How to save a life in 20 seconds

By supporting

NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION WEEK!!

Finally!!! A week that makes sense!  Everytime i turn around, it seems we are celebrating a special (or not-so-special) day, week or month. From National Nothing Day (1/16)?? to National Pie & Measure your feet day (1/23)??? to National Stress Awareness week? I don't get it. I mean, what exactly are we supposed to be commemorating on these days? Has this society become so fast-paced and stress filled that we need a special day just to slow down and do nothing? Or a day to celebrate pie irregardless of the effects it has on our waistline or arteries? Or a whole week dedicated to Stress....although after grad school, i can personally relate to the need for that one. :) Anyway, after learning about all these strange days, it pleased me today to find out that this was National Immunization Week!! Finally, something that i can truly be involved in... a week dedicated to Immunization awareness. Did you know that every 20 seconds, a child dies from a vaccine-preventable disease???.....That means atleast 10 kids would have died by the time you finish reading this article! According to shot@life, 1.5 million children die each year from a disease that could have been easily prevented by a vaccine. Now, that may not sound like a lot to you, but when i hear of millions of kids dying back home from things we cannot actually prevent, it makes sense to me to do what you can while you can to save the few people you can....even if it means something as little as a vaccination.

So how can you save a life in just 20 seconds? How about taking atleast 20seconds out of your day this week to talk to someone about the importance of vaccination, or donating money to organizations like shot@life or the World Health Organization (WHO) who have immunization campaigns in different parts of the world. While a child dies every 20 seconds, you have in your hands the power to save one life and reverse those statistics. But most importantly, start by saving your own life and family. Are you up-to-date on your shots? Is your child, niece or godbaby up to date on his/her shots? Cause the money you spend on a meningitis vaccine today can save a life in the future.

http://shotatlife.org/share/world-immunization-week-social-media.html

As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.

 – Paul Shane Spear

Do good at all times..

“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can".

John Wesley.

In all honesty, doing good is not always fun. We all have those seasons where you just want to be a little selfish, and think of no one else but yourself. For example, as a nurse practitoner student, we've been trained to take the time out to thoroughly interview our patients.. and at the end of the every interview, before you leave the room, you have to ALWAYS ask, "Now, is there anything else i can do for you today?" Now, imagine that at the end of a long and trying day, you walk in to see your last patient, and realise its an aphasic wheelchair bound elderly alzheimer patient with a truckload of  other medical issues who communicates by writing only. As you can tell, this lady requires patience and your undivided attention. However, at this point, you are tired, hungry, a little hormonal, and all you can think about is going home. Anyway, you put a smile on your face and start talking to this lady. After 20mins of a mentally exhausting interview, you are ready to just run out of the room.....but as you reach for the door, there's that little voice in your head telling you, "aren't you forgetting to ask something?". Now, what do u do? Do you turn around and continue or head out towards freedom, food and rest. :) Well, i reluctantly turned around to ask that one last question....only to find out that this poor lady also had urine problems she forgot to mention early. Anyway,  long story short, this lady ended up with a bladder infection that we got a chance to treat and safely send her back home. Now, imagine what may have happened if i didnt take the time and patience to ask her that one last question? We would have missed a valid diagnosis, the infection may have worsened and this poor lady may have ended up septic. At the end of that day, i learned how important it is to sometimes forget about yourself and handle your responsibility of being a healthcare provider.

Now, honestly, i dont always listen to that voice, but quotes like this remind me to strive to always do good, even when i don't feel like it. We all have a responsibilit to make a difference in the lives of those around us. It may not always feel good at the time, but it pays off at the end.... even if no one else sees or appreciates it. Just remember that God sees everything you do....and that's all that matters.

Have a great day!

Meaning of Christianity

You know, alot of people wonder about this thing we call christianity/salvation/born-again etc etc, and many people have a lot of stereotypes about christians. Well, i am a proud born-again christian... and i think the poem below does a good job of defining what christianity is all about. I am very far from perfect, but God is the definition of my life, and i dont know what i would do without Him. He helps me do better and better everyday. Enjoy!
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A woman’s heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to
seek Him first to find her.”
When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’”
I’m whispering “I was lost, Now I’m found and forgiven.”
When I say… “I am a Christian” I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say.. “I am a Christian” I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say… “I am a Christian” I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not holier than thou,
I’m just a simple sinner Who received God’s good grace, somehow!

By Maya Angelou

Why that blog title?

So, today, i decided to join team blog! :) Don't ask me why, but i thought it'd be a good idea. I had a hard time picking a title so i hope u like it. If you are not familiar with that slogan, get used to it cause i may be using it often on here. It is an african slang/slogan used when you just find life ....well...interesting. You know how you get speechless when you see crazy things like people killing each other, kids shooting their parents, grown folks raping children etc etc. Well, ur days of being speechless are over. In times like that when you just don't know what to say, take a deep breath and say, "Omoh, na waoh oh!" :)

You know, life is so unpredictable, and people are just plain crazy.... me inclusive! :) A few years ago, i went through a crazy seperation which really affected my persona, self-esteem, career etc etc etc. However, that was a defining season which really changed my life..and inspite of the acute pain and depression, i'll do it all over again. Why? Because some lessons are just better learned by experience. Anyway, after that whole fiasco, i made a conscious decision to forgive, let go and just enjoy life. I have since then joined relax.com. Quit taking things too seriously. So what if you fail? So what if you got a divorce? So what if you are fat? So what if you made a mistake and messed up? Take a chill pill! Nobody is perfect. It's no big deal! Laugh at yourself and keep on living. My only goal now is to pursue purpose and make a difference, while living my best life now! Life is too short to worry about things you cannot change!

So..In this blog, i'll be sharing my views on life, as well as my exploits. Hopefully, i can help someone else let go, learn how to relax and just enjoy life! I'm a pretty dynamic individual so come expecting the unexpected! :)

Have fun as we dissect this palaver seh life!

If only you knew what you were made of....

It is amazing how many people fall short of their full potential because of
fear. When i look around, i see lots of potential going to waste. Most of us are
ignorant of what is really on the inside of us. We have the ability and
opportunity to be EVERYTHING and ANYTHING we want to be.However, we let fear and discouragement from people and our circumstances stop us from going ahead and fulfilling our destiny. I have learnt that the only thing that can stop you from achieving your dream is you. You are your only hindrance. If only you fully understood what God has put inside of you, you will not waste one bit of your time doing foolishness. Yes, nothing good comes easy. Yes, there is a price for greatness. However, you can never pay too much to walk in your destiny and see your dreams come to manifestation. If music is your passion, be the best musician possible. If acting is ur dream, excel in it. whatever it is, know you can achieve it. I am soo grateful to God for blessing me beyond measure. However, the best is yet to come for each and everyone of us. I don’t know why i am writing this, but when i stop to think about what God really wants to acheve in and through us, i am humbled. It is all way beyond measure. Kudos to all those people who are walking the walk right now. my hats off to you all. Keep up!! There is soo much more you can do. Don’t end here. There’s more to achieve in this life. My prayer is that we all will walk in our full level of greatness, achievement, and above all, prosperity.

Who Am I???

so....who is this new blogger on board? Well, I am a sweet & sour, calm & fiesty, shy & outspoken, persistent, loveable, can-get-on-your-nerves kindda person :). I am a 26-going-on-40 yr old individual involved in soo many different things. Why 26-on-40? Well, i’ve always been told i don’t look or act my age. I am apparently involved in activities attributed to people older than i am…but what can i say? I enjoy being a mystery. :)
I am an RN, soon-to-be nurse practitioner, maneuvering life and career transitions. I am from the beautiful country of Cameroon, often referred to as "Africa in Miniature". 10yrs ago, I moved to Louisiana where im currently enjoying the cajun spice of life, while adding my african flavor to it! :) I love God, i love people, and i love life. I love my family who have been very supportive of me soo far…even through my failures. My parents, 3 siblings and a beautiful neice are the people who have helped mold and make me. Like every family, we have our good, bad and ugly times, but i won’t trade them for the world!

In addition to work and school, i manage a nonprofit organization called Chabash International Health Foundation, Inc. Our focus is on helping to reconstruct the lives of vulnerable children and communities in rural Africa through education, access to quality healthcare, and economic empowerment. You can find us on facebook, twitter or at www.chabashihf.org.

I also volunteer at the “School of Greatness”! A dynamic mentoring organization in Shreveport, LA that aims to awaken the identity of teenagers and adults, helping them find their purpose in life. You can visit us at www.schoolofgreatness.org.

Now, as if that’s not enough, i’m looking at volunteering at another up-and-coming outreach org in Shreveport, and going back to school for another degree or certificate in Global/International health. Community health is my passion and i love making a difference! Will keep you posted as my life evolves. Thanks for joining me here.