Ten Years Later, Still Radiating Heart Rays (Birthday/Blogiversary)

Happy 10th blogiversary! It's hard to believe that I started this blog ten years ago. 

Ten years of sharing my story and shinning my light! Ten years of being authentically connected with you! Ten years of having you on my mind! Crazy, right!? 

Plus, Happy Birthday to me! 

Happy 10th Blogiversary

When I began this blog in 2014, I was just dipping my toe into the writing waters. I considered myself a poet, weaving words into rhyme, not being aware it was God who was connecting the dots and giving my life its rhythm.

In some ways, it feels like the years have sped by, but at the same time, a lot of life has been lived in those years! What remains consistent is the faithfulness of our God. He has moved in incredible ways than I can ever imagine. 

As published on June 26, 2014.
I launched out to the public - Heart Rays.

How do I start to express how much has changed since I first hit the publish button on Blogger? To get a sense of this journey, you might enjoy looking back at my previous Blogiversary posts:

• 2015: The 1st blogging year
• 2016: The 2nd blogging year
• 2017: The 3rd blogging year

I’d love to give you a brief history of the evolution of the blog but I wouldn’t want to keep you much longer. If I poured my heart into this as I’d wished to, you'd see how I've transformed—from single to married, jobless to self-employed, broken to whole, and everything in between, all while sharing my journey. If you're truly interested, I encourage you to explore the archives. There's a lot to discover!

I Asked 4 People, “Who Do You Say That I Am?”

Let’s look at it this way; I am following the footsteps of Jesus in the stunning context where he asked his disciples this question, “What are the people saying about me, the Son of Man? Who do they believe I am?” They answered, “Some are convinced you are John the Baptizer, others say you are Elijah reincarnated, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

“But you—who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked.

Narrowing Down My Niche

Sometimes you start to doubt your own unique identity. Sometimes you get confused with the reality of what you’re trying to do and how you’re going about it. Sometimes you just need more depth in understanding what you are already doing. I wanted to see me through the lens of my closest friends… and they showed up for me in a different way than I expected them to. 

I am humbled to think that this is what S, P, M and B think of me. 

Question 1:

When you think of "AMAKAMEDIA," what vibes or feelings do you get?

S: One who is very passionate and pours her emotions into her content.

P: Vibes of authenticity and openness.

M: Amaka as a person.  Personal blog, where she shares her journey, news or some stuffs like that.

B: AMAKAMEDIA 

Question 2:

What words or phrases pop into your head when you hear "AMAKAMEDIA"?

How To Pour From An Empty Cup When You’ve Been Called

Have you ever heard the phrase, “You can’t pour from an empty cup”? Oh, well. It is not written in the Bible and I have been asked to inspire you so that you can destroy that empty cup - the particular one you’ve been trying to fill.

Pouring Yourself

As a Christian. Wife. Mother of two beautiful girls. Author, blogger, teacher, speaker, and book lover. I am heavy on SELF CARE this year. I said it here. Yeah.

HeartRays (This blog) has been my safe space to share all things Christian - singlehood, (un)employment, marriage, fashion, motherhood and conservative issues since 2014. I believe in bold truth-telling, authenticity and purposeful living.

Each time I am privileged to look back on this journey, I am utterly thankful and filled with courage to just keep showing up. Blogging is a form of self-care. I only realized this a few minutes ago. Immediately I decided to draft this blog post, I started getting it.

It was a lightbulb moment when I realized that sharing my life (whether by writing, speaking or taking photographs) is a form of self care. I imagined it like a cup being poured out and the Holy Spirit tells me, “no girl, rivers of living water are flowing out of you!” 

Writing In Your Diary Helps You Keep Track Of Your Life

It's a new day! What a great day to be alive! Thanks for joining me on this journey of keeping track of my life. I will be 30 on the 26th day of the coolest month of the year. And I have been sharing my lessons from being a 20-something right at the start of June.

This is the fifteenth lesson. I hope it inspires you in some way. Happy reading!

God Has A Track Record In My Life

At 15, I got a diary as a birthday gift. Ever since, I have not stopped keeping a diary.

Each year, I got myself a private diary to pour out my emotions, say what I would have said to a best friend, and just write.

At 24, I launched this blog as a birthday gift to myself. I didn't exactly know what I was doing but I knew it was the best thing to do at the time. I wanted to share my feelings and thoughts with the world.

Top 3 Influential Women I'm Wishing A Happy International Women's Day In 2020

All over the world, March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day. I thought to celebrate the women who have been greatly influential in my life instead of doing the regular Sunday-Style post today.

3 Women I Celebrate In My Life Today

There are many influential women in the world from all walks of life—politics, business, sports, and the arts to name just a few. Do you know what makes them influential? It's the RESPECT they give and receive. Respect had to be earned or given. You just can't take it.

In my opinion, being influential is more about being respected.

According to Webster Dictionary, to be 'influential' means to possess influence.

in·​flu·​ence | \ ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s\
1: the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways:

2a: the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command:

How to Start a New Lifestyle Blog and Stay Committed for Years

Hi, my name is Amaka. I've been blogging since 2014 and loving every moment of it. Blogging helped me find my voice, get a job and earn money on the side.

When I was learning how to create a blog back in 2014, it took me some time to find all the right information online and I had to look for it on different websites. That's why I've created this blog post to teach beginners how to make a blog fast and easy.

It's not as complicated as many people think.

Starting A Blog in this Season

Many people have walked up to me asking about how they can start their blogs too. I thought it would do a lot of good to put it out here on the blog.

First of all, I must let you know that blogging is hard work. It requires patience, consistency and passion. A lot of that. Without passion, I probably would have stopped blogging the following year.

If your primary goal for wanting to start a blog is to make money, then I'm sorry to let you know that this article would not be useful for you. However, if you are striving for living a significant and purposeful life, then you are in for a ride!

When My Uncle Died, I didn't Shed A Tear

I can't hold back the tears. It is not fair that your life had to end. I'll always keep you in my heart. Rest in peace, my friend.

Rest in Peace, Gloria Okaiman

Sweet Glo, I got to hear about your demise today. And I still can't believe it.

I sent you a mail earlier this year just to know how you are doing, you didn't respond. I tried to reach you on the phone, but the line was switched off. I didn't think much of it. But you've always been dear to my heart.

Sweet Glo, we never met. As in, I never saw you physically. I never took a selfie with you. I never gave you a hug. I never touched your hand. But we met. Our hearts met.

Dear Diary, I Feel Heavily Pregnant

How can someone who's never ever been physically pregnant understand the feeling of pregnancy? Well, thank God for Google and the likes. I am reading everything about the feeling that comes from the expectancy of a new born baby. So it is relate-able.

Will This Baby Ever Be Born?

I've been "pregnant" so many times. Pregnant with a word. Pregnant with a vision. Pregnant with a dream. Pregnant with a promise. And in all my pregnancies, I have come to understand that timing is VERY important. In fact, timing is everything.

Life exists in time. Time is the river of Life. God gives us Time as the medium for carrying out our life’s assignment. To every purpose, there is a timing; to every assignment, an appointment. To fulfill destiny, God packaged us in the entity called “Time”. To live out the promise, God prepares you for the time.

Sometimes the spiritual pregnancy is long and hard. Sometimes it's frustrating. Sometimes you just feel like you are going to bust wide open. Sometimes the labour pains feel like too much to bear. Sometimes you don't feel like pushing any more.

Some pregnancy end in tears. Some birth bundles of joy. Some come with pain. Some birth streams of opportunities.

People Don't Read Blogs Anymore

I know people don’t read because what I write is so often not the trending societal issues or more often than not, about me. It can get really boring, yeah? You don't have to tell me. I know.

#BringBackOurBlogReaders

I have a special kind of love for those who read my blog. In fact, I have a special name for them — SWEETHEARTS. They are one of the best groups of creative humans with a heart so sweet that they enjoy the atmosphere of Heart Rays.

I miss quite a number of them 😢

Why I Don't Blog Everyday

"You are not a serious blogger if you don't blog everyday". "You can't be successful as a blogger if you don't blog everyday."

And those words made me bit my lip.

Not Blogging Everyday Works For Me

A digital expert and news blogger, who happens to be my boss highlighted on the fact that big blogs rank well on search engines because they tend to post more frequently with fresh content. He said the more posts you publish per day, the higher your chance of achieving higher traffic rank.

I've heard that before. But hearing it again at this time got to me.

Super Eagles Hit Cameroon Hard In The FIFA World Cup Qualifier Match

I don't know when next I'd be this proud to watch the Super Eagles play again. So lemme just capture this feeling of joy now for the record.

Besides, it's a public holiday!

Super Eagles On Fire Today 

What better way to start the month as well as to enjoy the holiday than to watch your country play impressively against an "experienced" Cameroon.

And The Winner Of #AmakamediaGiveaway Is . . .

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the blogoversary giveaway and helped make it a success.  Put your hands together for yourselves. You are awesome! :)

Winner Of The #AmakamediaGiveaway

Surprisingly, not many of my sweethearts showed interest as I had expected. At first, I was disturbed. Then again, it dawned on me that a lot of you visit (read, peruse, survey etc) my blog not only to get something out of here, but also to support and show your genuine love for the blogger. Thank you.

I refuse to think it's because you are 'prouding' or because you feel the money is too small for you. Lol.

Who Is Ready To Win N10,000 With A Cheery On Top?

Am I excited or what! Can you believe that this little blog officially turns three on the 26th of June?! Oh my, I know I can’t.

1,2,3 years . . . Wow!

As a thank you, I am putting together a little giveaway. I wish I had done this earlier but logistics. Phew. Anyway, it's better late than never, right?

I reached out to few brands for sponsorship so I could give something mega to each and every one of you. But, none has pulled through yet. I hope that two of you will really love to receive these prizes.

Giveaway

Blogging this year has been more than challenging; BUT it has totally been worth it. Through it all, I have learnt a lot about myself and my journey, about working with brands and just how life can be funny at times.

Dear Diary, Blogging Changes Me

"Why do you blog?" Sometimes I wonder why I’m bothering too. I mean, what’s the point?

Blogging Changes Me

Through the course of my life, I’ve embraced a number of different hobbies: reading, singing, voicing, hosting, modelling, sewing, just to name a few. But none of them have changed my life or brought me as much fulfilment as blogging.

In too many ways to count, blogging has changed me and the way I LIVE life.

Diary: I Am Too Tired To Write Today

Hi. I am so so sorry for not putting up a post on PYH Series yesterday. Forgive me, please. I had an extremely busy weekend. By Sunday night, honestly, blogging was the last thing on my mind.

So, instead of writing in my diary, my diary was writing to me. Lol.

How To Write When You’re Too Tired

Hey!

What is the problem?

If you’re telling yourself that you’re too busy to write, then you really have to take a deeper look at what’s really going on in your life.

What's Next

Hi. Hi. Long time, no blog. How is everyone doing? I hope you are enjoying the holiday.

What's Next

I'd like to rock my natural African kinky comb-breaking hair for Christmas. I gave it a good treat today! But I'm scared at how it is turning out. It seems my hair does not want me to shine this season.

Is Blogging A Reality Or An Illusion?

Hi! It's December already! I tend to reflect a lot at the beginning of a new month, new week or new season. Newness inspires me.

While I was reflecting, I thought about how far I have come with blogging. And it dawned on me that yours truly hasn't bagged any award yet. Lol. But why? 

The Rewards Of A Blogger

Being a blogger wasn't something I have always wanted to do. In fact, I stumbled on it.

What Successful Blogging Means To God

As a blogger, or I should say as an entrepreneur, I know how challenging it can be to want success so badly and get . . . nothing.

Seeing Success God's Way

I've always believed in having a positive outlook on everything, and usually, I stay true to this. But I also know how unbelievably hard it is to keep smiling when it seems like one thing after another is going wrong.

Why Your "Why" Is Most Important

Today's post is quite personal and delicate. It's one I wrote with trepidation because it can make or mar my business. I hope it doesn't only inspire you to question your self, but also give you the light you need to find answers.

My Most Personal Ethics

As a lifestyle blogger, I often write about various aspects that cut across the way we express ourselves - from how we live life, to how we value our relationships, to how we style our clothes, and to how we run our businesses. It's a wide range of many things, I must say.

What 2 Years of Blogging Has Taught Me

June 26 isn't just my birthday but also my Blogiversary. By tomorrow, it will be officially stated that I've been blogging for 2 years. Cheers to the day I first told the world I have a blog!

At that moment, I remember feeling excited and nervous in equal measure. What will people think of my writing? Is it good enough? The feeling of exposing yourself on such a personal level to the whole world is strange to get used to at first.