I am Jacqueline Of All Trades and not a Boring Bumkum!..

November 25, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha25 Comments

How would you feel if you are at a cocktail party or any social gathering, where several chit-chats are going on in small circles and you are stuck with a Mr/Ms Know-it-all, who is busy spouting boring bunkum over a singular topic that would probably put you to sleep at the get go; no matter how much you try to steer them into a more interesting topic?

Your ears will twitch and strain in a giraffic eavesdropping attempt to catch morsels of discussion going on across the room, where every body looks animatedly engaged, while you nod in mindless agreement to phrases and lip movement’s of a conversation that lost your attention 2 minutes after it started

I bet you, once you think it is polite enough, you would definitely find the quickest and possibly a dumb excuse; usually a visit to the rest-room always comes in handy, then make a fast get-away, only to slink back in and go over to join the merry crowd who are laughing off their heads and having a swell time.

I definitely don’t want to be that boring bunkum that you want to escape from!

I love to know bits and pieces of this and that, even if I don’t know all of them with the proficiency of an expert, at least let me know enough to hold a sensible, intelligent and entertaining discourse.

Certainly, there are people who are designed to be experts in physics and geology and what not but, I am simply not one of them!

My interests are so diverse that sometimes I wonder when on Earth I am going to be able to experience doing them all!

Serious consideration on making a bucket list as long as ever, is currently on-going on my part, so that I can start prioritizing those things that I want to do or learn to the best of my ability and for my own pleasure.

Maybe it is due to my spirit that seeks to find beauty and fulfillment in everything that I see that pushes my desire for a bit of knowledge of diverse things.

I would rather have a spicy and flavorful life of bits and pieces of knowledge than a staid, cold custard of expertise.

NaBloPoMo Prompt – November 25, 2015

Do you think its better to be a recognized expert for one thing or known to be really good at a lot of things.

A link to my neighbours/Community · Inspiration - Motivation · Life · Musings · Quotes For You · Tips for the day · Weave that Dream

Stretching The Vision….

November 24, 2015 jacquelineobyikochaLeave a comment

Our external vision are absolutely important, but without our internal vision we are more or less blind.

One’s internal vision acts like a compass, steering wheel and rudder that directs our sweet spirits, whispering through our lives with guidance and grace.

Our internal vision can be nurtured even beyond what our physical eyes can behold and our expectations.

Have you ever wondered how some of those who have challenged physical capabilities are able to do exceeding great things?

It is from their internal vision.They nourish and nurture it constantly despite adversity.

They walk by faith and not by sight.

What are you doing to build, foster, nurture and encourage your internal vision?

What are you looking at?

Remember that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he!

Thank you izzyasabee for inviting me for a round of 3 day quote challenge. I appreciate the opportunity.

I will equally invite these 3 awesome bloggers to join the quote challenge.

Nedoux

Emma of Shut that negative noise off!

Mary of MLou’s photography blog

Inspiration - Motivation · Musings · Personal story · Quotes For You

The Game Of Best…

November 23, 2015November 23, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha29 Comments

There are no two ways about it, the utmost thing that I do better than anyone else is being myself.

I am an original of who I am and not a poor quality copy of someone else – well, except bits of my parents, who did the very needful to create me 😉

It is important to reaffirm this to oneself time and again, especially in voyeuristic recent times where the over-zealous drive to be perfect seems to increase more and more.

There is absolutely nothing wrong in striving to be the best that one can be, but there is something wrong in getting carried off in the drift of trying to be too many people at the same time; even a persons brain will surely get wonky and tired from the ping-pong of living lives or attempting to live lives that don’t belong to us.

I may not be particularly adept at doing somethings that other people are very good at doing or being better than anyone as a matter of fact.

What I know for sure is that whatever interest that I develop, I try to put in the best of my ability and my real competitor is myself because I keep pushing my boundaries and keep aspiring to improve on my standards.

When we look at our palms, no two finger prints are the same, likewise, all fingers are definitely not equal. Each is characteristically different and that is how all human are different.

It is a foolhardy, frustrating, exhausting and stress inducing process to keep comparing notes and juggling the attempts to beat others.

There will always be someone better at one thing or the other.

Trying to be the very best at whatever your game is the first part of being the best and I must reiterate that in the game of best, being the best authentic you that you can be is better than being a confused nobody.

NaBloPoMo Prompt – Monday, November 23

What do you do better than anyone else?

Devotions · Gratitude · Hope · Inspiration - Motivation · Life · Love · Weave that Dream

In Everything…

November 18, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha31 Comments

It is often too easy to express gratitude and thanksgiving when everything seems to be in the right place in our lives and around us, and such a hard task to have a grateful heart when everything seems to be falling apart.

No doubt, it is not an easy task to remain on the upbeat and positive, but we should not tarry too long in the doldrums.

Nature abhors vacuum and if at the point in time when our spirits are very low and we fail to fill that gap made with edifying and uplifting emotions, habits, thoughts, reactions etc, the vacuum will be filled with defeatist spirits, with oppressive moods that will suck us down into a pit that requires so much energy to climb out of.

Sometimes, some are never able to regain their sense of self and things spiral out of control.

When things are falling apart, we must struggle to keep our sense of grace, gratitude and thanksgiving, because in deed, in everything we give thanks and our heart of thanksgiving, of gratitude will only expand our coast.

There is a time and season for everything and though darkness may come at night, surely there will be light at day.

For today’s gratitude choice, I am grateful for the light of day.

I am grateful to be among the living and know that I still have the chance today to make better that which I failed yesterday.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to dwell on the things that are important.

I am grateful that even in the time of war that there is still love existing.

I am grateful that I am safe and of sound mind.

I am grateful that the simple things of life are accorded to me from above.

I am grateful that I have met friends such as you in this space and thankful for all the love that I see floating around in this space.

I am thankful for a friend like Oneta Hayes who has gone out of her way to say lovely things about me; I heard through the grapevine 😉 My lady, you are a gem 🙂 Bless your golden heart.

Let us not lose sight of the fact that no situation is permanent that ”this too shall pass” whatever it is and we must make each day count in beautiful ways.

What are you grateful for? When you count your blessings and name them one by one, it will surely surprise you at how much you are blessed.

Shalom

Creative Writing · Haiku · Inspiration - Motivation · Life

Just For You!…

November 6, 2015November 6, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha14 Comments

Amazing that’s what you are.

♥Beautiful, Charming, Divine, Exquisite creation from High♥

Search within, for you to know.

………

Brilliant that’s who you are.

♥Fine, Graceful, Handsome, Illuminating masterpiece from God♥

Unwrap yourself, you will see.

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Devotions · Love · Poetry/Poems

Naked and Not Ashamed!…

November 5, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha30 Comments

Empty my thoughts,

that I may feel the wondrous touch of your love,

In deep recesses that no light has seen;

♥

Expose my heart,

that I may understand your words,

through every conscious awakened pore of each moment;

♥

Unveil my inner eyes,

that its lifted sheen may behold,

the brilliant raw beauty exposed in its true nakedness;

♥

Unfold my wavelengths,

that my naked ears may become

attuned to the mysterious calls stirring from the deep;

♥

Pour me out,

that my uncovered lips may enthrall

with language only made known through exquisite expressions;

♥

Lay me bare,

that I may be denuded,

unmasked before your eyes,

naked, unafraid and not ashamed,

when you call me by name.

Devotions · Hope · Inspiration - Motivation · Life · Poetry/Poems

Have You Met Lady Grace?….

October 30, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha22 Comments

Let me tell you about Lady Grace.
Fine one that arrives wearing filigree lace,
Everything done with Grace always changes the race,
When she comes, she must surely leave a trace,
For your outward expression will certainly change pace,
Reflecting inward harmony of soul around your space.

♦♦
Wields a lot of power, she does; our Lady Grace,
Her power consumes, you wish not to be a disgrace,
She can shape-shift just in case,
You ponder how she will fit into your space.

♦♦
Grace is not blind even if she keeps a straight face,
As she watches your scramble from low grass to trophy case.
She is clothed in dignity with warm human face,
Encouraging arms she extends to thee embrace.

♦♦
Should you ever seek to replace a false face
A bone deep desire to erase can take place
For there is always a meeting place
To invite the mighty Lady Grace
And she will touch base
In your living space.

Inspiration - Motivation · Life · Personal story · The Daily Post

My Roller-Coaster….personal story

October 27, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha32 Comments

Life is a constant flux of change and naturally as all humans are prone to, mine has evolved in little and huge ways.

My cycles have gone through mountain peaks and deep valleys, through Tropics and Savannah and each evolution has contributed to my story; to my growth in personality and maturity of mind; to the pathway of better understanding of myself as a complete entity.

Some changes have been premeditated while some, were thrust on me by Providence, but the most important aspect of these changes has been the strengthening of my inner mental core, resilience and spiritual walk.

For close to two decades, I have gone from a care-free single, all career guns blazing young lady to become a wife and proud mother. From formal employment, to part-time/voluntary service and self-employment/entrepreneurship.

In this space of time, I have migrated within 3 different Continents and when you are talking about leaving; I just left Texas to United Arab Emirates a couple of moons ago!

It has been a major shift especially in culture mentality. I am still in the bid of catching my breath even though I know that my sojourn in this place will not tarry for too long.

The challenges that such changes predisposes you to, which goes beyond leaving your comfort zone and familiar grounds to places of new beginnings are numerous, that the experience alone can constitute a book.

However, the trick in handling these things, is to keep a very broad and positive mind. Make a concerted effort to have a positively motivated outlook and become a sponge that soaks in all the good vibes around you.

That way, you will acquire the best experience that your life is teaching you at that point in time.

I am presently focusing on self-development and as I continue to transform, my hope is to cascade my support outwards to others and also to persevere in my efforts as a writer.

In response to The Daily Post prompt If You Leave

Life is a series of beginnings and endings. We leave one job to start another; we quit cities, countries, or continents for a fresh start; we leave lovers and begin new relationships. What was the last thing you contemplated leaving? What were the pros and cons? Have you made up your mind? What will you choose?

A link to my neighbours/Community · Devotions · Hope · Inspiration - Motivation · Life · Love · Tips for the day · Weave that Dream

What Are You Doing?…

October 27, 2015October 28, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha33 Comments

The quote above is my third quote in the 3 quote series and it speaks for itself.

In my quest for positive transformation, I try to base a lot of my actions and reactions on this guiding principle which also applies to everyone else.

This quote is simply not a biblical tenet or any religious balderdash!

It relates to everything that pertains to our lives, even this blogging exercise that we are engaged in. For instance, when you stretch out a hand of fellowship and engage others, 99% of the time, it is reciprocated and vice-versa! Keep your circle as positive as possible.

Our actions revolve around us as surely as the Earth revolves around the Sun.

When we are in search of happiness, the first question we should ask ourselves, is what seeds we are sowing?

Happiness is not something that we get from other people. The happiness we feel is in direct proportion to the love that we are able to give.

Take a peek at those embittered people who expend so much energy pulling others down; they forever remain miserable.

They fail to realize that in the attempt to keep someone else down, they hinder themselves from rising to their optimum potentials.

Be loving to yourself and others and you see that love reciprocated.

It is the law of Karma which works every time, whether we are aware of it or not. It occurs in the small things and in the big things that surround us.

It is also wise to remember that treating others right does not imply being blind to their shortcomings or giving them permission to treat you poorly.

Leannenz, I sincerely thank you for inviting me to participate in this quote series. It is a good opportunity to reflect on those things that matter and I think I am going to continue the quote beyond this stage 🙂

I would like to invite 5 awesome bloggers to share their favorite quotes in the series of 3.

A Reading Writer

The positive black woman

Ladies who lunch reviews

My mama – Lynz Real Cooking

Edwina Episodes

Warm regards to you all. Be happy.

PLEASE Feel Free To Share. IT’S ALL PART OF LOVING ♥ 🙂

A link to my neighbours/Community · Devotions · Hope · Inspiration - Motivation · Life · Personal story · Weave that Dream

The Miracle is in You!…..

October 25, 2015October 25, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha9 Comments

In my second quote of the 3 quote series, I would like to share the often forgotten sense of ourselves as miracles.

I love to remind myself of this quote, which unfortunately, I have no idea where I learnt it, but when I started meditating on it with regards to myself, the sense of awareness of the miracle in me, simply grew and keeps growing.

Most of the time, we are seriously enmeshed in the entire drama of trying to eke out a living, the drama that unfolds around us everyday, the stories of our lives and the wishes that things should be different, that we lose sight of the fact that our mere existence, our every moments, are ”miracles in action.”

Our miracles start to happen when we channel as much energy into our dreams and being as we channel into our fears and shortcomings.