Yes, I’m different

 Yes, I’m different …

I choose to love without having an agenda.

I choose to forgive when my ego cries out for revenge.

I choose to listen to my heart when it calls my name

I choose to trust even though others have let me down.

I choose to believe that everything happens for our good.

I choose to accept instead of judging others differences.

I choose to communicate instead of shutting down.

I choose to care instead of being comfortably numb.

I choose to laugh rather than take myself too seriously.

I choose to rise up under pressure instead of giving up.

I choose to be different.

༺꧁꧂༻

Own It ..

"Own the fact that you are different

Own that you are a deep feeler and thinker

Own that you're tuned into a different frequency

Own the fact that you sense things others don't

Own the fact that you want to talk about angels,

energy, miracles and spirituality

Own that you're done having meaningless conversations

Own that you're done holding yourself back

Own that you crave freedom to feel the now

It's ok if your family don't get you.

It's ok if your friends don't join you

It's ok if the world judges you

It's ok that you want to dance barefoot upon the earth

and endlessly gaze at the stars

It's ok that you cry over sunsets and chase moonbeams

It's wonderful in fact. It's beautiful

You have come a long way to be who you are

So own it. Own all of it. Love all of you

The world needs you to be exactly as you are

You hold the balance in this crazy world.

Mike Harrigan

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

 Wednesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week of Ordinary Time 1 (11 October 2023)

📖Jonah 4:1-11; Ps 86:3-4, 5-6, 9-10 (R.v.15); Luke 11:1-4

🎤LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY (Luke 11:1)

Prayer is the raising up of the mind and heart to God. We pray to adore God, praise and thank him, and for more blessings and graces from him. Prayer also disposes of us to accept the will of God.

In Luke 11:1, Jesus was found by his disciples praying, and they asked him to teach them how to pray. This does not mean that they were not used to praying before. As Jews, they have a system and times for prayer, but Jesus pattern appears different, and they want to learn.

Sometimes, we assume that we pray very well in our own way when we have not learnt to pray at all. Not praying well may push us to move against the will of God. Jonah, for instance, obviously did not understand the will of God for Nineveh, and that is why he was angry that God did not destroy them (cf. Jon 3:1-10).

Are you not going to join the disciples of Jesus in asking him to teach you how to pray?

By the way, I asked myself this important question as a priest, "Does my flock find me a man of prayer and want to pray as much as I do? As parents and leaders in different categories, you need to evaluate yourself. But that reminds us that those who are placed under us look upon us for an example. We must lead them to God.

Lord, teach us to pray well always so that we may overcome all temptations that try to push us into hopelessness, and may our prayers also win favour in your presence. Amen.

Have a grace-filled day ahead. Peace be with you.

http://www.fadajbcezeonwumelu.com/lord-teach-us-to-pray-luke-111/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY OLOMI

Happy birthday, to you my dearer, today is a special day because it’s the day you were born. I can’t wait to celebrate with you, Its time to party like it’s your birthday!

You bring so much joy into my life most especially when I think I am deserted. You are the only person that can handle my mischievous mood swing, I dont really know how you achieve this.  You’re one of the best thing to ever happen to me. Wishing you the best birthday yet! I’m overjoyed to celebrate your special day with you.

Taking this journey  of relationship with you has been a joyride. You’re so special. Every day should be your birthday. 

 

 

I cannot write my success story in 2023 without including you on my first five list. I guess I developed expanded abdomen because of your care on me when it comes to feeding. Meanwhile, this is not hyping but I will testify to your selfless nature, always ready to give out. May God bless you for me. Moreover, as I wish you well and also write the goods about you, I would also like to encourage you to increase your social life. I didn’t say that you don’t have it but it needs update! Hahahahaha. Thumb up dear. Keep celebrating.

For the readers,kindly drop your preferred network on comment section., only the first five will be taken

 

20 Habits That Turn Boys into Men.

1. Taking responsibility for your actions and outcomes rather than blaming others.

2. Admitting mistakes with honesty and willingness to fix them.

3. Listening to understand rather than just to reply.

4. Standing up for your good principles even when you are challenged.

5. Respecting differences and finding common ground.

6. Keeping promises and standing by your word.

7. Controlling emotions and avoiding impulsive acts in anger.

8. Working hard without seeking shortcuts or overnight success.

9. Handling finances wisely.

10. Persevering through setbacks and failures while learning from them.

11. Putting in consistent effort to reach your goals.

12. Balancing humility and quiet confidence.

13. Nurturing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

14. Reading, and learning continuously to expand knowledge and wisdom.

15. Spending time mentoring youths and inspiring others through leadership.

16. Create a balance in wealth, career, study, health, personal care, and relationships.

17. Developing mastery of useful versatile skills.

18. Thinking about how actions impact others, not just yourself.

19. Planning and making smart choices for the future instead of the present.

20. Finding purpose beyond just pleasure and materialism.

10 BRUTAL TRUTHS THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW.

 10 BRUTAL TRUTHS THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW.

1. You're going to die and you have no idea when.

Stop pretending that you're invincible. Acknowledge the fact of your own mortality, and then start structuring your life in a more meaningful way.

2. Your material wealth won't make you a better or happier person.

Even if you're one of the lucky ones who achieves his or her materialistic dreams, money only amplifies that which was already present.

3. Your obsession with finding happiness is what prevents its attainment.

Happiness is always present in your life--it's just a matter of connecting to it and allowing it to flow through you that's challenging.

4. Donating money does less than donating time.

Giving your time is a way to change your perception and create a memory for yourself and others that will last forever.

5. You can't make everyone happy, and if you try, you'll lose yourself.

Stop trying to please, and start respecting your values, principles, and autonomy.

6. Your achievements and successes won't matter on your deathbed.

When your time has come to transition from this reality, you won't be thinking about that raise; you'll be thinking about the relationships you've made--so start acting accordingly.

7. Your talent means nothing without consistent effort and practice.

Some of the most talented people in the world never move out from their parent's basement.

8. Nobody cares how difficult your life is, and you are the author of your life's story.

Stop looking for people to give you sympathy and start creating the life story you want to read.

9. Investing in yourself isn't selfish. It's the most worthwhile thing you can do.

You have to put on your own gas mask to save the person sitting right next to you.

10. Time is your most valuable asset--you need to prioritize how you spend it.

You have the power and responsibility to decide what you do with the time you have, so choose wisely...

Thank you for reading 📚 ❤️ 🙏

2023 Young Heroes Award

 The phone lines had been ringing off the hook since NTV broadcasted the news.

About winning the 2023 Young Heroes Award.

And the prize attached to it.

They made it a feature story.

Everyone was calling at the same time.

I was anxious for the first time. What do I say to these people?

"Pim pim pim." My phone seemed to chime every other second. A text message. It had to be the 100th text I've received this morning.

My neighbor, Ola, knocked once and eased himself into the room.

"Guy!!!" He looked incredulous as if he would swallow me up. A worship-like look. "Guy. You don blow. Laidis laidis you don make am."

I couldn't match his enthusiasm no matter how I tried. "Ol boy leave matter."

"So, where is it happening?"

I kept mute. If only he knew what was at stake. My phones were still ringing nonstop. I looked. Mom calling.

I didn't pick up the phone. What will I say to her? That it wasn't me? That I wasn't the one being celebrated despite the work I've put into Helping Hands Foundation?

That it was someone else.

That it was Chukwuemeka C. Okeke and not Chukwuemeka O. Okeke that the world was celebrating.

I tried to explain the situation to Ola but he wasn't having it.

"But it's your picture there naa."

"Yes. But it's not my name."

"It could be a mistake."

"Maybe, the award organizers did not call me..."

"Wetin dey occur gan gan? Everyone know say na you dey carry that foundation for head nau."

I signed, "My reward is in heaven."

"Everybody's reward dey for heaven nau. But your own gats start here naa. Wetin be this."

Ola has turned sober. He looked deep in thought with his brows furrowed. "Explanation go dey for this matter nau."

I got up from the sofa that had sunken so low with my weight and the weight of my problems.

My phone chimed again — another message.

"Guy, this una story no bam sha but try dey pick your call."

I asked him what I would tell the hordes of people calling to congratulate me. It wasn't me. I could swear it wasn't.

I had resigned from the foundation two weeks ago. There was no way they would nominate me for that award.

And yes, there is another Chukwuemeka Okeke at the Edo state branch. So... no, it couldn't be me.

Accepting that it wasn't me was easy enough but how do I explain to these hundreds of people calling?

I got up to go to the bathroom. I needed to take a shower. Life must go on, innit?

Even though someone was knocking at the front door, I made to ignore them. I didn't want to see anyone. I was in a foul mood. I would tell the person off if I open the door.

Ola beat me to it. He was signing something and beaming. The man was leaving. And he extended an envelope to me.

"The award.”

“Yes?”

“It's yours... Na you get am!" He screamed like a madman hallucinating.

"How?" It was hard to fathom the depth of questions running through my mind.

I was elated. But I was sad too. What about the other Chukwuemeka? How was he going to return the congratulations he has received so far?

I wondered if I could share the prize with him as I scrubbed my body in the bathroom

https://web.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=869913311357756&set=a.121710886178006&__cft__[0]=AZXwTAsDvLY5D_vSMSPwnwxje0Ih4Hxy4WE0zD1WodEHdv8HG4Isb0InHnmnyrYXJuu-Qe0a5OxT_LJl6EljaFYtF5OHvJM-6zoEOJwLiZg1HEWByUr-KEHEFJW9x_sLt_aufDM1P8jUr-6i-kebLrLpekCm4JeWPnnWf4Gl67iGMw&__tn__=EH-R