Circumspecte

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ― Anais Nin For Circumspecte, that day has come: unveiling another layer of possibility I've spent the past year preparing for our transition from a blog to a full-fledged website . Photo Credit: Nii Nai-Kwade Now that the hour is here, I find myself quite emotional.  Circumspecte: SEVEN years worth of priceless insights and experiences.  I'm thankful.  While this may be my final post here, you can still access our archive of 331 posts (see menu to the right)! I am also excited!  For all of you to discover the "new" Circumspecte , our team (!), and all we have in store! Our URL may have changed, but our essence remains the same: Inform. Interact. Inspire. For now, I just want to say THANK YOU . Introducing, Circumspecte 2.0: CIRCUMSPECTE.COM Facebook - Twitter - Google+ - YouTube

Dear Ladies, So yesterday at the bus station, I asked a young lady whether I could borrow her phone. She lent me her phone and after my call, she asked: "Can I ask you for some advice?" and then proceeded to tell me how many people in her life - and especially at work - whisper behind her back saying she looks like a man, she is too dark, is she sure she isn't a guy, she's not good looking, blah, blah, blah. Mind you, I had just met her. Obviously, the issue was really bugging her! My first impression of the girl was "nice lady in braids, beautiful big eyes!" Anyway, we had a good conversation and it hit me that these are the real things we don't talk about even though we all experience it in some form or another: feeling insignificant or not [insert word] enough. Ladies - you cannot let people get into your head to the point of eroding your confidence and/or belief in yourself. "Beauty" is only skin deep. Sure, life might be relatively ...

For some time now I've been trying to find a word that describes the magic of youth - the unspoken energy that makes youth so fearless and non judgmental about themselves and their dreams. This morning I had a discussion with someone who has become a mirror of sorts for me; forcing me to look within and back on my journey thus far - and she doesn't even know that she challenges me to question things about myself, ha! - and I realized what that magic is. It's exuberance. A love of life and perhaps more importantly, of learning. It's placing all bets on yourself when you don't even know how things will work out and simply trusting that it will. It's placing your request to God, and sitting back to let the universe conspire on your behalf.  The moment you start thinking you are deserving is when you lose it all. Don't get me wrong, you are deserving. But when you start dwelling on that fact, you subconsciously categorize things as worthy of  you, you...

This morning, while doing my daily inspiration rounds, I felt an urge to dig back into the archives of this blog and read something from a younger me. I do that sometimes. It's not just fascinating, but also inspiring to see the growth in one's life. Also if I'm lucky enough,  younger Jemi might just have some sense or two to teach me. Anyway, I dug all the way back and that's when I realized: October 13, 2012 was Circumspect's 5th Anniversary! Wow. Not because I actually didn't realize it at the time, but because it's been FIVE years since my first post . Half a decade! People often ask why and how I started this blog. Like most other things, I didn't have a grand plan. I just wanted to share my love for writing . It wasn't to educate, teach, learn from, interact with, or even inspire others, nor was it to put myself out there and maybe garner some opportunities. No, the initial intention behind Circumspect was to share passion . But it did beco...

"Some [wo]men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not." - Robert Kennedy No longer at ease. With the can nots, the should nots, the do nots, the try nots... I'd rather stick with the why nots. At least those birth  some  answers to this knot-filled life. He can not make it with that idea. It's stupid. Why not? You should not have your natural curls out. Why not? Do not ask so many questions. Why not? Try not to draw attention to yourself. For heaven's sake... WHY Ever Not? They can not be serious, music/art will get them no where. Why not? It's one (wo)man for him(her)self. We should not expect anything from our country. Why not? This is how it's always been done. It's tradition . Do not even think of proposing another way. Why not? Try not to be so ambitious. You are a woman after all. *Blank Stare* WHY EVER Not? ...

Ciao people! I'm blogging all the way from Bologna, Italy! Beautiful city, interesting experiences so far. This blog was written a couple of days ago and didn't get posted because I got quite self-conscious about what it was about (definitely NOT my grandest moment). But after some thought I decided to post it. I feel it's important to acknowledge both struggles and triumphs, especially if growth is the bottom line objective, and particularly since life does throw us a curve ball from time to time. Alors...I'd say enjoy...but given the subject matter, maybe "I hope this speaks to you in some way" is more appropriate? Here goes.. --   Unplanned "It isn't what you did in the past that will affect the present. It's what you do in the present that will redeem the past and thereby change the future." - Aleph (Paulo Coelho) Le Due Torri - Symbol of Bologna It’s been a week and a day since I arrived in Bologna land, which coincident...

If only for the euphoria of picking myself up. Of putting back the pieces and dusting off the past. If only for the chance of the faintest sliver of hope in the darkest of hours. To be able to say, "That was then. This is now." For just the weightless air in my lungs, I'd risk a million falls. For looking back and seeing growth littered all over my path. For the opportunity to triumphantly declare, "I have overcome." To wake up one day and know without a doubt: everything's gonna be just fine. Or wiping that final tear and staring challenge defiantly in the face For naught more than the beat of my heart, I'd risk a million falls. For that larger than life experience. Of stepping outside my mind; observing from the universe's eye. Of watching as the pieces fall effortlessly into place. To welcome myself into the silent recesses of my soul. For the dawn of understanding about my vulnerability and insignificance, I'd risk a million...

This is a piece that found me in the dead of night (3am). Originally typed it on my phone, and wonder of wonders, my screen froze and I lost the original. I have tried my best to recapture what I remember of the original piece, although, knowing what that one was, I doubt this comes close. All the same, enjoy, and do share your thoughts :) -- Atypical Love Affair It starts quite innocently, as most love affairs do. A spoken word here, a stolen glance there, a shiver down the spine. It starts with the simple mention of a name, but it’s the mysterious undertones - the whos, whats, wheres, hows and whys - those are what send you spiraling forth. No turning back, drawn in under the spell, you hold your breath to relive it one more time. Burning desire coursing through your soul, exhale suspended long after the moment unfolds. It awakens, like most love affairs do. A fluttering of lips against skin, eyes locked in duel, palm in hand. Yet even after the winds tamper those imprints,...

Hi Everyone! C'est moi! I just wanted to touch base with all you wonderful Circumspectors real quick. Over the holidays, I'll be doing research on the newest social media to incorporate those stuff on here. I've got sooooo  many ideas and I can't wait to experience the new stuff with y'all. What Do You Want To See On Circumspect? Since this is a forum for information-sharing, I'd like to get your ideas on this. What would you like to see on the site? Any topics you'd like me to blog on? Are you itching to find out something? Any other blogs I should be checking out? Do you want more of the serious stuff, philosophical insights, or just laid-back every day news. Send me all the juicy info. In the past, some of you have suggested blog topics to me, and I've happily obliged - See Obama in Ghana and Personal Statement . I'm looking to amp that up in 2010 by including sections on the site where it's all about you peeps, your thoughts, experie...