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About Lilies For Inspiration
Dr. Lilian I. Asomugha (Nwanyichinalu)
Author, Speaker and Philanthropist
The founder of LFI is a motivational speaker and author of five inspirational books. She is of the Igbo descent from Nigeria and being bilingual herself, loves to promote the language, especially among the young generation of lgbos who are about to lose track of a beautiful ancestral language.
Igbo is the indigenous language spoken by the major tribe of southeastern Nigeria (Ibo or Igbo tribe).The language has over 20 dialects making it difficult to learn. Every dialect brings in a different variation and intonation of the same word. Sometimes, one word will mean different things depending on the time of use or situation at hand. Despite the many dialects, the language has one basic root that helps the people to understand it no matter where, how or when spoken.
Background
WHY Lilies: The founder’s name is Lilian. Dr. Lilian Asomugha uses her name to illustrate the beauty of names and of the Igbo language. In Nigeria, the Igbos attach great importance in the names they give their children. Every name has a meaning to it.
Most often these names reflect feelings, circumstances or events surrounding the marriage, pregnancy or delivery of the child. Sometimes, it may reflect the expectations (hope) of the parents. Most often Igbo names tell of relationships with people in the family or gratitude to God. In all, no parents give detrimental names even when the names sound negative or interrogative. When children have English names, chances are they try to find out their meanings when they grow up. In researching my name, Lilian, I found out that it was of the Lily, a beautiful flower. My parents took time to give me this name that expresses purity, love, fairness and kindness.
The Lily flower is international and has a strong beauty and elegance of royalty, rebirth, motherhood, fertility, love, encouragement, joy, comfort and purity. Lilies symbolize Innocence, humility, beauty, inspiration and devotion. Lilies are held highly in religious cultures around the world. I have lived my life reflecting on a name that I simply thought was just a flower without knowing the deeper meaning to it.
Among all things, the Lilies of the valley, bring light and brightness to the valley. I have lived my entire life inspiring people without knowing that my name is actually inspirational. No wonder they say that oftentimes, a person’s character reflects the name he or she bears. Sometimes Lilies are associated with funerals symbolizing that the souls of the departed have received and restored innocence after death. Some cultures believe that Lilies have supernatural healing and comforting powers.
Even our Lord Jesus Christ is referred to as the fairest of the Lilies of the Valley. Lilies light up the valley – where there is darkness, the Lilies bring light.
My name means so much and meant much to my parents. My middle name is Ijeoma meaning (Safe journey or Good journey). I accept it to live my life to inspire, comfort and bring a light of hope to the people I come across in my life journey.
The “LiliesForInspiration” cards are designed to help bring out the rich qualities to our daily greetings and inspire the readers; especially our Igbo children, men and women to appreciate the rich language, proverbs, idioms, scripture and songs through which feelings are expressed towards others. I hope you will inspire someone each day as you read and share these cards.
The greeting card's target audience are Igbos, Igbo speaking individuals and others who have interest in Igbo language and culture. The secondary audience is Christians and other spiritually minded individuals who enjoy sharing inspirational messages. Each Card contains the image(s) of the Lily flower. The igbo spoken here is central Igbo and not of a particular dialect.
Lilies for inspiration supports needy Orphans and Widows in Africa