Life | jackies2cents

A Dose of Motivation

The story is told of a young lad who suffered third-degree burns and was declared by the doctors that he was going to be an invalid for the rest of his life.

With tears brimming his face and a trembling voice, he told his mother, “I will walk again. Not just walk, but run and become the world’s fastest runner” while wiping off the tears from his kind eyes.

Today, Glenn Cunningham’s name is written in history as a man who once was the fastest runner in a mile race.

After reading Glenn Cunnigham’s story, I beat myself. I can’t be convinced that the success he chalked was by sheer luck, or work alone. It takes something more. A combination of work and determination.

I know someone who believes that hard work is all there is to a prosperous life. I’ve always known that something was missing in that equation but couldn’t find the missing key but alas!

This person works from dawn to dusk every day yet has little to show for all the work he does at the beginning of every year.

By the way, I wrote this for my motivation, I don’t mind if it helps you too.

If the boy who was destined to be an invalid could turn that destiny into victory by sheer determination and an undefeated spirit, I don’t see what’s stopping you and me.

Not everyone will identify with this piece of writing. It’s for people like me who have been beaten by a storm, who are downtrodden, for those who have believed a lie that they will amount to nothing and for all those who are like the lame man at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3) and waiting for people to give them a penny.

I hate to burst your bubble but that penny might never come and even if it comes, it still wouldn’t be enough. You have to rise!

So with withered limbs, the lame man arose at Peter’s command and leaped. Leap, also, determination. Perhaps, he didn’t walk instantly but he leapt and that’s a big deal for someone who’s never walked all his life.

You know sometimes, we are our problem. We tarry in “prison” though we think we hate the chains and pray for freedom but we really do not want to be free.

We may not have Peter and John passing our way in this life but these stories have been written for our edification. To remind us and give us the keys to our freedom and to remind us again that there is a mighty force and an astounding power that can change defeat into victory; a Christ who can turn our lives around when we factor him into our equation. He makes the difference.

I also don’t believe in luck. Much like idling around and wishing away that luck would miss its way and come give you some good to brag about.

Whatever you do, definitely work hard, but also with determination and wisdom. Not your wisdom.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.”

Let’s choose to do this life a bit differently than we have been doing. We can be prosperous and extremely successful by grace, through faith and God’s love. Not by might nor by our strength.

Godspeed,

Jackie.

Days of Our Lives

Posted on March 18 by Jackie Hanson

When I was pregnant, I looked forward to the day of delivery with bated breath. Especially around the 6th month onward, I had become heavy and I just couldn’t wait to put to bed.

Lying on one side, not being able to sleep on my back how I wanted to, puking when triggered, enduring some physical changes in my body and all the other things I went through during that season made me desire more than ever to drop the “ball” as soon as I could if I had my way.
But you know how it goes, nature doesn’t make you have your way sometimes. Until nine months, I painfully had to endure that season. If I had my way, I would rather have my child but not go through the process.

Not all processes are delightful. But what excites me about them is that they are only for a season and they surely pass. No one lingers in a process forever, I won’t be the first.
I am not proud of some choices I have made in my life that have brought me to where I am presently. Unfortunately, there is little I can do to come out of them because the decisions I made in the past have warranted my today.

The greatest life lessons ever told, are the ones that are churned from experiences. It’s like saying, “I’ve been there, I’ve done that so I know what I am talking about.”
The beauty of life is that we go through certain experiences to learn and that is what seasons are meant to teach us as we walk life’s way.

I’ll be damned to think that I will stay where I am forever. Too sorry for words to believe that nothing will change and that I have to suffer the consequences of my choices forever. I shudder to think that my life will never get better and I can never rise from the ashes.
What would be said of hope? That tingling effect which manifests as a glittering smile when I envision the future.

Why would I lose that? I’m determined not to miss out on any opportunity to learn and gird myself with relevant knowledge as I prepare for the next phase that I will encounter on this journey. No experience is ever wasted, they come in handy in times you’ll least expect.

As long as we live, we do not know what is ahead. The trials, troubles and triumphs that await us are unknown to us except the one who holds us together. I have no business trying to figure that out and let it weigh on my shoulders when there is a blessed assurance to keep trusting for a perfect end.

Phases come and go. Nothing stays forever. Yesterday’s choices may not have augured well for today but tomorrow is not in my hands. Hope is a treasure, guard it. Don’t beat yourself. Give your best today and have a barrel of hope for a bright morning. Learn, unlearn and trust the Lord. He will not let you down.

I know you are desperate and wish that the tide will quickly turn so you can dash out of whatever season you’re in now. I hate to tell you to relax because it gets on your nerves but I can’t help it. “Relax my friend.” Nothing is permanent.
I’ve learned to find solace in these words, “it won’t always be like this.”
You’ll remember one day and you’ll thank the Lord for how far you’ve come.

My parting words to you are to, “Gaze upon the Lord, join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory. You’ll never wear that shame-face again.”
Psalm 34:5 TPT

Yours truly,

Jackie.

We All Need Someone to Hold Our Hands

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Jackie Hanson

I have joined a new local assembly in my area where I have fellowship lately. It’s a very small congregation as compared to where I came from and so I have volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher at least for the time being. In this little congregation is a girl of about 5 or 6 years old who reminds me so much of myself at that age. She’s the one always shooting her hands up to lead the house to sing praises or worship or whatever that requires someone to lead. She has this infectious energy. Even when she’s not asked to do it, she volunteers. People like her easily attract admiration and envy but anyway I digress because that’s not what this is about.

When I was in Sunday school, my teacher could place a bet on me and win when it came to looking for someone to perform publicly. Trust Jackie to do it with finesse. He must have seen something in me I couldn’t see at my age. In hindsight, I believe every opportunity he gave me to MC or lead was setting me up for a bigger stage later in life.

Thankfully, I’ve been to places, met people, stood on platforms and done some great things.
When I noticed I had a great voice and I could commercialize it as a Voice Artiste, all I had was my voice but it took someone to hold my hands and introduced me to someone of high repute and the rest is history.

All these to say that, as we go on on life’s way, having someone in our lives to hold our hands at certain points is a good bonus. You may be the most talented, qualified and experienced person in the room but for you to get to the next level sometimes, is for someone to introduce you, recommend you, mentor you, guide you, or put in a word for you.

Whatever you call these people, I hope you find them. I’ve heard too many good stories to believe one more time that such people still exist.
Who knows how many more years and ordeal Joseph would have spent in prison but for the butler who remembered and put in a word for him? That one word was all he needed for his rising.

It’s my heartfelt prayer for you that you are remembered for the right reasons. Whatever your heart searches, I hope you find it so your mind can be at peace.

Godspeed.
Jackie.

Ann-Josie is ‘One-derful’

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Jackie Hanson

Food had been served. It was Sunday’s best palatable fufu with a bed of assorted meat. I had been anticipating its arrival for a while and so when it finally came, I was ever ready to dig in. I needed a lot of energy for the daunting task that was ahead of me and so I couldn’t wait to devour the fufu.
After some three morsels, a doctor walks up to tell me in the most quirkiest tone ever, “ei madam, you can’t eat that o. We have to prep you for an emergency surgery. You have been bleeding since you came to the facility and yet you aren’t dilating. 39 weeks and 4 days, there’s nothing more to wait for. Get ready for theatre.”
I’m sorry, what? Yes Jackie you heard right. And that, people of God, was how my taste buds came to a rude halt after that announcement.

I didn’t feel the hunger pangs anymore. Instead, my stomach was in somersaults. I was scared. I didn’t envision a cesarean section. I had prayed the prayers and done the pelvic floor exercises and all. Psyched myself I was going into the labour ward, push like the “Hebrew woman” and take my baby home. Now colour me not only shocked but scared of the whole process that awaited me. Not that I condemn C-section but for the first time, I wished to have to have a natural birth. Having a c-section made my faith wobbly but with time i got to understand that God’s ways are perfect and all things really work for my good. At about 6:00pm, Sunday 4th July, 2021, the earth stopped and welcomed my baby.

Regardless the issues that surrounded my daughter’s birth, I dare say my baby was born without incidence. God is a perfect God and I’m humbled to have seen a little bit of His awesome wonder through the conception, birth and growth of my girl. Many have been the bumps along my way as a first time mother with little to no help but the end of each day reminds me that I am trying and that I should keep it up. Thanks to baby daddy and my borrowed mom, Auntie Araba for constantly being there.

First it was breastfeeding. To think I took a breastfeeding class yet when the time came for me to show working, I couldn’t do the do alone was enough to label me a failed mother from day one. But my biggest lesson so far on this motherhood journey has been to show myself grace because no-one would be a better mother to my child than me.

These days I tell God everything. I mean, the minutest of detail. When my daughter hasn’t pooped for days, you’re likely to find me knocking on Heaven’s door petitioning the father to please help the girl to release the gassy saints and truly they come matching on. He always does answer.

I’m thankful I get to spend a lot of time together with her at home. I didn’t have the gnawing pressure to consider a nanny or taking her to daycare while I resume work from maternity leave because I was working remotely. Ours is a special bond. To see her growing before my very eyes leaves me with a basket of emotions; a part of me wants her all grown and the other part wishes that she stays a baby forever. One thing will always remain, she will always be my baby and I will always smother her with kisses.

On this day of your first birthday, my dearest Nana Esiyie, (Esiyie means Endswell) I’m lifting you up high in the light of God’s goodness and holding you there. Your joy is contagious and I pray it remains the same the rest of your days. The Lord crown your days with His splendour, separate and lift you high and lavish you with every blessing. May He exempt you from evil and give you a heavenly inheritance. I pray that you are an embodiment of good and favour and I desperately pray that you NEVER miss your providential way. I commend you to the word of God’s grace. You will be better than me. You’re perfect my child. I loooooooooooovvveeeee youuuu.
I hope you get to read this one day.

Love,
Mama.

New Life Update

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Jackie Hanson

When the sonographer told me my baby’s gender, I was filled with mixed emotions. I was confident it was a boy. Well, the Chinese calendar predicted it. When I prayed and made declarations over the baby, I referred to him as he. I professed male blessings over him. I believed my guts I was carrying a boy. Boys are cool while girls are dramatic. They are picky. They need to be groomed specially. Their hair needs to be fixed, fancy shoes with matching headbands, shoes and stockings, dresses and ribbons…the list is endless. That’s all too much work and I shuddered at the thought of having a baby girl. Boys need none of that, right?

Daddy to-be had no expectations. If his first fruit was a boy, great. A girl? Awesome! . However, he longed for a daddy-daughter relationship. He also gave me a heads-up to be ready for the “rivalry” should we happen to have 2 of his sweetest hearts living in the same house.
So, imagine my wry amusement when the sonographer exclaimed, it’s a girl at my 20 weeks scan. “Huh? Are you sure? Check again. Can it change? Ok, let’s wait till my next appointment to confirm” but he insisted and that was what it was. We were going to have a girl!

Even though I wanted a boy, interestingly somehow, a well of happy emotions begun to build up in me and it was written all over my face all at once! God surely does have an interesting sense of humour.

My adoration of God and my understanding of how awesome He is will always shoot a notch higher whenever I thought about the life growing inside of me. Incredible is an understatement of what God is truly like. We looked forward to scan appointments because we will catch a glimpse of what our ray of sunshine would be up to in there. We never missed a detail. I watched in sheer amazement how fast she was growing. For me, it was the cadence in her movements, how she will cross and open her feeble legs, the way she pats her head with her fingers. How she opened and closed those tiny hands as if to receive something and oooh the energy with which she could move and turn upside and down in my small and growing belly. Those were priceless sights to behold. My anticipation to finally meet her heightened every passing day and I simply couldn’t wait to see her and dote on her, her father too.

However, beyond this fanciness is the burdening anxiety of the realities to raise a child in today’s sin-stricken, sex-saturated, and dangerous world. There’s a lot to stress about, from the negative influences of today’s culture down to the types of friends my child will hang out with as she grows. The world keeps moving from bad to worse! Parents are in a battle for the souls of the children God has entrusted them with constantly. The responsibilities are enormous, and the more you think about it, the more stressful and fearful it gets. The good news is, God wouldn’t have given us this wonderful blessing if we weren’t capable of handling it.

We know it wouldn’t be an easy journey. But just as God has been there for us throughout life, I know He will still be here. We choose to be intentional parents, a daunting task to think about but also an amazing opportunity to be used by God to shape a life for His glory. I pray that our lives reflect how loving, present, patient and protective like God is to our child(ren). “So, God, here are our hearts, hands, voices and our minds. Please use us to parent our child and to nurture her personality, curiosity, creativity and compassion.”

When God made me organize Extreme Makeover for God’s Cover Girls symposium in 2016, little did I know that five years later, He will make me a steward to raise my own girl child. I am humbled by this privilege to nurture a godly, sassy, bold and confident individual who will grow up in the fear of God. A girl who will become all that God has created her to be and constantly remember that her name is engraved in her Father’s palms and her walls are always before Him. (Isaiah 49:16)
She is God’s Cover Girl, indeed!

Musings… (For People Like Me Who Desire More)

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Jackie Hanson

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I have this one friend, let’s call her Alberta. Every time we get into May, she will start drumming in my ears, ‘’ei Jackie, your birthday is almost here, you’re growing o, blah blah blah…’ She does it as if i’ve lost count of the days and I don’t know that the day beckons.

In some years past, i looked forward earnestly to my birthday, May 12, although my parents never threw a birthday party for me or bought me fancy gifts, the euphoria that comes with celebrating your birthday and most importantly that you’re alive was just enough.
Nowadays, I wish there was more to me just being thankful. There should be more to being just alive.

Every day counts; the older i grow the nearer i get to my dying age. In a world where the next minute is not guaranteed, what i do with the life I’ve been gifted with each day is paramount.
Previously, i used to wallow in pity, ‘’help, life is catching up with me yet i have nothing to show for” and by ‘’show for’’, i meant the number of degrees to my name, the dream job, vacations, fancy clothes and other things along the lines of self-gratification and societal applause. I don’t have these things and by the way, i’m turning 28 in a few days.😂 Wow! Well, God has been gracious to me but this post isn’t to count my blessings.

I only want to know if there’s anyone like me who feels there should be more we can do than being grateful for an added year. What’s the point of piling up years yet doing nothing with them either than our normal routines and what we’re used to doing every day?
Our lives should count in different ways; our lives should be a testament.
One day when we die, we should be remembered for something that’s worthy and meaningful, beyond red lipsticks and high heels and number of followers on social media. That’s what i want for myself; to be remembered for something meaningful.

In the next years when i’m still on God’s earth, my friends, family, and acquaintances shouldn’t just send me an empty, pathetic ‘’HBD, WLLNP’’ on my birthday. It would be nice to know how i have impacted their lives with my gifts, my service, or relationship with them to glorify my father in Heaven.
We shouldn’t only be reminded of the brevity of life when we hear of someone’s demise. It should be a daily reminder like the way we remember to eat or take a bath. This can’t be overemphasized.

You and i are only passing this way once and when the time comes, i want to go meet the Father in confidence knowing that i have lived a worthy life and ‘’good and faithful servant’’ are the only words i look forward to hearing Him say.

May God bring us to the point of acknowledging that Christ is better than whatever we consider as a focus in our lives.

Light and Love,
Jackie Kwofie nee Hanson

Enough Is Enough!

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Jackie Hanson

This is for people like me, who are between a rock and a hard place and can’t seem find their feet to walk away…

If you’ve ever been in a place or you’re still in a place you find difficult to leave, grab a seat and let’s have a conversation.
This is my 2 cents on an aspect of letting go or walking away which is mostly not talked about. In my reflections, I’ve realized that, among all the reasons people hold on to the things that tie them, one of the contributing factors is that, most times people don’t know who they are and don’t value themselves as much as it seems to be.

I put it to you that if you know your self-worth and value the price on yourself, you wouldn’t remain in an abusive relationship or remain at a job that strangles you. Sometimes the signs are clear the relationship is hitting the rocks but you stay and hope against hope that things will change. Time flies and there’s no change but the situation keeps worsening.

It takes knowing who you are to finally decide that you don’t want to be enslaved in that kind of situation anymore. It takes faith in God and believing that there’s something bigger and better on the other side. You may put your best foot forward to impress your boss but they will always find something to criticize you for.
You may be a good person but in love with the wrong person who never appreciates your personality. Don’t stay with them. You know you don’t deserve the kind of treatment that’s meted out to you, you know you could be happier, you know you deserve much better.

You know you can be freed. You know you can be a better employee to a supervisor who appreciates your effort. Seeking validation from someone who doesn’t even know what they have is pathetic. So muster some courage, make that bold decision. It will hurt you and you will cry but do it anyway. It’s only for a season, joy will come in the morning. For once, be selfish and put yourself before anything or anyone else. Do it for you! You deserve so much better. You are worth so much more.

Whatever happens, always remember, faith doesn’t worry, value doesn’t beg.
I hope you find the courage to walk away.
I hope you find your voice to articulate your emotions.
I hope you find your self-worth and to accept the things you cannot change.
I hope you walk away.
I hope you find that which your heart searches so your mind can be at peace.

Light and Love,
Jackie Hanson

EVERY MILE MATTERS

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Jackie Hanson

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Abraham Attah’s story excites me. I watched his interview recently with Ghanaian Broadcaster, Abeiku Santana and listened keenly as he recounted his story on how he was once a street hawker to becoming a celebrated actor today and living the life that most people envision. I’m sure you know the story too… By the way, i must confess shyly, I gushed over him anytime he laughed. (Insert silly laughter)

I read a story of a woman whose story almost broke the internet after she gave birth 40 years post marriage. If she lived in my part of the world, the chastisement, judgement, and name calling would have been enough to make her feel worthless. It took four decades for her to finally own a son she can call hers. I shudder to think about the countless times she cried herself to sleep and the many days on which she felt incomplete among her peers. All those days her faith wavered, yet, she held on and now she has her reward.

Recently, my cousin graduated college after six years. If you’re guessing it’s no news because Medicine students spend even more years in school, then I’m sorry to burst your bubble. She needed only four years to get hold of that degree certificate she proudly has now. I hadn’t experienced someone get so fulfilled in a long while until I saw her clad in her graduation gown that day, I felt so proud of her. When she recounted her predicament, you could testify that it hadn’t been easy. Today, she has a new song.

I envisioned to finish my first degree at 22, start my career and be on my way to becoming one of the finest communicators, get married and start my own family…
At 26, I have now graduated University. But, I look back and see what I’ve been through. They look like detours but not exactly. I’ve not attained it all but I’m glad that I have the experiences I have gathered along the way.
It tells me that, although I’m not where I want to be yet, I’m definitely not where I wouldn’t have loved to be.

I’ve been through good and bad days, I’ve met amazing and bad people. I know you have too. Take a moment and reminisce, see how all those experiences have shaped your perspective and built your character…
There’s hope to be found when life takes you on a detour. Every tear, pain, every feeling of rejection, every sorrow you gathered on your way, they don’t define who you are or what you will be. It’s history. You can choose to stay and wallow in your past if you want to. But here’s your motivation, you aren’t what you used to be and your past is not prophecy of your future. Get rid of the “shoulda, coulda, woulda’s” and position yourself to embrace what the future holds for you. If you’re already continuing in His lead…for the win. Don’t beat yourself because really, every mile mattered.

Light and Love.
Jackie Hanson.

HELP! LIFE IS CATCHING UP WITH ME!!

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Jackie Hanson

I suddenly feel like life is catching up with me.
Recently, as I scrolled down my Facebook timeline and going back and forth in the process, I stumbled on an advertisement by an International organisation that was seeking a group of people to partake in a self-development program. I was interested so I read the detail.

It was only eligible for a group of people of which I was hoping to make the cut. One of the requirements was that the applicant should be between the age brackets of 18 – 25. Then it dawned on me that jack…you dey grow! (Turning 26 in 3 months) I flipped over the page and minded my business.

But that thought hasn’t left me yet. I’ve really been thinking about it. At first, I was tempted to linger in a pity party but then I snapped out of it. I’m like yo! You’re still thriving, 26 wouldn’t mean the world comes to a halt. The fact that I didn’t qualify to be part of that program doesn’t mean I can’t do other things that will bring me the fulfilment I yearn.

Either way, I felt guilty as if I haven’t done enough in the past years. I scolded myself for not making the most of my time. And well, if your definition for having fun centres on going out here and there, partying till mama calls and everything in that regard then you could say that, I’ve wasted my time. But that’s too shallow, anyway.

I feel I haven’t been ambitious enough to chase my dreams into fruition especially when there social media and technology makes it somewhat easier. But nonetheless, life still goes on.

If I have any advice to give to my younger self, it will be two things:

First, savour every moment, live in the moment. Sincerely, looking back on my life, I realize I haven’t really enjoyed good times to the maximum as those times occurred. Be it at social gatherings, new environments or even in relationships… I have been too much busy creating worse scenarios in my mind and getting scared of the unknown. I have spent way too much time wondering what will happen if I should, would, could and all that didn’t make me live well.

Besides, my younger self should not hesitate to partake in programmes that enhances. Involve in volunteering opportunities, attend workshops and conferences, and basically any platform that makes me grow spiritually, academically, emotionally and physically…

Inasmuch as I don’t regret living my life the way I have, I must admit I have learned quite a number of good things. As boring as it may look, it has kept me away from trouble one way or the other. In my quietness, I have learned to accept myself just the way I am and accept other people’s shortcomings because after all we are altogether different people!

All I’m saying is, live, LIVE AND LIVE WELL. Tomorrow is not promised and life is too short to do boring things. Do all the amazing things you wish to and while at it, don’t forget that God will bring you to judgement for everything you do, you already know the rules!
If you could give any pieces of advice to a younger version of you, what will they be? I’d love to hear. xx

Light and Love,
Jackie.