==>>THIS NEW YEAR==>>

HELLLLOO!

Haha! Happy New Year Folks! I know I know it's been forever. But all is forgiven I hope. I have missed posting as much as I hope you have missed reading. It's been intense and I had to prioritize. Writing is so much a part of me and it's amazing how long it's been since I wro..... hold up, I actually have been writing- just school essays though! ↑😆😆😆😆😆.

Well, I know it's the new year and there are tons of 'New year, New me's in people's journals, on their vision boards and so on. Fitness ads be using this new year to guilt trip people...haha.

It is a norm that every new year, we write resolutions and make all these plans to do better, to be better. I am all for it...I do it too. This year though I did a little extra- which I will tell you about in a minute.

So I was going through old chats - you guys know how my muse are usually the oddest things or situations- and looking at how i used to spell stuff a couple of years ago. For instance, I would spell school as Skul and in fact everything i wrote was almost an acronym and for some reason i thought that was cool. Now reading it i would whack my younger self in the head for a brain adjustment...fo' real. But it was not just the spellings that caught my attention. It was the feeling i got from reading those things- I felt how i felt at the time i wrote them. And then i thought of me now; older, wiser and more sure of myself. I realized I have come a long way from younger me. I also realized i do not appreciate my progress enough. Most of us do not actually. I am not talking about big achievements like promotions or becoming thinner... I mean the little things about you. Little things change about you every year- hopefully for the better-and these things put together make up who you truely are. Have you ever reflected on your growth? You should. You would be amazed at how much more joyful and motivated you will feel once the scales from your eyes.

So this year, alongside my to-do lists, I made a mental list of how much of the little things i have to be thankful for. And i took a moment to take it all in and smile. And i told myself, ''you don good girl!''

Don't get caught up trying to make resolutions and feeling devastated when you realize you forgot about most of them by December 31st. Instead reflect first on all the little stuff and all the progress you did make and then proceed from there!

All that said, I wish everyone a productive new year. Remember dreams come true- don't let go of yours.

SET HIGH STANDARDS…LIVE ABOVE THEM!

My girl, Doris and I were talking about people and how sometimes they make you feel as though your principles are way out of this world and they need you to ‘loosen up’ a little- let go of every value you have built your life on and live life like they do besides you only live once…so a little compromise here and there can’t hurt. Right? God No!!!!!! It will hurt and hurt you bad, sometimes sooner than later.

They say experience is the best teacher and as much as I do not totally agree with this statement, I sure have learnt under its mostly painful tutelage. I can tell you instances and more, where I have let down my standards just for a bit and regretted it a whole lot. I used to do it, and still do sometimes so I guess I would be needing this blog post too: D, mostly because I wanted to fit in. Growing up, I always felt different…not inadequate but different, like an outsider looking in through this glass wall and watching everyone else ‘chill out’ on the other side. And it would hurt so bad I would cry and ask God while I didn’t ‘fit in’ ever. It took years for the answer to sink in and for me to accept it, but I now know that, DIFFERENT IS GOOD! And I am not saying it in that religious ‘straight and narrow is the way that leads to heaven’ sense, but in the ‘God created everyone with a unique something that should make you stand out…or as I like to say, stand apart’ sense. You see, I have said it before and I would keep saying it a lot! No matter how many people do a particular thing, there’s something different about the way they all do it, my mum calls it our signature. And you see, that right there is your uniqueness and that my friends makes you different from everyone else. The only way to be ‘the same’ as ‘them’ is to deem your shine and what makes you special. We were not created to be moving around the world like zombies doing everything the same way at the same time and having the exact same results!

So, the thing about standards is they are set not to be brought down or lower but to be raised constantly because once you drop them, they lose value. And compromise….hmm the word I dread! Please when someone says to you; compromise now, run for the sake of your precious life! Yes, your life! Your standards, your values, your principles make your life…these are the foundations of the person you are, of your life. So do not, I repeat, DO NOT accommodate people who think you have to ‘measure down’ to their level. Sounds harsh but some friendships/relationships are don’t worth holding on to if it means a constant pull down. A little compromise will turn to another one and then a bigger one until you don’t even recognize yourself any more. You become a shadow of someone or something and be miserable and then you would realize that you have wasted valuable time trying to be a person someone else thinks you need to be for them. And the worst part is, when you compromise, you are most likely going to tarnish your reputation and soil your integrity. So dear is it really worth it????? Remember Proverbs 22:1 says: ‘A good name is better than much wealth; high esteem is better than silver and gold.

So summary of what I am saying is:

Dream big, dream great, having high goals is okay. Do not anyone or anything pull you out of your life track. Never compromise and most importantly, Set high High standards and live above them!

*FYI, I am grateful for my friends, especially people like Doris who constantly remind me the importance of not compromising!!!!! Thanks Girl!!!!

And Congratulations to Sharon and Damilo on graduating well! Keep the standard up, ladies! :*

Hello Everyone,

So I know it has being awhile I actually wrote something and unlike every other time, No, it is not because I got busy; which I did but that was not the reason. I have being in a season or phase as I like to call it. That Season is why I haven’t written.

I have been struggling with what to title this because well everyone likes to have an idea of what the content of what they are about to read is. But I cannot come up with the perfect ‘title’ so I guess you have to read on to find out, yeah? ;D

Plus I should probably warn you; this is going to be a long read so please if you are driving, don’t even try it! LOL! Not kidding, though.

“On your mark, Get set…”, and I would have being mid-way by the time the referee or whoever was you know, organizing the race would say “…Go!”, if I was a sports person which I am not and that is why I am quite unsure about the name of the person who organizes the race…#NotAshamed!

When I graduated from Primary School, my testimonial said ‘hardworking, obedient and patient’, or something of the sorts. They were definitely right about the first two, but for the 3^rd; well let’s just say the aspect that required my patience in school was something that I naturally had control over. I was quiet and am still very calculative so I never got into unnecessary confrontations at school. Plus they always said stuff like ‘gentle’ in my report card every term which I believe they thought went hand in hand with patience. Anyway my patience is that character trait that used to fail me when I needed it the most. Because although, I may not go around screaming I want it now, I would have sleepless nights because of wanting it now! So you see, for the most part, my lack of patience was secret that is why everyone thought I was very patient. Now put a finger on that…

I am also someone who likes having something to look forward to.... My birthday, Christmas, Easter, End/Beginning of the school year, a trip, an outing, a packet from DHL, a call, an email... the list is endless! I would doing a countdown like...down to minutes. i could even draw up a calender; probably in a book i always have with me, so i can strike out days! So take your finger off.... because there is always something to look forward to, there is usually waiting right? Right! And since I love looking forward to things I love the waiting period right? Wrong!!!! 

Remember, I told you about the sleepless nights? Yes, that’s just one of the symptoms. I am usually miserable! Jittery, Restless and everything else in that period could more or less be non-existent to me. And then the worst part is, when that day or event happens, I may not even enjoy it because I begin to worry about the fact that it’s going to go by too fast…HAHAHAHAHA! (Another day’s Blog Jist).

Anyway, ‘the waiting period’,( hey, I should probably have called this post that!) So you know I usually blog about the lessons God teaches me with seemingly small events that happen? Yes, Good. So I will give you an example of the most recent dealings on my Patience or no patience issue…lol.

First off, I was reading ‘THE POWER OF I AM’ by Joel Osteen a couple of weeks ago. 

And he talked about how there is no coincident and how everything happens at the appointed time and how every little detail, timing and all, sums up to specific events that happen in our lives. He also talked about being content in the ‘process’…. Of waiting. I remember calling my friend and being like, “Oh my God, I just read this………it is so true……I heard this before in a sermon at school….bla bla bla”. And I also remember thinking, life could be so easy if we just stopped stressing about stuff…. 

Now fast forward to last week; I had planned to go out and I had a mental picture of how everything was to go, I always do. I would catch a ride with mum and drop off because I sure wasn’t going to walk under this ‘end-time’ sun...lol. I got dressed and everything and was waiting. Mum was like give me an hour and I will be ready and I was like okay, one hour. So I went back to my room and just laid on my bed unnecessarily browsing. An hour later…She was very far from being ready! I was so pissed! I am soooooooooooooooo time conscious! Summary of this story: we didn’t go out eventually, and I basically wasted the day. Why? Because I was obsessing about my going out, that I didn’t think of being happily productive while waiting. Get where I am going with this? Later that night, as I did the dishes, the Holy Spirit reminded me of what I read, and showed me how my attitude that day was usually my attitude to most happenings in my life. I looked forward to the ‘big thing’ happening that I made myself miserable while waiting for it and basically would achieve less or nothing in that period. Worse, I remembered a question Joel asked, ‘what if that thing never happens?’ What then? Don’t I know the answer to that one…twice as much disappointment!

I learned that day, that patience is not just the ability to wait, but is the ability to be content and joyful in the process, while fixing your eyes on the prize. James 1:2-4 says;

So God made you a promise...what seems like a trillion years ago and it seemingly is slow, hang in there! He never lies and his word never returns to him void. Enjoy the process, so you are ready for the blessing!

If you are in the waiting period which most of us are in for different things, I pray for the grace to stay patient! Because trust me, there’s nothing like looking back and realizing you wasted time being miserable!

Hey family,
It's been awhile. I know and I am sorry.
So remember 3 posts ago, I posted a press release for an online TV show called,'what do you think?' well finally, they have some episodes out!
I saw them and they were worth the data...trust me ;D
This particular episode was really interesting to me because it was on the gender equality bill issue in Nigeria.
By the way, I have quite a sum to say about it but I have chosen not to for.......reasons that are personal. So whatever views expressed in the show are not mine oooo!
Lol
So anywaaaaayyyy....check it out! And don't forget to drop your comment...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-nQb7TnqFs

I HATE 'HOLY WEEK-ENDS'!!!!!

So I’ve being thinking to myself

having this conversations with myself,

This is a week they call holy;

The week-end

Because they claim it was ‘this week’ my savior was killed,

Buried and rose again

This week they say, is the essence of my Christianity;

 This 7 days

They told me not to cuss; “Don’t drink, don’t smoke, and don’t fornicate;

This week is holy!”

Be careful what to eat, where you go, what you say, just be careful what you do this week-end

And like a strict diet plan,

I keep myself from all the things I think I need and when the weekend is up;

I binge!

So I asked myself,

Is it okay to be unfaithful to the lover of my soul other days of my life,

And keep a few weeks holy;

Just because I don’t see him;

Not because he isn’t here;

But… my senses are deemed out in the crazy cravings of my soul to perceive the master’s presence

That I don’t realize he is here;

Thinking about me;

Constantly wanting to have a conversation with me

Telling me he loves me; telling me I am beautiful and he wants no other!

Is it okay to run to the foot of the cross on Friday, sulk on Saturday and dance on Sunday…

But return to my promiscuity on Monday;

Having affairs with greed, lust, selfishness;

Letting anger take over my mind and mouth;

So I curse at my boss who doesn’t seem to see that I had a long weekend

And raise my hand to curse more at the man in the blue van who cut traffic

I feel okay talking about the girl 2 rooms down the hall way because she isn’t here

Letting inappropriate thoughts have a party in my mind because after all it’s just another week!

Putting everything and anything above the one who gave it all for me!

Do you realize what you are telling me to do?!

What if you had a friend who didn’t really care about you?

 Who didn’t care about your feelings?

Who said what he or she liked;

Who did what he pleased not… regarding how you felt;

What if this was the person you had sacrificed your life for?

And all they gave you in return was…

ONE WEEK-END!

The death, burial and resurrection of our savior

Like an old childhood toy;

We stuffed at the bottom of the ‘not needed box’ as we grew up

Bringing it out every Easter week-end

To ‘reflect’ on it as they call it

And right after throw it in the garage till the next Easter week-end!

Instead of a total surrender to the essence of the week-end…

This is the trend;

But should it be?

And now you see…

I cannot but despise ‘holy week-ends’…

Clichés that make us treat the master anyway

I don't know if I wanna make it a thing but....

So this morning a good friend of mine who happens to be a 'radio presenter' hit me up, and tells me about an online talk show that's going to premier tomorrow and.......okay, I will just let you read the press release yourself;

"THE FIRST ONLINE TALK SHOW IN IBADAN

How hard is it to make a Talk Show??
Well, it’s not that hard once you have a location, a couple of cameras and a few people who like to talk. It is also very important to have someone who can handle the cameras and do the final editing but do not forget lights, they are very important and then costume, makeup, catchy content, long hours of research, creativity, yes the list goes on. Easy right?

Getting it right with Talk Shows can be very tricky especially because the audience is made up of individuals who have diverse experiences and opinions. But, there is a young lady who is confident she has the right mix to create a Talk Show that will capture the heart and mind of her audience.

Her name is Oluyomi Oshisami and her audience is every young person out there especially the ones who are young at heart.

She calls the show ‘What do You think?’ and as the name implies, the show seeks to explore everyday issues in the most witty, compelling and funny way.

Together with 2 Radio Personalities Babatunde Ojobaro (Mister Rain) and Kayode Okikiolu (Klay), every episode of the show will get you thinking, talking and eventually making moves to challenge the status quo around you.

The first Webisode premieres on Thursday 10/03/2016 and it will definitely be one of the best Talk Shows you’ll see around.

You can Follow What Do You Think Talk Show:

http://bit.ly/1L8QXrz (remember to subscribe)

Instagram
http:// instagram.com/whatdoyouthink.tv

Twitter
http://twitter.com/wdyttvshow

BBM channel
http://pin.bbm.com/C00144BED

Facebook
http://facebook.com/whatdoyouthinktvshow

If you can think about it, we will talk about it

WHAT DO YOU THINK?"

So there it is people. Like i said i don't know if this will be a thing BUT i support a good cause especially when it has to do with youths. Support it too.. look out for the show tomorrow!
 Meanwhile i will be posting something new soon...look out for that too...LOL.

Okay, bye. :)

I LOVE YOU!

I watch you while you sleep

I do this because you look so beautiful

I want to tell you

I really do...

But once you get up in the morning you lock me out

I try to speak to you but you block your ears

I won't push it because I am a gentle man

I knock ever so gently but you ignore me

Cracking up the rhythm of your daily busy schedule 

I watch you as you go through the papers on your bed side table

The ones that cause you to worry

I want to tell you it is okay

But you've locked me out

I am sad not just because you locked me out 

But because you don't even know you did

You did by the wall of guilt and condemnation you built around yourself

I really want to get through but you convince yourself you are too filthy for my eyes to behold

You say to yourself you are too much of a mess and I couldn't possibly want you

But I do!

I want you just that way...

I can wash you and clean you up

I love you so much I could only die to prove it

I want to take away the fear that eats at you at night

I want to hold away the aches that you try to hide 

I see your secret tears and you don't have to be strong with me

I have enough strength for the both of us

I don't condemn you! No never!

I know what you did but I love you more

You don't have to earn it I gave it to you freely

I will keep watching and loving you

I will keep knocking

I won't push it because I am a gentle man

I will wait till you accept my offer...

I will wait...

 

LETTING MYSELF GO....

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away

It’s a slow fade when black and white turn to grey

And thoughts invade

Choices are made

A price will be paid when you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

It’s a slow fade

-          “slow fade” by Casting Crowns (chorus)

Today, the 6^th day of September, 2015   (please mark the date down people…lol) I will do something I never thought I’d be able to do… *drum rolls please*…wait for it….I WILL TALK ABOUT MY WEIGHT………………well use it as the reference point for what I want to discuss today. Now, anyone who knows me well knows that this is a very sensitive talk for me…like top 3 sensitive. But I consider this growth for me.

So anyway, I finally took the plunge and got me a personal trainer. And before you say; ‘too much money’, that is true (lol) but it is not why. You see working out is my least favourite thing to do… in fact it doesn’t make the least (list)…so I needed like someone to push me. Well, we’ll do a little flash back right now…

I was never the skinny girl o… yes, I was not ‘fat’ either but I was never thin. But from my primary school, exercise was like ‘hell no!’ for me; except you forced me. So when it came to inter-house sports/competition, I was always marching. Funny enough I just enjoyed marching… I always marched right till my ss2; when I proudly commanded Red house to victory! Haha! I was that good. After all those years of marching. Anyway, during P.E, I can count how many times I ran or did gymnastics. When we had to pick a sport sometime in jss2, I picked badminton and I sucked at it! No hand eye coordination at all. And the one I hate the most; Jogging! Jeez, i dreaded waking up in the mornings to be forced to jog to the gate and back in Jss2 and then ss3 every Saturday. In short, I concluded that sports, working out or whatever was not my thing. This would have been very ok, because I am not a foodie; someone who just likes food. But it is not because I like junk and I am a book worm so I am either reading and eating cookies or something. You understand now? I don’t know who to blame for this…my mum made me read ehn…my childhood was spent either in church; singing, practicing a dance routine etc or in school; where I never did rough play or at home where I had a routine; siester, read, help out in the house, 1 hour of t.v, read, devotion and sleep (in that order). So you see, I didn’t roll tires or play with sand or run naked in the rain. But she did try to get me to eat food and I wouldn’t…

Ok so because I was going to school and all that, my unhealthy eating never really showed; especially that I went to a boarding school. Then, after ss3, I didn’t get into the university immediately… you know the system now…  and I wanted to study  law and law alone . Anyway, I could not get in for 2 years and I think those were the worst 2 years for me personally. I was angry. I had worked hard and had my whole life planned out; the age I will graduate, go to law school, work, marry etc. Then, it was just not happening. You know that feeling, now. I became depressed and I ‘let myself go’. Now I worked in like 3 different places during intervals in those 2 years but most times, I was home. Then I started consuming junk like air…I was just eating and chewing; biscuits, sweets, coke, yogurt, anything sweet. Like it would solve the issue or make me forget. And my dearest mother would say,” Dew the day your body will show this things, you will not like it. Slow down”. I’d roll my eyes because I felt she did not understand. Please note that if I ever told you about the other factors involved, that wasn’t a lie. This is just the part I never admitted to..lol. Then one day my clothes started getting really tight and I looked in the mirror and I was like 2 times what I used to be. I was abit freaked out but I thought, it couldnt get worse and I was angry so I had a reason to binge. I could have just stopped myself at that point but I didn’t. I made an excuse and felt I was justified. Until it was late. Ha! Then people would see me and shout, what have you done to yourself and some wouldn’t even recognize me. At that point I knew it was just too bad. Then school came and I felt there was an escape, nobody knew me here so they would take what they got. But then, you know the typical Uni setting. Girls being all shapy and stuff. God! Then, I hated pictures. If they were not selfies, count me out!! I had stopped my emotional eating by now and even drastically reduced my junk intake but I still couldn’t bring myself to work out. My excuse was that I had no time. Keeping up my status in class, my leadership responsibilities and church was a hell of work and if I had any free time it would be to sleep! I’d tell myself I will start next Saturday and then Saturday and on and on and I just didn’t.

Well, long story short, I hated my body, which I had contributed to getting and I had trouble admitting that, and was not doing anything to fix it. I avoided the topic. Got mad at whoever dare mention it etc. till one day I got tired of not facing the truth and decided to deal with the problem. Hence the trainer… now I was all pumped up but when we started, I knew the meaning of pain. Then when the pain got intense, I’d say: no pain, no gain….

That’s where am at right now.

Enjoyed the jist/confession? Good! 2 days ago, as I sat in my room thinking of how I didn’t want to smell junk ever again, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to a comparison… You see, I didn’t have to be here but I am because I let myself go. And I kept making excuses… this is what most of us do, everyday. We take up one bad habit, start compromising…telling ourselves it is alright when it is not and we know it. We get mad at anyone who tries to echo the truth to us; saying they don’t get it. Sometimes we start because we cannot deal with a situation, sometimes it’s because people say we are too uptight! Note; it is good to be balanced; not too uptight but not loose either, but never ever compromise on a principle. What is right is right and what is not, just isn’t. If you have a challenge find a solution, don’t indulge in a ‘get-away’ act. Because every seed sown must be reaped! There is no avoiding it. It’s like this; the more you do whatever that thing is, the deeper you sink, the deeper you fall into that dark hole and one day, you wouldn’t even recognize your reflection, inside out. The example of my weight gain is a physical thing and is detrimental to my physical health but there are more serious issues that affect our spiritual health; our relationship with the father. Your life; eternity is very much precious and priceless. It was purchased with the blood of the Son of God(John 3:16), can you beat that? No!  

The song above, slow fade says it all: it starts small and slowly; one little compromise here and there and then the lines become blurry.  We don’t become fat over night or crumble in a day. It is a process….

So Good news is;

It is not too late to STOP and start doing right by God and yourself.

It starts with the decision…Say no to whatever is trying to make a mockery of the sacrifice of Jesus.

Not so good news;

It is not going to be easy, infact it is going to hurt! Cutting away from that thing that is not right for you; could be food, a person, a movie, song, habit etc

AWESOME NEWS;

You have got a ‘personal trainer’ who does not charge for his services! All he requires is that you accept the sacrifice on the cross of calvary (if you haven’t), remind yourself (if you have forgotten) and surrender to his help.  He’d take you through the process. He would be there every step of the way, reminding you of his grace( 2 corinthians 12:9) and his love.

Today, Pray for the forgiveness of God and ask for his help to do the right thing…

Also it is important to keep a great support system; people who would pray with and encourage you, around you so be weary of your company…

Now I must say that the worst lie we tell ourselves is; “ I have gone too far to turn back” or “ God doesn’t want anything to do with someone like me”… All that is not true…. It is not too late as long as you are alive… So DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT TODAY!

Now that I have poured that out, I will apologize for the loooooong gaps in writing. It is unavoidable at the moment. But I still love and pray for you all!

So, well, till I write again…live in awesomeness! :*

3 IN ONE........

Hello everyone,

  I have had so many projects on ground that i barely have time to write. But make no mistake, you all are on top of my priority list and i consider you super important too. So i am giving a triple dose today! Cool, yes?

  Okay, i will talk about 3 things that are kind of related but are 3 distinct things one must consciously pay attention to. First off, we'll start with this;

WALK YOUR OWN PATH.

  Nkiru was friends with Nadia, in fact they had been friends ever since... well, forever. They went to the same schools, the same church, grew up in the same neighborhood e.t.c. In Sunday school, they both joined the kiddie's choir of their church. They both enjoyed Music. Over the years they realized this. But, they loved to express their love for music in totally different ways. You see, Nadia was a singer and she loved it! She would sing in the shower, in the kitchen, in the car....sometimes even in class you would catch her humming. In church she got almost all the solos and after service, there would be an array of people waiting to tell her how blessed they were by her song. Nkiru was pretty sure she enjoyed singing too. Music calmed her soul and she couldn't do without it. But here was the thing, she didn't usually feel fulfilled after singing. yes, it was music but the glow on Nadia, she didn't see on herself.

 One day, the choir was to do a song that involved some form of choreography. The Choir director had seen it in a movie. They got the dance group to come help them with this. As they danced, Nkiru felt this pull... she was almost dancing with them behind her mic. The music made her want to move. But the problem was, the choir had to be perfectly still! Her Choir Director kept cautioning her to be still but she just couldn't.. After 3 rehearsals of the same thing happening, she was asked to just join the dancers. She reluctantly agreed but before anyone knew it, Nkiru was dancing like she wasn't on earth anymore. It was like the music was coming out from her body. On their way home, Nadia said to her, "NK, you should have seen yourself dancing! One would not believe you were in the choir". Nkiru laughed but she knew what Nadia was saying, she felt something while dancing. Joy... Fulfillment. it was like hearing the music for the first time. And that was when it struck her... she should be dancing! Yes she loved to sing and she could sing but she was no Nadia. She had being walking in her friend's shoes...her path. Now that she thought of it, anytime Nadia was singing, she would sing along but she would always be the only one of the 2 of them dancing. She loved it. She had found her way of expression...

  Alot of people are like Nkiru. They have their Nadia, could be a friend or even parents.Someone who they feel they have to be like because, well, they are siblings or friends or heirs... Alot of people are walking other people's path.We think, "Because it's working out for her, it would work for me". Well, you are not her darling! Simple! Discover what makes you feel alive! You don't have to be a replica of Jason Derulo or Wizkid. You'll live all your life try to measure up to  being somebody's carbon copy. And truth is, you will never be good at it. Imagine a Huge waste of your life.This life is like a really long movie, and everyone has a role. Nobody was created to be anybody's understudy. Even if you have similar roles, there is the 'you' factor that made you get a distinct part. Stop walking in anybody's shadow. Yes, some of us, have to work behind the scene but that does not stop you from shining behind the curtain. Don't be concerned with out-shining somebody else only be concerned with being a better you. But please, don't be afraid to shine bright. There is no such thing as shining too bright! If you happen to be out-shining anyone, they should just upgrade!  BE EXCELLENT!

  Now you must realize that because we all have to walk our paths, our lives and timings will be inevitably different. Most people measure their success using their friends and so on as a rule. Truth is, you will never go really far doing this. How about, using your own life to measure your success. How do i mean? Well, ask yourself questions like, last year, was i better intellectually, emotionally, psychically, spiritually, financially and socially? Did i grow? Did i go back? What did i stop doing? What should i start doing? Set yourself daily goals...and see if you achieved them. Then move on to weekly, monthly and yearly goals. Take stock of your life instead of being the accountant and auditor of other people's lives. You'll see yourself thriving!!!!

Now one down, on to the next:

REASON LESS!

 Wait! what? Reason less? Dew? Haha! Yes! I know what i said and i'll say it again... Please, REASON LESS! You see, being reasonable is absolutely good and necessary. But when this becomes a hindrance to you, be reason less.

   Let's use me as an example. Anyone who knows me, knows that i like to plan and calculate stuff. I like to know what comes after what and when and how what is happening. I cannot plunge into anything without perfect detailing and possible and predictable outcomes. I used to pride myself in this...note i said used to because at some point, i had to learn that the extreme of what i am leads to abit of a disadvantage. So I learnt to draw the line. You see, this is part of my strengths as a person but it could be my doom because i can be over-reasonable, never taking risks. No adventures. I used to like my routine. It was hard to adapt to change. Aha! Now you get it....it wasn't really living. I once heard a Minister say, " sometimes we analyze ourselves into paralysis!". And that is so true! We calculate and break it down ya-di-ya and never do anything. We dream in a box... where it is absolutely comfy and convenient for us! Dear Friend, this is okay, if you are comfortable with having an ordinary okay life. But if you intend to be super, then you have got to run out, infact fly out of your comfort zone!! Think out of the box! Dream Big. It don't cost you nothing! Like they say, if your dream don't scare you, you are not dreaming yet. It has got to be bigger than you! Don't be myopic. Think Global! Think outside yourself. I learnt that staying in my comfort zone made me comfortable but not productive! I had to fly out!

  Look, take risks! Yes, you may fail, GET UP! Make appropriate changes and try again! That thing you have being thinking about will yield nothing if you leave it in your mind...Take a step!!!! Do Something...In short, Please Reason Less!

Well, that was short but it's not quantity, it's quality that counts! Now the last dose;

TO KEEP OR THROW OUT?

  Recently, i realized i needed new cloths and shoes. But get this, my closet was full. So you ask, how can i need clothes and shoes when my closet is full? Well, i wasn't wearing most of the stuff anymore. But they were there because well, i had not really taken time to sort through my closet to realize i needed new stuff and most, for sentimental attachments. So one night, yes i do alot of things at night, i got to sorting them out. I would pick a shirt and think, is it wearable for someone else(could i donate it) or did i have to throw it out or could i keep it? I did this with everything in my closet. Pretty soon, my mum entered my room and she went," where are your shoes?!" with this really surprised look on her face. Told you i needed stuff...i had to clean out the clutter to see how bad my needs were.

  Life is pretty much the same way. We could just have alot of clutter; What is clutter? Well, simply put, Clutter is whatever or whoever is not adding value to you/your life but is there occupying space or just draining you out. I was having a conversation with a couple of my team members 2 days ago and we were talking about how there are stages and phases in life and how when moving from one phase to another, alot of things and people have to go. We talked about how some people were just stuck in a phase because they would not let go of some things or people or even mindsets.  You cannot keep pulling baggage along with you...it will slow you down and get you tired quickly. 

  Truth is you cannot have it all. Somethings have just got to go. I cannot tell you what those things are but you decide... For me, i believe that one of the very important contributors to your success or downfall are the relationships you keep and by Relationships i mean platonic ones, work and school relationships and even romantic relationships. You need to surround yourself with people who add value to you no matter at what rate. If all a relationship does is drain you of valuable time, your money, your knowledge and emotions and adds absolutely nothing to you, please love from a distance. Sometimes you upgrade...learn something new or develop yourself or form a better mindset, if the people around you won't do the same, chances are they are going to pull you right back to where you just left and the sad part is, you wouldn't even know. Because you need to come out of the clutter to get some perspective. You need to let go of the people or things that add no value to you. I strive to surround myself with people who challenge, inspire and motivate me. I am not saying do not have people who look up to you for some form of guidance and whatnot, but if this must happen, you must NOT compromise your self development time. No great mentor spends all their time mentoring... they redraw to have time to develop themselves. The world is moving, technology is moving...everyday there is something else for you to learn and know.

  Clutter could be too much time taking and uploading pictures! Or being on social media.I am all for keeping memories and having a blooming social life but if you are not Desmond Elliot or Some big name yet, please get a life off Instagram and Facebook and twitter.Wait, even these people develop themselves. You think if they sat around just been popular all day, they would last? You need to prioritize! Movies will not go anyway but time will not wait! Like my mum used to tell us as kids, " The people you are watching on tv have found their purpose and are making their money". I made up my mind to not just be the watcher or the person trying to get an autograph... i was going to be on the TV and the one signing autographs. But i had to learn that some clutter had to go if that was going to happen.

  Basically, take time to sort threw your life and throw out what is unnecessary to create room for what can make you more valuable!

  Well, i could write forever because i have so much to share but i wouldn't want anyone taking an overdose now...lol. For now, if there is some adjustment you feel you need to make, then by all means do!

  Keep being awesome and productive!

  I love you guys!!!

 "SUCCESS IS NOT A DESTINATION, IT IS A STATE OF MIND".

1,2,3...OUCH!!!

It has been so looooonnnngggg... I know. #sigh. I have been learning lessons of my own. Some I thought I already knew, others just plain hard but necessary.  A couple of posts ago, I talked about being still. I said there was a time to just wait...to be still.  Well today, i'll talk about timing too...
Ever watched those movies where someone got punched in the face or fell and broke his nose? I bet you have seen one or two. Or you yourself might have broken your nose at some point. Well if you have, you'll know it hurt pretty bad. And the usual way to fix it would be to reset the nose. So a doctor or someone who could do so, would tell the victim he was going to rest his nose and would give him time to prepare for the pain..hence counting.."1,2,3"..and then there would be a crack and an "ouch!!!" from the victim. What ever does a broken nose have to do with timing? Stick with me and you'll see...
Yesterday, I was reading a book and the writer said, God has a timing for everything that would happen to us or in our lives. And if we tried to get ahead or lag behind, at some point we would hit the rocks and would have to be dragged back to where we ought to be. Now you see where I am going with this, don't you? Personally, I think the biggest problem of this time is trying to outrun God. We wanna be fast! We want everything 'now now'.
This morning in the shower I thought of how I had wanted a couple of stuff in my own time, not God's. And how I has getting myself hurt a lot. And how it had hurt when I had to let God reset me. But in the long run, it was all good.
Point is, God made us and he knew what our life was going to be like, beginning to the end. It makes sense to trust him enough to let him do his thing with us, in his own time ( which is the perfect time). But if you sorta run off and try to readjust the clock, it's not too late to let him reset your watch. Make no mistake, it will hurt bad, but after, you'll see it was worth it...
#Reset#Timing#TrustGod

SO FAR YET SO CLOSE...

Hey fam! It feels so good to write after not having the chance to for a while. Semesters are coming to a close so girls are getting more occupied by the minute...
So before I write today, I want to shout out to my girl, Lush...was on her blog some minutes ago and it is some good stuff. So check it out..colourherlush.wordpress.com.
Now to the business...
Do you have those days when you just feel disconnected? When you pray and you feel your prayers are just hitting the roof and bouncing back? Are there days when you just doubt everything? Or days when the hardness of life knocks you off your feet and you feel you cannot get up because you are too tired? Let's not forget the days when you just feel nothing...
Everybody feels this. Those down days... we all got 'em.
Years ago in secondary school, I had one of these days...more like a period. And I had tried to study my bible and pray and worship but just wasn't 'feeling' it. That got me feeling worse... God felt far, too far. I started to think of what I did wrong that day that caused me to feel such distance or feel so inadequate.
And trust me, there is always gonna be a fault with you as long as you are searching for it. But after that didn't solve it. So I went out of my hostel for a walk and ran into a friend who was older and in a higher class than me. We got talking and he probed to know why I was looking so glum. I told him. And he said, "Dew, it is the times you feel God is very far that he is the closest to you". I didn't understand. He tried to explain but I still didn't get it. Not until recently...
 You see, you can never know how bright a light shines until it's really dark. So it's like this; for you to appreciate the light it needs to be dark... the darker it is, the brighter the light. We would never really need anything or anyone if we were adequte in ourselves.. we would never need to depend on anyone in any way if we could satisfy our every need ourselves. There wouldn't be a need for God if we could be okay just by ourselves... Get the picture???
So the more the need and hunger for God, the more of God we get. Now I understand why Paul in 2 corinthians(paraphrasing now) said he was comfortable with weakness. Because the weaker I am, the stronger he becomes. The less of myself, the more of him. The lesser time we spend focusing on our works, the more we can rely on what he has already accomplished for us.
So next time you feel too weak to get up, remember it's a good thing because now you can ask for his grace and strength which is readily available to you. It will pick you up and keep you standing. I told a friend some days ago that if we don't pass through some thorny bushes on our way to greatness, the testimony will not be extraordinary when we are telling it. If Moses had just gone to Pharoh and said let my people go and Pharoh just said, 'ok..you all can leave'. I don't know if the story will be worth telling. We would not have seen God's greatness. In fact, we would have found some logical explanation for why he let them go so easy...
Next time, your life does not make sense on it's own..smile because you know it's bout to shock everyone around you!

Forgiven and Forgiving...
It's Good Friday again! A time to reflect and remember the sacrifice of Christ (that is if you never do it at another time). So many excuses not to right? "The world is constantly on the move and we got to move with it. Besides we are much too busy to just sit and think upon anything except the bills and how to meet deadlines...." No Jesus, no you! Bottom line you shouldn't wait for Easter or Christmas to think about Jesus.
Anyway, the Easter story is all about forgiveness, love and grace. John 3:16, the verse we were all taught as kids and we can say off the top of our heads...says,For God so LOVED the world that he sent his only begotten son,  that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have ETERNAL LIFE. This is what Easter is about...God loves us so much that he made sure we were made free from all guilt and  gave us life. Way before this, there were laws that said, 'hey! You sinned you have to be punished. Blood must be shed for your freedom.' And get this, it was only temporary freedom. So constantly the priests would make sacrifices for the people's freedom. But Jesus paid the ultimate price, he shed his own blood! And it bought us permanent freedom...God forgave us long before we sinned and made it that as long as we accepted Christ's sacrifice we wouldn't be guilty anymore... so you see, love, forgiveness and grace. We didn't even have to ask he just did it. He died and rose again  for me and you so we can have a kind of life that can't be taken from us.
Can you live like this? I am not saying die for anyone because that slot was taken thousands of years ago.  I mean can you love unconditionally? Whether it is deserved or not? Can you forgive? Whether you get an Apology or not? Whether you keep getting hurt? Can you forgive and let it go totally? In recent times I have been tested in this aspect...and well, I didn't handle it so well. Look, it is human to want to get back or hate or give em a taste of their own evil....but it is Christ to forgive. We get hurt all the time by the least people we expect it from...This is life. But think of how messed up most of our lives get sometimes...think of some of the really crazy stuff you have done and yet big or small sin you got forgiven  before your great great great great great( you get the idea) father was even conceived as an idea in any human' s mind. So I don't think if you were given a 1000 years  to live you would get hurt as much as God does. Truely forgiving is hard but is right and possible. I used to think I could forgive anything till recently...when I figured that my human will could only take me thus far and only the God in me could do that. So yes when you have Christ you can and should forgive anything. You can love the right way from your inside unconditionally...
#KSOM#GoodFriday#Easter

Hey Fam!
It's been forever right? I can't say i haven't written because i have been busy, and yes, though i have been busy i have just been taking out time to work on me or should i say to let God work on me. And make no mistake, the work is far from been done but i thought i should write today as i miss it and you too.
Today i am just writing. I am not thinking twice about my words or my next sentence but i am just writing because that is the reason i started blogging in the first place and that is why my blog is named what it is. Writing is my way to exhale. It is how i communicate. It is how i express.... You know what i mean. And might i use this avenue to add that i am not sorry that i don't follow the rules when i write. I already have to follow the rules when i talk or sing or do anything else... But when i write, it's raw from inside you know. It's like an outpouring; a gush of emotions and thoughts that just flow.....
A lot has been happening. Everywhere...Elections, new technologies and bla and bla...various opinions about stuff happening. About the Political state of Nigeria i refuse to comment...that is just an aside anyway.
So lately i have been thinking about life and time and decisions...been asking questions...Time is running by and what am i doing? what are you doing? How are you spending the gift of life you get everyday? What occupies your mind? What prompts your actions? Why do you do what you do? Remove everybody's opinion from you and what would you be? Why do say what you say? What are you making out of life? Are you preoccupied with other people's business? What is your essence? What is different because you are still alive? What is not?
You know sometimes you need to question your core. Or else you would live life lifeless. What are you doing with the opportunities you have... big or small? I am sick of complaining about what is not good and what is not there. I am sick of hearing people complain and grumble too. Because while you are doing that, life does not stop. It goes on....
Everyday and everywhere there is an opportunity. It might not be what you want at the time but it might be what you need to get what you want.I visited a refugee camp on a Church's Missions Outing recently... What i saw was not what i expected. This is what i expected...
Despondent and lifeless looking people. Hopeless eyes and Smiless faces...because i mean they have practically nothing.
This is what i saw...
Hope. Joy. Love.Smiles....I was wrong. They had something... They had life. And because they had life, there was hope... there was an opportunity. The kids laughed and played like everything in this world was right! I went there to give but i received so much more than i gave. I received a new perspective.... I have so much! I have my family, I am in school. I eat 3 square meals when i please. I can even snack. I have clean water and a bed. I have my physical body intact and my mind sound. If nothing more i have a laptop to blog...
Count your blessings and you would see the list is endless. Yes! you want more...I want more! But we have so much. Most of all we all have opportunities to make something out of everyday we breathe, to touch a life, to mend someone's heart with a smile, to use our gifts to reach someone. Enough of the selfishness! The 'me-consciousness'.... The 'what's in it for me attitude'. Become someone with a purpose everyday...wake up grateful and hopeful! AS LONG AS YOU BREATHE, IT'S NOT OVER!
This was not titled because like i said i am just writing...i am sharing my heart. I know someone needs to hear this... I know i do...

THE SIGN'S DOWN......

  Melody could not afford to buy designer shoes but that did not stop her from wanting them. her family was barely managing to survive and all her momma could afford was used shoes....and she was working 3 jobs already. Infact, Melody had to find a job of her own so she could save up a liltle something for herself.  Anyway, Mel had a thing for shoes and she just could not be satisfied with the ones her mom got she and her siblings. So she would always pray for  a designer shoes of her own.
   One day, after school she heard some girls talking about how some designer was giving out new shoes. Interested in this sort of thing, she drew closer to listen. They said this had never happened before and it was almost too good to be true. They said it would be on for a while.....So Mel hurried off to the store to see for herself and yes there it was on the store window, 'Free sunshine shoes'. She could not believe it. The next day, she saw someone wearing one of the shoes and she stopped to ask how much the lady had bought them. but the lady told her they were free. Mel still could not believe. She thought to herself that there must be a catch. Nothing goes for nothing. But everyday, she would pass by the store and stare at the sign. She told herself one of these days i would walk in there and find out for myself. And she told herself that everyday. But weeks turned to months and she still didn't go in. She kept telling herself she would. Finally, one day she decided to go check it out. However when she got there, the sign on the store window was gone. So she ran in the store and asked one of the store attendants about the free shoes. The lady told her that the offer was off. "off? but there was a sign and everything", Mel cried. ' But the sign's down now miss. The offer is off". A devastated Melody walked home wishing she had not waited so long to accept the store's offer.

  Each of us is born with the longing for something more. Something more than riches and company and whatever earthly thing you can desire. Ask the world's 'richest' people and they will tell you that even after you get all the earthly wealth you could desire, you never get satisfied. That innate desire is the desire for something or someone bigger than our very beings. So most times people go on a 'search' for that something. And they end up in different places. Some wind up in places where they get temporary fulfillment and after a while, they resume their search. But some others find that person and find rest. The space for the creator, for God and his son Jesus is what causes that longing.
 So while some end up in various religions and lifestyles, others find rest in the arms of the saviour, Jesus Christ. Like the sign at the store window, an offer has being made by God to us (John 3:16; for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not die but have eternal life). But like Mel, sometimes, it sounds too good to be true and we don't even give it a chance. We say we will, someday, soon, very very very soon but we don't. However we should beware because, one day when we are least expecting it, the offer will be gone. Jesus will come back for his own and then no matter how much begging and crying, it will be too late.
  I know we have heard it severally that Jesus is coming soon and it is beginning to sound like a broken record to us. But it should not because it is true. We see the signs all around us. So today, i stand as a voice to remind us not to get too busy with the affairs on earth to forget the second coming of our Lord.
  If you are yet to accept the offer of God, do not hesitate and if you have, live in the consciousness of it. Remember, the bible says he will come like a thief in the night.....DON'T WAIT TILL THE SIGN GOES DOWN!!!
Much love.........

Making a U-turn; Change!!!!
Happy new year family!!!!!! We are almost a month gone....

Today I am gonna write on something super important and it's called Change.  Change they say is the only constant thing but change is the hardest thing or is it?
I was having a conversation with a friend one day and she said to me, "sometimes, when you look at the big picture, it gets overwhelming but take it one piece at a time. How do u eat an elephant?" or I think the question, came before the big picture part but anyway that was what she said. We weren't talking about change but I believe it applies here too.
Everyone especially young people sometimes delve into wrong stuff, or learn bad habits. Sometimes out of curiosity, other times because of the wrong company. Or many times, even having the wrong information stored in their heart. The Bible says to guard our hearts with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life(proverbs 4:23). But sometimes we let our guards down and pollute our hearts and begin to find ourselves misbehaving and making wongs decisions. We have all been here at some point and some people still are. And then we say to ourselves, ' I want to change! I don't don't know how'. So we keep on doing what's wrong and spreading the dark stain on our white robes. ' Afterall, I am already bad, what's the point right?' We drown ourselves in the dirt and throw ourselves a self pity party...telling ourselves we are just victims of circumstance. Maybe you even started doing wrong because you had a bad background... the world is constantly trying to help us make excuses for our misbehaviour; oh, she comes from a broken home that's why she's so unruly, cut her some slack. oh! They are so poor, that's why she is a prostitute, give her a break! Oh! His father was a drunk and was super violent that's why. He is violent!.......
I am not saying that sometimes up bringing doesn't affect a person's morals. That is possible but get up from the floor and dust yourself. Stop making excuses to remain there. You choose what experiences do to you. You can either let them harm you or make you a better person!
If you are in a bad place already, whatever the reason, change isn't that hard contrary to popular opinion....it just has to be taken step by step. Slowly but surely...
The first step, is accepting that you are in a bad place and making a decision to leave there. Infact that is the most important part. Make up your mind to make a U-turn. It's not too late. Don't wait for tomorrow. Start now! Decide now!
You cannot do it on your own, though. Rely on the ability of Christ in you. Surrender it all to him. Your mind and heart, your thoughts, everything! Because until you come to a place where you accept that you can't move anymore except God picks you up, you will eventually get stuck.
So yes, change might not be the easiest thing to do but it is not the hardest either!

KEEPING STILL

Count down to the end of 2014- A DAY!!

 Hello everybody! it's been a wonderful year hasn't it? We sure have a lot to be thankful for. "Like what, Dew?", you might ask. Well, for starters, if you are reading this, then your eyes functions just fine and your brain has no problem comprehending simple grammar. That's something... plus, hey! you are alive! Like the saying goes, 'where there is life, there is hope'. It might not seem so at the moment. You may have had a rough 2014 or you might have set out goals and done everything you could but nothing happened. Well, today as an end of year gift I'd like to share something i learnt yesterday.

  Last night, i had to sleep in the same room as my baby brother and he is a light sleeper. Well, i was told i had to be very still and quiet and i thought to myself, 'how hard can it be?' It was finally time to go to bed and he was already in his cot, sleeping. So i opened the door and tip toed to my bed. Unfortunately though, i kept knocking stuff over. In fact, i got to realize that staying still was not so easy after all. And all through the night, it was hard to turn carefully and knock make any noise and all that. And in my frustration, i heard this still voice say, "this is how you are most times". I wondered, 'but i am not always clumsy, infact i love organization more than anyone i know'. " It's hard for you to keep still about situations. It's hard for you to wait. It's hard for most people to wait.". I battled over that short conversation for a while and realized it is so true. My mum describes our generation as the 'microwave age'- we want everything now! We don't want to wait for anything. We rush into everything. Quick money, we fall most easily for scams.

  Look, there are 2 things involved, hard work and then waiting- keeping still. Sometimes we have done all we can do and we just have to wait. God don't do magic.... Of cause, because he is God, he can cause money to rain for your sake but he won't because we need to learn patience, keeping still, waiting or long suffering. It is a fruit of the spirit and a much needed one. This is trust, this is faith...learning to keep still.
Take a farmer for instance, he tills and cultivates a land, sows his seeds, water them and all that is needed to make it grow but that does not mean that the seed would just spring out of the ground the moment it is sown. Even though it is sown on the most fertile ground. it takes time to grow. The farmer doesn't just get angry and destroy everything he worked so hard for just because it's not magically producing, he waits. My point is, there is the place of keeping still.
 
  In this new year, learn to keep still so you can hear God's voice. Learn the importance of waiting on the lord. I believe this verses will help:

Psalms 37:7   Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

 

Romans 12:12  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

  

keep praying, don't stop beliving or trusting and learn to wait on God!

I wish you a great cross-over!!!

Much love!

 
 

#YouTooCanLead!!

Hi, I'm Daniel Otabor and I have no position. So there's basically no difference between you and I. Except that I understand that I can lead without having any position.

I have been running a series for some time now and I promised the awesome DEW Uwadia I was gonna have it on her blog.

Long Story Short, I'm going to be talking about #YouTooCanLead..

First what really is leadership and why do I believe strongly that you can lead?

Leadership is the ability for you to lead yourself effectively to the extent that people will want to follow.. Meaning leadership is first personal, then public.

Will you follow you, if you were leading you?

A Chinese proverbs says, "If You Think You Are Leading And No One Is Following, Then You're Only Taking A Walk!"

My role model, Dr Myles Munroe didn't agree with this and I know why. This was what he said; "You Don't Need People To Follow You Before You Are Regarded As A Leader. As Long As You're Leading A Purpose Then You Are A Leader."

Then again, if you are leading and no one is following, are you not following you?

That Said;

Find what you love doing and lead it. Discover your purpose and lead it!

But Daniel I don't know my Purpose --- How do I discover my purpose?

Well, to some it came easily, to others it didn't.. But just to quickly help you, Find that thing you love doing even when no one is watching or recognises it. Find that thing that makes you angry when it's done (E.g you get angry when information isn't properly disseminated or there isn't any content value. You can consider the media.) Due to my belief as a christain, I recommend that you pray and seek God for He is your creator and he will reveal your purpose to you.

But Daniel O! How do you lead effectively, you're young and you're doing all of this?

Well Baby! I just serve effectively..

You need to understand  that leaders have strengths. Establishing this knowledge, you also need to realize that leaders have weaknesses too..

But this is it, Leaders understand that "Getting Better Everyday Is Actually What Living Everyday Looks Like."

You telling yourself reasons why you can't lead and the reasons are solely because of your weaknesses are just stoppers! You've got strengths too! Yes you've got STRENGTHS!

Focus on your strengths and how you can make them effective in usage. Focus on how your strengths can make you achieve your desired goals. Focus on how your strength can take over and be in charge.

Why worry about a mango fruit when you can actually own the tree?

Now your mind is going to run you to death if you don't watch it.

"Watch Your Thoughts For They Become Your Actions, Watch Your Actions For They Become Your Habits, Watch Your Habits For They Become Your Character, Watch Your Character For It Determines Your Destiny - For What Ever You Think You Become.."

As a leader, what's your thought content? What do you spend your time thinking about? Are your thoughts innovative? Can your thoughts produce solutions to problems?

Your Mind Is The Seat Of Government Of Your Deeds!! Your Deeds Produce Results!!
Results Attract Followers..

When Sandra Day O'Connor graduated from Stanford Law School, she was turned down for interviews by over 40 Law firms because she was a woman. In 1981, she became the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court..

Leaders are resilient! They keep coming back for more, they don't "Fizzle Out." To become, you most be formed!

Helen Keller (1880-1968) became deaf blind before her second birthday. Despite this debilitating disability, she learned to read and write, and became the first deaf blind person to gain a Bachelor Degree..

You Still Think You Can Be Held Back?

#YouTooCanLead..

Quickly going back memory lane; I had a discussion with Steve Harris (Your Life Strategist)! He's awesome.

On this day like always, I had a rare privilege to have a discussion with Steve Harris (Your Life Strategist), As he was at the office. From our discussion, I noted that true leaders are "The Voice" and not an Echo! He made me understand that really, there's a need for growth and track records.

You can't always regurgitate everything you take in. People need to know that they are following you and not some other person who you constantly pose as! #Deep-Right?

Myles Munroe said it this way, "To Be A Leader, You Must Be An Original!"

Always remember, you're not in a competition with anyone! You're only becoming better irrespective of who is watching or who isn't..

Stephen Covey Said, "Find Your Voice."

This One Is On The House:
Leading isn't what attracts people to you, it's the positive impact your leadership has made that does!

To lead effectively, you must see what others don't. John Maxwell said, "Leaders Know The Way, Shows The Way, And Goes The Way."

You can only know the way, show the way and go the way if you are a visionary! What do you see? Leaders are visionaries and vision is the picture of the future. Fela Durotoye said, "The Future Is Not A Timezone That's To Come; The Future Is All You Can Be But Have Not Yet Become, The Future Is All You Can Do But Have Not Yet Done, The Future Is All You Can Have But Have Not Yet Possessed."

And Remember I'm Daniel Otabor, I Have No Position And I'm Leading Effectively.. #YouTooCanLead.

choices!

Hi everybody! Where do I even begin? Errrrm, school is just so so demanding these days. I rarely have time to breathe, let alone write. But I am going to try to keep up. Over the past month, I have been faced with challenges and the issue of making decisions. Some I have made good choices and others, well I don't know. But that's what I'm going to talk about today...Choices.
 Wise men often say that you are not really a product of your family upbringing or your environment but you are a product of the choices that you made and are making and will be the product of the choices that you will make. Something weird happened to me this week. And I will share it with you.
About 3 weeks ago, a certain organisation came to my school with a competition and basically I was not planning to enter. Due to some personal reasons. But a day to the deadline, someone I respect told me to enter. I knew why I didn't want to at first but I felt I should not let him down. Now that I think of it, I don't even know how I would have. Anyway, I decided(note the word decided) to get in for whatever funny reason I should. I had hours to the deadline and I rushed everything. Well long story short I could not get in. I was so embarrassed and sad and angry at everyone else. But then after the dust had settled, I realised I was to blame. Why? I made the choice to enter. I wasn't really compelled to. I decided to. And when the repacautions of my choice came, I alone was d target.
Point been, my choice to listen and agree to the pressure got me to that point. Whatever choice no matter how small can change and determine the course of your life. For instance, a decision to greet someone could get you a job. Choices as simple as yes and no choices can affect you in ways you never imagined. Sometimes we live in the illusion that a small worng decision can't hurt anything or that people actually have the ability to force us into anything. But no one else should be held responsible for your bad choices or good ones at that. Because you alone have the power to do or not to do.
So today please think before making any decision. I know today's write up is quite brief but I trust it has substance. I love you all! Stay true to yourself and make right choices today!

TRUE PEACE!!!!!

Hi Hi good people!
what have you been up to lately? i hope good and creative stuff. So i know it is not news anymore that the famous actor, comedian, philanthropist, Robin Williams is dead.

It is all over the news and the social media. it is sad. too sad. Yesterday, i was watching CNN breaking news about it and by today, the fact that it was a suicide was confirmed. According to reports, the late actor had suffered severe depression and had recently been to rehab. And as we were watching this, my sister asked a profound question; what on earth would make him suffer depression? He made people laugh, made people happy and stuff. Larry King says he was so open. He talked about everything with such humor. yet, this amazing happy looking, simple man was depressed to the point of suicide.(RESPECT TO THE DEAD) This got me thinking....

  Last time, i posted about talking to someone and i pointed out the fact that God wouldn't have put us with other people on the planet if we were meant to handle stuff alone. Now, they say, he talked about his battles with drugs and all that openly and with humour... so he did talk to someone. in fact, he talked to people. Now am not saying that what he said, was the cause of his depression. The point i am trying to make is, money and fame don't give peace. Many times, i have heard people say, "if i could just land some cool cash, all my problems would go away" or " i would be settled if i got this and i got that". Look people, the only true peace in life comes from having a relationship with Jesus Christ. He alone gives peace. Money, fame, relationships and men or women cannot. I know what am saying. I know because i have a relationship with him. He is the only one who can give true inner comfort and peace. 

 Many people make Jesus sound like one of many options but he is not. He is the only option! You see, every man was born with this gaping hole inside. And most people spend their lives trying to feel it. they try drugs, beer, parties, sex, fame, clothes, money and 'success'. But after all is said and done,  the hole remains empty. You know what i mean. Everyone does. Jesus says:

Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid

I repeat that you will never experience true peace without a relationship with Jesus Christ. In the book of Samuel, after Saul disobeys God and the Spirit of God leaves him, he is tormented by evil spirits. This is proof that without the spirit of God in a man's life he will always be troubled.

 So if you don't and have never had a relationship with Jesus, it's not too late. Thank God for grace. You can right now. say this quick prayer:

DEAR LORD JESUS,

I COME BEFORE TODAY. JUST AS I AM. EMPTY AND HELPLESS. I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD AND THAT YOU CAME AND DIED FOR ME. I ACCEPT YOUR GIFT OF SALVATION TODAY. THANK YOU LORD FOR ACCEPTING ME INTO YOUR KINGDOM.

AMEN.

Congrats! you just took the first step. Now if you don,t have a Bible, please get one because it is God's love letters to you.:) Then find a fellowship around you where you can be guided and helped to grow spiritually.

Now if you were already born again but still do not experience true peace. you should probably rededicate your life and commiment to God. And most importantly, spend time with God in prayer and mediating on his word.  Sometimes we all have to be reminded.

 Finally, please i want to emphize the fact that we should be careful what we feed ourselves (what we watch and hear). When surfing the net or searching the Tv for a program, please look for stuff that will uplift you and not drag you down physically,emotionally and spiritually. This is very important. to this effect, i'd like the ladies to check out the PINKY PROMISE MOVEMENT. Just goggle it. And for the guys and men please check out THE OATH MOVEMENT. it inspired me and helped me refocus. i hope it does that for you too.

Remain in the peace that God brings people.

I truely love y'all.

p.s: if you have difficulty leaving a comment or question or even suggestion, you can seek me out on facebook: Dew Uwadia. 

 

 

 

TALK TO SOMEBODY!

 Hi people! so again i apologize for not been very regular. But today i want to talk about something i see as too important to ignore.
   I was talking to my mum some days ago, and she told me the story (true by the way) of a young man who committed suicide.  He was a student in one of the Nigerian universities. He was been pressured to join a cult but he kept refusing. A while later, he was threatened and forced into it and he was told that if he told his parents they would get killed. Well he did what he thought was "best" and killed himself leaving behind a suicide note that detailed his reason.
    I almost cried when i heard this because he seemed to be a good guy who would have done great in life if not for the unfortunate incident. Now he did not have to do this, he would have just spoken to his parents. Because his parents were really strong Christians. Or even somebody else who could have helped.
 My point been this: we all have issues sometimes especially as young people. And we often think that we can fix everything on our own and we would be just fine. but let me ask a question; don't you think that most of the mistakes we have made at one point or another in our lives could have or may have been avoided if we had just talked to someone?
 Let me use myself as an example. Growing up i developed a very tight bond with my mother. She is a very principled person no doubt but she is also very understanding. And because she is a listening mother, she is one person i have also felt comfortable confiding in. There have been times of major decisions or even minor ones in my life and times when i would be growing through something, and talking to my mum about it has always been very helpful. even when i make mistakes by taking silly decisions, she's always there to listen and advice when necessary. i have been saved from alot of trouble and regret because i made the choice to talk to her.
 No matter what it is, there's always somebody to listen. Alot of young people go into drugs, or start drinking and all that sort of thing because they want to escape the reality of what they are truely going through. but this can only bring some form of temporary satisfaction because when the effects of all that is cleared, reality does not go anywhere.

I realize that it is really hard opening up
 to somebody or letting the real you come out but believe me when i say, it would save you alot of pain, trauma and regret. we usually lie to ourselves and others that we are fine when we are'nt really.

TALK TO SOMEBODY!  
 if God had intended for us to handle stuff on our own, he would have just put us on our own in the planet...