There is no perfect family. We have no perfect parents, we are not perfect, do not get married to a perfect person, neither do we have perfect children. We have complaints about each other. We are disappointed by one another. Therefore, there is no healthy marriage or healthy family without the exercise of forgiveness. Forgiveness is vital to our emotional health and spiritual survival. Without forgiveness the family becomes a theatre of conflict and a bastion of grievances. Without forgiveness the family becomes sick. Forgiveness is the sterilisation of the soul, cleansing the mind and the liberation of the heart.…
Author: Chukwuemeka
The (Laced) DRESS BOOT In part four last week, we looked at the Chukka Boot. In part five this week we examine the Dress Boot. The Dress Boot: Primarily designed to be worn in temperate conditions this shoe can also be worn comfortably in equatorial climes and is the emblem of ruggedness which is the hallmark of street fashion. The boot comes in many varieties from plain faced, to those with a brogue face or in a capped toe finish. However, some common features between them are, primarily, the upper part of the shoe sit well above one’s ankle, has…
Why am I still single and searching? I had expected to be married by the time I was 25, then I changed it to 26, then 27, 28, now I am turning 30, I am still SINGLE and SEARCHING for the RIGHT PERSON. I want to be married. I want a native wedding followed by a white wedding. I want the security, reassurance and status of being joined in wedlock to a man I love and who loves me. What am I doing wrong? What is the matter with me? What? What? What? Many questions, no answers. Yes, I have…
Dear Dorothy, These are challenging times for most people I know and in a similar age bracket. I am 52 years old and very worried at the way innovations and automations are taking up the jobs in the employment space. You can self-check in at the airport without the need for an attendant. You can pay for your groceries at a store without the help of an assistant. The list goes on. I am not in a skilled job and I worry constantly about what the future will hold if I lose my job. In all honesty, I don’t think…
The #MeToo movement, which aims to raise awareness and end sexual harassment and abuse has sparked conversations all over the world including the African continent where discussions about sex, sexuality and harassment and/or abuse are more or less taboo. When have you been part of a general discussion with your peers or colleagues on the subject of: Sexual assault? Sexual harassment? Rape? Incest? Child molestation? Due to very strong cultural and religious norms, women often don’t dare admit that they have been harassed or assaulted, and hardly report such cases to authorities. They avoid reporting cases of sexual harassment or…
The CHUKKA BOOT In part three last week, we looked at the Brogue shoe. In part four this week we examine the Chukka Boot. The Chukka Boot: The word Chukka or Chukker originates from the British game of Polo where the word denotes a seven-minute period of play. However, a more apt origin of the word that resonates with the function and practicality of the boot is from the Hindi word Chukkar which in its basic translation means casual stroll. The Hindi word is most apt for the Chukka when one considers the informal nature of the shoe. The shoe…
LAUGH QUOTE Don’t kid yourself” would be a great slogan for a condom company. Knock! Knock! Will you remember me in a minute? Yes. Will you remember me in a week? Yes. Will you remember me in a year? Yes. Knock, knock. Who’s there? You didn’t remember me! WISE GUYS ANSWER TO STUPID QUESTION Question: Did I do something wrong, officer? Wise Guy (police officer): No, today we’re giving tickets out for doing things right. Wise Guy (police officer): No, I just got tired of lugging around these heavy summonses so I decided to give some of them away.…
Most of us want our romantic relationships to run smoothly, harmoniously and be long lasting. However, most of us do not take the time to reflect and evaluate how the relationship is progressing, and if we are doing things that are going to lead to the breakdown of the relationship. Here are some actions that may lead to your relationship failing. POSSESSIVENESS – We may think that being possessive is a sign that we love the person dearly, but in most cases possessiveness may lead to the other partner trying to get away from the feeling that you are trying…
My dear daughter, “Be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.” – Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata As you get on with your life, facing your labours and aspirations, you will find that you are always looking ahead to what you plan to do or reviewing what you had done or not done in the past. These are not bad in themselves. However, the danger we fall into with this, is that we neglect to enjoy the present – the now –…
“Youth is deceptive, when you are young, you think you have all the time in the world, youthfulness does not make you realise that time really does fly. At 25, you are just 15 years from being 40. Make hay while the sun of youth shines.” – Charles O. Anyiam-Osigwe. In youth we think, finish secondary school, go to university, get a good job, advance in our chosen career, earn much more as we advance and thus have a sizeable disposable income. Reality check: Get a good job – Not as easy as it seems Advance in career…