I know of a gardener who earns a meager salary of N7,000.00 (approximately $60) in a month and he’s loving it (he’s not complaining). The area earmarked for only him to keep despite his age is so large that his work is tantamount to slavery especially because he uses cutlass and not lawnmower. I once advised him to leave the work and use his strength to farm instead, but he told me blatantly that he hates risks and that he prefers to wait till month end for the small thing that comes to him. He refers to himself as a poor man and he has gladly accepted his fate. His feeling of negativity is even contagious. He walks kilometers to and from work every working day. On a particular sunny afternoon, I stopped a taxi for him with the intention of paying his fare only for him to tell me that he prefers to trek. He however asked me to give him the money instead so that he could buy some cigarettes with it. I was tempted to slap him but I resisted the urge because he’s old enough to be my father. I then concluded that his mindset is his archenemy and that if I’ll ever make a positive impact in his life, I must help him renew his mind. I’m still on the mission and I won’t give up on him.
I also remember a middle aged man with four (4) kids that I tried to help sometimes ago. I observed that he had no other means of livelihood other than farming. He was really suffering and I pitied his wife and kids especially. So I approached him to discuss about his situation and to devise a way of escape from the poverty that plagued his family. I was shocked to learn that he was skilled in three (3) different vocations (auto mechanic, vulcanizing and wheel balancing/alignment). I asked him to pick any of the three vocations he could start right away if he had access to some funds and he picked vulcanizing. He told me he was even saving to fund the plan. I was so impressed with his story that I gave him a substantial sum to buy the engine he needs to start up. He thanked me wholeheartedly and promised to keep me posted with developments. Believe me, that was the last time we ever conversed because he has been avoiding me ever since. I bet he must have squandered the money because his situation has not improved and he didn’t ever start vulcanizing. The thought still rips my heart apart. I blame myself for not brainwashing him before giving him the money, it would have made a difference.
With these two instances I narrated above and others too numerous to mention on these pages, I have reasonably concluded that there’s no way one can help someone with a messed up mentality, except through brainwashing. If you give such person money or other valuable resources, chances are that they will be squandered. And that’s why I strongly believe that of all the plagues that can befall a man, the losing of one’s mind is the worst of it all. Once the mind is lost/messed up, the person’s destiny is sealed because no one can possibly go farther than his thoughts.
The mind (“the part of a person that makes them able to be aware of things, to think and to feel: the conscious/subconscious mind” OR “the particular way that somebody thinks” according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary) is the seat of reason and creativity. The mind conceives ideas and then summons the other faculties to bring them to fruition. No one can succeed without a sound mind. As tiny as the rudder is (compared to the size of the ship), it still controls the direction of the ship. Similarly, the mind controls the whole body, actions and reactions of humans. Thus, the first step in the process of emancipation is renewing one’s mind and the need for it to be done from time to time cannot be overemphasized.
Flush out negative thoughts constantly: Refuse to believe that life is harsh. Refuse to believe that you can’t change your fortune. Refuse to believe that you can’t emancipate yourself from mediocrity. Refuse to believe that you can’t challenge the status quo. Refuse to believe that you can’t change the course of history. Refuse to believe that you do not deserve better than where you are. Vehemently reject mediocrity. Vehemently reject failure.
Let in positive and constructive thoughts constantly: Read new books. Learn new ropes. Go via uncharted waters. Rub minds with great minds to discuss ideas. You must believe that life is beautiful. You must believe that nature is lavish (All resources are in surplus: there’s plenty of land for every living human being to build on, there’s plenty of water for every living thing to drink, there are plenty of herbs to cure our diseases, there’s plenty of food [plants and animals] for all to eat to satisfaction. The list is endless). You must believe there are opportunities everywhere. You must believe in possibilities. You must believe in miracles. You must believe that dreams come true. You must believe in love. And most importantly, you must believe in yourself.
Once your mind is renewed, you’ll have clear direction and tactic, fresh energy and enthusiasm to pursue your dreams which will in turn usher in miracles. It is thus evident that to change your world, all you might simply need to do is to change your mindset.
Think change? Think mind-renewal.
Friday, 31 October 2008
Friday, 24 October 2008
THE LAWS AND MAN.
Without the laws, our world would definitely be in chaos. Imagine how our world would be if it’s not unlawful to rape…women will probably be living in caves in distant islands! Imagine if it’s not unlawful to kill fellow humans…life will constantly be snuffed out of multitudes on a daily basis. Imagine if it’s not unlawful to steal…the strong would constantly take advantage of the weak, the lazy ones won’t even have to work, they’ll just wait for others to work while they’ll steal from them thereafter. The list is endless. Knowing fully well what Man is capable of, the Master Planner puts laws in place so that we may live meaningful lives. These laws are implanted in everyone as CONSCIENCE (the part of your mind that tells you whether your actions are right or wrong according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary) to keep us in check. But still, we ignore the suggestions of the Still Voice inside us many times in order to satisfy our lust. What a farce! Whereas, the laws were made for Man’s good; the laws were made not as a punitive measure but to guide Man into his divine destiny. The obedience of the laws leads to a successful life while disobedience attracts the corresponding reward(s) called repercussion(s). Personally, I’ll be lying without conscience if I say I’m not guilty of breaking some laws in the past or that I’m still not vulnerable of breaking some even now. But I keep reminding myself that if I’m to attain and retain the great height that I covet, I MUST live right and that puts me in check. Thus, this is a call for everyone (irrespective of religion) desirous of success in this life and in the life hereafter (if you so believe) to keep the laws.
What are the laws? What are the benefits of keeping the laws? Are there punishments for not keeping the laws?
Simply put, a law is a rule for good behavior; the transgression of which is SIN (Sin is the act of breaking a religious or moral [concerned with principles of right and wrong behavior] law according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary). Anything your conscience doesn’t judge right is wrong. As important as the subject is, law is even studied in tertiary institutions. Sadly enough, with millions of lawyers and other law enforcement agencies, even with endless sermons of religious leaders, naughty Man still transgresses against the laws to his own detriment. It’s pathetic, isn’t it?
The benefits of keeping the laws are innumerable. If I’m to summarize, I’ll say it’s the pathway to peace, happiness, good health and success-full life.
And yes, there are repercussions for not keeping the laws; some of which are eternal. For instance, the moral law says “don’t commit fornication/adultery”…but go ahead and commit fornication/adultery and you’ll be at the risk of contacting sexually transmitted diseases. For the female folks, it may even be unwanted pregnancy or worse still, it could cost you your marriage (in the case of married women). For men, whichever way you look at it, the pursuit of multiple women subtracts from you; it takes your time, funds, energy, name it…really there’s no pursuit as expensive as the pursuit of women. Another moral law says “don’t steal”…but go ahead and steal and woe betides you should you be caught by angry mobs, you might never live to tell the tales. Even if you’re eventually handed over to the law enforcement agents, you’re likely to be prosecuted and thereafter jailed. Another law says “don’t rape”... but go ahead and rape and woe betides you should you be caught, you might have to cool off for sometime in prison. Another moral law says “don’t kill”…but go ahead and kill and you’ll likely face the capital punishment. The list is endless. In a nutshell, disobedience to any law yields unpleasant dividend(s); it derails one from the success path and inevitably attracts nothing but unrest, guilt, sorrow-full life and worse still it can jeopardize where one spends his eternity. So, it’s not wise at all to indulge in breaking the laws, it’s not worth it; the pleasures of sin are not commensurate to the repercussions it attracts; it’s destructive.
So, live right if you want to be successful in this life and in the life hereafter. Let him that hath an ear hear: keep the laws and prosper OR transgress against the laws and face the repercussions thereafter. Decide your fate; it’s your call.
What are the laws? What are the benefits of keeping the laws? Are there punishments for not keeping the laws?
Simply put, a law is a rule for good behavior; the transgression of which is SIN (Sin is the act of breaking a religious or moral [concerned with principles of right and wrong behavior] law according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary). Anything your conscience doesn’t judge right is wrong. As important as the subject is, law is even studied in tertiary institutions. Sadly enough, with millions of lawyers and other law enforcement agencies, even with endless sermons of religious leaders, naughty Man still transgresses against the laws to his own detriment. It’s pathetic, isn’t it?
The benefits of keeping the laws are innumerable. If I’m to summarize, I’ll say it’s the pathway to peace, happiness, good health and success-full life.
And yes, there are repercussions for not keeping the laws; some of which are eternal. For instance, the moral law says “don’t commit fornication/adultery”…but go ahead and commit fornication/adultery and you’ll be at the risk of contacting sexually transmitted diseases. For the female folks, it may even be unwanted pregnancy or worse still, it could cost you your marriage (in the case of married women). For men, whichever way you look at it, the pursuit of multiple women subtracts from you; it takes your time, funds, energy, name it…really there’s no pursuit as expensive as the pursuit of women. Another moral law says “don’t steal”…but go ahead and steal and woe betides you should you be caught by angry mobs, you might never live to tell the tales. Even if you’re eventually handed over to the law enforcement agents, you’re likely to be prosecuted and thereafter jailed. Another law says “don’t rape”... but go ahead and rape and woe betides you should you be caught, you might have to cool off for sometime in prison. Another moral law says “don’t kill”…but go ahead and kill and you’ll likely face the capital punishment. The list is endless. In a nutshell, disobedience to any law yields unpleasant dividend(s); it derails one from the success path and inevitably attracts nothing but unrest, guilt, sorrow-full life and worse still it can jeopardize where one spends his eternity. So, it’s not wise at all to indulge in breaking the laws, it’s not worth it; the pleasures of sin are not commensurate to the repercussions it attracts; it’s destructive.
So, live right if you want to be successful in this life and in the life hereafter. Let him that hath an ear hear: keep the laws and prosper OR transgress against the laws and face the repercussions thereafter. Decide your fate; it’s your call.
Friday, 17 October 2008
GOOD HEALTH IS CRUCIAL TO SUCCESS.
It’s only the living that can dream, plan, act and accomplish in the land of the living, the dead can do nothing. However, it’s not all the living that can run around in the pursuit of their goals, it’s only those that are in good health that can. Thus, it is evident that good health is very crucial to success. But alas, little is often said about the importance of safeguarding one’s health in the quest for success in motivational/success books. Whereas health is EVERYTHING; when health is lost, all is lost. Hence, the need to remind the living of the importance of their health to the attainment of their dreams comes as a welcoming idea.
The human system can be likened to a machine. Although amazing in its operations, the human system is still prone to damages/break down like every other machine. To avoid down time, the human system needs to be serviced constantly. During the down time, it needs to be fixed so that it won’t pack up completely. Unfortunately, many pursue their dreams at the expense of their health. Worse still, many jeopardize their health with their reckless lifestyles. Sadly, it’s not all damages to the system that can be rectified, some are terminal. Isn’t it sheer stupidity then for anyone to behave as if life has a duplicate? The answer is affirmative.
Ill health is a threat to dreams. Worse still, death is an extinguisher of dreams. Thus, the need for you to safeguard your health in order to stay alive and healthy cannot be overemphasized because every other pursuit depends on it. By safeguarding your health, you’re simply safeguarding your dreams.
Clearly, there’s no substitute for good health. Since your body is not immune to damages, it is only wise that you steer clear of anything that can jeopardize your health or even cut short your life. Learn more about your body and do all you can to safeguard it; spiritually, physically, psychologically. Take out time to relax regularly. Sleep well. Eat well. Exercise well. And most importantly, forsake your enemies: cigarette, too much of alcohol intake, indiscriminate sex, too much of sugar intake, hard drugs, to name a few. Discipline yourself for the sake of your dreams.
It’s only when you’re alive and healthy that you can be success-bound. So, it is imperative that you adopt a healthy lifestyle if you want to feature in the future you’ve pictured. Be wise.
The human system can be likened to a machine. Although amazing in its operations, the human system is still prone to damages/break down like every other machine. To avoid down time, the human system needs to be serviced constantly. During the down time, it needs to be fixed so that it won’t pack up completely. Unfortunately, many pursue their dreams at the expense of their health. Worse still, many jeopardize their health with their reckless lifestyles. Sadly, it’s not all damages to the system that can be rectified, some are terminal. Isn’t it sheer stupidity then for anyone to behave as if life has a duplicate? The answer is affirmative.
Ill health is a threat to dreams. Worse still, death is an extinguisher of dreams. Thus, the need for you to safeguard your health in order to stay alive and healthy cannot be overemphasized because every other pursuit depends on it. By safeguarding your health, you’re simply safeguarding your dreams.
Clearly, there’s no substitute for good health. Since your body is not immune to damages, it is only wise that you steer clear of anything that can jeopardize your health or even cut short your life. Learn more about your body and do all you can to safeguard it; spiritually, physically, psychologically. Take out time to relax regularly. Sleep well. Eat well. Exercise well. And most importantly, forsake your enemies: cigarette, too much of alcohol intake, indiscriminate sex, too much of sugar intake, hard drugs, to name a few. Discipline yourself for the sake of your dreams.
It’s only when you’re alive and healthy that you can be success-bound. So, it is imperative that you adopt a healthy lifestyle if you want to feature in the future you’ve pictured. Be wise.
Friday, 10 October 2008
DIG DEEP.
We are living in an all-inclusive world (All that we need to survive and thrive are embedded in our dependable world. Every material Man needs to recreate everything he needs is embedded in our world. All that Man needs to solve his problems are embedded in our world). Yet, only a fraction of the world’s population lives in abundance and dominance. While probing for the cause of the shortfall, I concluded that majority do not dig deep enough to discover and exploit the needed materials for their independence. Call it homespun philosophy, but see what I mean…
No doubt, the Architect of our world is wise. He knew that life will obviously lose its meaning if man gets all he wants without thinking or working for it. Imagine…how would our world be if crude oil were to be fetched from streams? How would our world be if gold were to be grown like maize? How would our world be if diamonds were to be plucked like apples? How would our world be if sufficient food for each day were to be delivered to our doorsteps every morning? There wouldn’t have been any reason to think, work or to be prudent. Furthermore, Man would have been robbed of the opportunity to recreate for himself what he desires from the raw materials nature has in store. So in order for Him not to spoon-feed Man, the Creator made all that Man needs in the same world where Man lives but hid them from Man (every natural resource and endowment is often concealed, although the depth of concealment may differ from resource to resource, from endowment to endowment and from location to location). It’s now left for Man to discover and utilize the hidden resources for his good or perhaps suffer amidst plenty. If Man will ever exploit the hidden resources available to him, he must dig deep.
Imagine the number of lives malaria fever must have claimed before the discovery of its cure. Imagine the number of children polio must have maimed before the vaccine was discovered. Imagine the number of lives tuberculosis must have claimed before the discovery of its cure and vaccine. Yet, the vaccine and the cure for these diseases had always been with Man, just that they were hidden from Man. When scientists and researchers eventually dug deeper, they finally came up with the vaccine and the cure for these diseases. And that’s why I firmly believe that there’ll be vaccine and total cure for Cancer, HIV/AIDS and other dreaded incurable diseases someday, just that scientists and researchers must dig deeper.
Imagine the world without crude oil. Yet, the natural resource eluded us for centuries despite the fact that we’ve always had huge reservoir of it beneath us. I reiterate that the Creator has made provision for all our needs, just that Man must find and use the provisions to “recreate” to suit his needs. For instance, the Creator only made crude oil, but Man refines it to get petrol, diesel, gas, bitumen to name a few which Man uses for different purposes. Alas, countless natural resources are yet to be discovered. Man has not even been able to maximize the usage of the ones that have been discovered. Hence, the reason for Man to dig deeper to find more answers.
To heal ourselves of our diseases, to make available our needs, to amass wealth, to fulfill our purpose, to live our dreams, we (individually and collectively) need to dig deeper than ever. Even in our personal lives, the ability to dig deeper in the pursuit of the target will eventually separate winners from losers. The quest will definitely not be easy though, it’ll call for effort, determination, patience and sacrifice. I’m of the opinion that if the reward is good enough, the problems shouldn’t matter. Besides, as the Yorubas will say, “Eni ti o ba fe je oyin inu apata kii wo enu aake.” (which literarily means “The person that wants to eat the honey in the rock does not look at the mouth of the axe”). Every achievement worthy of the name has its price.
Are you about giving up on that research? Please don’t, many destinies are tied to the discovery. Keep digging into your mind and environment, the solution which you seek is there but for discovery. Are you about giving up on finding a good job? Please don’t, keep digging for employment opportunities; jobs are always there, but for discovery. Are you about giving up on the solution to a challenge? Please don’t, the solution is there but for discovery. Whatever the pursuit maybe, keep digging till you attain. Don’t stop inches away from your breakthrough. Don’t dig amiss; dig right, dig smart.
Keep digging. Keep finding. Keep succeeding.
No doubt, the Architect of our world is wise. He knew that life will obviously lose its meaning if man gets all he wants without thinking or working for it. Imagine…how would our world be if crude oil were to be fetched from streams? How would our world be if gold were to be grown like maize? How would our world be if diamonds were to be plucked like apples? How would our world be if sufficient food for each day were to be delivered to our doorsteps every morning? There wouldn’t have been any reason to think, work or to be prudent. Furthermore, Man would have been robbed of the opportunity to recreate for himself what he desires from the raw materials nature has in store. So in order for Him not to spoon-feed Man, the Creator made all that Man needs in the same world where Man lives but hid them from Man (every natural resource and endowment is often concealed, although the depth of concealment may differ from resource to resource, from endowment to endowment and from location to location). It’s now left for Man to discover and utilize the hidden resources for his good or perhaps suffer amidst plenty. If Man will ever exploit the hidden resources available to him, he must dig deep.
Imagine the number of lives malaria fever must have claimed before the discovery of its cure. Imagine the number of children polio must have maimed before the vaccine was discovered. Imagine the number of lives tuberculosis must have claimed before the discovery of its cure and vaccine. Yet, the vaccine and the cure for these diseases had always been with Man, just that they were hidden from Man. When scientists and researchers eventually dug deeper, they finally came up with the vaccine and the cure for these diseases. And that’s why I firmly believe that there’ll be vaccine and total cure for Cancer, HIV/AIDS and other dreaded incurable diseases someday, just that scientists and researchers must dig deeper.
Imagine the world without crude oil. Yet, the natural resource eluded us for centuries despite the fact that we’ve always had huge reservoir of it beneath us. I reiterate that the Creator has made provision for all our needs, just that Man must find and use the provisions to “recreate” to suit his needs. For instance, the Creator only made crude oil, but Man refines it to get petrol, diesel, gas, bitumen to name a few which Man uses for different purposes. Alas, countless natural resources are yet to be discovered. Man has not even been able to maximize the usage of the ones that have been discovered. Hence, the reason for Man to dig deeper to find more answers.
To heal ourselves of our diseases, to make available our needs, to amass wealth, to fulfill our purpose, to live our dreams, we (individually and collectively) need to dig deeper than ever. Even in our personal lives, the ability to dig deeper in the pursuit of the target will eventually separate winners from losers. The quest will definitely not be easy though, it’ll call for effort, determination, patience and sacrifice. I’m of the opinion that if the reward is good enough, the problems shouldn’t matter. Besides, as the Yorubas will say, “Eni ti o ba fe je oyin inu apata kii wo enu aake.” (which literarily means “The person that wants to eat the honey in the rock does not look at the mouth of the axe”). Every achievement worthy of the name has its price.
Are you about giving up on that research? Please don’t, many destinies are tied to the discovery. Keep digging into your mind and environment, the solution which you seek is there but for discovery. Are you about giving up on finding a good job? Please don’t, keep digging for employment opportunities; jobs are always there, but for discovery. Are you about giving up on the solution to a challenge? Please don’t, the solution is there but for discovery. Whatever the pursuit maybe, keep digging till you attain. Don’t stop inches away from your breakthrough. Don’t dig amiss; dig right, dig smart.
Keep digging. Keep finding. Keep succeeding.
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