I'll be featuring on Manolorgz Black History Month series on Vox Africa TV on 4th October 2012. Channel 218 on sky, tune in to catch me at 7. 25. This is is the promo. Enjoy
Monday, 1 October 2012
Thursday, 20 September 2012
RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS
Those that know understand that life's been hard for me recently but now more than ever I am thankful for my blessings cus it can always be worse :). I did a workshop online that asked the participants to think about the worst time in their lives and how they got through it, then write a recipe for happiness. Here's what I came up with. Let me know what you think and by all means share if you like it.
When the sadness strikes
And you find yourself in the middle of a long dark tunnel
With a sudden hint of light
And you know without a shadow of a doubt
That that light is nothing other than another train coming to mow you over
Here’s my recipe for happiness
1. Laugh
Laugh out loud with a big belly laugh
Ignoring everything and everyone around you
Nothing is funny
But trust me it will heal you
So just laugh
Keep going until the madness sets in
And your body gives in
To numbness or to tears
One of them will surely set in.
2. Pray
Like your life depends on it
This is not a time for holy pretentious prayers
There is only one rule
You need to be real
Say what it is you are thinking
Shout, complain, express your anger
Remember to stay respectful
And make requests like you know
You are speaking to someone who is not bound by human limitations
3. Talk
But be careful about who you speak to
Avoid all those good intentioned friends
Who don’t understand or who require way too much explanation
The experience of talking to them will drain you
And their empathy will only frustrate you
So where possible just avoid them
Let them love you from afar
Instead
Find a friend in a similar situation
And talk about your woes until you can joke about life’s blows
And get lighter as the sharing momentarily eases your burdens
4. Fight
When that morning comes –
And you feel your world caving in
And your heart craves a dark lonely quiet corner
Or the height of a steep roof
When you feel your strength is waning
And you are about to give in
Fight
6. Remember, your story is not yet over
7. Take a break
Stand still,
And just let the world go by
Cry if you need to
Let your soul sigh
Defy those well-meaning fools
Who say sleep is for fools
Tell them sleep is one luxury you can still afford
Then go ahead and enjoy it
8. Wake up refreshed and determine to live on purpose
Remembering that struggles breed progress
And overcoming hardship makes for true success
9. Know who you are
Do not let your circumstances dictate your self perception
Remind yourself you were right when you dreamt you were made for greater
This is just a phase sent to build your character
This is just a phase; things are bound to get brighter
10. Repeat steps 1 to 9 in any order
And then Laugh, Pray, Laugh, Laugh, Pray,
And keep going
Until you see the light at the end of the tunnel
And you know that it IS your redemption
©Tolu Agbelusi
When the sadness strikes
And you find yourself in the middle of a long dark tunnel
With a sudden hint of light
And you know without a shadow of a doubt
That that light is nothing other than another train coming to mow you over
Here’s my recipe for happiness
1. Laugh
Laugh out loud with a big belly laugh
Ignoring everything and everyone around you
Nothing is funny
But trust me it will heal you
So just laugh
Keep going until the madness sets in
And your body gives in
To numbness or to tears
One of them will surely set in.
2. Pray
Like your life depends on it
This is not a time for holy pretentious prayers
There is only one rule
You need to be real
Say what it is you are thinking
Shout, complain, express your anger
Remember to stay respectful
And make requests like you know
You are speaking to someone who is not bound by human limitations
3. Talk
But be careful about who you speak to
Avoid all those good intentioned friends
Who don’t understand or who require way too much explanation
The experience of talking to them will drain you
And their empathy will only frustrate you
So where possible just avoid them
Let them love you from afar
Instead
Find a friend in a similar situation
And talk about your woes until you can joke about life’s blows
And get lighter as the sharing momentarily eases your burdens
4. Fight
When that morning comes –
And you feel your world caving in
And your heart craves a dark lonely quiet corner
Or the height of a steep roof
When you feel your strength is waning
And you are about to give in
Fight
6. Remember, your story is not yet over
7. Take a break
Stand still,
And just let the world go by
Cry if you need to
Let your soul sigh
Defy those well-meaning fools
Who say sleep is for fools
Tell them sleep is one luxury you can still afford
Then go ahead and enjoy it
8. Wake up refreshed and determine to live on purpose
Remembering that struggles breed progress
And overcoming hardship makes for true success
9. Know who you are
Do not let your circumstances dictate your self perception
Remind yourself you were right when you dreamt you were made for greater
This is just a phase sent to build your character
This is just a phase; things are bound to get brighter
10. Repeat steps 1 to 9 in any order
And then Laugh, Pray, Laugh, Laugh, Pray,
And keep going
Until you see the light at the end of the tunnel
And you know that it IS your redemption
©Tolu Agbelusi
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
HAYLEY & KENNY
So I am at that age where everyone around me seems to be getting married or having babies. A sister friend of mine got married on Sunday (19.8.2012) and I was honoured to be asked to write and perform a poem at the wedding. For those who have asked where they can find it, here it is :) Oh if you like what you read, Join the site to keep updated
There shall be no disguising this love
Expressed through manly tears
And trembling petite hands
As rings embrace fingers
And I do’s are flung with vows towards heaven like confetti
As we enjoin in prayers that God catches them
And embraces you in his union so that yours does not fail
And you do not fall
Let time be kind to you
Engulfing you in the mind of this moment
Where feelings match reality and minds are free from torment
This moment where silent gazes shout sweet nothings
Like; you look as beautiful as the first day I saw you
and; I am so glad I found YOU
This moment where every memory breathes love
Till it becomes the lifeblood coursing through your veins
Making hearts pound
Till they race across the divide to catch each other
And begin to beat as one
Let time be kind to you and trap you in the mind of this moment
Take lessons from those who have gone before you
Remembering to choose wisely
Cus not everyone’s counsel is relevant
Or will suit you precisely
Assume nothing
Discern everything
Think in unison
But remember you are not telepathic
So speak always
Tell him
Tell him of your deepest fears
And of dreams that come only in daylight
Cus they make your subconscious scared
Tell him
Tell him when things aren’t going right
Even when he can’t fix them
Sharing will make the load light
And the light at the end of the tunnel brighter
So tell him
Tell him why you admire him
And when he asks you for the umpteenth time why you love him
You better tell him
Write a damn list if you have to but tell him
Say it often
Until the sound of your voice becomes like sticks beating his ear drums
Making his feet move to the sweet rhythm of your love played over and over again
Speak always
Remembering that feelings are not gender specific
Tell her
Tell her of fears you’d like to erase
Of scars
Of dreams
And of expectations that make you feel small
The touch of her hands will make you feel taller
So tell her
Tell her of times you have taken life’s blows in your stride
And times you cried
She will not question your manhood
She will only affirm it
So tell her
Speak often of love
Reciting the words to that well versed Hayley is the light of my world poem that I am yet to hear
Remembering days when eyes traced faces
And lips tried to speak but couldn’t
As throats clenched and then opened only enough
To let out the words you are my perfection
Speak often
But when anger comes
Let hearts speak in tongues that tongues cannot fathom
In silent moments that preserve
As moods subside
And anger resiles
And when friends tease you about being sprung
Admit it with pride
Tell them you can tell his mood from the stroke of his pen
Tell them you can feel her tears before her tear ducts release them
Tell them these are things you only learn when you are planning for eternity
Tell them how she is your very breath
And he your lungs
And when God blesses you with what can only be termed your perfection
Tell them the only way you will have it is sprung,
So live
Trust
Laugh
And love like there is no tomorrow
And when tomorrow comes
find new ways to grow together
Shunning conflict and fighting indifference
Live, Laugh, Love, Trust
And pray that time will be kind to you
©ToluAgbelusi All Rights Reserved
There shall be no disguising this love
Expressed through manly tears
And trembling petite hands
As rings embrace fingers
And I do’s are flung with vows towards heaven like confetti
As we enjoin in prayers that God catches them
And embraces you in his union so that yours does not fail
And you do not fall
Let time be kind to you
Engulfing you in the mind of this moment
Where feelings match reality and minds are free from torment
This moment where silent gazes shout sweet nothings
Like; you look as beautiful as the first day I saw you
and; I am so glad I found YOU
This moment where every memory breathes love
Till it becomes the lifeblood coursing through your veins
Making hearts pound
Till they race across the divide to catch each other
And begin to beat as one
Let time be kind to you and trap you in the mind of this moment
Take lessons from those who have gone before you
Remembering to choose wisely
Cus not everyone’s counsel is relevant
Or will suit you precisely
Assume nothing
Discern everything
Think in unison
But remember you are not telepathic
So speak always
Tell him
Tell him of your deepest fears
And of dreams that come only in daylight
Cus they make your subconscious scared
Tell him
Tell him when things aren’t going right
Even when he can’t fix them
Sharing will make the load light
And the light at the end of the tunnel brighter
So tell him
Tell him why you admire him
And when he asks you for the umpteenth time why you love him
You better tell him
Write a damn list if you have to but tell him
Say it often
Until the sound of your voice becomes like sticks beating his ear drums
Making his feet move to the sweet rhythm of your love played over and over again
Speak always
Remembering that feelings are not gender specific
Tell her
Tell her of fears you’d like to erase
Of scars
Of dreams
And of expectations that make you feel small
The touch of her hands will make you feel taller
So tell her
Tell her of times you have taken life’s blows in your stride
And times you cried
She will not question your manhood
She will only affirm it
So tell her
Speak often of love
Reciting the words to that well versed Hayley is the light of my world poem that I am yet to hear
Remembering days when eyes traced faces
And lips tried to speak but couldn’t
As throats clenched and then opened only enough
To let out the words you are my perfection
Speak often
But when anger comes
Let hearts speak in tongues that tongues cannot fathom
In silent moments that preserve
As moods subside
And anger resiles
And when friends tease you about being sprung
Admit it with pride
Tell them you can tell his mood from the stroke of his pen
Tell them you can feel her tears before her tear ducts release them
Tell them these are things you only learn when you are planning for eternity
Tell them how she is your very breath
And he your lungs
And when God blesses you with what can only be termed your perfection
Tell them the only way you will have it is sprung,
So live
Trust
Laugh
And love like there is no tomorrow
And when tomorrow comes
find new ways to grow together
Shunning conflict and fighting indifference
Live, Laugh, Love, Trust
And pray that time will be kind to you
©ToluAgbelusi All Rights Reserved
Sunday, 12 August 2012
PEACE
SO I had to talk about peace in 30 seconds which is
so much harder than i thought it would be because most of my stuff is between 3 and 5 minutes
but I like the end result, Listen and let me know what you think:
Thursday, 2 August 2012
02.08.2012
When I no longer have the luxury of time
When hope has disappointed more times than I can count
When words don’t soothe
And food doesn’t calm
When efforts don’t yield and plans are a sham
I guess it’s time to sit and just cry
Monday, 30 July 2012
In exactly 2 days, 12 hours and God Knows how many minutes
My phone will ring
Twice
They will either start me rejoicing
Or plunge me into misery
Tell me it’s all been worth it
Or that the last 6 years were a waste
Whatever they say
I just wish Thursday would come in haste
Cus anxiety has me eating comfort
And though I haven’t stopped eating
I am feeling no comfort
In exactly 2 days, 12 hours and God Knows how many minutes
My phone will ring
And a new Chapter will begin
Friday, 20 July 2012
Thursday, 28 June 2012
HOARDERS
I am surrounded by hoarders
Hoarders of opportunity
Who speak with mouths closed
Shake with hands clasped
And interact with bated breath
Scared to let something go
They are scared
To give away what they perceive
To be an unfair advantage
Help a brother take that next step on the ladder
Share information to make another's future brighter
They are scared
They never learnt to count past ONE
See past I's
Be that ONE
That smiles when another shines
They are hoarders
Of secrets not theirs
Of too many boxes
Of too many boxes of untapped happiness
Which they would expereince
If only they opened their boxes
And just
SHARED.
Friday, 8 June 2012
HOPELESS
I am tired of waiting
For a future that will not come
As tomorrows yield tomorrows
That make today question whether it ever went to sleep
I am tired of dreaming
Its time hope found me
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
SNAP OUT OF IT
Sister, Friend
Stronger than you’ve ever been
That’s how I want to see you
Staring down adversity like it don’t phase you
Teasing challenge to come and test you
Reminding emotions they don’t control you
And tormenting past failures with evidence of true progress
Stronger than you’ve ever been that’s how I want to see you
Not chasing men who are beneath you
Or letting so called friends demean you
But embracing all the strength that’s within you
And being all the greatness God’s put within you
So what if some people are meant
To be the darker side of the moon
Enabling others to shine
If that’s what you think you have been doing
Now it’s your time
The moon has spun all around its axis
It’s now your time to shine
So today, make no excuses
When you call I will not answer the phone
I will just come to you
But today,
I will not hold your hand
I will not wipe your tears
I will just come
Be there
Stand close enough for you to see me
But still far so you can run on your own steam
I will not be too far
I want to see you come into full beam
I can see it now
You will shout for me
But I will not come closer
Today I will just stand here
I will stand here and shout
Please
Please come out of the shadows
Please be as strong as you are
Please stop letting life be like gallows
Please embrace the beauty that you are
Please
And if all this feels too hard
Pretend until strength becomes you
I will not come closer
But sister I can see you
I will not wipe those tears
But I am right here for you
Waiting patiently for you to shine
Like the son of God within you
I will wait until the self-pity leaves you
I will wait until you are stronger
Stronger than you’ve ever been
Cus that’s how I want to see you
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