DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHAT PEOPLE THINK/SAY?

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

As my dad smacked me in the head, I grudgingly walked away not understanding why the visitor could not use the long glass I had brought for him to drink the red wine my dad had set on the table. I went back to the wine glass rack and pulled out the glass with the wider base for the visitor to use... still wondering why he could not use the first glass cup I brought. From then till now I still can't understand why the white wine glass is different from the red wine glass - not that there are no explanations but I just can't understand why there should be a reason. Does it really matter if you pour the white wine in a red wine glass or vice versa? Will it change the taste of the wine? Does the shape of the glass cup allow a free flow of the wine into the mouth? If you present a visitor with a white wine and give him/her a red wine glass, does that make you a bad host? I'm still wondering why....because in the end, all that matters is the wine went from the glass into your mouth; your tongue enjoyed the taste of the wine which then passed through your oesophagus into your stomach and ends up in the toilet as urine. Following this life cycle of the wine, again I ask - does it really matter what glass you drink your wine in?

It's interesting how most of us live our lives with so much headache on what type of glass to drink our wine from. Yes ... you reading this article. What am I trying to say? In the journey of life, it really doesn't matter where you are at or what stage in life you are at presently. All that matters is that you're not at one spot - you're moving forward and making progress. It also doesn't matter what people think/say about you; understand that there will always be critics who stand on the way throwing tantrums at you and telling you how they expect your life to be or how they think you're not doing something well. These people act like the day you were born, there was a slot for their signature on your birth certificate. They expect you to be at a certain level at a certain age in your life and when you're not there yet; they make you feel miserable about it because according to them "your mates" have all achieved so and so while you're yet to get there. They always have "when" and "why" questions such as - Daisy, Amaka is getting married next month so when is yours? Or, Lanre, Chudi has just bought a new BMW and built a new house for his parents so when are we seeing your handwork? The most common question for both male and female - so when are you getting married? Does it really matter when? 

If you ever get these questions, your response should be - If I tell you when I will do these things, how will it affect your life? Will it add a cubit to your height or a pound to your flesh? As different as our faces are, so are our destinies; even twins do not have the same thumb print and do not have the same dreams or ambitions. That someone else is

drinking their white wine in a slender long glass does not mean it tastes better than yours because you're drinking from a wider base glass. I mean, someone else's success does not insinuate that you are not making progress in life so quit letting people control your life choosing what type of glass you have to drink your wine in. The igbos will say "ebe onye oso ruru ka onye ije g'eru" meaning - the person running and the person walking will both get to the same destination. Kinda reminds me of the bedtime stories about the tortoise, slow but steady showing that it's not about how fast your so called mates run but how well. Compare two people building houses - a skyscraper and a bungalow. When the bungalow is completed, the owner of the skyscraper will still be laying his foundation. But the people looking from outside will not understand; they will only see that two people started building together but one person finished before the other.  

While beating yourself up about what type of glass to drink your wine from; remember that some people do not even have wine to drink talk more of choosing which glass to drink from. So when next those people come with their when and why questions; remind them that there are also some of those your mates who are 6 feet below the ground and couldn't live to enjoy the wine whether from a long slender glass or a wider base glass.

• It's your life - choose to live it on God's purpose and plans for you, not what people think is best for you. God's time is the best and as long as you're walking in his plans for your life - what anybody thinks or says really doesn't matter.

• Be motivated by other people's success and let it be a source of encouragement to you. Never envy anybody, you'll short-circuit that miracle in your life especially if it's something you desire. Instead celebrate people and you in will be celebrated.

• Constantly push yourself to perform better than your past, not to compete with others. If your goal is to be better than that your flat mate or co-worker; you may end up frustrating yourself. 

• Don't let the world decide for you, let THE WORD decide for you. The wine is yours, you can even drink it with a tea cup...it's nobody's business as long a it's fine with God.

• White wine or red wine, it doesn't really matter which glass you use as long as the wine gets into your mouth and serves its purpose. Therefore, whether fast or slow... it doesn't really matter as long as you just keep moving.

• Always be thankful for having wine at least; there are people who don't have i.e. be thankful for life and for where God has brought you to.

• Even when there is no glass to drink the wine, you can drink directly from the bottle. Meaning, when you're faced with obstacles - just take the bull by the horn and push your way through.

• Never stop dreaming as long as you wake up and make it happen.

Have a beautiful week

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BUILDING YOURSELF FOR GREATNESS

Friday, October 25, 2013

Hi lovelies, I trust you all had a great week. It's been a while I wrote a success-inspirational article and today I'm going to share with you on a topic I've been meditating on for a very long time from my pastor's message - Building Yourself for Greatness. 

Success is NOT an accident and anybody can be a success but you have to prepare for it because the future belongs to those who prepare for it. We all have dreams and goals, but it's not enough to be a dreamer because there are lots of dreamers who never achieved their dreams. It's good to dream, but don't get lost in the dream; get up and make it happen. Life has made provisions for everyone to achieve their dreams if you follow the right principles. Never blame anybody for failure cos it's just NOT an option for you. Make up your mind to be a key player not a spectator; don't live on the sidewalks...be the one to make things happen. 

Some people want it to happen

Some wish it could happen

Others make it happen

-Michael Jordan-

We all have a seed of greatness deposited inside of us from the point of conception; what you do with that seed is up to you - whether to grow it into greatness or to let it lie

dormant inside you while you blame everyone for your situation. Explore your mind and bring out the best in you; there's more to your life than you can ever imagine cos you were destined for greatness. There are few tings you need to do to prepare and build yourself for greatness; these are:

1. Cultivate a discontent with mundanity and mediocrity in your life: Refuse to be satisfied with anything that is not excellent (it doesn't make you an extremist, it just makes you someone of excellence).  Never mind critics - they are only spectators who sit on the sidewalks and watch the players; they will definitely talk about you and say things to pull you down. Please pay them no attention and no matter what you do, BE THE BEST.
2. Drive yourself to improve your mind and abilities: Seek ways to improve yourself; come out of your comfort zone and do things differently. Sometimes you have to stretch yourself beyond your limits; if you have decided to be the best then you have to work towards it and make a decision to keep doing it until you become the best. Cultivate/sharpen/harness your skills, invest in your mind-start reading the right materials - do things differently. Make sacrifices if the need be and run with the right crowd. To live a positive life, you need to surround yourself with positive people.
3. The "unseen you" is the one to make you a success - train that man/woman: The real you is the inner man where your thoughts are processed  and this is where your greatness lies so don't let that "you" be intimidated no matter what. You may have grown up in an environment where you were ridiculed, mocked and as a result you never thought you could become great. Truth is, it doesn't matter what happened in your past - if your past does not inspire you; drop it and focus on creating a beautiful future ahead. Reprogram your mind and thinking from that shy, quiet, timid young boy/girl to a bold, strong and courageous man/woman.
4.  Don't let the memory of the past stop you: If your past does not inspire you, dump it. If you feel terrible, cry or have regrets anytime you remember your past, let it go cos it's not good enough for your future. Don't be a slave to your past - focus on what lies ahead. 
5. Don't let anything stop you: Your journey to greatness will bring you to many obstacles/roadblocks but don't let them stop you. If you ever encounter a road without obstacles, it's probably cos it's leading nowhere. A road that leads to greatness will have some walls to challenge you; this will test and try you. It could come in different forms - negative words from critics, you may fail the first time, betrayal, etc. However it comes, don't let it get to you - fight the fight of faith and keep trying. If you fail seven times, rise up eight times and keep at it.

Obstacles don't have to stop you. 

If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work through it - Michael Jordan

I see greatness in you, wake up and run with your dreams till you achieve your desired goal. Have a great weekend

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LOVEWORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL...REGISTER NOW FOR AUDITIONS

Sunday, March 31, 2013

DO YOU HAVE AN AMAZING VOICE? It's time for the world to hear it. Register for auditions NOW!

Loveworld Music Festival is a celebration of music designed to fill the airwaves with God's praise. It comprises of a singing competition and a concert. The much enjoyed singing competition gives contestants the opportunity to display the true worshipper within as they battle it out before four seasoned judges.

The audition stages require the judges to whittle down the hundreds of contestants to a tidy number of 10. The 10 selected contestants will go through to the semi-finals and 3 will be chosen to go through to the finals and concert where the winner will be crowned.

The competition segment of LMF was last held in 2009 where David Balogun aka David B was crowned the winner. Lorraine Clarke won in 2008 and Emeka aka Sam Obi Mex was the first ever winner in 2007.

Past contestants include:

Teni Abosede (Teny Tinks) who is currently working as a session singer and background vocalist in New York with the likes of Karen Clark Sheard, Bishop Iona Locke and Daniel Sneed. This gave her the opportunity to sing at President Obama's Inauguration Ball. She will also be touring with Wynton Marsellis on his upcoming tour.

Joelle Moses of 'The Voice UK' fame. She chose to be a member of Will.I.AM's team after all four judges turned their chairs at her blind auditon on the much acclaimed BBC show.

Blessing Ntsikelelo Vani who has since featured in the hit musical - 'The Lion King' in central London.

The finals/concert for 2013 will feature performances from the Loveworld Music Ministry UK, past contestants, Sinach and a host of others.

REGISTER @ http://www.loveworldmusicfestival.co.uk/auditions.html

Venue                                                                                    Telephone

Loveworld TV Complex                                             0207 511 5830

Henley Road

London E16 2ES                                                        Email: lmf2013@loveworldtv.co.uk

Audition dates

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Don't hide your talent...You're just one step to being a star...God has given you a voice, use it to bless others. Al the best with the auditions.

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GREATLY INSPIRED: SELF-TAUGHT AFRICAN TEEN WOWS M.I.T.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

                              I'm INSPIRED MUCH!!!!!!!!! He's only 15 years old....wow!

There are just some things that should not be overlooked or seen as being common. Such things are videos like this that send electric waves down your spine (dunno about you) but when I watch stuff like this, my mind starts thinking. When I was 15, what was I doing? How was my level of thinking? Watching David has given me hope in African youths; it goes to show that where there is a WILL there is a WAY. All you need is focus and determination. I was particularly endeared to the fact that David did not have the resources he needed at his disposal, he took cables from the trash...unbelievable. He turns trash into treasures, at 15. 

Then I look at some youths today who will give many excuses why they have not been able to pass their simple maths and English exam. You were even privileged too be taught in a school and yet you still complain, ah...I wish I could be 15 again and beg God to give me mind-blowing ideas. The other day I read about 3 Nigerian girls who created a generator powered by urine, even though it may be dangerous...I applaud them for their initiative. There are many more Davids in our society today and I want to encourage you to be focused on your passion, start with whatever you have and gradually work your way to realization of your dreams. 

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DO YOU HAVE A TALENT? GO FOR IT

Thursday, May 3, 2012

This is absolute-freaking-ly amazing. I could not resist the urge to share. I hope you like it.

Something to learn: Follow your dreams. Whatever you want to do, it's never too late to start; discover that talent inside of you and harness it. I like the fact that parents today allow their kids to pursue their talents.

When I was younger, same age with Malaki I know all I ever wanted to do was stay on the computer and tap buttons. I joined the computer club in secondary school and I liked everything that had to do with technology, when friends buy new phones I usually teach them how to access the functions even without reading a manual. I literally sit in front of a computer and explore, learning new things every day with no help from any tutor. I knew what I wanted to study in the university - Computer Engineering but daddy won't let me. He always said 'choose between medicine, pharmacy or law', engineering is for boys'  (loll). I was so sad but I couldn't choose for myself then and somehow found myself as a medical student in the university, a course I never wanted especially as I can't even stand the sight of blood or the hospital environment itself. To cut the long story short, I couldn't follow my heart as a child but as I grew older I took few courses in IT and till date I still learn about IT.

So dear readers, when your child has a talent and wants to pursue it...encourage them. My younger brother Alex wants to be a professional footballer and also has a passion for music/dance. Unlike me, dad allowed him follow his dreams (maybe cos he's the last child), he also encouraged him by getting him into the young team of Pepsi Football Club. So while studying he goes for his practice and has been a good defender and  a very great entertainer on the dance floor.

Lexy at 10 doing what he loves, sorry I couldn't get his football pix.

It's good to discover these talents at a young age so that you will channel your focus towards actualizing that dream. Looking at Malaki and Alex, I can imagine what they will become in the future.  If you have a talent...GO FOR IT, explain to mum & dad; i'm sure they'll understand and encourage you. If you discover it late, there's still time for you to pursue it. As an adult it could even be a second source of income outside your regular job. I've seen engineers become chefs (Edoro Abebe-CEO Vanilla Restaurant, Abuja); another engineer turned photographer (Jide Alakija photography), lawyer turned actress (Funke Akindele a.k.a Jenifa), Harvard graduate of Economics turned basket-ball player (Jeremy Lin - plays for New York Knicks). I could go on and on with different people who discovered their talent and turned it into a treasure. Same can happen for you. Just GO FOR IT.

XX

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