SHE LIVES :)

One of my fave people in the world died a few days ago...Yeah, Maya Angelou :( :( :(.... but then I feel like she lives, not physically, but in our hearts..Her legacy, her words....all of this make her relevant...evergreen.

Makes me think of myself, and what I want to be remembered for when I die. Makes me think of the impact I want to make and the influence I want to birth in the world......in my little world. 

Thought I'd share with you some of my fave Maya Angelou wisdom:

Source: Google Images

• "While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God's creation."

• "Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God."

• “I want to thank you, Lord, for life and all that's in it. Thank you for the day and for the hour, and the minute. ”

• “Love is that condition in the human spirit so profound that it allows me to survive, and better than that, to thrive with passion, compassion, and style.”

• “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

• "I believed that there was a God because I was told it by my grandmother and later by other adults. But when I found that I knew not only that there was God but that I was a child of God, when I understood that, when I comprehended that, more than that, when I internalized that, ingested that, I became courageous."

• "When I was asked to do something good, I often say yes, I'll try, yes, I'll do my best. And part of that is believing, if God loves me, if God made everything from leaves to seals and oak trees, then what is it I can't do?"
•  "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

• "It's true. I can do anything and do it well because God loves me. It still humbles me."

• A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.”

•  "It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody."

•  "I am grateful to have been loved and to be loved now and to be able to love, because that liberates. Love liberates. It doesn't just hold—that's ego. Love liberates. It doesn't bind. Love says, 'I love you. I love you if you're in China. I love you if you're across town. I love you if you're in Harlem. I love you. I would like to be near you. I'd like to have your arms around me. I'd like to hear your voice in my ear. But that's not possible now, so I love you. Go.'"

•  "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."

•  "Modesty is a learned affectation. It's no good. Humility is great, because humility says, 'There was someone before me. I'm following in somebody's footsteps.'

• "The Holy Spirit upon my left leads my feet without ceasing into the camp of the righteous and into the tents of the free.

•  "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."

• "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

•  "You can't forgive without loving. And I don't mean sentimentality. I don't mean mush. I mean having enough courage to stand up and say, 'I forgive. I'm finished with it.'"

• “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”

• "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.

•  "My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return."

•  "Timidity makes a person modest. It makes him or her say, 'I'm not worthy of being written up in the record of deeds in heaven or on earth.' Timidity keeps people from their good. They are afraid to say, 'Yes, I deserve it.'"

•  "Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."

Oh...tot I'd share a story with you too.....Enjoy :)

THE MASK

She read the last 6 lines to Maya Angelou’s Poem- ‘I know why the caged bird sings’. Her silvery voice singing each line like she was talking to herself. 
‘The caged bird sings with a fretful trill 
Of things unknown 
But longed for still 
And his tune is heard 
On the distant hill 
For the caged bird sings of freedom’.
‘Thank You.’ she said as everyone applauded. She smiled like always, dimples appearing on her beautiful face. She glided to her seat, hips swaying against her white floral gown peppered with chants of ‘great!’,‘fantastic!’ 
‘That was wonderful Nana! Mrs Lambou said, pulling her red pen out of her afro to scribble. ‘I loved your pitch and diction as you read that. This is the end of today’s lesson class. We will continue with more Maya Angelou’s Classic tomorrow. Hope you are ready Yemi’.  ‘Yes Ma’am’ Yemi replied. The school bell rang indicating the start of the class break. ‘See you tomorrow’ she screamed amidst scurrying students while packing up.

Nana stayed behind. Reading the book she has come to love, the book that soothes her when she feels the mask coming on. She was lost in its knowledge. Sounds of ‘Nana, Nana!!’ jolted her back to reality. ‘Nana, what is the problem?’ Mrs Lambou asked. And don’t tell me “you are ok”. I can sense the sadness amidst your smile’ she said, as she tried to balance her wide-rimmed spectacle on her nose and stare at one of her best students. Nana smiled sadly, ‘I feel lost. I feel strange and can’t seem to shake off this sadness. It’s like I have to don this personality when I’m with anyone; Smile, talk and feel good even when I don’t feel like. I think I’m strange and it’s wearing me out’. She continued, ‘I can relate to the bird in Maya’s poem, I long for freedom from this mask’.
Mrs. Lambou looked lovingly at this 16 years old orphan that came into the ‘Colourful World School of Poetry’ 5 years ago. She showed great skill at poetry and was her favourite student. ‘Nana’ Mrs Lambou said. ‘It’s good to be strange or queer or different. You children say I am strange. So, you are in good company’. She smiled. ‘Sometimes, we all need that alone time. What matters is coming out of it a better person. You don’t need a mask to be loved. Grow into the real you and love who you are. Everyone will too! Most importantly, never underestimate God in your life’.
‘Thank you Ma’. Nana said, hugging her teacher as she did so. ‘I’ve got to run, see you tomorrow!’ Mrs. Lambou said.
Nana continued with the book, reading silently ‘...It's in the click of my heels, the bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, the need of my care. Cause I'm a woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that's me...’

- The end. 
By Me!

Live like that- Side Walk Prophet

Source: Youtube


Thank you so much for reading!!!!!!

Remain good and keep filling the world with so much positivity and hope and love...U have it in you.

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”

 ― Mahatma Gandhi

Many Blessings. Hugs :)

~FYI- Got all the images from Google~ :)

'ALL I ASKED FOR WAS WATER...'

Mother Teresa — 'Never worry about numbers. 

Help one person at a time and always start with 

the person nearest you.'

Google Images

The date was DECEMBER 1, 2013.

I was late already.
I rushed down from the bus, quickening my pace as Church was two minutes away, when he asked ‘Please, sister, I need water?’
I looked at him. He was old, disheveled, a yellow dirty bag lay by his side and he was eating rice from a black polythene bag.
I looked at him and honestly, my first thought was to give him some money to buy water, but instead, I heard myself say, ‘Sir, where do they sell water around here?’
He pointed at a direction and I bought him a bottle of water.  He smiled and said, ‘Thank You’ and God placed this question in my heart for him ‘Sir’, I said, ‘Would you like to come to church? My Church isn't far from here. It’s at city mall and the people there are really friendly and they would welcome you’. He looked at me, smiled and said ‘Yes. I would like to come, as soon as I am done eating’. I smiled and said ‘Thank you’ and hurried on.

As I walked into City Mall, I felt something holding my steps.  I couldn't move. 
This conversation was going in my head- ‘What if he comes and is turned away because he is not dressed like the rest of us?’ What if he forgets to come? What if he doesn’t find the church?’
I ran out of the gate as fast as I can, back to the old man.
He was surprised to see me again and I said ‘I’m sorry to be a bother but God wants me to wait for you’. He looked at me again; eyebrows raised, smiled and said ‘Ok’.

I stood beside him as he ate. A guy passed and asked if there were any problems and I said, ‘Oh, I’m waiting for my friend so we can go to church’. He shook his head and went on. Another friend from church saw me there and asked what was going on and I said ‘I’m waiting for a new friend so we can go to church’.
I called a friend in church, Collins and told him I was bringing a friend. I was so happy.

When he was done, he washed his spoon, drank some water and said let’s go.
I told him my name and he said ‘He is Christopher’. He could speak so well and I wondered what an intelligent, English speaking old man like that was doing on the streets.

We walked into church together.

When we entered into the church, due to the cold temperature of the place, his smell became prominent. Everyone turned back to look at us. I noticed that a few people were uncomfortable, maybe surprised, but some were really happy to see him.

Honestly, at some point, I became worried and thought ‘what if this wasn't from God?’  I noticed that he was coughing profusely and I worried that his cough was contagious. I also worried that he would harm us. But through the worrying, I still felt Gods peace. A son was home.

I sat with him and tried to explain what was going on.
But it was like he already knew.
My heart sang every time he sang along to the worship songs and knelt to pray, I praised God for him and prayed that He and God become friends again.

My church has this tradition where first timers were welcomed and he was really welcomed. The church family shook his hands and prayed with him.
After church, he was served some cake and he answered the alter call to receive Our Lord Jesus in his life.

My friend, Collins, whom I had called earlier wanted to meet my new friend and he actually thought it was the well-dressed man seated by my side. When I pointed to Mr. Christopher, he said ‘How? Where did you find him?’
A few folks in church asked who he was and I said ‘My friend’.

Collins, Tony (Collins friend) and I saw Mr. Christopher off to the bus stop. I wanted to treat Mr. Christopher to some meal at KFC but I had little money, well, I thought to myself ‘Maybe, next time, at least, he found God, and that’s Ok’.
Collins paid his transport fare to ‘somewhere’ and he kept muttering to himself, all smiles… ‘All I asked for was water….God eh.’

Tony and Collins walked me back to take a BRT bus  home, when Tony said ‘I saw him also and he asked me for water, but I did not look at him. It was a huge surprise seeing him at church.  I don’t like helping people but this experience has inspired me. You are so brave’. 

I told him to give God glory and that as Christians, we are called to love and be the hands and feet of Christ. I told him that it was God who helped me.

That night, when I got home, I kept seeing Mr. Christopher’s face and I had the kind of peace described in Phillipians 4:7.

I told a few friends and some said ‘He could be an angel’, another said ‘I should find time to hear his story. Really, what is a man like that doing on the street? Another said ‘That’s love. Hopefully we’ll take him out someday’.

Well on DECEMBER 8, I couldn’t attend church and Collins called me at night with some good news.
The conversation went like this ‘How are you?’ He asked.  ‘I dey’ I replied. ‘Guess what?’ he continued, ‘Mr. Christopher was in church today. Infact, he comes for midweek services. That man is clean. He has shaved his hair and beards and not smelly and wears clean cloths. He was asking for his friend- You’.

I was so happy. If I was that happy, I can imagine God and his angels and our Lord Jesus having a party for this son.

I am still humbled at this miracle. 

Today, when I think of it....My heart swells with Joy at the way God gives us beautiful encounters.

I've learned to show love. Infact, nowadays, I look for opportunities to walk the love talk. I've learnt to never look down on people and to let God use me the way he wants.

I pray this story encourage you like it did me.

You never know, you might entertain an angel without knowing it.


I haven't seen Mr. Christopher since, I don't know his story, But I know that wherever He is, God is with Him.

The Poet Rumi says- "Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder." Reach out to someone, make them smile or laugh, or help them out with something.

Great Weekend!!!

:D

Phenomenal Woman :)

Hello :))

Wishing you a great weekend and a happy International Women Day.

I'm celebrating all the Mothers and Girl-child out there in the world and also dedicating this amazing poem by Maya Angelou to YOU as well.....

Photo credit:www.illustrationsource.com

Phenomenal Woman

BY MAYA ANGELOU

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,   

The stride of my step,   

The curl of my lips.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,   

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,   

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.   

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.   

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,   

And the flash of my teeth,   

The swing in my waist,   

And the joy in my feet.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered   

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,   

They say they still can’t see.   

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,   

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.   

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.   

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,   

The bend of my hair,   

the palm of my hand,   

The need for my care.   

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Encouraging all Women to keep inspiring and helping other Women (there's no need for the envy and gossips). Like Maya Angelou says: 'when you get, give. When you learn, teach.

And Men, keep loving and appreciating the women in your life...

Thanks a lot for reading.....You are phenomenal :))

XOXO
God bless!!!!!

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

Brand New Me- Alicia Keys