Category:

Salted Words

AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Chimdike Ogwe

by Chimdike Ogwe

A Lockdown Story 

By: Chimdike Ogwe

Well for me as a student, it’s been all about staying in my student lodge and seeing how the usual student life gradually faded away, because of this pandemic.

Students started traveling and suddenly everywhere just became deserted. The sound of loud hip hop music coming from your next door neighbor or the regular gisting we do outside at night and even as far as going to your neighbor’s house to eat food and drink garri, all went into thin air, because of this whole pandemic.

It started like a joke. Trust! Nigerians are always good at using situations around to tell jokes and evoke laughter. However, two months gone already and it has ended in tears.

Personally, I have been really productive this period. I started attending classes for graphics designing, and doing a whole lot of productive stuffs.

For someone like me who hardly stays at a place, I love moving around and being busy, so I think my being in Calabar has been “okay” thus far. This is because unlike other states that had a total lockdown, over here, there was still movement within the state. This is what made staying here “okay” for me.

Just recently, the ban on religious activities had been lifted from the state. So, from 24th of this month, churches resumed services! I had stayed home too long that even Sundays began to look like a normal week day. The reopening of church activities was no doubt an amazing news!

In all, the next news we will be waiting to hear now is the reopening of schools, and that will show that things are coming back to normal.

Stay home and stay safe, that’s all we can do for ourselves this period.

A Note From Eden: Dear Chimidike,
Thanks for standing as a voice, representing millions of students all over the world. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Quineth Aghaukwu

by Quineth Aghaukwu

A Lockdown Story

By: Quineth Aghaukwu

What Are We Really Doing?
Why do we do what we do? This is a question that I’ve been pondering on for the past three months. How big a part does the idea of ‘Freedom’ play in our decision making process?

Remember as a kid when you wanted to explore the ends of the earth, but you were never allowed. And now this, only to decide to stay indoors as an adult when the freedom finally came?

Well, this was not everyone, but those who fall under the same category can confirm it. I obviously did not come here to bore you with philosophical questions. I am making a point, I promise.

The beginning of the lockdown bode no problems for me. I mean, this was just me going on with my normal introverted lifestyle. Not only did this not affect my lifestyle, it was not a hindrance to my work as a freelance writer. So, why did it become hard by the second week? Why was I feeling confined when this was what I did before the lockdown? This feeling brought memories of times when you picked up a broom to sweep, and your mother tells you to sweep. This was frustrating, because it takes away from the fact that you were well on your way to doing it without being told. It also took away from the fact that you had the choice of deciding not to sweep. ‘Choice’ being the keyword here.

When most people get to the age of decision making, it becomes almost difficult responding accordingly to words like; “must”, “mandatory”, “obligatory”, and every other word that eliminates their ‘degree of freedom’.

Nevertheless, there is a need to find balance. This period also showed me how there had always been a relationship between the introverts and the extroverts. There had always been an equilibrium between those two worlds, and it may have shifted in this pandemic. I choose not to go into details on that to avoid a total deviation.

Staying indoors with this new found pressure really strained my creative process. People are different when it comes to creation. While some create under the most pressure, some others shrivel under pressure. I found that I stand somewhere in-between. This was how the pandemic affected my creative process. You see, I was faced with the pressure of being confined and also the lack of pressure from not knowing when the pandemic would end. That right there, is the perfect recipe for procrastination.

Mix fear with procrastination and finally ‘creative downside’, and what I got was mild depression. While this was a horrible experience that took days from me, it also gave me the strength to spring back up stronger. I may have learnt first-hand that it is not lack of fear that keeps you going, but jumping on challenges despite your fears. The best days were days when I tried, because even when there were negative answers or none at all, I was glad that I tried. This was when I knew that I was growing.

A Note From Eden: Dear Quineth,

I won’t go stating the obvious by calling you a Queen. I’ll rather just give a glimpse of the depths, of the royalty you carry, inside out. You are- an effortless display of sunlight. The kind that lightens up grey clouds. The kind that make the skies give way, as you sit gracefully on its throne, above all mediocrity. You wear a crown that glows from within the awesomeness of the heart you bear. You are light, strength and brilliance. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

6 comments
4 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Chasejamison Akilah Manar-Spears,

by Chasejamison Akilah Manar-Spears

A Lockdown Story
By: Chasejamison Akilah Manar-Spears,

aka MadamCJda3rd

There were times I only wanted to cry, sleep, and wake up in a better world. I still want to feel less pressure to make a better world. I call on my ancestors and my creator to manifest peace as my way of living. This is because I view the ways in which I choose to live my life as ancestral
statements. This can get very twisted by mental illness spread on the stolen land where I exist
(The United Snakes of Amerikkka).. Some days, it feels like the only energy I can trust is the sky. Moonlight has carried me through some really dark times.


In my moments alone, I would occasionally feel that I couldn’t handle whatever the universe is trying to restore with all this chaos. I’ve honestly been socially distancing since before it was healthy, since before I left Ghana. There’s an in between feeling I keep returning to: planning
while procrastinating, inspired while drained, sad for reasons and happy for no reasons out all. I
now know that I am a part of this major change, and that through this crisis I must always remember to maintain my visualizations of the love I want to see and be.
In this soul of mine, divine lines of our truth spiral themselves into an ever changing sky. Stories
of our future are birthed onto blank pages. Blood and tears and life became the headline of our
healing.


I want to make something clear: Coronavirus is not the crisis. The root of all this is rotting, stinking, capitalistic fear paralyzing people and preventing them from showing up for themselves
and their community. It is governments telling us to shelter in place when millions don’t have a
place or a shelter. It is depression, anxiety, and family trauma finding a home in our hearts. The
true dis-ease is disconnectedness. And not enough blood in the world could flow over the pain
that causes. The solution to these problems is realizing that all of this starts and ends with me.
With the personal person I choose to be, how I want to focus my divinity.

CJ and Mama

My writing has helped me to overcome trauma, heal, transform into love, find it again, express
myself creatively, and connect even more deeply to the collective story that is life. And after that
very long process, I came here today to tell you that we will make it through. More in tune than ever. Mother earth is resetting her boundaries and giving us space to think about the power in our
thoughts and actions. And, I am 300% here for it. During this time, and by connecting to the
divine femme, I’ve been able to overcome my depression and experience radical self love. All this and more has brought me to an even realer awareness of myself in connection with
everything. And how I could never be everything for everyone, especially when I neglect myself.

The reshaping of our collective destiny is not without intention. The trust that comes with
potential means we must recognize this process as a part of us..no matter how slow the journey
goes we are one with its flow. In the smallest moments of growth, universes are born.

Photo By: @Sageartgh

I’ll end
this post with some affirmations that have helped me through this time, and the amazing words
of Alice Walker: “Hope is a Woman who has lost her fear”.

Affirmations that have helped me through lockdown:
– Today and everyday I pour trust, positive intention, and focus into the path that I was created for.
– I am aware of the truth that everything I seek and need is within me.
– I am so much more than my emotions… I let them show, and I let them go.
– I am the blessing
– I am making my ancestors and descendants so proud
– All my dreams are manifesting with divine timing.

P.S: I also want to give a shoutout to Ari Lennox, Adomaa, Rihanna, Ria Boss, Summer Walker, Nina Simone, Prince, and the countless other amazing Black artists that have sustained my spirit.
through this lockdown.

Jah bless you all.

Kindly Check Out Her Instagram Page: @rootscollectivegh for more…😍

A Note From Eden: Dear CJ,
In all simplicity, you display brilliance at its peak. In all depths, your words carry truth too heavy to be ignored. In all beauty, you are a rainbow, glowing through the clouds. A reminder of hope and light after the tunnel. In all strength, you are a reflection of the stars twinkling through dark nights. YOU. ARE. BRIGHT. LIGHT. And I need you to keep these words safely, at the bottom of your kind heart. I need you to walk in the consciousness of these words, always. I need you to never be moved by the night, because your light is more than its darkness. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

26 comments
5 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNPoetrySalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Michael Seun

by Michael Seun

A Lockdown Story
By: Michael Seun

This is the true definition of a prison.
I call it the mind prism,
Where we are all forced to be caged in,
Locked in our shelters
Trapped in our manners.

It isn’t only the physical lockdown,
But the mental lockdown
Our minds have be coerced to safety,
Fear and worries of the future.

Will there ever be school?
Will there ever be worship?
Will there ever be hangouts?
And all that concern the proof of human existence on earth.

Truly, we have now become Corona’s pets
Stuck in doors like most objects
We can only stare at our windows,
And gaze as the wind blows through the empty kiosks.
Blows through the voiceless places of worship,
And the motionless buildings of learning.
Its an unforgettable chapter of history’s book.

The fact that we all need to stay safe,
The Government orders
The Health warnings,
But still, it’s an ever flowing torture.
For some, it’s a time to be ever lazy,
And some others, to improve themselves in a ramification.

Let’s all watch and pray for the world,
For nature has been left to wander alone.
The virus has made us at home.
Home
Borders are now closed
Movement is now a stone

A Note From Eden: Dear Michael,
You Are Bright Light. The kind that effortlessly leaves the darkness bowing. You are sight, an eye piecing through the unseen. You are might, leaving your mark of truth, within each line of your story. Knowledge is power. And you haven’t failed to leave us with enough knowledge for sober reflections and positive actions. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

4 comments
2 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Chimuanya Precious Mbanu

by Chimuanya Precious Mbanu

A lock down story
By: Chimuanya Precious Mbanu

Africa. Nigeria. Imo State. God has blessed us with a great atmosphere.

This pandemic has made us return back to what sustained our forefathers, which is farming.

For a very long time, we’ve been after importation, forgetting that importers do not import, rather they invest more on becoming great. They produce. They export.

Our herbs I believe, is going to bring a cure to this virus if only we can make a good research.

Face mask, nose mask or whatever it is called can never be the best coverage or protection to this virus, rather Jesus is, so let’s return for revival.

A Note From Eden: Dear Chimuanya,

You’re like the sunshine that appears on days when its warmth is most needed. You’re like the moonlight that saves the day, on nights without a light. You are everything beautiful. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Much love!

Cheers!!

5 comments
2 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Obiechefu Chinonso

by Chinonso Obiechefu
  • A Lockdown Story

By: Obiechefu Chinonso

I am a student and I am passionate about writing.

COVID- 19 has been of both an advantage and a disadvantage to me. When it first started, I just thought of it as a period to catch up on some academic projects and to generally relax, as I had just concluded my Industrial training. I realised that most times we have great plans but what we lack most times is simply commensurate labour to see to the fulfillment of such plans. Amazingly, I began to relax more than I worked, and little by little it got to a point where I didn’t even work at all. Procrastination of a truth is a dream killer and it really affected my original plans for this period.

A day came when I asked some rhetorical questions and all of a sudden I was self motivated to start again. I have discovered that it is easy to motivate others even when you are lacking on the same subject you are motivating them on. But the real deal is self motivation. Without further ado, I began to invest my time in acquiring knowledge about things I knew existed prior to this period, but never really paid attention to.

So conclusively, even though I want all of these to end, in a way I have added to what I used to be. I think this period is not just a time to relax and have fun but a time to add something to ourselves whatever it may be…
Stay safe and invest on capacity development👌👌

A Note From Eden: Dear Nonso

In all calmness, you carry a intensity of strength, light and brilliance. Your words are navy without wisdom. The kind that leaves one in sober reflections for a brighter phase. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

 

4 comments
2 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Pablo Stephen

by Pablo Stephen

A Lockdown Story

By: Pablo Stephen
I dey grateful for the lockdown.

It was vital for my growth both spiritually and physically.

I went back to the drawing board and it’s been life changing thus far.

As a programmer, the ‘lockdown’ has been a normal lifestyle for me.

Ironically, in this same phase, I have bonded with many great programmers who are my neighbors, who I previously didn’t know we’re into coding too.

This lockdown has been another planet.

A Note From Eden: Dear Pablo,
I can testify about a number of things. And right now, I’ll testify about your heart. Covered in the giftedness of a thick black skin that may seem so unlikely to ‘give a damn’ – here lies one of the best hearts- Within you.
You are true. You care, and this is a light that cannot be hidden, not even by you. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

3 comments
3 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – M. Lewis Motter

by M. Lewis Motter

A Lockdown Story

By: M. Lewis Motter

When the lockdown first started, I was really kind of skeptical that it was as bad as they were claiming. So I didn’t put a whole lot of concern to it. In America the authorities were kind of late responding anyhow. However, after I talked to a few of my friends that were in the medical field and became more informed, I took the recommendations more seriously.
It really didn’t change my life as profoundly as it had for other people. I’m already introverted. I don’t have many friends, and live in a rural area.

The biggest impact for me was financial. I had already been struggling, and now it became more difficult.
In all, I’m thankful I’m resourceful.

The other huge impact was that it gave me time to work on my own business in creativity. My art, poetry, and writing flourished so much, more than ever before. It has also given me the opportunity to meet people from around the world. I’ve never been more successful. Success for me is never measured monetarily.
©M. Lewis Motter 05/2020

A Note From Eden: Dear Lewis,
I stan the gravity of brightness that emits from your story. I stan your ability to remain a light, even when speaking about the hurdles and darkness of life. You are truth. You are, and would always be a fountain of inspiration. You are an epitome of art and its awesomeness. Your heart is a masterpiece of strength, beauty and brilliance. And these three are reflected in your works (in art), with no exception to this story told. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

21 comments
4 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Vivian Okafor

by Vivian Okafor

A Lockdown Story

By: Vivian Okafor

It’s been crazy so far, like each day feels like the same day all over again. Waking up. Eating. Sleeping.

Although I tried to practice more on my makeup and online classes on content creation, the electricity here was epileptic all the way.

On trying to push through, regardless, I rested well and tried to think and make positive decisions in my life.

Also, family bonding made the whole situation unique even without electricity.

The pandemic has not been easy and my heart goes out to all the victims and their families.
I even lost someone who was waiting for the lockdown to be over in order to have a heart surgery abroad. However, within the two weeks lockdown, she died at the age of 24. Someone with a very bright life already!

In all, I believe this phase will pass away and life will be better again❤️

A Note From Eden: Dear Vivian,
In the way your heart is beautifully structured. In the way you reflect love, courage, brilliance and strength, even on days you barely realize this. In all these and more.- You. Are. Everything. Beautiful. On beauty. You are the art. You are the artist. And you do not just colour faces (as a makeup artist), but you also shine the brightness of your heart into the dark phases of those around. You are an essence of life. Please know this, and continue to work/walk in the consciousness of these words. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

5 comments
3 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudArticlesEXPRESS~SHUNPoetrySalted WordsWord-Perfect Monday (WPM)

My Lockdown Story – Conrad Opene

by Conrad Opene

A Lockdown Story

By: Conrad Opene

Hanging

Hanging from a pole while my eyes turn

The thought of falling seize my mind as I sway round and around

The sensation I offer makes me happy

My eyes begin to water mixing with sweats from my face

The strong ones never seem to be needy

Who gifts one what they possess

Who says one possesses

Sugar and Salt battle for dominance in a chilled glass of water

Nobody desires this conversation

Nobody talks when there’s nothing to say

Holding firm on the pole while stroking my body upwards and downwards

Smiling back at my enthusiastic spectators

They would keep me for ultimate pleasure

Until I am dropped after culmination

A Note From Eden: Dear Conrad,
I could end this note here already. Because the phrase “Dear Conrad” is in depths. The depths of the value you are to the world. The depths of how should let nothing tell you less. The depths of so many unwrapped gifts within you. The depths of the brilliance you should allow shine more. The depths of the brightness you carry. And the depths of how priceless you remain. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

11 comments
5 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Opinya Joseph Steven

by Joseph Opinya Steven

A Lockdown Story

By: Opinya Joseph Steven

The advent of COVID -19 in the country paved way for the halt in business activities. This has led us to a lock down that has subjected us to series of experiences we won’t forget in a hurry. It has exposed us to a life style we never envisage practicing such as the advice to maintain 2 meter social distance when communicating with people. This is something we never saw coming.

We are in a time when our freedom to associate and move from one place to another has been reduced to nothing, as all we care about is how to stay alive and safe.
The once free bird has now become a caged bird with no option but either to stay at home or stay at home.

Imagine how time flies. How season changes. How ways of trading, way of salutation, and ways of worship all changed before our very eyes. This has indeed exposed me to the reality of life. Most times, we may not actually know what we want.

I can remember complaining and lamenting about the work load in the office with no time to rest. I had always looked forward to when I will be free to go home. As a matter of fact, I was actually happy when I initially heard about the two weeks lockdown. To me, this was an answer to prayers, but with the prolonged lock down that has kept me at home for weeks now, I must say that it has become a burden to me. And every day, I now look forward to when the lock down can be lifted for things to go back to normalcy.

Interestingly, the lockdown has given me enough time to get closer to God through prayers and searching of the scripture. I have used this platform to develop and build more capacity through series of online training and workshops. It has also offered me more time to spend with my family.

In all, I can say that COVID- 19 is not just a monster that has frightened us, taken away loved ones, and kept us away from our jobs. In duality, it has also revealed the beauty of life to us, and helped us to build family ties and observe more personal hygiene.

I have come to understand that most times, life isn’t as we think. The freedom we once wished and prayed for can actually become a burden that we may never want to bear. I look forward to when things can return to normalcy. Whereby in the midst of our busy schedule, we still had time to relate with friends. Time to relax for a while, worship with other brethren, make decisions for ourselves and enjoy our rights.

A Note From Eden: Dear Sir Joe,
In depths, each paragraph of your story effortlessly has a ‘food for thought’. On balancing things in life. On gratitude. On our relationship with God, family and more, you have pointed out the light through these paths in our life’s journey. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

 

2 comments
3 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story: Ellen Jachimma

by Ellen Jachimma

A Lockdown Story

By: Ellen Jachimma

It was a beautiful experience for Ellen, as well as a time for sober reflection. The lockdown took me by surprise, although since the pandemic came, my ears have been down for news. That fateful night as I watched Channels TV, our dear President, Muhammad Buhari announced the two weeks lockdown which will commence on the 30th of March. Being the only one at home, as my uncle had travelled earlier to the East, due to the lockdown by Lagos State Government, I had to think of my next move. That night, I received a memo from my office that work had been suspended till further notice. I thought to myself, “Ellen Jachimma, this is an opportunity to have a nice time with your family” The next day, I travelled down to Ilisan Remo, Ogun State where my elder sister and her family reside.

The lockdown at first was boring as we all had a regular routine. However, It turned differently when I began viewing it as an opportunity to better myself. I took up a motherly role as I did virtually all the house chores ranging from cooking, washing clothes, moping the house, sometimes bathing the children, making their beds, as well as waking the children up at night. During the daytime, I made out time for the children where we had a mini ‘classroom activity.’ There was also time for Bible study with the children, which made them look forward to it as I included opportunities for questions and answers. I also gave them assignments with rewards attached, appropriately.

During the lockdown, I began seeing the need of small scale farming. Fortunately, we had a farm and we all went to clear it ready for planting. I also equipped myself with insightful books such as Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White; The Compleat Courtship by Nancy Van Pelt and 7 Enemies Of The Family And How To Conquer Them by Roger Hernandez. Regardless of how busy my schedule was, I was able to achieve some of my personal goals, which entailed the summary of the four Gospel. All thanks to the working timetable I prepared.

April 4th was memorable as I celebrated my birthday with my family.

In all, the lockdown story will not be complete without mentioning the special times I had with God.

A Note From Eden: Dear Ellen,
You’ve always stood strong for those you love. You’ve always put God at the forefront of all you do. If the words focus, brilliance and discipline had a twin each, you would have been a perfect fit. You are a masterpiece of the rainbow after the storms. You are beauty, inside out and all these were reflected in the story shared. The kindness of your heart. The brilliance on your part. And the resilience you possess. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

10 comments
4 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lock Down Story – Pablo Emevor

by Pablo Emevor

A Lock Down Story
By: Pablo Emevor

It’s ironic how the lockdown has been eventful and kind of busy for me, because the only plan I had in mind, was to wake up each day to Bruno Mars’ “today I don’t feel like doing anything, I just wanna lay in my bed.”

After a lot of thinking, before the lockdown kicked off, I decided I was going to remain where I am, and not return home. Trust me when I say that explaining this to Mumci and the rest of my family members was one hell of a battle. Although it seems like I am the Victor for now, as I never went home. However, I know a bigger battle awaits me, the day I finally get home.

Staying put where I am, means that I am an older version of the kid in the popular Christmas movie ‘Home alone’. Except in my case, this isn’t anytime near Christmas. As a matter of fact, the world is at war with an unknown virus. And I wasn’t abandoned. It’s a personal and well thought out decision.

It also means that whatever I do and however I’m going to survive this period rests on my thinking cap and the few naira notes in my account. #Survivalmode/careful spending activated. #Bachelorgeng.

Being alone makes me reaffirm the saying “Na dis lockdown people go know say cooking na survival skill and not a woman’s duty”.

Fam! I cook my meals on a daily basis. Yeah, it sounds like no big deal to you. But it is for me. And hey! It’s not like I don’t know how to cook, but most times I get overly excited and just add too much salt or very little salt. So, I try as much as possible to stay away from cooking except it’s Egusi soup.

In all, by the time this lockdown is over, yours truly will be stepping out in style as a Certified Chef. Another feather to my cap! Cooking meals on a daily is one of my major highlight for this period, especially beans. I have taken the art of cooking beans to another level.
These days, I creatively come up with my own special recipes on how to prepare it. So whether it’s ‘Beans and Yam’, ‘Beans and Potatoes’, ‘Beans and Garri’, ‘Beans and Rice’, ‘Burnt Beans’, ‘Not Properly Cooked Beans’, ‘Beans and vegetable Mixed With Crayfish’ , the list is endless. All you have to do is name it and you’ll get served.

Image By: Namnso Ukpanah

For someone that is taking the practise of social distancing and other preventive measures seriously, I am amazed at the number of places I’ve been to. And the number of amazing people I’ve met during this period. Well, it is all from the comfort of my bedroom. So I’m safe😉

Engaging in group video calls with my childhood friends on WhatsApp and bumping into them on other social media platforms was another intriguing journey for me all through this period. This got me reflecting on the relationships and friendships I’ve built in the past, and all the disconnections, ever since. I figured that most of them got broken due to lack of communication and my ability to ghost people a lot.

Well, since one cannot undo the past, I’ve concluded that moving forward, I’ll strive to do better in sustaining present relationships and making sure that new ones formed will be well sustained too. Let me add that one of such calls happened on my birthday. And this really made my day.

I stepped into 2020 with a clear vision and picture of what I want the year to look like for me. As part of my new year resolution, I took it upon myself to read a book a month. I even joined a book club. Fam! this is the fifth month and I have only read two books. Thanks to the lockdown, I’m almost done with the third one.
In addition to this, I recently resumed online lectures for a course I reluctantly started sometime in 2019. Though I’m moving at a slow pace even if I now have the time for it, what’s most important here is that I’m moving. Cheer me on!

I’m also trying my hands at the game of chess during this lockdown to kill boredom and worries. My 13year old neighbor Alex, is giving me all the help, moral support and guidelines needed to become a pro in the game of chess. We’ll see how that goes.

Still on my lockdown story likened to that of the kid in the Christmas movie ‘Home Alone’, another similar event from the movie that happened in real life was the fact that thieves came around. On this night, while I slept like a baby with no worries, my WhatsApp was blowing up with messages from my next door neighbor asking if I could hear the movements and footsteps around our compound?

As if she’s been going through my phone while i slept, and found the voice note I sent to Amanda concerning the things we will do once the lockdown is over.

As my guardian Angel immediately woke me up to go empty my bladder, I picked up my phone and saw the WhatsApp notification of my neighbor’s messages. I immediately started calling to be sure if everything was alright. I called and called but my neighbor kept aborting my calls. Ladies and gentlemen! at this point, my heartbeat was nothing close to Simi’s duduke. Different questions and thoughts started running through my mind. Seeing that my neighbor was online but wouldn’t pick my calls made it worse. I sent my neighbor a voice note to know why my calls are being aborted? The reply I got scared me even more. The reply read that my neighbor couldnt pick my call…
After thinking of what line of action to take, I put a call through to a friend of mine who stays in the same compound with us but had to go home due to the lockdown. We discussed on what to do and in the end we came to the conclusion that I have to go check up on my neighbor. #You are a man.

Fam! I gathered all the nerves, courage and guts left in me, opened my door and stepped into the dark night. What is normally about 20feet to get to my neighbor from my house, took me almost forever. As the thought of ‘what if my neighbor has been tied down by the thieves and they were the ones replying my messages now’ slowed my pace. Alas I got to my neighbor’s, knocked at the door, and after a lot of questioning as to who I was. The door finally opened. My neighbor opened the door for me and told me that she didn’t want to pick my calls simply because she didn’t want the thieves to hear her voice and come rob her. Wow!


Yes, I know what you are thinking. Let’s leave that. At least she’s safe and I can go back to my sleep. We woke up the next morning to stories of people living three streets away from us getting robbed by the popular ‘one million boys’ the previous night. Meanwhile, I wondered how it was possible for my neighbor to hear footsteps from three streets away. I was convinced in my heart that it was regular boys in the area that carried out this robbery and not some unknown ‘one million boys’.

Eventually, when COVID-19 is over, and we return to our normal lives like I hope will be before the end of 2020.- One thing is sure, the lessons I’ve learnt and I’m still learning from the lockdown includes:
-Taking a decision and sticking to it.
-Not being scared to do the hard work and be creative while at it.
-Making conscious efforts to sustain relationship with people.
-Completing a set goal.
-Trying new things.
-Above all, defeating the fear of the unknown.

These will go a long way in inspiring and motivating me as a creative in the post COVID-19 era of life.

PS: people of my community have organized two football lockdown competition. Please don’t ask me about how they observe social distancing.

This is my lockdown story. Thank you Eden for the opportunity to share it with your community here. You are the best.

A Note From Eden: Dear Pablo,
Your story is so beautiful! Or, what other word would perfectly describe a story with humor, truth and most importantly, the ability to draw the reader into the scene with your smooth use of imagery. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

3 comments
4 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudArticlesEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort storiesWord-Perfect Monday (WPM)

My Lockdown Story – Simon Catherine Nkechi

by Catherine Nkechi Simon

A Lockdown Story

By: Simon Catherine Nkechi

Life presents us with a kind of fun that is not funny or aims to evoke laughter.

In between all, we are expected to devise a means to laugh. The past few months have been on funny life event that is not funny, but ironically, laughter is, and would always be the only way one can make sense out of certain terrible situations.

I have been able to discover me better, and also understand that my Creator works in tremendously wonderful ways that cannot be comprehended. Hence, this has been my means and source of laughter this period.

A Note From Eden: Dear Ketch, 

Just the first sentence of your lockdown story made me fall in love with the entire piece from the brilliance of your  mind.  Laughter has always been the best medicine, and we cannot  but use it has a remedy for this choking times we are in.  We stay happy, because without this,  life is empty.  Meanwhile, crying and worrying  leaves us empty in duality. So choosing joy and guarding our peace have always been the best options.  Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are. 

Cheers! 

Much love!!

5 comments
3 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudArticlesEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort storiesWord-Perfect Monday (WPM)

My Lockdown Story: Ayodele Oluwafemi

by Ayodele Oluwafemi

My Lockdown Story

By: Ayodele Oluwafemi

Coronavirus: What A Virus!

During the COVID-19 lockdown, several thoughts invaded the space of my mind. At one point I was angered about the disruptions occasioned by the pandemic, and at another instance, I was relaxed to give way for certain thoughts, regarding the peculiarities of this pandemic.

When the virus started in December, 2019 at the Wuhan Province of China, many of us who got the news of a virus killing people in China, took it as an ordinary disease like Malaria or flu at the initial stage. We never envisioned the spread to over 200 countries. If a prophet had prophesied about what is happening in the world today with the COVID-19 issue, many would have called for his or her head or rather prefer to call such prophet a messanger of doom.

There is something special about this Coronavirus, it has no respect for age, sex, position, religion, educational background, social status and other demographic considerations. What a virus! It started like something that will not threaten the human race, but gradually it spread across continents taking away many lives at will, without recourse to any consideration.

This virus, unlike other virus-related diseases, does not have respect for your position or social status in the society. Those in the high, middle and low levels of the society have gotten their own fair share of the coronavirus. Top politicians like the likes of Boris Johnson of Great Britain, Canadian Prime Minster, Justin Trudean’s wife, Sophie Trudeau, Iranian vice president, Eshaq Jahangiri, Miami Mayor, Francis Suarez, Australian Home Affairs Minister, Peter Dutton and a host of others at one point tested positive for Coronavirus. Let me come back home, top Nigerian politicians also had their own fair share of the virus. Late Abba Kyari died as a result of coronavirus-related complications. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi state, Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Frank Okiye at one point tested positive, but recovered.

Coronavirus has shown us that it has no respect for the position you hold in the society. Even the great, US President, Donald Trump was scared about the idea of testing for COVID-19. At one point, he refused to test for it, but when he finally did, it came out negative. What a virus!

We have seen how sportsmen/sportswomen, celebrities, entertainers, media personalities and host of other professions were caught in the web of coronavirus. There was no route of escape, in terms of social status. We have even read or heard about the news on how members of the Almajiri group tested positive for the virus, in large numbers. What a virus!

If Coronavirus had spared on the basis of the religious beliefs and ideologies, at this moment, the battle of supremacy of one religion to another would have died a natural death. For instance, if the virus only affect christians, guess what other religion groups would have said. The deadly virus has no respect for religion. Christians, muslims, atheists, hindus, buddhists, agnostics to mention a few have contracted the virus, many members of the different religious groups have died in the hands of the virus. As we battle with the pandemic, religious places of worship have been deserted, some that have not witnessed lock down for ages are currently under locks.

Christians who derive solace in the Bible verse that says, “do not forsake the gathering of the brethren” are at homes reciting another verse that says, “when two or three are gathered in my name, I will be there with them.” Due to coronavirus lack of respect for religious beliefs, magnificent religious synagogues are under lock. Online

Image By: Ouinuchi Ejiohuo

worship has become a norm in the days of COVID-19. What a virus!

 

Few weeks ago, some International and Nigerian online news platforms wrote a news report with the headline “Pastor Who Defiled Lockdown Dies of Coronavirus.” That news report was a surprise to those who believed that Coronavirus is a respecter of religious position. We have seen how religious leaders from the different religious groups lost their lives in the hands of COVID-19. As I was reading through some of the tweets on Twitter, a Nigerian Twitter user tweeted, “Even babalawo (herbalist) sef dey use hand sanitizer, Oluwa (God), wetin dey happen.” As hilarious the statement appeared to be, the underlying meaning is very clear for those who care to understand. Irrespective of your level of relationship with God, (or gods, depending on your choice), if you refuse to take preventive measures, COVID-19 will surely be your undesirable guest.

In the eyes of Coronavirus, our age does really matter. The old, the middle-aged and the young have all gotten their own fair share of the virus. New born babies have been reported to have contracted Coronavirus. I think when this virus looks at us, it does not see our age, bank account, position in the society, religion, and tribe/culture, it sees humanity (blood).

Cases of how animals contracted coronavirus have also been reportedly by the mainstream media. Is that not a surprise to you? The virus is sparing nothing.

Coronavirus did not even spare the economy. Prices of goods/services skyrocketed, oil prices fell to an extent that oil sellers were begging buyers to buy. People lost their jobs and economic hardships took over. Developed countries were able to provide palliatives for their citizens, developing nations like Nigerians, poor and vulnerable people were left to fate, as some of the palliative shared could not get to the hands of many who really needed them.

Within few days, we could no longer engage in things that bind us together as human beings. Countries shut down their land, sea and air borders, stadia and recreational centres were closed, gatherings were restricted and the human world was appearing to be coming to end as the biblical forewarned. Animals were coming out of their natural homes to see what is going on in the human world. I guess some of them would have been wondering what is going on in the human world?

We lost out sanity to Coronavirus. Even as many countries are gradually easing the lockdown, the fear of COVID-19 is still hanging in the air. The ease of lockdown in many countries of the world came with heavy restrictions pertaining to physical distancing.

This pandemic is silently teaching us certain lessons. Another lesson is the displacement of traditional techniques for internet-enabled platforms. We can see how certain physical arrangement moved to the internet, during the lockdown. That is a lesson for the wise. COVID-19 is the silent teacher.

In my next edition of my lockdown story, I will be sharing with us, my thoughts on fake news and conspiracy theories. Untill then, stay safe, there is surely a post-covid era.

A Note From Eden: Dear Dele,

YOU ARE GOOD.  Oops! I forgot to add “too”. YOU ARE TOO GOOD. opening our eyes to not just look, but see many overlooked factors lingering in our lives as individuals and as citizens of the earth. You are brilliance personified. You’re intelligence,  encased in flesh and blood. And it’s beautiful to know that in all of this,  your heart remains a sky full of stars. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are. 

Cheers! 

Much love!!

 

10 comments
2 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort storiesWord-Perfect Monday (WPM)

My Lockdown Story: Efe Blessing Ogboru

by Efe Blessing Ogboru

A Lockdown Story

By: Efe Blessing Ogboru

The nature of my job didn’t give me the opportunity to observe the lockdown. Waking up very early on a daily basis to get prepared for work took another turn. I had to be at a particular junction in time in order for one of my colleagues to convey me in his car to the office. This was due to the fact that commercial bus owners weren’t working.

There were some days I just wanted to take my time and get prepared for work, but the thought of not getting to see any commercial vehicle left me frustrated…

My paramilitary job came with its own burden. Getting to talk with different people was almost inevitable.

Sometimes I felt my colleagues and I are more vulnerable due to the exposure, because as humans one cannot be hundred percent careful in trying to stay safe.

Also, as a part-time fashion designer, sticking with clients former body measurements is definitely not a wise idea, because there is a possibility of them adding more weight… I was stuck between utilizing those periods to make their clothes or pausing for a while…

Through it all, I experienced fireworks of God’s faithfulness. And I am overtly grateful to God, families and friends who deemed it fit to check on me! 😊

A Note From Eden: Dear Blessing

Firstly,  let me take this time to ‘say’, from your heart, to your words and your actions, – You  Are Everything  Beautiful. You are  your name personified. A blessing, you are, in deeds and indeed. Your lockdown story is simply a reflection of the Superwoman that you are, and I cannot but love you dearly, for the resplendence you carry. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

5 comments
2 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Onyeanakwe Isioma

by Isioma Onyeanakwe

A Lockdown Story

By: Onyeanakwe Isioma

When the lockdown started, at first I was not bothered. I had not done much research on the pandemic, so I saw it as something that would come and go before long,

As time went by, I started to panic, what was going to happen? When will this whole Coronavirus saga come to an end? Then and only then did I realize it was more serious than I had earlier thought. Depression started to set in for real. I felt at a point like I was going to die. Seized by fear and doubt, I worried about a whole lot of things. I would just start crying for no reason. I knew I was on a downward spiral. I couldn’t focus on anything. And then, God told me to take a deep breath.

Afterwards, it changed to mood swing. Happy today, sad tomorrow. Nice today, annoying tomorrow. It felt like my hands were tied, I felt stagnant, it was not a good feeling at all. I felt useless because I ran out of ideas, nothing to do. It just seemed like I had to be busy, even if it meant busy doing nothing. I just had to be busy. I was restless, always on the go, not even knowing where I was going. The lockdown period was a terrible one for me at first.

And then, all of a sudden things changed. I did not want to rot with worry and anxiety anymore. And I was tired of the rut I was in, something just had to give. I had to fight off this thing. I determined that everyday, I had to do something I had not done before. I was on the road to being better and I did not want the journey to end. I started signing up for online classes, taking all I could, taking them all in, one after the other. I wanted to be busy like I felt everyone else was and so I was signing up for free online classes, those I was interested in and those I thought I was interested in.

I stepped all out and nothing was going to stop me. Then it hit me in the face! You know what happens when you try to fit in your mouth more than you can chew? Force down your throat more morsels of food than you should. You choke!
The problem was not signing up for the classes but staying in them. It was funny how I was finding it difficult to keep up with them. I will start with one, drop that one and move to another, I had so many unfinished courses. How could I finish them when I had misplaced priorities? I was not committed to anything, slowly, I was hitting rock bottom. Sadly, I went back to square one, exactly the point where I started.
And then, I had to go back to God for Him to help me. Because it seemed like I was losing it. He told me I needed to calm down, the world was not going anywhere and time was not “flying” like I was thinking. Everything was going at the pace He wanted, I was alright. He made me understand that I was not a failure because I wasn’t doing anything, I had to relax so I don’t breakdown. I took His advice and I calmed down. I had to learn that because others were busy making things happen does not mean I was less. When He gives me the idea, then will be the time to run with it. And so, I relaxed enough, and noticed an iota of sanity. I sat still and started thinking only right thoughts And when negativity tried to force it’s way inside me, I did all I could to make it stay at the door of my life. Stayed so long that it got tired and went back to where it came from.

Photo By: IB

Sometimes, when it succeeds and gets in, I just try all I can until I force it out. It is a struggle.
The lockdown was a struggling time for me until I listened, sat back, took a deep breath and calmed down. That was when my best results started showing. I could think straight and bring to life projects in my head.

These days, before I go online or to any of the social media platforms, I give myself a pep talk. I tell myself, “Isioma, when you get ‘there’, you will see people that have achieved a lot during this period. Do not feel like you don’t have it in you. Celebrate them, take your life one step at a time and see the plans God has for you taking form” and it works. Big time!

Image By: Namnso Ukpanah

The lockdown helped me realize I could be busy and not achieving anything because I was going at it with the wrong mindset. The lockdown helped me realize the value of taking a pause and thinking right. It gave me the opportunity to draw closer to God and the reward is mind blowing. I have peace of mind, the one I will not trade for anything. Some days, I don’t do anything but my positive mindset keeps me going. I know I will have bad days sometimes but I will not let the days end that way. They can start bad all they want, but they sure will not end bad, I won’t let them. My name is Isioma and this is my lockdown story.

 

A Note From Eden: Dear Issy,
Firstly, I am sending multiple virtual hugs to you right now. I do this a lot when I’m short of words, and that’s exactly how your story made me feel. Amazing. You’re simply a Superwoman. – This, is, only but the least description of you. My hand quivered after I read your story. How you shine so much light in the lives of others is inexplicable. Because you do this even during the darkest moments of your life. You should know the magnitude of your essence already! You ain’t just an element of the sky. You are the whole of it.
They say joy comes in the morning, but my dear Queen, you no longer have to wait, because YOU ARE THE MORNING. Sooner than you expect, your life will become a display of the brightness it carries. And when the darkness ever seems to come, release your brightest smile, you’ll find the nights were only shadows. I Love You, Sis! Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

8 comments
5 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Oge Chi

by Oge Chi

A Lockdown Story

By: Oge Chi

Eden has asked me to write a lock down story more like doing a “short on life” with me as a creative. The church geh in me would say right back to her that “I’ll live long in the land of the living”, I’ll never short live life. But I have already tweeted that God should remove 2020 from my age, as I did not use it. So yeah the life has been cut short(in the year 2020).

A Glimpse of How I Feel
She also said I should write on how I’ve been coping (good, bad and ugly), if there’s a word called goodbadugly that’s how the motivational speakers are making me feel. The motivational speakers of our time are doing their best to make me productive this period. It’s one thing to have to stay at home, its another thing to be told to stay at home and it’s even greater when you’re told to use the opportunity to expand your home.

Hope You Understand Me, Because…
( Eden said I should let it flow as it comes). As a struggling creative(yes I’m struggling because you’re reading bits of what I would have said better and you haven’t read my thoughts on okada books or you would say that there are better ways to say this).

Like I was saying, the motivational speakers are having me watch webinars, attend zoom meetings and pin messages on telegram. They are going heads on trying to convince me that the money that I pay for their thoughts are worthwhile(don’t tell me it’s about the money) but I also know that they are sitting at home too. It’s not easy trying to put ideas, knowledge and words together to try and encourage, teach and advice us as the Corinthians to upgrade our knowledge and be better.

Different Type of Hearts In Colours And Shapes
A certain category of people feel that nothing in this world can make them work or learn during this period. They’d rather drink mojito and listen to us that listen to motivational speakers than hear directly…


Having people tell you the way to think is very easy, I mean what is difficult in having a 3D angle to writing a story? Is it a problem learning animation and graphics to help your work? What do you need a publisher for? You can create an eBook and become an author in 7days!! ..the list goes on and on.

Life
And there goes life, I begin to hustle. I pay for all the letters of the speakers. Romans is speaking. Corinthians is spatting. Philippians is dropping Mic, and Thessalonians is teaching us to chill and still glow, lol.

The Zigzag Of Life
I am not really serious neither am I stating anything that is official. I just want to tell the creative person in you that even though they say Rome was not built in a day, it really wasn’t built in a day.
Life just keeps buzzing, and right now the motivational speakers are at one end thinking they are doing too much. The drinkers of mojito are searching for other tastes. Eden is receiving more submissions than she asked for and I’m here, seriously talking in the ‘not creative’. Shouldn’t we all just breath? And don’t tell me to keep on keeping on, is that not what I’m doing? Let’s all just breath abeg.

A Note From Eden: Dear Oge,
You did it! You let it flow as it came. The bugs. The weights. The good. The bad and the ugly. You brought them all out in a quite terrific way. You stormed. You thundered. And you still left a rainbow in the end. Only a few may relate. What more is freedom than the ability to pour out your heart from all angles. Besides, I chuckled every now and then, as I saw my name splashed here and there in this outpour. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

8 comments
8 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story- Odion Kadiri

by Odion Kadiri

A Lockdown Story

By: Odion Kadiri

When April reached midpoint, I was reaching a breaking point. I wanted, like everybody else, the virus to bade goodbye. I yearned for normalcy, holding hope by its waist.

Until I realized, it was never about when the lockdown will open up or when the virus will bow to eureka solutions. What really mattered was our ability to make the best use of each day.

Since the midpoint of April, with God’s help, I began to pay more attention to other important things, other than a vaccine. Core things like learning, loving and spiritual growth.

It’s never easy and it’s still uncertain, but I hope I will be proud I never went on lockdown in my heart and mind.

A Note From Eden: Dear Odion,
Your words are identical to the stars at night. They twinkle through the dark, always! You carry so much sunshine in you, and knowingly or unknowingly, you never fail to pour this glow into the lives of others.
In all, here’s my little note to you, today: SHINE THROUGH YOUR LIGHT. Soak yourself in the brightness you carry. Break the glass, inside out. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

7 comments
4 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail
AloudEXPRESS~SHUNSalted WordsShort stories

My Lockdown Story – Jaachi Mbanu 

by Jaachi Mbanu

A Lockdown Story:

By: Jaachi Mbanu 

Life before the pandemic was regular, busy and eventful. In fact, at some point it felt like the 24 hours in the day was never enough to get things done and then boom! It hit…

Jaachi aka Asian Butterfly and Family

It’s so funny how something that is invisible can bring about such tremendous changes in all of our lives.

Even though there hasn’t been any lock down of any sort here in Sweden, businesses have generally been slow. Well, this means more sleep hours for me. 😁 Multiple feeding times. 🤪 No school for the kids, which in turn means more work for me.

Smile, mummy loves you.

Also, more than enough time to develop myself. To study. 🤓 To pray, 🙏🏻and catch up on really cool movies.😎🎥

I guess it’s not entirely been a bad time, and we remain grateful in it all. 😊

A Note From Eden: Dear Sis Jaachi,
From start to finish, your story is one that is wrapped in glee. And even when you described the little ‘downsides’ here and there, the story still remains one that makes a smile crawl onto the readers face in every 1-2 lines read. You’ve always been an expert in not just multitasking, but also, in creating multiple colors of joy, love and peace in the lives of everyone around you. You make a rainbow out of every storm. Thanks for sharing your truth with us at Express-Shun. The world is dark enough. Continue to shine the light that you are.

Cheers!

Much love!!

7 comments
2 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail