Tag: Love

Dubai · Family · Gratitude · Humor - Bellyful of laughter · Parenting

Exhaling Loudly…This is my life.

jacquelineobyikocha18 Comments

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I know it’s not weekend yet, but I am thankful that we are halfway there, or as in my case, almost a day to weekend and the school Spring breaks commences on Friday. YAYYYYY!!!

Our weekend’s over here in the Middle East starts on Thursday evenings and sometimes, it makes my mind go wonky, when the work week starts on Sunday’s and other parts of the World are still on a weekend.

It’s been one of those weeks that’s just bleh; waking up at past 4 am and making the children’s breakfast and food for school with one eye open.

I know that being a mother, weekend does not necessarily spell idling, but some things are taken out of the hectic equation.

My mouth will probably get twisted seven ways from talking, settling squabbles and I will probably pull my hair out now and again, for these days that squad will be fully at home, adrenaline filled and looking up to Mama the squad entertainer extraordinaire to keep them focused and entertained.

I shall however, thoroughly enjoy not having the infernal red alarm clock go off,  just when I am getting into the zen part of the sleep; at least for the next two weeks. It even rings in my head when I am awake :/

On the other hand, I am equally thankful for a lovely blogger’s bash held in this space. The supportive turn out was just awesome 🙂

I am equally excited that the cover of my collected poetry will soon be ready. There’ll definitely be a sneak peek.

What are the 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.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

 

Inspiration - Motivation · My Thinking Corner · Uncategorized

Tuesdays Thoughts…My Thinking Corner #14.

jacquelineobyikocha19 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.

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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  • ♥ When you keep undermining your self-worth, no one else will take the time to elevate it.
  • ♥ We fritter away our lives with too many details. Simplify it! Keep whittling away the excesses.
  • ♥ When we have joy that runs deep, nothing can rob us of it, because we can dig in deep and reach for it. Every other hurt will be on the periphery.
  • ♥ The recipe for unity is not complicated, but it takes love and perseverance.
  • ♥ As you proclaim peace and love with your mouth, endeavour to see that your heart matches your proclamations.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Our last week thinkers brought in dollops of good thoughts:

Enlightenment from Dollops of Heedful Ramblings A sweet short quote that cuts into the meat of the matter.

Inspired Series from Seye never leaves me empty handed. I always come away richer.

Simple Power from Kay. You need a shot of this. Never underestimate the strength of your words.

Thank you to all the contributors. May these words take roots in our lives and may our harvest be bountiful 🙂

‘So, when will you share those nuggets of wisdom of yours?’

*P.S. I know that I read more thinking thoughts from other bloggers than those listed above, but for some reason, I can’t find the ping backs to some of them. Please give me a heads up if your’s is not showing here.

 

Fiction · Short Stories · Uncategorized

A New Beginning…

jacquelineobyikocha16 Comments

A duty done for home and country, though most times Damon wondered if the toll of duty was worth the sacrifice.

He had seen too many dead bodies and his inner mind had grown jaded. Cumulative years of fighting, of living on the edge had it’s way of sucking into a man’s psych.

Though he no longer served, he wore his fatigues and felt a sense of readiness, like he could face anything.

The stark facts of life’s circumstance whirled through his mind in years, up to the moment the explosion led to his blindness.

It still surprised him that Ann had waited all these years for him. Now, as he fights to find a ‘new life‘ without his sight, she stood supportive, her loving voice encouraging his often cranky, frustrated actions.  His lips curved in a smile at the thought of her blooming belly.

She has persuaded him to take a guide dog, that would help him foster more sense of independence and they were on their way to see the one she intuitively felt he would love.

He hoped so.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Inlinkz

In response to the FFAW photo prompt above from Pixabay.com. Thank you Priceless Joy for this enchanting story platform

Blog · Featured Blogs

Featured Posts # 19…Let me share your post links.

jacquelineobyikocha8 Comments

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Today’s featured blogs are:

Eyes wide open A  lovely rom-com from my dear friend Diane. I read all the parts from start of finish and I assure you that it’s a delightful read. It will tickle your inner bones. Diane is one of my great supporters in this space.

It’s good to be crazy. Quirky, down-to-earth, friendly, supportive, humour-filled blog. I enjoy this blog and I think that you would too.

Introducing the Beat company. They beat about a good number of things, but not the bush 😉 Find out for yourself.

Emmaonegrete My sister, My sister Emma. Filled with zest, wisdom, love, support, care and so much more. She’s one lady you want beside you.

Robert Goldstein A blog with a blend of good stuff. From serious to light issues. From pictures to addressing mental health… Please do go and say hello.

Please visit their blogs and say hello. A few minutes may gain you a friendly support.

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

Fiction · Short Stories

Divine Missteps…

jacquelineobyikocha21 Comments

Mabel is now at the Autumn of her life, watching the sun-rises and the sun-sets while filling her days with little chores, knitting and waiting for her loved ones to visit.

Christmas is just a few weeks away and she can feel it in her bones already.

Some days, her arthritic pains plagued her, but today is a good day. Her children and their spouses will be arriving soon for their fortnightly dinner.

They had taken it upon themselves to share their visits in batches and come more often since their father passed on.

She preferred to keep her house and didn’t want to move in with any of her children so as not to cramp their style.

Christmas brought special memories and was chock full of nostalgia for her.

Her life with Dan started 43 years ago during Christmas until a misstep on the ladder 3 years past, had sent him in throes of pain with a slipped disc and down the slippery slope of one medical issue or the other until he slept off peacefully.

She recalls mirthfully, how their romance started so many years back. It had all began with a misstep as well.

As she walked down the pews after communion that Sunday morning, Dan had suddenly placed his long leg in her path and an attempt to side step found her tripping and sprawling in Church to her utter dismay.

She had been beetroot red in the face as he stood, all 6 ft 4 inches of him to help her up. He apologized so nicely and that was it. They fell in love and their beautiful union produced five wonderful children.

She always said that an Angel had a hand in placing Dan’s big feet on her path, that the misstep was a benevolent high point and divine orchestration in her life.

Thoughts of Dan always filled her with bitter-sweet emotions.

The ring of voices at the door, alerted her of their arrival. She could hear little Dan’s chatter.

Her four year old grand-son is a spitting image of his grandpa.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

The Daily Post prompt misstep.

Photographs · Uncategorized

A little bit of love…

jacquelineobyikocha10 Comments

The Daily Post Photo prompt One Love.

A big street art depicting harmony that had scribbles and signatures of thousands of people. We appended ours 😊
A big street art depicting harmony that had scribbles and signatures of thousands of people. We appended ours 😊
Large mural of a wedding party. It couldn't fit on my screen.
Large mural of a wedding party. It couldn’t fit on my screen.
Mural continues
Mural continues
A beautiful sugar craft love piece.
A beautiful sugar craft love piece.
Love birds.. Sugar craft.
Love birds.. Sugar craft.
A candy box of goodies received from my dear Himself 😙
A candy box of goodies received from my dear Himself 😙
Personal · Personal story · Photographs · This Is My Life

This Is My Home…personal

jacquelineobyikocha51 Comments

Home lies in the beat of my heart.

Home lies in your loving arms

Home is wherever you are

Though I wander seas afar

You’ll always be on my mind.

In my days spent on Earth, my journey through life has taken me many times in so many directions, away from the shores of bricks and mortar that we called home.

From the Eastern part of my country in my childhood days, to the Western part as a young adult, I set up home in many places, but my heart lay in my parents abode.

That was the way it was until I got married and my heart expanded to accommodate some more.

In my years of matrimony, we have perambulated quite a bit. We have moved across countries and continents; from Africa to North America to Middle East and who knows where next.

In these years, I have consistently learnt to shed myself of material knick-knacks that may not make the cut during any move.

I appreciate creature comforts like other human, my cosy bed, the living room, kitchen and dining, but over these years of sojourning, I have learnt in truth, that bricks and mortar may make a house, but home are those who lie in it.

Be it a tent under the stars

Be it a caravan on the plains

Be it a mansion in a beautiful city

My home surely lies with you.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Photo 101

 

Personal · Photographs · The Daily Post

Harmony is in the rhythm

jacquelineobyikocha26 Comments

The Daily Post Photo prompt Harmony.

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Lifestyle · Memes · My Thinking Corner · Self Help · Uncategorized

Tuesdays Trickles…My Thinking Corner 11.

jacquelineobyikocha19 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.

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 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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♦ When you’ve achieved everything but you failed to love anyone and impact on them positively, you’ve achieved nothing.

♦ Living a more intentional life, leaves little room for waste.

♦ Whatever time that is not used well is lost. You will never get it back again, however, remember that rest is part of it, so that you do not experience diminishing returns from exhaustion. The idea is to create balance.

♦ You don’t have time to join issues with everybody. Choose your battles wisely. If something is not adding any value to your life and purpose, then it is probably not worth wasting valuable energy on.

♦ Your joy is dependent on you and can only be stolen when you allow it to be so.

Regards,

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Our Thinkers Thoughts came in from:

Deb of Bookyglover words are always succinctly stated. Observing these little things can go a long way to a fulfilled life.

Giggles & Tales in Stella’s words ‘Life is a bristle of challenges. Life is filled with ups and downs. But no matter the difficulties, don’t allow it to kill your enthusiasm for success.’ The rest of her wise words can be found in her link.

Kingsoracle sometimes, we need to take those quantum leaps of risks to make any head way. Oba’s words strike a chord in me.

Striving Mom words on taking note of your life lessons are words that we should repeat to ourselves everyday.

A Thomas point of view makes me want to keep striving and so should you.

Anette’s With these three simple things from a Hippie Chick who knows her worth, you’ve got it going right.

Thank you to all the contributors. May these words take roots in our lives and may our harvest be bountiful 🙂

‘So, when will you share those nuggets of wisdom of yours?’

Blog · Featured Blogs · Share A Link

Featured Blogs 8…Let’s Create A Fine Chain.

jacquelineobyikocha

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Today’s featured blogs are:

Philip Craddock I enjoy reading Philip’s intricate words. Poignant, full of emotions that will give you pause.

Swritings gives out dollops of heedful ramblings and thoughts. A visit will tell you.

Mmcdonald Introducing Mark, whose Philosophy will set your hair on fire!

The best things in life Just like the name sounds, her articles are refreshing.

Ispeng1951 Fabulous and vibrant photos and posts from SP.

Please visit their blogs and say hello. A few minutes may gain you a friendly support.

Do you want more eyes on your words?

Well then, add your LINK into this loop.

Regards

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

P.S. Comments are disabled here. You can add your link through the link in the post. It’s easier to be able to collate them that way. Thank you.