Ashley Grey

Category Archives: lifestyle

by 2
lifestyle, living

“We hung our harps on the willows…” is a quote from the psalmist. Want to read the full verse here? What did they then do after they hung the harps? I know what one thing I would hang up. Actually, three things I’d hang up. On the willows! The first is television. I simply forget every other thing. Hours later, I see what tasks I’d complete if I wasn’t so engrossed in the tube. So, I would much rather read a book or go dancing. The second is clutter. They take up all that space in a room and in one’s head many times. I’d hang up clutter so that I can see my priorities better. It would serve me to pick up DIY, and self-education. Of course! harp Lastly, I’d hang up the “keeping up with the Joneses” game. You know, following the lemming if you will. Watching a…

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by 8
lifestyle, living

Dynamic, driven, achieving set goals and full of zest for living. Is there any other way to live? Simon amazed folks, great and small, with his magic. He was a rich and respected man in the community. Then one day, a certain Philip waltzed into town with a new and compelling message. Many including Simon, embraced this life-transforming message.  Philip and his company demonstrated so much power, that Simon followed them around. Eventually, drawn to the power, Simon offered money for some of it. Perhaps, he was thinking about the “good, old days” in which he’d captured hearts and purses through magic performances. Perhaps, he could go back and make money? Isn’t it in the heart where things really start? “Down, tiger! Your heart is all wrong. What we offer is free. Freely we received.” just about sums up the response he got.See, Simon’s heart had slipped to the old…

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by 2
lifestyle, people

How I see it, is a post about perceptions and impressions. How we might perceive events. Some perceptions are popular and may become stereotypes. Others, are not. That doesn’t mean they are wrong, though! Our environment does influence our perception and become culture or a way of life. how I see it John had cash to buy food. Problem was cash was unacceptable in grocery stores in his city. So the cashier wouldn’t accept cash. It was a long and lousy night for poor John. His is a culture that places systems above people. Rigid much? A widow sought justice from a judge. She wouldn’t quit though he dismissed her. This judge had a reputation. We learn that he neither feared God nor respected man. Eventually, he relented and granted her wish, saying to himself, this woman is going to weary me by her continual calling. What?? How I see…

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by 12
lifestyle, work

Easy does it, insert name. This expression, is a way of asking that a person proceeds carefully or take their time with something. Sort of like make haste slowly. Steadily complete a task with care and minimum injury. Hasty climbers have sudden falls, nor so? Easy does it! Could we apply this principle to work? A work culture of fewer work hours, high productivity and no burnouts? This may be a more sustainable way to work, I might add! It is worth noting too that less is more! EASY DOES IT, ‘ERE! Perpetual Guardian, an organization based in New Zealand, cut down working hours on a trial basis. Soon, the management observed a boost in productivity. Employees learned to prioritize and focus on tasks much better. They were happier because they could spend time away from work or with their families. Electricity cost reduced. A win-win situation. So the trial…

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by 3
fun, lifestyle

“Come chop” broken English for “come eat” were the words on the invite. That sounds great I thought. Food is satisfying especially with the right company.  Surprise! It was a birthday too. While this was a fun experience with siblings Yomi and Fehinti, not sure the 200 or so men who attended Absalom’s party so many years ago can say the same. They probably thought it would be fun hanging out with a prince. Instead it was a mess. His intentions were bad and you can read all about it here. chop The company doesn’t have to be a big name to have a good time. In fact, one can have trouble as guest of a big boss, like we see with this prince. Maybe, there’s a thing with 200?! David’s 200 joined the victory party. It was not a trap even when they had been weary from fighting. Grace…

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by 10
lifestyle

All bark and no bite! Not a lot of power behind that, is there? I share Sam Kofi’s story and how he got bite. the bite Sam Kofi could never quite fit in. He was misjudged, mocked and labelled “different” and “strange”. For instance, he did not find jokes at the expense of others funny. What was funny about jokes at another’s expense, after all?!   Sam Kofi yearned to fit in. To be like everyone else. But, he soon encountered books and discovered a world of possibilities. He understood things about himself, picked up skills and learned from mistakes. He could create. Have bark and bite so to speak. Now different did not seem so sad anymore. He was solving problems and this made him happy. Eventually, he found he could earn from doing the things he loves. People would pay for his skills? That was a great feeling.…

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by 2
lifestyle

What if we weren’t so afraid and took that chance? What if we were more loving? Perhaps, at some point in life, we have either asked or heard someone ask the what if question. In a certain town, so long ago, a prophet pretended hurt and proceeded to cover his eyes with a bandage. He felt he needed the disguise with the bandage to deliver a message to a certain Israelite king. So off he went with a sad tale of wounds and imminent death for failing to complete a task given to him. It was hectic during battle, and he was busy here and there he complained.  The king countered with “as you have said, so shall the ruling be.” At this, the prophet hurriedly removed his disguise to be recognized. The prophet proclaimed that he, the king, was in fact the subject of the report and therefore, was…

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by 9
lifestyle

Those who believe they can, usually can. As a man thinks, so is he. A sage said, you can have anything you want out of life, but not everything. This means we have to be specific and choose. It can be exhausting to be everywhere. Have you ever watched someone succeed at a task and think if he could, then so can I?  Yes, indeed sometimes other people can persuade or inspire us to success. Suddenly the self-doubt fades and the fear is no longer crippling. In Aesop’s Fables: Monkey Business, a monkey entertained fans from the roof of a house. The people were delighted at the monkey’s antics and applauded it. An ass wished to perform the same tricks as the monkey. (Who we keep company with does count after all and desire is such a powerful thing.) So the ass climbed up to the roof as well to…

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winners don't let their struggles hold them back.
by 4
lifestyle, Stories

Winners have their struggles too but what they don’t do is let these obstacles hold them back. They persist and are rewarded. There’s the river wide holding many secrets and presenting twists and turns. Big boats, small boats, not so small boats. They all navigating the wide expanse of water. The river wide One boat Wilhelmina, so little and painted white stands out among the lot. The river might seem overwhelming for petite Wilhelmina to thrive as the waves rock her from side to side but she does not give up making life on water a fun experience. If she could talk, she would most likely have compelling stories to tell. Tales of near misses, travails, triumphs, and how the cuts and scars on her sides happened. What interesting tales they’d be! No doubt. Perhaps, even reminding us to reflect and appreciate our wins and accomplishments, right? . As with…

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