George Floyd’s Tears Echoes Through Eternity!

The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.
Albert Einstein

In the height of ’Jihadi John’ reign of terror, the Islamic State executioner who derives pleasure in executing journalists, that image stuck in my mind because it was widely available online. However, it has been replaced with Derek Chauvin grinding his knee into George Floyd’s neck while the poor man cried for mercy. When Jihadi John murdered several innocent journalists, mostly whites. I was angry and wrote about the atrocities of ISIS. It has come as a surprise that people are eerily silent about the murder of George Floyd, although, after a while, protests has erupted around the world against racism.

Alas, Derek and countless other heartless cops in the US are terrorists protected by the state. The US President has threatened to kill looters but killers like Derek would not have been arrested without worldwide protest. Killer cops like Derek Chauvin are degenerates, racist and divisive.

I grew up in a picturesque little town in Nigeria watching American films, Hollywood portrayed the US country as a land of the free, where everyone is the same, and actors fight for peace. However, that was just Hollywood. Minnesota cop, Derek Chauvin committed murder with people filming while bystanders pleaded, George Floyd also pleaded for mercy. That scene was not from a wild western flick, and yet, the cop was only arrested after an outcry and worldwide protest.

There are so many terrorists like that in the US, terrorising the lives of African Americans. Killing them with impunity, and if prosecuted, Jury always find them doing their job.

I am black British, not American but I have to speak out against this seemingly calm terrorist while the President was also inciting more violence? Looting is wrong, but you don’t encourage more racists to start shooting and killing, and then it becomes an orgy of violence. There’s something called ’dialogue’ even kids do it.

I am very sad for George Floyd, the US has lost the last shred of respect I had for it as a democratic country where the lives of anyone with a darker skin tone is in danger, from an erratic and unstable government to devilish, racist citizens to people who found this difficult to talk about.

Derek Chauvin and other terror cops that has killed so many innocent black people are inhuman, but the brilliant thing about civilisation is this; change is constant.

Unending Hope…

Dec13

(Photo Credit: JT Kunley)

In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.

Abraham Lincoln

I love this wonderful quote by Abraham Lincoln. It’s not because the guy set a historical ball rolling in the US nor because of his stand on slavery, I love the quote because it simply means that we should LIVE and not merely let the seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks or years roll by.

We should live by positively changing the story of others around us – smiling at strangers, giving when we should, not later, helping the elderly, giving to the poor etc.

You may ask, what about me? Why do I have to give all the time?

It’s simple… When you give, you’re enriched! You’re blessed.

Christmas shouldn’t be celebrated with relatives we hate nor endured with a plastic smile pasted on our face. It should be a time of unending love, thanksgiving, not the frenzy buying of gifts that were not needed or wasting money on food that would find its resting place in the bin. I hope this season would fill us with love, joy and laughter.

I pray for nothing more…

And when we live with love and joy, our remaining days would be filled with unending hope.

I had wanted to write another post entirely because my new book Cydonia would be formally available for sale on Monday but I just find my fingers typing this and I hope I’ve been able to touch a soul. Live and live well, our times on this earth are incredibly short. It would be a tragedy to waste it on malice, anger, hatred and all those stupid dross that weight us down.

I guess I better stop now before I start preaching! 🙂

Friends, I need all the ‘ Shout-outs’ I could get for my impending book release on 16th Dec 2013 (just a mere three days away!!) If you would like me to write a short piece for your blog or a feature post with the book cover and details, please let me know and I’ll rustle something up! Thanks guys. 🙂

I hope you’ll all have a fabulous weekend wherever you are in the world!

NP: My home internet is still awaiting the expert touch of an engineer, Sky (my broadband provider) promised to send an engineer on Tuesday. I can’t blog when I’m in the office because my editor is constantly breathing down my neck! I’ve started visiting some blogs and I’m certain I’ll start fully next week! Please do bear with me. 🙂

Much love, always!

🙂

Temporary…

Sep17

(Photo credit: Leon Tarac)

I like this wise saying from American author Napoleon Hill that, ‘one of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat.’

Defeat can be an ongoing thing when we give up. Most of us know the story of Abraham Lincoln, how he failed severally before becoming a President people celebrate till today. I’ve seen countless temporary defeats (I’ll call it delay) in my short life, but do you know what I do? I learn from it and find out what caused the delay in the first place and do it again. And I tend to succeed,

I just don’t pack it in and give up!

Life is too short and too beautiful to give up at the first sign of defeat. I laugh at the face of danger and failure, because I have a dream of what my life should be and I’m not gonna rest till I achieve my goal and purpose in life. Do you know that you can beat cancer? Poverty? Low self-esteem? And all those dross of life that makes living akin to running a race in the mud! It’s all in your mind.

My husband used to say this and I agree, ‘you’re the only one that can make yourself happy… no one can!” And I will add this as well, that you’re the complete integral part or clue to your success in life. I can go on and on but I hope this week will be a great week for you… and if there is a temporary defeat lurking at a corner of your life, just pick yourself up and go again.

I wish you love and peace wherever you are in the world, and remember, temporary defeat doesn’t mean failure! Enjoy the rest of your week my friends!

Much love, always!

🙂

Kingdoms!

Sep3

(Photo credit: Flickr)

”Take root in the ground

Live in harmony with the wind

Plant your seeds in the winter

And rejoice with the birds

In the coming spring!”

”A king without compassion does not deserve a kingdom. No matter the technology, a world cannot live without love.” It’s annoying that the action of a single man can have ripple effect on millions of lives. I’ve watched in disbelief as the Syrian dictator is killing his people, and some of us could shrug our shoulders without giving a thought to what’s happening but the effects could be more than we can cope with. I hope things would not come to a head and the actions of a few would not have a devastating effect in the world.

**********

On a lighter note, could you please hop over to Amazon, Kobo, Waterstones, Whsmith or any online retailer and give a writer a cheer and buy my novel, ‘The Feet Of Darkness,’ and ‘Tales Of Five Lies,’ I can’t remember the last time I promoted it on my website, here’s the link to Kobo,http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-feet-of-darkness and here’s the link to amazon, http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Feet-Of-Darkness-ebook/dp/B00BJ6LJHC or better still, just click on the image on my sidebar and it would take you straight to the seller. Thanks guys! 🙂

I would be going away for a last-minute break with my family before they resume school on Monday, I have missed some cool posts, and I promise to read as much as I can today and tomorrow before our short get away.

Thanks for your kindness, I hope September would be a month of harmony and peace to you my friends, wherever you may be in the world!

Much love, always!

🙂

Dancing In The Wind…

Jul19

Majestic, in bloom, in glory!

Full, proud, ever-present?

Completely nonchalant,

to the groaning of the grass.

Dancing in the wind

With the brides of breeze.

Gaily, pouting, showing of!

‘How beautiful I look!’

Thought the flower.

‘And how quickly you fade…’ scoffed the grass.

‘You’re just jealous of my beauty!’ the flower screeched.

‘No, am not,’ replied the grass, ‘it’s just the law of nature.’

‘Huh!’

**************

Well… flowers fades, beauty fades (in humans), and I reckon the flower in the this short poetic musing is apparently enjoying itself (?) And the grass is ‘apparently’ telling ‘it’ off. More like life, be happy for those who are happy and show compassion for the weak, that’s just my take on it.

My kids are on holiday in a few hours, a week early, their school is constructing extra classrooms due to the ever-expanding London population. I’m not dreading it, they would hopefully, help me read my mountainous manuscripts! I now have a whole month off from my grumpy editor, Barbara! (she’ll probably kill me if she reads this!)

I appreciate your friendship guys, may you find peace this weekend. Enjoy today dear friends and have a great weekend!

NP: I rarely do this but do buy a few copies of ‘Tales OF Five Lies’ if you love psychological thrillers, you can get it on this link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Five-Lies-Sandra-David/dp/147932132X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0 or just click on the cover on the sidebar. It’s less than a pound, and a quick summer read and if you’re in the States, it’s less than 99cents, or better still, go for the full length novel, which a reviewer described as, ‘ a fluid and enjoyable read,’

‘The Feet Of Darkness,’ http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Feet-Of-Darkness-ebook/dp/B00BJ6LJHC/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1374233926&sr=1-1 (Amazon UK)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Feet-Of-Darkness-ebook/dp/B00BJ6LJHC (Amazon US) It’s also available on major online retailer and several brick and mortar shops!

My publisher, Arrow Gate, recently released a fantastic press release a few weeks back, you can check it and share please! http://www.prweb.com/releases/thefeetofdarkness/arrowgatepublishing/prweb10879291.htm

Much love, always.

🙂

A Place Of Rest…

Jul3

A place of rest is a place of freedom

Where you eat with contentment.

Where peace flowed unhindered

And shames are banished away.

A place of rest is where hope is found

Skipping with the legs of a deer

On the clear lake of renewal.

Where darkness flee with fear and

Love plays in the open.

A place of rest is when mankind stop

the madness of war.

When babes and toddlers juggle with delight in the sun…

When the smile of old men mingle with the chuckle of the maidens.

A place of rest is when harvest is not hampered

by the roars of the terrible.

And where men love truly and women’s breast flow with the milk of kindness.

Freedom does not only give rest… It also gives peace.

But remember, freedom and independence means just one thing,

Responsibility!

***

To all my American friends and others around the world, have a nice 4th of July and happy independence day! I firmly believe that finding rest lay solely with us – it might seem preposterous but guys, it’s true. Only you, can put your mind at rest. Looking around you, might expose what is not working, but do remember that we live in an imperfect word!

NP: Arrow Gate publishing just released a press release about my novel, ‘The Feet Of Darkness,’ Please click on this link http://uk.prweb.com/releases/thefeetofdarkness/arrowgatepublishing/prweb10879291.htm , share and do like Arrow Gate on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Arrow-Gate-Publishing-Ltd/439011756170290 and follow on twitter, https://twitter.com/arrowgatebooks

Thanks for that friends!

Much Love, always! Don’t forget – live well.

🙂

Givers.

Feb10

(Photo credit: Hankale.)

”He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”

Jim Elliot.

I was looking for my dictionary and decided to check my library which was overflowing with books, journals, novels and whatnot when I saw one of my old diaries. I picked it up and a rumpled piece of paper slipped out. I looked at it and saw this quote which I wrote in 2008 (I always date my entries) I stopped on my tracks as my mind went into overdrive, what do we give that we cannot keep?

I have a picture of what I cannot keep that I’ll give away but I’m not sure if it applied to everyone. This quote stayed on my mind all day and I decided to post it and ask your opinions What do you think friends?

I value your friendships, always!

The LightHouse Keeper

Dec9

The lighthouse keeper Hans Petur Kjærbo is changing the bulbs in the lighthouse of Akraberg, which is the southernmost place in Suðuroy and in the Faroe Islands, except for Flesjarnar (scerries). He lived in Akraberg for some years, but moved away after the Christmas hurricane in Dec. 1988. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The year 2012 is slowly drawing to a close and I can’t help but reflect on so many things that has happened to me and the beautiful people I am privilege to have rubbed minds with. And while reflecting, the lighthouse keeper came vividly to my subconscious mind. I have mulled over the duties of a lighthouse keeper for days on end, their usefulness, are they necessary? Or just an oddity to be added to a necessary feature? And it hit me with a bang, lighthouse keepers are SAVIOURS, they prevent catastrophes from occurring, according to Wikipedia and I quote;

”A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for a lighthouse, particularly the light and lens in the days when oil lamps and clockwork mechanisms were used. Keepers were needed to trim the wicks, replenish fuel, wind clockworks and perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning lenses and windows. Electrification and other automated improvements such as remote monitoring and automatic bulb changing made paid keepers resident at the lights unnecessary. In the US, periodic maintenance of the lights is now performed by visiting Coast Guard Aids to Navigation teams.”

You all know I must be heading somewhere with this but just check this out again, also by Wikipedia;

English: North Reef Lighthouse, Queensland – Lighthouse keeper (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

”Lighthouses mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, safe entries to harbours, and can also help in aerial navigation. Once widely used, the number of operational lighthouses has declined due to the cost of maintenance and replacement by modern electronic navigational systems.”

We all have our ”lighthouse keepers” and I think we should be thankful for having them in our lives. We should appreciate, nurture and never allow them disappear from our lives. Our ”lighthouse keepers” could be our spouses, our friends, our families, colleagues at work, writers who inspired us by their works, it could even be something we read in our blogging community because I can testify to it that I have been nourished by incredible posts written by people in this beautiful community, I am blessed and eternally grateful to such great writers!

Love ? I love love love you. (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

You all know my quotes by now, life is too short… Live well, love well, appreciate your friends and people who have been sources of blessings and inspiration to you, ignore people who put you down, forgive quickly so you don’t rot, be a source of blessing to others and 2013 will be a great year indeed if you abide by these rules (wink)!

I just want to say to all my wonderful readers, you are my ”light keepers, my friends” and I appreciate every one of you.

My eldest son celebrated his tenth birthday today! Hooray!! I am also working furiously to release the second edition of my novel, ‘The Feet Of Darkness,” (Wish me luck) and ”Tales Of Five Lies” is doing okay, thanks to friends like Danny Breslin, who read it on his kindle and posted a wonderful review!

And to everyone who has nominated me for awards, I thank you and love you all.

Love and Peace!

Eyes Of A Critic

Nov20

The Critic (Photo credit: A river runs through)

”Do you know the easiest job in the world?” My friend asked nibbling through her popcorn as we watched Mel Gibson‘s acclaim film, ‘The Patriot.’

”No,” I replied absent-mindedly, totally engrossed with Mel Gibson hacking through the body of a British soldier who had taken his son.

”The job of a critic,” she declared self righteously, her eyes spitting fire and I groaned inwardly, knowing exactly where the conversation was heading.

”Huh,” I grunted and she got the message. I was not going to allow her distract my attention from the film.

The film was over before I knew it and I saw her off, we chatted briefly about the story line and the American war of Independence and she left with a promise to keep in touch. On my way back home, I thought about the question she’d asked earlier.

We are all critics one way or the other, watching X factor, I had my favourites contestants, there are some books I would never read, some music I would never listen to and some movies I would never watch and I think I am not alone. That doesn’t make me a critic but I just chose not to like such forms of entertainment.

Granted, it’s easy to criticise but sometimes critics can build us up and make us a better person. Writers hated bad reviews with a passion, I do and I even dread it with every fibre of my being but sometimes you can see through the eyes of a critic and improve yourself.

But some people would never see anything good about anything or anybody, people like that have problems, deep-seated issues about their lives.

Maybe you’ve come across people like that in your neighbourhood, it could be anywhere, my advice… Just ignore them and live your life with no care in the world!

Everyone cannot love you, Barack Obama can testify to that. It is deeply imbedded in our makeup as humans, we are irrevocably fallible and prone to seeking people’s approval, when we don’t even realise it.

And the great news is while some people might hate your gut others may simply kiss the ground you walk on.

To Save A Life

Nov8

Leo Frigo Bridge (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I was glued to the television yesterday while I watched an unbelievable live footage of a woman called Tina Zahn who was in the throes of committing suicide due to post natal depression.

She had sped to the top of Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge in Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States, got out of her car then walked briskly to the edge of the bridge and jumped.

I couldn’t tear myself away while I watched opened mouth as the implausible footage was shown and miraculously, this woman was saved by a brave state trooper, Les Boldt and his colleagues.

As a mother, I know the stress involved in taking care of children especially if one is a working mother, I am not an expert on post natal depression but I do know it’s a feeling of utter hopelessness compounded by being responsible for a baby who is wholly and completely dependent on you.

I cannot begin to fathom the desperation involved before a person will want to take his or her own life and it saddens me greatly. But I do know this, love can halt this evil, malicious monster.

I know depression must be this total feeling of being engulfed in the prison of complete darkness with no possibility of a parole or been trapped and unable to reach out for help, this story ended in a miracle but sadly some don’t.

I do know that we have a duty to save a life, like that state trooper, we can be more friendly, loving and kinder to people. You never know, you might be the miracle somebody somewhere needs right now! Maybe a little whisper, maybe a smile or even a nod could send love signal to a dying soul.

I have this infinite belief that this world is full of loving people and like my husband would say,

”See the doughnut, not the empty hole.”

Just a little love and a listening ear could banish that demon of hopelessness.

Let us save a life today…

Will you?