Once upon a "who's in the garden?" A game I hated while I was growing up. I saw myself not being able to respond to the answer because I was viewed as the "the not fine little girl".
So I grew up seeing myself as such. I grew up into a timid young teenager "disadvantaged" in many ways. Very slim, delayed boobs growth, those ones were like walnuts, flat "behind" and to make matters worse, I had coloured teeth (I still do though but see them differently now😎) which made me wear a permanent frown on my fave.
For those who grew up in the 70s and 80s, this was a game we used to enjoy so much and an opportunity for you to show off that you were beautiful and also identify those who saw you as one. I hated that game! Reason? Anytime I attempted to join, my play mates were always very quick to let me know that I didn't qualify. It was painful to say the least. Some memories don't just go away!
My self esteem was battered, I was timid and had zero confidence in my appearance. The only thing I had confidence in was my mouth. I could speak and read very well. Vernacular or English, bring it on, but that mouth sef was 'graced' with tinted teeth so I felt better keeping it shut.😂
"Who is in the garden?" Fast forward to when I was about fourteen years and an uncle came visiting. He saw me sitting quietly somewhere reading, because I found solace in my books, my other siblings were up and about but I didn't want this uncle to see the "girl that's not beautiful". Alas! He called out to me where I was hiding and made a comment that will forever change my world. "Bola is going to be the most beautiful of them all"(we were about 5 girls and a boy at the time) Even though I didn't believe him at the time... A seed was sown.
"Who's in the garden? A beautiful fine girl can I come and see her?..." Fast forward to my early twenties... my answer went from me hiding away because of all I thought were imperfections to a resounding "Yes!" with my full smile and joyful heart, I beckoned to all, "Come and see me here"💖. I began to see me differently!
That uncle's spoken seed germinated and I began to see that little fine girl in the garden. I began to look at me as very beautiful in a very special kinda way. My slim body suits me. My coloured teeth were unique and uncommon. Those teeth can crack any bone and never had a hole or decay! Isn't she the lil fine girl in the garden?
Even at over 50 and a mother of grown adults, she remains a very beautiful fine girl in the body of a woman. Endowed with a curvy shape like that of a runway model🥰. Is that all? No! She's also witty with an enviable intelligence.❤🩹
Who's in the garden, a little fine girl, can I come and see her? Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! I beg my friends follow me.💖
What seed are you sowing in the life of that "little girl in the garden"?
Instagram: @bimbohchekwas
Amazing story. Words are indeed powerful. This is a lesson for all. The words we speak have far reaching effects
ReplyDeleteParents, families and society do have a role to play in shaping and helping children develop a self esteem that fits into any sphere of life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
Words indeed are powerful. See how the world would have been robbed of the gem you are. May we all recognise the 'beauty' in every child and affirm them as we nurture the gifts that they are
ReplyDeleteWaooo! Words are indeed seeds. So inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteWords are powerful, is better to keep shot than say the one that will hurt someone or kill someone's self esteem
ReplyDeleteQuite a thought provoking piece this morning, we do a lot to undermine our abilities, all that's required from some or most of us is "coming out of that shell" and boom we are there, thanks for sharing this Beams, it's inspiring you re indeed the little fine girl then but unknown to you, funny those delayed boobs like walnuts fed two graduates and one undergraduate, Alas!!! they aren't disadvantaged.
ReplyDeleteTemitope Odebode.
💕. Thanks sis
DeleteWowwwww... A very nice write up. This is literally a picture of my childhood, I can totally relate to this piece. Thank you for sharing ma
ReplyDeleteWaooooh,beautiful story,low self esteem can BREAK ONE down totally,if u can not change the mindset game....you are indeed a beautiful,but just didn't Realize it earlier.nice write up
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece. Thank God for the Uncle that planted the seed that turned it all around. May we be good soul farmers, planting positive and inspiring seeds in others as well as in ourselves. End result: (Aiming at a better World)
ReplyDeleteWe all need encouraging and positive words. Children and Adults alike...
Thank you Bimbo, you are truly a beautiful and inspirational gem...more pomade to your elbow..
“Words can inspire and words can destroy. Choose yours well.” Robin Sharma
��������❤️
Mrs S.Omo
The impact of words! Hmmm. God help us be the one who sows good seeds on all the children around us.
ReplyDeleteThere is indeed power in the tongue. Your words can make or mar a person, especially when they are at still young and battling their insecurities in silence. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice one 👏👏
ReplyDeleteAnd now, the fine girl has become a beautiful woman touching and saving lives. God bless you super woman.
ReplyDeleteWow!! and the fine girl has grown to be a wonderful enviable and also a role model
ReplyDeleteHmm I can relate ,words can indeed make or Mar us.
ReplyDeleteThere is power in tongue, thank God you archive your aim and more are yet to come in Christ our Lord Amen
ReplyDeleteawesome 👍 awesome 👍👏 I will show good seeds I'm children so that it will grow
ReplyDeleteOh My God! That was an inspiring story and I'm glad to have known you. I've always seen you as my role model, you know as a woman and a married woman. God bless you for sharing this! So many of us have passed through something related as well but we were able to outgrow them through maturity with the power of words, music and self-discovery too
ReplyDeleteThank God ooooo, Ope ooooo! What an awesome story! No what? Men are always endowed with natural Leadership skills and good foresight. They not only discover you, encourage you, appreciate you but support you to fulfilment! Thanks Uncle, thanks Uncle-Bro Chekwas for the piercing eyes and for being visionary. You saved life, you created a new life and nourished an angel and beauty pageant!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Awesome!! Amazing!!! So insightful and soul lifting. So much to learn from this write-up....Thanks for sharing with us this inspirational story.......bravo
ReplyDeleteWhat a story. A lot to learn from it and you don't know how it has changed a lot of people. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful piece , i can totally relate with . God bless that uncle that unknowingly uproot the unwanted plant. God bless you richly beautiful handwork of God
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you for these Mom Beams. You are beautiful in and out. Never forget that Ma.
ReplyDeleteWow!! Awesome!!! And it ended in praise!!. Thanks for this inspirational true life story. A story of hope. A story that encourages you to believe in yourself. A good job. Cheers
ReplyDeleteWow!! Very impressive!!
ReplyDeleteThis indeed is lovely and insightful. Kudos ma'am.
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring. Thanks for sharing ma'am.
ReplyDeleteTruly inspiring. As parents we must constantly tell our children kind words.
ReplyDeleteInsightful story, lesson learnt words like a broken egg
ReplyDeleteI really need to caution what comes out not only to a little child even adult is affected by what we say
God bless ma for sharing this ❤️
Indeed, words can make or Mar a child consciously or unconsciously. Thanks so much Momma for all you do. You are indeed a great inspiration to all and sundry.❤️
ReplyDeleteWow so inspiring
ReplyDeleteWow! It is so real and inspiring. I can relate with too, looking down on oneself is a desease. But kind words can always go a long way in anyone's life. Thank you mum beams for bringing up this. Not only that you are a fine girl, but also gorgeous mum🥰
ReplyDeleteNice one 💃
ReplyDeleteNice one . Afiniki
ReplyDeleteWow! This really
ReplyDeleteMakes alot of sense o,lesson learnt ,will continue to deliberate with the words I speak to and over my children
Wow.. Amazing power in spoken words. U are indeed a beautiful soul in and out ma'am
ReplyDeleteAwesome thanks. Well said. I'm proud of you ma.
ReplyDeleteThis indeed is an actionable and incisive post you just shared, Bimboh!! The Bible too says: "You are snared with the words of your mouth"..! (Prov 6:2 NKJV)
ReplyDeleteWords can MAKE and could MAR destinies. It has power over the mind, es especially the untrue words. Great potentials had been destroyed thru unpleasant words and comments. True life experience worth sharing especially to young girls in 21st century. Well done Beams for making lemonades out of the sour and non juicy lemons society threw at you as a child. Never stop sharing your sweet, comforting and and renewing lemonade to those hidden potentials.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs 🤗 ❤
Lola Abrahams
Thanks for this wonderful piece. The power of life and death is in the tongue according to the Bible. I had same issue in a different way. So I made up my mind to train children in my world with good words. Keep the good job coming sis!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine the number of beautiful people who have been brought down on a similar note, I thank God for your uncle and have learnt to always remember to compliment even the children as it will have a positive impact on them in future. Thanks for this beautiful story, can’t wait to share it with my world 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
ReplyDeleteWow so inspiring,that Uncle was an angel in disguise,alot of people still find themselves in this situation,but thank God the world is revolving and things. are taking shape.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really mind blowing topic.
ReplyDeleteIt's guiding about the power of d tongue, which if used appropriately can make/build a child, if not, it will make d positive growth of d child.
Short, incitful and eye opening piece. Words ! words !! words!!! very powerful yet used carelessly by many. A lot of times, I wish we can treat others just the way we like to be treated.
ReplyDeleteSo inspiring
ReplyDelete