Thankful - I reflected looked back & realized how blessed I am.

                                              Thankful, Grateful and Blessed.

I went out for a drink with a friend of mine after not seeing each other for like 2 years, (blame it on life). We talked about a whole lot of things like what we’ve been up to in the last 2 years, most especially, our individual experiences. He spoke to me and tried to make me reason differently on a number of things and I learnt quite a lot from him and was greatly motivated by his words. We both talked about the very sensitive word LOVE, touching on God’s love, what love should mean, and how love should be interpreted.
One of the things he said to me was that love needs to be beyond the physical and should be spiritual; love should be self-sacrificing and never-ending, should be everything that's different from what we see in our society today and should be identical to how our God loves us.

So who do you love the most in this world.?

My natural response was "my brother of course", followed by my mother, father, nephew etc in that order. (Lol) and then my darling friend laughed and said to me, “The person you love most in this world is YOU!”.  

Well In my opinion, loving yourself greatly before anybody else hinders you from being able to show the kind of love God showers on us. If we cannot love like God, then we can at least try to make the other person smile. Going out of your way to see someone else smile is not a very common act in our society these days and it doesn't make us too friendly. God loves those that show love to the common man without expecting anything in return but a smile.

Family and friend are people that should love you, encourage you against all odds, be there for you when you need them, and ensure that you don't doubt their place in your life. So after our conversation, I found out that whilst moping complaining and feeling rejected, I actually have that one very special friend that has taken the place of ten friends in my life. A friend that understands you without judging, whilst at the same time helping you become a better version of you. It took a conversation about the love of God to realize it, but I do know now that I am genuinely loved, not just by my family, or friends that are selfless in all accounts, but I am genuinely loved by God, His love for me top that of family or friends and He constantly remains merciful and faithful me.

I would like to encourage someone today that God loves you, regardless of who you are or what your circumstances are, everything you lack, and your limitations, your expectations, your dreams, your brokenness…..everything is like an open book before God. Remember His word that says "we should not be anxious about anything but in thanksgiving through prayer and petition let your request be made known to Him". God has engraved you and I on the palms of His hands simply because of His genuine and unending love for us.  Do you understand the meaning of that word ‘engrave’, it simply means you cannot take it out. Once it is engraved, it is the part of the skin and there is no way to separate both. Remember your life with all its boundaries are constantly viewed by God, you’re His precious child, He loves you and He sees every moment of your life.  So stand up tall, wear a crown, count your blessing and be thankful.

Until Next time… you are loved, blessed and highly favored.

Vida Amorosa

Olori Amope xx

Live an Inspired Life.

Over the years I use to beat myself up for things I could have done or should have done, I later realized that living a life of guilt for the things you could or should have done is no way to live. It took me a while to snap out of this life but one faithful day I decided it is time and chose instead to live an inspired life taking advantage of every moment and opportunity that comes my way. This made me realize that when you choose to or are living an inspired life, there are simply no regrets, only promises and hope for a better future.

Side Bar: I have said throughout my journey I will share my views and experience. So how do you live an inspired life starting today?

Living an inspired life means you are running your own race, following your own path and your own dreams. So many people are forced onto a path by others that they completely lose touch with their own dreams. People will often say and do whatever they feel is right, however, what might be right for them may not be right for you. Everyone has their own opinion and perspective about things, this perspective is colored by their own beliefs, values and assumptions and does this make it wrong or right? Not necessarily. It’s just an opinion, and yes everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however don’t build your life solely based on what other people think is best for you, I know someone who always base their decision on the majority’s opinion… (You know when someone already made a decision but needs others backup) and apparently “majority cannot be wrong” or “the majority are older so they know better” I mean, why should you let other people decide for you? Is it their life? No… Remember it is your life and you have absolute control over your life, do not let other people’s opinion affect your own decision, do not allow people think for you or make your mind up for you.

To live an inspired life you have to improve yourself, and focus on self-improvement, after a certain event in my life, I literally had to pinch and tell myself that rather than wallow in self-pity all day, I can actually learn so many things in this world and make something better of myself. I mean I had to think about all the skills I could learn or all the knowledge I could possibly gain. I noticed that all these things are available and at my disposal as long as I am willing to go out there and make them my own. So think about the different ways you can improve yourself, your interactions with others, and the world around you. You have the full power to activate these changes today, take positive action to make these things solid in your life. Spend your time wisely and prudently on the most important things that have the greatest meaning in your life. If you are not living a life built around your core values and passions, then you are not really living at all. You are just taking up space living life without purpose. You need to outline what it is you’re passionate about, clarify what your core values are, live your life with purpose every single day and spend time with people who encourage, motivate, inspire, love and support you, people that will be there for you when things get difficult.

You have to step outside your comfort zone and try something different and new. I know most of us like our comfort zone after all that’s our safe zone, but really we can only discover something new about ourselves if we try something else from the norm that we are used to, what have you got to lose? I know for most people, this is definitely not how they will choose to live their lives, they’d rather try and avoid variety at all costs, and instead live a mundane existence and at the end of it they end up regretting the things they failed to do, or never even attempted. I had to leave my comfort zone and try things I wouldn’t even think of doing, and guess what, I am glad I did, because I had that sense of fulfillment and know that I am truly living and experiencing life in all its glory. Hence say “yes” more often to new experiences and do something new and different that can help you to enlarge your horizons. As a matter of fact, welcome variation into your life. All of these things will help you add another unbelievable layer to your life that will make every moment worth living. You need to learn to overcome your fears, your fears are really there to help you learn and grow into your full potential as a human being, to help make life interesting and exciting. Many people see their fears as these dreadful giants that is about to swallow them and because of this, they are afraid to confront their fears. Do not let your fears control your decisions and actions, they are there to help you learn new things and experience the world from a different perspective. They are there to help you break new boundaries and to live the life of your dreams.

It’s natural for us to resist the natural alterations of life and the changes that often take place. It’s is usually those surprising changes that hit us unexpectedly that create the biggest resistance.  I have had to deal with an unexpected change recently and trust me it is not easy, however, change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be a very good thing. One thing I have come to realize about this life is that things will change; nothing will ever stay the same no matter how hard you try. It is difficult to accept change, I remembered been hit by an unexpected change, I didn’t have a choice but to welcome this change into my life, in that moment, I had very limited perspective of where this change will take me in the future, but now I reflect back and I realized how important and significant they were for my growth and development, Life is in a continuous change and transition, and so are you. So my advice is not to resist these changes that life throws your way. Embrace them and make the most of them to help you move your life forward.

Many people reach the end of their own life wishing they could have spent their time differently on things that mattered most to them. Unfortunately, at that stage it’s a little too late. They never got a chance to experience life as it should have been lived. Don’t let this be you. Your life is completely in your hands. It’s your choice to either live it with purpose or with regret. What choice will you make today?

Until next time…. Live an Inspired Life.

Love Life & Mulberry

Olori Amope xx

The Three Secrets to Happiness.

The Three Secrets to Happiness. Post written by Leo Babauta.

Few months ago I was reading different articles about Happiness, and I came across this post so I thought I had to share, as it focuses on what is important... AND YES I have tried it and it worked for me and still working which is why I have decided to share it with everyone. Happy reading.

We all know that money can buy many things BUT can’t buy happiness … but many times we act as if we’d be happier with a bit more money. We are conditioned to want to be rich (when we know the rich aren’t happy either and yes they also cry); we are trained to want the latest gadget or style that television tells us to want; we want to earn more money because then we’ll have the good life. But none of that will bring us happiness. No matter how much we earn, no matter how much we have in the bank, no matter how nice our clothing or cars or toys, none of it will make us happier. And the sad thing is that it could take us decades of pursuing wealth and luxury items before we realize this.

So what will bring us happiness?

Luckily, it’s three things that don’t cost a thing. These three things have been proven by research — surveys of hundreds of thousands of people about what they have, what their lives are like, and how

Here they are, the Three Secrets to Happiness:

1. Good Relationships: We have a human need to be close, to be intimate, with other human beings. Having good, supportive friendships, a strong marriage or close and loving relationships with our family members will make us much more likely to be happy.

Action Steps: Take time, today, to spend time with your loved ones, to tell them what they mean to you, to listen to them, and develop your relationship with them.

2. Positive Thinking: I’m obviously a big proponent of positive thinking as the best way to achieve your goals, but I also discovered that it can lead to happiness too. Optimism and self-esteem are some of the best indicators of people who lead happy lives. When I'm happy I feel empowered, in control of my life and have a positive outlook on life. 

Action steps: I always tell people to Make positive thinking a habit, this should be one of the first habits you develop. By Getting into the habit of squashing all negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Instead of “I can’t” think “I can”. It may sound corny.

Sidebar: Read Post "Choose to be Positive Mind"(here)

3) The Flow: The state we enter when we are completely focused on the work or task before us. We are so immersed in our task that we lose track of time. Having work and leisure that gets you in this state of flow will almost undoubtedly lead to happiness. People find greatest enjoyment not when they’re passively mindless, but when they’re absorbed in a mindful challenge. 

Action steps: Find work that you’re passionate about. Seriously — this is an extremely important step. Find hobbies that you’re passionate about. Turn off the TV — this is the opposite of flow — and get outside and do something that truly engages you.

Until Next Time...... You’ve been given the Three Secrets to Happiness. Don’t waste them!

Love Life & Be Happy

Olori Amope xx
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Trusting God's Timing.

“Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for him to act …. Don’t fret and worry — it only leads to harm.” (Psalm 37:7-8 LB)

Hi Folks, hope we all had a lovely Easter break. Anyone who is close to me knows one of my weaknesses is "worry" yes I worry too much sometimes, even over little things. After an event that happened to me yesterday evening I reminded myself how I need to worry less and trust God's timing more.

In life we are always waiting for something the moment we prayed, however God established a set time to bring the promise to past. The question is do you trust God enough to believe your set time is coming or are you getting discouraged? Don’t let negative thoughts talk you out of it, quit worrying about it.

Quit worrying about who is ahead of you and run your own race, God is with you and he has provided solution for you/me. Think about how precise God’s timing is, you can trust God’s timing He has it all figured out, God promises and He will be true to His word.

Side bar: I Thank God that His promises for me are already in my future.

If it hasn’t happened yet, have a new approach and say “God I trust your timing” as it is usually through faith and patience that we accomplish the promise.

Say this often (Even though it seems like I forgot to say this to myself yesterday)

“God I am not going to get discouraged, if it doesn’t happen immediately I am not going to give up because it is taking so many weeks, months, year, but I know the set time is already in my future, so I am going to wait with faith and patience because it is on the way".

God will defeat your enemy and get you to where you want to be, when you delight yourself in the lord, He will give you the desires of your heart so be patience, and let God open the door.

Side Bar: "The battle is not yours, the battle is the Lords"

When you pursue God’s dream for your life, you’re going to run into delays. God uses those waiting periods to prepare you and test you so that you can face whatever is coming in the next phase of your faith.

“Lord I trust you, I know you have already set time to bring me out, you’ve already set the time to vindicate me, you’ve set the time to bring healing, so I am going to be still and know that you are God.”

Do your part and rest, trust God’s timing because sometimes God will delay an answer so that He can show His power in a greater way. Trust God’s timing, stand still and you will see God deliver you, when you remain at rest, Almighty God will fight your battle.

Until next time… Remember your time is in God’s hands.

Love life & Trust God.

Olori Amope xx

Choose To be Positive Mind - Having a Positive Mindset

Watch your thoughts, they become words.

Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny. (Unknown)

“Positive people also have negative thoughts. They just don’t let these thoughts control them”.

Ok, so today I am going to talk about having a positive mind, I know it is a tough one especially when you have been through a lot or going through a lot, but believe me if I can do, you can too.

We can choose to be happy or dwell on what did not work out (Past), either way it is a choice. When you wake up in the morning choose to be happy, positive, grateful and be alive.

A negative attitude will limit your life. One of the things I constantly say to myself to keep my positive mind is “I know God has something better for me, God has me in the palm of his hands, I know and I am confident the right people and opportunities are already in my future”. I say this boldly with authority because I am child of God.

It is not our circumstances that make us negative, it is our attitude towards those circumstances, have you ever noticed that positive people always focus on the possibilities and not the problem; they know that God is in control. Believe me when you are positive you are passing the test already.

Set your mind on higher things and keep it set.  Set your mind on victory, blessing, expecting good things. If you do not set you mind negative thoughts will set it for you. Say this to yourself “God’s favor is surrounding me like a shield”. When you believe in what you are saying it gets God’s attention, one good break can make up for all the bad breaks. Pay attention to what you are thinking, you cannot think negative and have a positive life.

God said “if we have faith like that of a mustard seed, we can say to the mountain to move from here to there and it will move” so why don’t we do just that, talk to the mountain and not about the mountain and see that nothing will be impossible for you.  I know it is easier said than done, but believe me I have been through it. When you stay positive, you start to see things in a positive way and you start to live a positive life. A colleague of mine every Monday morning always says “Shake off the negatives and hold on to the positives… this week I will not be moved by negativity”. Trust me she is not a believer, and most times I say to myself if she is not a believer and she has this kind of positive vibe…. Then I as a believer I do not have a choice but to remain positive because I have a God who is bigger than all my problems/obstacles.

Always surround yourself with positive people, if you are surrounded with negative people you will start to think negatively too.  Anytime I am down I have a friend/sister who I usually call and I know she will give me constructive and yet loving feedback,  I remembered last December I was in the process of something and there was what looks like an obstacle that might stop me,  I picked up the phone and called her, from the tone of my voice she knew there was something wrong and immediately she said to me “ we are not going to talk about this mountain, we are going to talk to it”, believe me I felt better after speaking with her that day, we talked to the mountain and we prayed about it. When you are stuck in a negative spiral, talk to people who can put things into perspective and won’t feed your negative thinking. Build a network of people who approach life in a positive way and spend less time with those who bring will bring you down.

Another way I keep positive mind is by singing, trust me I do not have the best voice, my brother always say to me please don’t quit your day job (lol) but I notice that every time I sing I always feel better, I do not know about some people but when I sing I show my feelings and it gives me amazing stress relief. One of my favorite song is by Sinach “Rejoice” The lyrics goes “I am going dance and praise him, it doesn’t matter what comes my way because the greater one lives inside of me and his name is Jesus. I am born winner, more than victorious and I am a heir of his kingdom, filled with the Holy Ghost.

So my dear, yes you, I am talking to you, you think how will you overcome this problem, you cannot handle it. Well why not try and shake off your negativity, you have a destiny to fulfill, be positive leave it all to God, He knows how to accelerate things and go by your day job and constantly say this to yourself confidently and with authority as a child of God “The God I serve is well and able to deliver me, no weapon formed against me will prosper, I am getting better and better in every way.

 Until next time…. Remember to “Shake off the negatives and keep a positive mind”

Love Life & Stay Positive.

Olori Amope xx

They Cheated Stay or Leave?

Thou Shall Not Cheat! (1st commandment in the relationship bible)
Happy Friday folks. Before I start, I would like to thank you all for stopping by and reading my rant, and secondly congratulate myself on doing the impossible and looking effortlessly relaxed whilst doing so. (Will be blogged about later).
Today is Friday, I love Fridays at work, not only is it a relaxed and chilled day, (Mon-Thurs are usually mega busy)  its also Fat Friday where we all gather in different groups (Whatever we fancy) to eat fatty food.
So I decided to rant about cheating today, how so? I was just going through my iPad (Note)yesterday evening and I saw this draft that I wrote few months ago,  alas I thought to myself, perfect let me just bring it all to perfection (This was how I spent my evening)

Few months ago, I was having a conversation with my colleague a.k.a my work BFF (Men, relationship, marriage, children and personal ish) and she asked ever so innocently ‘so tell me, if your boyfriend/husband cheated on you, just once, would you leave him, yes or no? Immediately the men around us turned and were all waiting for the 'yes I will forgive' answer.

I hate closed questions that require yes or no answers, Ah life is not that logical. Sometimes two and two will not equal four and you don’t know why the heck that is; in other words, yes or no will never suffice when answering a ‘life issue’. So after challenging her biased method of questioning for few minutes (I find it hard to win arguments with her, but I still love her though) I finally convinced her that it was necessary for me to go beyond yes or no for her to get an answer (the look on her face was saying please don’t defend (him/her)) By the end of our conversation we concluded that my response to the cheater would be reliant on one of three things. (Yes she knew I would later blog about it so she advised me to pen it all down hehe)

a) How I found out about the whole craziness.

b) How much I liked/loved them. (Oh dear)

c) My instinct.

a) How I Found Out About The Whole Craziness.

See there is absolutely nothing worse than finding out something about yourself that everyone seems to be aware of apart from you, (The shock and horror).  Like when you’ve had something between your teeth all day. So if I happen to be informed by an OUTSIDER, that my significant other had a moment of craziness when they lost the integrity I had assumed they had, it is likely that yes, the only future access they will have to me will be via this blog. (As I will block them off WhatsApp/bbm and every other communication or social media) It all comes down to pride. Private embarrassment I can deal with but public embarrassment inflicted by another’s stupidity? I think not.

Till date, I am not sure if I like confessions (Excluding confessing your sin to God. Only that I believe in) and that’s because most confessions fall into one of two categories. Confessions because you got caught or confessions because you feel guilty. I think the people that confess when caught are the most authentic and honest people ever to walk the face of the earth, not the people that confess before being caught (Again my opinion).

I do believe that people that confess in a dramatic manner are often the most twisted bastards and the people you need to watch. Those awful souls who call you and start the conversation with  ‘There’s something I have to tell you’‘, and then finally get to the point and act like it was the hardest thing ever. THEY PISS ME OFF. Why? Guilt is the natural human response to doing wrong to another person. Everyone feels some sort of guilt; if you don’t feel a fragment of guilt you are a sociopath. Don’t confess to me and think I will absolve you of your guilt or it somehow makes it better. I’m not a priest. The fact remains you still are a careless prick and I won’t be jilted into making you feel less guilty. Furthermore the biggest sign that a confession isn’t genuine is when someone has the audacity to become offended when you don’t forgive him or her at a drop of a hat. (Are you kidding me? You’re the culprit not me). I am not advocating being duplicitous. I’m just saying if you happen to cheat, you must make the best of a bad situation. So to avoid moral dilemmas just DON’T CHEAT at all. (Trust me it’s that simple and easy)

If I am informed by someone in my INNER circle, I will confront the individual (Boyfriend/Husband) and if they say ‘Well yes it’s true, I am very sorry but I was just hoping that you’d never find out’,  (AH) I’d probably be so taken aback by their frankness I would be stunned into staying with them.

b) How Much I Love/Like Them (Oh dear)

Hmm, the concepts of loving/liking someone are so fluid and impossible to define. The amount you love/like someone will affect how you treat them. So if I happen to love someone a lot (I AM A SUCKER FOR TRUE LOVE) I will probably overlook their discrepancies because I value them and what we share. However at the end of the day like/love/lust, all cloud judgment. Some people will always struggle with monogamy no matter how much they love someone and it’s not because they’re wired differently, it’s because they’re greedy, selfish and lack discipline…. (In other word just AN ASS)!

So after much discussion my friend and I concluded that in actual fact our reactions would be determined not by how much we love the cheater, but how much we love ourselves and if we have enough confidence to believe we can do better.

c) Instinct

I always trust my instinct, like when I meet a person and they tell me their 'life story' but I know it’s a built-up fairytale. I don’t know how, I just know, (Don't ask me)  that’s why before I share my story with anyone or open up to you, I study you as if I am on a PHD course (Trust me even my pastor’s wife noticed). So if my instinct tells me that the cheater will cheat again, in spite of the fact that the deed apparently occurred ‘just once’ they will be given their marching orders. However if my instinct tells me otherwise, I’ll make them sweat for as long as I choose to and hope they pull a good one and buy me a diamond ring worth the GDP of Burundi and a Bentley (You can say I'm dreaming but dreams come true).

Some would argue that option B (How Much I Love/Like Them) could cloud option C (instinct), I completely disagree. Your instinct will always be accurate, you may lie to yourself and the world at large that it’s different, but your instinct always tells you the right thing but when option B (How Much I Love/Like Them) is in place option C (Instinct) is out of the window. Beyond that no one becomes ‘something’ overnight yes we all have moments of madness, character change (for good and bad) is a process, so for that ‘one night of madness’ there were often about a million clues along the way, which will inform your instinct. (Most women choose to ignore the million clues along the way)

So in response to my friend's weird question, I am still not sure as it is all relative. However because I know that she was asking the question for a stupid reason (This girl ask random questions).  I will state that for the record I am a firm believer in giving second chances.  If you have the capacity to give it wholeheartedly and the other has the capacity receive it.

 In other news, someone pointed out to me that my rants are somehow against men, well I disagree, and contrary to popular opinion  I do not believe that only men cheat, I believe women cheat just as much, it’s just that they (women) are so slick with it they don’t get caught.

PS: please feel free to comment if you agree or disagree with any of the above or want to add to it. Until then....

Love life & Don’t cheat.

Olori Amope xx

Letter to God (My Birthday Thanks and Prayer to my Heavenly Father)

Dear Lord,

Today I thank You for another year in my life, for the gift of life and for making me the amazing woman that I am today, stronger, better, wiser and more determined than ever before,thank you Lord because I am "fearfully and wonderfully" made.

 

I am so thankful and grateful that I can say you made me to be special, even before I was born, you know me and you created me the way I was meant to be. You created me for a purpose and you love what You created in me.

Thank you Lord, for always answering my prayers and my "God Give me this and that prayer”, I just cannot thank You enough for what You have done in my life and in my heart, To bring me to where I am today. 

 

Lord I thank You because You made it known to me, that where I am in my life right now is just the beginning; that You have higher expectations for me, You have taught me that I can overcome every impossible things and obstacles by listening to your voice; obeying You and holding Your hand every step of the way. I know I truly am a miracle this day, on the day of my birth, it is not by my power but you made today happen.

I thank You Lord for another fulfilling chapter of the rest of my beautiful life where all my dreams will become a reality and mylife shall be a testimony to the glory of God in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

 

I pray, I decree and declare and make confession that as I add another year today, the new year in my life will be a more joyous and glorious one in Jesus Name, all imperfections of the old me will be made perfect in Jesus name. I am engraved for greatness, uncommon successes, unusual achievements and advancements in Jesus Name. You will keep and protect me and satisfy me with long life, I won't add unto death sickness nor infirmity but unto greatness favour, overflowing blessings riches everything I have ever asked and more in Your name, Your blessing shall work for me all the days of my life. 

 

You will order every step I take; I will find Peace &Contentment in You Lord, the rest of my days I will spend in Prosperity & Pleasure. Your grace will continually abide with me so that I shall be sufficient in all things. My going out & coming in shall be blessed, my daily Bread & Water shall be blessed, I will continue to receive your unending favors and answers to prayers,

 

Thank You lord for surrounding me with beautiful families and friends, I am truly blessed to have them. And I thank God for all of you. I pray I will continue to be a blessing to them, everyone around me and make impact in my generation.

I pray for many more years of God's goodness and mercy all the days of my life and I pray all I silently pray/wish for will be granted this season.

 

I love You lord, praise You, I honour You. For You are worthy of all my praise.