Between the cradle And the black door's handle Was a big luminous candle.

Birthed upon the victory Of dignitaries' patrotic fray, You were clothed with dignity.

You were born to burn With justice and unity Shining with sheen.

To our dismay, The winds of disarray Blew your candle to bay.

Yet, we'll obey your call To serve our fatherland With love and strength and faith Because the labours Of the heroes past Shall never be in vain And one day, you'll shine again.

Happy new month, lovelies💞 Happy independence day. God bless Nigeria!🥳✨

#NigeriaAt63 #IndependenceDay #WeCantContinueLikeThis #NiceLinus

DIARY OF A CHRISTIAN LADY

Sweetheart, this weather is a setup. It spoils plans and breaks protocols. Everyday passes by almost in a blur. I wake up very early only to put off my myriads of alarms, close the windows if they're open, wrap my blanket tighter around me for another dose of sleep and wake up again by 6am. I'd warm the leftovers from the previous night's meal or cook something fresh and hot for breakfast. I'd sometimes imagine being served toast bread and hot tea in bed. Lucky is what I call those who have it exactly as I imagine- being served toast bread and hot tea in bed by one's mother.

This weather comes with mood swings. Maybe it's not just the weather. Maybe it's me. I remember how it started for my pregnant neighbor. She used to work like a robot. Bend to wash the plates. Bend to sweep the floors. Bend to wash clothes. Bend, bend, bend. Bend like a woman. She loved to do all the house chores in one go. She'd also leave the house to go about her business at noon. I used to hail her in my mind, what a strong woman she is. I still do. Then, suddenly, I saw her sitting idly on the chair one morning and staring blankly at the floor. She looked so helpless, like a child. Another time, she came to my doorstep very early to ask if I had cooked anything. I felt for her. “This condition does a lot to me,” she would often say. I would divert her attention to the naming ceremony and parenting. I would call her Iya Ibeji like a hundred million times in a day to remind her to ignores the pains and instead think about the bundle of joy to come.

Today, mine are triplets. They keep me awake every night. Their kicks wake me up early every morning. They make me crave for more of every necessity. More knowledge. More patience. More experience. They push me. They scare me. They excite me. Sure only those who have been in my shoes understand. It comes with arduity, anxiety sometimes but the stress will be worth it at the end. What is life without dreams to gear you up?

#nicelinus

DARE TO BE YOU! The eagle stands out by simply being himself. Don't try to copy what's trending or what's in vogue. Don't let your motivation revolve around 'feeling among'. No, you don't have to 'feel among' to really be among. Whether you like it or not, you're among already. You're in that environment amongst those people! Don't feel inferior.

Imagine the room is dark and you have a torch. Will you switch it on or panic in the darkness? Don't let inferiority complex and peer pressure be the darkness that overpowers your light. You are born different. So dare to do things differently. Dare to stand out. Dare to be you!

#daretobeyou #NiceLinus

Just when different kinds of thoughts grope for my attention, I remember that I have to cater for my mental health. I think a lot. Yeah, who doesn't think anyway?

I'm in my own world and right here, I rule. Absentmindedness is a skill I've learnt to hone overtime. I call it a skill because you need to learn when its application is necessary and to what extent it is required. You spread negativity in the air, I enter my protective shell. You say hurtful words to me, I dust the lethal stains off. Yes, you're right; the poisonous arrows only scratched my shiny armour😄. You try to force your opinion on me, I jump out of the window like a burgglar😂. I mean, I literally switch off.

Trust me, my mind (and yours too) is like a computer. I can wipe, save, highlight (take note of), delete anything/any memory. Forgetfulness is golden. You don't have to remember everything. The biblical instruction to forgive and forget is very sensibly, profitable and practical. Forgiveness and forgetfulness helps you and your mental health.

So I'll go ahead and be like those traditional women whose mindset has been shaped by society to believe that fulfillment is found in the number of children you have. They'll have nine, twelve, fourteen kids even after their first experience of birth pangs because of forgetfulness, courage and strength combined. The same way, I'll give chance upon chance, keep relationships regardless of human imperfections and difference in perceptions. I'll throw the memory of the things you said and did that were way below my expectations in the trashcan of my mind provided your motive was not to break down but to build.

Love yourself today. Build the right relationships. Be positive. Take care of your mental health and remain patient.

#mentalhealth #positivity #buildingrelationships #NiceLinus