Tag: writing ideas

The Daily Post

Me, Myself and I…..

jacquelineobyikocha38 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “From the Top.”

If you had the chance to be reborn, would you choose to return as your present self, or would opt for a fresh start?

the-gifts-of-imperfection-quoteWhy would I want to do that, if I may ask?

To change and become who or what?

A dribble nosed tiny tot, suckling and gurgling without a care in the World?

A terrifying whiny toddler that drove her parents crazy and singed the cat’s tail?

A gangling unsure teenager, riddled with acne and all? Not sure if I liked the boy’s or hated them all?

A cocky twenty-something know it all? With lots of broken pieces of my heart to patch?

Nah! I think I shall pass on this ostentatious offer!

It has been a hard journey to get to this point of self-love,

A place where I found love for me, myself and I, past, warts, accidents and all.

I am not enthused at such an idea!

I have no energy to invest in such!

I love me as I am now!

Let’s leave it that way! Thank you for the offer but I pass!

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

The Daily Post

Sick Dread….

jacquelineobyikocha10 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Phobia, Shmobia.”

Faith and fear

Would it be termed a phobia to have a deep dread for a phenomenon which is very natural to human existence?

I have no other way to express the fear that pools in my stomach and sends me palpitating at the contemplation of the loss of a dear one.

I try to philosophize it away and let it go but sometimes my fertile thoughts take a life of their own and grows into gigantic, fierce proportions when my mind dwells on such occurrence.

I have learnt to pray about it, to suppress it, but the fear remains banked within my bowels and waits for a little trigger to stoke its flames.

My total disregard for creepy crawlies, most especially snakes are far from evolving. I detest them and I hope the verb ‘detest’ is strong enough to express my aversion for snakes.

I would jog barefoot from Limpopo to Timbuktu at the mere thought of coming in contact with one. Please, don’t try to convince me to go for therapy and to get a grip of it. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever! NO THANK YOU!

I have a healthy dose of respect for heights and for anything deeper than the swimming pool.

I have recorded a good measure of success in ceasing to worry about the future and the fear of failing.

About the future, I have learnt that tomorrow turns up without my help and my role is to live that day as best as I can.

As for failure, I deserve nothing more than I get, if I don’t learn to try. So, I just keep trying and keep getting better at trying.

It is only by doing that perfection comes.

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

The Daily Post · Writing

My Narcississtic Self Tooting it’s Horns….

jacquelineobyikocha33 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “These Horns Were Made for Tooting.”

Strong woman

It almost borders on narcissism to talk about oneself with any form of adulation. It is as if you are opening up a voyeuristic door into the heart of your soul; but self-confidence requires sometimes, that we push the shackles of shyness aside and come out of our self-imposed shells, allowing eyes, ears and minds to take a glimpse into our soft core.

The softness of my core has been built with Resilience and Adaptive strength that even tends to surprise me as well. Having weathered some very discomfiting and turbulent seasons in my life, I have only come out more refined and stronger.

I sincerely do not accord this character trait to my individual strength, but to the Grace of God which abounds and has proven to be enduring.

Bearing grudges is to harbor pain and a waste of time by allowing someone to occupy rent-free space in my head. Thus said, for some reason which I cannot decipher, I do not indulge in creating expectations from anyone, that way I have no lingering feelings of disappointment if they should fail to meet such expectations.

By so doing, every little warm gesture becomes a pleasure to be savored.

As much as I like lovely, expensive things 😉 I am very, very contented with simple things.

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Image Credit: Funmozar.com

The Daily Post

Churn it out….

jacquelineobyikocha13 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Inside the Bubble.”

Bubble

I peer up at the doctor in his protective gears with anxious eyes, dreading the worst.

I can’t quite define the emotions in his eyes; the transparent plague mask seems to disassociate him from warmer expressions and he tut tutted yet again.

“Say aarrghh,” he requests. His vocals come out a bit wobbly through the thick surgical mask.

I oblige willingly. Sticking my tongue out as far as I can. Anything to get rid of the plaguing ailment will do.

A poke here, a prod there, several vials of blood and muted instructions to nurses who are equally garbed like they are all ready to take off on a jaunt to Mars; they all shake their heads.

“What?” I ask through hot, parched lips?

”Am I dying?” I brace myself for a heart-stopping, gut wrenching response.

”I am not ready to die now,” I start protesting to my audience who peered at me like a new specimen for study.

Then came the blissful words of the doctor in the mask.

“No ma’am .” “You are not dying, but you have a very contagious infection called bogusmogusoperansuswhatamacallit.” “This is a very viral blah, blah, and can be fatal if not well managed.” You will be fine in a month with the right amount of treatment, but I am sorry you will have to remain quarantined here in the hospital for the required month.”

I feel too elated to nag or to worry. I feel extreme gratitude to learn that it is just a passing virus. That I still have a chance to live.

“Can I have my writing materials?” I ask hesitantly. Willing him to say yes with the power of my mind

“Of course yes you can ma’am” he answers politely. I imagine that his lips move in a smile.

My gratitude is complete. A month of solitude. Time to churn out that book, my agile mind picks up its trail of thought for my novel.

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

The Daily Post

Dancing to the beat…

jacquelineobyikocha17 Comments

 dancing_girl_cartoon

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Your Number One.”Number one

My late dad adored music so much that now when I think of music and him, I think that he might have had a secret desire to be an artist or a maestro.

He played a plethora of tracks from diverse artists that right from my toddling days I grew up to appreciate and have an ear for all kinds of music. What I fail to understand is why I cannot carry a tune to match my love for music 😦

When I use the word diverse, this ranged from classics such as: Hallelujah from Handel’s Messiah, music from Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, James Brown, Bob Marley, The Jackson 5, Miriam Makeba, Fela Anikulap-Kuti, Sonny Okosun Elvis Presley, James Last, Don Williams, Dixie Chicks, John Lennon, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Diana Ross, Donna Summer and a host of others

I think the music that sticks in my heart, the track that evokes bitter-sweet reminisce of my childhood and which makes my heart swell in gratitude to the man that nurtured me is the Jim Reeves classic “We Thank Thee”.

This was played in our house very early in the mornings and almost served as our waking call. Whenever I hear this track play anywhere, it transports me right back to our old family living room. To the smell of Sunday breakfast of fried eggs and plantain.

My dad helped to form the love that I have for music and dance today.

To you daddy, I say thank you and I love you always. May perpetual light continue to shine upon you as you rest in peace.

Please take a moment and listen to Jim Reeves, We thank thee and Halleujah from Handel’s Messiah.

Hallelujah

Jim Reeves – We thank thee

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha