KEEP IT COOL!

Hey you, hold your tongue! Just before you utter another word, think very, very carefully about that which you are about to say next. How dare you just blast off like a radio without knowing the repel effect of your words. You do know that what comes out of your mouth can not be shoved back in! 

What is it with us humans, that once we get provoked just a little that we let loose a torrent of unfathomable words that can even shame our own parents, wondering who they raised. We raise our voices not caring what is the pinch or punch that will come with our actions or the very words spewed from our lips. 

Well, we are a people of wonder, when a small spark ignites the flame within for a wrong whether intentionally or unintentionally done by another, we become barbaric like the Vikings. Slashing, stabbing, swinging, dicing, smashing with no second thought all enraged like a bull squeezed at its balls knowing that all hell must pay. 

We become like hired assassins wanting to take everyone out because we have been wronged or someone has interfered with the intended purpose of our mission. Anyway, am just trying to bring to your attention just like the way the internet never forgets, the heart doesn’t always heal completely as there are strains of the pain caused that usually are lingering about. 

In all that you do, just take it in good stride to tame the words that slip out of your mouth. Some may take it lightly deeming that we are all hardcore, my friend you would be surprised by the lingering effects of utterances. I just thought it be crucial to just bring to the fore since it seems at times we forget & need a reminder here & there. 

Did you know that most times we are so ungrateful to the extent that if you ever have an out of body experience & look at yourself, you would go like, “what the……”. Yep, we take some many things for granted not appreciating the value that they possess. It is only at the point of loss that we come to the realization that what we had, was a treasure to be held close like the gift of life. 

When we are myopic of the things that matter, that which is worthy slips through our fingers like sand in an hour glass. When you have clothes even though not the best, you are grumbling why can’t I have designer like so & so yet your nakedness is covered & you are protected from the elements. 

When you are driving a simple jalopy down the streets you wish you had that 4x4 guzzler to cushion you from the whacky road, yet yours moves you from point A to B. When you have this loving, caring, providing man/woman in your life, you get the wondering eye lusting after the younger, finer, more athletic, lad/lass at your place of work, neighborhood or even at places of social gathering. 

When you have a simple gadget, you go nuts about the fancy more technologically advanced gadget, yet that which you have can still connect you to the outside world. I am assuming that you have heard the saying, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bushes”. Did you get what it meant or you just thought it was a colourful play with words. 

I am in no way saying that you should not desire to have the best, but don’t let you desires cloud your judgment. What you want & what you need differ, a want is not compulsory while a need is a necessity. It is important to remember that though anger is a feeling that gets emitted from within it can explode like a ticking time bomb if left unchecked, leading to a trail of burned bridges don’t let it blur your path. 

If you go back in time, into the biblical space, Cain dealt with Abel in a horrific moment of weakness, as his anger went unchecked & unleashed into the world. Who we are when we let our emotions control us, is a different entity or personality that can either construct or destroy you. While a blessing is the feeling of knowing that no matter what is happening within you, around you or for you there is good meant for you. If this doesn’t make sense, bite on a piece of ice, maybe it will calm & cool you down. 

A little bit of side note, I am no authoritative figure but this is a free public service announcement. Well, we are now in the thick of it(biting nails uncontrollably)! Did you or did you not know that we are in the third wave of the Rona. My friend, this is the stuff the resident evil movie was made off. It all just started all easy peasy lemon squeezy, until all hell broke loose. We need to protect ourselves, those whom we care about & love as well as those around us. Mask up, sanitize, wash your hands with soap thoroughly, keep that physical & social distance, if you are lucky, you can get vaccinated.

Can I tell you a secret? This shouldn’t even be a secret, you got this. I just want to encourage you today that whatever detour you encounter along the way; you will make the right decision. Whatever mountain is blocking your pathway; you are strong enough to climb it. You see it always being you! You have always being strong enough to overcome any storm, struggle and obstacle. You just needed the right mindset & today I just want to encourage you. 

Heavenly Father, I ask that every man and woman who is reading this that they may be uplifted, they be encouraged, they be renewed through you dear God. Whatever they are struggling with dear God, may it be medical, emotional or a financial need, I ask you dear God that you combine them into one dear God and that they feel your presence like they have never felt it before. I pray this to you in your heavenly name. Amen!!! 

Remember, it is always being you. Go out there & face the world with no fear of what may be in front of your because you are strong enough to overcome it.

RAW IN DETAIL!

"When I was born, a woman was there to hold me: My Mother. As I grew up as a child, a woman was there to play with me: My Sister. I went to school, a woman was there to help me learn: My Teacher. When I needed comparability, company and love, a woman was there for me: My Wife. When I will die, a woman will be there to absorb me in it: Motherland!"

Does the above paragraph invoke anything in you or it is just some fancy words with no weight or lacking the expected oomph (please don't search the meaning of the word, I can't unread what I have just read) or do you think it is a ploy to get attention (lifts hands in surrender). I have a feeling that I will be either stoned or crucified for this, but a man has got to do what he has got to do. 

By a show of hands or a shout out, are you a person who says things as they are or you are more of letting things play out & see the proverbial fireworks? (looking around anxiously).Well, for me am a straight shooter. I will say it to your face without even flinching. Please don't take it in bad stride, am not saying that I will cuss you out, but I will make it known to you that what you are up to or doing is not in the right. 

I know some will say, "why are you nosing into other people's business". Well, for starters, am minding my own business but when something has caught my attention & requires a voice to condemn it or correct it, I will not be silent. If something is wrong we are not meant to hold our lips tightly shut about it. Let me give you an example closer to home that can be palatable. 

When we, as a nation get near to the elections, it seems that we lose all sense & become all tribal, rising up in arms. We forget the friendships/relationships that we have built with each other & opt to act like savages. We go into political divides, chanting one slogan or the other as our daily mantra (just walk in the streets & you will see the clusters of heated discussions). 

When things don't work out in our favour, we are told we need to finish this or that people of a particular region/race, we become blinded by our foolish loyalties & cause harm to others. Yet the inciters (the supposed big men bazuu) themselves keep far away, safe & secure behind their personal security, 4x4 vehicles & palatial homes watching the chaos & mayhem, not dirtying their own hands. 

Anyway, to a more simplified example, as a people there are habits that others or even ourselves exhibit that are so irritating that you wonder how does one live with themselves. Let me ask you, have you ever seen a person who was drinking a cold beverage throw the plastic bottle out of the window of a vehicle or while walking, onto the tarmac or the drainage or sweet wrappers? 

I usually wonder is it that they think that it will decompose automatically or as one said it is the creation of employment. Yet when an area is not pleasing to the eye, blame is thrown around like a fly whisk. When we hold conversations with our peers & we note that one of our friend's is using heavy of vulgar language. Do we step up & let them know that they need to check themselves or you are more like, that is just the way he/she is(I have fallen short)? 

I didn't mean to offend anyone but I thought it best to lay it bare before you the reality that is out here. Hey! I am not saying am a moral cop or anything so don't organize to take me out. I am just merely looking through the glass from a different angle. Do you know people who are in your lives, whom you know if you go on the wrong they will straighten you? 

I don't mean our parents (more so African parents, no offense), they are a different breed of humans. We need to take a moment & just reflect on this fact about being truthful to each other (or is it one another). Do we let someone know that one thing or the other they are doing or are involved with is not right or we cover it with other colourful words to mask that which really lies underneath? 

Let me tell you something, as for me I have on several occasions been told things as they are raw & unedited. At first it hurt because I was like, "woow, why you so harsh with the truth". I have learned to embrace the truth as it comes from a good place. 

There is a quote that I have read online saying, "I refuse to please others at the expense of my emotional well-being. Even if it means saying "No" to people who are used to hearing "Yes". It is your own choice of how you interpret it, but I am assuming it is clear as day what message is being passed along. In the days as they currently are, you need to know that there are people who are jobless, who are sleeping hungry, who are dying, who have lost all hope, who have no homes, who have fallen ill, who have given up, who are hurting on the inside & so on. 

Did you know that to some this may not seem like the reality on the ground, it may seem like a bad dream? However, the thing is this, we are living in unprecedented times that we need to be there for one another for the long haul. We may have all switched into the survival mode, where now it is all about survival for the fittest. 

However, don't forget that though that may be so, you need in your own heart to search yourself & see how can you contribute to those in need. It is not a mandatory obligation like going for morning preps as was the case in high school. This is all down to personal decision making, the call is yours. If you get time, listen to the song by Maverick City Music titled "Yes & Amen".

To the person reading this I want to pray for you. Let us pray. Our Father up in heaven, I come before you thanking you that we have seen this day. We may take it for granted, but you Lord has preserved us by giving us the breath of life. Lord I place the reader of this article in your able hands. May you bless the works of their hands, if they are sick may your healing hand be upon them. If they are in need may you fulfill it, if you see they are worthy. As you say in your love letter to us in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". Lord, thank you for who you are in their lives. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!!!