FRONT ROW

I heard a story of a pastor who found it difficult to preach his sermon because he felt intimidated by his wife who was sitting at the front row- a seat especially reserved for her. A seat for VIPs.
With arms folded , face squeezed like she is sucking on lime , and a pout so pronounced , it will relegate Angelina Jolie’s to the background. This was no doubt going to be one difficult sermon to preach.

What will you have done if you were this pastor? Carry on with your message and ignore your wife or will you have spotted someone else in the audience with a more receptive attitude to make eye contact with? Clearly it shouldn’t matter who sits at the front , if you’ve got to deliver an important message to hundreds of people, right? Wrong…

Well , this pastor didn’t do any of the above , but came from the pulpit, walked to his wife and asked what her issue was? Then she intensified her bad attitude. The pastor told her if she had no smile to offer , but an intimating attitude that prevents him from delivering his message , then she should go to the back. Yes, that’s right , home girl was ordered to go to the back. He held her by one arm and asked the ushers to take over . What a radical and bold thing to do to someone close to you.

But this is not any different from the lives we live. Who have you offered a front row seat in your life? Didn’t you know, your life is a “limited edition” event? Hence your VIP tickets to the front row should be for VERY important people.

We have given all sorts of people the privilege to have a front row seat in our lives and sometimes some of them have so much negative energy, hell is sad to compete with. They pull us apart or down, discourage us, kill our spirit and we let them get away with it.

If you took my advice on my last blogpost (MOMENTS) on making the most of the moments we have here on earth, then like the pastor , these people have to go to the back seat. I will not advice you cut them off completely , because they might not see you when you are doing well minus them. Keep them at the back , and they can observe. They might miss the details , but they will hear or see the outcome. When people are applauding you ,they will hear , an audience’s clap is loud enough and will silence any negative thing they have to say and of course , the smile on your face when you have achieved whatever you set out to do cannot be ignored.

Like the pastor, I have asked people to go to the back. I don’t have to literally tell them , but they no longer have access to my front row seats – my reserved limited edition life.

Sometimes our own parents and siblings who by default may have access to the front row seat will also have to go to the back , if they are being hurtful, bitter or discouraging, not supportive of our ambitions or life choices , although everyone else away front the front row area thinks you are awesome.

There is a difference between being supportive and protective. If you are a parent or sibling and you don’t thinks so, well I will give you the benefit of the doubt , but suggest there is a thin line between the two.

Then there are those who take advantage of you, compete unhealthily with you. Oh! the list is endless.
It might take awhile to spot them and know who really got your back, not stab you in the back. But when you do, tell them where to go … TO THE BACK!

So , rethink the people you have let into your life, if they have no positive energy, see life as a chore , always complain, talk about others , not a word of praise in sight for anyone , please ask them to go to the back.
There is a reason why front row seats at fashion shows, football matches and all major events are highly prized.Don’t give yours away cheaply.

And if you are the one who can’t handle the other person’s growth, please don’t dull anyone’s sparkle, just go to he back, observe change your attitude and you could be at the front row or on the stage to share the glory .Even better , you can learn a thing or two for your own front row selection.
Your choice.

MOMENTS

Corita Kent , once said, “Life is a succession of moments .To live each one is to succeed”. I totally agree. Do you? 

Take yesterday , one moment  I was laughing at some youngsters I never met being told they need a lot of practice on their guitars to be really good. I was hoping my friend (The judge in question , a guitar player and a former band boy himself) was about to discover the next Jimmy Hendrix, Kurt Cobain or Keith Richards.

The next moment, I am gasping for breath, so bad that I had to drive my self to the nearest pharmacy to get an inhaler to keep a totally unexpected asthma attack at bay. 

It got me thinking about how fragile we are. I didn’t exactly see my life flash before me , but I have had a brush with death in more ways than one this month.

Earlier this month , I was excited to be going home and making last minute memories taking photos of the University I had just finished training at, next, the car taking my fellow consultants and I to the airport lost one of its  back tyres.  For over 200 metres horrified and  shocked onlookers had their hands in the air and on their heads waiting for the inevitable to happen. By some miracle , we kept our calm , the driver  applied some common sense and did not step on the brakes. We were safe and unhurt.

Then I thought of how a fellow consultant I had spent the previous 2weeks with interviewing candidates for a scholarship award died in his sleep.

He was one of the most passionate people I knew and we clicked instantly from the get go.

We had plans to meet soon after the interviews to make some ideas we were both passionate about happen. This sadly was never to be.

Then I thought of another dear friend and an old classmate.

I saw him on Facebook , around 10pm and thought  I should respect his boundaries as a newly married young man. I didn’t say hello or ask how he was.

I was shocked to hear , he got killed in a horrific car accident. He had only been married a mere five months before.

I wondered about life and death and tried hard to make some meaning of it.

Most people , myself included say “life is short” , but  we act like we have forever. We worry and not live in the moment ,postponing our happiness to “the right time”.

We can only see the potential of our future lives , as we grow  and have a certain degree of experience , but even that is a mere potential of hopefully something good or the opposite depending on “how” we live our lives. But there really is no predictable formulae on how we will die. I do however , know that  whilst we have it , we can “live”.

We have no control of tomorrow , today really is all we have and can be somewhat sure of.

 I also  know depending on our attitude, life can be complex and pretty simple in the same breath for each and everyone of us. 

But there are other moments in life that can be simple. Those are the moments that we sometimes miss out  on , either because we are not content or busy comparing ourselves with others and completely  forgetting that comparison is the thief of joy.

I have always asked if it was really worth chasing others dreams , whether  a parent or a sibling. Even worse getting into the dangerous territory of a  never ending question of if you are good enough. Well if you ever wondered that , will you rather not be here?

I suggest you change your attitude.

Those who are gone might wish they had just a day to do something right…forgive someone, say “I am sorry” , “I love you” , go for that job, be responsible, laugh etc etc

Some come into this world and everyday is a struggle from birth, but the opposite is also true. Some also struggle at the start , but their stories turn around to be a happy and fulfilled one regardless of previous twists  and turns . 

I have come to learn that even on sad days you will find moments to smile. I found moments to smile on my way to and at my friend’s funeral. First I saw a young goat relaxing underneath some planks on huge moving truck. Then I saw a mad/crazy man who had the most wicked sense of style that will put Common or  Andre 3000 of Outcast fame to shame.

I saw my friend’s baby girl for the first time and smiled.

I saw other old friends who were crying and asking “why death was so cruel?” and in another moment hugging and laughing with old friends they have not seen in years and posing for pictures. This got me smiling.

I am not alive because my alarm woke me or I am any special than these two dearly departed and many more who have been called “home”, but I know each day is a rare opportunity to make each moment count and be impactful however little or grand.

Life indeed is for the living. I am grateful to be alive , I will try to live in the moment  and I will succeed at it. No excuses.

THE DOUBLE LIFE

I decided it is time to “come out” because I fear my double life has more than doubled and I am having  sleepless nights lately as a result.

I know a few people living the double life and in my part of the world and probably everywhere else, it  is okay for men to live the double life.I know a guy who just moved to my neighbourhood for his true love,but things are not quite working out ,so he has found two others who are competing for his head and heart and makes no secret of it. (Details on him later)

However, for fear of being judged or self doubt , most women are likely to  take theirs to the grave. A secret they will rather die with than tell and live.

I bet the first thought of living the double life comes across as a taboo , but I found out living a double life can be a good thing. If  you for a moment forget the meanings people have attached to it and dig deeper for a meaning of  your own.

My idea of a double life need not be secretive.It has to be sought after and appreciated. Especially if it is about telling the world what you are made of and have to offer.

I chose to open up because others opened up their double lives to me and though my fears have kept me awake , I have been truly inspired to stop wishing and start doing.

In one day and at one central location , I met so many women living the double life more than I have ever seen my entire life. Take Kuorkor , a Banker by day as well as a super innovative natural hair salon owner.

S , is  a Brand Consultant and Strategist as well as a talented makeup artist who can transform Shrek into Cinderella with her brush , her understanding of colours and what works best for each individual.

P , works within aviation full time and is a top notch Fashion Designer who knows her industry so well and designs amazing clothes to boot.

Then I thought of  *Julia , a fulltime auditor with one of the Big 4 global accounting firms , who  also  co-owns a super cool jewelry store.

*Lira , a Head of Communications for a global Charity who also makes amazing wigs.

Noufoh , a top researcher with a PhD in Food Science, and  a self -taught bag designer.

Hati , a Real Estate Broker, author, Financial Consultant ,who  runs an Educational Charity focussed on building schools and libraries. She is giving our future leaders the chance to study in safe and comfortable classrooms like any kid deserves. Without her Charity , these children will either not bother with school or be  studying under trees instead and be at the mercy of the weather and other harsh realities better left unsaid.

By the way , the guy i mentioned earlier , moved to my neighbourhood to find opportunities in carpentry , his true love , but is now an event photographer and a shoemaker! How can the double life not be good? And who is to say only men can live it?

My own double life  has taken so many forms.

Most days , I am leading a strategic meeting , conducting a management training or coaching and mentoring corporate executives and graduates on being globally competitive.

Leading an interactive training session.

My double life takes over when i take time to learn the drums , so i can play at church if the drummer doesn’t show or is late.And he is usually late.

I buy a lot of beautiful art pieces or my double life gets commissioned by clients on a tight deadline to make as many as 20 unique pieces at a go or sometimes i make just 1 for myself or family.

To satisfy my interior decorating self , I will transform ordinary things to beautiful pieces…

Or , i take on a major project  such as a canteen and turn it into  an office and have 90% of the furniture designed and sprayed by myself.

Designing the furniture and helping with finishing

Painting the office

Table designed and hand sprayed by myself.Oh! i did those cute paintings on the wall

From canteen to Office. All non metallic furniture was designed by me!

Word of caution , don’t underestimate any woman just because you see her one day in an oversized flip-flops. She just might  be plotting her next big move. My seamstress thinks I am a Fashion Designer in hiding. I will surprise her and just say “what the heck” and prove both of us right!

To all the “double lifers” I know and the  inspiring women I met at the Natural Beauty Bazaar (co organized by “double lifer” Kuorkor’s company Twist and Locs) , thank you for the wake up call and being so inspiring.

Like talents and ideas , some have one , others have five or more which are not related to each other. It is okay to pursue it and still be discovering who you are , what you are made of and what you can do if you listen to YOU first and others second. (Except those who believe in you even when you don’t)

Everything you need is inside of you. God has given us all we need. Only you can stop you with excuses , so if you know what you have then , start doing and stop wishing.

There is something inside of  you waiting to pop out , so please step out , it is all YOU,regardless of the style.

Scary as the thought might seem ,I am taking my own advice and ready to explore more of my double life yet unknown to the world.

And if I  still cannot sleep , I might just form a “double lifers anonymous”,where I bet we can relate and support everyone living this kind of double life.

Because it can be fun and tough in equal measure.

Oh! I can bring food to our “double lifer anonymous” meetings , because I have  cooked for 50 people before on four separate occasions , with very little help when budget was tight and caterers failed to deliver .

Cooked this for 6 of my friends awhile back

*Names have been changed because I am yet to ask their permission to reveal their identities!

Little things

“Wow!”, is his favourite word.

Enthusiasm his constant attitude.

Forgiveness his free gift.

Dancing , clapping, singing ,smiling and laughing his favourite activities.

And these are things I will like to do more of  everyday. And they are little lessons from a  special 17month old boy. My cousin Delali.

We assume kids get bored quickly .Yes , sometimes they do , but tell me how many adults will wait patiently for over 30 Christmas presents to be opened for them and say “wow!”  and clap every single time? Well this kid did. Most adults i know are not that grateful.

The other day,an entire family of about 14,with ages ranging from 17months to 60plus years went to the cinema and  it wasn’t the film that got everyone talking at the end , but it was  the 17month old.

It is not what you are thinking ,but rather this little kid still in diapers , sat through the entire film , didn’t sleep , cough , talk or cry for nearly 2hours. He was just perfect and it was time for all the adults to say  “wow!”

Most adults cannot and won’t be quiet and enjoy the moment,but find the constant need to review and run commentaries to the annoyance of others.

How does a kid I am yet to meet get really excited  when he sees my image on a computer screen and kisses my face every single time? He displays his enthusiasm by taking over the earpiece and keyboard and starts typing  equations I cannot solve. And if for some reason the connection is bad or we get cut off,he comes saying “oh oh”. This is just priceless! Does he know I have a special bond with his mum? Surely , he must know or  he just feels it.

I am told when Delali comes home,he says “hi” to whoever is around and gives his mum a kiss.If he cannot find his mum,he will look for her in every corner of the house ,find her and give her a kiss. Words cannot describe this special kid

Most adults are either faking a connection or take you for granted.

Thank you Delali for these life lessons and being  so special.

You are a people magnet, and effortlessly melt hearts with your smile, your many unpredictable cute ways and independence.

I am always curious and looking out for more positive attributes to learn from you than from most adults.

We can only hope we  give you a great sense of direction in line with what God wants you to be.

I love you and see you soon.

Along came the devil

I hear in life there is a reason for everyone we meet and that we don’t meet people by accident. Well, I met this devil literally through an accident. She ran into my car and that is not even why I call her the devil.

Seconds after the accident, I got out of my car to assess the external damage. The focus was my car especially as the other driver didn’t bother to get out and yes , she was alive.

I gave her the benefit of the doubt, knowing in Ghana it is easy to get an obligatory heavy slap across the face first before questions are asked or the police is called if you mess someone’s car. On the contrary, I walk to her and asked if she was okay. She was a little confused, but finally came down to asses the damage. I understood why she didn’t get out. You’ll find out soon enough.

By the way, she broke my right parking light.Something i could have easily forgiven.

The damage that could have easily been forgiven

I really could have forgiven her, like I did the other lousy drivers who have in the past either reversed into my car or overtaken me in a traffic jam only to take my side mirrors with them.This time the devil came along with a stinking attitude for horns, and she just had to pay.

She then asked her “driver ” to take “her car ” it’s not hers by the way,so she joins me in mine whilst we settle issues. This I thought was fair enough, knowing sometimes in an attempt to find suitable parking space to solve issues or call the police, the offender can run off, leaving you looking like an idiot.

Having her sit in my car was probably mistake number one, because soon as she got into my car I could feel the negative energy,with all the silly remarks, but I told her not to worry too much because it could have been worse, most importantly no one was hurt, I didn’t come out shouting and screaming which is very normal in Ghana and I bet the other drivers were  even wishing for a fight or some drama to ease their own frustrations with the gridlock traffic, but seriously that is so not my style.

This girl probably does not get the concept of it “could have been worse” because she flipped and asked ” or, else what? you will have given me wahala? ” Also known as drama. Hmmm I thought this is not going to be a fun ride. Then she calls someone and says she is in trouble, she hit a car, (probably the smartest thing she said the whole time) “but, anyways, its nothing luxurious, like a Mercedes, but some tiny thing, probably nothing expensive,” I kept quiet listening to this nonsense, amused and knowing very well that silence sometimes is the best response for fools. Then she asked me to talk to the person she called, I asked if she could see I was driving.

The thing is, I wasn’t offended by her idiotic comments. She wasn’t even driving a Mercedes either and to think that my driving instructor friend in Iceland uses his Mercedes to teach learners how to drive, I had to smile.

I used my own hard earned money and bought my own car and paid for it in cash, no bank loans. More importantly, I collect experiences not things and anyone who really knows me, will tell you, I will rather use my money to see the world, help deserving people than drive a fancy car. Case in point, I was almost tempted to change my mind and use funds specifically saved for a car to travel the world instead. My “smart friends” had to appeal to my head and not my heart to buy my current car.Life is about priorities.Having been able to pay for grad school 10years ago in one of the top universities in England,clearly  a bigger car was  and is never the priority.

I love small cars;who cares? I literally gave my last car away as a gift to a friend’s mum when she came on retirement. The only big car I will ever consider buying is a Range Rover, so if any of you guys ever win the lottery hit me up!

Moving on…The questions and distractions kept coming…Do I have insurance? I said yes, who doesn’t? Then she had the nerve to tell me my lights were probably broken and it fell off when she ran into me. I still kept me cool and politely said I don’t drive with broken lights.

Then she screams, roach! roach! Never have  I or anyone  seen a roach in my car ,so I took it either as a distracting tactic ,so i stop for her to bolt ,or she saw her own reflection as a roach in the side mirror.Hmmm, that was probably the case!

Did her own reflection remind her of  something else?

At this point a roach will have been some form of divine intervention to teach this devil a lesson. As annoying as this mean girl was, the roach distraction put a smile on my face. I had a funny feeling she was either on drugs and hallucinating or simply a very spoilt brat with no manners and talks to everyone like that and gets away with it.

I read somewhere (thank the Lord for Pinterest) that “our days are happier when we give people a piece of our heart instead of our mind” and although I am an eternal optimist, this is not to  be believed every day. Especially when you’ve met the devil and she want nothing of your heart if its not going to be broken or destroyed.

As we finally made it to a suitable stop in front of my bank to talk things over, I told her driver to have a word with the girl as she was very rude and my patience was running thin.He was quick to mention the girl is an airhead, and he begged me to keep my cool as he can tell I am a lady and he noticed from the way I came out of my car and handled the situation in classy way (thanks driver man for noticing ,but why are you hanging out in hell with this devil? i wanted to ask him), so I should ignore her. And if he was her, he would have begged me and kept his mouth shut as the devil didn’t even have a license! What? Why didn’t I just drive straight to the police station or order her to pay me for the cost of the damage especially as we were in front of a bank? Oh Edem!  sometimes you are way too kind and graceful…I kept thinking, sometimes I wish I could…(the driver by the way asked me to threaten the devil I was going to the police…what an irony)

the little devil with the driver waiting to leave “his hell”

Ignoring her worked until, she ordered me to move my car backwards after I had parked so she takes a photo. I ask why she needs a photo of the front of the car when it was the back that was hit and she snaps and amplified the nasty attitude to say “its for your own benefit , if you want your lights to be fixed” At this point I told her to shut up, I have had and heard enough of the crap, then she turns and says “you are supposed to be a lady and you’re telling me to shut up. I thought you were a lady and a Christian” The latter comment even pushed me the more, as if to say  if you are a Christian you are not a human being and anyone can walk all over you .Granted that i had turned my cheek for too long,when she was being rude,more than the prescribed 70X7,if i recall.I said yes, I was those two things, but I am not Christ, I am human trying to be Christ-like.

Then she calls me a bitch! My brother always advice to say God bless you to anyone who is mean or insults you, I always remember afterwards, because I told her to look at us both and she can reconstruct who a bitch is.

Me,during reconstruction and redefining a bit*h

the devil ,during reconstruction and redefining a bit*h

That wasn’t enough, she then went on to say my hair extensions were fake (, oh! how I miss my beautiful afro hair which is currently on a one month break), I laughed and told her I knew that, but I wear it well, unlike hers that look like a floor mop I wouldn’t even use at home. (See, I just remembered my brother’s advice , bless him!)

I am not one to force anyone to respect me, but I refuse to be disrespected.

Her friend on the phone earlier calls back to apologise and promised to fix my lights ,but he will be grateful if I knew where they live, so I know they won’t run away as their house was close to the bank. This devil had no shame, after all this she was coming to sit in my car again for the ride to the said house. I told her if she makes any attempt to even touch my car door I will teach her a lesson, I had  enough drama for a day and I needed my peace to follow them.

Well, after they failed 3times to show up on days we arranged to meet to fix the lights,I decided to ignore them.The devil’s friend later called and the lights were finally fixed a week later. The  friend then asked to take me out for a drink, erhh, thanks, but no thanks! Mess my car, sorted it, thank you, bye and I thought that will end the drama, but soon as the devil heard the lights were fixed she pops out from the devils hole she’s been hiding to send me a more nastier text, that is not worth repeating on this blog(Well the stupid text said “Now you can fuck off bitch! 1.5,not that piece of shit u call a car more like a sardine can. Lol).  My reply was “Is that all? You are such an attention seeking low life.It took you days to come out of the shit hole you belong to say this haha.If you could afford 1.5 ,what took you so long to fix it? Sad life you have.You’re an excuse for a human being ,you’re just a piece of shit” and a disgrace to women)    I just guessed this devil might be on some heavy drugs or her life might be empty and was seeking my attention ,I did the exact opposite and decided not to send the reply.I ignored her and and left the message in my draft,better off venting on my blog.

Christlike as we try to be,you will be tested. I think Jesus gave his opposers an earful sometimes and even Christ got fed up once and grabbed a whip.I already prayed for my soul,though i am struggling to pray for this devil,i will.

Karma they say is a bitch if you are, I know she will get her reward; sad thing is I won’t be there to witness it.

Lights fixed and hopefully that drama far away from me and loads of lessons learnt

Just when I was taking the above photo for this blog post ,another driver was watching us and what happened? Yes! you guessed it, he ran into someone’s car. Thankfully lights were intact ,no drama and the devil was kept at bay.

you start another drama and wake the devil if you don’t watch were you’re going! Thankfully they were fine.

Living my name

I asked my mum the other day, why I was named Edem? She said to ask my dad. Dad said I came into this world at a time when he waved bye to the many challenges he’s faced as a young man and my coming represented good.

My imaginary number plate

Another friend called Edem said, her mum had two children, the other died and she survived.

Deliverer Edem(me) at “Survivor”/ Saviour Edem’s (her) birthday party.

My beautiful and amazing young aunt is naming her little girl Edem, specifically after me with the added responsibility to be little Edem’s godmother.

Very humbling and exciting! Beyond the excitement, I asked why? She said from the very day (somewhere in 1996) I came into her life, I have always been a positive influence, supportive of her career and life choices, motivating and inspiring her to reach out to do and be better. I am always willing to help and she learnt so much from me, all contrary to what the haters said.

Most importantly even after having lost touch with her over the years, I came back within God’s perfect timing to get her away from negative people.

Truth be told she got me away from a negative experience too.

She made the decision she needs to call my name in her house every time, just incase we lost touch again and little Edem presented that opportunity! Wow!  Did I say Wow! I am humbled and almost speechless!

By the way, Edem is a unisex name. It’s from the Ewe tribe from the Volta Region of Ghana and means God has delivered or saved me.

But somehow, my name hasn’t delivered me from bad people or experiences.

Maybe, just maybe it’s the choices I make, so I won’t blame anyone. I am old enough to know better.

More importantly am I living my name? There are times I haven’t, not my proudest moments. That is the story of life I guess.

Other times, I have lived up to my name and I am not suggesting I played God.

I am always thinking and even acting I can help people and save them sometimes from their own self destructive ways, not because I am superwoman, but because in most cases I have been there and can relate.

In business I am always quick to offer help to another person implement an idea and I bet one of these fine days, someone might just tell me, “they found my nose and it was in their business.” Ouch!

I have I found my calling, but is it my name? Am I a Training Consultant because I like to “deliver “companies and coach individuals to be the best they can be??

I lead a Cell group, it’s not a prison group, but a bible study group on Sunday evenings and last time we discussed 1Chorinicles 4:9-10, feel free to check it out. It’s about Jabez and how he asked God to change his name from “Pain” to “Blessing” and to make him an honorable man.

So I asked my cell members (Happy, Shine, Elorm, Abigail, Kafui, Rose, Michael, Hannah) what their names meant and if they like it or are living it?

What is your name? What does it mean? Do you like it or want to change it?

Are you living your name?  It’s never too late to live up to your name, hopefully in a positive light.

My name is Edem; I like it and try to live it daily.

I am Edem

Leave my skirt alone!

The other day, I found someone’s nose in my business and she was sniffing too hard. I was determined to let my mind win as I know a strong mind will always win over the nose; If you didn’t know , make a mental note as these “sniffers” can cause havoc taking your mind with them.

This was her problem…

The skirt that made someone unhappy

“Your skirt didn’t make me happy” those were her exact words, not mine!
When did my choice of clothes become responsible for someone’s happiness?

The thing that fascinated me was, she is not my friend and our paths had only crossed twice, but she had the audacity to invite me to her house to express her displeasure a week after the famous skirt’s appearance.
Soon as I got to her house, she said she was happy I honoured her invitation. Please note that I didn’t know she was unhappy with my skirt at this point, my curiosity just led the way.

First she asked that we say a word of prayer, so pray she did.
Secondly, she wanted to let me know she was unhappy at church last week because, she thought my skirt was too short for church!

Forget the shock I felt. I tried not to let my face give anything away, and being a stickler for details, I needed to hear a little bit more of this nonsense to give a worthy reply.
In my defence I said:
1.The skirt was not horribly short exposing anything that shouldn’t be exposed.

2.Skirt was just colourful

3.I am tall and was wearing an equally bright platform sandals

4.Maybe the colour explosion was too much for her, but I guess she missed the humour  in my last comment.

She was quick to mention she liked that I was wearing a long dress to come see her.
I told her I like short and long dresses in equal measure.

She moves on to ask if I had any children? I said no, but what has it got to do with anything? Well, she thinks I should not be wearing those platforms sandals anyway.
I felt a sudden sense of repulsion and cut her off immediately with a reply, that not only was I a smart sensible young woman who knows right from wrong, the skirt in question actually got a nod of approval from my brother before we both left for Church.

Knowing she is a “sniffer ”, she should find out about platform shoes, because I did not have the energy to explain the science behind platform shoes.
I simply said I love my shoes and my style and if I gave her the opportunity she will talk about my earrings, nail polish etc, but for now she needs to leave my colourful skirt alone. I had heard enough and needed to go take care of other relevant issues on life and business.

Surely this is some form of abuse and will have made someone else cry. Not me, no way!
The irony is, this woman came to visit her daughter who not only holds me in high regard, but has also been a beneficiary of a full suitcase of clothes from me when she lost everything in a fire. The woman of course doesn’t know this and I guess she is happy with her “daughter’s clothes” because she is still wearing all of them!

With so much going on in the world , does God really care about my shoes or skirt? I asked this because I went to church to listen to a message to be more Christ-like and find ways to serve God better, not just please people or pay attention to anyone’s clothes. Others , however , are busy taking notes and missing out.
I guess our motives are different. I wonder who else got the invitation, but I know she won’t be inviting me back and that is a relief.

The complete look,did it make you unhappy too? I hope not.