Ashley Grey

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Sophie’s choice! A phrase that seems innocent enough. But is it? We use it so often without real thought to the story behind the phrase. I have always loved the name Sophie. Sometimes spelled Sofia or Sophia. It has a nice meaning too as far as I know. Wisdom!  So wisdom’s choice! How about that! Sophie’s choice began with a story about a woman named Sophie who had to choose between two terrible offers. Afterwards, she couldn’t live with her decision and committed suicide.  Click here for the full story. Her story bothered me. To have to make a choice when neither proposition is pleasant can be tough. What do we do at such moments? Now, seems like a good time to pray, “lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.” Right? The woods Hard to say if Sophie could have done differently at the time. We have…

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You have either flown a kite or watched someone fly a kite at some point. It can be a delightful experience on bright, sunny days when the wind is just right. Other times, the weather isn’t so friendly and we simply are unable to well, fly the kite. Photo by Zonda from Pexels Makes me think that we can’t always think or say “I have a plan and I am sticking to it” because life is a lot like sailing. You plan to sail to an exotic island but the winds are contrary. Sailing in the planned course is dangerous or impossible. You may have to make a detour or return at another time. That can really hurt. Calm seas, choppy seas, summer, winter, autumn, spring, I believe God made them all. He lets us in on His thoughts too and will not laugh at us if we ask Him.…

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Sometimes people lead a secret, double life. The signs may be obvious. Other times, we just know by intuition. Oma couldn’t help becoming friends with Michael who lived next door. He was intelligent and perceptive. It was easy to share triumphs and hopes, and have him meet family and friends. He wanted intimacy. She didn’t and made it clear. He was in a relationship that seemed serious. Why complicate things, right? Oma stayed friends even after moving houses. Soon she discovered something odd with Michael’s new associations. They were not the usual and she wondered if he led a double life. What could they have in common? These were not the folks you had intellectual conversations with. They were more like people you would worry about if they were in your area. Well maybe he was just being nice, which would be endearing, if she could shake off the feeling…

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Looking in from the outside and everything seems perfect. Sometimes things are indeed as they appear. Other times, not so much. Three friends are hiking and happen upon a bridge. Looking from the top of the bridge at the river below, the river looked blue and sparkling clean. Except they knew better because they had seen it up close and the river is anything but what it seems looking down from the bridge.   A what- you- see- not- what- you- get situation right there. geranium The trio continue on a map trail that indicated there was fishing and reach a cove which seemed perfect enough for fishing looking from the outside. They catch nothing after trying for a while. One of them observed that he was losing worms. Something is down there and I’ll catch it, he thought. He was rewarded with three small fish for lunch. The clues…

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A label is nice when one is looking to boost a brand or stand out from the competition. How about other times? Can labels be limiting? William may cheerfully greet a new neighbour. James may not even make eye contact with the new neighbour. William may get labelled as friendly or an extrovert while James is viewed as unfriendly or an introvert. Same situation, different expressions and perceptions. William and James expressing themselves differently, and get defined based on people’s perceptions. Rightly or wrongly! Through the years, like William and James could, we might believe perceptions and labels about us and repeat them often enough. “oh, I am squeamish,” one might say. Or “I have been described as finicky, and we typically put others down.” And like an eagle that does not soar, because it thinks it is a chicken, our wings are clipped, and not in a good way.A…

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“Mary! Mary! Quite contrary, how does your garden grow?” is a line from that nursery rhyme so long ago. Such fun to sing along, it was really about a queen at whose command people were tortured and murdered for believing differently than she did. The garden in the verse is really the burial place of these dear folks. Now, how about that for a children’s rhyme! Knowing the history does take the fun out of singing it, doesn’t it? Quite contrary and conflicting a personality, Mary. Lyn planted cuttings from her wedding bouquet on a patch and watched them grow. A year after, it is still a great reminder to her that life keeps growing, no matter how brutal the world may be. Lyn redirects her thoughts to create beauty. Gardens and parks, literal or connotative evoke feelings. blue flowers Perfectly tended landscapes, with plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables, and…

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No shoes allowed! Ever noticed those signs? You are about to walk into a place but due to sanitary concerns, you have to leave your footwear behind. Usually, a temporary boot or sandal is available to protect your feet. Footwear has evolved over the years. From the sandals made from a rope to sneakers (so you don’t hear people sneak up on you) to wedges and heels, footgear have quite a history. They used to look like this. Ancient civilization making a mark. Shoes… keep us comfortable protect from injury keep us fashionable Now they look like this.We make a statement with shoes. Why footwear? Well, I do love them! I am also intrigued by how they have evolved. Witness an incredible journey!They were not always elegant and pretty in the way we perceive elegance and beauty today. Makes me think indeed many big things, start small. Like fine wine,…

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Silver lining, is a phrase to describe a situation in which good can occur in harsh circumstances. Venue is Accra Mall. A couple of women entrepreneurs meet up for an excursion to Blue Skies. Yes, the famed company noted for making mouth-watering gelatos that people are nuts about. What’s not to love about this trip! Except it gets cancelled and at such short notice too. Sigh! That was difficult to understand. We had to make the most of the day and soon introduce one another over coffee at one of the mall’s cafés. We share business experiences. Naturally! We also discuss product packaging and visit packaging factories in the city. It was a good learning and networking experience. Some factories impress with huge machinery in well-maintained, clean spaces, with boxes and bags neatly put away on shelves. Others, not quite. Who dropped the ball? I met Aku-Shika. She is the…

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Think about a time you stayed quiet when all you really wanted to do was shout. Perhaps, it was because you wanted to be heard but no one seemed to be listening? The sound of silence is a voice? Ted lived in the woods, really like a hermit.  He was brilliant but had no desire to pursue a career, date or cultivate friendships. His parents had left him an inheritance, so he was wealthy. Still, nothing held his interest for long and even though he didn’t make any attempt to take his life, he was not excited about living. Ted was not always this way. Time spent in counselling revealed past traumatic childhood experiences at some point. His siblings heckled him relentlessly about things he loved one of which was his name because of its wholesome meaning once they’d learned it. They called him names like “sissy”.  His parents “punished”…

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