The Stable Nomad ✈

"How can we understand the road we travel?"

[stablenomad]

[serious]

Take a shower, wash off the day. Drink a glass of water. Make the room dark. Lie down and close your eyes. Notice the silence. Notice your heart. Still beating. Still fighting. You made it, after all. You made it, another day. And you can make it one more. You’re doing just fine.

Unknown (via misjudgments)

[stablenomad]

Storms

Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,

In accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passion,

The murmurs of self-will;

Oh, speak to reassure me,

To hasten, or control;

Oh, speak, and make me listen,

Thou Guardian of my soul.

 The author of the hymn is asking to hear Jesus ‘above the storms of passion….the murmurs of self-will’. These storms of passion are things of the human nature, earthly things that disrupt, blurr our vision or cause us to err. When we pray to hear Jesus, I believe He speaks. We might not audibly hear his voice, but there will be a stirring in our spirit that will turn us away from what the human-mind would think is ideal.

I read this hymn this morning during my devotion and I turned it into a prayer specifically for myself at this timely period. Too many times I have tried to act on self-will just because it seems ideal. I have thought it best to act on impulse, so in the case of my prayer, I am asking Jesus to help me control – and in instances of my unhurriedness, to hasten.

There is no other guardian or solution that I have ever found so wanting as spending time with Jesus. I have tried other modes – exercise, complete no acknowledgement and detachment from the word, and let me say this, it is not because of lack, but even in surplus, I have found nothing more assuring than the word. Yes there are times I struggle, I yearn for clarity when it’s all smudged vision I can see through, and there is all silence, but I fight to take comfort in that silence. But then, I let my doubt whither off, as I slowly grab onto the anchor, as the captain of my soul takes the steers, and we slowly brave through the storms.

[stablenomad]

Stable Nomad Returns

There is not a clear cut prescription on how to prepare yourself before moving back to your native country after years living overseas. In my case, relocating back to Nigeria always seemed to be pending. It was not until sometime in 2014 I unofficially, but firmly, declared a high interest in moving home.

If I had made this journey in 2012, post-graduation from my undergrad and working in the U.S, I do not think I could have survived. I unofficially made a declaration around that time when there were issues delaying my application for an H-1B visa and the prospects of going for a postgraduate program. In fact, doing an NYSC was number one on the list of my alternative plans. Fortunately, as I bounced off ideas with family, my parents discouraged the NYSC option. The NYSC program is mandatory…as they claim. It is supposed to be a rudimentary program for recent graduates to obtain experience, but is very depressing and backbreaking. There is a certain part of me that wishes I had come home to do it then. But there is a greater part of me that is glad I moved to a different country to begin a postgraduate program. I might be well, *cough*cough*, advanced in years a bit, but I am glad to be home. In terms of employment, the work prospects were a bit uncertain as the employment process in Nigeria takes a lot of back channels, quid-quo-pro relationships, and for youths like me, the completion of the NYSC program. I have temporarily navigated this maze, this illusionary market that cries out vacancies from left to right. Employment has been covered for the upcoming months. Until the commencement of the next NYSC batch which I might ship off with, we will see what happens next.

The transition has been relatively easy because I prepared myself. I told myself that if I did not get mentally and spiritually prepared for this journey, I will be unlikely to acclimatize. I got myself prepared almost a year in advance. I accepted my decision, or rather my desire. I refocused my perspective so that I will be unaffected by any difficulties I was to face when back. The key to change is accepting change when it is introduced, not necessary when it is implemented, but when it strikes like a glowing light bulb. This dispels fear of uncertainty, not entirely, but provides cushion to accommodate setbacks. To my advantage again were the two opportunities I had last year to visit home – the two most recent visits I had made in almost 6-7 years since living outside for roughly 11 years.

I am becoming immune to certain issues in the nation, but traffic, security and wage inequality are a few issues I am still trying to wrap my head around. I will enlighten on these factors as the months, years go by, and soon this stable nomad will be well adjusted. Many times I feel like an alien in my own country. Being around my parents makes it easier. As I attempt to mainstream into the flow of things, I am still holding on to my acquired identity that has transformed my thought process and belief system. Acclimatizing is a slow process, but key in success. Managing who you are and where you are now is key to stability.

This is just a first of many blog entries on my recent resettlement. Moving back to Nigeria is my sixth relocation – even though it has been home all along.

I am excited and hopeful about this journey I am on 😉😉😉

[bereolaesque]

Fail until you succeed.

Mistakes will cost you. But everything isn’t overpriced…perhaps you’re just overbroke for paying failure too much attention. Your rich mind is putting a free dream on layaway…

To fail isn’t to lose…to quit is. Too often, the extremely relentless outwork the talented & we exist in a society of saturated wack instead of thriving in a colorful world you were born to help create. Failure makes you produce your greatest work. Failure helps you grow. Stop celebrating cheap success & start embracing effective failure.

When you fall, remember what tripped you and stand up. The world needs your work. Keep going…

#Crown

NOTE: If your goals aren’t in line with God’s will, do us a favor and quit.

Dallas, TX 10/10 | Paris, France 09/21 | Prague, Czech Republic 09/19 | Cinque Terre, Italy 09/17 | Florence, Italy 09/16 | Bologna, Italy 09/15 | Genoa, Italy 09/14 | Bay Area, CA 08/07 | Los Angeles, CA 08/05 | Palo Alto, CA 07/17 | Miami, FL 06/28 Booking: [email protected]

#GENTLEWOMAN is available on Amazon.

[gospelhope-blog]

When life is going good we tend to forget about God..that is until we need Him again. Continue to be grateful and thankful for what God has given you and never stop relying on His strength alone. The same strength that got you to where you are today. Stay humble and never for one second assume you no longer need God. Without Him we are powerless, sisters.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Deuteronomy 8:11-20

11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

19 If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. 20 Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God.

#sistersinscripture#spiritualinspiration #gritandvirtue #encouragement #goodnewsfeed #Jesus #dailydevotional #biblequotes #worship #trustingGod #peace #dailybread #livefullyalive #liveauthentic #quotes #votd #livefaithfully #propelwomen

[tastefullyoffensive]

[dvxdm]

An analogy for life. (photos via thecrookedstep)

You’re thinking “is he really going to spend the whole book worrying?” and then it hits you.

[stablenomad]

Xenophobia and Spirits

Xenophobia is un-African they say. Now we Nigerians are decrying what some South Africans are doing to us. But there was such a time in our national history known as “Ghana must go”. We still have bags that tell the story.

Why lament now? Did we ever apologize to Ghanians? Now some multicolored checkered bag holds the stigma of a hateful era. Please hold your tongue.

Hate is hate. We are all foreigners. Earth is just temporary. So why take selfish ownership of what you assume your ancestors laid claim to just because history precedes present? (However, let it be known that any forceful and ill intent to eliminate indigenes by whatsoever means is a crime).

We are just mere bodies. Our true homes are where our spirits lay after this earth and body passes away.

For now, let us be free to wander as nomads. Say no to xenophobia.

[hope-will-rise]

Having a relationship with God is teamwork. And team work involves endurance, pushing outside your comfort zone, action, happiness, tears, sweat, listening, learning and above all, loving. Don’t let your relationship with God become a mere one-sided conversation, where you’re not willing to participate.

(via hope-will-rise)

[blackportraitsblackbeautiful-de]

[gentlemanuniverse]

Gentleman style

[itslatingirl]

[nxstyle]

Three piece by David Gandy

[stablenomad]

Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani

He died so that I may not have to say, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - Mark 15:27 NIV)

Is it not so beautiful that I do not have to bear my sin and shame because He has taken it all for me. 

Never have I participated in such extensive reading by http://shereadstruth.com/ ​ on the love and sacrifice of Christ by focusing on three phases, Return, Repent, and Remember.  

And today, celebrating Good Friday, I reflect on the age old orthordox hymn, How Can It Be, 

And can it be that I should gain

an interest in the Savior's blood!

Why do we gain from this sacrifice of love? Why do we not have to feel the emptiness of not being forgotten or rejected in times of desperate need like Jesus faced? 

He faced hell so that we might not. The craziness in this world is not even a fraction of what sin could do to us. 

We gain an interest in Jesus’ sacrifice for us so that we would never be broken nor alone. 

Yes, at times we would feel rejected and alone in this world. But if we look at the eternal separation that we could be facing, we should hold onto the assurance that it gets better. That life on earth is only but temporary. And that as long as love trumps fear, we will survive. 

At least I can wake up each day and be filled with that assurance that He will never leave me nor forsake me. No matter what my account says, what the economy feels like, or the insecurity that surrounds our world, or if loved ones walk out on me and if the world caves in on me. His love will sustain me. 

We are all undeserving of such a love and friendship. 

Happy Good Friday. 

[the-khaleesi-stormborn-blog]

I want to be a woman who lives totally abandoned to the first commandment: to love my Lord, my God, with all my heart. I don’t want the reputation that I love God, I don’t want to write songs about loving God, I don’t want to talk about loving God. I want to actually love God. When I close my eyes, I want my heart to move. When I close my eyes and I look at Him, I want to feel alive on the inside. I want to look at Him with a fire in my heart and it’s real.

Misty Edwards (via theseunspokendefinites)

Amen, amen, amen.

(via drawmeafteryou)

[projecttribe]

[hisword-typographicverses]