image courtesy: blog.creativekismet.com
I dread getting ready to go out with the kids because it is literally a tug of war. Sunday morning, we were getting ready to go to church; first Sunday of the month. It was a thanksgiving day, so we try to look our best! So I brought out traditionally made dresses for the girls. First, they started screaming, “it’s tight, I can’t wear it”. This was after it had been ironed. With gritted teeth I said, “choose another one!”. So they chose another one. Toni now started the going out chant, “I don’t have any shoes to wear”. I said “that’s not true, you have two new formal shoes!”. She replied, “None of them fits, they are too tight”.
At this point I was livid with rage, I’ve only bought the shoes in June. How could she say they are tight already? She started crying because ‘she has no shoes’ to wear and I’ve completely ignored her. My hubby could no longer stand the whining and tears. So he bellowed at her, telling her when he was a child he only gets new shoes at Christmas and if he’s lucky he gets another during Easter. He decreed that she wears her converse trainers on the Ankara dress. Yeah, you guessed right she has about 3 different trainers, boots and summer sandals. In England, you buy and dress for the weather. So my darling daughter went to church wearing her trainers on her Ankara dress!!!! At this point, I couldn’t resist laughing, she was a sight to behold. She hid all through the service because she said people will laugh at her.
This post is not about Toni but about us as people taking what we have for granted. We desire more and forget to appreciate what we have. Many children of my generation had about 2 going out shoes. My parents were not rich and so we were very happy if we got a new shoe for Christmas. My girl has over 7 pairs and they are still not enough. I have friends who have been married for years without a child . Some have the one child and are praying to have the second. And I complain about the hassles that Tito and Toni give me on a daily basis. I want a better job, I want a bigger house, I want a better improved husband. Did I add better behaved children? Errrr, I also want abs with a well toned body too #Olympics2012.
We, as people are insatiable. We want better cars, better jobs, bigger houses, “improved spouses”, better weather etc. However, we need to take stock of what we have and take time to appreciate what our maker has blessed us with. Who says when you have that better job it won’t have adverse effect on your health? Who says if you live in a better neighbourhood armed robbers won’t daily make your life hell? I am not in any way saying we should not desire better things or improve ourselves. I am just saying we need to appreciate what we have and where we are right now on the way to where we are going. I hear some say “I will be thankful when I get there”. No you won’t; it is an attitude, learn it now. Then, when we achieve that dream life we desire we will thank Him and appreciate how far we have come.
Hmmm… so so true.
To be honest, this article resonates a lot with me for different reasons. I am the one who will wear one favourite shoe out before I remember that ‘oh, but I have many shoes’. I have always secretly wondered at people’s obsessions with shoes and bags (yes, not just women; people!). I try to feel it, nothing. I try to pretend it, nothing. It is indeed a gulf. Does this mean I don’t have fixations I need to fix, heck no. So this is why this particular blog resonates with me for different reasons.
We must realise that money is a means to a end. It does not necessarily mean it would make or keep us happy. We must all try to understand the true meaning of life, and live before it is too late.
Brilliant one, Tope.
p.s. Come on, go and buy another formal pair for Toni, madam. You of all people should know how they grow! That’s her excuse and we’re sticking to it!
Its very nice to have all the “nice things ” in the world but we MUST learn to be thankful and appreciate what we already have. The kind of messages pastors should be preaching. Thank You
So true..God take us to a place of contentment where no matter what we feel Blessed anyways
Sigh! So i woke this morning with ungrateful attitude dangling right in front of me…. And this is completely my Sub! You did a nice Job of it.
PS Toni my love… Ignore mummy, we will shop the whole of London down for shoes when i get to see you…. I love you and Tito Silly.
A call to Gratitude & contentment. Thanks for the subtle reminder. U ‘re blessed!
Thanks for the much needed bit of positivity this morning.
Sis…! I love this piece!!! Insatiable they say human needs are. We continually crave for the best not minding those who aren’t opportuned or the consequences. More ink to your pen.
Less I forget, trainers on Ankara Loooooooooool.
There’s always that temptation to always sulk over what we don’t yet have at the very expense of what we have been blessed with. I remember quite well sometime in December 2011 that I was complaining of not having “this and that”, while looking at my friends who had it all. Lo and behold, 1 of those friends who had all I craved died in an accident. Sad, but it told me how thankful I should be for what I have, while working towards the others I expect to have. I just believe that we should remain thankful in all things, and what we want will fall into place. Good 1 sis, and hey e ra bata yen fun Toni o.
Here’s one of the reason I love twitter. I woke up this morning feeling depressed and grumbling to God in my heart only to get on twitter to see this! Godbless you ma’am!
A lot of times we look at people ahead of us and complain that we are not where they are. We fail to look back to see many that are behind us and those we ‘overtook’ along the way. We should truly learn to appreciate God. Thank you Lord for how far You have brought me, where I am now and where You are taking me. Nice blog Topsy baby, Nice blog!!’
Perfect timing! Just at the point where I felt its not enough, This piece came my way, thank you for reminding me of the great blessings in my life… and the not so great ones.
Always reflecting the focal point cos its never enough for human being dats wat makes rich wanna get richer and won’t stop making money.Bigups mum toni
and tito.
Sweet.
Corrective piece! This actually is the key to increase! When we are thankful, we receive wisdom for a launch! It’s unwise to strive for a launch: be thankful and you’d enjoy grace.
Nice write up as usual.I retweeted before reading because I believe in your writing skills.Always on point.You are a prophet.I reserve my comment.God bless you and your family.
Great post as always…..
PS: I WEAR CONVERSE with my ankara dresses. I think it’s the coolest thing EVER! Tell Toni she is one of the cool kids! (((smile)))
good read.
tallies with the q i once asked. does improved standard of living make a person happier?
Needed breath of fresh air in a world where grumbling, complaining and whining seem to be the norm, the truth is we have more to be grateful for if we focus on the right things. I have found that I achieve more when I am thankful for what I have.
Love the article for its’ simplicity, thanks a lot for this reminder.
I was almost tempted not to read it, thinking it was another well worn jab at GEJ’s “no shoes”; but I’m glad I did. I like the way you look at seemingly un-important events and bring out a deeper, reflective meaning for us to ponder. Thanks for this article.
Awwwwww, lovely piece.
We do take stuff for granted.
Btw, converse on Ankara is all kinds of cool. She’s a budding fashionista.
Where ever we find ourselves in life, we should learn to be grateful to God. Good piece!!!
Really lovely… I take things for granted, like this morning I was thinking I need a new phone, even though I use 3 at the moment. Thank you ma for reminding us to be grateful for what we have.. And pls buy the girls new shoes…xoxo
Tope this is funny,tochy,and made loads of sense to me tho.we desire for more and forget to appreciate what we have.dats me.good one my friend,good one keep it up.
I want a Samsung Galaxy S III, but i thank God for my Nokia XpressMusic. If not what would i have read dis post and commented with?
I have no memory of ever having more than 2 pairs of shoes at anytime, d memory i do have however is of always wanting one particular type and in todays world, that ‘particular type’ is always changing. So i have learnt to squeeze every ounce of life outta every shoe i have, until they are ‘unwearable’ suffice to say i learnt to adapt and be content.
Tell those two darlings dat i said they should stop disturbing you o, or else i will…
This woman never fails to hit the nail where and when it matters. One should learn to be content with what he or she has, cos as we complain about what God has bestowed us with, there are people who wants to be where we are. Well done Tope, but do not forget it is Toni’s right to have the shoes he wants. Drive down to that store now and get it for him.
Hehehehe, drive down to the store like that? Toni has to be content with what she has o. By the way, Toni is a girl.
Summary, we need to learn and appreciate God for provision,as long as we have the basic needs of live , the rest are wants. God bless the writer of this blog real good.
Vanity upon vanity
True talk, we as humans r never satisfied with wot we have, its should b a daily prayer request 2 b appreciative.
Trainers on ankara! Someday the kid will say ‘dad, how could you let me wear that combination?’
I skipped this link several times thinking its all about the leadership of nigeria or something that has to do with the political scene.
When we appreciate the little we have, greed will have no place in our heart. A lot of people seek for so much and if we look at them critically we ponder on what they want so much for. It is normal for children to seek so much and it is the responsibility of guardians to guide them right.
I love your write-ups. It makes me take a good look at my faults instead of complaining of shortcomings of others.
So in summary, you made the little Angel wear trainers on traditionally made dresses ehn? Well done sogbo? Another real life everyday piece, u of all people r beginning to inspire me. Let me share this quickly, Toni, my beautiful 2 year old, picked up d broom 2 days ago, watching her go, I was wondering what she wanted 2 sweep. There it was, she pulled open her mum’s blouse & wanted 2 sweep her breasts, I inquired why & realised that a grain of peanuts dropped in there & my daughter wanted 2 sweep. I didn’t know if I was 2 be happy that she knew she needed 2 clean up after food droppinngs, or to laugh @ d fact that someone’s breasts were being swept.
It’s not fair! It’s not fair!! How can you make her wear trainers on native? Nice lesson learnt here ma. May God give us the spirit of gratitude. Aunty Tope, great piece
Hmmmmm! A very nice piece. This message really get to ♍ε̲̣̣̣̥ Ȍђ°˚˚˚ . Lord I’m thankful for everything you’ve given ♍ε̲̣̣̣̥. Btw, she wears her converse trainers on the Ankara dress! Can’t stop laffing.
O Lord I thank u for all Ʊ’ve done for me,am not there yet but with u by my side,I’ll surely get there,if I cry of no shoes what about those who have no legs?
Lol, ah she must ve really bin embarrased, sneakers on Ankara, oh my! She has learnt her lesson tho, she may nt whine d next time else Dad wuld make her wear boots.
How things change, we had nt more dan two shoes nw kids want one for evry dress.
Beautiful piece tho, i ve bin complainin since yesterday bout how broke i am, this just told me to shut up, b appreciative of wat i ve gt n live. Thanks.
Poor darling, please get her new shoes. May the lord continue to help us to be thankful for what we have and appreciative too……thanks.