The Good Life

Ohhhhhhh Dear Lord! I felt the chill run down my spine This is simply unbelievable and unacceptable. And as usual 'A brief illness' 😢😭😭 I went online to find that a friend just died. I couldn't help but wonder what the rat race was really about. You toil and toil and just like that you're gone. A vibrant, cheerful man, with a young family. Now what would become of his wife and little kids? We never know when our night will come so, Live your best life Enjoy it, you only have one life to live Be loving, be forgiving and kind to all We never know when our night will come.

(Hubby shivering wrapped with a mighty duvet) Hubby: Baby, please help me. I can't do this anymore. I feel faint. Me: Ha, thought you said you were just resting and needed a nap? Now you're too faint to eat? ( I feed him) Long story short, hubby had a long day, was craving a specific meal and had a headache. Just headache and hubby was already using me to satisfy all his wishes and cravings. Was indeed a funny one. Little illness men begin to quiver and sing 'it is well with my soul' yet women are termed the weak ones? Hahahaha.

'Prov 18:24 ... and there's a friend that sticks closer than a brother' Some persons are nothing short of God sent! They come into your life and stand with and by you no matter what. Their loyalty unquestionably sure and next to none. There's one such man that i know. My hubby's friend, Nonso. All you need in your life is a Nonso. There's never been any day or time he hears hubby's call that he doesn't respond There's never been any situation or challenge hubby faces that he fails to show up. A brother, a friend, a burden bearer, confidant and everything in between. Man like Nonso! Today we raise our glasses to all those who have stood with us, fought with us, celebrated with us, cried with us and more. To those who have chosen to stand as sure pillars come what may. To those whose presence make our lives better, our burdens lighter, To those sure ride or die, It's thank you and may you never lack help wherever you go, whenever you ca...

An event happened in my family awhile back. Unfortunately, it was a sad one, that was really overwhelming but thankfully we scaled through. In the middle of this nightmare, the ones we betrayed us the most were those we called family and friends It was shocking to find those we were so close to us talk us down amongst others. It was an eye opener to see how much people took pleasure in the pains and supposed downfall of others. How they laugh and speak ill. Bad news indeed travels fast. People are more ready to hear ills about others and they're very quick to spread such negativity as well as pass judgment. In the end, what gain do people deprive from the pains of others? Why don't you choose to be the source of joy of others? Why can't you be the reason for their smile? Be the source of joy, hope and good news rather than negativity and pain.

Have you? Have you ever been in love? That state where everything your partner does is cool Their words are like honey Their smile, sunshine Their touch emites million volts of electricity. Those early days when you call each other to discuss sweet nothings  and listen to each other breathe on the phone. Days you both want  to wake up to each other and sleep at the sound of their voice like a lullaby. You call to report everything From the weather to the price of Orange as though your partner posses some kinda super powers. Remember those early days of loving? Ohhhhh that's how everyday ought to be with the one you love Never let the endless pursuits and hurdles of life make the spark die Never let life make you forget why you fell in love with them in the first place. Make everyday your valentine.

Today in the news, we're been harassed with several news of children displaying so much terrible and frightening characters. Armed robbery is no more a crime We are at peace with youths engaging in online fraud Kidnapping seems to be the order of the day Cultism? That's nothing. It scares no one anymore. Crazy crime upon crazy crime. When and where, how, did we loose it? At what point did we loose it as a society? Well, when we go down to the foundation of it all, it boils down to the family cell. Every family unit needs to double their efforts To be more intentional with how we raise our kids More prayerful More careful More of everything we can be. Our children depends on us Our future depends on this Our nation, life as we know it and everything in between depends on it.

Tobi Amusan smashed the 100m hurdles world record! She won us the gold! Here we all are, celebrating. As the national anthem played and tears coursed down her cheeks, we couldn't help but feel the pride as Nigerians, the patriotism, the hope and joy the win brought. Tobi did it on a global stage. We all can't be standing out there globally. Agreed. How about nationally? How about state? And local government? Still too high? Ok, your community? Your street? Well, let's get down to the basics, Family. How have you influenced your family? The global stage might be sounding too unrealistic a dream but you can begin to cause a positive change in your family. No matter how small, get moving. Step by step, before you know it, you're on your way, influencing your world. No one woke up to stardom, fame or fortune overnight. Let opportunity meet you ready!

No no nooooo Today was one of those days i wasn't ready for hubby and his wahala oh so i didn't even respond to all his jabs. All i wanted was my dinner and bed. Of course, hubby was having none of that. He went from one gist to another while i kept giving him one liners. Finally Bobo got tired and left me and before you could say jack, i was snoring to glory. 5:43am my eyes pop open and everything clicks Hubby was trying his best to make me smile but he let me be. A look at my phone shows i've slept for i had slept for over four hours and my people, MY DATA WAS ONNNNNN!😢😭😭 These were the times hubby stepped up for me, like charging my phone, putting off my data, putting my music off and taking off my earpiece whenever i slept off but tonight, who wouldn't dodge a person with akpu attitude? Now see how MTN had a field day with my data!😢😢

When i enter marriage, i arrange the perfect picture for head. Hubby, me and the children, how we go dey do things, wear uniform, chop for dining table, go outing... you know all those telemundo kind life. Then i come born! Husband wey i suffer marry, i no dey fit spend one minute with Children wey i for dey run things with no even look my side twice before them overthrow my government. Everywhere 'Daddy, Daddy'. Any small chance hubby dey house dem go monopolize the man oh, even small sharing is a no no. So as i dey now i dey find 'Secrets to reclaim my lost kingdom' cos as i dey now i dey plan carry hubby go one month hide out. Besides no be me first meet the man? I no dey share again. Make everybody go find their own man.

Heeeeyyyyy chineke! Did you hear that she has been controlling her husband? No be small thing. Yesterday, i even saw the man in the market pricing fish. Have you heard? His car broke down. Driving everywhere, i don't even know who he was trying to oppress or impress. My Dear, wait let me give you the correct and complete gist yada yada yada yada their tongues start wagging, spinning tales untrue. Me, gossip? No way, i'm just trying to tell my friends what i heard. How do people take delight is spreading false rumours? Tales seasoned with jealousy, hatred, envy, spite or plain ignorance. How about those who claimed to be your friend but at every opportunity, they want to spill whatever they can about your past or mistakes you've made.  To prove what? I wonder! Anyway, life happens to us all and for whatever reason they've chosen to spread false narratives about you, never worry, soon it'll be them in their days of storm or happiness, crying for help, look...

Smack! Smack!! This was the third time! The third time oh! After Bobo finished arguing with me he's looking for jigi-jigi?  If he likes let him do a strip dance, as you see me, i'm married to Jesus. Things of the world cannot move me. That's how Baby girl was walking up and down displaying goods and services Suddenly i found myself pinned to the wall oh Ahhhhhhhhh ebami oh! How did this Igbo man know that deep down baby girl was equally singing 'mamase mamasa mamakosa' in Michael Jackson's voice? Pin me all you want Baby, i'm here for you However i didn't go down without a sprinkle of shakara, seasoned with loads of petting and begging from Bobo.😋😗😙. Serious love nwantiti.

Mum : Chioma! Come and take this list. Hurry to the market and get those items very fast. I want to be done with the cooking before your father returns. Me: Ok Ma. I hurriedly showered, then snuck into Aunty Winny's room. She was a true  beauty Queen, tall, black, eloquent, soft spoken and always looked flawlessly fabulous. I was awestruck by the person of 'Aunty Winny'. She had come visiting so I decided to help myself to some of her make-up. Slapped on some different foundations, in between i applied several lotions i saw slapped some loose powder on my face and sealed it all with a glossy red lips. In a matter of minutes i was dressed and on my way. I was getting stares from all corners. Some smiled at me and feeling on top of the world, i cheerfully waived back and even went out of my way to greet people. You know, one never always gets the chance to look this pretty that often so, i chose to maximize the opportunity. I followed the longest route round the m...

Jack walked out of the session with his therapist feeling more confident and worthy. After a failed suicide attempt, his friends intervened and took him to the therapist. Jack grew up to a daily onslaught by his father. 'Look at me, i'm a Professor of Mathematics, i've worked for years and see where i am. What makes you think you'd be better than me? I've been to all the continents of the world speaking in conferences, consultations, mentorship and lectures are next to nothing for me. Do you know how many international publications i have? Grants i've won and more? You're nothing like me and for that i'm certain the money i'm spending sending you to college is a waste'. Jack chose to be a dancer as against the family background of 'high flying professionals' so his father never lost any opportunity he got in running Jack down. We as parents ought to realize that our words carry great impact on our kids and everything about the...

Once upon a time in those days when everyone was coming home to my Dad to 'pluck a beautiful flower', came a brother who thought he was the bext best thing after party jollof rice. Brother felt he was God-sent and as such was walking around me like an over starched shirt. I had given brother every reason to know i wasn't interested  but he always thought if he showed me more things he considered enticing, I'd fall head first in love. So one lovely day i got whatsapp pictures from brother. He just landed Abuja airport and was dressed to the T like an IJGB (i just got back) with the whole package of face cap and blings. Haaaaa! How can i be angry about common flight? Because i don't like showing off?😢 Few hours later brother landed in my house trying to dazzle me as always and forming lover boy. After hours of sweet talking, brother suggested we go shopping. He started by changing my phone (what a mighty God i serve), then shoes and clothes followed and m...

"When will you guys come visiting? Please bring me my grandchildren, i want to see them" My parents would always say whenever they called. Three years later, the gang landed home. Well, one lovely afternoon i overheard my Mum and Dad talking Dad: Hmmmmm Best, these children are something else Mum: My husband, it's been non-stop running, screaming, climbing on and on. I wonder how their parents keep up  with them. I had myself a beautiful, quiet laugh then went and told the kids Grandma was calling for them.😂😂😂😈😈 By the time we were done with the visit, the kids had left the stamp of their presence everywhere. On the walls, kitchen, floor, clothes, cars... I'm pretty sure my parents began giving their sacrifice of praise the minute we turned our backs upon bidding them farewell.😄😄😄 My kids are quite a handful and they surely made everyone feel their presence. Well, been home for two weeks plus and there's been no call of 'when are you guys c...

'Mummy don't worry yourself at all. You see Amanda, in my heart, she's like the little sister i never had. Every thing about her is going to be taken care of. We're registering her in school immediately we get to Lagos. She won't lack for anything at all'. All these and more, Mrs Williams promised as she took 11 years old Amanda with her to the big city of Lagos. The poor girl's fate was signed the day she bade her parents goodbye. Four years later, no registration in any school whatsoever. Amanda only existed in Mrs Williams world as nothing but a servant whom she didn't deem worthy of spending her hard earned money on. Amanda was made to do chores from sunrise until sunset, irrespective of the weather or her health conditions.  As is typical of most children brought to cities to serve, Amanda could barely piece her English together, not to mention remember where she came from. Every and anything Mrs  Williams could think of, she made Amanda...

Religious? No, but my faith is sure in God, in all he represents and all he can do. I'm a sure witness to him coming through several times when i felt lost and all hope gone. I've had very bad times that i never felt I'd make it Situations so tough Days so rough Desperation, rejection, dejection Talked about, stepped on Yet, God has always always shown up! The days might look like there'd be no sunshine Might look like the storm would never end Might look like there's no more possibilities But trust God never to let these things swallow you. In the end the sun will shine The rain will go away And you'd find the rainbow staring  back at you.

Growing up, my house would best be described as the Nigerian soap opera `fuji house of commotion'. Not just because of the number of persons we had living  with us, but as is expected, with so many people living together, there'd be a display of so many funny characters. Well, let me rant a little about our oga kpatakpata, my father. Dad is a simple, good natured man, who really delights in having so many people around him but when it comes to his meals, simplicity is thrown out the window oh. Make my rice like this and my beans like that. Worst of all are his soups. At a certain period, i was in charge of making the meals at home so, I'd first remove his food before going further to spice or season the remaining meal for the rest of the house. Same applies to his soups as he loves so so much vegetables in his while we don't. One beautiful day in the course of everyone throwing jabs at each other, my Dad just said `Chioma, you will not kill me with pepper oh...

Ever been in a situation that defending yourself looked so much like the best course of action but your silence won things over for you in the end? Ever been in a situation that was so complicated you didn't know what to do but the moment you chose not to get paranoid, solution came? Sometimes we find ourselves in very deep, dark and complex situations that we feel helpless about what to do. Other times we're faced with a thousand ways to respond. However, there are times when solutions lies in leaving things alone. To just let things be. Not for want of  ways to handle things or connections to fix them. Herein lies the power in the nugget, 'silence is golden'.

Few days ago, a cousin of mine was given funds to execute a task. We subsequently demanded for an account of how he spent the funds given him. Na there kasala blow. A million and one reasons came up as he couldn't give any clear cut explanation of the funds he spent. By the end of the day, he had become so defensive and resorted to being rude and insultive. Lack of accountability is synonymous to irresponsibility. People begin to exhibit crazy act and attitude once there's a demand for accountability. Why get angry when you're asked questions? Why become defensive when you know you know people explanations? Then begin to act out like you've been attacked. Whenever responsibilities are assigned you, always remember that you also owe those people a corresponding detailed account.

Your rainy days are the days when truth is tested. Truth in what was said, representations that were made and more. A million and one can affirm to love you when there's a gain. So many would be eager to give to loans when they perceive you have than when you're hungry and really need it. Many praise singers abound when the going is good. Try them when the switch is flipped. Truth is tested when you're down, broke, busted and disgusting. The truth one claims to see in his glory days is only but a mirage until the times change. Tests show us people, for who they are Tests show us that those we trust can disappoint us Tests help tp prune the fakes around us Tests are a blessing in disguise, so celebrate when you're faced with one.

Client: Barrister good evening Me: Good evening Sir Client: Please where are you right now? I'll like to see you immediately. Me: Sir, can it wait till tomorrow? I just got home from the office.  Client: Ahhhh Counsel please things will spoil. I'll foot any bill it will cost. Upon meeting with the client i discovered he had gone ahead to buy a land we had previously discussed about without. We had talked about it earlier, i gave him my charge for everything related to the land, from basic search, to the final transaction of purchase. He said my charge was 'too much' and i never heard from him again until one month later. One month later, over six persons are claiming ownership of the said land and several suits have been instituted, contesting ownership. Now he's running to me, ready to pay anything. Get an engineer, you say no. Now your building has been marked for demolition. Go consult your Doctor, you say no. Now you're not sure what's going ...

I remember how eager i was to clock 18years, to become of legal age, to be able to make decisions for myself I look back and i'm wondering how the time flew past I remember writing my undergraduate thesis I remember how excited my friends and i were upon writing our last paper How we danced  and celebrated A decade later and i'm wondering `Wasn't it just yesterday we graduated?' I remember walking down the aisle full of smiles and saying `i do' I woke up one morning to find two kids staring back at me We think we have time, so We push forward to tomorrow what we should do today We lazy around We do things at our leisure We just let the days go by Pick up that bucket list and start ticking How about those dream projects? When will you start working on it? There's no better time than now. Do all you can today to avoid waking up tomorrow and all you say is `i wish, i wish'.

Pastor Dave couldn't believe Sister Jess could turn down his proposal. After five days marathon prayer, as he was descending from the mountain of prayer, he quickly called Sister Jess to immediately meet him in church for an important discussion. On meeting her, Pastor Dave launched into a thirty minutes fire prayer section, then dripping  with sweat and power from above, he went ahead to instruct Sister Jess to pick their wedding date as he was told by the Holy Spirit that she was his ordained wife. Sister Jess didn't only turn him down on the spot, but warned him to stay clear of her path, leaving Pastor Dave shocked to his bones. Is it against the law to learn how to woo a woman? Are there no etiquettes as regards behaviours around one's love interest? Most importantly, Will the heavens fall if some persons take their personal hygiene serious?   Sister Jess survived the meeting by sheer miracle as the odour from Pastor Dave almost sent her into coma. The impo...

There's a difference between making a mistake and repeating an act over and over again. Some persons specialise in exploiting others. They hurt you once, you forgive. They do it again and again and put up emotional defences, from tears to words of blackmail with the claim that it was a mistake. A mistake is an unconscious act, not premeditated or a deliberate one. Once an act is repeated it becomes a decision; a conscious act. This applies in all rounds, from those who treat you badly, to the kind and generous ones. Watch how those around you treat you or behave generally. Are their actions mistakes or decisions?

Up Nepa! 5 minutes later,  Mtwwwwwww, light gone. It had been a very long day of waiting I was already looking forward to the evening since we had not had light all day. UP NEPA!!! And then whhhheeeeeeeewwweee Is that wind? Breeze ohhhhhh In less than 5 minutes the light was gone. The Nigerian electricity has been so programmed that even when it's raining  and there's light, we even become afraid  that something is terribly wrong. BUT, We are hopeful that one day, we'll win this battle!

No matter the storm No matter the weight of the burden It will surely pass Negatives doesn't stop you Opinions don't determine what will become of you You grow, inspite of it all You grow, when things go wrong or right You stop to grow when you left the negativity filter in and you absorb it into you You're the only person who can stop you.

So, you're here crying? Get up! You're down because nobody believes in your dream You're sad because help seems far? Remember the saying 'Success has many fathers but failure is a bastard' Get yourself up, dust yourself and begin again. You've got to first BELIEVE in you and your dreams before anyone can be convinced to follow. Go back to your drawing board and restrategize if need be but NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON YOU!

If you look around, you'll find every reason to be sad, disappointed, depressed, vexed and more The society will give you enough reasons to make your heart faint Your strength fail And your hope lost When you think the ills of the society  can't get any worse, you get hit with those that are ten times stronger Happiness therefore is a conscious choice one makes daily It must be an inward product, such that it can't be tainted with the societal venoms flying around. Stay happy!

So hubby and i decided to go on a road trip with the kids as a form of bonding. Hmmmmmmm suffice it to say that the person who ever planted such an idea in our minds will definitely suffer for 600years. I cringe every time i remember what the kids put me through. Z-Daddy carry me Me-Baby girl Daddy's driving She bursts into tears for almost 30minutes D-Mummy why did Daddy wind up i want to greet Uncle (After speeding past a police check point) Me-Sorry D, you'll greet Uncle in the next checkpoint (another bout of tears) We spent the trip pacifing the kids. From one reason of crying to another. Hmmmmmm road trip? With toddlers? Never again! How did our parents handle traveling with us(5 kids and more) to the village with public transport and yet maintained their sanity?

Ever been in a situation where you were at a loss for what to do? Like between the devil and the deep blue sea? Ever wondered what people might say or think? So you try to live so cautiously, hoping not to offend anyone or step on any toes? The ultimate truth is, whichever way you swing, somebody must have an opinion, for or against you. It's even worst when you're going through a rough patch. You'd be shocked at the speed with which friends disappear, loyalties are forgotten,trust broken without second thoughts. If you choose to live life 'care full', you'd never live to the fullness of who you are and who you ought to be. Live for you!