LECTURE 101: MIND MANAGEMENT

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Hey beautiful people…

How often do you find yourself humming to the tune of a song you just heard someone singing? It may have been your first time of hearing the song but out of the blues you just start humming to the tune of the song. Yes or No? Well, if you lie… godiswatching u oh. I’m am very honest so, “yels” I find myself singing in the shower, sometimes to the soundtrack of a movie (doesn’t mean I’ll audition for X-Factor or Idol J). I wake up at intervals most nights and some of those times I say a prayer before going back to bed. There was this particular night where instead of starting my prayers, the first thing that came to my mind was “crying in the rain”. It was the sound track for “Mr & Mrs”; one of the best Naija movies I watched last year. Immediately, I took my phone and set it to my worship playlist. I placed it on the dock and increased the volume cos I wanted the music to drown the soundtrack replaying in my mind so that I can focus on my prayers. This is how we should guard our heart/mind to determine what stays and what should go. Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it spring the issues of life.

Now the proper lecture…

We are products of the things we watch, hear, read, the people we interact with and the places we go. These things form images in your mind, and then you begin to think about them, you spend time pondering on them; next thing they form habits and then eventually your character. Basically, they contribute to your perception about life, they determine how you think, speak and act.

Luke 6:45says “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Ecclesiastes 11:13 says “If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth”.

What will flow out of the abundance of your heart? When you are full, what will you pour out to the people around you? In the course of life, we acquire knowledge from the things we watch, hear, read, the people we interact with and the places we go. Now the question is:

• What kind of things do you watch?
• What kind of things do you read?
• What kind of things/people do you listen to?
• What kind of people do you interact with?
• What kind of places do you go to?

When you have answered these questions then you will know the kinda words and actions that will flow out from you. The quality of our life is shown in the quality of the character we display and the words we speak. It is time to drown those words and negative information that comes into your heart subconsciously, it is time to say NO to those friends who do not add value to your life, it is time to stay away from those places that do not add value to you, places that do not uplift your spirit; it is time to discard those magazines and books that do not inspire you to be the person God has created you to be…you know the ones I’m talking of right? Run with the right crowd, read/watch stuff that are educative, inspirational and motivational because if you do not manage your mind, the things you allow to go in there will manage you instead. Your heart is like a garden, you plant the seeds you want to grow; you water the field and nurture it making sure that you take off the weeds so that they do not spoil the good seed. Don’t find yourself doing the wrong things and putting the blame on the devil; you decide the things you let into your mind and they will affect your actions. Manage your mind or the devil will manage it for you…if you let him. He knows how to persuade people with the sweetest pleasures of all times; with proper management and adherence to your manager’s(God’s) words, your eyes will be blinded to such deception.

What plans have you made? What New Year resolutions have you made? I know you’re working towards them…PERFECT, but be vigilant. Guard your heart with all diligence. Turn up the volume of everything POSITIVE around you and be sure to drown the voice of every negative thought or influence.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 

Have a beautiful weekend. I’ll like you to share your thoughts on the article.

XX

Lynn

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A WOMAN'S WORTH

Friday, March 2, 2012

It all started on a Sunday morning by 8.07am, a cry was heard on the hall-way of Sancta Maria Hospital and everyone in the waiting room leapt with joy. It was the 15^th of February 198(?), a baby girl was given as a blessing to a certain family somewhere in the eastern part of Nigeria. A bundle of joy as many will call it, but that day marked the beginning of my journey on earth as a WOMAN. Days turned to weeks, months, and years but as I grew older, I began to understand the precepts of being a woman. Mum will always tutor me on how to sit, stand, walk, talk – the total composure of a woman and during my teen years I’ll never forget something she said to me “Don’t let a boy touch you cos if it he does, you’ll become pregnant” (lol). I starred at her with my eyes and mouth wide open, engulfed with the fear of the unknown. But in my early 20s, I realised that mum said those words to keep me focused and to be careful with guys. At 21, I had the opportunity to live on my own (freedom of NYSC); away from mum and dad – it was time to experience the world for myself. Who I chose to be from that day will determine my future as a woman.

With time, I got to realise that there is so much expectation from you as a woman; in the family, at work and the society at large. But the most important is to live up to that which God has made you to be – your true value, far above rubies. After so much thought, I narrowed it down to one question, WHO AM I? Who you are as a woman defines your total personality and serves as a platform on which you stride through life. But it’s so unfortunate that many women do not know who they are. Leaving my family at such a young age was a big step, NYSC took me to Abuja where the highs and tides of life was in its full splendour; more like “living la vida loca”. I could have easily been swayed and bamboozled by the flashy lights, Porsche cars, high life, sumptuous offers that came with being a marketer in a bank etc. Why am I telling you this? As a lady, you should not allow your environment to influence you, instead carry your own atmosphere everywhere you go. Light up your world with the glow that shines from within; don’t be tossed around by superficial gestures, you should be able to discern the things that will add value to your life and things that would not. In spite of all I experienced during my stay, I never forgot who I was, I knew I had a worth that could only be treasured by one who knows my real value. What I saw on the streets of Abuja which has now become the norm for some ladies makes me ask another question – What value have you placed on yourself as a woman?

As much as we need that special care and attention, you don’t have to reduce yourself so low to get it. I once heard a man say that if only women knew their worth, 95% of the sin in the world will be averted and to some extent I think this is true. Ladies, you need to understand that you are a blessing to your world, you were made for glory, to be a source of comfort, a help-meet, a woman of valour, to be adored and cherished. When you forget this, you find yourself running after people and in turn becoming a shadow of yourself. You need to recognise the quality you were made of, there’s so much greatness deposited inside of you. Don’t let it waste, let the beauty inside radiate on the outside, live from the inside-out; let the true value show and only then will you value yourself.  Don’t throw yourself on a guy because he has promised you diamonds and pearls, don’t stalk him because he is rich and you think you can acquire goodies from him, NO – you can achieve so much with what you have inside and he’ll come running after you. Dress properly, be smart, think big, speak with courtesy, act with dignity, talk less, listen more, don’t lose your smile (it does some magic) and above all learn to walk with God. With Him you’ll discover your true identity and learn to value yourself cos you’re worth more than you think.

A WOMAN’S WORTH

(by Kimberly Renee' Rawls)

(Athens, AL, USA)

A woman’s worth is determined by

how much she values herself.

If her thoughts of herself are dwindling,

then the same will be true of her wealth.

I recognize that I am a treasure

bearing rubies, diamonds, and gold.

My treasure has not been found yet,

    and its whereabouts will remain untold.

 One day someone shall find me and

      a fortunate man he will be.

                                                           He will open the lock and finally release

                                                    all the beauty of his woman to be.

                                                                    With confidence I will shine like the diamonds

                                                 that once were hidden inside.

                                                            My wealth will be more than rubies,

                                                     for no price can be put on my life.

                                                     Like gold I’ll be tried in the fire,

                                                      and I’ll come out as pure as can be.

                                                    And that day shall be reminiscent

                                          as the era in my life,

                                                            when a treasure was found in me.                                              

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