Reflective Seeds by Counsellor Seyram

Relationships involve two or more people who share common values, beliefs or are connected by certain ties such as birth, marriage, occupation, education, social settings like a Christian community, associations. Consenting to be in a relationship with others except in the case of blood ties which is naturally determined often has some embedded expectations.  These expectations in some instances may be obvious from the onset while others may not be so. Obvious expectations from the onset include companionship and support in various forms (emotional, financial, social, psychological, educational, career). Others such as intimate desires and sharing private information may develop in the course of the relationship. Whatever the case may be, it is necessary to be clear on what you expect from relationships before committing to it be it friendship, intimate relationship or relationship by formal affiliations.  To TRESPASS means to encroach or enter a space/ territory without permissi

The subject of being pressured to consider life as a competitive race is one which cannot be overemphasized. Although it is one which is often spoken about at various places including seminars, conferences, workshops, in homes and schools, it remains one area that society just cannot get past approaching positively. It is common to be asked some of these personal questions in rather upsetting ways: When are you getting married? How many children do you have now? Where do you work? Often, these questions are asked out of curiosity with a view of measuring our success in life or perhaps just to mock us because of the perceived delays defining certain aspects of our life. I dare ask, who actually determines what is delay and progress in life? What is the standard of measure of success in life? Why do we equate accomplishments in life to marriage, occupation, childbirth, net worth, social status among many others? Ironically, one will barely come across acquaintances who would ask; how can

  Health conditions are not new to anyone. This is because almost every human being suffers from one health challenge or the other. Some are visible while others are not. Some can be treated with medications over a few days while others take a few weeks or months to heal. In some instances, health conditions are chronic.   That is to say, they can only be managed with some medicines or therapy or a combination of both to help alleviate the pain and discomfort they would otherwise have caused the individual but they have no permanent cure. They last a lifetime. In some of these cases, the individual has to remain on these medications or therapy subject to review depending on prevailing situations like aging, other health conditions, financial abilities, etc. The list of such conditions is inexhaustible so I shall not make any attempt to list them. The essence of this reflection is hinged on these chronic conditions and how they affect the lives of the affected individuals, caregivers,

Life has a way of throwing us off our intended course often. It is either our set goals are unmet due to choices made with insufficient information or as a result of circumstances far beyond our control as mortals. In most cases, this frightens us and when we are unable to quickly recover, our life may become miserable, stagnated or perhaps enter a phase of absolute halt. However, I have come to appreciate that probably the word - CHALLENGE(s) gives more openings than we may acknowledge. This is probably because during the times when we find ourselves in a situation that CHALLENGES us, we are shaken beyond our usual scope of reach. Let us reflect on an untapped angle to challenges we encounter in life: Some dictionaries define the word CHALLENGE as (an invitation to take part or compete in something/a call to prove or justify something/a dire/a bid/to question something, a situation, a person etc)... Thus in perceiving a situation as a CHALLENGE in life, be it in relation to education

Since my twins have started talking, I have been telling them that they can be and can do anything good they want to . I am careful and intentional with constantly reminding them of that. The essence of this exercise is to build their self-confidence and esteem and also empower them to be anything positive they desire to be without yielding to negative energy. One morning, one of the twins, my three-year-old son was dressing up for us to step out. He wanted to close the flap of his shorts but was visibly struggling. I decided to guide him to do it in good time. As I stretched to hold his flap, he held on to it, gave me a stern look and said, "Mommy stop! You told me I can do anything. Why are you helping me? I will do it myself!" Heh! I was shocked but pleasantly surprised that he was applying the principle to even me. I managed to find my voice somehow and said, "Yes, I did say that and it's true that you can do anything. I just wanted to help you". He repl

  I have observed that we live in a world where we make assumptions and jump to misleading and defamatory conclusions far too quickly on issues without seeking valid verification on the information we have received from others or perhaps created ourselves. We go about spreading same news especially when it's negative and often tarnish the image and reputation of the individual or parties involved without any thought on the impact such negative information and built public misconception will have on the life and emotions of the individual or the parties involved. Strangely enough, those who peddle such unfounded and baseless ill rumours are close acquaintances of the parties involved in the rumours and they could have easily verified the information or otherwise from the main sources or the individual subjects of concern. It is disheartening that the perceived close allies of such victims, as I will call them, become the torchbearers of such demeaning acts. It is heart-breaking tha