COUNTING DOWN

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Hi, TMAR fam! It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the first post in the second quarter and the fourth month of 2025!💃 Wow, that’s such a long description, right? Don’t mind (mind me, actually) my excited self, I guess my heart and ears are already full right from this first day. We’re just a few hours into the month, and the cloud is so thick with good news!

I believe I speak your mind as well when I say that God has been faithful! From the gift of life to other great experiences we have, what’s there not to count and be thankful for? Don’t even think for a second that you have not received any favour from the Father above, I gave an instance which is your reality a few lines before.

Just take another look at yourself; breathing and active, alive and well! Are you still searching for what He has done, Dear Walking Miracle? I don’t know how you’ve had the last 3 months, but you can be assured that the goodness you will yet experience in this land of the living is bigger, bigger than whatever you’ve been through! This might sound like what you hear often, but you can as well take it as your daily mantra and live like you believe it because you actually do; better days are here!

At this point, I’d like to go back to the reason I said I’m so excited! It’s because our joy ride has overflowed into April! Guess what, we’re not even done hearing and sharing happy news yet, just in case you thought we were! No way, we can’t be done yet because I haven’t heard from you! So, let’s keep counting our wins and glorifying the Giver of all good things.

Courtesy of the good tidings flying in the air, there’s usually an accompanying countdown! In the past couple of weeks and maybe months, you must have had to mark your calendar or make a mental note of the specific date or dates of a significant event that’s about to happen in your life, your friend’s, or a significant other’s.

I’ll use my end as an instance; I’ve received news of upcoming weddings and proposals, convocations, a book launch, new startups, and employment opportunities, among many others! When I said good news has been flying, I wasn’t kidding at all! I’m sure you’ve had quite a number to count at your end as well.

Well, I wouldn’t forget to talk about another type of countdown, one that is not associated with any particular date in view at the moment. There are times that we certainly know and hope that we’re bound for a good destination or we have landmark achievements set before us, but for some reason, we currently don’t have any date in mind because what we would love to celebrate is not here yet. May I tell you who can relate to this category that you are also counting down? Oh, do you want me to explain it further? Gladly, I will!

Have you ever received great news from someone, and after wishing them well with all joy, you said within or out loud that “this is going to be me soon as well”, or “I key into your testimony”, among other variants of this expression? Since you have something that you’re looking forward to and hoping for, we can as well say that you’re counting down to it! Thus, at the end of the day, this post is dedicated to every one of us and not just a few people.

As we wait for the answers to or the physical manifestation of our wishes, prayers, and hopes, and as we engage the calendar, there is a mindset to have, and of course right attitudes to put out. By so doing, we are not just counting down mindlessly, whiling away time, or sitting with crossed legs just waiting to see the day appear. We are engaged in the right things that can sustain the answers we have received or will receive. Here, please pick a seat, recline with your ready snacks, and let’s have a chat!

First, I strongly recommend that you have and cultivate the mindset of gratitude! I mentioned earlier that there’s a lot to be grateful for, the foremost of which I believe is the gift of life. The only reason you can count down properly and excitedly is because you are in a good state in body, mind, and spirit.

Therefore, engage the stance of gratitude all the way for the privilege you have received to have or be a part of a big day coming! When gratitude floods your spirit, you are launched into positivity and confidence that He who has started that good thing will perfect it. You have the right mindset to tackle any potential issue or threat, and you have a sure weapon of defence!

We’re still addressing gratitude, and the second point is to be grateful for every transition that happens in your life. Our journey comes with significant milestones, and we cannot but be thankful as we cross each one of them. Acknowledge the workings and the goodness of God in your life and that of those around you. Whether or not it’s your news, give thanks!

Every new phase comes with a new set of responsibilities, so here’s a question for you; how prepared are you for the next phase you’re stepping or wishing to step into? It’s beautiful that you desire it and have prayed for it, it’s even more beautiful now that you have it just around the corner, but are you putting in the work needed to sustain the answers? If not, it’s never too late to start! Plug yourself into the right human and material resources, actively seek, and get the help that you need.

I know that you have been an independent human all your life, and while that can be a virtue to covet, know when to leverage the gift of support systems so that your independence does not become a disadvantage. As you make preparations, it’s a given that you will need one or more helping hands. Be open-minded enough to reach out to them and ask for help.

Do you know when it gets even more touching? It is when they ask you about how they can be of help before you even reach out. That’s beautiful, isn’t it? Don’t try to act macho by claiming that you can handle it all when you know you can’t. Even if you can, receiving help isn’t a bad idea after all. Build on your relationships and allow people to be there for you!

While we count down to events, there is a tendency for stress to arise in the course of planning. In case you thought it was just negative events that put stress on people, permit me to tell you that happy seasons do too! That is why we call it ‘positive stress’. However, if this positive stress is not properly managed, it can eventually result in negative stress which we do not want to see or pray for.

May I give an instance? Picture a person who’s getting married but has chosen not to delegate any of the outline of things to be done to either friends or family, thereby singlehandedly making all the calls and trips that are necessary to have a successful event, what do you think would be the result of that? If we’re on the same page, you will agree with me that the activities, coupled with some other responsibilities on a normal day could result in a breakdown, which sometimes can be major.

Therefore, manage the stress that comes with the transition process properly! Remember that you still have a long way to go, even after the happy event has happened. The event is not the end of the road or the destination, it is rather the beginning of another phase you are starting, one in which you need perfect health to actively function. Therefore, take active steps to manage even the happy or positive stress effectively.

Sometimes, in the process of ending a phase and beginning a new one, we find anxiety or fear creeping in! Our mind, which is often said to have a mind of its own comes up with different thoughts and scenarios if we allow it to travel as far as it would love to into the world of imagination.

However, you can choose your own realities in alignment with what the Word of God says about you and the phase you’re stepping into. The negative outcomes of some people who have been on that same road before you do not have to be your inheritance, it shouldn’t even be! You have better promises of a good heritage in God, so you can be sure that your lot is secured in Him.

Therefore, do not allow the negative thoughts to fester, breed, or even gain ground. Build confidence in the Good Father that you have, and let His faithfulness in times past be your assurance that He will not leave you stranded where you are currently, or where you are going. He is ever-present, and you can always count on Him!

As you count down, enjoy the moments left in the phase you are in currently. It could be days, weeks, months, or even a few years. Spend the time being productive, and make it count. Rather than grumble, murmur, or give in to pressure, enjoy the phase! Remember, it’s not going to last forever! Rather than dwelling on regrets later on and wishing you had done better, do ‘the better’ now!

May I also add this? Be happy to provide support, even when the event is not yours! Do you know why you should? Well, I have a couple of reasons. First, love is at the core of your nature and it should be reflected in all that you do, including showing up for your loved ones. It is who you have been called to be as a committed ambassador of He Who is called Love.

Also, there’s the part of remembering this saying which goes ‘When God is visiting your neighbour, know that He is in your neighbourhood’. I’m sure you’ve heard that before, or at least something similar. That is to remind you that you are in the queue, and it’s going to be your turn soon. Therefore, do good, and watch goodness paid back into our account. Keep hope alive, you’re celebrating in due time!

Here’s to everyone counting down to a big day happening soon or a significant milestone; you are helped on every side! As you turn in every direction, supplies are abundant in your favour. As you call for or hope for one, thousands will rise to attend to your needs. Congratulations on your bundle of joy!

Has this been worth your reading at all? If so, kindly let me know what you learnt in the comments. I deeply appreciate how you’ve stood by me in the past months, and all you’ve done to make The Mirror and Reflections gain more ground. God sees you, I do too, and I humbly pray concerning you that you will never lack anything good. Thank you so much.

Till I write you again, have a beautiful month, and have a purposeful time counting down! 💫📌✍️