Aby's Journal

Aby's Journal

2/17/2025, 3:24:33 PM

*Just Breathe and Do You* Dear Journal, The last time I came on here was Friday, and that’s because I had a very busy weekend. Actually, I’ve realized that my weekends are always busy—especially now that I have more commitments outside the norm. So, I’ve decided to take a break on weekends to be more productive. And that got me thinking… _Why did I start this journal in the first place?_ For those of you just joining me, welcome. I hope you love it here. And please—drop your cute emojis along the way. It helps me know you’re reading, and that keeps me writing. I started this journal because I wanted a safe space—a place to write my thoughts, share my lessons, and just be. My dad always said, “You don’t have to wait for the perfect time to share your experiences. Someone, somewhere, needs what you have to say—right now.” That stuck with me. So, here I am, sharing from where I am. No filter. No waiting until the story is “perfect.” Just real, raw, and unfolding. Because even the smallest lessons matter to someone. Even the simplest experiences can shift perspectives. Beyond that, I’ve always been quiet—laid-back, chill, not one to speak much on things that truly matter to me. I used to think that by staying silent, I could avoid attention or judgment. That if I dimmed my light, maybe people wouldn’t have anything to say about me. But here’s the truth: the only people no one talks about are the dead. And even then, some don’t get to rest in peace. So, in overcoming the fear of being spoken about, I decided to write. To put it out there. To give people something to talk about. But more importantly—to hopefully influence someone for the better. Because the goal isn’t to compete. The goal isn’t to shade. The goal isn’t to be “better” than anyone else. The goal is to live. To love. To inspire. To share what we know and hope it helps someone along the way. So, here’s my reminder to you today: Just breathe. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to grow out loud. It’s okay to be you—beautifully, unapologetically. Wear your crown with dignity and pride, knowing that you were created for something special. I hope this inspires you to start doing—no matter what people think. Do the right thing. Be you. And own it. Love, _Aby💕_

Aby's Journal

2/18/2025, 10:57:16 PM

Dear Journal, It’s my mom’s birthday today. I know this piece should have gone up earlier, but I needed a moment to sit with my emotions. The goal here is to always be real, and today took me down memory lane in the best way. One of my fondest childhood memories of my mom was when my result got seized. I was worried sick, but instead of panicking, she simply said, “Let’s pray about it.” And we did. The result? Almost immediate. My result was released shortly after. That’s the kind of woman she is—faith-filled, unwavering, and always teaching us, sometimes without even saying much. She saw through all my little decoys, called them out before my dad (who was way too sweet to notice), and made sure we stayed grounded, even when we thought we had life all figured out. Happy Birthday, Mom. Your wisdom, your love, and your prayers continue to shape me in more ways than I can count. Love, Aby 💕

Aby's Journal

2/12/2025, 8:24:47 AM

*Showing Up, No Matter What* Dear Journal, I had something else planned for today, but life, as always, had its own script. Yesterday, D and I spent the entire day caring for Baby M after her immunization—four shots in total, two on her tiny thighs and two oral drops. It left her cranky, feverish, and uninterested in nursing. She just wanted to be held, but only with the gentlest touch to avoid discomfort. It’s moments like these that remind me how much parenting is about being present, even when it’s exhausting. There wasn’t much time for anything else, but when it comes to the people we love, we show up—no matter what. Still, in the spirit of consistency, I’m here—checking in, sending my thoughts your way, and reminding you that love isn’t just in grand gestures but in the quiet, everyday acts of care. Baby M is doing much better now, slowly easing back into her routine. And for that, I’m grateful. Here’s to another good day ahead—because the people we love deserve our presence, no matter what. Love, _Aby 💕_

Aby's Journal

2/14/2025, 11:08:57 AM

*To those who make my world brighter* To my family—my siblings, my sisters, my brothers, my in-laws, Tboy and M—I appreciate you. Your love, your corrections, your unwavering support, I don’t take any of it for granted. To my eldest sister—the quiet watcher, the one who steps in like a mother hen when needed, always speaking wisdom at the right time. To my immediate elder sister—the nurturer, always calm, always comforting, always full of love. To our Madam HR—no-nonsense, logical, unbiased, ever loving, self-sacrificing, and ever so straightforward. To the baby girl of the house—the most prudent of us all. While we were thinking about flexing, she was making moves. She bought her first bike to start a logistics business, got a sewing machine to learn a skill—at her baby age then, lol! Always a step ahead, always amazing. To my in-laws, the family that raised an incredible man, I honor and appreciate you. Because of you, I get to share my life with someone so kind, so selfless, so extraordinary. Thank you for giving me the gift of him. To my brothers, I see you, I love you, I appreciate you all. I am a product of love. And on a day like this, I just want to say thank you. _Happy Valentine’s Day._ Love, _Aby💕_

Aby's Journal

2/13/2025, 10:01:53 AM

*Finding peace beyond offense* Dear Journal, I cannot take full credit for this piece—or any of the others. The Holy Spirit has been my source of inspiration and guidance. Forgive me for not giving credit to Him sooner. One of the ways I try to maintain my peace is by avoiding situations or individuals that trigger negative emotions. But I’ve come to realize that true peace isn’t just about avoiding triggers—it’s about addressing the root cause and responding with wisdom. I remember an incident that left me feeling deeply cheated and upset. In an attempt to protect my peace, I decided to distance myself from the people involved. Yet, despite the space, I still struggled to let go. The lack of an apology made it worse. Every time I saw or heard about them, the anger resurfaced, as if the wound had been reopened. After wrestling with these emotions for far too long, I knew I needed help. So, I turned to people whose perspectives aligned with mine. My eldest sister was direct—she called it a distraction and told me I didn’t have to allow it. Then PM gave me a new perspective. She told me not to focus on the people, but on the spirit influencing their actions. She reminded me that aside from praying for them, I needed to recognize that the enemy was working through them at that moment—and I had the power to disallow it. That made me think of Mark 8:29-32. In one breath, Jesus calls Peter “the rock,” and in the next, He rebukes him as “Satan.” Jesus wasn’t condemning Peter—He was addressing the influence behind Peter’s words. This changed everything for me. Maintaining peace isn’t about running from conflict—it’s about facing it with discernment, wisdom, and spiritual authority. So, if you’re struggling to let go of hurt, maybe it’s time to shift your focus too. Instead of dwelling on the person, recognize the bigger picture. Pray, release, and move forward in peace. Sending warm hugs to brighten your day😊 Love, _Aby💕_

Aby's Journal

2/11/2025, 5:25:58 AM

*The power of prayer in love and communication.* Dear Journal, D and I are two very different individuals. While he’s now more reserved, I have become a supposed chatterbox. Interestingly, when we were still in the talking stage, our roles were reversed. I was the quiet one, and D was more vocal. He would always offer a penny for my thoughts. Fast-forward to today, and the dynamic has shifted. I now love to talk, while D has become more reserved. At first, his quietness made me uneasy. I wondered if he was bottling up emotions or keeping things from me. It upset me, and in response, I began withdrawing as well, keeping my thoughts to myself. But this only left me feeling worse. I wanted to express my feelings to someone I deeply care about, but I also didn’t want to be the only one talking. This emotional back-and-forth led me to pray about our situation. Prayer has always been a powerful tool for me. I recall a moment from my teenage years when I walked into the kitchen and overheard my eldest sister praying over the meal she was making. She asked God to make it turn out well—and it did! That moment stuck with me, shaping my belief in the power of prayer. As cliché as it sounds, prayer changed everything in my situation with D. It didn’t just give me clarity—it helped me grow. The first thing I learned was to look inward before reacting. Instead of assuming the worst, I started reflecting on my own approach: _Was I being patient? Was I giving him the same space he once gave me?_ This newfound self-awareness helped me voice my concerns with more grace and understanding. We’re still learning and growing, but I no longer feel weighed down by frustration. Through prayer, I’ve become more expressive and more empathetic. I’ve learned that true communication isn’t just about speaking—it’s about understanding, listening, and giving others the freedom to express themselves in their own way. I hope you try this approach sometime. Remember, communication and empathy go hand in hand. Sending you warm hugs, as always! Cheers to clarity and peace in all spheres of our lives. Love, Aby 💕

Aby's Journal

2/19/2025, 9:14:52 PM

*Gratitude Over Regret* Dear Journal, For reasons I can’t quite explain, my posting time has changed. But I’ve made a promise to myself: no matter what, I won’t let a day’s post roll over into the next. Discipline matters, and I intend to keep this commitment. Growing up, I used to think other parents were better than mine—especially when I was being scolded or punished in public. In those moments, I was convinced my mum was just out to embarrass me, to reduce my steeze (lol). And when I saw other mothers being all sweet and gentle with their kids, I would wonder why mine was so harsh, so overbearing, so different. I even questioned why I was born into my family instead of another. But then, life happened. I grew. I met people—at university, at work, in different phases of life. And slowly, I started seeing things differently. I began to appreciate my family. I began to appreciate my parents. I began to appreciate my siblings. I realized I couldn’t have asked for a better family or better experiences. Some of the things I once resented turned out to be the very things that shaped me into the person I am today. Without them, I wouldn’t have learned the lessons. I wouldn’t have the depth, the strength, or the understanding that I now carry. So rather than regret those moments, I’ve shifted my mindset to gratitude. Now, whenever life throws me a challenge, I try to see it differently. I ask myself: _What can I learn from this? How can I grow? How can I make the most of this instead of letting it weigh me down?_ That perspective has given me more peace. It has made me more fulfilled. More rounded. More forgiving. More understanding. And I hope that in some way, this inspires you too—to be more open-minded, to appreciate your journey, and to see people through a lens of understanding rather than judgment. Here’s wishing you a productive day tomorrow —one as beautiful and as warm as the hug I’m sending right now. Love, _Aby💕_

Aby's Journal

2/8/2025, 9:55:00 PM

*It’s okay to put it out there* Dear Journal, I always like reiterating how publishing these pieces of write-ups is not my forte. I am very private and would rather hold memories and experiences that are dear to me as close to my heart as possible. However, God has other plans hence this piece. I remember going to the Open Heavens International Centre and seeing a series of events of the journey of a man who dared to hold onto God amidst the odds and how blessed I was by the documented journey with dates and all. I also remember reading about the journey of the Israelites, David, Abraham and even Jesus and observed how all events were written in detail. These incidents gave me a mindset shift. Had all the mentioned bible characters kept all these experiences to themselves all in the name of privacy, how would we have known that God could cause the barren to become fruitful, as He did for Sarah? How would we have known that God could deliver, as He did for the Israelites; how would we have known that God could raise from the lowest and make to be seated with royals and nobles as He did for David? It’s okay to share, you’d never know whose spirit you would be strengthening. So, go ahead and start documenting your journey in preparation for the time when it would be needed. The sole aim should be to help, inspire, encourage and ultimately draw attention to Jesus. I hope our hearts are flooded with light and compassion so when we speak, it’s from a place of humility and gratitude rather than ignorance or pride. Here’s wishing everyone the best on their journey. As always, sending warm hugs to brighten your day. Love, Aby 💕

Aby's Journal

2/10/2025, 7:15:10 AM

*Can It Never Be You?* Dear Journal, Life has a way of humbling us. This new season has turned me into a complete crybaby—I cry over everything and anything (happy tears, of course!). I used to think some reactions were over the top. But after enduring labor pains for what felt like forever, the moment my baby arrived, I burst into uncontrollable tears, shouting, God did this for me!—something I once thought was too extra. Then came her dedication at church. I was all smiles and giggles until it was time to present her. That’s when the real tears came, making my first outburst seem like child's play. Through these experiences, I’ve realized something profound: we never truly understand another person’s emotions or decisions until we’ve walked their path. It’s easy to judge from a distance, to assume we’d act differently, but life has a way of proving us wrong. Looking back, I see how easy it is to think, They should have done better. They should have known better. But when you’re the one in the moment, when you’re dealing with the weight of your own experiences, you realize—sometimes, it could be you. There’s a God-factor that shapes our journeys, guiding our choices in ways we don’t always understand. And so, I’m learning to lead with empathy and humility—to be less quick to judge and more willing to understand. If someone sobs uncontrollably over a slice of cake, who am I to say it’s not justified? So here’s to giving grace, to embracing our emotions, and to walking through life with a heart that chooses kindness over criticism. Wishing you the very best in everything this week and beyond. Love,
Aby 💕

Aby's Journal

2/14/2025, 10:28:00 AM

*A Love letter to D* Dear Journal, Today is Valentine’s Day, and I’m taking a moment to truly appreciate the second most important person in my life—D. God is first of course. I am a product of love and help. I didn’t get here on my own, and I would be lying if I said otherwise. I have been supported, encouraged, and lifted in ways that words can’t fully capture. And when I think of all the love I’ve been blessed with, you are at the very heart of it. How many years was I when we met? I can’t seem to remember… Or maybe I do. But I’ll save that story for another time. I remember when we met at the shopping mall—baby girl was just minding her business when… Actually, let’s scratch that. Today isn’t for epistles; today is simply about love. And love is exactly what you have given me—pure, unwavering, and selfless. You have stood by me in every season, supporting me in ways that go beyond words. All I have to do is speak, and you move heaven and earth to make it happen. You believe in me, you give me wings to fly, and you push me to be the best version of myself. I don’t take your love for granted. And on a day like this, I want you to know just how much you mean to me. Forgive me for not saying this often enough, but I see you. I see your sacrifices, your patience, and the countless ways you put our family first. And I love you deeply, endlessly and unapologetically. Cheers to ninety more years of love, bliss, and happiness. Maybe not ninety… actually, let’s make that ninety-plus years. Lol. Happy Valentine’s Day, baby. Love always, _Aby 💕_