The Journey of Greatness—Not About How Serious But About How Focused

I have come to realize in life that greatness is not based on how hard you chase rather, it is based on how well you chase. I have actually seen how folks have made greatness so hard on themselves, perhaps to get people’s attention or praises. You see these set of people pacing up and down, always looking downwards- intending to show-off their seriousness. And unfortunately, most of them have only succeeded in working round the clock just to get bad results. I always say they work themselves at something for nothing (bad outcomes are still something anyway!).

This has made me conclude that good results are not about your seriousness but they are about your focus. If an athlete desires to win a marathon race but restricted himself to practicing one hundred metres race; do we say he is unserious? No, he isn’t. I think he has only lost focus. He refused to realize he had to prepare for a marathon race, instead, he was seriously preparing for hundred metre race. Permit me therefore, to state clearly that anything done seriously without focus can never be worthwhile.

Believe me, you don’t need to speed up to your destination, you only need to set it in sight. Setting it in sight is putting your mind on it and making yourself work towards it. Position yourself wherever you can have the best view of your desired future. Anything that will take you off position will definitely take you out of focus.

Here are some tips to maintain focus:

· Have a Destination

As you can’t focus on nothing, the first and most important thing is for you to have a destination. The earlier you set a goal for yourself concerning an aspect of your life- academics, relationship, finances- the better you move. Any good destination must have an address and a road leading to it. Also, it must be time-bound and friendly- doesn’t think of the downfall of others.

· Find the Path that Leads to Your Destination

I used ‘find’ because I don’t intend deceiving you that you will get the path easily. Definitely, you have people that have achieved what you want to achieve. Get this people to lead you. This will magically launch you into your greatness as you will just follow the footprints of your guide.

· Determine the cost of the path

Every road definitely has a cost. A previous knowledge of this will afford you an excellent preparation. Get to know the price and be willing to pay it.

· Get on the path

Interestingly, you can start the journey of greatness any time, even in the darkest night. I charge you not to wait for anyone, as the path is so narrow that it can’t take two people together. Set off right away, you have gotten everything it takes. The earlier the better. On this note I say, on your track, get set, go!

The Love Of Women

Just imagine, most people think Dayo is not a Casanova because he has got no gut to approach ladies. Even his so-called friends disappointingly share the same belief. One of them was one day forced to ask him why he decided to travel on the less-taken route. He said, ‘Dayo, I don’t just know why you refuse to enjoy yourself with all these ladies flirting around you, even at their offers. You have the looks and even the cash.’ But, should all good-looking and rich guys be womanizers? Dayo wouldn’t just know.

Frankly, he knows he has everything it takes to date as many ladies that come his way. However, why has he chosen to disappoint his friends by not yielding to ladies’ beckon? Should it be because he is afraid of sexually transmitted diseases? I don’t think so. Guys have really wisen up, most of them now go scot- free without any disease. May be then it’s because he is too busy for this kind of game? Obviously no! I believe in the philosophy that says whatever a man loves doing, he is definitely going to create time for it. I think I should just conclude that he has gotten no flare for such games. He doesn’t just love it.

I also strongly go with Dayo’s opinion.

I can’t actually feel the joy in dating more than a lady. I have, for a long time, been compelling myself to understanding why guys do it, but all to no avail. Please, do you see any sanity in living one’s life on deceit? I am yet to discover how someone would double or multiple ‘date’ without having lies synonymous to one’s saliva.

Even if someone can play well without each lady being aware of any rival, can that person also play smartly to escape the guilt of causing heartbreaks? Do you ask me how I would cause heartbreaks? For heaven’s sake, I have no plans to settle for polygamy. Definitely, I will one day be very much necessitated to get married to only a lady. Do I then choose from my parade of ladies or would you rather advice me to choose outside? Either way, heartbreaks are imminent.

Someone even once suggested that my failure to play around would result in my inability to choose the best lady. Whao! I never knew ladies have become some marketable commodities: pick one and drop, until you pick the best. That sounded much like sampling, didn’t it? I shamefully gave in to the suggestion and I accepted I was the loser. However, the thought that even though I don’t know the best, I have someone (God) who knows the best and is ready to give me the best if I patiently wait made me feel like a winner. It can be akin to the proverbial patient dog that eats the fattest bone.

The natural law of seed and harvest time has never been negated. In fact, it was reiterated as whatever goes around comes around. How can a guy think he can traumatize the lives of many ladies and get away with it? If nature doesn’t catch up with you, I bet you, your posterity will bear the consequences of your misdeeds.

Believe me friends; there is nothing as excellent as leading a simple life. I don’t see any lasting gains in making one’s life complicated with women. One just has to be disciplined and cautious with the love of women.

Richcraft

If I say I knew what the world is turning into, I am probably one of the greatest liars in the world. What should be unheard of in any decent community has now become the order of the day. Do we then say it was the prevailing struggling and adversity that introduced all these? Or do we still blame the economic meltdown that has been in long existence in our country and have crippled the mind power of many, turning optimists to pessimists and saints to sinners?

Truthfully, the thoughts of poverty and languish have actually forced most people to do what they wouldn’t have done in the right circumstance. Folks have really been taught how to chase money at all cost- by hook or crook. They no longer care about their reputations or names, thinking they are useless without money. Regrettably, some have settled for money rituals while some for other avenues.

The innovations they couldn’t apply to their initial businesses or works are what they unanimously focused on this inhumane money-making practice. Should they have applied it, I am sure they wouldn’t have thought of alternative means. They have succeeded in informing members of the public that there are ages (i.e stages) to this practice. They flaunt to us how they have left the stone or iron age and stepped up their operations. I am sure you readers are not left out in the gist of beggars disappearing with their ‘good Samaritans’- paying good for evil. What a wicked innovation, you may say!

Definitely, you would have understood what I meant by ‘richcraft’. It, simply, is the ways of making money. Oh, sorry, there was an omission! It should be the cunning and wicked ways of making money, even if it demands one’s mum’s head (no offense intended). You will very well agree with me this craft has really been striving well in our country and even competing with other sectors in the areas of ideas, employment, profit margin and customer service to the members of the public- there proposed customer, since it has even gotten the support of our economy.

Sincerely, I adequately understand that some of us would do nothing to get close to this disgusting thing. However, do we try claiming our hands are clean? Perhaps I need to start counting some of your possessions you never got legitimately. Some you got from internet scanning, thefts and other atrocities. May be I have to remind you how you inflated figures, diverted funds for your personal needs in your places of work. Of course, I will never want to mention when you sent robbers and assassins after a business partner just because of money.

What I am doing well to drive home is that should we now go any length to get wealthy? We are all aware of the harshness in our economy, but, I make bold to tell you it’s not an excuse for leaving the authentic and focusing on an alternative, even at the expense of people’s lives. What do you say is the significance of patience if we tend to throw in the towel easily? We gave up chasing our dreams and we retire tirelessly to chasing the heads of others. Where did we drop our consciences? Beware; the natural law of seed and harvest time has never been negated.

Lessons From Gulder Ultimate Search VI

This adventurous event began back in 2004 in the Snake Island in Lagos State, Nigeria. The suspense-filled event aired in most television stations in Nigeria has indeed lived up to its expectations with the numerous benefits it throws at youths yearly. Apart from increasing the chances of youths’ survival in this harsh condition, its generosity has also stirred up and rewarded core values in youths.

The educative cum recreational event lighted up our screens again this year rewarding the well-directed patience, desperation, focus and persistence of Uche Nwaezeapu and crowning him as the ultimate man. A great feat thousand youths literally fought for. There will always be a winner anyway and I know you will quite agree with me that Uche deserved it. It was impressive hearing that he has been on the trail of GUS since 2006. Definitely, this achievement was what he foresaw. Little wonder, he patiently persisted till he made it to the first ten contestants. One doesn’t need anyone to convince him/her that a strong desire would have been responsible for his unrelenting effort for four years. Possibly, the desire for affluence and fame. Any critical thinker will so much salute his wisely-chanelled desire, focus and patience.

Unlike most youths nowadays that as well have strong desires for affluence and fame, but thought wrongly that patience will never pay them off. They are so much engrossed in the rat chase for wealth that they are always on the lookout for the fastest means. This desperate people can do anything, even undignifying things for wealth. They care no hoot about whose ox is gored. Regrettably, they have directed their focus and persistence on the wrong track- short cuts.

Indisputably, one could be tempted to cut corners due to the prevailing unfavourable circumstances, however, I always believe that the thought of nemesis catching up should always deter anyone with the right foresight. I don’t seem to see reasons why any logical human being would want to lay up cursed treasures for his/her unborn generations. Is it that we no longer care about how we get our wealth and fame? A deep thought of the future and posterity will convince any sane individual that frauds, malpractices and immoralities will never pay off, even though it does presently. There’s nothing as prestigious as the dignity of being successful by doing the right thing. Friends that is what is called good success.

It’s possible I have been so much like the proverbial blacksmith who beats a hot iron at a point, may be because I believe nothing changes if we don’t. No one will decide our future on our behalf, we do it ourselves. Why then don’t we just choose the path of dignity and give way for progress. Enough of halting our developmental strides on the philosophical ground of ‘man must survive’. Let this do-or-die money and fame affair give way for some sanity. Patiently and tirelessly hang on to your desires being focused and persistent with godliness and integrity as your watchword. I promise one day, the difficult times will give way for an unspeakable achievement. There and then, history will smile at you because you have kept the noble course. Just like Uche Nwaezeapu- the Ultimate man’s case!

The Power of Choice

Recently, I got to realize that most people have lived their lives in obscurity just because of their wrong beliefs. These people are bent on telling anyone who cares to know that their failures are attributed to the fact that they had no choices. They have tiredly given up to their so-called fates, willing to embrace anything thrown their ways. These people have only succeeded in personifying the common adage- a beggar has no choice. What a pity!

Indisputably, divinity has always deprived humans the ability to make choices at some stages of life. I am sure no one had the choice of when (s)he would be born or to what family (s)he would be born. We all never experienced this luxury. Should we therefore conclude that this inability is an indicator of an unfair treatment on earth? One might just be faced with no other choice other than accepting that humans have also been deprived the privilege of choosing their destinies on earth.

However, the fact that- as much as you never bargained for it- you found yourself in a very low, detestable background doesn’t imply that your destiny has been sealed up to be low in life. I will never hide from you this truth- it takes the choice of any individual to become anything in life… good or bad! I am sure you would have heard of several stories of people moving from grass to grace. Friends, this never happened just like that. Without mincing words, I boldly tell you that these people achieved their great feats because they adequately discovered their power of choice.

Probably, I have to remind you about the biblical lame man at the beautiful gate. This man realized he wasn’t chanced to choosing his background state, but was thoughtful enough to choosing a right position. He wisely chose staying at the entrance of the beautiful gate rather than on the highway. Little wonder his destiny changed when least expected- he was healed right at his position. This is a demonstration of the power of choice- the wisdom to focus on your position and not your condition, knowing that nothing can alter your background but a lot can affect your destination.

Certainly, we all crave for a better nation, but I doubt if we are ready to pay the price; because I strongly believe that nothing changes nationally if individuals are not ready to change. I see the power of choice compelling youths to rightly position themselves by wisely choosing their friends and mentors. I plead with all youths to strategically positioning themselves to walking, sitting, and talking with the right people. This will go a long way to helping us keep the right consciences. Permit me to end with the words of Robert Kiyosaki,. ‘the person you spend most of your time with is your future.’

Taking the Lead: Nigeria Awaits Your Actions

I will say there’s no amount of pruning or attention that can make a grape tree produce similar fruits like an orange tree. It’s just like saying a house is about collapsing and repainting is being ventured on. Let me crack the nut myself. It’s not quite impossible you have heard of various governmental and organizational outfits trying to promote the image of this country. They tell the world outside how great our country is and how patriotic Nigerians are. Don’t be mistaken, I have never been a critic of rebranding Nigeria- we all know it is a needed process. However, why do they spend fortunes on painting the outer core white while the inner core is left untouched- black.

Several anomalies are boldly written on the pages of the history book of this country, but we seem not bothered. Right thinking, moral values, good characters have been utterly choked up by the prevailing inhumane and unjust practices. Now, see how these have hazardously left Nigerians’ consciences confused. Do you blame us? We have never experienced things done rightly! Shouldn’t our leaders just own up and admit we have to re-divert resources to solve our ‘in-house problem’? Rather, they think is wiser to be more loyal to our past and present than our future.

Do we then have a hope in this country? Check out the kind of youths, the so-called future leaders we produce. Those who no longer believe in moral standards, core values, dignity of labour, honour of virginity and the efficacy of right education... when they haven’t experienced them. Their feet have been daily set on the path of indignity and incompetence through what they behold around. What a great problem!

I therefore make bold to call on all Nigerian youths- the young at heart and depressed in spirit- to consciously rise up to the task. Let’s make it strict on ourselves to disallow any corrupt conscience. We shouldn’t join the band wagon! Let’s keep the right conscience and be brave enough to taking the lead. We now have the honour to lifting the banner for right thinking, moral standards, core values and excellence. Just like Barack Obama said, ‘every generation has the obligation to work on behalf of the next generation and make life better for them.’ Our children shall never forgive us if we fail them by not making Nigeria a better place for them. I see a bright future provided we are ready to take the bull by the horn by taking the lead for positive changes wherever we find ourselves. The future awaits our actions.

Taking the Lead - - My Dream Nigeria

It isn’t impossible most Nigerians think there is no more any hopeful thing to hold on to in this country. As a result of the daily degeneration and decadence we suffer, I wouldn’t blame anyone who wonders how on earth Nigeria will be tagged a developed country one day. Little wonder everyone is checking out at the slightest opportunity gotten- even at gesture of slavery.

Quite a lot of complaints are hewn and blames shifted. It seems almost everyone has her mind piled up with reservations. But, I refuse to be part. I decided to do something unique with my mind. I just tried my outstanding fortune-telling skill. I gazed into our seemingly non-existing future. What a beauty to behold! A destiny to unfold- my dream Nigeria!

A home of justice and equity; where citizens’ voices count and where judgment is not perverted. Democracy is made black and white on the daily pages of governance. No sacred cows! Even, logging jams in electoral systems are no more- free and fair elections are no longer theoretical but practical. No premonitions of declaring electoral results under duress. And where electoral commissioners have become sensible enough not to be influenced by the ruling party.

Conscience-filled and not corruption-filled leaders- patriots with core values and enviable moral standings. Dignity and integrity are not lacking in their daily governance. Conveners of ‘intellectually inclined’ campaign system. Icons of impeccable leadership and managerial competence. Not drop-outs or ‘criminal record’ fellows.

I see world-class health care services affordable to all. People no longer stream to the world beyond due to health workers’ strike. Fake drugs and injections are kept at minimal level. Hurray, lives are now precious to our people!

High educational standards with qualified personnel as overseers. No more abuse of primary and secondary schools’ students. Higher institutions’ schemes of work are now practical-based and research-filled. I can’t see the usual one thousand students in a lecture hall or the normal two hundred students to one small practical table. I see an improved quality of education with employable students graduating each year. I t seems the government are now really concerned about education that the annual budget has immensely increased.

A country where dignity of labour is held in high esteem and bad job attitudes swept to the back stage. No more cutting corners and liable workers are employed on merit grounds. Employers are no longer the so-called exploiters. Team work and individual respects now take the lead.

I can behold a better standard of living for all Nigerians. Generators are so useless. Burglary proofs and car trackers are so worthless as no one is so idle to constitute security threats. No hiking fuel prices and exchange rates. More industries spring forth with more employment opportunities. I see a stable economy. Checked-out countrymen now see reasons to return. The most desirable nation in the world- my dream Nigeria.

Taking the Lead-- The Present Situation

Shepherds have left their primary duty and the sheep are left at the mercies of the wolves. Watchers are no more on guard, little wonder why souls are captured and treasures plundered. Our supposed overseers now deceive us to extort our money and dispossess us of our hard-earned possessions. I used to think they should be much more concerned with our welfare until I was proved wrong. The citadel of excellence has now turned the abode of poor organization and bad managerial practices. The hallmark of right thinking now the home of mankind abuse and unhealthy human inter-relationship. What a church!

... where is our sense of worth?

When big, mature men in their fifties or sixties clump up fists facing each other as though they were in a boxing ring or even lift up chairs against each other... what do we call this? I know you would have surely heard of the menace of our legislators turned boxers or hooligans. Also, as someone said, what you need to become an accepted politician in our country is a deceit prowess... how true is this? What would you even say when it’s the gubernatorial aspirant that is hanging to a bus shouting; what most uneducated, deranged bus conductors now know it is not ideal? I would suggest it‘s going to be backward having someone like this win the election...and definitely, it has been.

... where is our sense of importance?

It is not surprising we now have some other grading standards apart from students’ academic ability. Don’t be amazed lecturers now grade based on how much money you can offer or well you can sell your body. Those are our so-called pacesetters. What a path to follow! Principals and teachers in secondary and primary schools turn the institutions into money-making ventures, classrooms to sales outlets and students to unpaid workers. Blatant abuse! Examination malpractices are now the order of the day. We encouraged it, anyway!

... where is our sense of value?

Our children and youth now behave as if there were no more families in the country. I wonder what morals we teach in our homes. Anyway, we can’t give want we don’t have. We have failed to realize that the family has the primary influence on any child. Kathy (n.d) wrote in his work that the link between our beginning and a guide to our future is the family bond. Early influences are fundamental to our individual development. When we lack the security and influence of strong family bond early in life, there’s emptiness and we sought to be filled through destructive means. The dysfunctional unit becomes the normal due to its repeated cycle through generations and long term effects on children. Any society you find yourself is just a true reflection of the families around. ‘Area boys’ came from families also.

... where is our sense of morals?

Who then provides solution to the decadence problem in our society, since we are all doing the contrary? Everything seems crumbled. We have all lost our navigation. What should we do?

Little Things

Great things with little starts,

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Great ideas of little initiating steps,

Little drops make an ocean.

Great anthills of tiny sand grains,

Built by industrious ‘tiny little’ ants.

Great mansions of little bricks,

Underrating is an undoing.

Tiny mustard seeds;

Magnificent trees with time,

What a great example of faith!

Little things; important things.

Little semen turned expected foetus;

A bright destiny in the making,

A future to be delivered,

The glorious child we await,

The hope of numerous nations.

Necessary things are sometimes little.

A little leaven leavens the whole lump

How can I forget the story of Achan?

Nor not regard the consequences of King David’s adultery

So deadly are seemingly little sins!

Unending are their stings

Little things matter.

From generation to generation,

As children become grandparents,

Family bonds lose their essence.

The abnormal take dominance

Overlooked bad habits become unfriendly

Gradually, our moral systems are choked up

What a degenerated society!

Little things indeed count.

What a Blogspot!

Still new to the system, I have been trying all days to familiarize myself to it. I can’t accurately estimate the amount of hours I have spent on my blog: rearranging page elements, changing fonts and colours and picking new templates to my satisfaction just to make you enjoy viewing my blog. It is always good to make the best out of whatever you do... as it is often said.

Challenges and difficulties spiced up each of my efforts, but the passion to reach out to you and make us set landmarks together has always been my solace. I have never seen anyone get anything worthwhile on a platter of gold. Mine won’t be the first or the last. Though, we often times pray that we shall have a good sail in all of our endeavours. This is pretty good. However, I shouldn’t fail to say challenges are in two ways- they are things you should look over and not set on sight. But, the absence of them is quite alarming. It is a very humble way of telling you your effects are not felt at all. Therefore, for any good endeavour, difficulties are bound to show up.

Should we now attract challenges with our prayers? I wouldn’t suggest that. I will only advice you get on with whatsoever you are doing. Be passionate and consistent about it. Stand your ground for good value system. We can’t have you been dogged about moral values and decadence still persist. Don’t be scared away by challenges, they are just one of those things. Enormous motivation will never produce good fruits until we try application. The proliferation of soap industries will never send dirt into extinction unless soaps are directly applied. Application outrightly guarantees results. Get engaged! Be a follower. Let’s work things out together.

Dignity Simplified

We spend most of our time on big things we think important, however, some little things we tend to overlook are not just important but the only important things. Those things we often ignore have now caught up with our moral and value system. Typical examples are not far-fetched. Just look around and see what our individual negligence has caused.

An individual with a good sense of value will definitely make a great society. Therefore, making a great society basically is with individual stakeholder. Values we doggedly uphold will eventually build up our society in the future... good or bad! Deep in your heart, you know what you uphold and down the street, you can see the realization.

Where did we dump our value sense? Should we just nod our heads in regret? What next? My approach will be quite simple and down-to-earth. Don’t repeat the same mistake you made, never overlook anything here. Get a life!