FINDING THE GOOD LESSON

For some of us, this season feels like a punishment, but there are those who have found some good lessons in it. Lessons that will take you through to the next season and perhaps also, help you navigate through this life better. I pray that this write up will help you to be in the place of finding the good in all circumstances, good or bad.

The season is not here to stay, and we pray that it ends soon, but this is something that you could also adapt in various other seasons. I am aware that we have them working from home and there are those that are still going to work as usual. There are those that have always worked from home, and there are those that are not working at all and they are at home all day. There are those that may have been laid off from work and wondering what next and those wondering what to do with all the time. For each, there is a Good Lesson in this.
In the recent past, I have found myself always trying to find the positive behind every circumstance. Today, I share with you the positives I have found in this season. This is Finding The Good Lesson, a list of things that you could do in this season and in others to come.

WORK ON YOUR FAITH

Sometimes the biggest excuse for why we do not find time to fellowship with GOD is time. We are always so busy trying to make money and to make our dreams come alive and forget to create time in our busy schedules for GOD. Now we have time. For all the desires you have had to spend your time with GOD, this is a good opportunity. Take it, you will never regret spending it with HIM. Develop the habit to have a specific time to do nothing else but commune with GOD. Yes, our walk with GOD should be an every minute affair, but unfortunately, even as we do that, most times we have so many other things running through our minds. Make this time to help you fellowship with GOD and make sure it is a timing that will work for you, even when you go back to your normal schedule. This is also a good time to acknowledge the fact that this life is about you and GOD. That you will learn to put HIM first in everything. That when no one is available to visit or to visit you or meet up, you only have GOD by you. Spend this time to improve your relationship with GOD, so that you will never again feel the need for “ice breakers” in your conversing with HIM.

PRINCIPLES, MORALS AND VALUES

There are many things that we do on a daily that sometimes may go against what we believe in and what we would want to be. And with our bosses and work breathing over our shoulders, we absolutely have no time to cultivate them. This is a good time to reset and cultivate them. Every new day is an opportunity to make them a norm so that when you get back to the normal schedule, it will not be something foreign to you. Work and improve on self, how you will interact with others, how you talk, walk and many other things. You may be wondering how to do it without people around you, but remember who you are alone is a rehearsal of who you will be around people, unless you are really good at pretending! I use the mirror for such things. By now, I have performed with the greatest artists of all times, I have been a Television and Radio Presenter, A News Anchor and so much more, right in the comfort of my home. I practice how to talk by reading anything I come across loudly…It’s a whole life up in here!! I decided that I will not start living when I am surrounded by people. I will start my rehearsals in my own confinement and comfort. It is a good time to build on your Self Esteem too. Work on your confidence and courage away from the very things that will discourage you. You have a safe space with you. Start by loving GOD, yourself and the rest will fall into place. For the single persons, it is a time to enjoy your singlehood and to allow GOD to prepare your heart for a spouse, if this is what you are looking forward to. It is not a punishment for not finding someone earlier. Don’t look at those with their spouses in this lockdown as more privileged than you are. Every season in life comes with its own advantages, only if you choose to see them.

DE-CLUTTER

When was the last time you went through all that you have in the house? When was the last time you had that outfit or shoe on? When was the last time you used that gadget, that item? When was the last time you donated something you really liked but did not need? This is that time. Time to create space in your wardrobe and other storage areas. Time to bless “shommburryyy” without necessarily high-fiving them at your Pastor’s beckon on a Sunday Morning… Go through your stuff and get rid of those things you do not need. Take out the clothes and shoes you do not wear or are willing to share and give to someone who really needs them. Not because they are old or out of fashion, but because you love people. So yes, even those new ones you do not need, give…share!! Take out those little stuffs that are only filling your house. Those tiny little and annoying unnecessary things that make your house untidy. Get rid of them. Those ones labeled “For later use,” but later has never and will probably never come. In turn, you will find yourself totally feeling organized and more so, in your mind. I once found myself throwing out things from more than ten years ago that I didn’t even know I had. I created so much space for me and for much more that would come. And not only Physical Space but also Mental, Emotional and even Spiritual Space.
Declutter….
You now have time to look through and not just your house and your belongings, but also your friends and the people around you. Now that you have already re-established your principles, morals and values, you can now look through your list of friends and see who matches them or not. Now they have your attention. You have time to see who stays and who goes. You do not need a huge circle of friends. In fact, the smaller the circle, the more the peace and tranquility. You might also realize that you will not go back to your normal routine or even place of work because they do not sit well with your principles. It might just be your answered prayer as to why you have been feeling unsettled in your current placement, relationships and friendships. Why you have been carrying unnecessary luggage with you. Why you have baggage with you.

This De-cluttering vibe is a whole topic on its own and I will probably write about it in a separate Blog.

CLEAN UP

It is that time to give your house and everything in it some TLC. I know we all don’t have the time to clean our homes and clothes ourselves, but this time is perfect to make your home look as homely as you would like it. To make your whites whiter than ever. To make your colors as bright as never! Just Jik it! Hahaha!! A homely environment, as well as clean and bright clothes are good for a great state of mind. You do not need to have a big fancy house with a walk-in closet in the leafy suburbs to feel at home and sharp! Start with where you are and with what you have, as tiny as it may be or as old as it may look. Clean those corners that suffer neglect, clean those kitchen cabinets and dish drying racks, scrub your cooking pots/sufurias, soak your white cups and attire, rearrange your spaces if you are one that gets bored with a certain arrangement, visit your bathroom and do a proper scrub on those taps and corner behind your sink and everything else that makes you say, “If only I had the time for my house…” Soak and wash that everyday wear you do not find much time to wash well. And now that we are in the sanitize-with-no-option-mood, make this a habit for even when this is all over.

De-cluttering is a good prerequisite to all these. They go hand in hand. You want these habits with you.

HABITS

What are the habits you have always wanted to adapt? Our busy schedules sometimes do not give us the time to adapt some habits. Most times, all we want to do is get by a day, get back home, shower, eat and sleep and next day, same thing. Is it water you want to start drinking often? Now is the time. Is it Exercising, Blogging, Vlogging, Writing Journals, Reading, Waking up early, Eating Healthy, Devotion? Whatever it is, you have time now. They say it takes twenty-one days for a habit to be formed. Take advantage. Form habits that will also work with your work schedules so that when you go back, they will not be interrupted. Habits formed can influence our health in amazing ways. Habits can also help with influencing our intelligence, mind improvement and self-growth. Find what you need to incorporate into your daily routine that will help with this. For example, exercising (and it can be as easy as taking a walk or skipping rope or house exercises) eating healthy, sleeping enough and finding time to rest will boost our body immunity. Reading, watching self-growth videos and affirming ourselves will help with our intelligence and self-awareness. Get into forming those life-transforming habits and work at being consistent with them. Healthy habits result in healthy successful human beings.

GRATEFULNESS AND AFFIRMATION

Keeping a gratefulness and affirmation Journal can be helpful in this season and those to come. Reminding yourself of the good things that have come by will help override the very things you would want to complain about. Affirming yourself is also a good way of remembering who and whose you are and what you can do to override your Self Esteem issues.

SCHEDULES

Whatever times your schedules of the day start, work to keep them consistent. If you are a morning-schedule person, wake up at the same time you would. Same to you that has a later-time schedule. This will help eliminate the struggle that comes with breaking habits especially after long holidays and such times. This is a good time to practice how to leave the house in good time. If you are one to always be in a rush to leave the house and sometimes or all the times getting late, work on this now. Do what you would normally do before you leave the house, time how long it takes, do it over again until you get it right. Do not forget to factor in traffic and other issues that might affect your punctuality. If you do not get it right the first time, do it again until you are sure that when that time comes, you will ace it! I mean, you have all the time to practice. This way, you will know how to better organize yourself. Keeping time is such a good habit and not only does it help you, but you also learn to respect other people’s time.

BUDGETS

It is a good time to observe how you have spent and how you spend your money. Numerous apps online can help trace your spending. Work out your budgets. Figure out what can save you some cash for something that you have been hoping to have in future or to keep you from lack when you are faced with such uncertainties. Learn a new skill that can help you with the same. Learn how to do your nails, your hair, clean your house, and do your laundry. You never know how perhaps this could set you up for the business you have always wanted. By learning how to do your own nails, for example, you could be your friends’ plug and you could make some good money from that. And start your own empire from there. You will also find yourself saving up on the “unnecessary” paid for services. You not leaving the house must have shown you many things that you can do for yourself. Things that would normally cost you. Learn to do them better, perfect that skill. Take advantage.

SHARPEN YOUR CURRENT SKILL

There is always so much room for improvement for anywhere we are. There are so many things for us to learn in our various fields. Do not let this season pass you by without learning something new in the field of work you are in. Get all the wisdom and knowledge you can get about it, get better at what you already know. The good thing is that you can never exhaust wisdom and knowledge. So you can never “overlearn.” You have all the time now. Catch up with your mentors and people in your field to acquire more of what you can. Do all you can to make sure you don’t go back to doing the same thing in the same way. Go back more excited about what you do. Then make this a habit… To always sharpen your skill.

SELF-CARE AND MAKE-UP

Self-Care works for everyone, yes even you gentleman. There has never been any shame in taking care of your outward appearance. If you are one to rush out of the house, you will notice that you never pay much attention to how you wash yourself in the shower and many other intimate details that only you can know about self. This is a good time to pay attention to them if you haven’t. The back of your neck, the back of your ears, your elbows, your knees, your legs and mainly the part to the back of your ankles, your toes and in between… and all those others. Trim your nails and so much more that you can learn about online. Look good, clean and fresh all day, every day.

Ladies, this is mainly for you… For you gentleman with a wife, mother, sister, girlfriend or fiancé…tell them!
Give your face a break from the Make-Up!! Too much of it can ruin your skin. The skin on your face is one of the most sensitive on your body. Makeup is made of chemicals that can eventually destroy your face for good. Allow your face to breathe this time. You may just find out that your makeup has been the root cause of your skin problems. This is also a good time to make that face-cleaning regimen work, if you have one or need one for your face. Wash, cleanse, scrub, mask and all else that will give you fair skin. Find out what homemade remedies could work for your skin instead of those filled with chemicals. Saves you money as well.
See how to do better makeup on you, if you really cannot do without it. There are numerous makeup artists online. Find out what looks work best for you, how to do your eyebrows, what eyeliner color works best for you, what concealer and foundation colors work for your complexion. After this, you have no excuse for scaring us!!
Unfortunately, for some of us, we believe that makeup is what gives us our beauty. Take this time to realize that we are beautiful with or without it. It is time to get our Self Esteem up.

Ladies because this is our field, find it in your heart to extend the same TLC to your spouse, if you have one. Set aside a day for both of you. Do those home manicures, pedicures, and everything that comes with self-care. It will also be a good time to bond and catch up with each other’s lives.
This leads us to our next point…

FAMILY

If you are staying home with your spouse, children or parents and siblings, this is a good time to spend time with them. Learn them all over again. Help each other with the house chores and roles given to the other. Now there are no longer excuses of how tired you are to help, especially for them at home the whole day. There will be no argument on who to provide in case that has been a problem. Helping will help you appreciate the person that has been doing the specific chore or role. You will understand them better by being in their place. Then hopefully, we can get rid of the Gender-Based roles, fights, disagreements and arguments among us once we appreciate each other some more.

Give yourself time to bond. Now there is time for you without claiming too much work or school, or tiredness. Do devotion together, eat meals together, talk about your lives, encourage each other, be curious about their work or school or other events, now that they have time to talk about it and not just give the “It-was-fine-rubbing-you-off-my-shoulders” type of short answers. Take time to cultivate family bonds and relationships. Family hangouts should not be limited to malls and eating out. Find games that can be played at home. There are numerous of them online. Put Social Media away, put the gadgets away and pay attention to your people. Make sure by the time this is over, you love your spouse, parents, children, siblings deeper than you did. Don’t start seeing how annoying your children can get or how your spouse, siblings and parents can be all up in your space. Find the goodness in being around them as often as you are now. I pray that when all this is over, we can have people looking forward to getting home early to their loved ones. Making sure that work, and vain things will not replace the importance of family in our lives.
For them that may not have the opportunity to be physically with family and people we love and care about, technology has come to bridge a lot of gaps. You are at home, take advantage to get those relations deeper.

It is good to note that a strong Family Unit results into a strong Church Unit and in turn, a strong Nation. The devil knows that and he is doing all he can to divide the Family Units. Start fighting him from your homes deliberately and the Nations will stand strong. Wondering what you can do for your Nation? There you have it!

REST

The year can make us wanting to send us packing our bags out of our routines and lives. It is tiring doing the same thing day in and out all year round. You remember that holiday that you wanted to last longer? Here it is. Rest as much as you need to, take those afternoon naps you had so missed. It is okay to take some time away from what you do. I know it’s hard. Take some time off because this will be over sooner than you know it and you will be back to desiring these days you were at home. Utilize them, do what you wanted to do if you got some rest. I mean only that which would have a positive effect on you and the society. Rest without feeling guilty. Don’t let the pressure that was at work follow you at home. Enjoy this time doing life changing things for yourself and those you love, without feeling like a disappointment.

There are them that may not have fathomed the times we are in and are more stressed than ever. If you are one of them, don’t give in to the pressure of “You lacked discipline and that’s why…” Take time to understand and accept what is happening, take that rest then pick yourself up and find the good.
If you are in your folks’ house and they are keeping you busy, please take it with love. They are preparing you for the life ahead. I thank GOD that ours kept us busy and that has kept us going in this life.

That’s about it… These are lessons that we can carry on even outside the quarantine. I am also certain that there are so many other good lessons for us in this season depending on what space we are in. I found time to Blog… Something I had planned to start much later, when ready…It’s laughable. Read about this in my previous Blog, “Disobedience Incognito.”

In all situations, find the good. Being human, we have the tendency of seeing the bad only and sometimes overthinking it. We can complain much about our circumstances and fail to see the goodness that GOD brought a certain season with. I pray that GOD will help us find reasons to always Praise even at our worst. I pray that our minds will always be tuned to seeing the positives even in the worst of negatives. Someone once said that even the sourest of lemons still made lemonade. I pray that we shall always be in search of something bigger and better, always Finding The Good Lesson.

More of GOD’s Grace, Love and Light,
Lydia Ndwiga.