…

November 4, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha33 Comments

To God be the Glory, Great things he has done…

I am truly grateful that despite a difficult birth, my sister delivered her baby safely, (I must confide in you that I have been a bit jittery and these feelings are worse when you are far away, only receiving your updates via telephone).

These things that we take as a given, are privileges and not our rights. It is truly all by Grace and Mercy.

It is not unknown for a woman to develop complications during childbirth and for things to go downhill from there neither is infant mortality a strange occurrence.

I will bless your name O Lord on a thousand hills.

Yet again, our circle of life increases and the miracle of a new born never ceases to amaze me.

I await the baby pictures 🙂

Would you like to join Colline’s gratitude challenge? There is no fuss. Just click the link for details and share that which makes your heart glad.

Kind regards and remain blessed.