tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81349068324801818922024-02-07T00:31:04.225-06:00AFalomo's Den...living the write life.AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-14702670405704153602013-03-14T18:51:00.000-05:002013-03-14T18:51:47.740-05:00Why The World Is A Totally Awesome PlaceColdplay's front-man, Chris Martin sang, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1horffGyO0" target="_blank">We live in a beautiful world, yes we do, yes we do</a>"<br />
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You'll agree with him when you see the video below: a compilation by BuzzFeed on why, to them "The World Is A Totally Awesome Place", and yes the world is!<br />
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This should put a smile on your face :)<br />
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<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-86626725727080019882013-03-07T11:31:00.000-06:002013-03-07T11:31:05.113-06:00Re: GriefYesterday marked one year that I lost my best friend and mentor. He was 70. I wrote about him <a href="http://aewhyoh.blogspot.com/2012/06/grief.html" target="_blank">here: Grief!</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #006da1; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://aewhyoh.blogspot.com/2012/06/grief.html" target="_blank">...I experienced a state of grief again when on March 6, I got the news that my best friend - he was 70- died of a stroke. I tried to cry, but I couldn't. The tears however poured out of my eyes on March 31st when we did his memorial. Again, I realized that was the last! And I cried! </a></span></blockquote>
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Even though he's not here, he's still very much alive, and his legacy lives on. He certainly left a part of himself here before he departed. And for that, I'm grateful. I'm glad I met him. He was not only a best friend and mentor, he also made himself available in the role of a Father. I called him my second Dad.<br />
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There is much more to be said, but having said this, Live on Osborne Wright (1942 - 2012)AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-70304691976926095502013-03-07T11:19:00.000-06:002013-03-07T11:19:17.306-06:00#ThrowbackThursday: August 1996This would actually be the first ever throwback picture of myself I've ever posted anywhere.<br />
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So, go ahead and enjoy it :)<br />
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I might just do more of this in the future.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0Zhsk4UHhJQuMqypFdmLRCor7Fvs3zmj0gdbF5YpM10Bcv-CCmXx7UdgX8UsNlzpXatq_vAjJd6_M5wTPb93MzZM7rG0oX6rnnEQ4UmEusAOVVqczbNUYz0nCiHmCrry4ewzrg3ROnU/s1600/Throwback+Thursday.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0Zhsk4UHhJQuMqypFdmLRCor7Fvs3zmj0gdbF5YpM10Bcv-CCmXx7UdgX8UsNlzpXatq_vAjJd6_M5wTPb93MzZM7rG0oX6rnnEQ4UmEusAOVVqczbNUYz0nCiHmCrry4ewzrg3ROnU/s640/Throwback+Thursday.jpg" width="401" /></a></td></tr>
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I was 6. My Little Brother was 3. We're with our Uncle. Sleepy + Hungry lol.</div>
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<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-57840710929748956602013-02-24T18:55:00.000-06:002013-02-24T18:55:10.715-06:00Hope For HumanityDespair no more, there is still hope for us as a race!<br />
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At least, as long as things like these continue to happen. Just browsing the internet a few minutes ago that put a smile on my face. Thought I'd share with you guys. It might reassure you that it's beautiful to be human! The connections we forge with other people when we allow ourselves to, and the pleasure of cherishing and valuing those connections we've made, and the opportunity to make new ones...It's just all fascinating to me.<br />
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Check the videos below, and let 'em put a smile on your faces as well.<br />
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AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-55299284720587380682013-02-21T22:39:00.000-06:002013-02-21T22:45:32.548-06:00DesireI've wanted to post something for a while, but for some reason, I've been hitting a dry spell. So, instead, I'm going to blog about my dry spell. And in the process ask you readers a question: "What do you do when it seems like you've ran out of inspiration?" I wanna do something with this blog, just don't know what yet to be honest!<br />
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By the way, below is what I'm listening to while typing this.<br />
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<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-86201234045496782792013-01-15T11:57:00.000-06:002013-01-15T11:57:43.831-06:00Happy New Year!!!! Goals, Changes, etc.<br />
Happy New Year!!!! It's better late than never, they say! And hey, yes, I'm still alive :) I do apologize though for my inactivity on this blog. It's kind of surprising that people actually still visit here or even pay attention to the blog. See, it's a new year, and I've learned a lot. It's easy to make a promise/commitment, and it's even easier to break it. A promise I'm tempted to make of course is that I'll be diligent in updating the blog, BUT...<br />
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NO, I won't make any such promises, all I'll attempt to do is try as much as I can to make the blog active. I'll post pictures of <strike>pussies</strike> erm, cats. And dogs, other <strike>furry </strike> (not necessarily) creatures that might be seen as cute, videos that make me laugh, or cry, or inspire me, poems (of my own as well as others), my attempts at writing stories, and of course occasionally when it calls for it, I'll pen down a few or two things that I happen to be thinking about as I've been known to do in times past. Heck, maybe I'll even get myself to review music, movies, books and stuff.<br />
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So, here's to a new year, and a new approach. I just overall look forward to what the year holds really.<br />
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Last year, <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/the-makings-of-me-on-my-22nd-birthday/">on my 22nd birthday</a>, I decided to make a draft of goals I hope to achieve for my 22nd year, before I turned 23. Yikes, I feel old!!!<br />
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I've failed already for some of the goals. And I've rewarded myself for those failures. Weird, right? So, I've decided it's wise to make a few adjustments, but the goals remain the same.<br />
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<a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/the-makings-of-me-on-my-22nd-birthday/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="627" src="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/22-goals-for-year-22.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Clicking the picture will direct you to my <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/">WORDPRESS BLOG - Of Dreams and Deeds</a>. It's a project I'm involved in with the aim of tracking and documenting the small steps we take (me primarily) - our "deeds" - in the journey towards accomplishing our dreams, some of which we've had since we were kids. Because of certain circumstances, we decide to "grow up" and <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/we-stop-dreaming/">we stop dreaming</a>! I on the other hand haven't stopped yet, or at the very least trying not to, and the blog is my testament to that! Read more ABOUT this in the <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/about-2/">ABOUT SECTION OF THE BLOG</a>.<br />
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With that said, it'll be a pleasure, if I can get some followers over there, so we can all continue that conversation about dreams and visions. I promise it'll be worth it!<br />
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Again, happy new year and thank you all for reading in times past.<br />
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I'm actually deciding to changing the url of the blog (to <a href="http://afalomo.blogspot.com/">afalomo.blogspot.com</a>), and the name too. It's all in the attempt to get used to my name, self and everything that I am; outside of aliases, monikers or screen names.... You know the new year, new you thing? Maybe that has something to do with it... or not.<br />
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Well, I am Ayokunle Falomo and I approve this message. <br />
<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-1018292076142488952012-10-17T09:27:00.000-05:002012-10-17T09:27:10.911-05:00#DeathThis morning, I was thinking about this question: What is the one thing you hope to achieve before you die? ... And then I receive news about the death of one of my Aunts. Yesterday, I was reading one of Williams Carlos Williams' poems and came across these words: "...Death is not the end of it."<br />
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We only have few years here, and then it's over.<br />
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That's life...and it's what you do with it that matters...before death comes.<br />
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...And it'll surely come.<br />
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It's hardly the years in life that counts, but the life in those years. And what better way to use it, that for this: <a href="http://wp.me/p2vqQc-d" target="_blank">SERVICE</a>!!!<br />
<blockquote><blockquote><span class="userContent">...And there is still no cure for these thoughts I have...that I'm here for a reason, and that my lungs won't cease...until I'm done. Did you know, that I am not done! </span><br />
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</blockquote>AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-83570885335242244012012-10-14T13:51:00.001-05:002012-10-14T13:51:22.560-05:00Final Day, #BlogWeek<br />
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I'm as glad as you are that this is over. Thanks to everyone who checked the posts out. (And to those who didn't? Oh well! Next time, right? Right!) And thanks to @KarlNova, and @AlimKamara for allowing me to share their works on the blog.<br />
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And just because it's Sunday, here's from the blog:<br />
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"Raised in a Christian home, and being shaped by principles as such has made me to continually marvel at the life of the central figure of Christianity. His was a life that exemplified this value of service from the time of his conception till his death."<br />
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from post: The Greatest Shall Be Your Servant http://wp.me/p2vqQc-d<br />
AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-91911025302996525572012-10-13T17:24:00.001-05:002012-10-13T17:24:56.314-05:00Day 6, #BlogWeek <br />
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This one is a post by a friend, <a href="http://karlnova.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Karl Nova</a>, who was a Guest Author on the blog. He wrote:<br />
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"Everyone needs something to aim for or you just live aimlessly with no purpose. No one can live for long like that, even if you don't know what it is, you sense you were born for a reason. You sense that there is something more than the norm that you are seeing around you that you are here for."<br />
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From post: ...This Close (Guest Post by <a href="https://twitter.com/karlnova" target="_blank">@KarlNova</a>) http://wp.me/p2vqQc-3a<br />
AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-89774824522602531192012-10-12T16:52:00.000-05:002013-01-15T12:00:14.361-06:00Day 5, #BlogWeek <br />
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“I was one of the two last persons to get out in the group of about 12 or so people that walked the maze! To get out, all I had to do was ask for help! But… ‘Ask for help? Like, really?’”<br />
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from post: Oh, The Maze! (<a href="http://wp.me/p2vqQc-1W">http://wp.me/p2vqQc-1W</a>)<br />
<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-87419642168400934502012-10-11T16:02:00.000-05:002012-10-11T16:02:11.896-05:00Day 4, #BlogWeek<br />
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"Creator, go create. Dreamer, go live your dreams!"</blockquote>
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For Day 4, I'm sharing this inspirational video by <a href="https://twitter.com/alimkamara" target="_blank">Alim Kamara</a> featured on the blog.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2uuZjvTNrPU" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />from post: Creator, Go Create!<br />
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Here: <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/creator-go-create/">http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/creator-go-create/</a><br />
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<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-28362255223101775262012-10-10T20:36:00.001-05:002013-01-15T12:02:50.617-06:00 Day 3, #BlogWeek “Bring out your most expensive glasses, open up that wine you’ve been
saving for years because there is a huge cause to celebrate here…yeah,
let’s toast to our failures – perceived or actual!” <br />
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from blogpost: Call Me By My Title (<a href="http://bit.ly/O1rq2e">http://bit.ly/O1rq2e</a>)<br />
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<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-41506984405132528902012-10-09T13:46:00.000-05:002012-10-09T13:46:00.631-05:00Day 2, #BlogWeek“Possibility is like the main organ, if I may, that keeps a vision or
a dream alive…kind of like the heart! Possibilities are endless…hence
there is no limit. When next you hear someone say ‘the sky is the
limit’, I give you permission from now on to give them an open palm slap
across their face…”<br />
<br />From blogpost: “Curiosity Lands on Mars”<br />
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Here: <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/189/">http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/189/</a><br />
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AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-80678978897437275132012-10-08T10:23:00.000-05:002012-10-08T10:23:09.541-05:00Day 1, #BlogWeek<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Honesty.
Transparency. These are qualities I absolutely adore (as anyone close
to me would tell you), and sure this comes with a willingness to be
vulnerable – to be considered weak. However, to be vulnerable requires a
lot of strength. Try it once, if only once in your entire life! No
excuses, no explanations, no apologies, nothing! Just your story! ...
The right thing here is telling our stories exactly as they are. No
edits! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">(from post: I Wonder What My Bedsheets Say...) </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Here:</span></span></span><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/i-wonder-what-my-bed-sheets-say/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>2012/09/17/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>i-wonder-what-my-bed-sheets-say</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>/</a></span></span></div>
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AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-5520477303101685232012-10-07T15:18:00.001-05:002012-10-07T15:18:06.896-05:00#blogweek<br />
Hello followers :)<br />
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I hope your weekend was awesome. Mine to a certain extent was.<br />
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A while ago today, I posted this on Facebook...<br />
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“So, I feel like I've written enough crap to qualify as a writer. All writers (the good ones anyways) know that the goal is to “keep writing crap until others start to find genius in your crap.” (Yeah, dumb logic right? Writers are quite a dumb specie you see!) Anyways, for the whole of this week starting from tomorrow, I’ll be sharing some of the crap…and the few gems as well that I've written on this blog here: http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/"<br />
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We’ll call this #blogweek.<br />
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Should be fun, join me :)<br />
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In the meantime, before tomorrow, check out this video below in honor of Nigeria's 52nd Independence that was on the first of this month.<br />
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AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-36338823449466120442012-09-13T17:01:00.000-05:002012-09-13T17:01:33.491-05:00The Makings of Me: On My 22nd Birthday<blockquote class="tr_bq">
(This was posted yesterday, September 12th on my other blog, <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Of Dreams and Deeds</a> for my birthday. And I am sorry I haven't been here in a long while)</blockquote>
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For starters, I really don't know where or how to start this (<em>I love 'em, but pardon the pun!</em>)<br /><br />I am 22.<br /><br />And for some reason, it's very significant to me. One would think my 21st year should be...but I was not nearly as excited then as I am today!<br /><br />I think <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itsI6KxR6g0" target="_blank">I know why</a>...<br /><br />Again, just to remind you what this blog (<a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Of Dreams and Deeds</a>) is <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/about-2/" target="_blank" title="About">about</a>, it is to document my journey towards the accomplishment of certain dreams I've had since I was born, and the deeds I'm doing to make them a reality. So far, so good.<br /><br />And I've never quite been so close. In the last 22 years, I've never quite had that feeling of "I got it!"<br /><br />...until now!<br /><br />I am so assured, and am continually reassured that "the future [indeed does] belong to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams", and trust me, I am dreaming, and dream...a lot! Lots of events (<em>most significantly my experience at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LeaderShapeOrg" target="_blank" title="LeaderShape">LeaderShape</a></em>) have happened this past year leading to this one I'm about to start today, that have equipped me with what it takes to make that future I've dreamed about happen. Sure, like I said, it's all 'one step at a time' and for this next year which I start today, I just want to keep the ball rolling. I'm not stopping...at least not any time soon.<br /><br />I am grateful I have people (family, friends, and even strangers) to share all that I am with. I mentioned somewhere on this blog, that <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/my-deepest-fear/" target="_blank" title="My Deepest Fear…">my deepest fear</a> - what I fear the most - is that I am actually good at being everything I am.<br /><br />I enjoy life, and I delight in learning from it, and siphoning from it everything it has to offer.<br /><br />And a lot of things I do today have been 22 years in the making.<br /><br />And still, I don't think I'm there just yet...but there is no doubt that I'm very close. <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/this-close/" target="_blank" title="…This Close (Guest Post by @KarlNova)">This Close</a>!<br /><br />With that as a form of preamble, I decided to sum up the whole of what I am (<em>not quite lol)</em> in a 4 minutes video using the spoken word format of poetry. This is just something else I deeply love. Words....<br /><br />...words are as living, breathing, able to shape, form...just as life itself is.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/imhymgh6X6k" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />Of course, achieving certain dreams is about setting goals. I mentioned on this blog that creating this blog was actually one of my manageable/short term goals, and it definitely feeds into the stretch goals as it pertains to the BIG PICTURE!<br /><br />And for this year that starts for me today, I decided to set some goals for myself. 22 to be exact!<br /><br /> <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/22-goals-for-year-22.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-283" height="514" nbsp="nbsp" src="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/22-goals-for-year-22.jpg" title="22 Goals For Year 22" width="525" /></a><br />
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<i>Just know that if you're reading this, I have enrolled you into my team (yes, without your consent. You're welcome!) and you're responsible as well as accountable to making sure I achieve these goals by this time next year. So check up on me to see how I am doing on them. Thanks.</i><br /><br />And to wrap this post up, I thought this song is fitting, to describe my journey over these past years. I stole the title of this post from the song as well, so I might as well post it. I've said it before, and I'll say it again just in case you're wondering why I always end my posts with Music...<br /><br /><strong><em>How could I not!? </em></strong><br /><br />Okay, <em>maybe</em> that's not <em>exactly</em> what I said before, but oh well!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OnfLygYeF-Y" width="640"></iframe>AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-8935624148979240492012-07-27T09:57:00.001-05:002012-07-27T09:58:28.443-05:00I'm Going Through Changes....That's a line from a song by Eminem that in turn was sampled from Black Sabbath's Changes.<br />
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There are changes, and there are changes. The one I'm going through is the good kind, the journey towards finding out who I really am - what my purpose in life is. And I think I've found it.<br />
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God, where to start? Or even how to start?<br />
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<a href="http://aewhyoh.blogspot.com/2012/06/experiencesupdates-on-life.html" target="_blank">Last post</a>, I talked about Growth. Check it out if you haven't (it definitely ties everything together) And this post, I'm gonna talk more about...you guessed it, Growth.<br />
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Just before I go on, I haven't been here for a while, but that might change soon...or end, we'll see how this goes. I really at a point couldn't figure out the reason for me having this blog or posting on here really is. I couldn't really categorize the blog...what am I supposed to talk about? Clarity, through growth and learning has helped me sort that out somewhat...and the rest of the life, and the direction I want to head.<br />
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Man, the journey to and through self-discovery is a beast! It's scary, but it's absolutely worth it. Like I really really really now like the dude I see in the mirror, or at least...I'm getting there.<br />
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Life is beautiful and grand.<br />
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I have some amazing news to share with you guys, I certainly haven't forgotten you. Head on over to <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/my-deepest-fear/">http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/my-deepest-fear/</a> to hear all about it. <br />
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I'm sorry it's been a while since I posted on here...but maybe everything will make sense soon (and trust me, it will) <br />
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Again, I still appreciate those of you who stop by here from time to time.<br />
<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-28803713008844657562012-06-30T18:13:00.001-05:002012-06-30T18:15:32.587-05:00Experiences...Updates on Life!I'm really grateful for life, more than anything! With that ability to be grateful is the realization that everything is a gift, and for the gift of being able to live and actually enjoy life, it's a privilege not many people have!<br />
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On Sunday of last week, while I was driving with my friend, we came across one of the people on the street who would approach your car and attempt to clean the windshield. Most of the time, you're like "Don't" because usually they would expect you to give them money for their service. My friend was trying to gather all the change he could find in his car in order to give this man. I think he needed 1 dollar, but we were like about 25 cents short, my friend's Mom decided to add whatever coins she had as well, and I dipped my hands in my pocket, and took out all the coins in my pocket and handed it to the man (it was about 80 something cents) I told him, "You're lucky today". And in an ecstatic mode, he jumped up and said "I'm a winner! I'm a winner" For a brief moment, we all laughed together...and as the light turned green, and my friend pressed the accelerator to move, he said the words "I love you brother!" Certainly made my day, no doubt!</div>
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On Monday, I was able to learn a valuable lesson about asking for help. Naturally, I don't! I infact detest having to ask anybody for help...I'm so stubborn that I'll rather try and solve a problem by myself (no matter how long it might take), and give up if I can't solve it, that ask for help. But I'm learning! At this Leadership Training Camp I went to in May, this was made evident to me as a serious issue that needed to be dealt with. See, they put us in this maze blindfolded, with ropes on either side, and told us to find our ways out. The catch however was that in reality there was no way out of the maze, you just had to ask for help (at any time, if you needed it)...but I was thinking, what exactly do I need help for? Wasn't the focus to try and find your way out of the maze! Yeah, with that mindset, I was one of the last two persons in the maze. If only I'd said the words, "Jeff, can you help me" sooner enough, my blindfold would have been taken off. Read further about my experiences on Monday here <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/call-me-by-my-title-writing-consultant/" target="_blank">----></a> It's a very interesting one, with all the twists and turns that typifies losing one's sense of direction...literally!</div>
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This year, I've witnessed some major growth, and I mean really major ones. A lot of transitions has happened, and it can seem overwhelming sometimes. On Friday, I got the chance to witness a tour of this type of growth, in a Non-Profit organization called Change Happens, here in Houston where I live. The organization is basically the story of my life! You can read the details of that tour here <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/change-happens-accompanied-by-growth/" target="_blank">----></a></div>
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And today, on Saturday, I walked in the rain (it was really pouring mind you)! I walked as if it wasn't raining. I was in no hurry, and this lasted I believe for about 45 minutes. It was peaceful, and serene, and beautiful! And freeing...this period, just as of a child's, is what I'm aiming to return to. I was drenched, and some of the cars that passed by splashed water on me, I didn't resist it or try to run away from it...It felt so natural...so normal! Life is too full of stress...but hey enjoy the little things, I shall!</div>
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And when I say that I'm grateful, these are the things I talk about - the ability to smell the flowers, to share a laugh with a stranger, to talk with a friend, to walk in the rain, and the list is endless...</div>
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Here is my theme song for Growth, which is an essential value that I hold strongly. </div>
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</div>AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-39312911847851772632012-06-17T18:08:00.004-05:002012-06-19T12:30:48.139-05:00Happy Father's Day<div class="tr_bq">
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I don't want to make this post any longer than necessary, so...</div>
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It's June 17, 2012 and in this part of the world where I am it's Father's day. I decided to be as vulnerable as I possibly could, and sentimental too if you may...and wrote my Dad a poem. I haven't written him anything, or dedicated anything to me since I started writing. So here goes:</div>
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<blockquote>
For all that you are, and<br />
All that you do, you deserve an<br />
A<br />
A, because of your sacrifice, and<br />
All that you've had to let go, for my sake, and<br />
your family's, and<br />
B, for putting up with me<br />
for all these years, and<br />
C, I'll have you know that<br />
If I could, I would<br />
but you that which your heart desires the most<br />
And I hope you know<br />
That even though I hardly show<br />
in my actions, or through words that<br />
I LOVE YOU, I do<br />
And I'm grateful<br />
that you are<br />
My Dad!<br />
Love, your son,<br />
Ayokunle. </blockquote>
To read the backdrop of this poem, and to better understand possibly why I think it's significant enough to blog about. Head on over to here <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/fathers-day/" target="_blank">>>></a><br />
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I mean, I said the words I LOVE YOU to him, for the first time ever. And he said Thank you! That's got to be something, you'd agree!<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-16322255066922495592012-06-16T07:21:00.001-05:002012-06-16T07:22:08.066-05:00Thank YouAgain, I say thank you to you all my followers. I appreciate every single one of you.<br />
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Few posts ago, I told you guys that I made a new blog, and directed you to <a href="http://therhymojournalist.wordpress.com/">http://therhymojournalist.wordpress.com/</a>. Quite amazingly, I noticed that you guys did. To that, I can't be anything but grateful.<br />
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If you head over to that blog now, you'll notice that I decided to revise my plan, and make a much more fitting blog that articulates exactly what I'm tying to do, the product of which is this: <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/">http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/</a>. It describes perfectly what exactly it is that I'm trying to accomplish by creating a new blog. @tilola, you asked me what the purpose of the blog was, and I've been able to modify the <a href="http://ofdreamsanddeeds.wordpress.com/about-2/" target="_blank">About Section</a> in this new blog to better explain that. Just for you dear :)<br />
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But really though, I'd appreciate it if guys subscribed by email, followed, commented...everything!<br />
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Thanks again, you rock!<br />
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<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-70923880044055188942012-06-09T18:00:00.000-05:002012-06-09T18:00:16.625-05:00Of Possibilities!<br />
The dictionary defines Art thus:<br />
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the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.</blockquote>
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It describes Possibility as:<br />
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the state or fact of being possible; anything that is possible</blockquote>
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Combining both terms, as “The Art of Possibility” what we get is this:<br />
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The production, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance of anything that is possible!</blockquote>
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Now ain’t that something? But the question is, what exactly is this art of possibility? I believe from the analysis above, it has to do with the fact that you can produce what is beautiful, because in the strictest sense, anything is possible.<br />
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Everything I talk about on this blog will relate back to my experience at LeaderShape, and this for me is definitely one of the highlights of that experience. Without it, this blog would definitely not be in existence. And I’d assume it’s a good thing that it is in existence. You can read the About to get a grasp of what I’m speaking of.<br />
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So enough with the preamble….<br />
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Read more >> <a href="http://therhymojournalist.wordpress.com/2012/06/09/possibility-its-an-art/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-87499152062234285292012-06-05T07:14:00.000-05:002012-06-05T07:14:12.324-05:00Grief!It's certainly one of the emotions I really haven't been blessed with knowing how to handle. During periods of grief, few of which I've experienced, I go through the DENIAL stage for the longest of times. I have a hard time accepting the fact that it is happening.<br />
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When my grandmother died, I pretended as if she was not...This was 2005, so I was about 15...just to let you know that it wasn't because I was too young to understand what was going on. I told myself that she went on a journey, and was soon coming back (she still hasn't returned yet) even though I was there when they burned the clothes she wore, bloodstained as they were from the accident she had while she was on her way to visit us.<br />
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I did not cry! I told myself that even if she was really dead, they we just had to wait till after 4 days, like Lazarus, and then she was going to come back to life. 4 days passed, and she did not...and I still convinced myself that a supernatural miracle was really going to have to happen, and I had no doubts that it will.<br />
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The burial ceremony and all such went on...with merriment and cheers (and beers) as you would expect for any Nigerian ceremony, even the one that was supposed to be about death. Not saying everyone should be crying, but still. I myself was lost in the moment, it didn't feel like we were there for a burial. Up till this point, I had not cried. It wasn't until....<br />
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They lowered her casket into the ground...and in that instant, I realized I was never going to see my grandmom anymore for real! - delusions aside. I came in grasp with reality, and I emptied out all the tears that have formed a reservoir by now in my eyes. For a long time, nobody could console me. And I didn't need to be consoled, I just needed to let it all out.<br />
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As if that's not enough experience. My granddad died 2008, and I don't remember crying. Because I didn't have a chance to witnessing his last moments, the feelings I believe are still repressed somewhere...I still haven't cried. Of course, I felt remorse...but life must go on was my immediate resignation.<br />
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Just this year, I experienced a state of grief again when on March 6, I got the news that my best friend - he was 70- died of a stroke. I tried to cry, but I couldn't. The tears however poured out of my eyes on March 31st when we did his memorial. Again, I realized that was the last! And I cried! <br />
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Now, I heard on Sunday about what happened, but I still haven't considered the severity. To me, it's a matter of, well people die all the time. I don't know how to process grief...it's got to be the most difficult emotion for me. This is one of the reasons I don't really watch or read the news. I still haven't read about the incident, and I doubt I ever will. What I'm scared for is that I'll read it, and all I can do is sigh! lament! for a few seconds, or minutes if I try, And move on...which is what happens to me. Last year, I spoke on this issue of mortality and how I handle it <a href="http://aewhyoh.blogspot.com/2011/02/last-year-failures-successes-etc-new.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Read the whole if you can, or just scroll down and start from the paragraph that starts with "Today...".<br />
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Anyways, I started reading people's comments of this incident, and especially Myne Whitman's write up which you can read <a href="http://www.mynewhitmanwrites.com/2012/06/so-we-do-not-forget.html?" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
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I was really not going to write anything about this before but her post inspired me to do so, not out of necessity, but because I get it! Should I beat myself up for not feeling at first what others felt? Not at all! Maybe before now I would, but not at this stage of my life. I am at a place where I am able to accept even the most horrendous/reprehensible part of myself. It is only in this kind of unreserved appreciation for who I am as a person that I can see the possibility for who I can better become.<br />
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We wouldn't need people to inspire us if everyone was inspired...and because I couldn't see things the way others saw/see it, it takes reading the expression of people like Myne for me to see from that POV. And it certainly does make sense. I'll suggest you read it.<br />
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In that note, there are no words for me to say about the plane crash which caused the death of a hundred and something people that hasn't been said. From "may their souls rest in perfect peace" to blames of the airline, to regret to whatever you may have. Or maybe the truth of the matter is that I actually don't know what to say...<br />
<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-44701651916143278622012-05-31T07:22:00.000-05:002012-05-31T07:22:27.423-05:00Lots to say...I have lots to say (I think) but I just don't know how to say them...<br />
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This is really a lazy blog post, but in any case I thought I'd first thank the 20 something individuals who follow this blog (you have no idea how appreciative I am that people read and comment on things I've written. You guys rock!), and inform you all about this new blog I created. Head on over to <a href="http://therhymojournalist.wordpress.com/">http://therhymojournalist.wordpress.com/</a> , and read the <a href="http://therhymojournalist.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank">About Section</a>/<a href="http://therhymojournalist.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank">First Post</a> to know what it's all about. Would be lovely if you can FOLLOW the BLOG VIA EMAIL too. < You have to scroll down the page to do so. Might have to get another theme that'll make it more easier to see.<br />
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But for now, Thanks again!<br />
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<br />AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-66167837901305352812012-05-13T01:11:00.001-05:002012-05-13T01:11:44.652-05:00HAPPY MOTHER'S DAYIt's Mother's Day officially.<br />
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My mother made me promise her that I was going to write a poem specially for her on Mother's Day...so I decided I was going to do a song instead, but sadly I couldn't.<br />
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Thankfully, however I recorded this poem a while back. I reference her towards the end of the poem, in the light of her being my real FIRST LOVE...even though I spent the greater part talking about this girl I met at school when I was either seven or eight.<br />
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I'm really glad about Mother's Day because it's a Day set aside to honor the labor of mothers you know? I think it is a lot to be grateful about!<br />
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At church today, few of the women will be doing a drama (which I was opportune to write) that highlights the necessity of the wife/mother being a Proverbs 31 type of woman....which my mother is. It's all so relevant.<br />
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So without much delay, enjoy the poem...and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134906832480181892.post-86681294226753391922012-05-02T00:45:00.000-05:002012-05-02T00:45:45.005-05:00Antonyms of a MirageA fellow blogger, <a href="http://atilola.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Atilola</a> (click her name to follow her blog, she's awesome!) has been able to witness the "antonym of a mirage" of seeing her work published...something that is still a dream to many of us. In case you are still wondering what in the word "antonym of a mirage" means, it simply means reality. And that is exactly what she's decided to title her work, since it contains realistic depictions of life.<br />
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She claims that the book is not about prose, nor drama, nor poetry...although it contains all of these...but rather a book about reality! The description on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9789239238" target="_blank">Amazon </a>says that "it is a collection of tragedy, comedy, reflections, etc, all packed in one...."<br />
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Click <a href="http://atilola.blogspot.com/search/label/Antonyms%20of%20a%20Mirage" target="_blank">THIS PAGE</a> on her blog if you're interested in gaining some interesting information about the book, following the process from its conception to the actual publication!<br />
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Click on the picture below for relevant information about getting yourself a copy (or 2?) of the book, and also watch the trailer below.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZjeqJKliqYc" width="480"></iframe></div>AFalomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732499248969630163noreply@blogger.com2