WITH LOVE

With Brave Wings, She flies.

[mynameisloveactually]

Purpose. Destiny. Life plans. Pathways. Things I am literally tired of hearing. I have been looking at life a lot differently this past year. Going through college’s hustle and bustle, I have questioned it’s usefulness to me many late nights. At the end of the day, it is those experiences outside of the classroom I cherish the most. For a while, I have fumbled through choosing a major. I have got to be the most indecisive person on earth. Looking at all the stress I put myself through, is is worth it? At the end of the day, I know I am destined to do something great. I am God’s vessel to be used to touch people’s lives. I just have to continue on the path searching out and seizing opportunities as I go. I have to continue to remind myself to live, breathe, and most importantly, love. Everything does not have to be serious. God has given each and every person one life to live. Use it to the fullest potential. 

Remember life is too short to wallow in sadness. Be happy, find true Joy, and SMILE! =)

Just random things I am thinking about while studying for a biology exam.

[mynameisloveactually]

I wrote this in December 2012.... wow.

[mynameisloveactually]

“I have come to know a God who has a soft spot for rebels, who recruits people like the adulterer David, the whiner Jeremiah, the traitor Peter, and the human-rights abuser Saul of Tarsus. I have come to know a God whose Son made prodigals the heroes of his stories and the trophies of his ministry.”

— Philip Yancey (via hisstorythroughmine)

[mynameisloveactually]

even the least of these

[jas0nwaterfalls-deactivated2014]

Visit Original Link

He was probably sitting at his desk in the middle of his study flipping through his sketchbook  looking to see if any of his old work jumped out at him

im pretty sure he stopped at a few pages squinted his eyes, tilted his head to the left chewed on the back of his pen before ultimately deciding he wasn’t really feeling it

 so later chose to switch it up a bit

he wanted to be inspired strike something new

i mean, everything he made was beautiful in its own right but he was tired of using the same mold

he wanted to break out experiment challenge himself a bit i guess

he paced for a while closing his eyes in an attempt to embrace the silence around him

he paced

     and paced

              and paced

                       until even his footsteps became too loud

so he stood still searched the deepest parts of himself gave in completely to the silence and just as he did

up crept a rhythm

An 8th Followed by a 16th twice per measure In 6/8th time just about 60 bpm with an accent over the 8th

 It was soft at first

but as he listened it came into focus it got louder it became real.

His heartbeat.

That was it.

When I think about God and how he creates his people I don’t see a factory with an assembly line I don’t see angels grabbing at random body parts out of a bin piecing people together I don’t see prepackaged personalities divvied up dispositions tackle boxes of talents or cartons of characteristics

I see a single artist. a sculptor making us in his image a painter giving us his likeness a musician  breathing rhythm into our veins

I see him rendering us each from scratch seeking individual inspiration developing us one by one

And on this day. the day he made you

He used his heartbeat as your baseline 

He put a deep Gregorian chant behind your eyes your skin tone, he made the same color  as the opening notes of Coltrane’s “Giant Steps”

he put a handheld recording of a protest your personality. your Volume is 10. leave it there.

a Color Me bad stain on Choux Pastry lips perfectly compliment “Whats Goin’ On?” In your smile.

he wrapped a remix of a Moonlight sonata around your hips some of your Brown sugar is at the meeting of your thigh he laid lullaby at your feet and told your walk to blame it on the boogie

you are mixed to perfection. harmonious but layered youre a symphony with boom bap an avant garde take on the human existence your heart murmurs with sounds of early jazz offbeat but on track.

But that’s just the way I imagine it of course we don’t know for sure theres no telling how we were created

But I swear I fuckin swear you remind me of my favorite song.

[jas0nwaterfalls-deactivated2014]

i think im proud of this one

[mynameisloveactually]

family member: what are you doing with your life?

me: it's a surprise

[mynameisloveactually]

to you and me lol

[mynameisloveactually]

It's the finer things in life.

I sat down and caught up with one of my childhood friends today. We would drift into a comfortable silence and pick up where we left off. We talked about life, love, relationships, school, the future, and the past. It was one of those talks that I truly cherish. 

I came to a conclusion. No one knows the future and we don’t want to dwell on the past. So let’s live for today. Why not live for now? Live for the next minute, hour, or day? In our culture, everything is so fast-paced. We don’t recognize the value of silence, the rustling of the trees, the whooshing of the breeze, the beaming sun, the sound of laughter, the look of care that we give to one another. We are so busy trying to get the “finer” things in life that most of the time quick “hi’s and bye’s” with a side hug suffice. We never take the time to know how the other is doing or what is in going on in the other’s life.

So this summer I take a pledge: I will invest more in my friendships and relationships. There is so much more in this life. Live a little. Laugh a little. Love a little.

xoxoxo, Chidi

God! It feels so good to be blogging again. I missed just jotting my thoughts down randomly. School does that to you, but I’m BACK for the summer lol. ^__^

[mynameisloveactually]

A decade later... I’ve grown up but my essence stands.

[mynameisloveactually]

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

In America, ‘18’ is the age you are an adult. ‘18’ is the age when you are free to make your own decisions. You can vote. You can smoke, if your lungs permit you. You are legally allowed to do certain things without your parent’s consent. So why do I still feel like a kid some days? Other days, I am the ‘responsible adult’ I was raised to become.

So you know what? If I did not know my age, I don’t think it would matter. I see people scared to say how old they are as they get up in their 20s—mainly women. When you hit 26, 27, 28, 29… everyone starts getting all hush hush (esp. if you’re not married or in a relationship). I’d be damned. I believe in owning your age and being proud that you have blessed the planet with your presence for another year. I hope I keep that mindset as I get older.

Mark Twain once eloquently said, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind. it doesn’t matter.”

Love and grace,

Chidi ♥

[mynameisloveactually]

Did I write this too?

[mynameisloveactually]

Which is worse, failing or never trying?

There is something dangerous about never trying. One must experience failure in order to understand the true meaning of success. If you never try, how will you know what you are capable of? How will you know what you suck at–for lack of better words? Honestly, I am preaching to myself. In life, you have to keep on trying. Keep on pushing. You may fail 99 out of 100 times. But that one time that you succeed will make the struggle worth it. 

Love and grace,

Chidi

[mynameisloveactually]

Did I write this?

[mynameisloveactually]

closing chapter 2020. ✌🏾

for the last nearly ten years, Tumblr has been a source of inspiration and joy. i’m permanently archiving my account to focus on my writing and building a lifestyle blog. I've been thinking about this for years and it’s time.

grateful for this sweet space and all the memories. 

[yuyuuyuyuu-deactivated20230726]

normalize admitting that you care. being nonchalant all the time is overrated.

[thegood-byelook]

I still don't know what I'm wearing to the living room New Years Eve... I might not even go.

[mynameisloveactually]

nearly ten stunning years and i’m ready to close this chapter.

[sk-lumen]

If you want different results for next year, then take different actions. Do better, try smarter, sharpen your focus. Work smart, not hard. You can’t keep doing the same thing year by year and expect anything but the same results, same relationships, and same (or lack of) success.

[thoughtkick]

“A huge amount of freedom comes when you take nothing personally.”

— Don Miguel Ruiz

[mynameisloveactually]

[mynameisloveactually]

your healing is dependent on you.

[mynameisloveactually]

Sundays are special. In my family’s culture, Sunday meant dressing up in your finest attire. Aunties tying beautiful geles and putting on gorgeous lace cloth, spraying wonderful perfume and adding the final touch of a matching purse and heels set. Sundays were for white rice and stew and family visits. I always remember  the Sundays of the tweens and teens because they were pivotal to  everything else that happened during the week. Sundays helped me mark time. The Sundays of 2020 felt different. I hardly attended church even virtually. My attempt to clean and do laundry while blasting Kirk Franklin’s greatest hits were my church. Putting on Maverick City’s newest release alongside cheffing up the breakfast  of the millennials, avocado egg toast was my communion. Sundays will always be special to me. And on the last Sunday of this unforgettable year,  I bid you peace and love and joy to you and yours. May we see more Sundays, better Sundays in 2021.

[mynameisloveactually]

SOUL was a beautifully made movie. Can we talk about how the animators depicted New York City in autumn? It made me happy and there were so many gems and quotable moments.

If 2020 taught me anything, it’s that life can change at any minute.  Enjoy today. Embrace today. Live today.