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Living With HIV

Hello Friends, I’m posting a health related post today. Hope you had a great weekend?

I will be taking about HIV and our perception of sufferers.

I cared for a man who was in his late fifties last week. He was diagnosed with HIV about eight years ago but over time deteriorated as he wasn’t taking his medications judiciously as required of him.

“Vivien you always treat me very differently” he said to me. “People are always in a hurry to leave my room but you take your time”

I told him I was only doing what was required of me. This gentleman was so frail and needed lots of persuasion. In my opinion, it was quite draining especially emotionally, as he at times declined most nursing acts and I could see he was weak. He would tell me he wanted to be left alone.

Genuinely, I think anybody ill will want to get better and would comply with medical advice but when I come across patients like this I tend to believe that they are fighting a battle with their condition and even the tiniest acts can upset them. My first day with him was challenging but days went by and I had him again.

He was happy to see me this time, like old friends, we stayed friends all through that day. I felt fulfilled and better compared to the first day.

As a health personnel, we all become very protective and extremely cautious when we know patients have certain conditions. Please don’t blame us because no one would want to jeopardise their health in the course of saving the lives of others.

Nevertheless, I will urge my fellow nurses, doctors and other health staff to show love and affection to HIV/AIDS patients. With standard precaution measures; which ought to be part of our everyday practice, one should be able to practise safely.

The condition alone is a cross for them, let’s not make it any worse. They know what they have, they wake up every day and the condition is still same, any act to take their mind of it is much needed.

I don’t want to stress much in this post about the stigmatisation associated with HIV, it still exists regardless of the numerous awareness programmes. Unfortunately.

I have previously discussed HIV/AIDS in details. The post outlined what HIV/AIDS is, it’s symptoms, prevention and stigmatisation. It can be found here.

I will like you to read that too.

I have a soft spot for this condition, I’m happy to discuss and answer questions. Do leave a comment or contact me if you are affected by this post.

Other health posts can be found in the health category.

P.S: Confidentiality was strictly maintained throughout this post.

The Joy of Understanding

At times strangers become so close like family

They treat you right and understand your struggles

They know your pain

They tend to your needs.

A family is all about blood

They should stick together

Be a leaning shoulder for another

But that isn’t always the case.

There are times family fails

They treat you like an enemy

They fight you with all their might

It shouldn’t be so.

If you have a loving family,

Stay true to them

If you have a stranger-turned-family that treats you right;

Who cries when you are hurt,

Hold them close to your heart.

This was originally posted in Pencliff.

I recommend University of Derby Online Learning

Are you looking for an online learning that meets your need? I can tell you that University of Derby Online learning (UDOL) is the answer.

I was able to study along side my work and other family commitments. It was challenging but was worth it. I give God all the glory🙌🏼

UDOL has a lot to offer to both home and international students. The lecturers were wonderful and I found the chat forums very engaging. For instance, the tutors make out time to answer every single question asked by students.

My course was concluded last year but I went for the graduation this July. It felt so empowering being there with other students.

I was live @ Derby 20th July 2018

The ceremony went well and different people talked about the history of Derby and the University. They stressed on how much they value education and innovations.

Later on, there was a reception for UDOL students, which I enjoyed. I was able to meet some students and tutors that I have known virtually for months.

I strongly recommend this University if you want to further your studies but can’t find the time to attend campus lectures.

To every one across the globe whose graduation is around this time; a hearty congratulations from me to you. Your hard work has paid off. Enjoy 😊

Expect Nothing from Others

In my recent conversation with a few friends, I have realised that most times the problem is not always the issue. Our mindset goes long way to impact our actions and their various outcomes.

Let’s say you expect nothing from someone and they give you some money or gift items, you’d appreciate them but if you already believe they ought to give you certain amount of things and at a given time, I suppose the perception won’t be same.

I know it can be a difficult habit to break but I can tell from my experience that’s it is much better when you expect nothing from anyone and appreciate all that comes your way.

We are all faced with different challenges and have no clue what the other person is going through. Let be supportive of another and show appreciation. Besides, it’s even much better and rewarding to give than to receive, the scripture supports that too.

To sum it up, unbiased mindset is a great tool for longevity and a stress free lifestyle. Live and let live.

Thanks for reading my posts.

Do comment, I will like to know your thoughts.

You Are The Reason I write

I am overjoyed with the amount of support I have received here.

I am very grateful to each and all of you.

I have been meaning to do this in a very long time.

I want to take this opportunity to thank every single follower and subscriber of this Viviensvoice.

I can’t begin to explain to you how much that means to me.

You make my dreams come true.

You are the reason I write.

You are the drive – when I try so hard to produce stories and post even when I haven’t got enough time.

On a special note, I’m grateful for your loyalty especially in those times I haven’t got great contents but you still read, like and even comment without hating.

I wanna serve you better because you all deserve the best.

I’m amazed by the number of readers I’ve gotten so far.

I truly appreciate.

Thank you.

Viviensvoice keeps growing everyday and I’m truly grateful🙏🏼

The Mentor

Last week was an interesting one for me as I met a writer-friend online. This friend was actually keen to know a few things about my book publication and the protocols involved.

He asked questions nicely and I found his humility intriguing.

Being an online chat, I tried to answer his questions whenever I could. Having seen his online profile; which was the picture of a book, I had assumed he was a published author but as we chatted he made me understood that he was drafting his last chapters and have been in contact with several publishers.

I told him he was doing great because he was already promoting his work.

He told me about his Wattpad page where he has over 500k readers. I was impressed with his method and told him he was on the right path for his book.

I went on and created a wattpad page and over the next fews weeks will be uploading my book in chapters there😄 However, I do not think it is very encouraging if you are not published yet. I mentioned my concern to my friend and he said he had that under control.

I narrated my deal with the publishers with him, most of them he already knew. He was aware of the fact that most publishers would take 80% for each copy you sell and clearly doesn’t want to go through that route. I explained to him my idea of how kindle publishing works in Amazon and why I needed a publishing company for my first work.

Ha! Before I forget, he kept calling me mentor right from the very beginning. He told me that he was happy chatting with me as he had tried on countless occasions to connect with different local authors online but none responded to him.

Well, I try to respond to people most of the time, I can tell when I receive silly messages.

I am filled lots of book promotion ideas because that the phase I’m in now😄

As always, I love to learn from anybody and at any opportunity. This experience reminded me of my all-time quote “A candle loses nothing by lightening others”

It sounds like I’ve actually gotten a writer-buddy. We shared ideas and encouraged each other. Hopefully, we will push ourselves to produce our best.

Have you read my Midyear Gratitude post?

Who was the Mentor here?😄

Mid Year Gratitude

We are already in the half part of the year. I would like to think that we are all grateful to God for His exceeding love.

If you cannot think of anything, think of the gift of being alive; more time to seek God and make our paths great with Him.

Are you halfway through your to-accomplish goals for the year 2018?

Is it nearly done? Bravo!

Are you yet to take that giant step on the first goal? Not late at all Dear. So long as that zeal is there. You can act now.

I believe in having a plan and monitoring ones progress. Studies have it that reflection upon one’s activities fosters improvement.

For me, I’ve got a couple of ideas listed for the year. Let’s say I’m just halfway through. I need a boost too. Somehow, I have added to the list.

Globally, this has this year has been filled with all sorts of news; ranging from the Trump-Kim meeting, history-changing-royal -wedding, world-cup joy and tension to the recent tragedy in Nigeria. It’s unbelievable. Let’s in the course of our daily lives, show some love to another. It is indeed a small world, you don’t know what would happen next.

However, I am very grateful for even the tiniest of things I have achieved so far this year, be it in my personal life, career, blog community or social media; which includes you. Thank you🙏🏼

I hope you achieve all and more that you have mapped out for the year. Better still, may God’s will prevail.

Lots of love from Viviensvoice.

Believe in Yourself

Source: Justjulieann.com

Most times when it feels like  I need a loading dose of motivation, I remind myself of the saying  ” when the going gets tough the tough get going.

My purpose for this post is to encourage someone who truly has motives for potential goals; summon the courage, simply get started and you will see the rest fall into place.

I have been multitasking and juggling a lot in the past couple of days and that in a positive reminded me that one can achieve literally anything they set their mind on.

I do like challenges, especially the ones that bring out the best in me.

If you have plans and seem to be struggling with them, do not be so hard on yourself. It is perfectly normal. All you need to do is to clear your head and stick to the plan, do not give in to setbacks or unnecessary procrastination.

Do not wake up with a vision or dream for a better you and let it die, that thought happened for a reason. You can do it. Have you imagined that better version of you?

All you need to do is to take that first giant step and the rest will fall into place like a puzzle. Do ask for help and opinions; if need be. However, beware of people who give misleading advice.

I see the human brain as a computer; garbage in garbage out. Only when you push yourself you get a result. No action results to nothing. At times we encapsulate our talents; knowingly or unknowingly.

If you like this post, please share with your friends. Do subscribe to my blog to continually hear from me.

My Writing Journey

I have been waiting to fill you all in on my journey to the publication of HAPPINESS AT LAST. If you are an already established author, my great moves might not be surprise to you.

I want to use this opportunity to tell you my story. My fellow beginners will find it very beneficial too. Right from high school, I have known I love literature despite being in Science class. I love to read novels, enjoyed history classes. At a point, I recalled having a great score in History for that school term and my teacher approached me to make sure I still wanted to carry on with my science courses.

I love to write and love essays and good grammar. However, I must admit, my love for grammar has not enriched my vocabulary yet. I’m a work in progress still😄

It happened that when I grab books to read, it’s either I think the writer needed to add a twist to the story or cut off some irrelevant lines. At times, I would want the story to end differently as has been written by the author. Gradually, I harbored the idea of writing in my head. In the year 2014, I came across an aunt who is is same profession as me – nursing– and have written two poem collections, I simply said to my self I can do it.

Within the next two years I began writing. I realised that I kind of know the story but didn’t know how to start, then I decided I need to go back to my favorite novels but this time I approached them differently to understand their writing style. I have fondly enjoyed the works of Danielle Steel, own and have read lots of them. I currently follow her on Amazon to know her new releases. Kudos to this woman that’s writes endlessly.

It happened that in 2015 I browsed about publishing and fortunately, Authorhouse publishers picked me up and wouldn’t stop ringing me. I said to myself maybe that was the push I needed.

I paid for a publishing package even before  I had a good draft of my first chapters. For me, knowing I have paid means a book somehow is on its way.

I wrote, then stopped as life, work and everything got busier. I would write once in a month or three months. I kept receiving call and emails from the Publishers. I had poems collections which they wanted me to publish first but I kind of thought I should go with my novel first as I can easily opt for buying a novel when compared to purchasing a poetry book. A sneak view of my poem which I previously posted can  be seen here.

I began blogging to experiment my writing. Then came 2017 when I had said to myself this book has to be completed. The truth is, at that time each time when I want to write I struggled to connect with the story. I had a fresh idea for new storylines.

Then, I began seeking opinion for my manuscript and at last was able to conclude the story.

I sent off my manuscript to the Publishers by May 2017 and it took me months to correct and amend covers to my satisfaction. I eventually got published on 8th of February 2018.

That was huge for me. I still can’t believe I managed to publish a book. Huge thanks to my darling husband for his continued support and for sparing time to go through my tons of drafts. I am very grateful to God.

It’s fulfilling to know there are readers out there that have copies of my book in their palms or on their shelves.

I will talk more about book promotion in a different post. I’ve only come to know that’s the main work in the book 📚 writing industry.

Do you have a copy of HAPPINESS AT LAST? It’s available here.

Thanks to you all. Thank you for reading. Thanks for your time here. You are the reason I want to write more and God-willingly, will write more.

If I can do it, anybody can.

See Who’s On Display

This is one of those times I can’t help but share with you all how overjoyed I feel.

I was overwhelmed few days ago to see my book “Happiness At last” next to the works of some great African Writers. Mere looking at that copy sitting next to theirs made me realise we can all dream big.

As though that wasn’t enough, the shop keeper had also put up a copy on display.

I’m doing my best to see this work of mine gets the publicity it can get so, I appreciate even the tiniest of acts.

Happiness At Last is available online via popular online stores like Amazon, Authorhouse, Barnes and Nobles etc and available in bookstores in London and Nigeria. More details can be seen here.

Over the next few weeks, I will be posting about my writing journey. Do look out for it.

On a different note, I hope your weekend goes well.

See you on the next post.