journal mi

  Some were made for crowds; some were made for a few. A few were made to create paths; most were made to tread existing paths. If you tread an unconventional path, many will not understand; but hopefully, a few will.   Either way, all were made to Love.  

  People who wish you well, want you to be fine, always. Yes, “I am fine”, is more convenient for everyone. But is that how Life plays out? Is there not a time to weep and a time to laugh? For those that notice the times of weeping, would you leave them to the symptoms or can   trust them with the cause? Or would you rather go to your closet and ‘wrestle’ it out with your creator?    

What do humans do with pain and heartbreaks? Who do they talk to about it? To God? To God alone? To God and man? To man alone? To spouse and partner? To biological family? To neighbours? To local spiritual family? To spiritual family, universal? To only clergy? To friends met on Life’s journey? To colleagues and business partners? To professionals – counsellors, therapists, and emotional coaches? To strangers? To social media? To God alone? To God and man? ‘F O7.08.2021  

Part I In your 20s, it is not a thought, you rest assured that Mr or Miss Oga is on the way. Then when you can sight the 3rd floor, you may start wondering and actively hoping and praying that it happens before you hit the big 3-0! At this stage, humans won’t let you rest, they seem to believe that the more your unmarried state is discussed, the better pressured you feel to ‘take action’. What is action? For a Christian maybe – pray and fast more, go out more, dress up more deliberately to catch his/her eye, join a group in church - make it a big church so the probability is higher. Anyways for some, you then cross the big 3-0 and you are still here 😊 and no, the world didn’t come an end. In my opinion, the toughest stages are between 28 -33 or maybe 35. If you are 35 and are unmarried, hopefully, you have gone past crying and self-doubts to just living your reality, whilst still hoping for the dude/babe or choosing celibacy. Part II I understand that some feel that because they are ...

 …the heart leaps A kindred spirit is close. Different personalities but same core Same backbone, different gloss.   Beyond the surface Beyond dollars and bread Beyond fronting and coding Beyond wig and selfies.   Authentic, vulnerable and safe Errors rebuked but covered. Intense, consistent and deliberate Tender.   Zero performance required Just honesty and willingness to grow Broken but beautiful Broken and beautiful 'Funmilayo Akinwale #GreenNotes (29.09.2020)

Sin is my claim to my right to myself. Sin is me trying to be God. It is a disposition.   A disposition that does not acknowledge that I am only the breath of God and dust. A disposition to live by my own terms, and not on the terms of the God who created me. The disposition of sin is not limited to immorality and wrong-doing. It is the disposition of self-realization – I am my own god! I can do things, the way I want!   The good news is that God sent His son to take that disposition away. The disposition of wanting to do things my way - as if I created myself and put myself on this planet. Another sweet part is that once I acknowledge that God owns me, and I agree to live on His terms, His Spirit begins to work righteousness in me. He does the work, on my inside. He has no respect for my temperament or preferences. He takes over my life, completely!   But can you imagine the creator of the world taking over your life? Can you imagine...

 Dear Runner, Where to this time? Mali? Ghana? East Africa? Dubai? Or is it the UK? Does the thing you are running away from, deserve all the visa processing wahala?   “I’m not running, I’m seeking.” Seeking for What? Seeking What? “For third second chances.” “I’m tired.” “I need a re-start.”   How many re-starts will you scout for in a lifetime? “As many as I need.” “I will continue running (Oops, no. Seeking - till I find).” “May God help me find.”   What are you actually seeking for? “Home.” Is home on this side of eternity? “A type of home – yes!”   You have run from friends, family, ex-colleagues, neighbours When will you stop? How would you stop? Who would help you stop? Why should you stop? Should you stop? Stop!   ‘Funmilayo Akinwale Green Notes (3.10.2020)

I went to church from childhood but was not very active. In my teenage years, I became more active and participated in all the prescribed classes - discipleship, baptismal class, choir etc. At some point in secondary school, I believed that it wasn't cool to be a Christian, so I was just nominal and admired those who I thought lived the ‘fun and cool’ life. Somehow, because I was small in size and younger than my classmates, I was usually considered a baby and not old enough to participate in the 'cool’ stuff! I remember that all I was looking forward to post-secondary school, was to get admitted into the University of Lagos, with the hope that I will be able to do all the ‘cool’ things! Then JAMB and my dad insisted that I attend a private Adventist University, Babcock University! I cried blood - " You guys don't love me!". How will I get to do all the adventurous and cool things in a university   that doesn't allow jewellery or give you freedom to go i...

I am clearer as to why people see me as different.   I love reading about Presidents/CEOs and Biographies; soft sells can wait!   I rarely watch Kim, E or Food network. By default my remote goes to CNN, BBC, Channels, Aljazeera and the likes. Boring? #Stalegist   Talking about hair, make-up, parties, clothes or shoes for hours? That is not my thing!   Have I mentioned that I’m no good at small talk? For me, it is absolutely okay to be quiet. Silence is my friend.   My heart is attached to macro issues. I don’t have a second to spare in the support of racism or tribalism. Nkan to n se mi poju be lo! My favourite conversations are related to God, Education, Governance, Speeches, Conflict Resolution; Israel-Palestine, Syria, Stopping Boko Haram, the Marine, the Seal, bringing an end to exam mal-practice in Nigeria and Love. If you spend time engaging in activities that don’t work for me, it is absolutely okay as long as it works for you. All we nee...

Peoples’ fathers selling their souls for Naira. Naira! The only value they have, the only thing they respect, the only god they fear! Wicked men! Their god is their belly! Greedy men! It’s ok for their children to disown them Because they will bring curses and ruin to their children and children’s children With no plan for the people, Yet scrambling to get there at whatever means possible. There is no cost too huge With zero fear of God and conscience sold for gold, their only ambition is to amass wealth for their 10 th generation. They oppress the poor and ravage the crumbs of the masses. Pollute all our Systems they must. All across the Executive, Judiciary, Legislature, Ministries and Federal parastatals, they forbid integrity and order. Worst still, in order to woo undiscerning ‘religious’ Nigerians, they lie under God’s name! Repent ye Nigerian politician! If not, you will know no rest, sorrow and sad news will flood you like a river!! Sic...

Life is in phases. As a child, you believe. Anything is possible. Your mouth runs, your dreams fly. You are yourself! No inhibitions! No fears maybe the fear of physical pain. Then the teenage years.   All that matters is acceptance. "Feeling among". Being like your friends. The tug: Being relevant or Being left out. In their teens, most people lose their individuality. When teen rolls by, "I" has been traded for "they". Only for a few does self remain. For these few  The question still lingers : Who am i? Why am i here? They know they are no groupies.                                               So they follow their instincts Follow their heart. Live as true to self as they can. For the child of God, there is a further ...

Home is where my friends are Where I can be me, 100% Where there are no airs Where I get support for my dreams Home is where my rest is Where my books are Where I am not expected to be like her Where I know I'll get a 2nd & 3rd chance Home is where love is, where my heart is.

Life is sweet Life is tough Life is what you make of it Life is what God makes of it Life shakes you up Life calms you down Life makes you smile Life makes you cry Life is a process Life is a destination.

My people, there is strength in releasing people, strength in letting go. The world may see it as weakness or failure on your path but the truth is that there in lies a high level of strength. Oh, the negative energy and loss of time when you try to force it to work. When you don’t release a person, you give the person power over you. …try your best to get that money back but if the person is irresponsible enough not to give it back after loads of efforts, let go. ….release the person that hurt you badly either by saying something hurtful or not saying anything when something was to be said. Trust me, you don’t need negative energy and some things or people wouldn’t come back no matter how hard you try. Cliché but true, let go and let God! It is certainly not an easy process but with God, strength will come somehow.

My Dear,   just remain spotless for me and note the following key things for ‘it’ to work.  • Abeg, no let dem sack you from your office becos u know say e no go b my fault if I ……..  • No form of challenge should come o, it will spoil everything. May e just dey sweet dey go.  • No place any demand on my luf, no inconvenience me generali!  • No get any form of accident or let hot water pour for your body o because I go gatz waka  The Barriers • Temporary distance nah barrier  • Weight nah barrier  • Family background nah barrier  • Lack of cash nah barrier  • Height nah barrier  * Abeg no forget, no dey commot without make up! ……….no more words, no wonder it lasts for so long!

My Love is different God taught me Himself It's Emotion plus Decision More Decision than Emotion. I'll accept the whole package Your baggages/weaknesses regardless My decision is made I will RESPECT you inspite of them My standard won't be the way you treat me It would be the way God does Oh...His endless love.....

• To the CEO who is scared the Company will go down because that ‘key man’ walked out on him • To the parents who just lost their child • To the single person who is still in shock that he/she never looked their way • To the young orphaned child and to my friend who just lost her husband The message is simple: God is the only indispensable being on this planet! The tears are worth it - therapeutic! The pain will be there for long But with TIME, you will move on somehow It’s certainly insensitive to try to motivate someone in this light during the trying period especially in the event of loss by death but the painful truth is that we came to this world with nothing(no one) and will leave with nothing(no one). On the flipside, when we remember we are not indispensable, we will lead humble lives!

• The Lordship of God • The Importance of Family • The Extravagance of Love • The Import of Depth • The Dignity of Labour • The Power of Self Control • The Beauty of Silence • The Value of Integrity • The Value of the Naira • The Strength of Personal Conviction

I never knew the process of living could be so much fun! • New Land • New Career • New Network • Loads of adventure • Growth • Geometric Progression of Responsibilities • Closer relationship with my Creator • Emotional Wahala • Loss and Gain • Less Sleep, more Rest The Guys Who Made It Thick I can’t retell the major happenings of the year without mentioning these names. They acted in various capacities. The capacities varied from clients to business partners, listeners to friends, helpers to simply angels! • GOD • Jennifer Odigbo • Jare Oyeniran • Wale Dada • Manji Gofwan • Sheila Dykstra • Chukwuma Nwanze • Kemi Oyefara • Raymond Anyanwu • Ofi Ejembi • Mrs Ogiemwonyi (KBF) • Mrs Bema Homes and of course, the Mahatma, Gandhi!  My friend list didn’t change this year…….. you guys are too much jo! Maybe just an addition……………..Mr Koks! Welcome to my world!!!  To ma famille, thanks for the support!!! God knew it was only you guys that could accommodate me & my interesting ways! The lu...

My Source My Creator My Grace My Saviour My Redeemer My Lord My Father My Sustainer My Essence My Rest My Love and My God!!!!