Month: December 2013

The Woman and Lime

Last Updated on 24/12/2013 by Vivien Ayinotu

Last month, I had a kind of facial rash which I am yet to give a name. Maybe I would have to come up with a diagnosis for it soon. Initially, I thought it could be some of those pimples that do visit me when they want and leave without  traces when they are done hanging around. My guess was wrong because these I-dont -know-the-name-rashes actually did come to stay.

Over the week, they gradually built up and covered my forehead. I was worried about them and tried some anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory creams; Nixoderm, Skineal but none came to my rescue, although I didn’t use any of  them for a long time being that I needed something that could act very fast. Yeah, I needed my face intact as soon as possible.

On one occasion, I was in the bus and was thinking about trying out natural remedies than trying all these creams I didn’t find to be of much help to my case. I recalled lots of cases where I have seen or heard people said they used this or that on their faces and how effective it was for them. As I was about getting off the bus, a woman sitting before me dragged me back.

‘Do you know the green small lime?’ she asked.  ‘Lime? yes, I know lime’ I nodded at same time. ‘Use it on your face.’ I thanked her and left. Fortunately, I met her in the next couple of minutes at a bus stop, she then came closer and said to me that her daughter once had such bumps and lime was her redeemer. She was talking and demonstrating something which I didn’t understand clearly. As you can see it was that bad  which was the reason she called them ‘bumps’.

Limes

I was convinced I have gotten a remedy at last because earlier while I was in the former bus I contemplated using lime but wondered if it was going to be very toxic for my skin. But  now, my fears are been driven far away and it was more like a revelation. All I did was to browse for facts about it and I was in. I bought limes the same day.

Day two on lime therapy, am yet to see an effect and was going to panic again before my companion the previous day said I should scrub my face with it. The woman was demonstrating I should get the lime, cut into two halves and scrub my face with it. Oh! was that what she meant.I only heard lime and that was it for me, I used cotton wool to apply it on my face like I saw on the internet. Okay then, noted.

I followed the instruction the next time and my face could tell that lime really hurts. It does! I did it morning and night and a spotted a tremendous effect. In space of three days my face was good to go.

I learnt lots of facts about not breaking the facial skin by certain creams and hot water and how to use honey to wash it in order to nourish it. Honey makes the face feel so smooth, you just feel it. Lemon is very good too, its similar to lime but lime is stronger. I read a lot about the face now and am enjoying every bit of the natural remedies.

Let me tell you about my situation, the rashes I had were: a bit reddish, some spread out, some in clusters, had blunt pustules, sometimes itchy and hurts. At least, I knew it has gone past pimples. Hey! hope you are not thinking of any particular diagnosis for me right now? Well, my face is back now.

That Woman was a God-sent to me because I and lime are now buddies.

I would encourage anyone with some face rashes that seem not to be responding to creams to try LIME. It is very effective and acts quickly too.

P.S. I was meant to write this earlier before now to ensure there will be lots of smooth and pretty faces this festive period. Pardon me for that. Nevertheless, we all need good looks at all times.

Seasons greetings!

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Your Legacy Lives on, Mandela.

Last Updated on 06/12/2013 by Vivien Ayinotu

Mandela

I recall those days in school when we sang a song that tells the story of Mandela and apartheid in South Africa. We chanted lots of words among them were – nepotism, tribalism- and the rest of them. In reality, most of us loved this bit because of the rhyme not that we necessarily understood what they truly meant at that time.

Over the years,  I have read lots of his works and how he fought for what he believed in. I admired his courage. In my opinion, his strength and character are out of this world. When asked who a rare gem is, I would simply say it was Mandela.

Nelson and Winnie Mandela the day he was freed. 
Below is a list of some of his inspiring and lifetime quotes:
  • “If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.
  • “I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.” 
  • “Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”
  •  “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”
  •  “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”
  •  “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
  •  “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
  • “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
  •  “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
  •  “Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.”
  • “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
  •  “I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations. I have fought it all during my life; I fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days.”
  •  “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
  • “Without democracy there cannot be peace.”
  • “We are fighting for a society where people will cease thinking in terms of colour.” 
  • “When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.”  
  • “Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice.” “I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.” 
  • “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
  • “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”
  • “Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” 
  • “When people are determined they can overcome anything.”
The list is endless. There is a particular one; not mentioned above that I found very powerful. According to him, if he had come out of prison with so much hatred and bitterness he would have still be in prison. I found that very interesting because I think it has a deep meaning and shows that he had a very good heart and was a wise man. 
In addition, when I read the speech on his trial in 1964, I was surprised how he ended such a lengthy and well-structured write-up by saying  ”It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die”. That reminded me of a biblical verse where Jesus said, Father if it is your will let this cup pass me by- during His time of temptations. Making such a statement and standing by it during his 27years in prison and afterwards, shows the content of his character. Unbelievable, how he called for reconciliation even when his own people were willing to fight, he was not influenced and stood for justice and truth. And he achieved them. He had a large heart which all and sundry benefited from. He brought justice to his people and made all Blacks proud.

In my eyes, Mandela is a saint. Despite suffering from tuberculosis, he was still the hero and man of the people. 

He was a blessing to this generation and those to come. Rest in the bosom of the Lord Madiba; where there will be absolute peace and love, Amen. Your legacy lives on.

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