AWFUL BEAUTIFUL RE-ACTIONS

It was a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon I had just finished from church but needed to drink something to quench my thirst. I walked into a restaurant close by and ordered a glass of Chapman. Seated and sipping on my drink while going through my phone smiling sheepishly at the photos on Facebook, I heard someone say hello beautiful.  

I quickly raised my head to see who it was and before I could say jack, he grabbed a chair and sat down facing me smiling. What caught my eyes was his beautiful dentition, bald head and bearded face (I'm not a fan of beards by the way) lol.

We got talking and the conversation was smooth and beautiful. We covered a  range of topics from religion to politics, education to family etc. Intelligent and well rounded guy I must say. At some point, he offered to buy me food and top up my glass but, I politely declined. Independent woman things he exclaimed and we both laughed. 

I liked him instantly but my thoughts drifted to something else.

I'm pressed and in need of the bathroom. I didn't know what to do. Should I get up or just let him leave before going to the bathroom? 

What will his re-actions be when I get up? Does he know I have a disability? Did he see when I walked into the restaurant? Will he walk away like others in disappointment?

Is this it? I hate being in this situation because I'm always at war with my thoughts. 

BEAUTIFUL REMINDER

Hey guys!!!

Happy new year!

So this year, I have decided to share more things that inspire people here and on my social media handle. I shared this on my Facebook page and thought it won't be nice to leave you guys out. So enjoy!

I don't remember not living with these babies (my legs). They are a beautiful reminder of God's faithfulness, love and grace.

This is not what every day normal looks like neither does it represent the word *perfect*.

I can't live without these babies no matter how hard I try. My doctor in the UK once recommended i undergo some procedures to enable me walk better. I said thank you sir and ran for my life biko.

This is normal to me. It is my normal.

You see, scars are uncomfortable. However, they are a beautiful reminder of where we've been, what we've been through, they show how strong and resilient we are.

Scars and imperfections drive our hunger for better. They fuel your thoughts about life good, bad and ugly. Scars are life's testaments.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

We all know what to day is. Well if you don't know, it is a day set aside to celebrate and promote the well-being of persons living with disabilities in all spheres of life and all over the world. It is also a day to increase awareness on the challenges and struggles faced in economic, social, cultural and political sphere.

To commemorate what today is, here is a little something for you below: 

Never let ANYONE or ANYTHING define you. When I realized at age 6 that I had a disability and would live with it for the rest of my life, I was confused, I didn't understand because at home, I was a normal kid who was just like everyone else. 

People pointed my disability to me and then the bullying started pouring in. I thought I would never lead a normal life. I wondered how I was going to cope in a "perfect" world. As I grew older, I realized that just because I look different doesn't mean I can't have a good life. I decided to live a good life regardless of my looks, background or circumstances. 

I decided to be more grateful and appreciative of the things I have and the things I can do focusing less on the things I can't do.

When people say I'm strong, I smile because I know that "My strength does not come from lifting weights. My strength comes from lifting myself back up each and every time I fall"

Remember, what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger!

Selah.

#disability #disabilityawareness #myjourney #mystory #sharonifeoma #Sharinglifewithsharon #sharonspeaks #december3rd

GROWING A RESILIENT SPIRIT

"A good half of living is resilience"

Traumatic events can be opportunities for us to grow in strength and kindness. You too can learn from your hardships, frustrations and disappointments to become a better you, become resilient and also help others who are struggling. It is freeing to let go of your numbing inadequacies and helplessness. 

Resilience is the capacity or ability to recover from adversity, toughness and difficulties readily. Isolation and withdrawal happens as a result of individuals trying to avoid disappointments, escaping pain and fears and not believing enough in themselves. We become disconnected and isolated when we do not have the ability to cope with uncertainties, being vulnerable and taking risk automatically becomes a problem.

Isn't it amazing to see people bounce back from life's uncertainties, multiple crises, trauma, fear losses and pain? I'm often left in awe at the level people go not to remain broken, shattered and down. Watching the blossoming of inner strength that shines through people even in their difficult times is wonderful. The power to organize the buzzing confusion and chaos life throws at us sometimes is divine. Indeed the human spirit is a fighter.   

No matter where you are in your journey, the good news is that resilience can be developed. In order to deal with uncomfortable emotions and feelings, our numbing fears and pain, we can develop lasting healthy skills and coping strategies.

I DIDN'T LIKE MY BODY TOO

Hiiiiiiiiii

That's a very long Hi abi? Any way, Today I want to talk about body image wahala lol. You see this photo right here, this was taken back in 2012. I was paid to go to one of the best schools in the world, lived in one of the best apartment in the city center with a beautiful view, I had my own money such that I could buy whatever I wanted, travel and do other stuff. I was working and had love in my life. I was living the life some people my age at the time only dream of. BUT! it was one of the lowest and saddest time of my life. 

I was depressed, sad and I was eating myself to death (comfort eating .... food addiction) whatever you call it lol. Before I got this big, I didn't know how big I had gotten until I posted a photo of mine on Face-book and people started trolling me saying all sorts of things without considering that something might be wrong with me. See people don't really care. They see you in person or in pictures, body shame you, say what they want to say and leave you hurting for a long time. Save yourself darling pay no attention.

You see, my dad was sick. very sick and my family were keeping details away from me, I was lonely, home sick and my grades were dropping rapidly and to make matters worse, it was difficult for me to confide in anyone around confidently about how I was feeling inside. So I ran to food like a lot of us do and made food my best friend because she made me sane and happy.

INFLUENCE: POWER TO AFFECT

An uncle of mine told me to go and get a law degree recently when I told him I am going back to get an MSc. Of course he doesn't mean any harm at the end of the day, he wants the best for his niece. I have met a lot of people who often think of me as a lawyer and I really don't know why. Abeg my people epp me dem dey write lawyer for person face?

I already knew what and who I wanted to become at a very young age but the only problem then was that I didn't have a title or name for it. I love the law profession don't get me wrong but it is not for everyone. I have dunk my feet into the legal profession before but it didn't sit right with me sorry. 

So what is it that you do Sharon?

FOCUS ON THE SUNRISE

A lot of things we do not know nor get to see happen at the background before the sun rises. We only get to see the beauty around us when the sun comes out. During the night time or the dark stage, so many things happen in our lives that most people around us don't get to see. The feeling on loneliness starts to get to you to the point where you begin to feel like there is no head way out of the situation. It could be in business, relationship, career, family etc.

During this times, it is very important to find something in every single day to make you smile. Find something positive to exchange your negative energy with. Somedays, it can appear a little harder to find but there is ALWAYS something and they as little as they are, are the tings that gets you through the tough times.

Beautiful flowers we see grow from the darkest of places this also applies to some of the strongest people on earth, they come from the hardest places of struggle. When you think you are being buried, you are actually being planted. It is an opportunity for you to take root, gain ground and grow for whatever for you end up taking, is dependent on your root.