Welcome here again (that is if you’ve been here before).
If you are here for the first time, I welcome you freshly.
Okay, let’s dive in…
CAN YOU SEE?
or are you like me?
Perspectives differ from person to person and it reflects our ability to observe well.
Those who have learnt the art of observing well, will likely give themselves the opportunity to have broader perspectives that is more adaptive and challenging.
I don’t want to be quick with using healthy.
How do you see?
How do you perceive things?
I found myself paying more attention to the lyrics of a song and I was able to understand the meaning the singer was trying to pass. However, prior to this I had discarded this song mainly because I had not paid attention.
What am I drawing from this?
The ability to have the capacity to be broad-minded is rooted in observation and attention.
If you can wait and listen, you’ll give yourself the opportunity to learn something more.
Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. (KJV)
Our perspectives can change, and we should not be quick to dismiss a perspective we have not given thought to.
Today, I was opportuned to eat a tuber that I last ate many years ago. The special thing about this tuber is that it is yellow and bitter.
For those who have sweet tooth, this won’t be food they would want to try. It would put them off.
However, putting aside the ‘bitter taste’ it had a unique flavour that made my brain remember it even though it had been years I had eaten it.
As I savoured the flavour, it sunk today’s topic into my heart.
Perspectives are broadened by trying out.
It doesn’t mean that the perspective presented must be adopted but it gives you the allowance to see the world through eyes that aren’t yours.
Can you see now?
TO WRAP THIS OUT
As a Christian, I firmly believe in allowing the word of God be my first point of influence, however it also tells me to test all spirits (1 John 4:1).
To think deeply and be involved is to allow yourself the ability to listen and observe.
In this season of hope, I hope your perspective is not smeared by difficulties.
Do you have thoughts on today’s topic, the comment section is there for you..
It has been interesting coming up with topics in between Cavewoman.
Today’s topic is more cultural, and I will not dive into it excessively.
It is going in line with the tone in Cavewoman 3 (The previous post)
Henna
Culled from the internet
Henna also known as Mehndi is a dye prepared from the plant Lawsonia Inermis.
It is greenish in colour and has tobe prepared by first drying and grinding it dry. Afterwards, water is added and additional lime, sugar or oil (especially the eucalyptus oil) to increase the intensity of the colour.
Culled from the internet
It is popularly used to dye the hands and legs but can also be used to dye the hair.
It can be black or red but the red is more preferred because of its attractive appearance.
One of the most popular brand in Sudan. Culled from the internet
I also observed an alternative by watching multiple Korean series 🙈. That is the Balsam flower. Its colour is similar to the red henna and is applied by crushing the leaves to paint the hands and nails.
Culled from the internet
The Art of Painting
Painting of hands is an old tradition and some of these evidences can be seen in archaeological sites where hand prints were left as memories.
It is a way to leave marks of your individuality in an area until the paint wears off or the paint is replaced.
Culturally it is significant Asian, Middle Eastern and Northern African countries. It is a of way of life of these people and plays a huge role in celeberations.
In Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia, the males paint their hands during weddings either because they are related to the bridegroom or they are bridegroom themselves.
(Honestly, the first time I observed it, I was super surprised 😁)
In Sudan
For the females, only the married ones are allowed to cover their hands in paint especially with the red henna. The single ladies can only draw patterns with the black henna and paint their nails with it.
Once a woman is sighted with red henna on her tips and palms, it is immediately assumed that she is married.
In Nigeria
Males do not paint her hands with henna and the usuage is not limited to only married people, single women can paint with any they chose to.
My experiment with it
I am familiar with Henna art but I never tried it until I moved to my current location. I was hesitant at first but finally tried it about three times.
The last time I tried, it turned out to be the most beautiful. It coloured my finger tips well.
In this blog post, I am simply using henna as an illustration to drive to a point.
Lets ride in 🚤.
What do you do with your hands?
I have an internal belief that everyone has the ability to do something, no matter how simple it may be.
The ability to be creative differs but it is inherent in everyone.
There is something good you can do.
O. R. A
Henna painting also serves as a way to create memories and in analysing how the dye deepened on my fingers, I will correlate with the strenght of memories and the ability to do something.
The first hour after I had applied it
Creating memories is often done within a period of time. It ranges from minutes to hours, to days to years. It also depends on who you are creating the memories with and if the person is one who still retains their position in your life after years must have passed, then the memories created bears a deeper significance.
More than an hour afterwards
Overnight Days afterAmazing 😌
I really loved this tintThe Sun always does a good job ❤
As the days progressed the tint of the henna deepened. As we progress in life and create memories with those we cherish, the dept of our love for them deepens.
Memories begets memories
O.R.A🌻
Lest I focus too much on memories, in line with the previous post (Cavewoman 3), there is something to do while you still breathe.
I know many of us are trying our best. We are trying hard even when it does not seem like our efforts are valid.
I really get you
But the truth is: While you are alive, this is your opportunity to do something worthwhile.
And if you have hands, it is your opportunity to do something with it.
I have thought about it several times, there are many creative things to do with the hands that are simply therapeutic and essential.
For example : Cooking, knitting, cleaning, painting, sewing, drawing, kneading and baking, typing, writing, driving, patting on the back as a means of emotional support, clapping to cheer someone and….. (add your in the comment section)
The truth is that you may not be profesional in any of them or even the best but at least you are able to do something good.
I try at cooking, crotcheting, baking, sewing, painting, typing, writing, cleaning, braiding my hair, I pat on the back at emergency moments 🙂, and clap when necessary etc.
I won’t lie, I cannot say I am very good at any but I try.
Try
Some months after
The dye was fading but even though faint, it left traces that were still beautiful to behold. Memories may fade but if they were good enough, they will leave a mark that won’t fade.
I have personal reservations on making memories and maybe it is too idealistic and unrealistic but I love to create memories with people that won’t fade.
I love to create memories with people that won’t change negatively.
I want to create memories with peope that won’t become peope I do not want to relate with again.
I know my criteria is unrealistic but I am trying to be sincere with every memory I make so when I look back, I am comfortable my sincerity in the captured memory.
Taking you back to doing something with your hands, it reminds me of this verse
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (KJV)
God wants us to be useful with our lives.
Our hands should not be ones that shed blood nor ones that plan the harm of another person.
They should not be used to hurt another or steal or cheat/defraud.
They should be hands that blesses others.
That comforts others and cheer others.
Most importantly, they should be hands that pray and praise.
Proverbs 12:14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. (KJV)
You know, what you do with your hands is very important and if you did not know, this post is a reminder.
It took Covid 19 for many people to start washing their hands regularly, even though this should be a normal helathy routine.
I hope you have not stopped though 😏
And to end today’s post, I want to remind you that I write and create arts.
You can find them on this blog via the Menu button and if you came to this post via the Home menu, then you would have seen them displayed on the front page.
Your support and feedback will mean alot and I also hope that whatever material you get from me blesses you richly.
One of themMe and her ❤
They can be found via ART page. Where the Handmade and Digital options are available.
Cavewoman is coming to an end 🙈. The next part would be the second to last part. If you have not checked the previous parts, I encourage you to do so.
Also, the documentary would be the final part. I also hope to see you then too.
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The Contact page is open for questions, enquires, suggestions and feedback.
N. B This post is 2weeks older than it’s release date.
I hope you understand……..
😬😬
This topic is one you would understand if you experience it but even if you do not understand how it feels, I hope you will understand after reading this post.
Let’s ride in 🏸
Work work
My mind feels like a ticking clock.
It is sometimes like a train that is always moving.
Hoot! Hoot! 🚆
Sometimes it feels like a steam pot about to toss off its pan and splatter the whole place with contents.
🙃
Sometimes……..
All it screams is “Work!” even if I am doing something….
Beh……..
Creativity?
The exciting and worrisome thing is
Two sides of the coin eh?
It is often times filled with creative things I want to do. However, it may become overwhleming that I end up not doing any meaningful thing again.
Talk about my time 🙄
I am excited at the ideas and at the same time worn out from their influx.
A paradoxical feeling
If you are a creative person, you would understanding my feelings ❤
Distraction 🤔
Sometimes even though these flooding thoughts are creative, they act as distractions because I may be doing another important thing and I stop because another creative thought wants my attention.
Attention seeker 😤😩
I know they are distractions, however, they tempt me until I focus on them. Afterwards, I divide my attention between the two actions…..
Sometimes, it comes in the form of writing. Some of my books were created this way. I was writing one and the idea for the other came and did not leave until I gave it attention.
Let me confess: at the time I am writing this post, I left another work to write it and another one is tugging my mind…and….
Chaos 😂😂
I will do them allllll
One Step At A Time
One step at a time sweet Jesus. That’s all I’m asking from You…
Cristy Lane’s version is the one I know, although she was not the one who first sang it.
My mother often tells me to take steps after steps.
This is in response to my rants about the many things I want to do.
She is often very calm when I do this and reminds me that I have to finish a project before jumping into another…..
I try….not all the time though 🙈
To take it step by step is helpful and I have learnt how to squeeze into the box and try to finish all on my list.
Sometimes..
Be Still
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
King James Version
To be still is what I am learning because it is not easy for me.
My concern is I may become lazy if I stay too still.
However, I know God desires my stillness because it allows me to hear His voice as He speaks to me.
Still: to be calm
Reading the word of God also reminds me of God’s peace to every storm. God is full of peace and when these floods of thoughts and emotions come, I know at that moment God wants me to experience His peace and not the chaos I am feeling.
Mark 4:39 And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
King James Version
Sometimes, I pause in my actions and lay down quietly until I am at rest with myself.
Sometimes I still get carried away
God is merciful and allows me to do as much as I can, afterwards I can relax again
Mind rest 😊
ARt
A piece created at the moment my mind was noisy 🙈
Gratefully, some of the moments when I am feeling this chaos has been a platform for me to create things I could not easily create when I was relaxed.
Irony 😅😅
How do you relax?
If you read the Bible, what Bible verses offer you consolation?
……….
If you are a HSP, you may understand what I am saying. I am signed to this newsletter (click the hyperlink on the HSP) and it has been helpful so far ❤
😊
If you did not see this in the previous post, I share it for you:
I started an art series on Instagram.The art works are unlike the digital ones I have shared on this platform; they are handmade.
If you would like to see them, check onyirose12 on Instagram to veiw.
Somewhere in the lowest part of this page are my Instagram and Twitter handles, simply click the Instagram icon to be redirected.
(Or just click my username above. A hyperlink is attached to it)
In life, there are a lot of things we do not plan that happen to us.
Some of them are exciting
Some of them are terrifying
Some of them are interesting
Some them create a spark, that ignites us beyond our imagination……
And most of these times, they came looking for us.
Why it started
I had seemed to turn the library to my new home. The dozing almost making my eyes almost pulling out my sockets. I struggled to keep them open, the new songs I had just downloaded were keeping me so calm within.
Cycles by Jonathan McReynolds, Aka Jehova by Gabriel Ezeshi.
Cycles most especially was the one thumping as I struggled to concentrate my sleepy eyes.
I wondered angrily why the sleep, as to my knowledge I had had a good sleep. At least sleep for six hours was unusual for me. My night sleep had a retained a constant of 5hours or less.
The Famished Road by Ben Okri was beside my microbiology, pathology and pharmacology. I had been reading the book for a week because I couldn’t take it out of the library and the book is a big book. I had searched the internet to get it for free but unfortunately couldn’t so I had to make use of my time in the reading hall to read some pages as a refreshing therapy when I got tired of reading the medical books.
After two hours of struggling, a prayer, my eyes began to shine; only that the aftermath of the dozing had left my eyes aching.
After some good hours of reading and enjoying the HIV talk. I stopped for a break with my big novel beside my other books.
It was an old book. Written some 29 years ago, I loved the old smell and the cover of the book, the title and the narrative. The book was so poetic, full of humor, magical, mysterious, real life tales. I put it down to continue with my medicals.
It was almost library time over. I didn’t like to be told to go. So I summarised my reading, happy for the meaningful time I had spent.
I decided to read another chapter, it made me laugh in muffled tones, I loved the puns, the writing style. I loved the book because it inspired me to be creative,more creative. It had been long I enjoyed an African book, it had been long I read one, it had been long I read a big book that was not Christian.
My music made me tap and almost shake, good I was in a far dark corner even though there were others there, I just loved the seclusion there. It was getting to the end of the chapter I was reading and my mood changed. It had gotten emotional and tears gathered in my sockets, I couldn’t cry, people were there. I wished I was in the confines of my room. My imaginative mind had gotten quite the picture as I still took photo shots of the pages.
I stood up to go home. My mind in full thoughts. It was always full whenever I finished my daily episode of the novel. I made my way to the public transport close to the school gates, my mind still thinking of Azaro the protagonist and his family and his father and his mother.
Public bus was not luxury, there was even a gaping hole in the floor of the one I entered. Men had to shift to one corner as I highlighted.
The Sun was so bright and it was already evening, I tried to capture it with my hands as usual because I felt it was boasting too much on my face.
I am creative because my mind was already bursting with ideas even as I rode the bus and even as I came down. I was always in tboughts, thoughts I wished I could replicate exactly on paper. They were so poetic thoughts, words carved so sweetly. Reading Famished Road made me feel it deeper, the writer was just too creative.
I tried buying Okra. I had seen it yesterday but pushed it to today. I wanted to buy it today. Unfortunately, just like last week,it was finished. I groaned. I had planned to make a pot of soup. I had already planned that. After recuperating from the thought of not seeing the green bud. I decided to buy bananas and groundnuts. I had been craving for more than a week for that. I had even eaten it yesterday. Again, banana was finished. I groaned again. I had potatoes and my mind had already planned it as a default in case any unwanted no-banana situation presented itself. I bought a bottle of my favorite bottled water and youghurt. They will do, my stomach was not a drum and thank God I had a three week old frozen fish in the deep freezer.
My time will come, I told myself. My creativity was not given to me for nothing. It is a passion and I will keep at it. My time will come, I will get the acknowledgement I deserve. I will just keep writing, singing, being creative. It made me glad, happy, fulfilled. It was a work, job I had given myself. To be keep my mind sane and my time useful, I was made of dust and one one day my breath taken away.
A Note for this part
There are moments when we are inspired to the point of feeling liking inflated ballons.
That book did that to me at the time I read it. It created a spark that affected my interest in poetry. It made me love and appreciate poetry more than ever.
But……
I am still learning. I have so much to learn.
If you observed any tone that seemed egostical, it was the euphoria that I was experiencing.
I believe and love my works but at the same time, I am still growing.
My hair has been trimmed twice this year and has had better attention than previous but sadly I have been doing without two of most favourite hair care products for about 6months and more😵😭.
Olive oil, Castor oil and cocunut oil have been the stay, and they have been doing a good job. The only issue is that my hair became denser, a human asked me how could I put castor oil to an already dense hair😂😂😂😂, no answer.
The hair is full to the tip, not falling but refusing to get longer😒😒. My happiness is that it is shiny and healthy🤗🤗 , lenght can take its time🙄🙄
🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬
Dolphins
This post has finally decided to be written🙃😒
What makes you special?
If you can sing, someone sings better
If you are beautiful or handsome, someone looks better than you
If you are smart, someone is smarter
If you are creativity, somebody is more creative
If you have common sense, someone has better common sense
If you have a beautiful handwriting, someone writes better
If you are friendly and cute, someone has much more friends that truly love them
If you are strong, someone is stronger
If you are rich, someone is richer
If you are happy someone is happier
If you don’t care, someone doesn’t care much more
If you love, someone else loves deeper
If.. . ….. …… ……., someone…. ………………
🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼
Pandas
You may have a doppelganger or a twin
What makes you special or different?
As I combed my dense hair that had gotten denser due to castor oil I had religiously applied over the months, this topic continued playing in my head, and even as I type this, the content of this post seems to be playing soccer.
What makes you special?
What makes you stand out?
Something?
Nothing?
Many things?
You don’t know? Maybe……….
The way you smile, as the smile starts at the corner of your lips, then moves to your eyes as they shine brightly filling your face before your teeth joins😀😁.
The way you laugh, your roaring laughter filling the space you are in or maybe your giggles which sound like grounded pebbles erupting laughter from others😂😆.
The way you love, silently, passionately, with your whole heart, with your whole mouth, with your gifts💓🎁.
The way you get angry, and how it subsides after hearing sorry or after reconciliation😒😐.
The way your fingers are shaped, your skin fitting perfectly with your eyes and your nose👃👀.
The way you walk, the swag, the limp, the lazy style or the soldier style, the jagaja style…🙃
The way you talk, your soft voice that nobody can hear or the loud trailer horn voice that everyone can recognize- as if you are fighting🙄 or the normal voice that get triggered once in a while.
The way you do your crazy stuffs, your crazy dance alone or with few close people, the way you dance, swaying side by side or moving only head to the rythm of the beat, most probably your favourites 💃👻
. The way you hair is, short, long, tough, soft, scanty, full, red, brown or black 🐈🐈(meow)
The way you ………. Every other thing I did not mention…….
One important thing I am learning as I get older, is that you are your number 1 fan. I am learning not to get too disappointed when the ones I love, and care about don’t give me the support I want.
I am learning to accept that not everyone sees as you see. I am learning to keep encouraging myself. You owe yourself the responsibility to be meaningful, to do something meaningful with your life.
I will not tell you how special you are, or that there is nobody like you in the world. That you have special gifts that can be of great help to the world.
That you should learn to smile at yourself. I will not tell you that…… I wil tell you that…
The people in the world are struggling to have a meaning, to be a meaning.
Others are fighting to make a name.
Others want what you have
Others wish they were you
Others are working hard
Others are in tougher situations than you
Others are succeeding in the same thing you are doing or want to do
Others are leaving legacies………
But if you want me to say it….
Then I will say: You are special not because you are better than others but because every other person is also special wether they know it or not……
THE THREE STAGES OF HUMAN EXPRESION🐣🙈😸👶
The human is…..ME…😂😂😂😂. I call myself art because I have come to realize that I am one😊.
ART1
The cautious,careful,observant,private,secretive state
ART2
The free,goofy,playful, friendly, expressive and warm state
The soft, calm, smiley, compassionate, and thoughtful state.
When I am complimented about what I appreciate about myself, it makes me feel warm and pleased, makes me smile because I know the other person is being sincere.
Sometimes, I also dont expect to be complimented that way, and it makes me blush😅😌
Also, I am careful to know when flatter has taken over.
When you don’t know, flatter will send you tumbling and crashing😂😶
What makes you special?
Maybe it is because you are you, and you are alive🤗
Deeperlook 