Thought Therapy

When I forget, time reminds me Hours  can turn into months, months into hours What I once hoped for, I no longer care for When I forget, growth  reminds me Gain can turn into pain, victories turn into lessons What I once cried for, I smile about When I forget, the world reminds me Alone I may be, but lonely not always What I once yearned for, I could live without  When I forget, thoughts embrace me Reminding me....  Lessons take time, Lose hope but never lose the faith, Live for yourself, love others too Contradictions are lessons Embrace it all, it's the joy of living When you forget, remember, always remember you are living  That's enough to never forget.

L’avenir dépend de ce que vous faites aujourd'hui I'm supposed to be writing an essay right now, yet here I am  typing away non-academically! Oh well, I'll consider this as practice.  It's been a while since I got on here (life's still happening as usual), and my thoughts have stuck with me through a new yet familiar chapter of life. What would I do without them? And so today, after a long  pause, they nudged me to get it all out. So here we go, therapy in session. "Hi, my name is Yvette and I'm a binge-watcher." I unashamedly admit that and openly thank the Netflix account that's been there for me with my regular fix of binge-worthy shows. Now that it's out in public, let me proceed to flip this addiction into a life-lesson.  I have a specific taste in shows, simple really. As long as it's entertaining, witty and/or funny with something I can learn from, I'm in! However, only recently have my Netflix suggestions fa...

Welcome to my mid-2018 life lessons. A keen look into the mind of a serial emotional over-thinker.  #InMyFeelingsChallenge (Keeping up with 2018 trends) Three years ago in August, thanks to binge-watching Fresh Prince of Belair, I ended up looking for Will Smith movies to occupy my Saturday movie-night. Like some unforeseen fate, I went back to my all-time favourite, grab-a-tissue movie ‘The pursuit of Happyness’. This movie gets me every time! Long story short, the remixed title of the movie  became my go-to social media hashtag i.e #inpursuitofhappiness . It was inspirational and in all essence of the word, a really good hashtag to use in this day and age of vanity with a tinge of humility. For all you social media fans out there, we see it all the time; find a cute photo of yourself, then add an inspirational tagline to avoid the vanity of it all. Besides being a good caption to use, those words came at a time in my life when I needed to find MY happines...

Nothing kills me more softly than saying goodbye. There's  nothing good in goodbye, and there never will be. It's my humble request to revise this English word. It's easy to say goodbye but the feeling that comes with it is a like a slow blow to the heart. I may  be exaggerating the description, but truth be told, saying goodbye is hard for me. Case in point, 8 years ago, I began a tradition that I thought would make this heart of mine  tough enough to withstand the pains of goodbye. I could never stand the thought of saying goodbye to my sister at the airport. I was always the one person left behind at home while everyone else escorted her. The sight  of seeing her climb up the boarding stairs made the goodbye more real!! She was leaving me!!! In retrospect, my actions didn't  make sense because I still said my  goodbye at home. Lucky for me, no one bothered with my decision to stay. BooHoo!! I'm all grown up now and I wish I  had been there ti...

It's that time of  year again!  A time of wonder; wondering how 365 days can seem like the shortest time bestowed on man's life on earth. I can truthfully acknowledge  2017 as one of the shortest years of my life. Scientifically, my logic is all wrong. Theoretically and emotionally, I feel like January was barely 6 months ago! A lot has happened within a span of a year, a lot  of growing pains and strengths. December being the month of reckoning, I  decided to look back on the last 11 months of 2017. Before writing this post, I decided to sit and think back to the beginning of 2017. Shockingly, I kid you not, it took me almost five minutes to play back all the memories of 2017. Shocking because, my wild wild thoughts really go wild! (Warning: 2017 jokes/allusions will be made) Five minutes was all it took to sum up my 2017; it couldn't even outlast the time it took for the eclipse. Back to my 2017 recap. A  mere five minutes  was all I needed...

I'm a sucker for motivational content. I bookmark every inspirational article or video I find online, I screenshot inspirational quotes, I have  one too many Pinterest boards for quotes. In short, I have a treasure trove of inspirational content backed up for a lifetime. I think it helps,for those stuck-in-a-rut-days when you need uplifting quotes. But let's face it, what good has it done? With all that content, shouldn't I be conquering the peaks of Mt.Everest or taking down the worst terrorist known to man? Shouldn't my work or achievements be written down on the pages of the Guinness book? I should be out there making  headlines or at least creating viral videos of my awe inspiring achievements. So where did I go wrong? Last night I was catching up on James Altucher podcast/blog. His  posts are one of the many articles I could go a whole day re-reading, like a mantra for the day. Usually, I pick up a few phrases or sentences that speak to me and like a powerful Bib...

 Unless you have the super power to read the future, please DON'T ignore this post. Ever been so scared to make a decision?  That you get this numbing feeling of not knowing what to do. Should you just forget about it and move on? Or will you live to regret not making the decision? Most self-help books and 'gurus' will tell you to act on your fears, or take that leap of faith, or don't hold back only to regret it, or stop analyzing and just do it! Well, despite the passion to just go ahead and DO IT, I think as a human being, I deserve the right to let fear hold me back. People rarely admit to being scared about something, mostly because we're told that fear keeps us from getting the best out of life. Don't get me wrong though, the grass may or may not be greener on the other side of fear. My point is, scientifically speaking, fear is our brain's way of telling us to watch out for a threat ahead. Now, if fear alerts us of any impending dangers, who are...

I love cake, and it's never going to be a secret ( hopefully not an addiction too). Having said that, you should probably also know that what you're about to read was inspired by my thoughts of cake :) my favourite kind of cake; Birthday cake! So here goes the prelude to my cake-inspired blogpost. My niece had her birthday a few days ago, and like most birthdays, cake is a requirement. One more important fact; I love my nieces and nephews to bits. Those adorable angels who most people often assume to be my children thanks to most of my social media updates. Sometimes I  proudly go with the assumptions people make and take on the role of  a " young mother". Back to my story; so here I was, going through birthday photos, cherishing all the sweet memories of being an aunt, when my eyes settled on one photo that truly captured the moment. A picture taken of my niece eyeing the cake like it was the last morsel of food on the planet! As silly as it sounds, that will proba...

Taking a step back, sometimes takes you 10 steps forward. Taking time, sometimes takes you to the right time. It's not always black and white, and gray is still a colour. Playing it safe, sometimes takes you to the edge. Living life on the edge, that's always the safest bet. It's at the edge, that we see what truly lies ahead. Losing hope, sometimes means gaining faith... And faith never loses. Lyrical Umy Sometimes my mind goes on a whirlwind of thoughts, all congested in my mind waiting to get out. And the release, it's heavenly! Like a downpour of heavy rain, flushing out all the dust from my brain. Bits and pieces of life lessons,  daily struggles, happy moments, not-so-happy ones..yet pieces that fit together so well. Growing, learning and being thankful for everything; sums up the aftermath of this downpour of thoughts. Because without these winds of thoughts, I'd probably lose it! 

Step 1 Find yourself in a quiet place Step 2 Forget all you know, and just pray.  One word, two words, you don't have to say much.  Pray like a kid. Pray about anything and everything. Let it all out. Step 3 Look through the past. Never neglect who you were, how you began and especially, how far you've come. You started from somewhere, even though it seems like you're stuck in the same place. Step 4  Lay out all your doubts and anxieties, overthink until your head can't take it anymore. Right at that point is when you get to step 5. Step 5 All your thoughts slowly change to where, how and who you are right at this moment. You see the present. See where you are, how you are, and who you are NOW. Are you the same? Has anything changed? Are you happy NOW? How do you feel about your life NOW? And pray some more. The only person worthy of listening to you, is the only one who can really help you. The one who put you here, in this moment, NOW. Again, th...

What happens when your world changes? When everything around you no longer seems to fit perfectly... Stop believing that the world changes, it's always been the same... Start believing that all you need is a change of plan. What happens when you stop dreaming? When the one thing you woke up believing, was the one thing that you lost faith in... Stop dreaming, so much will pass you by with your eyes closed up... Start taking chances with new realities, with eyes wide open to seize new goals. What happens when you stop trusting? When the one person you could always count on, stopped believing in you.. Stop trusting everyone, faith in yourself  is what matters.. Start trusting God,  faith in Him is what matters most. LyricalUmy PS: It's been a while, but finally getting a new perspective on this adulting phase :)

Where to begin?! 2016 is here, and 2 months down the line, I feel  like time is moving too fast and there's too much going on and too much that still needs to be done. It's like moving one step ahead, only to realize that you have 20 steps left. "Adulting" at its best.  I wanted to write down all the life lessons that 2016 brought with it, but like I said, I don't know where to begin! So I'll start with the highlight of my year...scratch that, I'll choose ONE of the highlights. It's made it to number 1 of my 2016 and it'll probably be at the top of my list for a long long time. One that made me realize just how sweet life can get with the right people in it, the same people who make you appreciate all the "adulting" and give you the courage to give it your best. I have never denied my hopeless romantic side, but I usually know where to draw the line between reality and fantasy. But as I recall the events of this unforgettable night, I...

Dear READER, I don't know who you are or where you're from, but these words are for you. It's been 4 years since I let you into my life, and in that time, my life has never been the same. This marks my 100th blog post, and throughout the 4 years of writing down my thoughts, I never really grasped the fact that I was actually writing to you. My blog  began as a  way of rescuing my brain from constant thought overload. Writing was my therapy, and still is. I could write all day and night if I had the chance. I can only hope that one day someone will invent a mind-reading typewriter to save me the trouble of typing all my thoughts. It's astonishing how  much you know about me and how much you still don't know about me.All my crazy thoughts on life, the ups and downs, all encrypted in this blog. You have read me at my worst, and read me at my best. I never tell you too much, just in case you brush me off as clinically insane or emotionally deranged, but I always ope...

Staring at a blinking cursor, wondering what to write,  with so many thoughts in my head all jumbled up in this concoction of mixed feelings. It's freezing outside but this head of mine's getting overheated from the question and answer game life keeps throwing at me.  "What next?" the elusive question that only God can answer but somehow deep down I know that I have the answer.After 3 years of writing/blogging  my thoughts, my 99th post is simply the 99th thought that's kept me up since 5 a.m. I have stared at my phone since 5 a.m, scrolling through news feeds and all sorts of articles just to  keep my thoughts at bay. I've found out about Google's new logo ( why did they change it?)  and the  effects of  the Chinese stock market crash ( I feel smart just by  writing that down), news that's shaping the world all in the hope of getting a few hours of peace  as I lose myself in what's happening outside of me. After an  hour of serious ne...

Things happen, and that's when life happens. Moments that steal your heart away, Moments that keep your mind awake. When life happens, love happens. Moments that take your breath away, Moments that break your heart again. When love happens, everything happens. The ups and downs, The truths and lies, The do's and don't's A life that's worth living and loving. Each moment, each day... Be grateful, for the ones that stay, Be strong, for the troubles that come your way. Be humble, be patient, it's just another day. When life happens, you live another day. and that's  enough. (LyricalUmy)

How do I write about a man whose loud presence can’t be ignored? How do I begin to describe a man whose life should be written down in volumes of books, a man whose battles and achievements could literally make you wonder why you have never tried out that daredevil in you? A man whose blind faith and roaring spirit will leave you believing that anything is possible, as long as you just do it! I have never written down anything much about my father, mostly because words won’t do him justice and because you need to experience him to actually know who he is. He is tough, he is loud, he is sharp and witty, he never gives up and he is simply my papa. I know I will never get it right when it comes to the adjectives that could describe papa, mostly because he is more than words. He’s the man who’s taught me to live in the moment, because we can’t really trust the future. A man who’s taught me to be witty, because sometimes you have to outdo the book smarts to survive. A man who’s ta...

It’s been 16 years of trying to be somebody, trying to go somewhere, of sometimes waking up and paying attention (All you Sister Act Fans will get what am trying to say,if not click this  link ) .But now that it’s all said and done, I know I’ve got more sleepless nights and tireless reading sessions in future. To be honest, all through these 16 years of education, I’ve only learnt one important lesson .Which is, books will FOREVER be in my life and that’s just a reality that I can’t run away from. I will never stop learning, and I will never stop reading. I might have thrown away the crayons and scribbled notes from pre-school, but I will never stop scribbling down crazy ideas and doodles when am bored or excited. I might have forgotten all the crazy and confusing chemical names from high school, but I will never stop reading the labels on my medical prescriptions even when I don’t know what Benzonatate really means (and I use it a lot!) I might forget what Quantum theory is and...

The words you are about to read are in no way related to any romantic movie and bear no resemblance to it. No tissues are needed for this post, although some tears were involved before  I had the idea to this post.  "In pursuit of happiness", the one movie that broke and stole my heart at the same time.An inspiring story that leaves you believing in the impossible;that you can go jump off a cliff without doubting your ability to fly,that you can make mountains move, that you can walk on water or walk through a wall!Speaking on a personal level, I love Will Smith movies (most of them) and there's a 100% chance that he made the movie one of my top ten best. But for now, I won't get into the critiquing mostly because Will was amazing and I have more important thoughts to share which came after rewatching his incredible performance. My notebook, the one item I will always have close by.The irony of it being that it helps keep me on track and organized, yet it's ...

It’s that time of the year again when I should have so many words to express how I truly feel about being alive. I could go all deep and emotional about it, but this year I choose to keep it simple and, maybe a little emotional. It’s also my first post of 2015 (I had a rough night deciding on what to actually write) It had to be a thriller. So much for my sleepless night! Because it all comes down to these words: There’s a lot going on, yet so little I can share with the whole world, not yet anyway.  I have a lot figured out, and at the same time things are not so clear. The only thing saving me from confusion, is knowing that am the co-captain of my own life. It’s enough to keep me calm believing God  knows best and His will never disappoints, although so hard to accept! I have so much to be grateful for, and the number one spot on my “grateful for…” list will always be my family, my heaven on earth. I can’t picture my 23 years without them, even if I tried! I could writ...

I began this post trying so hard to create a mash up of all 2014 events, but halfway through I gave up and realized how pointless it was because my 2014 is ending with one major life event called….ME! Don’t judge me yet, am not one of those people with an overbearing need to talk about myself (maybe some times) And with that said,let's begin my 2014 tales and twists, all wrapped up in one lesson: Your twenties are not years of discovery but years meant to let you know that you've actually discovered yourself, the only thing needed is to actually choose what you discovered…or else suffer the consequences of a confused 20something…. It’s so cliché to be told that when you are in your twenties, you have a full life ahead of you, and that these are the years meant for trying out everything, failing and succeeding at everything, and living life fully without a care in the world. I honestly agree with that, but what’s got me bothered is how being in your twenties...