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Gratitude over Attitude

Word Gratitude say’s it all. I’m grateful for my life. Life is a journey, Life is a gift, Never forget to enjoy and bask in every moment you’re in. I began a journey where i realized that enough impressing others, enough making time to people that wont return favor, enough making time to people to just make them happy and fitted right into their own agenda. I stop for a moment and THINK why am I doing all of these, Do i do this to just make them happy or to just have that feeling of inclusive into their own agenda without having to miss out on any gathering without any of my knowledge. Right clearly I wasn’t thinking, clearly not thinking that my own happiness matters to this day when i finally realize that people that i gave so much effort, can go extra mile for then they turned to be the worst of them all. I thought THEY were my best friend, a go to person, person i would rely on when i’m in need, that was just a whole messed up of over 3-5 plus years of friendship just thrown-ed back at me. But i am thankful to god for their lives and how they’ve not only impact my life but also put me to realize different characteristics of people in this world. For that i am grateful for this life lessons and thank god for that.

2020 marks another decade of life. I’m most grateful for his love and mercy upon me despite all my failures he still have us wrapped in his arms. New day dawn every single day i make an effort to give back honor and glory. vinaka Turaga.

This year marks a new version of every life styles that i found wasn’t worth keeping. I knew it wasn’t just the right fit, in-case we wanted growth personally and professionally. Growth comes from within and I’ve always found growth through the 3 pillars of life i call Spiritually, Mentally & Physically.

Have a heart of worship. I began the year by reading this book called ''The purpose Driven Life" by Dr. Rick Warren. This was something that change my whole life & clear perceptions to life and every obstacles that's thrown to you. Give yourselves to God, surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes. (Roman 6:13) Heart of worship is simply to surrender, give it all to god and this could be a real compass to great success in life. In today's competitive culture we are taught to never give up or give in so really don't hear much about surrendering. If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable. We often talk about winning, succeeding, overcoming & conquering than yielding, submitting, obeying and surrendering to God is the heart of worship.
Setting my goals for the year, learn to have self care spend roughly 1-2 hours on personal reflections, note all failures, learn from it and move on. Have a gratitude journal. Something i learned and heard to have a grateful journal and lists down things i am most grateful for and life lessons. Setting few of my goals for the year is something that has really kept me stern with my decision making process and learn to listen more and critically analysed situation's. Thinking outside of the box and be more creative is an unique personality to have so i'm basically even more excited towards this amazing journey.
Mentally, spending my free time reading books, Books that enlightens's about life about personal development, listening to inspirational speakers (podcasts) that motivates and drives us far than we can ever imagine. That was a change i wouldn't even thought about. I'm grateful i did because, it sure does made a lot of difference when you face different mountains in life.

Luke xxx

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

Baking time,it’s the season for it 😋 😊

8 Habits to Stay on Course

There’s no way we could talk about Staying on Course in the month of September without highlighting habits.
8 Habits to Stay on Course

Take full responsibility of your own decision(s) made

Uto ni Yalo!

You are Responsible for You!

Be aware of the energy spent in a day, or the company you surround yourself with as you can so easily stipulate yourself around their associations.

Nabouwalu Jetty

Picture credit: Luke Uluiburotu

This has been one of the most amazing seasons of my life. I took a bold step in my faith & most definitely stepped out of my comfort zone. I did this for myself and to prove myself that I can be who I want to be. Before the year-end, I began to start envisioning how I want to look like next decades. How I want things to be done, What I want in my life, and who I want to be with when I have these things with me. This has got be one of my Life Goals is to be able to live my dream, live life to the fullest, serve God wholeheartedly, and most importantly not be dictated by any other.

Crazy to think, how the timing of everything too works for me. After encountering discernment in life where God constantly reminded me and pointed me to the right paths. I wouldn’t have this in any other way but to acknowledge God’s plans for me will always prevail so let him only be praised and lifted up high. In this season of my life, I’ve come to realize that people will always be people and do what people do. I just need to be me and do what I do & that is to be happy and be content with what I have and be answerable to the Lord Almighty alone #period.

This season has got me moving & doing things totally out of my comfort zone. Totally out of my wildest dream though, as for someone who was born, lived in the big city where all the hustle and bustle are so super crazy and annoying too at times. Well, I thank God, tbh! Koz now I’m looking back, he was basically molding me to this big task ahead of me. ( Jeremiah 29:11- For I know I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.)

I’m not where I’m supposed to be, I’m not what I want to be, BUT I’m not what I use to be; I haven’t learned how to arrive, I’ve learned to just keep striving, #trustingthejourney #trusttheprocess

Moving to the north of Fiji (Vanua Levu) was something that didn’t even cross my mind until I had the courage & big Faith to say I need to do this. God for some reason gave me a heart-full of confirmation, that I need to go back to my roots where my humble days began, and start something from scratch. I was so overwhelmed and still am to this day while putting this piece together as I journey through these exciting seasons of my life. I wanted to capture every lesson and challenge along the way.

some of the locals, who i happen to bump into, nd had been exporting see weeds over seas! local hustlers making use nd not wasting a bit.

Every week we look back on what we accomplished & what we don’t. Our results are a direct reflection of our commitment and activity. By reviewing our weekly activity we gained clarity on where we at in our busy schedules. Are We valuing our time, A we intentionally making an effort to make things work…etc, these are some thoughts that clogging up my mind as it is supposed to give me some sort of ideas and also boost my work. Reflect on your past week and how you can improve in the weeks to come. Write specific goals you have for the upcoming week. strategize if you have to because your result will directly reflect your proper planning and making sure you fill out all the deadends

I’m here writing these few pieces as I know it will help someone who is on the same kind of journey in life as me. Gods got me throughout this process. It wasn’t easy as some I failed yet I still pick myself up and keep reminding me that this is all part and parcel of my journey & learning(s) of becoming & finding my purpose in this lifetime!

with love Luke xxx

14 Healthy Habits For Writers

Many writers are more successful than others. They get published, become best sellers, write and deliver what is mostly needed by their readers, they get fame , money , satisfaction and much more. All this success comes to them when they work hard and work persistently and never ever gives up easily. It is stated […]
14 Healthy Habits For Writers

When a daily routine becomes a habit, your be unstoppable.

Love the work you do!

Working for Non-Profit organization has always been a dream for me ever since I started my career as a volunteer at a Non-Governmental Organization. My career started way back when I had just completed a college degree from the University of the South Pacific and since then I have been immensely involving myself in a lot of community projects. My passion in serving in the community grew immensely through numerous years of working and involving myself in a lot of community projects.

However, I still need guidance to sort of steer my way and see where the needs lie and apply assistance where ever and whenever I can.

2020 was indeed a tough year for everyone on all corners of the globe. I don’t think anyone was ever ready to comprehend the overwhelming challenges that each and everyone are facing. People losing jobs, economies collapsing, health being compromised and other unforeseen circumstances arising in the midst of a global pandemic. However, I am grateful to still be alive and to still have a job that puts money into my bank account and provides food on my table.

I re-joined WCS in 2020 to assist in the management team for the follow up engagements in their Koro Island Resource Management Plan activity on the island of Koro. It was such a crucial time for the island of Koro and its resource owners as the time of their funding was coming to an end, so plans for the new year and projects already implemented had been done during this period of time. There were great lessons learnt during this time and people were always looking to improve on their current plans in moving forward.

*My self and the boss lady Cagi whom I currently report to and the wonderful village members of Daria, in the District of Wainunu, Bua.*

2021, came dawning in, in the middle of an unstable economy and a Global Pandemic. Amidst the current challenges Fiji was facing, a Category 5 Cyclone greeted our shores a week before Christmas 2020. As Tropical Cyclone (TC) Yasa greeted our shores, the people of Fiji were added with another burden which triggered so much anxiety and caused unnecessary panic. Additionally, Cyclone Ana followed suit in the beginning of 2021, just 2 months after Cyclone Yasa. With two cyclones wreaking havoc in Fiji just few months apart, the people of Fiji had been heavily impacted physically, mentally and financially.

Cyclone Yasa & Ana had severely affected the Bua Province and the country was once again under a state of emergency. These disasters resulted in landslides, damages to vegetations and farms and major devastations to road accessibility around the island of Vanua Levu. At this point, I am still trying to come to terms on what mother nature can do. Cyclone Yasa & Ana, had drastically affected the Northern Division particularly Bua and its Land area and Resources. Providing cyclone relief and building resiliency for the people of Vanua Levu was a mission.

Lekutu Secondary School; what was once a computer lab was bady affected by TC Yasa.
Devastated Marine Ecosystem in Bua
Lekutu Secondary School was badly devastated by Cyclone Yasa.
Nasarawaqa village of Lekutu District was badly affected by TC Ana, where most houses was completely washed away by severe flooding from a nearby river.

Amazingly, I noticed few things with the people of Bua. It is something that I know that is inbuilt with the people of Fiji, the resiliency and how they come out stronger when they are faced with such crisis. People are either moving on with life whether it be starting from scratch again or making use of what’s left from the cyclone wrath. People are just hungry in trying to rebuild their lives back on track, and I was even blessed to be able to put smiles on their faces when WCS delivered relief items to local villages and settlements in Bua. WCS had once again provided relief assistance to the people of Bua providing them with vegetable seedlings, fisheries equipment’s, wash kits, water purification tablets, farming equipment’s including small farming folks, comic books, information booklets/pamphlets &posters for schools.

Rice farmer of Vuniuto settlement receiving his package as part of our Community assistance relief effort sponsored by WCS Fiji.

Seedlings supplies and WCS merchandise was given to this hardworking farmer.

Support local farmers in their local produce. This humongous pumpkin was bought in Boroboro settlement, located 20mins drive from Nabouwalu to Boroboro. One of the local settlements that WCS came across during this intervention work.

During this trying time the people of Bua was in a devastating state of emergency as most of their vegetation and household was completely destroyed. Hearing their stories and providing necessary assistance and to be there physically and show empathy was a great learning experience. In this past couple of weeks and months, I shared their grief & pain and it can only make us stronger if we are able to give wisdom and words of encouragement to help these people get back on track with their lives.

In the village or settlement people are fond of solesolevaki, a Fijian tradition of working together and building communities. We have women’s group who are also actively participating in such initiatives as a way of working together mainly targeting livelihoods opportunities and just a way to help and encourage each other in the area of “Women Empowerment”.

Women are heavily involve in building resiliency in their household in a form of engaging in other means of livelihood. They engage in activity such as weaving mats or any other crafts making simply to sell within the village or sell them when village visitors came in their community.

What do you most like about the work that you do?

I love serving. Serving in the community is something that I’ve grown into and I have a passion for it.

Working in the communities is inspirational despite the challenges that comes with it. I’ve learnt to be patient and humble and to show empathy by putting myself in the shoes of communities and to better evaluate issues faced within these local settings.

Engaging with local communities is the best part of my work where I connect with local people and see what their immediate needs are and where we can collaborate in terms of projects.

What advise do you have for young passionate individuals that would like to pursue this field of work?

Be authentic, have a humble personality, be ready to serve and have a passion for community sustainable projects. Everyday is a learning journey I must say. Especially the amazing cultures that we are exposed to every day and traditions within different Provinces we work with in Fiji. And the best part is that you get to have fun while you’re at it or make it enjoyable as this work can sometimes take a toll on you if you’re not better at managing your time well. Key deliverables should me a main priority as donors love to hear stories and receive project progress reports to understand if their investments has benefitted the community.

Landmass created during the havoc of TC Yasa & Ana.

with love Luke!

Rising Above Regret — Michael-Paul Johnston

Have you ever said something and as soon as it came out your mouth you were sorry that you said it? Or maybe you did something in the past that you look back on that completely embarrasses you and you wish you had never done it? This is completely normal behavior— regrettable behavior. Dictionary.com defines […]
Rising Above Regret — Michael-Paul Johnston

The Dolphin Excursion

journow

While returning after a night of messy and yet extraordinary camp at the Drewview premises in Rakiraki, I supposed perhaps we could use the last few hours early into the 2021, before resuming work to explore a bit of Dawasamu in the Province of Tailevu, situated at least 30 minutes from Korovou Town. I have been to Dawasamu several times for work and had heard about Takalana Bay, Moon Reef and the dolphins. So my husband and I decided to venture of to the Bay to explore more.

They are so beautiful aren’t they? Next goal is to learn diving to go see them!

We were not alone but with our cousins who made our excursion more exciting as they are -very jovial, fun and spontaneous beings who make holidays fun. After driving for about 20 minutes in Dawasamu, we entered into a feeder road that led us to…

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Life is short — From Mage Mind

by Serge ‘Mage’ Cote To feel the power of this text, place yourself in the “I” 🙂 “Life is short, time is fast, no replay, no rewind, so enjoy every moments as it comes.” – Unknown Don’t put it to tomorrow. Act now and build your dream. Act now and be proud of taking actions […]
Life is short — From Mage Mind