Fope's Blog

I now get why some Christians decide to do extreme things like refusing to own a T.V. I'm watching this episode of Moments with Mo , and the topic is No Romance without Finance. Urgh. So may things be hitting the wrong nerves. I'm giving this thing a try where I completely substitute my music for Christian music. It's doable, I know. But I love Sunny Ade and a little Olamide here and there. I mean, I already know better than to accept the lyrics of the songs as the truth, but on some days I'm also embarrassed of what I'm listening to. I DJed for about15 minutes at a hangout  with my friends the other day, and when the pretty gross lyrics of Olamide and Phyno's "Ladi" came on, I was quite ashamed. The friends weren't even actively listening to the words of the song, but my own spirit condemned me. Photo credit:  DeveionPhotography  via  Foter.com  /  CC BY-ND So what is it today that's got me ranting. So many things in the Youtube ...

In an   earlier musing ,   I said that I thought my newly found contentment was the “the kind that came with being at complete peace with God.” And unlike Trump, I haven't changed my mind. But I wanted to   know how to bottle this state of peaceful happiness   for the days when it might be illogical to remain that happy. So I did some digging into my new habits and talked the One who knows it all, and here’s what I found: I think discontentment with my life starts when I refuse to count my blessings. When I'm so focused on the part of my glass that is half empty that I ignore all that it has taken to fill this glass up to this point.  I know my life in itself is such an underappreciated gift. I have good health, sound mind, a wealth of family and loving friends, and many other priceless gifts. Yet, all these sometimes seem very trifling in the light of unmet expectations. Photo credit:   Richard Walker Photography   via   Foter.com ...

It's June a.k.a. birthday month and I'm taking stock of my life...again. I don't know how or why, well maybe I do, but January to April were incredibly lonely. I wasn't always alone, but it was just lonely. I had just gotten back from my Naija trip, during which I almost always had something to be excited about. Even basic stuff like the constant honking of  okada   guys had me alert and somewhat excited about life. Then I came back to Canada and moved 7 hours away from home. New city, new school, new phase of life (sorta), no more mother to whine about my day to, no more siblings to bug me, and then there was the super dry city...oh, and winter too. Basically, a whole lot of change and the result? Bam! I gained 15-20lbs and didn't even realize it, and I also got involved in some *sigh* let's call them avoidable things. Photo credit:  wolfgangfoto  via  Scandinavian  /  CC BY-ND Now, it's June and I've had really rea...

This week has been beautiful. I’ve loved almost every minute of it. My hair experiments have turned out pretty well. My skin - despite the attention-seeking dark spots- has been fantastic too. If I'm being real, it has nothing to do with the happenings of the week. I've been in a really content place. It's the kind that comes with being at complete peace with God. Even before realizing that the dictionary defined contentment (word for word) as being "in a state of peaceful happiness", I knew it was exactly how I felt. I absolutely love it here and I'm fighting fervently to protect this space.  As seen on my Instagram page The biggest thing I'm coming to terms with this week is the idea that my unworthy little self is somehow meant to radiate God... to reflect him… somehow. How?  I guess I know what that's meant to mean. I get it, but at the same time, I don't. Why would God even think me worthy to have a part in His grand scheme of th...

Two whole months of not saying "pim!" Haha. If you grew up Nigerian, you should be familiar with the word "pim!" I’m throwing in the exclamation mark to replicate the strong feelings and high volume with which it is said. It's the sound your mom might have made when you sobbed at the end of yet another unnecessary ass whooping. Amidst heavily-filled tear ducts, sobs that felt like gasps for air, and a hand holding your lips in place, you might remember seeing her with her index finger over her pursed lips with a face sterner than any of your childhood demons saying the infamous "If I hear pim!” All in the bid to get you to swallow your sorrows and not express whatever betrayal or sadness had you in tears. You may have wondered for the umpteenth time why you were adopted if they had no need of you. Photo credit:  DFID - UK Department for International Development  via Foter.com  /  CC BY-NC-SA Even those "if I hear pim" m...

I recently had a conversation with one of my friends, which led her to the conclusion that I wasn’t spiritual enough to date her brother. It was kind of a joke, but as we know, in every joke there’s at least an iota of truth.    So, it got me thinking. See, I self-identify as an open-minded person, at least in my circle of Nigerian, Christian friends, I’m a little bit of an anomaly. I have my own ideas about life, alcohol, sex, and other things I wonder about. No, it’s nothing that necessarily contradicts the Bible; it’s just a little too much for my people. Now, without even knowing the details of our conversation, you’re already thinking I’m not Christian enough to date you or your brother. Don’t worry I don’t want to date you either. On a serious note though, I was taken aback a little by my friend’s conclusion, mostly because I wondered if the things that made her come to that conclusion were the same ones being impediments to my ability to ...

I asked some married people about things they'd tell their single selves.  My exact words were, "I'm writting a blogpost on things you'd tell your unmarried self.  "Can you please give me one piece of advice you'd give your unarried self?"  They all didn't give me a response on the spot, so they thought this through. Here's what they had to say: Photo credit:  Shawn Harquail  via Foter.com  /  CC BY-NC 1) I would tell my unmarried self to  be patient and to ignore people's comments about me getting old . I would not just accept any man because I felt pressured. I would be determined to wait for God's best for my life not minding how old I was. 2) I would tell myself not to be rushed. I would say  marry someone you truly love, someone who is ready to die for you (if need be)" . 3) I would definitely  investigate a potential partner thoroughly.  If she claims to have a degree, I want to know how true that is. I would get...