Friday, September 27

A Few of The Things I learnt in September

One of my favourite bloggers Emily Freeman, http://www.chattingatthesky.com/ started a blog series a few months ago (at least that’s when I became aware of it) of things she had learnt each month, and invites everyone to post the same…I haven’t joined in before now because I didn't really think I had learned anything ‘remarkable’ in any one of the past months. Wrong. Of course I learn new things every day, and even though I like to define some of those things as things I ‘suddenly become conscious of’ I still would like to join her this month if only to keep track!
I am hopeful my horizons will be expanded and I hope you would come on this journey too…let’s go there…
  • I learnt that God still answers prayer we pray and then abandon because we lack faith. We forget about it, but He answers them along the line. Amazing grace!
  • I learnt that the tallest hotel in the world is the JW Marriot Marquis in Dubai. It opened last November. This knowledge is courtesy my boss, the veteran traveler!
  • For as long as I can remember I have always pronounced (wrongly) the word ‘capable.’ Omg! I got corrected recently, and finally learnt that I have been speaking bad grammar for decades! ˈkeɪpəble’ – correct. Because of this, I started to learn the correct pronunciation of every word I thought I knew…I am amazed at what I found. (Better late than never).
  • People’s demeanor become warmer towards you when you address them by their names, especially service providers. They just smile so brightly. Makes me feel good too.
  • I cannot stand my barber touching my head! (oh yes, my first barber ever always did the job without actually touching my head). 

What did you learn in September? 
  
Be free oh.

Monday, September 9

Put Your Feet Up oh!


Having worked hard all day, driven (most likely and very possibly) in some bad traffic, you would think that when we arrived home we would take it easy. Oh no! We immediately jump into some other tasks waiting to be completed; start dinner, straighten the room, if we were unable to do so in the morning rush, set out the outfit for the morrow, and a million other things just waiting to be done…

 It seem to me that there be one too many recurring circles in our daily lives. Taking time out to rest is almost a taboo; unthinkable. It brings a feeling of guilt!
Let’s start with an example: I was a short holiday trip recently with a friend. Part of the plan for the day was to have a nap, and afterwards go for a walk. My friend got into bed and slept off. I tried but I couldn't readily fall asleep, so I jumped on my phone and went trolling online.

When I realized what I was doing, I put away the phone and tried to sleep. I could not. But do you know what I did? I told myself to lie in bed really just rest. As much as my mind whispered all the things I could achieve while I laid there doing nothing, I did not budge. For 2 hours. Not sleeping, but doing nothing either.

This struggle is much the same for many of people. We deny ourselves of rest, because we feel guilty about the other things that ‘will suffer.’

Have you ever looked up the definition of ‘rest?’ Please do so.

I tried it when I got home: sit in my  lounging chair for at least half an hour to give room for the body to refresh before I delve into those other things, and I can tell you, I fail woefully! I am still trying.  We have to cultivate the habit of deliberately making time to rest. Sit down, enjoy a drink, have a cup of tea, stare at the moon (where you can find it) listen to birds chirping (where possible, in this Lagos!) listen to the sound of running water, feel the effect of the dawn (oh well, you get my point), just sit down and do nothing. For 10 minutes.

Put your feet up.

Be free oh!

Picture courtesy Google.

Tuesday, September 3

Habits!

Have you ever tried to break a habit? If you have, I am sure you would say it is not as easy as some books say...that thing about 21 days to break a habit.

A few nights ago, I stayed awake till about 2am watching, no you could never guess; the TV series 24 . I mean, I did go crazy all those years ago when 24 was showing; same as most people out there. I watched all night, went to work the next day, wished the day passes quickly so I can rush back and do it all over again. It was a vicious circle and I marveled at how I survived the lack of sleep. Absolute madness.


But I weaned myself of it. I came out of that experience vowing that I would never be that way about any movie, ever again. I tried, because as I write, I chose what movie I watch and I do it on my own terms. Yes, I weaned myself.


Ok. But how come I am now glued to the same 24 so long after The Vow?? It is a break in habit.


Last year, I made a decision to break away from the (bad and very unladylike) habit of peeling at my lips! (Yeah, it's out there in the open now). Tough and difficult as it was, I willed myself, and I counted the days as per the books. 21 days came and went and I resisted the urge. Fast forward a few months, I found my fingers straying to my lips, and gradually I realized that I was back to square one...the dog had gone back to its vomit. 


So, hanging out with 24 when I should have been sleeping, I asked myself just what it takes to be disciplined enough to not do what you have promised yourself you wouldn't do, and with such good intentions. But I refuse to be daunted. I have decided to re-approach this matter, but my strategy would be to take one day at a time (surely this should work!). Hopefully I shall discover one morning after the passage of time that a habit seem to have been completely broken! 


Do you think I am dreaming? :-) 

Be Free oh.