Act Like a Rose

Written by Salome Akwi

A Rose is a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa; The name Rose comes from French, itself from Latin Rosa. There are over a hundred species and thousands of cultivars and form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing or trailing with stems that are often armed with sharp Pricklesthat many of us refer to as “thorns” Flowers vary in size and shape and are usually large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows and reds.

I have always wondered why a Rose, beautiful as it is has prickles all around the stem and yet the Rose shoots out without any scratch. Nature has a way of preserving every species on this earth by giving each a unique defensive mechanism. In this case, Prickles in Roses are Nature’s way of protecting themselves against plant-eating animals since the flowers produced by rose flowers are extremely aromatic and naturally attract herbivores. Also, prickles protect them from being trampled over.  

They also allow the Rose to "hook onto" other plants for support especially for the climbing rose that goes up into a shrub or tree; Note that there is no way it could do that without the “thorns.”

When I look around me, I see prickles and actual thorns all in different forms; Daily life challenges like failed businesses, failed friendships, failed marriages, rejection, luck of money, betrayal, sickness, joblessness, childlessness, loss of loved ones, despair etc. These challenges each varying from individual to individual and however horrific they are, exist in order to Lift You up not to pull you down.   

Let not these challenges drown your dreams but use them to excel in your life because bad situations always come purposely to Push you to another level. Also keep in mind that nothing in life can be Accomplished without Hard work, Perseverance, Endurance and Pain. To sum up the saying, “NO PAIN, NO GAIN”  

PHOTO by Salome Akwi No matter the odds surrounding it, a Rose always stands out,
this batch caught my attention even in the darkness.

If you spend all your time talking about your challenges, that is all you will ever do But instead, talk about how you are going to overcome them and be the only ray of light in the dark. Act like a Rose.

Enjoy with me!!!

Remember where you started from

Written by Salome Akwi

It is said, ‘Behind every successful man, there is a woman…’ yes a woman could be a mother, wife, friend, grandmother etc but those that are devoted and see the potential that nobody else does. They will stop at nothing, until they have made something out of you. Whichever finished Item that is displayed on the supermarket shelves, has passed through many hands and a woman never misses out.

Majority of men who have become successful in life always mention a woman in the back ground but often times, these women are forgotten when the time comes for reaping. When some people are elevated to higher positions in life, something happens to them. It is as if a hidden character in them breaks out and they become the total opposite of what they were.

It is also said, ‘What goes up must come down…’ so, as you are up there enjoying your life oblivious of those that helped you get there, remember that what bursts a bubble is a tiny little prick and everything comes crumbling down.

PHOTO by Salome Akwi. I Was curious about the skill of millet harvesting
and this hand at work is of  someone's grandmother.

Nothing ever comes to play without a woman's touch...After all it is her duty to be a caretaker!

Enjoy with me!

Expel the bad feeling in you now!

Written by Salome Akwi

A lot of things can make you unhappy at least for a while, sometimes it takes a long time depending on what the issue is; if not checked anxiety sets in. It all depends on how you handle it. 

Some people decide to Isolate themselves, others choose to be Obnoxious, others take long Nature walks and look at God’s creation, some people Travel the countryside enjoying the cool breeze and others Pray about it. Whatever method you choose to use to resolve your problem, is up to you. 

Personally, sometimes to clear my head, I travel the countryside away from everything that is congesting my mind and causing me heartache. You will be surprised at what i find along the way! The effect it leaves in me is so exhilarating.   

PHOTO by Salome Akwi A part of Owen falls  Dam at the Jinja Bridge, a once in a lifetime moment. 

A minutes' glimpse of this view, eliminates a junk of ill feeling you are keeping inside of you. This does wonders for me and i always come back relieved of all that is weighing me down!

Enjoy with me!!!

Life Goes On

Written by Salome Akwi

When you observe plants, it is amazing how they coexist; all the stages of plant development intertwined in a space. Every plant seems to know when to shoot up, blossom, ripen and dry up yet seeing this in unison is beautiful. That’s what life is about; everything has a beginning and an end just like seasons, they come and go yet they keep reoccurring.

Ever wondered why babies are born every day? Why People die every day? Different generations are living in one community? With that in mind, there are those who Love you and those who hate you, those who respect you, those who admire you, those who despise you etc. It is because Life Embraces all Circumstances, and when this doesn’t happen then something is definitely wrong. As long as you call yourself human, you have to pass through all the stages of life; the only difference is being able to acknowledge it and making your way through to the finish line.

Now, for you who seem to be stack in a certain phase of your life and refusing to adjust to the surroundings and realities around you, then all you have to do is Accept that Life Goes on. If you are still crying over something you lost like a Job, Marriage, Baby, Friend, Property etc, Stop It!! because a better one awaits you.  Go for it!

PHOTO by Salome Akwi Every where i look i see God's hand, these plants caught my
attention and has set me to another level of understanding.  

Coexistence is vital for life to be because all situations need the other to be, whether good or bad. so embrace Life as it comes and enjoy whatever Phase you reach and try not to get Fixated on one.

Enjoy with me!!!

Take off your Wrath

Written By: Salome Akwi

It is very difficult to forgive someone who has hurt you but it is made simple through the help of the Holy Spirit if you ask. When you call yourself a child of God then “Never be bitter, angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil.” Ephesians 4:31

We are surrounded by all these voices of Vengeance and Unforgivingness and it seems okay because we think that person doesn't deserve your forgiveness. But you are hurting yourself instead, you are missing blessings when you hold on to that hurt. You are the one suffering silently and eventually it will show in the physical when you start dodging the person or making a face when you meet them. The other person is living their life and you are not, so who wins?

It all stars from one thing Wrath. When you let it live in you, then you are giving the devil chance to use you. Bitterness prevents you from forgiving so, make it a habit before the end of the day. Let it go!! Sing a Praise or Worship Song if you can or Say ‘Holy Spirit help me!!’

As children of God, “Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same way as God forgave you through Christ,” Ephesians 4:32. Simple, right? Only if you try.  Jesus also teaches that, “…if  you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive yours wrongs. But if you don’t forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you do.” Matthew 6:14-15

PHOTO by Salome Akwi A beautiful Sunset in Suula Bukedea

Tell yourself NOW that no anger or bitterness will live in you the whole day. So that you can enjoy your life without stress. Obedience is key. Try it out and you will see how a weight will be lifted off your chest.

Enjoy with me!!!

Find your Focus

Find Your Focus

Written by Salome Akwi

Have you ever had an overflow of ideas that you want to tryout one by one? It is good to experiment on ideas and dreams as it is the only way you will know whether it is a vital business or not. Are you among those that go with “band wagon”  doing things that everybody is doing because it is the “in-thing” and it brings quick riches or because all your friends are doing it?

It is always good to think something through before embarking on it; set a foundation for your idea such that when you have a hiccup you will not crumble and fall flat. Weigh the options and know your target market so that you are a step ahead, anticipate challenges and prepare for them when they hit you, so that you are able to sail through when others are closing shop.

Best of all, believe that you can do it; that you can run this business without fear even if everybody around you thinks you will not make it. What they don’t know is that you have found your focus and let it shine through!

PHOTO by Salome Akwi Every flower is unique in its own way and all radiate a different feeling inside of us.

Just like this image, all that catches attention is the bright flower because it is what matters at that moment. So let you idea shine its way out of the obscurity it is surrounded with and make a firm foundation. Remember also, that God is the Author of Ideas; take a minute and ask him to guide you!

Enjoy with me!!

I see a bright day ahead of me

I see a bright day ahead of me

Written by Salome Akwi

Many times in this adult life of mine, I have woken up not sure of how the day will be because a gloom was present in my midst. Everywhere I looked, nothing seemed to work out; it was as if the minute hand of the clock had stopped ticking. It seemed I was locked up in this tower, so high that no one could reach me nor would I reach them. With no aid in perception I trained my inner self that I had to crash these walls and break free of all that was holding me hostage. 

I am FREE now, because I understood that I have a destiny to fulfill and that God designed every Single day to be enjoyed with Jesus Christ to remind me that he Loves me and the Holy Spirit to guide me. So whatever is clouding your morning, be it Sickness, Joblessness, Heartbreak, Divorce, Neglect etc just make sure that the fire inside of you burns through it all.

PHOTO by Salome Akwi I woke up to this beautiful misty morning in Suula Bukedea

This picture inspires me to appreciate each day as it comes; misty as the morning is, the Sun has penetrated the horizon and in a short while the mist fades away. So be resilient like the Sun and don’t drown in your worries, but walk through them with a smile because your mist will fade away without you even noticing it.  

Enjoy with me!!