I was on a flight flying from South Africa back to Canada; it was an emotional journey for me; I had so many emotions ranging from grief to sadness to happiness. A recent family tragic event deeply saddened me, and I was also grateful to have been able to have had the time to see my newly born nephew – a boy given birth to 4 months after his Dad’s demise. So it was a mixture of sadness and joy. Two rows from me while onboard the plane, I thought I heard the muffles of a woman; initially, I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me, most people were already asleep on this 12-hour overnight international flight, the lights were switched off, but then I heard it again. Then I saw her tears…the mom’s spirit in me was stirred up…and I looked at her, confirmed she was not happy and then I went straight to her, and she told me her problems..she just heard some heart-shattering news that morning, and she had to fly back home immediately.

I took her to the back of the plane and did what most people will do. Validate her emotions, spoke to her, and prayed for her with her permission. She felt better and was thankful. Since then, we have remained friends. Many people are in my life, and we became friends through one encounter or the other on the plane, at the mall, or the airport…my hubby warns me to be very careful always..but daily, I ask the Lord to send my way, any of His children that He wants to me to assist.

I have come to believe that sometimes, God allows us to go through some difficult terrains; He pulls us out of such terrains and does not leave us there but gives us the strength and empathy to help others who might also find themselves in such landscapes.

For me to be on that plane with that woman with my grief and still be able to extend succor to her was just a matter of God-incidence, and I am grateful that through the help I rendered to her, I also received healing for my broken heart.

So, what are you waiting for? Please, reach out and help pull someone up.

Written by Ibukun Ogunsina, New Beginnings Barrie, Psychotherapy and Counselling Services. Website: www.newbeginningsbarrie.com
E-mail: inquiry@newbeginningsbarrie.com
Tel: +1 705 241 8456

Have you been struggling with some issues in your relationship lately? Perhaps you have some questions about your overall physical and mental health, including your spiritual growth since the pandemic started. Then why don’t you join us on Saturday the 10th April 2021 at 10 am and let us answer your questions to the best of our knowledge?

This is our way of giving back to the community during this period.
Keep safe, and we look forward to seeing you.

Zoom Meeting Details:
https://zoom.us/j/95325300042?pwd=SkEwQkNWblpSclYzWjFaUit0aG00dz09
Meeting ID: 953 2530 0042
Passcode: Sisters

It was the morning of my wedding – I remember; clearly, my Dad called me and told me that I had a phone call. I looked at the time, a few minutes to 7 am…it was in those days, when we only had one telephone in the house, with a lot of people in my parent’s home, I decided to pick the extension in my father’s bedroom.

I picked the phone, only to hear the voice of one of my secondary school friends. She apologized she wouldn’t make it to my wedding, but she decided to pray for me instead. I was shocked, I hadn’t even spoken to her in years, and I did not know how she got to hear about my wedding, but my heart was so full of joy. I said Amen to every single word she uttered that beautiful morning, and I thanked her.

I also remember traveling to Nigeria with my family once for a family event. Upon coming back, I decided to buy some souvenirs for my friends in Newfoundland – I looked around- and purchased a few Nigerian brooms. When I got back to my location and gave some of the brooms to my friends, they were happy, and the next time I visited two of them, I saw the brooms beautifully displayed in their living rooms. One even attached hers to a wall beautifully in her sitting room.

These two stories reminded me of spreading joy to lives no matter what. You don’t have to break the bank to make others happy. It took a simple phone call from a long-lost friend to make me happier on my wedding day, and with just a bunch of brooms from my home country, I brought smiles to some of my friend’s faces and lit up their living rooms.

What do you have that you believe will make someone else’s day? No fancy gifts, probably a phone call, a word of encouragement or a text on their special day, or a word of prayers telling them you have their backs or you are rooting for them.

You can do it. I know.

Written by Ibukun Ogunsina, New Beginnings Barrie, Psychotherapy and Counselling Services. Website: www.newbeginningsbarrie.com
E-mail: inquiry@newbeginningsbarrie.com
Tel: +1 705 241 8456

I am presently in my prayer room at home counselling clients online with my door closed, and intermittently I will hear the faint sounds of my son playing soccer in my living room downstairs during his lunch breaks. Pre-pandemic, I would never have allowed this…but since the situation had called for it, I only pray that my TV makes it through to 2021.

Nowadays, normal is to find my children in their different rooms studying and taking classes online.

Normal is watching my hubby consult with his patients through telehealth in the office downstairs.

Normal is all our summer vacation plans cancelled and gathering together every night at 7 pm for the family prayer meeting just before dinner to gist.

Normal is being able to discuss politics, religion, and reminisce with our children almost every night after dinner.

2020 has been a roller coaster year; however, it has brought my family closer. I know some have lost a lot this year, and I can only pray they are comforted and restored.

But wherever you are in the equation of the year 2020…please, look out for the good things only. Pick up the phone and chat with someone, pray for some people who need your prayers, pray for the world at large, relax your rules around your house, seize the opportunity to let go, and learn to breathe.

Please, join me in praying for my TV as my living room becomes a soccer field for my son during his lunch breaks this year and just now…I heard the sound of a penalty kick…I better go and remind him to go back to class..his lunchtime should be over…lol.

Written by Ibukun Ogunsina, New Beginnings Barrie, Psychotherapy and Counselling Services. Website: www.newbeginningsbarrie.com
E-mail: inquiry@newbeginningsbarrie.com
Tel: +1 705 241 8456