9 Power Quotes for Times of Struggle

1. Growth and Change “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk ittook to blossom.” ―Anaïs Nin Discontent is the principal necessity of positive growth, but only if you do something constructive with it. Without deviation from what you’ve been doing, progress is not possible. Don’t be someone who goes throughgreater lengths to avoid change than you do to obtain what you desire. You must define and embrace the necessary changes that move you forward. Your life will begin to improve when you defineprecisely what ‘improve’ means to you. The agonies and frustrations will start to ease only when you have something real and positive to replace them with. Be specific. Happiness is not a goal, it’s the result of a life well lived. The question is: How do you want to live going forward? To effectively move away from an unfavorable situation, you must decide exactly where you wish to go. Create a formidable intention for yourself, and feed that intention with the passion and energy that’s in your desire for change. Go beyond your discontent for what is, and instead focus on imagining and creating the best of what’s possible. Clearly know where you wish to go, and then take the first real step that gets you there. Read 1,000 Little Things . 2. Problems and Opportunities “What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.” ―J. Sidlow Baxter Truth be told, you have to create more opportunities than you are handed in this world, and you have to design them with your own blood, sweat and tears. The effort, however, is well worth it. There’s no shortage of problems waiting to be addressed. When you see problems piled on top of problems, and when there seems to be no end to the work that must be done in order to resolve them, what are you really seeing? You’re looking at a mountain of opportunity. You’re looking at a situation in which you can truly make a difference. You’re looking at an environment where you can reach great heights by raising the stakes and pulling the reality of what’s possible along with you. When you look at a problem, but see opportunity instead, you become a powerful source that transforms grief into greatness. 3. Hard Work and Achievement “It shouldn’t be easy to be amazing. Then everything would be. It’s the things you fight for and struggle with before earning that have the greatest worth. When something’s difficult to come by, you’ll do that much more to make sure it’s even harder – or impossible – to lose.” ―Sarah Dessen There is no shortcut to a great achievement. There is no substitute for doing the work. Meditate on this every day: “I will do the work.” As Einstein once said, “Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work.” You must run to be a runner. You must write to be a writer. You must actively work on a business venture to learn how to run a successful business. By all means, find ways to be more efficient in your work. But make no mistake that it takes diligent effort to build something worthwhile. There are certainly some success stories out there about people who excelled rather quickly, but you will usually find they had put in years of related work long before anyone was paying attention to their seemingly rapid success. In other words, their current state of achievement is simply all those years of work coming together flawlessly in the present. Put in the required effort. Plan your work every morning, and then diligently work your plan every day. Read Do the Work . 4. Focus Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit their target with their eyes closed.” ―Paulo Coelho Lack of focus, not lack of ability, is the most common problem that holds people back from their potential. We all have strengths and difficulties, and we all have the same twenty-four hour days and seven-day weeks to work with. If you find it difficult to deal with where you are, or how life is treating you, it’s time to change your focus. Start focusing on what you want going forward. Set a specific goal, keep your routinecentered on it, and you’ll find the strength to move steadily in a positive direction. When you focus on the right thing, even the difficult steps will seem easier. The burdens of the moment become much more bearable when you connect with the purpose behind them. Your time, energy, and resources will get used no matter how well you focus them. By choosing to focus properly, you get the highest return for the efforts you invest in yourlife. 5. Positive Thinking “Our thoughts about what we are and what wecan be precisely determine what we can be.” ―Anthony Robbins The reality you live through daily is a process of your thinking. You are essentially who you design yourself to be – most of what you experience is the direct result of your own creation. This reality cannot be changed without first changing your thinking. Yes, there are lots of inherent events in life that occur completely independently of you – birth, death, loss, sickness, aging, and unexpected changes of all kinds – but these life events do not have to cause ongoing confusion and suffering. They happen, you experience a little stress, you adjust, and you move forward. The problem occurs when you don’t adjust and move forward, when your mind clings to these events in a negative light and intensifies their significance into perpetuity. If your mind does this, of course, itcompletely overlooks the subtle feelings of excitement, adventure, love, and joy that come from the essence of overcoming a new challenge. Bottom line: 99% of the time the discontent and frustration you feel is entirely your own creation. If you dwell on the positive thoughtsand possibilities at least as much as you dwell on negative thoughts and painful emotions, life’s challenges help you improve your reality. Read Learned Optimism . 6. Mistakes “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” ―Mahatma Gandhi No matter what you’re going to make mistakes; it’s an unavoidable truth. But the good news is, if you follow your heart and intuition, the mistakes you make will be steps in the right direction. Just because you fail once at something doesn’t mean you’re going to fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on and believe in yourself. Keep your head held high,your chin up, and above all, SMILE, because the most beautiful part of it all is that there’s so much left to smile about. Life is what you make it. It’s a wild rollercoaster. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does. And then just when you think it can’t get any better, it does. Every day is a beautiful mystery. Let go of yesterday’s mistakes and enjoy the mystery asit unfolds today. 7. Acceptance “For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.” ―Henry W. Longfellow What you must realize is that you don’t really need more time; you just need to appreciate life in the current time. It’s a beautiful and bitter way of thinking all at once. If you don’t have what you want now, you don’t have whatyou want, but you still have a lot . Be thankful for what is; and also be thankful for what has not yet come to you, for that means there are still many possibilities available to you. Find peace in the thought that you can’t ever have it all or know it all. You are always just a fraction of the whole. For if you weren’t, there would be nothing more to experience. Value what you know, and also value the countless things you don’t yet understand. For in what you do not understand, there is the joy of growth. Life will always be incomplete and a bit asymmetrical. Realize this and embrace it. Behappy and sad at the same time, be hungry and thankful at the same time, be nervous andexcited at the same time, and be okay with it. 8. Confidence and Beliefs “Sometimes beautiful things come into our lives out of nowhere. We can’t always understand them, but we have to trust in them. I know you want to question everything, but sometimes it pays to just havea little faith.” ―Lauren Kate Believe in yourself through tough times. Believe in your capacity to succeed. Believe that your relationships are worth the effort. Believe that people make mistakes on their way to greatness. Believe that people can be foolish and intelligent, selfish and generous, and stressed and happy all at once. Believe that very few people hurt others on purpose. Believe that there are many roads to what’s right. Believe in your intuition, especially when you have to choose between two good paths. Believe that the answers are out there waiting. Believe that life will surprise you again and again. Believe that the journey is the destination. Believe that it’s all worth yourwhile. Read 1,000 Little Things . 9. The Present Moment “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ―Mother Teresa Regardless of what’s happened in the past or what might happen in the future, it’s being here now that’s important. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t edit it; we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if it will ever come. This moment – right now – is your life. Say yesto it. Don’t ignore it by pretending that you’reliving in some other time and place. You aren’t – doing so is impossible. The only life you can live is the only life there is – the moment you are in right now. Ignoring this fact is reckless. Ignoring it is denying reality, and denying reality is rejecting the entire process of living. Start paying attention to the present. Start paying attention to your life. Right now, say yes to the life you‘re living and notice how it starts to flow WITH you rather than against you. (MANDG).

Lessons From 2face and Annie's Wedding!

It was dubbed as 'the celebrity wedding of the year.' And at some point, it looked like the glamorous matrimony will never come to an end. But, as the dust settle upon what was truly an exquisite event, it will suffice to discuss the fallout, glitz and issues surrounding the Dubai fiesta. No doubt, 2face is one of the few who can attract such calibre of men together at one sitting. The industry's kingpins and VIP's were very well in attendance. 2face rise and rise over the past decade has indeed been mercurial, and at times, unbelievable. From the humble beginnings of the plantashun boiz, to the un-imagined success of African Queen, the Benue born artist has refused to look back. One should also state that his humility all through those transition period has been worthy of emulation. Thus, it was expected that his wedding will pull such razzmatazz. However, without attempting to stir the hornet's nest, it leaves a lot to be asked about some missing men at the event. While Faze absence at the actual wedding was said to be as a result of a missed flight (he was at the after party), Blackface overall absence was a wonder. Though 2face and Blackface relationship since the break up has not been the best, one will expect that for such a moment, the pair will bury the hatchet and move on. Blackface insisted 2face never invited him. If that was truly the case, then 2face should take some knocks. However, it was also a wonder that the duo of Kenny Ogunbe and Dayo (D1) were missing. Irrespective of the perspective you take, the duo were pivotal to 2face rise to stardom. Moving on to other issues, some Nigerians have since taken to social media to register their displeasure over why 2face will decide to have his wedding at Dubai; hence shutting out the myriads of ordinary Nigerians that would have wanted to be there. The argument is pioneered on the premise that these ordinary Nigerians made him who he is today, and he should have paid them back by holding his wedding within 'attending reach.' At first glance, the diatribe looks to be a logical argument, but on second glance, it loses it's viability. Anyone has a right to make personal decisions such as this, and holds no one an explanation. If 2face had chosen to have it in the moon, no one should still bat an eyelid. In the final analysis, it was his call to make. Perhaps, it is the burden of being a 'mere fan' that such blitz will always elude us. The fans make the star, but the star is never equal with the fans. It will be an intentional oversight if one fails to mention the avalanche of gifts that were doled out. Word in town is that the cars and other ostentatious gifts were numerous. It is true that giving 2face a car as a wedding gift is like pouring a gallon of water to a river. However, it is also a truism that in the world we live in, the rich will continue to be rich, and the poor will continue to grapple with their poverty. Pen ultimately, it was interesting that 2face finally settled for Annie, after his escapades with Pero and Sumbo, to keep the list modest. Only 2face can get away with such nonsense. He makes babies with different ladies, yet a handful of ladies will still kill to have him. A word for Annie (his love for the past 13 years), you have dealt with a lot in the past, be ready for more in the future. Or which wife would not anticipate trouble when her husband has about five well known children out of wedlock. The plot thickens, but we all wish 2face and Annie a blissful wedding, devoid of the travesty of 'singlehood.'

Achebe: Conscience Of A Soiled Land

Some men simply never die. Their immunity outwit the cold and greedy hands of death. Their works scorn the sting of death, and they linger in the hearts of many, imprinted in the souls of men, indelible in the sands of time. As Achebe goes home at eighty two, an Iroko has fallen down. He wasn't just a colossus of words, he was the conscience of our land. Twice the carrot of National Honour was dangled before him. And twice, he vehemently refused it on the premise that things have continued to fallen apart in the land. We simply can never forget him, for he stirred our minds and stretched our imaginations. He threw our minds in sweet captivity, and assaulted our conscience to be forged aright. On such a man, death can never win it's war. From the historical writings of THINGS FALL APART, we beheld the polarised character of Okonkwo. We saw the shenanigans of the colonial infusion. We can never forget the political ills he expounded in THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE. The filthiness of Chief Nanga, the charade of political manoeuvres and the fight for a change as portrayed by Odili Samalu. I will also never forget the impact ANTHILLS OF THE SAVANNAH had on me. Words cannot gainsay how the cult figure of the journalist, Ikem Osodi in that boo,k richly inspired me. Or can anyone forget the pre colonial ills he showed in the ARROW OF GOD. In same vein, his use of allegory, imagery and symbolism in telling the story NO LONGER AT EASE through it's protagonist, Obi, will never be forgotten. It will be futile to waste too many ink in describing a man who was the master of ink himself. No tribute will be too much, no epitaph will suffice, no posthumous awards will ever be adequate. He was simply peerless. In thoughts, he triumphed. In culture and history, he was our custodian, and in integrity, he was never soiled. His death is a rude reminder that we have lost a sage. At 82, we should be thankful for a long life well spent, but we all know we wanted more. We simply had not had enough of him. As he embarks on this elongated journey, we will always remember that THERE WAS A COUNTRY. A country not just in the physical, but a country that was forged by blood, by the conviction of a people. A country whose walls will always stand erect in our hearts. And for all these, Achebe's legacies can never be adequately rehashed in any book, never!

Short Story: This Country Sef! 2

The thing about being unemployed in our country is that it will leave a label of failure on your forehead, and that was the case for Emeka. He then decided to salvage the situation. Male prostitution was the modus operandi at the time, and the prospect of making swift and abundant fortune, albeit ill gotten, was one he couldn't resist. At least, he was going to prove a point to his parents and siblings, that his first class brain is still potent. However, his choice of prostitution, borders on sheer wonder. He had always had about the homosexual activities in Nigeria, and how you can sleep with a man to make 'good cash,' as one his contemporaries puts it. And so it was, Emeka became fully involved in homosexuality. He slept with all calibres of men. He will hook up with them on social media, and they will schedule a place to carry out this awkward act. This became the trend, and to be fair to Emeka, sales wasn't bad. The spoils of his business were beginning to flow in. He made a lot of customers. And perhaps, because of the expertise with which he ply his trade, his fame in the business grew without restrain. He finally rented an apartment for himself, and as is the case in our society, he began to earn the respect of both his family and friends, so much so that his father will jokingly say to him, mimicking the popular Peak Milk TV advert, 'My son, one day, I know say you go make us proud.' Even Emeka was astonished by the gains of the trade. Indeed, his first class brain he earned on his certificate, was beginning to pay off in real life. Having said that, his tragic end was merely lurking around. He had this customer, a very rich commissioner (as if to say all commissioners by virtue of their 'office' were not already rich). They met at the most expensive hotel in the city, and he had sex with him. However, he was paid a fortune for his services, but on his way back home, he noticed he couldn't feel his manhood any longer. As if to be sure, he checked and confirmed his fear. Suddenly, he noticed he had become both deaf and dumb. And just as his fortune were swift in arrival, his destruction was equally quick in taking it's toll. One thing led to another, and as a last resort, Emeka found himself in his village prayer house, and this became his penultimate home. The prayer warriors would pray and loose, bind and cast, destroy and uproot, but Emeka's case remained the same. One day, the pastor of the church where he was abandoned came to him and wrote a note on a piece of paper to him 'God is not asleep, it will soon be over.' Emeka read the note, gazed at him and smiled. He now began to laugh as if the words were ridiculous. He laughed so hard that he choked, and he choked so hard that he finally gave up the ghost instantly. The pastor sighed in grief. As he prepared to take him to the mortuary, he mumbled 'God is still alive though. And this boy was intelligent o. This country sef.'

Short Story: This Country Sef! 1

'This country sef,' Emeka mumbled to himself, in a voice that sounds broken. He sat down on a piece of wood that was at the exterior of their one room apartment. And by 'their', it should be noted with a smack of resentment that Emeka harboured the apartment with his parents and two siblings. As he leaned on the seat, responding to greetings from children arriving from school, he gazed into thin air. Life had not played a fair game with Emeka. Seven years after the burdensome NYSC, his search for a job has proved abortive at best, and futile at the least. Broken promises has been his lot, and the trouble of having a sublime talent, without an adequate connection with the 'privileged', has been his albatross. The past half a decade has seen the first class Emeka attended beyond twenty interviews, but at every trail, hard luck has always attended to him. The indignity of still sleeping in that one room apartment often ached his heart. His frustration flowed lavishly at all times, causing him to weep a gallon-full of tears. He was not lazy in any sense of the word, but his nation, with all her bickerings has rescinded him to ill luck. As he continued to gaze into nothingness, his thoughts were returned by the walking steps of his siblings, Nkechi and Kelechi, who were both returning from school. They were walking into the compound, that for want of a better word should be described as an epicentre of a market place. 'So you can't greet?' Emeka angrily asked Nkechi. 'Or didn't you see me?' He queried as if the first question was not enough to elicit an answer. 'Is not by force na,' Nkechi angrily and bravely responded. 'Abi o,' Kelechi added and snarled in support as they both walked into the house. It was at this point that Emeka's anguish knew no bounds. As if the trauma of idleness was not enough, the spite of dishonour had know set in. His ration of meal at the house significantly reduced. His parents scorned him persistently, and his siblings will disrespect him at will. The debacle had now approached a crescendo, that he was force to do the unthinkable.

26 Lessons Learned By Age 26 (MUST READ)

1. Being an adult can be fun when you are acting like a child. 2. Love has nothing to do with looks, but everything to do with time, trust, and interest. 3. Laughing, crying, joy and anger… All are a vital. All make us human. 4. The greatest truths in life are uncovered with simple, steady awareness. 5. Greed will bury even the lucky eventually. 6. Bad things do happen to good people. 7. Paving your own road is intelligent only if nobody has gone exactly where you are going. 8. Uncertainty is caused by a lack of knowledge. Hesitation is the product of fear. 9. Time heals all wounds… regardless of how you feel right now. 10. Most of the time what you are looking for is right in front of you. 11. Your health is your life. 12. Chance is a gift, so act on chance when given the opportunity. 13. Kindness and hard work will take you further than intelligence. 14. People deserve a second chance, but not a third. 15. Marry your best friend. 16. Take lots of pictures. Someday you’ll be really glad you did. 17. Money makes life easier only when the money is yours free and clear. 18. Carelessness is the root of failure 19. Your actions now create memories you will reminisce and talk about in your elder years. 20. Stepping outside of your comfort zone will put things into perspective from an angle you can’t grasp now. 21. Motivation comes in short bursts. Act whileit’s hot. 22. Purposely ignoring the obvious is like walking backwards toward the enemy. 23. Taking ownership of failure builds the foundation for success. 24. First impressions are completely worthless 50% of the time. 25. Personal glory lasts forever. 26. If you never act, you will never know for sure.

Jonathan: A Rape Of Justice...

It appears that the current administration under President Goodluck Jonathan is never shy to stir the hornet's nest, instigate public criticisms and stoke the fire on the roof top of sanity. It was a notch above incredulous to fully realize that the Federal Government with the approval of the Council of State, has granted State Pardon to former Bayelsa state governor and ex-convict, Dipreye Alamieyeisegha, alongside some six others. As if the insolence and wreckage were not enough to bury our face in perennial shame, the Presidency in a desperate attempt to justify their shenanigans opined that Alamieyeisegha deserves the pardon on the premise that he has suffered for too long. So much for fighting corruption! It should be said here that this was the same Alamieyeisegha whose corrupt instincts and fraudulent stunts knew no bounds. As a matter of truism, he is one of those politicians that has contributed to our dirty image home and abroad. This is the latest portrayal by the current administration that it's fight against corruption is one that starts and ends with lip service. Such decision will only fan the embers of sheer lottery, and it is a big pat on the back for corrupt politicians. While it is the privilege of the Presidency to dole out such pardons, plausible reasons should at least be given, and it is not too much to ask that common sense be applied. It is believed in some quarters that the pardon was mainly for Alamieyeisegha, and the rest of the bunch were mere facades. It should be remembered that Alamieyeisegha and Jonathan were former acquaintances at the State House in Bayelsa state, where the latter was the deputy of the former. Now, Alamieyeisegha is free to hold any political office in the future. Do the decision makers ever take a second thought before they make crucial decisions as this? Or are we simply seeing evidences of a soiled presidency? The odds favours both. The lessons this will have on the nation as a whole is inimical. Corruption has been exalted, and justice has been raped without reprieve. If Alamieyeisegha deserves such 'fresh air', then it beggars belief why any other armed robber does not. Except it is a case of double standards. This is not good for the our fledging democracy, neither does it help the battered image of the Jonathan presidency. Whoever it was that hatched such decision, is an enemy of a better Nigeria. It is a verdict that deserves all the knocks it is currently getting, and one that lends credence to the saying that we are truly transforming as a nation, all be it, in a downward progression.