Okechukwu’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Tag: reflection

  • Before America: Musing of All Places I’ve Become

    I want to share a part of a short story about not giving up. The longer version will come as we go along. There is a strange quiet that comes when recognition arrives late. Before America, before UC Berkeley and UCLA.Before the awards and recognitions: Mastercard Foundation Scholarship and Alumni Fund, International House Berkeley Awards,…

  • Becoming Time

  • Notes on Leisure

    What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time? This is a response to the prompt above. Leisure, for me, isn’t the opposite of work; it’s where I reconnect with myself. I enjoy unclaimed time—time that doesn’t require me to produce, justify, or perform. During these moments, thinking slows and becomes less goal-focused. I…

  • What This Blog Is Turning Toward This Year

  • Perspectives: So Big, So Small

    I wrote a quote about this some time ago; this post is a revised version. I’ve always wondered how big an aircraft can be. Standing near one feels so massive that it could hold hundreds of people as they board. I often imagine the passengers inside a passing plane from the ground. Where are they…

  • Random Thoughts 1

    Here are some random thoughts I’ve been jotting down over the past week. Bring some salt from home whenever you travel; it will remind you of home, even though most salt tastes the same. Feel and listen to the heartbeat of loved ones in a hug; it creates a special sensation. Wrinkles are signs that…

  • Writing Between the Lines of Life

  • The Quiet Mirror Within

    To discover your true self, focus on your inner journey rather than seeking answers externally.

  • Quote on Grace

    Being gracious does not mean you are weak. Choose to be graceful regardless!

  • Indigeneity 101c: Indigenous Knowledge and Ecology

    I invite you to read an article in Romanian (which can be translated into other languages) about the importance of incorporating indigenous practices into our ecological efforts. The article provides examples of environmental initiatives from communities in France, Vanuatu, Nigeria, Kenya, and Chad. How can we sustainably resolve conflicts between humans and wildlife in rural…

  • Maybe 5

    Maybe prints left by crawling wormsare Earth’s remarkable autographs.Maybe trails left by snails and serpentstell anecdotes of curiosity in the dirt.Maybe we discover the beauty of letting things grow by cultivating gardens.

  • Abqs Chill Weather

    I’ve noticed that the sunlight often plays hide-and-seek, like a game of “Now you see me…” I appreciate the unpredictability of the weather here. Sometimes, I see bright sunshine out the window, so I wear a short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts, only to find it chilly outside. Other times, the day looks gloomy, and I assume…

  • Quote: Live in the Present

    Remember to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and smell of flowers and the feel of wet clay. Smile is the best ornament you can wear. Take the time to watch the sunrise or sunset while you still can. Life is fragile, and nothing lasts forever — Oke Iroegbu

  • Quote: Kings and Kingmakers

    When you become a King or Queen, do not forget those who helped you to the crown — Oke Iroegbu

  • Train to Santa Fe

    I have missed the rain so much; I’m grateful to see it fall again. Verse 1: Mountains and Vast GrasslandDry streambeds in a whileLonely cattle here and thereVast plains overlooking peaksHills grow into mountainsAnd mountains touch the clouds. Verse 2: Rainfall and Gloomy CloudsThere’s raindrops on windowsA lullaby of metal and rainTunnels, bridges, creaking,The clouds…

  • Be Yourself

    What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself, I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great…

  • A Birthday Wish and Turbulent Times

  • Reflection: Homelessness

    Homelessness is injustice. It’s inequality. Homelessness I sit on the warm comfort of blankets and my bed. It rained some few hours ago. It was cold out there. I knew this as the strong winter air hit my face when I tried to open the window. I had options; sit warm with the window closed…

  • A Prayer for the World

  • August Again

    August AgainAh, August again! My month of birth is one of sunshine and glamour! How fast times fly. It’s already 12 months but last year’s August was a little bit dramatic for me. A few days after my birthday I started filing graduate school applications, one in Nigeria, and two abroad. Unfortunately, the academic strike…

  • Reflection: Favourite Time

    Sunset is my favourite time of the day. Not only are evenings made for telling stories but are moments of self-reflection and truth. It’s the sun’s way of reminding everyone of the need to take some break from the day’s hustle. In Africa, it’s a time of rest. Each time I travel to the countryside,…

  • Quote: Beautiful Day

    A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset – John Geiger

  • April 2022

    How quickly time passes! Flowers still grow in the dirt by the roadside. That reminds me of hope. Tree leaves fall, and new ones grow in their place. Now that’s true hope! So I would love to smell the flowers by the roadside and experience unconditional love again. Happy New Month everyone and don’t be…

  • Thoughts On Eastern Europe

  • Reflection: Lafia

  • Humanity First

    The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life Birds up the trees There, up the trees, I saw several nests. I knew more were there because I could hear a multitude of birds chirping. Most of the nests were…

  • A Big No To Wild Bush Burning

    Home again It’s a full moonlight tonight. The evening air is modest. We are all sitting outside, just in front of the house, discussing the day’s work. Some lay, rolling on mats spread close to one another. In between the lead tale teller’s story, distracting dialogues transpire, though as whispers. Incessant noises made by insects…

  • Opinion: A Sitting Time Bomb

  • Nostalgia: Hills I Call Home

  • Time

    Make hay while it shines This talent of mine… This is one talent I find solace in. It’s an avenue to paint my heart on ink, to play with the soul of nature and record lovely and beautiful memories. In my mind I create a happy and peaceful world; where I live in fine images…

  • Quotes on Resilience

    You’re going to go through tough times – that’s life. But I say, ‘Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.’ Joel Osteen. A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose. John Maxwell. I love the light for it shows me the way to…

  • Reflection: Counting the Costs 1

    At times, you need to stop everything you are doing to sit alone and mend your broken wings. Cold evening and a to-do list I sit outside on a cold evening. There’s a community of crickets chirping through the grassland. A gust of wind brushes my face, causing my helpless lamp to sway back and…

  • Thoughts: I Wonder

    Sometimes it’s hard to stop a rolling stone, but whenever it may roll, it always seems to find its way back home. Brett Boyett Home Forever Dear motherland, I am proud to call you my home. I am reminded of sunset; it shows that it ends where it begins. From tree branches in the hilly…

  • Quotes on Helping Others

    1. Nothing makes life sweeter than making people happy. 2. The people you help today become your soldiers in the battle of life tomorrow. 3. To invest in properties is good, but to invest in people is far better. 4. To make money, make people. 5. Your greatest trophies are the tears you wipe away…

  • Poetry: I’ll Wait

    Love can be crazy Yet I am amused I try to figure the words You pelt me with, When we spoke of love It was zenith of all, everything Days and nights It fell in and out Maybe this was right, I look farther away Towards sunrise A pint of love on my breast And…

  • Opinion: Leadership Woes

  • Quotes on Unity

    When spiders unite they can tie down a lion – Ethiopian Proverb. None of us is as smart as all of us – Ken Blanchard.

  • Mechanics of Savings: a Christian perspective

    Mechanics of Savings and Financial Intermediation Savings as described by financial analysts are the portion of income which are not used for consumption expenditures. They are referred to as investments, because huge portions of such savings in financial institutions constitute the capital extended to businesses, governments, individuals and other entities as loans. This is done…

  • Four Quotes on Humility

    Perfection is impossible without humility. Why should I strive for perfection, if I am already good enough? Leo Tolstoy. Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose. Bill Gates. True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of…

  • Quote: Dream big

    You’ll never know… Just dream. Dream big.

  • Modern Scramble for Africa

  • Reflection: The Virus and China

  • Imagining Love

    Imagine riding a horse into the sunset, or sitting with kids to hear rare stories, or listening to the country late into the night, or picking beautiful flowers & berries, with the one you truly love… Start a blog here.

  • Reflection: Respecting our Environment

  • Letter: Heal today

    Dear Friends, I often talk about forgiveness because someone out there needs to let go. Life is designed so people may not always get what they want or wish for. As a result, disappointments, heartbreaks, hurt, betrayal, and pain are unfortunately part of life. Being good does not guarantee others will be good to you.…

  • Self-Reflection 29: Humility

    The way up is down. You don’t know how strong you are until you forgive someone who isn’t sorry for what they did, or until you accept an apology that was never given. That is real strength.

  • Thoughts on Covid-19

    Even with the breaking news of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Abia State, some still doubt the media and think that the news is a hoax. People can be stubborn you know, add ignorance and then you can imagine what it can birth. The human nature is fraught to benefit at the expense of others. This…

  • My thoughts on Love

    I love you, and I want you to know. We know that love is a feeling and a state of mind, desirous to be there for someone or see a person succeed or be better. This desire lead to kind acts and actions summarise it all. Yet love can be expressed verbally. Who needs to…

  • Self-Reflection 26: Kindness

    Be generous with kind words and deeds.

  • Self-Reflection 25: Diligence

    If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well. _Martin…