You see I am a dreamer, a romantic, a love poet. Everything about life has to sing, radiate and glow. I hate dull environments, people and circumstances. That is not to say that I do not encounter dull environments, people or circumstances – no! Instead I choose to look at things in ways that accentuate the beauty. Let’s face it, life is depressing enough without our minds magnifying the horrific nature of people and politics. Our mind is the only thing we have complete control over and once we learn to master that, a significant part of the living battle is already won.

In short: keep your eye on the prize and do not allow yourself to be demoralized (ooo that rhymes). Often one situation or thing going wrong, yes may change our life forever but there is always another way to make things work. It might take some re – grouping and going back to the drawing board but you can do it.

Nissi x

I am trying not to get consumed by my dreams and passions so much so that I miss out on actually living. Getting the balance right between passionate and focused pursuit vs craziness is not easy.

We are in this together and it is so important to continuously remind ourselves that we are not alone.

You are not alone.

Nissi x

 Life is a bit like a road (cliché but true). Often we start something not entirely sure of the outcome, it may be a course, change of location, relationship, new job – whatever it is we start only seeing as far as the second we are living because no – one knows what the future holds. Not even the very near future. Our lives can change for better or worse in a flip second. Nonetheless we live with the faith that we will make it through the day.

Sometimes it can take all the energy we have to continue down a path we have started. It may be a tough job, hard relationship, boring school course but if we believe that we are in the situation for a reason and we are investing our time for a bigger and better return, it is good to stick with it.

Life is best lived one step at a time, making plans for a better future, moving towards that while trusting God to keep us safe, healthy, strong and at peace.

Judges 6:14 “Go with the strength you have”.

Nissi x

I am a Christian. Being a Christian I believe that God literally spoke the world into existence. Furthermore I also believe that God has given human beings (His creation) the power to also speak life into our own lives and situations. Now some of you may be tempted to stop reading this “gobbled goop” at this point. Fair play I cannot force you. However if you continue reading you will see that the worst that can happen by you reading this post is that you are exposed to an alternative way of thinking…isn’t that what being a rebel of Christianity is all about – being free to all perspectives.

So… I was reading the following verses in my Bible a day or two ago:

“God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it”. – John 1: 3 -5.

I savoured the lines for a little while and was struck by the power and depth of these words. To paraphrase a little what the verses are saying is that all of us good, bad, evil, saintly, weird, normal, rich, poor and everything inbetween are created by God. Also God simply spoke and the universe was created… God spoke and all the planets, stars, continents, countries, cities, towns, people, grass strands and the tiniest of insects were created. The life brought light and God as the ultimate source of light is forever present even in the darkest, deepest and deadliest places. That light will never be put out.

Wow.

Read that again and think about it.

Nissi x

I am writing this blog after my nap and feel a lot stronger, less overwhelmed and a little bold. I am writing this post and planning my next steps, next mode of attack.

 Fear only has the power we give it.

Nissi x

Thank you so much to Susan at http://5wise.wordpress.com/awards/ for nominating me for this award! This lady is an amazing writer whose words never fail to make me think.

Ok so here it goes 7 things about me:

1. I love water 2. I hate running 3. I am a big dreamer 4. I am a hopeless romantic 5. I hate the cold 6. I only own heels and sandals 7. I am a word addict

Ok now my nominations are:

http://happyasapiginmud.wordpress.com/

http://nellewrites.net/

http://myhmmmcollection.wordpress.com/

http://belasbrightideas.wordpress.com/

http://abahamianinaustria.wordpress.com/

http://willofheart.wordpress.com/

http://everydayinstilettos.wordpress.com/

Thanks again Susan

Nissi x

It is so exciting to know that people are reading and enjoying my blog. Isn’t it so amazing that we can connect with like minded people around the world and honour their great works and inspirations! Anyway enough waffle…let me get on with this.

This one is simple – to ‘accept’ the award you just add the ABC Award logo to your blog –and then you share something about yourself with your readers and then pass the award on to other worthy bloggers – there’s no limit to how few – or how many – other bloggers you can send this to.

To share something about yourself – you will need to go through the alphabet and choose a word or phrase for each letter and use that to describe yourself – it might be something about you, something you like, or a place or thing you dream about. And that’s all – no long descriptions or detail – just create a new post, add your shiny new blog award badge and alphabet words and let your readers enjoy finding out a little more about you.

So here’s my alphabet about myself:

A – Adventurous, B – Beautiful, C – Cunning (when I want to be)

D – Daring, E – Eloquent, F – Fun, G – go getter, H – happy

I – intuitive J – a juggler of many talents K – kindle lover L – lover of love

M – merry N – Nissi O – overt P – playful Q – lover of questions

R – running hater S – an undercover softie T – talented

U – umbrella braker V – vain W- wanderer X – ?? Z – ??

Sorry about the question marks I just didn’t know?!

Ok so I nominate:

http://thecurvyspine.wordpress.com/

http://rebekkalien.com/

http://5wise.wordpress.com/2010/05/08/pearl-fishing/#comment-555

Thanks Again to Nadie for this

Nissi x

The young woman kills her molester because she refused to believe that he could change. The thought of living knowing that he was alive was so overwhelming that she believed the only way she could have peace was by having him dead. I cannot for one second imagine how strong the hate must be for someone having their virginity, innocence and childhood so violently stolen away from them. However I do know in my own small way how it feels to strongly dislike someone who has massively hurt and offended me. Although I have managed to forgive (in most cases – praying that in 2012 I will see the full closure of all), I have doubted their claims that they have changed. Several times I have believed that they have not changed…and have been proved right. However I do not see it as a score board – I am right vs you are wrong: No. Instead I am now questioning if my presumptions have contributed to their seeming inability to be able to change? I remember during my Sociology studies learning about the ‘Self Fulfilling Prophecy’ – in a nut shell it is the theory that they way a person thinks and the way they are perceived by other people is the way they turn out.

For some people this is true – they live up to every expectation people have of them good or bad. However I have fought to try and be who I think I should be. When I was a little younger I fought so hard to go against what people thought about me that I sometimes went against what I wanted just because it was what other people wanted for me and I thought I had something to prove. Thankfully I have matured and no longer (well not consciously anyway) rebel against everything. Nonetheless reading the book has really made me think about what it takes for a person to change. I believe it has to be a personal drive and decision if the change is to last….

What are your thoughts?

Also on the subject of change my book ‘Finding Me’ is due to be released in March this year. It documents my journey of growth and finding my own identity, confidence and beauty. More to come on this soon! If you are interested in getting a complimentary copy for FREE and will promise to write a review – leave a message below.

Thanks.

Nissi x

So…what brought on this thought process? It was not completely random…Last weekend I had my first ever TV interview and as nerve wracking as it was, I think I did ok. However there was one slip of the tongue I made and if the show producers do not edit the tape accordingly, could present me in a distorted light. The minute the words came out of my mouth I wanted to gather them all back in and wish no – one heard but life does not work like that. There are things that we do, sometimes very small things that show us to be something we are not. It is like that one moment then defines us. Even though you and I know that it is a superficial definition, to the outside world (namely those who barely know us but also have the most to say), it seems that this single moment characterizes us.

So I am now taking time out to rehearse and understand my boundaries. I do not want to be caught off guard again. I now understand why people say practise what you are going to say. The more I think about it the more I see that life itself is very artificial. How many authentic moments do we really have?

 Nissi x

So…what are your specific aims for this year: do you want to invest in young people’s lives by joining a mentoring scheme? Write a book? Lose weight? I know it might seem like a lot of motivational jargon but this ‘stuff’ is real and helps you to set specific, measurable targets that you can look back and evaluate yourself on next year. To simply want to be successful and significant is not enough – it is too vague and will keep you running in circles and dashing after every seemingly ‘good’ opportunity.

There is one song in particular that keeps me inspired at the moment. It is the remix of Drake’s ‘Headlines’ by the absolutely inspiring and conscious musician Chuka Royalty. Listen and dream big!