Category: ART DESK

Art Desk related posts

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THE TUNNEL, THE WAIT, THE LIGHT

There are phases we all must go through; as far as life exists, there is no running from it. Deep down, we know those dark days will come but we choose not to acknowledge or believe ‘it can never be me’. The day you stop time is the day these days won’t come. Till then, what happens?

I propose you brace up for such days. I call them ‘THE TUNNEL’. It’s dark, lonely, long and scary; you most likely would be travelling through it alone. Here, you may be tempted to give up, angry, feel betrayed, weep, etc. But, whatever happens, don’t stop. Draw your strength from inside you, it’s there. Hang on to God, your entirety depends on Him. At this point, He’s all you’ve got. If you’re lucky to have a support system, you’re almost at the end of the tunnel. If not, find things to do that make you happy and remember, it’s OK to breakdown, you’re human. Just don’t stay there for too long and lose yourself.

‘THE WAIT’, oh goodness! Another episode! Faith is built, hopes are high, all pumped up BUT… it’s taking forever. Resist the temptation to slip into ‘THE TUNNEL’. It’s not your fault that you’re becoming impatient and all those bottled-up emotions are out again.  In all my Earth days, I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t been disappointed or anxious during ‘THE WAIT’; might be the fear of the unknown, pressure or previously dashed hopes. During ‘THE WAIT’, please, ‘WAIT’. Whatever good thing it takes, or how long, WAIT.

Truth is, many of us return to ‘THE TUNNEL’. If you do, you must find your way back to ‘THE WAIT’ because after ‘THE WAIT’ comes ‘THE LIGHT’.

Everything good will come

Image Credit: Britannica

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Dear Christians, (Pt.4)

Everything about the Christendom is not a competition. If you must compete, compete with yourself. Unhealthy competition is blinding. Even more blinding is the constant ill-checks to see what the other person is doing to ensure you’re doing better than them.

The energy you exert on keeping up with social media could be channelled into other useful life endeavours. I’m not writing to you from a place of perfection but as an alarm clock reminding you to constantly put this behaviour and conscience in check.

Agree with yourself today not to push your way to the front to the detriment of others. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage, for everything about the Christendom is not a competition.

Image Credit: The New York Times

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FOR PEARL

Have you ever wondered how something so rare, so fine, so admirable and so valuable can come out of an animal, a shelled invertebrate animal? All sorts of shades and colours: white, pink, silver, brown, blue, red, black, yellow, orange, gold and purple.

The most valuable pearls occur spontaneously in the wild they say, and you, you remind me of one. You may not be like the famous ‘La Peregrina – The Incomparable’ but you’re one in 10,000 wild oysters containing a pearl.

Whether wild or cultured, you’re different and special and the world loves you just the way you are. So, let us gather our pearls together and guard them jealously lest the pigs trample them under their feet.

Collectively, we can build a better society for every soul is unique, precious and valuable.

Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik

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LISTEN

Social media came bearing gifts; lots of pros and of course, cons. We envisaged a world becoming a global village and set off on the path to achieving it. Rapidly it has progressed, fully guided by the affordability of data.

Now, another reality is born…

People no longer read to understand and process varying views and opinions. Everyone is quick to state their point and buttress it. A varying opinion equates ‘an enemy’ who must be viciously attacked. People have become keypad warriors.

Away from the social media, people no longer listen. Hearing is not the same as listening. Everyone is quick to hear with the intent to reply and not to understand. We have to realize that it is not all about us. If you like to be heard, be rest assured that others like it too.

Start now to make a conscious effort to listen when others speak or you interact on social media. Always remember, we come from different backgrounds and have different orientations.

Be Tolerant.

Image Credit: 123RF

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WHAT IS YOUR TRUE FORM?

It’s so easy to get caught up in existence. The daily struggle to be who everyone wants and thinks you should be. You’ve probably gotten used to keeping up appearances but slowly, the real you fades away. Maybe it’s a tough call or a choice you have to make due to things that have happened to you or the benefits you gain from the dual appearances.

Maybe it’s OK; you wear those shoes and know better where it hurts. In all you do, always remember the real you; the kind, selfless, soft, loving you. That you you return to in the dead of the night when no one is around. That you casting a reflection when you stare at the mirror.

Remember, not everyone loves the sweet taste of apples or the tart taste of pineapples. Not everyone will like you for who you are. No one is perfect so live in your true form. People will come and go but the true ones stay. In all you do, don’t forget to live, love, cry, explore, laugh and be happy.

Image Credit: Hard Cider Reviews

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PRESSURE

Pressure! Sound familiar? ‘Your mates are doing well and you’re not. Your sister is married and you are still single. She is not even pregnant till now and she’s been married since’.

Pressure! Looks familiar? ‘Edidiong bought a Benz GLC last week. Okon built a duplex in Guzape some months ago. Kokomma posted pictures from Seychelles and Dubai’.

Pressure! Feels familiar? ‘I can’t afford the good things in life. I can’t buy the dress from CJ Allahandro. I can’t…’.

Pressure! Let off steam and breathe. You are doing just fine and there is room to be better; not to engage in fruitless tension and competition but to strive to be a better version of yourself.

The year unfolds before you. What you choose to do with it lies in the decision you make. Whatever you decide, don’t let the pressure of life get the best part of you.

Image Credit: Tech Tello

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AWAY FROM THE EASTER EGG

Can we sacrifice for people? If we say yes, how much can we really sacrifice especially for people we have no ties to? Naturally as humans, we seek gains and returns but, I met a man…

A man who agreed to leave His comfort zone to help others. A man who was rejected by His own people and taunted by the very custodians of laws and religious leaders. A man who healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons and did not discriminate between rich and poor, classy and classless. A man who did not care that He was betrayed by His friends and the very people He came to help. A man who was eventually killed for no justifiable reason. A man who ultimately, returned to His comfort zone and still promised to keep helping despite everything.

This is the man I met.

Looking at the life of the man I met, I see sacrifice, I see love, I see selflessness. Daily, I strive to be like this man; you should too whether or not a day or four is set aside to remember this man… A man far more valuable than Easter Egg.

Image Credit: Aleteia

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Dear Christians, (Pt.3)

Christianity does not start and end in the church on Sunday morning. Being Christ-like should be part of you; embody Christ especially in your daily interactions with people.

We act the sweetest and ‘bless you sister, bless you brother’, but in our workplaces and public spaces, we exhibit characters that make people wonder if we are truly Christians that we claim to be.

We oppress our workers, inflate finance, lie and backbite yet we lift up ‘holy hands’ in the sanctuary. Our names are never mentioned in the same sentence with love, honesty and humility. We are the first to say, ‘Do you know who I am?’.

If our heavenly Father did as we do, the case would be different; He didn’t, so why do you? A new week unfolds with possibilities and life. Remember Matthew 7:12 in your dealings with people: Do to others what you would have them do to you.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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Dear Christians, (Pt.2)

I come to thee this day, not to judge but to appeal and remind thee to show an act of kindness. I have a bone to pick with thee because thou art not walking in this path I speak of.

Hear ye this day that thou shalt be nice to the inhabitants of the Earth just like Christ is, giving His all selflessly so thou mayest be rich.

Thou shouldst consider reaching out to people and making it a habit without waiting for Christmas. If I mayest suggest, thou can call people just to say hello or check on them, for a storm rages in the heart and household of many.

Thou can squeeze a tiny seed of love offering into the hand of people. Lookest around thee for thou shall see; some clothe their misery, hurt or pain and wear a smile on their face. So brethren, I urge thee to look deeper and let the Holy Spirit showest ye who to help for they are among thee.

Thou can hug with reassuring words of comfort, and smile often at people. Thou can offer food, clothing or shelter if thou can afford these.

By all means, thou must do better, be better and act better. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Image Credit: Mojo Media Labs