August 2013 ...Anniversaries, Birthdays and Thanksgiving

Hello World!

Its been quite a while...I have actually been around, been reading some blogs silently. I had over 1,500 posts to catch up on, so I was "ghosting".

August has finally come to an end today. And I am most grateful to be alive. July and August were pretty challenging for me health wise, But God saw me through and I am grateful.

In August I became +1. Yay!!!!. 

 

I had an amazing birthday. T surprised me  blew my mind. I had always said he didn't know how to cook (well, except the 2 occasions he made yam and eggs for me). But I got to know the other side when he organized a pre-birthday dinner for me and invited my friends. He actually went to the market (He hates the market) and bought all the things he needed to make me pounded yam and Vegetable soup -Efo Riro). As in, I was amazed. He didn't let me do a single thing. I just sat pretty and read a novel while he busied himself in the kitchen. The best part of it was he actually pounded the yam. I must confess, all my married life I have never even pounded yam, I always resort to "Poundo" (usually Ola-ola or Ayoola). He then went ahead to invite a couple of my friends and spouses. I was ecstatic.

Funny after they had gone and we were snuggling on the couch, I asked him what he got for me for my birthday the next day (I'm weird like that, I just want to know shaaa. To show you how bad I've got "it" I asked him how he was going to propose to me long before he did. That's actually a long story as per he had proposed to me before, but I told him to get a few things done first and he could come and ask again. Lol). He just told me "Ife, I'm sorry, I'm not that boxed up, so I wont give you anything". I felt bad but I understood and said no biggie.

A few hours later I was really tired and wanted to go to bed, He declined and said I should go ahead that He would join me later. I went in as per I had to pray and all that. When I finished I fell asleep but I kept waking up to phone calls and text messages.

By 12:15, I heard my front door open, and was wondering why from my sleepy state, and shortly after, the door opens again. Next thing, T comes into the room and says I have a visitor. I sat up and was wondering who would come to visit at such late hour, I refused to stand up, but he told me the person was waiting in the parlor. I dragged my self up, put on my house coat and went to the living room, I didn't see anyone. I opened the front door and saw T standing beside a black car. In my sleep induced state, I was like, whose car is parked in front of our house, and why is he standing beside it? He probably noticed my confused state and lifted up the keys and said "happy birthday". The sleep cleared fast. I didn't even know what to say, but I knew I couldn't scream because it was really late. Hubby offered to park it properly so we could go get some sleep, He didn't trust me driving it at that point, so I quickly got in behind him and once the doors were properly shut, I started screaming like a banshee. To think he had calmly told me he had nothing to give me. Lol. Anyway, I really had a good birthday. I just had a really good time.

My MIL's birthday was 5 days before mine. 

Our Registry anniversary was a day after MIL's birthday. Didi and Toin had their birthdays on this same day.

My cute nephew had his birthday a day after mine.

Yesterday was the anniversary of out Traditional wedding. 

Tomorrow will be our 1st anniversary as a couple.

I am truly thankful to God for good health. Most times we are healthy but we do not know what we have. A sick person or one who has been ill, or knows anyone who has been ill appreciates good health much more. I had to do lots of tests and what not, took many days off work and all, BUT God has remained faithful to me. Over and over again, I keep learning to trust God always and leave it all to him. Mark 11 23-26 has been my "talisman". 

What happened to you in August?

The Reality

I got hit between my eyes a month ago. I wish I could write about it here, but the person may grab what I am saying. I guess I'd have to open an anonymous blog so I can put down how I really feel. So many people in my office read this blog (even though they never comment) and it wont be so good if I come "clean" here.

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Anyway, back to my gist.

Last month I learned 3 powerful lessons indirectly.

1. Never take anything for granted. I have a blog, I hardly update it because I feel I shouldn't mix working hours with personal time. I had a career passion, I just took it with levity. I naturally assumed that I wanted will come towards me if I positioned myself properly. Something happened that shocked me to my bones. It didn't come naturally (or even unnaturally) I learned I should always work towards what I want and make sure I take nothing or no-one for granted. 



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2. What you love doing comes naturally towards you.I mean, if you have a passion to draw and you are really good at it, promote yourself. Don't think your work will speak for you all the time. Some people may never have heard about you or what you do. Put yourself out there. DO all it takes (within legal means) and make your name/ blog heard. If you blog, put yourself out there. Just yesterday I learned while on Miss petite that being determined in all things even blogging can go a long way. For her it has made her who she is today, to think that she started just 2 years ago. Doing what comes naturally towards you makes it all so easy. That way you don't even have to consider it a chore or a job, but as a hobby. This means you will get better at doing it because you are open to it and willing to learn. Growing up, my mom told me of how she hated sewing but had to learn to sew at a point when things were really difficult. Till date, my mom hates it and still thinks she's not good at it. She hardly ever sews. On the other hand, my sister watched my mum sew something once and the next day she went to the machine and was just sewing away and enjoying herself. The difference between the 2 of them is passion. Mike Murdock says what you permit grows and the proof of desire is pursuit. How willing are you to pursue what you desire?

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3. Make your self the best there is at the level you are. This will help you face competition in the same capacity and give you leverage all the time. I missed out on an opportunity probably because of a few lapses. If i say it didn't pain me, I am seriously lying. For me the statement of once bitten twice shy is true. Just that mine won't be twice shy, but twice as wise. If you need to go to school to get equipped, don't give any excuse. JUST DO IT!!! and yes, I'm actually yelling right now. If you need to practice, quit giving excuses! Whatever it takes, do it. In fact, the best example I'd give is of the teenager who hid in the tire compartment....I'm sure we are familiar with the story? He didn't let anything deter him. Of course we need to do everything with wisdom, but his determination is to be commended. Remember Lionel Messi prepared himself for 17 years before he became an "overnight" success.      

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I'd conclude by saying that when things elude you sometimes, its definitely for a reason. This is what my sister told me when I was really feeling down and low. But I want to say just make sure things are not eluding you as a result of your negligence. Just remember it's all part of a puzzle. One day you will see the clear picture. Till then, its one piece at a time, one square, one inch till the whole is manifest.

Have you had any such experience of missing out on something important? Please share it with me.

Shalom!