MEDITATION FOR READERS, NON-READERS AND WOULD-BE READERS.

The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read
Mark Twain

There are three kinds of people; those who read, those who don't read and those who read too little. We don't have people who read too much because this is an impossible feat. How can you read too much when you only have twenty four hours a day that are barely enough?

Let's get this straight; when I talk about reading, I'm not talking about tweets, facebook updates and instagram memes. I'm basically talking about substantial reading for enrichment and nourishment.

When was the last time you read a book, or a substantial article? Does your reading habit center around tweets, facebook updates, instagram memes or instruction procedures on your new facial scrub package? If you are one of the countless people who don't have a habit of reading, you might be missing out:studies show that reading has numerous positive effects on your emotional, intellectual and psychological state of mind.

That said, we don't have any excuses whatsoever. Any time of the day is perfect for reading. Any place (Yes, any place, at least for me). Any excuse (It can be a daily mantra as simple as, learning something new everyday). There are no side effects for reading; nothing to lose but boredom and nothing to fear but papercuts.

It fills me with great joy to see someone sitted in a restaurant, a park or in transit, intrigued and fully occupied in a thrilling read. It tells you alot about that person. It says that this person loves to feed  their mind - with every page they turn, it turns them. Books turn us on to our passions and into pursuing our passions. Books turn us into intelligent beings; erudite, enlightened and knowledgeable people.

Anytime you read a book. you open up your thoughts to a different world. A world we are not accustomed to. Readers get an opportunity to sit on round tables with great minds, go on adventures, travel across continents and boundaries, meet interesting characters; learn their culture and fall in love with them. To a great degree, books give us the rare chance of learning from other people's experiences, failures and successes and how they surmounted their obstacles.

This is what I think;We should raise a generation that's dying of starvation, hungry for ideas which lay beneath these closed books. A generation that's desperate for information, thirsty for knowldege and hungry for wisdom. We are duty bound to influence our next generation and turn them on to the reading frequency.We are duty bound to invest in books, not only for ourselves but for our children as well.

It's motivating to know that everything we've ever read, loved, cherished and remembered is now part of our consciousness- forever engraved in our mind and soul.

Once you cultivate the habit of reading, you'll feel the way a warrior must feel after years of training; he might not remember the details of everything he learnt, but he knows how to strike when the time is right.

Keep reading or better still, start reading!

Sincerely Beccah.

I BELIEVE

This is my truth. Tell me yours
-Aneurin Bevan-

I believe

A daughter hearing the sad news of her dad's demise in a fatal car accident is tragedy, cracking your iPhone screen is not. Children not having the priviledge to have one meal in a day is an issue, going a day without lunch is not. Being born without limbs is a setback, suffering from a mild malaria flu is not. A family living everyday oblivous of what tomorrow might hold is doom, failure to seal that business deal is not.

I believe

The most beautiful woman in the room is the one full of God, life and character, not the one with a beautiful appearance and physique. 1 Peter 2:3-4 echoes the same and I quote; " 3.Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as elaborate hairstyles or the wearing of gold, jewellery and fine clothes 4. Rather it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight". This verse is so simple, yet it convicted me deeply. Proverbs 31:30 echoes the same. What really stood out for me is the fact that inner beauty is unfading. Why then do we get caught up with our appearance? Most often than not, people value their looks alot, definetely more than their personality.

We often check in the mirror for stray hairs but don't look within for messy hearts and wasted potential.

I believe

Our prayers are heard even the ones that are composed of only tears. I've seen too many answered prayers to believe it is all coincidence. I've seen so many sunsets and sunrises, so many miracles to believe that there's a higher being. I believe in God. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and me. There's no formular for understanding, we were not called to understand but believe! We are called to trust.

I believe

That success is just not about achieving your dream title and status but it's about living a well balanced life; emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally and financially. Success is in finding the right balance. We should not loose ourselves, our family, friends and close acquintances in the quest of that status . 

I believe

There is always something to be thankful for. Amidst our ups and downs, our setbacks and comebacks, we can still choose to be thankful. We can still choose to see things from a different perspective. We can still choose to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. May we always be thankful for the nights that turned to day. For the friends who turned to family. For the dreams that turned to reality. For the battles we won on our knees. For the tests that turned to testimonies. For the mess that turned into a message, and for the trials that turned to triumphs. May we always stop and count our blessings.

I believe

The virtue of modesty isn't something that guides your dressing. It's more than what you wear. It's a lifestyle that permeates your conversations, your text messages, your posture and your mannerisms. It's not enough to be polite to your spouse and rude to the waiter. It's not enough to be helpful to your brother and mistreat your house help. It's not enough to be polite in the company of our church peers and to curse/swear in the company of our friends. Modesty is being empathetic of other people's feeling. Modesty is being caring rather than carefree. Modesty is in forgiving other than criticizing. Modesty is in loving other than fighting. Modesty is in building up other than breaking down. Modesty is in helping other than critcizing.

I believe

That our words and actions are of no substance unless they are out of love. My belief is that our purpose is to love one another and lead each other back to the cross. This is why we love, love; because it's what we were meant for. 1 Corinthians 14:13 states it clearly: "And now, these three things remain; Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love". God compells us to love one another because He is love.

I believe in dreams. Keep dreaming. Keep believing. Dreams come true.

Ps; Stay tuned for I BELIEVE part 2 coming up.

Sincerely Beccah.

24HOURS FRESH CANVAS EVERYDAY

A life well lived is the most exquisite work of art
-Erwin McManus-

I visited an art gallery last week, and while I was marveling at the great pieces of art, I couldn't help but wonder about the amount of work and mastery put in place so as to come up with those beautiful paintings. Most of the time we see the finished product: ready and polished, and we forget just how much has been put in place to achieve the seemingly perfect product.  I figured out that all great masterpieces are as a result of immense hard work, skill and mastery.

In that same token, life is likened to a work of art. Each of us is given a fresh canvas every 24 hours. We are given a chance to embrace the new. A chance to take a risk. A chance to take a plunge into life. A chance to paint the world we want to live. We have to appreciate the fact that our life is the highest form of art, and we are the artists. It's our role to color our life. The brush is in our hands, the water paint is beside us and the canvas is before us. It's entirely up to us to reach forth!

 I know you may be probably thinking that art only evolves among writers, musicians, painters and sculptors, but truth is, there is an artist in all of us regardless of our profession. Try contact that toddler you once were, and he/she will remind you how artistic you are.

Remember when you were a toddler and you were given a pack of crayons and a drawing sheet.You didn't second guess yourself. You set out. You believed in your instincts.You actually gave the artist in you a chance to shine. A chance to thrive. And shine you did! This is because you always came up with a masterpiece out of a box of crayons. When did we stop trusting our instincts?

Most of us feel secure when we it play safe. We prefer to stick to our comfort zones. We wear black for instance instead of the coral pink floral print brocade dress we glimpsed and passed up at the boutique. Yet it's precisely what stops us dead on our track when we see another lady rocking it. "Wow", we mumble as we pass her on the streets, "That looks fantastic." We also wonder how she knew it would. She probably didn't. She probably just took a leap in the dark and trusted her instincts. She trusted her own sense of style. 

It is important for us to know that we are creators. And everyday when we wake up, we hold the mantle in our hands. We have a chance to create the life we desire and yearn for.We have a chance to create a day full of joy or gloom. When was the last time you did something out of pure adventure? When was the last time you sailed the uncharted waters? When was the last time you tweaked your routine?

Let's say yes to new adventures. and come up with the best collection of art pieces in the gallery of our lives. It could be serving mushroom soup for dinner instead of meat stew.  It could be trading in the headband for a lovely chic up do that makes you feel elegant. It could be taking cappuccino instead of tea. It could be visiting the art gallery rather than the road trip. It could be horse riding rather than bike riding. Whatever you choose to do, kindly purpose to seize each and every hour of the 24 hours that we are freely granted everyday by our creator.

Stay artistic.

Sincerely Becca

xoxo

EMBRACING ELEGANCE

Simplicity is the keynote to all true elegance
-Coco Chanel-

We have all met her; that special woman who has a deep sense of self. She is charming to the ear, eye and mind. She is modest, calm, and collected. She sits, walks and talks gracefully. She listens with responsive eyes and smiles. She has this sweet spot that you can't quite put a finger on. She is ying and yang. She is an enigma. She charms and disturbs. She is poised. She is passionate.

These women seem to possess a deep and quite sense of self assurance. I'm always in deep awe of such women.

Good new is...You have it. I have it. We all have it. It's called elegance and this ancient beauty secret is available to all of us.We just need to go within and find our inner light. In truth, the elegant woman is every woman but she's never commonplace woman. Looking back at the insights of elegant women from back in time;

Audrey Hepburn says, "Elegance is the only beauty that never fades".
Coco Chanel says, "Elegance comes from being as beautiful inside as outside".
Maya Angelou says, "Elegance is not about being noticed, It's about being remembered".
I say, Elegance is a way of being that resonates with everything. It's about grace, repose, good manners, etiquette, simplicity, modesty and more. Elegance should not only dictate the way we dress or walk, but it should permeate our conversations, text messages, and mannerisms. It's compassion for others. It's how you make people feel. It's being sensitive to other people's needs.

Many people believe that elegance implies being a perfectionist. On the contrary, embracing elegance comes about as a result of striking the right note. Finding your bliss point. Your sweet spot. Just like good harmonious music; every note, every key should be right on point.I'm talking about some effortless repose coupled with modest behavior. Tough yet gentle, Strong yet vulnerable. Open yet mysterious. Feisty yet calm. It also resonates with how you cope with issues. Responding rather than reacting. Being firm but polite. Using euphemism rather than profane language. All this and more create the right tone that sets apart an elegant woman from the commonplace woman.

Elegance in personal style requires that  women major only in the classics; comfort, color, shape, fabric, value and appropriateness. Always keep your look uncluttered and comfortable. Comfort should be your number one rule of thumb. Keep the accessories minimal and subtle. Never wear two statement pieces in one look. Always remember to keep your look simple and effortless because simplicity is elegance.

This year, do purpose to embrace elegance in your everyday life. Act as if you are a woman with repose of the soul. Love genuinely. Be empathetic to peoples needs. Give generously. Smile. Complement someone. Look at your loved ones in the eye and tell them how you appreciate them. Indulge your senses. Surprise your mother with beautiful fresh flowers from the garden. Say please and thank you often. Always keep it simple.
See how you feel at the end of the day.

 Stay elegant always.

xoxo

BE-YOU-TIFUL

                                                     True beauty comes from within

Focusing on beauty; we often find ourselves caught up in stuff and in appearances that we form a misconception that this is it. We put so much emphasize on the outside stuff while so many of us are empty and void inside. We put across a facade.We think that with money and good looks we have it all and we forget there is much more.We forget that true beauty is skin deep. We forget that true beauty comes from within. We forget that the most beautiful things in the world can't be seen or even touched, but are felt within the heart.

Let's get this straight. I don't mean to say that outer beauty is irrelevant. Outer beauty is equally important as the inner beauty. But most important, let's strive to be beautiful inside out. I don't believe that expensive clothing, the right hairstyle and a good ride can alone make a person beautiful. But I do believe that the most beautiful and radiant person is the one full of God, love, life and character. Your personality and how you make others feel is 100% more important than your appearance. True beauty is from the inside out. True beauty is generosity of spirit. True beauty is a compassionate heart.

Let's stop for a minute and do some soul searching. We need to derive our confidence from our soul and not our body. Stop running for something so shallow, so vain, so materialistic because you're worth more. You're worth more than a couple of likes and half baked attention on instagram. You're worth more than inappropriate comments. You're worth more than unnecessary fame. You're a woman. You're a dream filled soul with ambition and purpose. Be the person that God assigned you to be. Search for your stride and forte till you find it.And finding, be what no one else can be.

There's no one out there who holds the title of the most beautiful person in the world(beauty queens notwithstanding). Attractiveness is simply an opinion. He may be a 10 on your scale, and a 2 on your best friends. There is no one kind of beautiful. There are billions and you are one of them. Everyone is beautiful in their own way. Remember-The beautiful one was here, is here and will be here forever.(And you're one of them) Strive to be your own kind of beautiful, because you can only be the only you that's truly you on earth. I'm talking about embracing one's authentic beauty. I'm talking about embracing what makes you different. Always remember; What  makes you different, makes you beautiful. And when all is said and done, the real beauty secret is in finding our inner light. As we go within, searching for spiritual growth, peace of mind, love and serenity, we begin to blossom on the outside.

Stay Beyoutiful.

Sincerely Beccah

xoxo

OH SO GRATEFUL

 Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance

                                                     -Eckhart Tolle-

         

A long time mentor once told me,'There is always something to be grateful for." I concur. Everyday when I wake up, I usually have a daily morning routine. After my morning prayer and meditation, I usually take inventory of all the things I'm grateful for.

First and foremost, I'm grateful for one thing I deem to be the most important thing in my life; Salvation. I'm grateful for being priviledged enough, to know the truth, the message of the hour, and to walk in the light. I count myself Blessed.

Today I'm grateful for my past. Thankful for the mess that turned into a message, for the test that turned into a testimony and for the trials that turned to constant triumphs(talk of beautiful mistakes)

I'm so grateful for the nights that turned to day. For the dreams that turned into reality and for the battles I won on my knees.

I'm grateful for the past heartache because it taught me how to love. For my past lack because it taught me humility and gratitude.I'm grateful for the closed doors, because it taught me patience.

I'm grateful for the present. For the simple things; the joys and blessings that go unnoticed; for the sun, for the crisp fresh air, for good health, for peace in our country, for loved ones, for yummy food, and for all of life.

I'm thankful for my Family(Parents and siblings). I can't replace their love for anything. I will be forever indebted to them. Their support has been so overwhelming.

I'm grateful for the gift of life and good health. Life is truly a gift and just to live is a blessing enough.

I'm thankful for the gift of sight; what a gift to behold. To be able to marvel at the colours of the world, the beauty of mother nature, and to stare at the faces of our loved ones

I'm thankful for my friends who've turned into family. For the friends who came and coloured my life with joy, happiness, and fun.

Today I'm thankful. Thankful beacuse my present is about to blossom into a beautiful future

I'm grateful for the past and present, but more so, I'm grateful for the future.(Talk of faith in practice)I'm thrilled to experience the beautiful future ahead of me.

I'm grateful for my loved one.Yes. My future Husband. I call him my Isaac.

I'm thankful for the dreams and desires, that will soon be reality, and all the soon to be answered prayers.

I'm thankful for the assurance that I'll spend eternity with my Father, coz that's our ultimate destiny. That's the future we're looking up to.

This month, being the last month of the year, how about we embark on a gratitude journey of always counting our blessings. Everyday, purpose to acknowledge at least five things you're grateful of, and the universe will open up it's abundance for more.

Begin this day to explore and integrate this beautiful, life-affirming principle unto your life, and the miracle you have been seeking will unfold to your wonder and amazement.

Choose Gratitude Today.

Yours Truly,

Sincerely Beccah.

TAKE ME BACK

We don't remember days, we remember moments
-Cesare Pavese-

Walking down memory lane, I couldn't help but reminisce on the good old days. I always get nostalgic every time I reminisce about the past.

Today when I woke up, I longed to experience the past moments.

For a moment, I just felt like going back in time.

Take me back to a time when beauty wasn't judged by the cosmetics on your face but by character of spirit. I believe that the most beautiful woman in the room is not one who has expensive clothing and make up, but one who is full of life, passion and character.

Take me back to a time when your value wasn't measured by the thickness of your wallet, but by the size of your heart. A time when virtues superseded wealth.

A time when we valued our families more than our careers. Let's go back to a time when the family unit was precious, and dinner time was prime. Family time meant prayers in the morning and family fellowship in the evening.

Take me back to that time. A time when ladies were feminine, and men were masculine. A time when stylish wasn't determined by the shortness of our hemline, but by modest dressing. They call it old fashion, I call it authentic. Elegant. Graceful. As Audrey Hepburn said, Elegance is restraint.

I'm longing for the time when we could stop and smell the flowers. A time when time wasn't consumed as we hurried about with everyday epiphanies but by savoring the simple things in life; like the beauty of mother nature.

Let's go back to that time when natural beauty was divine. Weaves were scarce, cosmetics were rare and make up was unheard of.

A time when virginity was solemn. Womanhood was divine and respected. A time when ladies were treated with dignity and respect and not as a mere sex objects.

Take me back to a time when women were home-keepers; weaving the mats, gardening, arranging the flowers and decorating their homes for autumn. A time when women plaited their kids, as they delighted in the fragrance of their daughter's hair

It was a time of bliss. A time when ladies dressed for  evening time, to welcome their husbands home from work.

Take me back to a time where men were readers and not gamblers. Men were hunters(not of ladies), but of game.

The time has come for us to look deep within. It's not too late for us to savour the times, and cherish the moments that made life worthwhile.

Sincerely Beccah.