Skilled craft…Every day beautiful people # 72

June 22, 2016February 16, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha14 Comments

“I really believe that everyone has a talent, ability or skill that he can mine to support himself and to succeed in life.” Dean Koontz

In my usual meandering, I came across this man weaving his fishing apparatus by the Creekside and it was quite interesting to watch his dexterous fingers as he painstakingly wove his traps.

Unfortunately, his English was non-existent and I have no idea what language he spoke but from our sign language conversation, my understanding was that he learnt his skill and trade from childhood under the tutelage of his father.

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.

“Beautiful Poetry of Life and Love.” Amanda

To become a fledgling…Writers quote Wednesday writing challenge.

June 15, 2016August 8, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha6 Comments

“The phoenix must burn to emerge.” Janet Fitch

Masters body sat in the big black armchair frozen in time, but his thoughts were still razor sharp. He sat in his comatose state, waiting for the rebirth from his ancient self into a fledgling of a boy.

The pains that he had cruelly inflicted on others ripped through his veins with piercing intensity, that each drop of rebirth serum snarled at him, yelling in anger as it slowly trickled through veins that were on fire.

He was combusting from the heat that engulfed his being, but the voice of ‘She’ ignored his mindful pleas to be set free unchanged.

Her ethereal blue eyes held him calmly in place even as her thoughts loudly reverberated in his mind.

“You must be patient she said. For you can’t achieve that which you seek until you shed your ancient skin of cynicism and look with eyes reborn through the depths of your soul.”

The story above is in response to this week’s WQWWC’s prompt ‘rebirth.’ A word that I find interesting and personally inspiring.

It’s a word that tells me different things. It tells me that I have to let go of some old vision and allow my inner eye’s to be renewed with new sight.

It tells me that sometimes out of my own ashes, I can rise to find myself over and over again as long as I believe, for as long as I am breathing.

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.

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.

Life · Midnight motivation and musings

Midnight Motivations and Musings # 64

April 18, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha31 Comments

When you are committed to doing something, you wait for no one, especially when it’s something that you are meant to do by yourself and for your well being.

Don’t sit waiting for love or life to find you. Go out and get the life and the love will follow.

Sometimes, in order to move on, we need to cease waiting and get going.

Humans · Uncategorized

Everyday Beautiful People #3…

March 31, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha11 Comments

‘Irrespective of RACE, RELIGION and GEOGRAPHIC location, under the layers of our skin, lies the same human.’ ©Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Midnight motivation and musings · Self Help

Midnight Motivations and Musings 43…

March 29, 2016April 3, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha14 Comments

A whole lot of times, for fear of being hurt, or losing out, we choose to sit on the fence rather than dabbling and trying our best.

Easy does it quite alright and it’s essential to exercise caution before jumping into any venture or as the case may be a relationship.

However, we cannot because of previous bad experience rule out every other opportunity to try again.

Like my people would say, we cannot because of fear of shooting, avoid going to war when the need arises. For example, the fact that Tim broke your heart, doesn’t mean John will do so. For all you know, John might be that partner you’ve been seeking for.

Secondly, because one business endeavour failed, you cannot write off all other possibilities with the wave of the hand.

Rather, it makes more sense to apply the learnings from the previous experience, that way, you stand a better chance at succeeding.

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

Exhaling Loudly…This is my life.

March 23, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha18 Comments

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.

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.

Self Help

Midnight Motivations and Musings #27

March 8, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha49 Comments

When I was much younger, I thought it was possible to please everyone.

Boy! Did I learn a lesson from the school of hard knocks!

Some didn’t like me for reasons best known to them.

Some weren’t sure how they felt about me; their thoughts swinging one way or the other like a pendulum.

Some tried to like me, but I kept falling short of their hi-falutin expectations.

Some out-rightly wanted harm to befall me and actually set about planning harm.

Now, this is the scenario in a whole lot of people’s lives and this transcends from personal to business life as well.

The sad truth is that in a given 100% of people around you, 5 % care about you. 15% Don’t give two hoots and are busy caring about themselves, the other 80% are holding their bated breath and wishing you would drop off planet Earth.

So, if you are preoccupied with the thoughts of what people would say to decide each step you have to take in your life, you need another thinking coming on.

If you are caught up in the act of people pleasing, you will probably run yourself ragged and into the ground trying to fit into every bodies expectations.

That my friend is tantamount to signing away your life.

Inspiration - Motivation · Lifestyle · Self Help

Midnight Musings and Motivations #26…

March 6, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha13 Comments

Opportunities don’t run up and hug us as we traipse down the alley of nothingness.

Opportunity has to find us doing, for it to turn up and when it does turn up, do we recognize it?

It comes in many forms and a whole lot of times, it may not come wrapped in a nice box with bows and flowers.

Do we stand in the way of our own progress with all the road blocks that we inflict on our path, waiting for an opportunity that will land in our laps while we sit on the rocking chair going back and forth and gossiping about the neighbour?

Sometimes, we have to push ourselves out of the rocking chair to get where we want to go.