Year: 2015

Mother’s Love.

Last Updated on 30/10/2015 by Vivien Ayinotu

Hi friends, it has been a while. When I want to type, the creativity vanishes and I will say to myself  – its okay I will write later. You know the rest of the story when procrastination spirit sets in. More so, with busy work schedules, that did not help at all. I did miss writing so much.

I was travelling the other day while trying to rest my tired brain, with my eyes closed, I was drawn into the conversation of two women sitting adjacent to where I sat. They seem to be in their early fifties or thereabout. I will call them ‘Sara and Tara’.

Sara was telling Tara how her sick Mum who was actually a wheelchair bound turned around to be the one looking after her while she was ill.

‘Mum would wake up in the morning, come to see how am doing and bring prepared food for me. I have never seen my mother that active in the last three years. I usually go over every morning to help her with washing, cooking and tidying the house.’

Sara continued, ‘it is unbelievable what you see happening around you sometimes. At first, I felt so weak and unhappy because I was ill and very dependent on my husband and son. However, my mum being very supportive and somewhat independent thrills me. I cannot begin to explain to you how I feel Tara. I believe God in all situations.’

Tara sounded pleased with the story too.

Anyway, I began to do my own reflection and had some good thoughts to analyse too.
Sometimes, it can be amazing how what seems like a hopeless situation to us turns out to be a turning point.

P.S: Have a great weekend and a beautiful November in advance.

Let Us Save Our Climate

Last Updated on 30/12/2017 by Vivien Ayinotu

 

Photo credit: CAFOD

I attended a CAFOD meeting on Sunday and was intrigued by the issues discussed and the number of people that turned up. CAFOD stands for Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. Their mission is to work along the worlds poorest people.

During the meeting, the speakers talked about climate change and how it affects various countries, especially those who already experience extreme weather conditions. They equally highlighted the significance of controlling energy  consumption in our various homes, places of work, etc.

Among many important issues discussed, included emulating country such as Germany that utilises more of solar energy. They were of the opinion that if Germans can do it despite not having much period of sunshine season then why can’t other countries do same?

Furthermore, we were encouraged to  sign a form which would ensure that the UK party leaders play their own part as the election draws near. Climate change posses a great threat to reducing poverty that exists in our society.

The event was concluded with a reflective moment and prayer. During the reflective exercise, we were asked to think about ways by which we can help reduce the impact on our climate. It could be by reducing our energy consumption, walking more, commuting by public transport than using own cars, or even by making a colleague or friend aware of the climate change.

Frankly speaking, I am pleased with the work of CAFOD in underdeveoped countries, as they go about to reach out to people in need.

You can look up the climate change campaign here: http://www.cafod.org.uk/Campaign/One-Climate-One-World
Have a beautiful Month. Lets save our climate.

My Easter Story

Last Updated on 05/04/2015 by Vivien Ayinotu

The holy week is one of those days in the church I look forward to. This is due to the variety of hymns being sang and all the Latin aspects that comes with the occasion.

Let me give you a brief account of my holy week. So, I was opportune to attend the holy wednesday mass which kicked of with the stations of the cross. Mmm… I really enjoyed that bit because that was actually the only time time I was able to partake in it with my brethren this Lenten period. Personally, I love it when am able to go to the church for the stations of the cross with the congregation than when am alone at home.

Then came the Maundy thursday. For me, this event started with singing rehearsals,the mass and the procession. It was lovely as the hymns were so transforming and sublime. They included Love is His word, Pange lingua gloriosi, Panis angelicus(one of my favourite songs) to mention but a few.

Oh! Did I mention that we had the Bishop in our midst too? He visited us and was the main celebrant. His sermon was brilliant as he talked us through the reenactment of Jesus last days prior to his arrest. He encouraged us to watch and pray with Christ. The washing of the feet was carried out as well. More so, those points in the mass where a priest says a part and the other says another part stood out for me. I had a swell time. It felt like experiencing catholicism in its full splendour.

The holy thursday ended with the carrying of the blessed sacrament in procession to the garden of repose. The parish priest encouraged us to stay for a little while and say some private prayers.

I have an intriguing story for you now; while I stayed behind and prayed,I watched a lady who had gone close to the blessed sacrament and prostrated. That got me as I have not seen that act of adoration being displayed in a very long time. It happened to be that I had seen this very lady on holy wednesday tidying the church premises. So, on my way home, I saw her on the other side of the road and I waved her and said hello(I kind of wondered why I was saying hello in the first place). 

She crossed over to me and asked for my name,that she had seen me the other day…We became friends. She told me her version of the celebration, how she cried when the blessed sacrament was to be taken to the gardens of the repose and asked God to forgive her sins.She told me that most times instead of thanking God she complains about what haves and haves not.  She added that in the garden of repose, it felt like she saw Jesus.”I felt someone holding me” she said to me. I suppose she really had a divine encounter. From our little  chat, my new friend does lots of charity work and believes in miracles. Bless her.

Do you know what? I was actually pleased with myself that I said that ‘hello’ at that time.

Have a beautiful Easter celebration. Many thanks for reading.

Keeping A Positive Attitude While Waiting

Last Updated on 14/02/2015 by Vivien Ayinotu

I ran into an old friend the other day in a function. In my opinion, she was and still the type of person I would describe as a nice and kindhearted woman. She was gloomy and her mind seemed preoccupied with some personal issues. I kind of observed her for some time and later asked if she was alright.
She shook her head. I gently said to her, “whatever it is, can you at least keep your head straight?” She looked at me,”Vivien you will not understand”, she said to me.In my mind, it is not that I do not want to know what was bothering a friend but I found it to be in appropriate as we were in the midst of people and I did not want her to go ahead and voice her feelings out loud.
Photo credit:Google profile pic
So, when she began to tell me how things were so were so rough for her I simply held her hand and lead her out of the room. Moments later, we were went to a more private section in the building where she poured her heart out to me. The story range from family issues, pressure at work place, wanting to get a better job but for some personal reasons not able initiate the step at the time, to name a few.
For me, the family one was the most important because so many things can go wrong and at any time but you still have to go home everyday and home should at least be a peaceful place you look forward to.  At home, she has issues with her partner; who would not like to help out with child care,  up-keeping  of the the house and above all still expects so much from her.
Did I forget to mention that the pair are blessed with two lovely kids? Yes they are that lucky.

She went on and on. I   inquired from her how long she has been able to put up with all of that, how she has tried handling them and whether a family  member  or a close friend has meddled. Then, she told me how numerous interventions, how some lasted for inly a day and the rest were rather fruitless. Enough heard in regards to the family squabbles already, so I gave some piece of advice and tried to let her  understand  how she can repeat certain things she had already  tried out but with a more different approach.Some greater piece of my advice I am not going to disclose here.

As per the workplace problem, I tried to reason with her in the sense that when you are working, you spend a great deal of your time at work. More so, when we find it that challenging and dislike it.Then it becomes a problem and our emotions and other essential aspects of our lives suffers. To worsen it all, she felt that she stuck in her current job and cannot tell how soon she is likely to get a different job.We explored her circumstances,weighed her options and I made her understand that she has options. “You can achieve this and many more, all you need to do is to set your priority, make out time, be focused and in due time;sooner than you can imagine you will live your dream”, those were my words to her. 

Most importantly, I repeatedly told her to be prayerful.By maintaining close communication with God through prayers you are not alone.I encouraged her to try and be strong for herself and if she can, wear a face that tends to imply that she has  everything under control.Besides, there are a lot of things one can still be grateful for in any given situation. I can tell that by the time we have talked this far that her mood had already enlightened. She was pleased with the conversation. 
Mmm… we were still in a function remember? So, we walked back into the room and joined others. I can tell I missed a bit on the agenda of the function but I was fulfilled to have spent a reasonable time with a friend. 

Happy People

Last Updated on 27/01/2015 by Vivien Ayinotu

Photo credit: emdoodle.com
I saw this pretty petite lady dancing
throwing her hands freely into the air
in a not sunny nor cold but dull weather
some distances away from the bus stop in a busy area.
She was all smiles and looked completely happy. 
Clothed in a flowered colourful shirt, long spotted skirt and trainers
I suppose she wouldn’t notice the staring faces of passersby. 
She continued smiling and perhaps was worried about nothing.
Amazingly, there ought to be food and shelter
Some where for her.
If she can be that happy then why cant you?
If the very lady I just told you about
can be that pleased with herself and jubilate,
then, I would like to believe there are some many things you can be thankful for.
Stop being sober, be happy and worry less.
 
P. S. Thanks friends for making out time to read some of my posts. May your year be fulfilled.