THIS IS NOT COHERENT!!!!!! JUST GO WITH THE FLOW!!!!!!!!
Am feeling strange this morning and just want to get things off my chest. I hope you can make sense of this.....
Before i start this post let me mention a few things. I hate being in a situation where am solely dependent on anyone. I hate being a victim. It should then not come as a surprise that i also cant stand dependent people or people with a victim mind-set or mentality where nothing is their fault and cant take responsibility for their actions. This people really tick me off.
Okay. So why am i starting my post with such a diatribe. Well, thats beacuse i wanna explain why i am the way i am. Not excuse it or apologise for it, but explain it. Am one of those logic people and not really high on the emotional side. You know . More left brain than right brain. Or is it right brain than left brain. Woteva. But i hope you get the drift. I see things logically and say it how i see it. I see things in a detached manner and when they come out of my mouth, sometimes they come without any sense of emotion. This seems to rub people up the wrong way. Dunno why. Am one of those people that dont understand how people are wrapped up over how they feel about something that they lose sight of the real issue. I might need to learn to be more sensitive but hey if its a dumb idea/decision it will always be a dumb idea/decision.
Apparently, this behaviour is related with a goal-oriented mindset. I am my own harshest critic. In my quest for excellence, i have set very high standards for myself. This means that i detest failure in any aspect of my life. I just can't stand it. Thats cos meeting my goals is the most important thing to me. While i dont feel the need to brag about them and let the whole world know, it matters greatly to me. Whenever am confronted with failure even in the minutest of things i go into a tailspin for days. I wont exactly call it depression but am not in the best of moods. Pls, if am moody just leave me alone. My hatred of failure has been a motivating factor for me to always be successful in whatever i do. Whether its right or wrong is open to debate.
Thats why this xtain life is hard for me. I have to be too things that i hate with a passion. Dependent on some1 else. Have to experience failure. There is no escape. And this two things come at the same time. It is at the times i experience failure, esp in my xtain life that i should go to God, but can u see my problem. I still want to do it myself. I dont wanna let go. But i need to.. To become a successful xtain will mean a serious paridgm shift in my view to life which is not going to be easy to attain. At least i now have a greater appreciation of the problem and the underlying causes. The solution. I have to keep my ego in check. Not my public ego, but my private one.
Its gonna be hard but hey wetin i for do. :)
I prob should proof read this post but i feel its best in this manner.
Easy people.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Experience II
Following from my last post on the Experience, Kirk Franklin performed "Imagine Me" which is one of my favourite songs at the moment. It encapsulates how i feel and i assume it does for many people as well. Hear are the lyrics below. Enjoy
Imagine me, loving what I see when the
Mirror looks at me ‘cause I imagine me
In a place of no insecurities
And I’m finally happy cause
I imagine me
Letting go of all of the ones who hurt me
‘Cause they never did deserve me
Can you imagine me
Saying no to thoughts that try to control me
Remembering all you told me
Lord can You imagine me
Over what my mamma said
And healed from what my daddy did
And I wanna live and not read that page again
Chorus
Imagine me, being free
Trusting you totally
Finally I can…imagine me
I admit it was hard to see
You being in love with someone like me
But finally I can…imagine me
Being strong and not letting people break me down
You won’t get that joy this time around
Can you imagine me
In a world where nobody has to live afraid
Because of your love fears gone away
Lord, can You imagine me
Bridge
Letting go of my past
And glad I have another chance
And my heart will dance
‘Cause I don’t have to read that page again
Vamp
Gone, gone, it’s gone, all gone
Imagine me, loving what I see when the
Mirror looks at me ‘cause I imagine me
In a place of no insecurities
And I’m finally happy cause
I imagine me
Letting go of all of the ones who hurt me
‘Cause they never did deserve me
Can you imagine me
Saying no to thoughts that try to control me
Remembering all you told me
Lord can You imagine me
Over what my mamma said
And healed from what my daddy did
And I wanna live and not read that page again
Chorus
Imagine me, being free
Trusting you totally
Finally I can…imagine me
I admit it was hard to see
You being in love with someone like me
But finally I can…imagine me
Being strong and not letting people break me down
You won’t get that joy this time around
Can you imagine me
In a world where nobody has to live afraid
Because of your love fears gone away
Lord, can You imagine me
Bridge
Letting go of my past
And glad I have another chance
And my heart will dance
‘Cause I don’t have to read that page again
Vamp
Gone, gone, it’s gone, all gone
The Experience
I went to "The Experience" last Friday and it was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. With all my backsliding it was the uplifting experience i craved to halt the rot. Am not very good at memorising bible verses but am better with songs. I heard this song and it touched me. Whenever u r down just replay it in your mind. Its quite relieving.
I will worship the Lord,
For He is worthy;
I will lay down my sword,
The Prince Of Peace is His name.
King of the flood,
The Lord is mighty;
The Lord can quench the evil flame.
Peace when trouble blows,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows;
He is my peace, when sorrow nears,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah hears.
Feel the presence of God,
Upon the water,
Hear the voice of the Lord,
Within the thunder that rolls,
King of the flood,
The Lord is mighty,
The Lord can calm the troubled soul.
Peace when trouble blows,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows;
He is my peace, when sorrow nears,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah hears.
Like the breath,
I need to live,
Jehovah takes, Jehovah gives;
Gives me peace,
When trouble blows,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows.
Judgement coming, He is my peace;
Men pursue me, He is my peace.
Judge! Judgement is coming, He is my peace;
Men pursue me, He is my peace.
I will worship the Lord,
For He is worthy;
I will lay down my sword,
The Prince Of Peace is His name.
King of the flood,
The Lord is mighty;
The Lord can quench the evil flame.
Peace when trouble blows,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows;
He is my peace, when sorrow nears,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah hears.
Feel the presence of God,
Upon the water,
Hear the voice of the Lord,
Within the thunder that rolls,
King of the flood,
The Lord is mighty,
The Lord can calm the troubled soul.
Peace when trouble blows,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows;
He is my peace, when sorrow nears,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah hears.
Like the breath,
I need to live,
Jehovah takes, Jehovah gives;
Gives me peace,
When trouble blows,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows.
Judgement coming, He is my peace;
Men pursue me, He is my peace.
Judge! Judgement is coming, He is my peace;
Men pursue me, He is my peace.
Announcement
Ladies and Gentlemen. I would like to apologise for the delay in the update of my blog. This was primarily as a result of procastination and lazyness. While i cannot categorically certify that a repeat of this fiasco is unlikely, i crave your indulgence as i attempt to rectify this error and try and bring this update service back to normal.
Apologies for any incovenience caused.
Signed
Management :)
Apologies for any incovenience caused.
Signed
Management :)
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
The Traffic of Life
Lagos during rush hour must be one of the last places any human being in their right mind would want to be. But as i was coming into work a few weeks ago i began to think it was the perfect microcosm of life. Chaotic. Confusion. Just a fitting description of life.
In traffic there are different lanes. Slow lane, fast lane, etc. Some people stay in their lanes peacefully, while some forcebly push themselves into other lanes thinking it will get them to their locations faster. Sometimes the slow lane becomes fast, sometimes the fast lane slow. But you know the funny thing, accident permiting, you always end up where you want to go. Might not be the time you wanted to get there. But you still get there.
Thats the story about life. People will always tell you which lane to take. When to change lanes etc. It could be based on their experience. It may be based on conventional wisdom but that doesnt mean "diddly squat". Every lane you decide to enter bears a risk and at the end of the day it is at best an educated guess.
Nobody, execpt God, knows the fastest way to get to the end in one piece. I spose thats y i need to reestablish my connection with him asap. He has the map, the traffic report. I really need to sort out my spiritual life sharpish. The TRAFFIC OF LIFE and i dont want to be stuck on Third Mainland Bridge all day.
But you know the most important thing about traffic. Its patience. Cos its out of your power and you cant fly over all the other cars.
Anyhow i hope am sort of coherent cos am not sure am making sense myself :). Easy
In traffic there are different lanes. Slow lane, fast lane, etc. Some people stay in their lanes peacefully, while some forcebly push themselves into other lanes thinking it will get them to their locations faster. Sometimes the slow lane becomes fast, sometimes the fast lane slow. But you know the funny thing, accident permiting, you always end up where you want to go. Might not be the time you wanted to get there. But you still get there.
Thats the story about life. People will always tell you which lane to take. When to change lanes etc. It could be based on their experience. It may be based on conventional wisdom but that doesnt mean "diddly squat". Every lane you decide to enter bears a risk and at the end of the day it is at best an educated guess.
Nobody, execpt God, knows the fastest way to get to the end in one piece. I spose thats y i need to reestablish my connection with him asap. He has the map, the traffic report. I really need to sort out my spiritual life sharpish. The TRAFFIC OF LIFE and i dont want to be stuck on Third Mainland Bridge all day.
But you know the most important thing about traffic. Its patience. Cos its out of your power and you cant fly over all the other cars.
Anyhow i hope am sort of coherent cos am not sure am making sense myself :). Easy
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Moonwalking
This last few weeks have not been good. I used the word "moonwalking" but infact i really meant backsliding. I had a few bottles of wine over the last few weeks. This now seems to be the drink of choice after successfully fending off Star and JD. Apart of me is happy that this burden ive been carrying is over. The whole abstinence thing placed a lot of pressure on me. While am not going to indulge in copious amounts of alcohol anymore, I think ive resolved this issue. What is the resolution. I aint tellin. :)
But this last few weeks has been characterised by not reading my bible, i didnt even go to church on Sunday. What brought this on. I dont know. I cannot track down what led to this debacle. I suppose thats the whole idea. U skip praying for an one night before you do to bed, then reading ur bible for a day, and slowly but surely uve wandered out of your close relationship with God without even knowing it.
Ive been trying to get back over the last few days but its difficult once you lost the rhythm. I cant help feeling am using up all my mercy points with God considerng all he has done in my life. But thank God he is not a man and this is not how he operates. I need to learn how to discipline myself. Its been tough. Very tough..... I know i shouldnt give up...... Ah well. Enough talking. Just PERFORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Take care peeps
But this last few weeks has been characterised by not reading my bible, i didnt even go to church on Sunday. What brought this on. I dont know. I cannot track down what led to this debacle. I suppose thats the whole idea. U skip praying for an one night before you do to bed, then reading ur bible for a day, and slowly but surely uve wandered out of your close relationship with God without even knowing it.
Ive been trying to get back over the last few days but its difficult once you lost the rhythm. I cant help feeling am using up all my mercy points with God considerng all he has done in my life. But thank God he is not a man and this is not how he operates. I need to learn how to discipline myself. Its been tough. Very tough..... I know i shouldnt give up...... Ah well. Enough talking. Just PERFORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Take care peeps
Friday, September 08, 2006
Falling Up!!!
One of the things that i am constantly reminded about is the weakness of my flesh and the fragility of my will power. Carrying the burden of not wanting to dissappoint God and incur his wrath by disobeying him is a heavy burden to carry. And the guilt when we fall is immense. You are so ashamed u have fallen that like Adam you try and hide from God (even though He always knows where you are). Ive been constantly told that falling is a fact of the xtian experience and something that i would have to deal with but its hard especially if you are not used to failure in other parts of your life.
Slowly but surely i am coming to the realisation that am not falling down but falling UP.We should not view our failures as bringing us down in God's eyes, but instead increasing our standing as he sees us maturing into what he has called us to be. Its weird, but as one person once put it, we have to fail our way to success. The most important thing: HAVING YOUR HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND DILLIGENTLY SEEKING HIM. Thats all he asks of us. There is no five year plan to attain spiritual maturity, there are no milestones/deadlines to meet or surpass, no heavy burden of expectations. Just to dilligently seek him.
As we navigate through this crazy life, i pray that we all FUMBLE OUR WAY TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
Laters Guys..
Slowly but surely i am coming to the realisation that am not falling down but falling UP.We should not view our failures as bringing us down in God's eyes, but instead increasing our standing as he sees us maturing into what he has called us to be. Its weird, but as one person once put it, we have to fail our way to success. The most important thing: HAVING YOUR HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND DILLIGENTLY SEEKING HIM. Thats all he asks of us. There is no five year plan to attain spiritual maturity, there are no milestones/deadlines to meet or surpass, no heavy burden of expectations. Just to dilligently seek him.
As we navigate through this crazy life, i pray that we all FUMBLE OUR WAY TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
Laters Guys..
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Shhhh!!!! Am a Xtain. Keep it quiet!!!!
Ive been finding myself saying this a lot ever since i began on this transformation journey. Its like a disclaimer in case i goof and look like a hypocrite. If the truth be told this is pay back for my earlier days when i used to yap "holier than thous" who will preach to you all day and make u feel condemned and the next minute doing things you wouldnt expect of a xtian. So now that ive crossed to the other side i dont want to turn into "them" especially when i know my frailties.
But is there any such thing as a holy pure xtian. Simple answer i dont know. In any case i assume it will be quite rare. This flesh we carry about is not helping matters. Now am not talking about outward holiness. That can be faked easily.. I mean what goes on in your head. How you are when the "holy police" are not around.
To be honest this might sound strange but it is not exactly cool to be a xtain. A few weeks back i went to a party and drinks were flowing. Someguy offered me a bottle of Star and i said no. Asked if i drink and i said no. I felt like such an odd ball. Like i was some sort of geek. I wont lie to you. I almost cracked there. I miss drinking i no go lie.
Anyway back to the matter at hand. I prob should not be shy to say am a xtain without a caveat. Not be ashamed to say i read my bible everyday without looking like a freak. If i do things, or say things not xtian like then hey, i aint perfect just "work-in-progress.
Thats all folks easy!!!!!!!!
But is there any such thing as a holy pure xtian. Simple answer i dont know. In any case i assume it will be quite rare. This flesh we carry about is not helping matters. Now am not talking about outward holiness. That can be faked easily.. I mean what goes on in your head. How you are when the "holy police" are not around.
To be honest this might sound strange but it is not exactly cool to be a xtain. A few weeks back i went to a party and drinks were flowing. Someguy offered me a bottle of Star and i said no. Asked if i drink and i said no. I felt like such an odd ball. Like i was some sort of geek. I wont lie to you. I almost cracked there. I miss drinking i no go lie.
Anyway back to the matter at hand. I prob should not be shy to say am a xtain without a caveat. Not be ashamed to say i read my bible everyday without looking like a freak. If i do things, or say things not xtian like then hey, i aint perfect just "work-in-progress.
Thats all folks easy!!!!!!!!
Friday, August 18, 2006
Close the Door!!!!!!!
In Naija there has always been a fascination with opening doors. Doors of opportunity, doors of wealth, etc. However, i would like to focus on a different type of door. Sometimes in the name of curiosity/experimentation we open doors to things in our lives who like an unwanted guest refuse to leave when you want them to. Try out different vices either to fit in or find out what all the fuss is about. Unfortunately, we form relationships with these things and they just wont leave use.
So that got me thinking. Is it better to never have opened the door to them in the 1st place? A line of thinking disagrees. That its better to get all this stuff out of your system while you are young so when u then decide to be a goodie-too-shoes you are not tripped by it anymore. I think i belonged to this school of thought but (like my other fellow members) i drastically underestimated the effort it would take to close this door. But this view still has some merits. The temptation will always be around. Would you rather gain victory over it while you are young and single? Or be severely tempted when other people are affected eg. wife and kids..........
The option of never opening the door in the first place only works if you dont always run away from temptation all the time. Especially if its always on your mind. To be truly in control, one must be able to stand firm amidst temptation. Running away will only postpone the day when you eventually have to choose between opening and closing the door to certain vices. Obviously, surrounding yourself with temptation everytime is barmy, but employing a strategy of always running away is also equally nutty.
What do i think is the best option? Well to be able to never have opened the door, live amidst temptation and still not fall... Unrealistic. Probably. but if i could roll back the hands of time, that is what i would do.
Phew!!!!!!!!! Now that ive got that off my chest. Gosta go.........
So that got me thinking. Is it better to never have opened the door to them in the 1st place? A line of thinking disagrees. That its better to get all this stuff out of your system while you are young so when u then decide to be a goodie-too-shoes you are not tripped by it anymore. I think i belonged to this school of thought but (like my other fellow members) i drastically underestimated the effort it would take to close this door. But this view still has some merits. The temptation will always be around. Would you rather gain victory over it while you are young and single? Or be severely tempted when other people are affected eg. wife and kids..........
The option of never opening the door in the first place only works if you dont always run away from temptation all the time. Especially if its always on your mind. To be truly in control, one must be able to stand firm amidst temptation. Running away will only postpone the day when you eventually have to choose between opening and closing the door to certain vices. Obviously, surrounding yourself with temptation everytime is barmy, but employing a strategy of always running away is also equally nutty.
What do i think is the best option? Well to be able to never have opened the door, live amidst temptation and still not fall... Unrealistic. Probably. but if i could roll back the hands of time, that is what i would do.
Phew!!!!!!!!! Now that ive got that off my chest. Gosta go.........
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Say No to Drugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now before anyone starts getting worried am not on any drugs. But thats the problem. Confused. Calm down. I dont mean illicit drugs like coke, heroin etc. By the way if you are reading this blog and you do use illicit drugs, please let me know who you are so i can update my block list on my messenger. :) . Am talking about prescribed drugs apparently meant to make you feel better.
Now am no pharmacist but i dont believe in taking drugs. A part of me honestly believes they dont work. Am one of those people who only use medicine or see the doctor as a last resort. I dont know why. Maybe its a macho thing and i dont want to accept that i might be weak/infallible and need help. That might be part of it but thats not the whole issue. I think drugs are abused in Naija. Every Nigerian is a pharmacist and know of all least 10 different types of Mydryclinin or mtrcyklin to fix any headache. But you know what the pain always goes away eventually without having to pump your body with funky chemicals.
I believe in the development of a body's natural defences. If you always give it a hand at every chance it gets to stregthen how is it supposed to develop. You just have to chest it.
Well but i do suffer for this belief. Had a bad cold yesterday. Ive always get bad colds from time to time. Everyone tells me its allegeries and recommended some funky medicines called antihistimies or amphetamines or whatever. Now i should just go to a doctor get it checked out and sorted right. But i cant bring myself to do it. Thankfully this attacks only last a day. So i sneeeze like hell for one day and am fine. I suppose thats why i decide to chest it. If it was longer than one day i think my resistance will definitely weaken.
However before i end this post; a quick disclaimer. ABEG!!! IF YOU ARE FEELING ILL NO FOLLOW ME O!!!!!!!! GO TO A DOCTOR!!!!!!!!! I AM OF LIMITED MEANS AND WILL BE A MAJOR DISSAPPOINTMENT TO YOU IN THE EVENT OF SUCCESSFUL LITIGATION.
Easy
Now am no pharmacist but i dont believe in taking drugs. A part of me honestly believes they dont work. Am one of those people who only use medicine or see the doctor as a last resort. I dont know why. Maybe its a macho thing and i dont want to accept that i might be weak/infallible and need help. That might be part of it but thats not the whole issue. I think drugs are abused in Naija. Every Nigerian is a pharmacist and know of all least 10 different types of Mydryclinin or mtrcyklin to fix any headache. But you know what the pain always goes away eventually without having to pump your body with funky chemicals.
I believe in the development of a body's natural defences. If you always give it a hand at every chance it gets to stregthen how is it supposed to develop. You just have to chest it.
Well but i do suffer for this belief. Had a bad cold yesterday. Ive always get bad colds from time to time. Everyone tells me its allegeries and recommended some funky medicines called antihistimies or amphetamines or whatever. Now i should just go to a doctor get it checked out and sorted right. But i cant bring myself to do it. Thankfully this attacks only last a day. So i sneeeze like hell for one day and am fine. I suppose thats why i decide to chest it. If it was longer than one day i think my resistance will definitely weaken.
However before i end this post; a quick disclaimer. ABEG!!! IF YOU ARE FEELING ILL NO FOLLOW ME O!!!!!!!! GO TO A DOCTOR!!!!!!!!! I AM OF LIMITED MEANS AND WILL BE A MAJOR DISSAPPOINTMENT TO YOU IN THE EVENT OF SUCCESSFUL LITIGATION.
Easy
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
O Blogger, Where art Thou?
Well well well. What can i say. Ive missed my blog. Two months. Thats quite shocking really. But am back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
So much has happened over the last few months. Ive had a brush (literally ask my car) with armed robbers. I suppose that completes it. Am a Lagosian now. Once youve had your car bashed, issues with corrupt police men, had to push your car with a stranger to get it to restart on your way to work, then a chanced meeting with armed robbers that really completes the Lagos experience. Well not really. To make it really complete you have to include LASTMA and area boys. Thankfully that hasnt happened. And never will ;)
So what about my xtian life. Have i made any progress since my last deep post? Well, simple answer, no. I believe theres a link between my slacking in my spiritual life to all the crap thats been happening. Thank God for grace that all potentially disastrous events all had the best possible outcome.
I used to think maybe i was being punished for my slacking and i should just live up to the consequences of my in/actions . Maybe this is true. But am grateful to have a God who does not punish me as i deserve. Ive taken it on the chin and am getting my focus back to stop playing with my covering.
But it is really hard finding quality time to spend with God when you are always working and always tired. Its weird that i can watch tv when i am knackered, but whenever i try picking up my bible, i start snoring. Some days, when i have spare time, i find it easy reading everything else but just not my bible. I just cant explain it. But am trying really hard to focus on the most important thing in my life. My relationship with the Most High!!!!! Its still as hard as it has ever been. Like the Israelites i keep on longing for Egypt even though i sense am near the promised land. I need God's grace more than anything now.
Considering the alcohol thing, some progress. Ive stopped drinking beer for a few months and now i have to tighten my belt to stop my trousers falling off :). But there is still a sticky point. Is it wrong to have a glass of wine? Well this is quite tricky. If i just substitute drinking beer for wine, then who am i kidding. I might as well shack the Star as well. It really feels weird not having a drink. Its actually quite tough and i have still do deal with serious cravings. Especially after a bad day. But there is something liberating from not drinking. I still hang out with friends at bars but they dont force me to have a drink which is very helpful. So am not totally square.
Anyway back to the real issue. The Moral of the story simply is Stay close to God!!!!! Especially when it is difficult . No matter how far you stray he is always ready to guide you back home.
Anyhow folks. Nice to be liberated again. Hope it wont be 2 months till my next post.
Easy
So much has happened over the last few months. Ive had a brush (literally ask my car) with armed robbers. I suppose that completes it. Am a Lagosian now. Once youve had your car bashed, issues with corrupt police men, had to push your car with a stranger to get it to restart on your way to work, then a chanced meeting with armed robbers that really completes the Lagos experience. Well not really. To make it really complete you have to include LASTMA and area boys. Thankfully that hasnt happened. And never will ;)
So what about my xtian life. Have i made any progress since my last deep post? Well, simple answer, no. I believe theres a link between my slacking in my spiritual life to all the crap thats been happening. Thank God for grace that all potentially disastrous events all had the best possible outcome.
I used to think maybe i was being punished for my slacking and i should just live up to the consequences of my in/actions . Maybe this is true. But am grateful to have a God who does not punish me as i deserve. Ive taken it on the chin and am getting my focus back to stop playing with my covering.
But it is really hard finding quality time to spend with God when you are always working and always tired. Its weird that i can watch tv when i am knackered, but whenever i try picking up my bible, i start snoring. Some days, when i have spare time, i find it easy reading everything else but just not my bible. I just cant explain it. But am trying really hard to focus on the most important thing in my life. My relationship with the Most High!!!!! Its still as hard as it has ever been. Like the Israelites i keep on longing for Egypt even though i sense am near the promised land. I need God's grace more than anything now.
Considering the alcohol thing, some progress. Ive stopped drinking beer for a few months and now i have to tighten my belt to stop my trousers falling off :). But there is still a sticky point. Is it wrong to have a glass of wine? Well this is quite tricky. If i just substitute drinking beer for wine, then who am i kidding. I might as well shack the Star as well. It really feels weird not having a drink. Its actually quite tough and i have still do deal with serious cravings. Especially after a bad day. But there is something liberating from not drinking. I still hang out with friends at bars but they dont force me to have a drink which is very helpful. So am not totally square.
Anyway back to the real issue. The Moral of the story simply is Stay close to God!!!!! Especially when it is difficult . No matter how far you stray he is always ready to guide you back home.
Anyhow folks. Nice to be liberated again. Hope it wont be 2 months till my next post.
Easy
Thursday, May 25, 2006
When Things Fall Apart
A few weeks ago i had a car accident on the Island, or rather some lady reversed into me without looking back. Women Drivers!!!!!!! :). After going mad, swearing at her and taking her cheque (yes i took a cheque in Lagos), i found out a lot about myself.
1st i still have to work on my temper which i kinda knew already. If any1 had said half the things i said to that lady i would prob have smacked them. Well at least tried to :)
2ndly, after the whole affair, I needed to go somewhere i could clear my head and gather my thoughts and get my act together. Did i go to a friend's house? No. A church? No. I went to my office and to be honest thinking about it now, that is very scary.......... I found solace in my place of work. Talk about a work life balance. Ive now made a conscious decision only to go to work after hours when it is absolutely necessary....
I also learnt some other things about myself which am not going to get into on this blog maybe some other time. But i spose u get to know your real self when "Things fall apart" as opposed to when its all honkey dory........
Anyway thats enough for 2day....
Ps: The cheque cleared by the way. Maybe she wasnt so bad after all and there are still decent people left in Lagos
1st i still have to work on my temper which i kinda knew already. If any1 had said half the things i said to that lady i would prob have smacked them. Well at least tried to :)
2ndly, after the whole affair, I needed to go somewhere i could clear my head and gather my thoughts and get my act together. Did i go to a friend's house? No. A church? No. I went to my office and to be honest thinking about it now, that is very scary.......... I found solace in my place of work. Talk about a work life balance. Ive now made a conscious decision only to go to work after hours when it is absolutely necessary....
I also learnt some other things about myself which am not going to get into on this blog maybe some other time. But i spose u get to know your real self when "Things fall apart" as opposed to when its all honkey dory........
Anyway thats enough for 2day....
Ps: The cheque cleared by the way. Maybe she wasnt so bad after all and there are still decent people left in Lagos
Lead me not into Temptation. I can find it myself
I got this line from a great book i just finished reading "Winning the Battle Within". It talks about winning the battle over temptation and to be honest i found it to be very insightful. There are few things that i took home from the book and i thought it would be a good idea to share with everyone else:
Easy!!!!!!!!!
- You will be tempted for the rest of our lives: We will never reach a level where we will be such great Xtians that we will be above temptation, We are going to deal with it for the rest of our lives. Doesnt sound like a great thought but thats the way it is
- Everybody is tempted: Everybody is tempted no matter how great spiritually we might think they are. I mean Jesus was tempted. It doesnt get higher than that.
- The devil does not make us sin, we choose to sin: We should take responsibility for our actions. No matter how great the temptation we choose to sin ourselves. No body pushes us over the cliff. We jump!!!!!!!!!!
- We need daily deliverance: We live in a world full of temptations and in a carnal body that loves doing wrong. We need to ask God for deliverance from it and our surroundings everyday!!!!!
- Repent immediately and get back up again: There's no need crying about it when we fall. Repent, move on and get on track with your relationship with God. Period. Lets face it. He knew you were going to fall before you did. Guilt does not serve any purpose apart from making us feel bad
- We can overcome temptation: God will never give us more than we can handle. He knows our weaknesses but he also sees our hearts.
Easy!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Love and Money
For a long time, people have used the phrase "Its the thought that counts". Lets face it ive used it a few times to get myself out of tricky situations. The use of money to show love has been branded as shallow, materialistic etc.. But am not so sure anymore.
I suppose this depends on your attitude towards money. If you are a spendthrift then you wont need that much encouragement to buy expensive gifts and stuff. But if you are a tight git, like yours truly, then u find out you will hold back and this is not limited to gifts. It could be beggars in traffic, cousin who needs credit etc..... Is it possible to show love and still be tight.......
I dont know but there is something liberating about doing a good deed. Being prudent is good. But can you be too prudent that it becomes overbearing... I think so. It shouldnt control you. As we say in Naija. Spend this money!!! Live life!!!!! Let it go!!!!!!!
So hey the thought counts but money counts a lot as welll.........
I think?
Anyhows peace out
I suppose this depends on your attitude towards money. If you are a spendthrift then you wont need that much encouragement to buy expensive gifts and stuff. But if you are a tight git, like yours truly, then u find out you will hold back and this is not limited to gifts. It could be beggars in traffic, cousin who needs credit etc..... Is it possible to show love and still be tight.......
I dont know but there is something liberating about doing a good deed. Being prudent is good. But can you be too prudent that it becomes overbearing... I think so. It shouldnt control you. As we say in Naija. Spend this money!!! Live life!!!!! Let it go!!!!!!!
So hey the thought counts but money counts a lot as welll.........
I think?
Anyhows peace out
Searching for oneself
Every once in a while, its always good to find out who exactly we are and why we do the things we do. In searching for that understanding i stumbled on this website http://www.9types.com/homepage.actual.html. It lists the various personalities and traits etc. Now i know that this is not exactly everyones cup of tea, but for a laugh its a good idea to have a look and see where u fit.
Most people will likely fit into many categories but there will be one dominant personality. Its strange but some of the stuff is actually true. (let me talk about myself :) ) So the major question..... So you find out who you are, then what........
Hmmm..... Thats a good question. It depends how much you believe this stuff. Some people might link new reasons why they behave the way they behave. Others dont.....
I feel it is a good thing to come back at intervals to see if your are changing or not.....
So have a look and see if its worth it.
Laters.....
Most people will likely fit into many categories but there will be one dominant personality. Its strange but some of the stuff is actually true. (let me talk about myself :) ) So the major question..... So you find out who you are, then what........
Hmmm..... Thats a good question. It depends how much you believe this stuff. Some people might link new reasons why they behave the way they behave. Others dont.....
I feel it is a good thing to come back at intervals to see if your are changing or not.....
So have a look and see if its worth it.
Laters.....
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Thou Shalt Not Drink Part II
Now i know sequels are in fashion and i dont mean those crappy Nollywood sequels which have been in season before the beginning of time. I mean the other equally crappy sequels that come out of Hollywood i.e. Mission Impossible 3, Scary Movie 100 etc. Lets face it. Sequels are never as good as the originals and most of the time they get worse and worse e.g. the Matrix. But thats not the reason for this post. I would actually want to revisit an issue i dicussed earlier on in my blog.
Is it wrong to drink?
I actually tried a period of abstinence which was quite interesting. I discovered that i didnt die which shows am not as much as an alcoholic as i feared but it also shows me that that in itself doesnt make for a better relationship with God. It was good for the outward saintly appearance but not much for inside. In my opinion it was largely symbolical and to be honest i dont think its that mission critical.
Its about moderation and self control just like any part of life. Its very difficult to be holy. To be honest sometimes its feels like its just not in my nature and i shouldnt bother, But a little voice keeps on telling me to keep going.
I never thought that being a xtian was such an excruciating experience. Sometimes i feel like giving up. Its hard and it can get you down when you know you are weak. and pathetic......
Anyway, i think i need to take stock and take things easy for a while. I hate to say this but it looks like there is going to be a part 3. (Hate sounding like a hypocryte). What can I say the story continues.....
Laters
Is it wrong to drink?
I actually tried a period of abstinence which was quite interesting. I discovered that i didnt die which shows am not as much as an alcoholic as i feared but it also shows me that that in itself doesnt make for a better relationship with God. It was good for the outward saintly appearance but not much for inside. In my opinion it was largely symbolical and to be honest i dont think its that mission critical.
Its about moderation and self control just like any part of life. Its very difficult to be holy. To be honest sometimes its feels like its just not in my nature and i shouldnt bother, But a little voice keeps on telling me to keep going.
I never thought that being a xtian was such an excruciating experience. Sometimes i feel like giving up. Its hard and it can get you down when you know you are weak. and pathetic......
Anyway, i think i need to take stock and take things easy for a while. I hate to say this but it looks like there is going to be a part 3. (Hate sounding like a hypocryte). What can I say the story continues.....
Laters
Home is Where the Heart Is
Well it was in the "Wizard of Oz" where Dorothy goes there is no place like home. And you know what she was absolutely right. There really is no place like home. Its very strange that despite all Nigeria's problems whenever u leave for a period of time you start longing to come back even with NEPA, traffic etc. It got me thinking so what makes home, well, home.
Home changes for us all as we go through life. Could be the town you were born, work or went to university. Its that place where you feel or felt at peace, at ease, at home. I know am no masochist but Lagos is home for me. I dont know why? To the rational mind it shouldnt be. But this is where i grew up. Ive had memories here that i would never want to erase or forget. Amidst all the chaos it seems Lagos will always have somewhere special in my heart. Well what can i say. Home is where the Heart is. How true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Home changes for us all as we go through life. Could be the town you were born, work or went to university. Its that place where you feel or felt at peace, at ease, at home. I know am no masochist but Lagos is home for me. I dont know why? To the rational mind it shouldnt be. But this is where i grew up. Ive had memories here that i would never want to erase or forget. Amidst all the chaos it seems Lagos will always have somewhere special in my heart. Well what can i say. Home is where the Heart is. How true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Say Something Positive
Now if you have been a frequent reader of my blog you will notice i bash Naija a lot. Lets face it, its very easy to do. But i always critise foreign correspondents who only write negative stories about Nigeria. So a few weeks back i decided to put my money where my mouth was and write something positive. After thinking for about 20 mins, i noticed the ideas were not flowing as they normally do. Is it that there is nothing good to write about Nigeria or its always easier to write negative stories?
The fact is, in my opinion, it is more of the latter than the former. It seems easier for humans to be negative, pessimistic and to see the wrong in everything than the noble and good. This is moreso when weve been through what weve been thru in Naija. Its like "Ive heard this all before", " This country is $%^^£$" etc. But does this pessimistic atmosphere enable objective thinking about Nigeria's situation? Besides decay and corruption, is it that nothing of any repute occurs in this nation?
So here i go. I will give it a try. Say something positive. This might sound lame and basic but i honestly belive it is a testament to Nigerians that despite our differences and all we have been though, we still stay together as one nation. I dont think that there is any other group of people in the world as long suffering as your average Nigeria who despite all the desperation around him keeps on striving and hoping that tomorrow "go beta". Who lives in horrendous conditions without the basic necesities of life. Who can barely afford to provide for his families needs, but still somehow wakes up the next day prepared for whatever challenges the day might throw at him. Despite all his faults, that kind of persistence and strenght takes guts and not only do Nigerians do this, they do it with a smile on their faces. This i say is admirable.
So for one post at least let me say this. I look forward to a Nigeria where its citizens long-suffering will be rewarded. And I hope, pray and believe that i will see it in my life-time .
God Bless Nigeria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The fact is, in my opinion, it is more of the latter than the former. It seems easier for humans to be negative, pessimistic and to see the wrong in everything than the noble and good. This is moreso when weve been through what weve been thru in Naija. Its like "Ive heard this all before", " This country is $%^^£$" etc. But does this pessimistic atmosphere enable objective thinking about Nigeria's situation? Besides decay and corruption, is it that nothing of any repute occurs in this nation?
So here i go. I will give it a try. Say something positive. This might sound lame and basic but i honestly belive it is a testament to Nigerians that despite our differences and all we have been though, we still stay together as one nation. I dont think that there is any other group of people in the world as long suffering as your average Nigeria who despite all the desperation around him keeps on striving and hoping that tomorrow "go beta". Who lives in horrendous conditions without the basic necesities of life. Who can barely afford to provide for his families needs, but still somehow wakes up the next day prepared for whatever challenges the day might throw at him. Despite all his faults, that kind of persistence and strenght takes guts and not only do Nigerians do this, they do it with a smile on their faces. This i say is admirable.
So for one post at least let me say this. I look forward to a Nigeria where its citizens long-suffering will be rewarded. And I hope, pray and believe that i will see it in my life-time .
God Bless Nigeria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dependency on God
The one thing i have noticed for a while now is that it is both easy and difficult to depend on God. What does that mean? Exactly what i said. Theres a tendency, i suppose human tendnecy, that we seperate our challenges into two. Those that we can handle overselves e.g. routine work, daily challenges etc. Then we also have things that we beleive are out of hands that we need God for e.g. life partner, career aspirations etc..... For the latter it seems easy to depend on God for them because they are huge... But for the former its much harder..
I dont know about you, but i struggle with this. I suppose its ego related. To depend totally on God requires a lot of humility. You just need to cut yourself down and acknowledge that without God you are nothing and you need him for everything you do in life. Now thats tough. To beleive that every success you ever achieve is not solely because of your actions or intelligence and you might not be as great as you think you are can be difficult. But that daily dependence on God puts that ego in check. It stops you thinking more highly of yourself than u ought and helps you relate better with others.
This is an area that will need to be reflected on deeply and "requires improvement".
Anyway, enough about that.. See yall around..
I dont know about you, but i struggle with this. I suppose its ego related. To depend totally on God requires a lot of humility. You just need to cut yourself down and acknowledge that without God you are nothing and you need him for everything you do in life. Now thats tough. To beleive that every success you ever achieve is not solely because of your actions or intelligence and you might not be as great as you think you are can be difficult. But that daily dependence on God puts that ego in check. It stops you thinking more highly of yourself than u ought and helps you relate better with others.
This is an area that will need to be reflected on deeply and "requires improvement".
Anyway, enough about that.. See yall around..
Sunday, March 05, 2006
The Customer is always WRONG
Now in Nigeria am sure we are used to the way things are always the reverse of how they are in more developed well run countries. The title of this post seems silly, but am starting to believe thats exactly what many Nigerians in the service industry think.
In the space a few hours, a few weekends ago, i was subjected to the "Lets frustrate the customer" attitude of my fellow Nigerians. A lady in a shop said a friend and i were not "bouyant" enough to shop at her store, which i thought was a very nice way to get customers. I suppose the whole idea was to get us to prove her wrong and buy something. Youve got no chance there love.
Another lady at a restaurant was not that bad but was "robotic" in her attitude. There was a deal for a meal and a drink for N800. I said i wanted a bottle of water and she told me i could only have either coke, fanta and sprite. And i was like, water is cheaper than coke so it benefits you and benefits my health as well. But i think she had issues which logic so she wouldnt come round. After arguing with her for about 5 minutes, i asked to talk to her manager. But alas, they attended the same customer service school and he didnt see anything wrong in her flawed arguement. As i was very hungry i decided to have the coke and behave myself. A while back i would have argued with the manager for another 10 mins but i couldnt be arsed. The chicken was nice so hey all is forgiven. I must just make sure i sneak in my bottle of water next time. :)
And talking about sneaking drinks in, a bottle of Coke in Silverbird is now N300. Thats about $2 for a 50cl bottle of Coca-cola. Now there a lot things i would rather do than succumb to the love of margins by certain organisations. But guess what people still pay for it. AAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrggggggggHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! . Thats why they keep on ripping us off. We willingly let them. As for me, unless that bottle of coke is made of gold, i aint interested.
Anyway, back to customer service. Why do Nigerians find it difficult to serve people. This goes all the way to the higest echelons of power in this nation. Everyone wants to be the Oga and feels serving people is beneaath them. We are we so full of ourselves, what do we have to be proud out?
Its all about humility... It never goes amiss. Anyhow, till it changes, i will continue to be confront rudeness and foolishness wherever i encounter it.
Cheers..........
In the space a few hours, a few weekends ago, i was subjected to the "Lets frustrate the customer" attitude of my fellow Nigerians. A lady in a shop said a friend and i were not "bouyant" enough to shop at her store, which i thought was a very nice way to get customers. I suppose the whole idea was to get us to prove her wrong and buy something. Youve got no chance there love.
Another lady at a restaurant was not that bad but was "robotic" in her attitude. There was a deal for a meal and a drink for N800. I said i wanted a bottle of water and she told me i could only have either coke, fanta and sprite. And i was like, water is cheaper than coke so it benefits you and benefits my health as well. But i think she had issues which logic so she wouldnt come round. After arguing with her for about 5 minutes, i asked to talk to her manager. But alas, they attended the same customer service school and he didnt see anything wrong in her flawed arguement. As i was very hungry i decided to have the coke and behave myself. A while back i would have argued with the manager for another 10 mins but i couldnt be arsed. The chicken was nice so hey all is forgiven. I must just make sure i sneak in my bottle of water next time. :)
And talking about sneaking drinks in, a bottle of Coke in Silverbird is now N300. Thats about $2 for a 50cl bottle of Coca-cola. Now there a lot things i would rather do than succumb to the love of margins by certain organisations. But guess what people still pay for it. AAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrggggggggHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! . Thats why they keep on ripping us off. We willingly let them. As for me, unless that bottle of coke is made of gold, i aint interested.
Anyway, back to customer service. Why do Nigerians find it difficult to serve people. This goes all the way to the higest echelons of power in this nation. Everyone wants to be the Oga and feels serving people is beneaath them. We are we so full of ourselves, what do we have to be proud out?
Its all about humility... It never goes amiss. Anyhow, till it changes, i will continue to be confront rudeness and foolishness wherever i encounter it.
Cheers..........
Clay in the Potter's Hands
Today's sermon focused on us being clay in God's hands as he moulds us and shapes us into the person he called us to be. The one thing that struck me about the sermon was that it is a continuous process. Its not like after a few weeks, months or years we become the finished article, all perfect, holy and pure. Its a process that occurs daily in our lives and involves refining our rough edges or starting all over again for the 100th time.
This is one of the most important things to grasp. The magnitude of God's grace is so huge that its impossible to quantify especially as a human being. If someone messes you up a few times you cut them off. Period. No questions asked. So it's hard to understand why someone else can tolerate the multitude of times we screw up (even in a week) and not immediately punish us. To be honest, i cannot fathom the depth and breadth of that kind of love and can only be grateful its there.
I always feel weird when i post a spiritual topic. I dunno why. I suppose it kinds of puts pressure on me to act and behave in a certain way so as not to look like a hypocrite. But hey i aint gonna lie. I aint righteous, i aint holy and i aint perfect. But i would like to be all these things and i intend to strive towards this. Its a very long journey full up high mountains and deep valleys. I might stray from the path once in a while but guess what, He is nearby to put me back on track.
Anyhow, enough deep talk for now.
Later
This is one of the most important things to grasp. The magnitude of God's grace is so huge that its impossible to quantify especially as a human being. If someone messes you up a few times you cut them off. Period. No questions asked. So it's hard to understand why someone else can tolerate the multitude of times we screw up (even in a week) and not immediately punish us. To be honest, i cannot fathom the depth and breadth of that kind of love and can only be grateful its there.
I always feel weird when i post a spiritual topic. I dunno why. I suppose it kinds of puts pressure on me to act and behave in a certain way so as not to look like a hypocrite. But hey i aint gonna lie. I aint righteous, i aint holy and i aint perfect. But i would like to be all these things and i intend to strive towards this. Its a very long journey full up high mountains and deep valleys. I might stray from the path once in a while but guess what, He is nearby to put me back on track.
Anyhow, enough deep talk for now.
Later
Its been a long time, long time .....
Well its been about 2-3 weeks since my last post which is quite scandalous but hey am back. I spose i just got sucked into Lagos life and kept on procastinating...
Anyhow am back. I hope i still remember how to do this thing :)
Later
Anyhow am back. I hope i still remember how to do this thing :)
Later
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Okada!!! Okada!!!!
Being back in Lagos now for the last week or so i have been re-acquainted with that stalwart of Lagos life. The Okada driver. That unique seemingly possessed rider of nosiy Chinese manufactured two-wheeled death traps leaving confusion, death and destruction in their wake. Sometimes you see them weave in and out of traffic, sometimes weaving in between cars on the 3rd Mainland Bridge. Yes you heard me on Third Main Land bridge. Those guys are nutters.
Hardly a day passes without some Okada testing your reflex actions to see how quickly you can step on your brakes. And that got me thinking. What could be the average lifespan of an okada driver? Is it possible to be an Okada driver for, i dunno, 10 years. To be honest i dont think its possible. If there are such people who have lived for 10 yrs driving an Okada daily, then that should prove to any doubting Thomas that there is a God.
I think the fumes from the okada engine must intoxicate the drivers because i dont think they know how small those things are. As far as your guy is concerned, he is driving a bad ass Hummer and if that stupid driver in the Honda horning at him to get out of the way doesn't stop he will bash his bumper to teach him a lesson. During Sallah i saw an okada whose passenger was carrying two rams on the either side turboing down Eko bridge. Now what do you do when confronted with such foolhardiness.
When i went to Cotonou ages ago. The Okada drivers were organised and orderly and didnt try and challenge cars for the rights to the road. Which then shows that there is no problem with motorcycles as a mode of transport. The problem is the psychotic Nigerian on it. In Nigeria, we have a lot of mentally ill people who should probably be tied up in a psychatric hospital left to drive danfos and okadas. Now i know this is a way of life and provides people with that daily income that keeps them from dying of hunger. I appreciate that. But does that give them the right to put the lives of their passengers, innocent bystanders and other motorists at risk.
Any tips to handle these menace apart from banning them would be welcomed. In the mean time, drive with not just your eyes, but with you ears, nose and mouth wide open. :)
Enjoy.....
Hardly a day passes without some Okada testing your reflex actions to see how quickly you can step on your brakes. And that got me thinking. What could be the average lifespan of an okada driver? Is it possible to be an Okada driver for, i dunno, 10 years. To be honest i dont think its possible. If there are such people who have lived for 10 yrs driving an Okada daily, then that should prove to any doubting Thomas that there is a God.
I think the fumes from the okada engine must intoxicate the drivers because i dont think they know how small those things are. As far as your guy is concerned, he is driving a bad ass Hummer and if that stupid driver in the Honda horning at him to get out of the way doesn't stop he will bash his bumper to teach him a lesson. During Sallah i saw an okada whose passenger was carrying two rams on the either side turboing down Eko bridge. Now what do you do when confronted with such foolhardiness.
When i went to Cotonou ages ago. The Okada drivers were organised and orderly and didnt try and challenge cars for the rights to the road. Which then shows that there is no problem with motorcycles as a mode of transport. The problem is the psychotic Nigerian on it. In Nigeria, we have a lot of mentally ill people who should probably be tied up in a psychatric hospital left to drive danfos and okadas. Now i know this is a way of life and provides people with that daily income that keeps them from dying of hunger. I appreciate that. But does that give them the right to put the lives of their passengers, innocent bystanders and other motorists at risk.
Any tips to handle these menace apart from banning them would be welcomed. In the mean time, drive with not just your eyes, but with you ears, nose and mouth wide open. :)
Enjoy.....
Sunday, February 05, 2006
The Need for a Routine
Right. Now this might seem obvious. Of course one needs to have a routine to better effectively manage and get the most out of each day. But where does ones life stop being well planned and start getting monotonous? Where does being well organised and efficient start turning into being a boring, inflexible git, stuck in your ways and not willing to change? Is it such a distinct trade-off? Are the gains of this supposed trade-off worth it?
I suppose structure is the foundation to everything in life. Unless you are in the creative industry where structure runs against everything you stand for and impairs your innovative ability. We all need some semblance of structure in our lives. But in order to develop personally.. does that necessarily mean more structure in our lives.. More discipline..... Is there other way to strive for perfection in ones life without that necessarily mean being more "uptight". Variety is supposedly the spice of life. Can there being a structured way to achieve this variety? Isnt that a contradiction in itself?
I touched on how structure impairs ones innovativeness..... If striclty adhered to, a routine can confine your thoughts, options and experiences. It can limit what we get out of life. So i propose a solution. Yes i know little me. But i think it will work. Its a twin approach. Review your high-level plans at regular intervals to see if they are still relevant to whats important to you. Make the necessary adjustments (if any) and proceed ruthlessly to ensure once selected they are implemented. Define a routine to help you achieve this goal and pursue it rigourously.
Well what do i know. I just think this is a good idea. Anyhow gotta go. Laters people.
I suppose structure is the foundation to everything in life. Unless you are in the creative industry where structure runs against everything you stand for and impairs your innovative ability. We all need some semblance of structure in our lives. But in order to develop personally.. does that necessarily mean more structure in our lives.. More discipline..... Is there other way to strive for perfection in ones life without that necessarily mean being more "uptight". Variety is supposedly the spice of life. Can there being a structured way to achieve this variety? Isnt that a contradiction in itself?
I touched on how structure impairs ones innovativeness..... If striclty adhered to, a routine can confine your thoughts, options and experiences. It can limit what we get out of life. So i propose a solution. Yes i know little me. But i think it will work. Its a twin approach. Review your high-level plans at regular intervals to see if they are still relevant to whats important to you. Make the necessary adjustments (if any) and proceed ruthlessly to ensure once selected they are implemented. Define a routine to help you achieve this goal and pursue it rigourously.
Well what do i know. I just think this is a good idea. Anyhow gotta go. Laters people.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Slave to Brands
Now i used to love Virgin Nigeria. Roomy aircraft. Well organised and stuff. I staunchly defended them against anyone who had a bad word to say about them. In some way i identified with the goals to be Nigerian and world class and i really wanted them to suceed. However, my experience last week Friday on the Abuja-Lagos scared the crap out of me. Talk about rollercoasters. Its was surreal. I dont know if the Russian pilots had over indulged in their customary Smirnoff (am assuming this is what russians do that is if these guys are even russian ) before the flight, but it seemed your guy was looking for the baddest clouds in the sky and intentionally flying into them. But after we landed and i got over the shock of it all. I started questioning my loyalty to the Virgin Nigeria brand and why i was so loyal in the 1st place.
Its not only true that "You are what you eat", its also true that you are what you wear, where you shop, what you buy there, where you eat, what you eat there. The brands we long to be associated with shows the kind of person we are. Or does it? Quick exercise. Go home and have a look at your shopping bags. I bet you will fall in one of the 3 categories below:
Type 1 (Fashionista):
Anyhow. Have to go. Enjoy
Its not only true that "You are what you eat", its also true that you are what you wear, where you shop, what you buy there, where you eat, what you eat there. The brands we long to be associated with shows the kind of person we are. Or does it? Quick exercise. Go home and have a look at your shopping bags. I bet you will fall in one of the 3 categories below:
Type 1 (Fashionista):
- Designer bags galore esp Selfridges and Harrods. Brings every single shopping bag gotten when they travelled out of the country back.
- Carry their TM Lewin shopping bags everywhere. Serve as bible holders, file jacket for the office. Just need everyone to know i can buy a shirt for 7.5k
- Use Nike, Adidas or Puma bags when carrying sport related items.
- Use Duty Free Shopping Bags to masks the items contained in local bags inside. Cant have people think we shop in the country
- Has a wide variety of bags. Doesnt send which ones. More concerned about value for money for the items inside and couldnt care less what image it projects. This is me by the way. :)
- Accumulates rumpled/ used bags utilised by Type 1
Anyhow. Have to go. Enjoy
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
A Tale of Two Cities
With the recent arrival of the Palms Mall in Lekki, which is fantastic by the way, am getting the feeling that Lagos is gradually being split into two very different cities. Yes, that gap already exists. I mean imagine comparing Ikoyi and Agege. But my fear is that this gap is going to be further entrenched and relatively nice places like Surulere, and if care is not taken Ikeja, will be pushed lower down the pecking order. In 5 years time, we could have a wonderful modern centre encircled by crappy, decaying suburbs.
And i believe there is an instutionalised decision to make this so. The majority of the suggested improvements to the infrastructure of Lagos State is centered on Lekki-Ikoyi-VI-Lagos Island axis. When its all done or sorry if it is done at all (weve been here before), we could have a psuedo-developed world where its inhabitants shop at Shoprite and Game, sip cappacinos and lattes at trendy cafes, down shots of tequila in classy bars, struggle to choose which cinema to watch "King Kong II", while cruising on well illuminated and pot hole free roads. And the rest of us. Well thank God for our local Mr Biggs and Tantalizers.
Now dont get me wrong. Am not a communist or even socialist for that matter. I love to enjoy the life and will happily jump at the 1st opportunity to live on the island. But youve got to spread the love round. One should not have to drive all the way to the island just to enjoy the "flenjo life". This narrow minded view of development needs to change. It will only increase the already manic rush to live on the island which will wreack havoc on the "to-be" developed infrastructure. And we will back at square one again wondering how we got there.
Anyhow, i would like to think this is being done in phases and this is just phase one (dont hold your breath). In the mean time. Have to keep hunting for a bargain. This island life sounds appealing..........
Later
And i believe there is an instutionalised decision to make this so. The majority of the suggested improvements to the infrastructure of Lagos State is centered on Lekki-Ikoyi-VI-Lagos Island axis. When its all done or sorry if it is done at all (weve been here before), we could have a psuedo-developed world where its inhabitants shop at Shoprite and Game, sip cappacinos and lattes at trendy cafes, down shots of tequila in classy bars, struggle to choose which cinema to watch "King Kong II", while cruising on well illuminated and pot hole free roads. And the rest of us. Well thank God for our local Mr Biggs and Tantalizers.
Now dont get me wrong. Am not a communist or even socialist for that matter. I love to enjoy the life and will happily jump at the 1st opportunity to live on the island. But youve got to spread the love round. One should not have to drive all the way to the island just to enjoy the "flenjo life". This narrow minded view of development needs to change. It will only increase the already manic rush to live on the island which will wreack havoc on the "to-be" developed infrastructure. And we will back at square one again wondering how we got there.
Anyhow, i would like to think this is being done in phases and this is just phase one (dont hold your breath). In the mean time. Have to keep hunting for a bargain. This island life sounds appealing..........
Later
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Thug Life Naija Style
Now in most countries a thug is what you call rif raff who indulge in illegal activity and go about beating people up. Hold on that's a Nigerian Politician. To be honest comparing Tupac Shakur to a Nigerian politician is probably an insult to the man's memory but in the league of thugs he has to be the benchmark.
But just for a laugh, lets play "Spot the Difference". Tupac was intelligent, forward thinking, cared about his fellow black brothers. And our politicians, well, they are not completely heartless. They care very much for themselves and if they are above average maybe their nuclear family as well. Please dont call them servants of the people, thats insulting and as Africans we should respect our elders.
So there you have it. The result of our rather brief analysis shows the people who make daily decisions about our lives aint any better than an American area boy. But are we surprised? Of course not. Long before the butchers of Ibadan and Anambra came on the scene, we always had an inclination that the level of intellectual sophistication of our leaders was at best suspect. Maybe it was their inability to pronounce words like "integrity", "justice", "infrastructure", or phrases like "fair elections". I dont know. I can't seem to put my finger on it exactly. But what i do know is it wasn't as a result of their charitable well-meaning nature.
But as the phrase goes "If you can't beat them (no pun intended) join them". I know the pen is mightier than the sword but please, waving articles at a bunch of miscreants armed to the teeth with guns and knives is laugable. So if thats the case, How do we reclaim our country back? Well i wont lie to you. I dont know. I have to put that one in the to do file. But in the mean time ive got one very good idea. Pray......
Happy Wednesday
But just for a laugh, lets play "Spot the Difference". Tupac was intelligent, forward thinking, cared about his fellow black brothers. And our politicians, well, they are not completely heartless. They care very much for themselves and if they are above average maybe their nuclear family as well. Please dont call them servants of the people, thats insulting and as Africans we should respect our elders.
So there you have it. The result of our rather brief analysis shows the people who make daily decisions about our lives aint any better than an American area boy. But are we surprised? Of course not. Long before the butchers of Ibadan and Anambra came on the scene, we always had an inclination that the level of intellectual sophistication of our leaders was at best suspect. Maybe it was their inability to pronounce words like "integrity", "justice", "infrastructure", or phrases like "fair elections". I dont know. I can't seem to put my finger on it exactly. But what i do know is it wasn't as a result of their charitable well-meaning nature.
But as the phrase goes "If you can't beat them (no pun intended) join them". I know the pen is mightier than the sword but please, waving articles at a bunch of miscreants armed to the teeth with guns and knives is laugable. So if thats the case, How do we reclaim our country back? Well i wont lie to you. I dont know. I have to put that one in the to do file. But in the mean time ive got one very good idea. Pray......
Happy Wednesday
Monday, January 16, 2006
Fergie, Thank U and Goodbye
Ok. Ive have had it. As a Man U fan i feel weve hit a brick wall. Alex Fergusson you have been great. Won us the Champions League. Wonderful (One of the best days of my life even). Celebrated numerous premiership titles and FA Cups. Fantastic. But every dog has its day and times up Fergie. You just aint the ferocious rottweiler you used to be. Even Darren Fletcher aint scared of you anymore.
I just hope Fergie goes out in a dignified manner. Jump before he is pushed. Resign before he is fired. Takes a hint before they take it out on him. Cos the Glazers aint sentimental folk. They will chuck you out like last week's moulding pizza guaranteed to leave a bad taste in the mouth.
Come on Fergie. Leave me with my happy memories. Dont cloud them with nightmares of Man City and Burton Albion with Jose Mourinho dancing in the background. Admit it you just aint the manager you used be.
Am sure deep down Fergie knows but keeps thinking he can turn it around. Dont think you can mate. Just do us a favour: Stop buying anymore players, Save the extra cash for the next manager (hopefully Gus Hiddink), buy yourself a nice house in the Bahamas, even Abuja is quite nice, put your feet up and chill. Cos mate this management thing aint really going anywhere anymore.
Sir Alex. Thanks for everything over the years. Youve been great and i wish you the best in all you do but pls be a nice old man and go gracefully. Thank you Sir
I just hope Fergie goes out in a dignified manner. Jump before he is pushed. Resign before he is fired. Takes a hint before they take it out on him. Cos the Glazers aint sentimental folk. They will chuck you out like last week's moulding pizza guaranteed to leave a bad taste in the mouth.
Come on Fergie. Leave me with my happy memories. Dont cloud them with nightmares of Man City and Burton Albion with Jose Mourinho dancing in the background. Admit it you just aint the manager you used be.
Am sure deep down Fergie knows but keeps thinking he can turn it around. Dont think you can mate. Just do us a favour: Stop buying anymore players, Save the extra cash for the next manager (hopefully Gus Hiddink), buy yourself a nice house in the Bahamas, even Abuja is quite nice, put your feet up and chill. Cos mate this management thing aint really going anywhere anymore.
Sir Alex. Thanks for everything over the years. Youve been great and i wish you the best in all you do but pls be a nice old man and go gracefully. Thank you Sir
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Draw me close to You...
Continuing on the religious tone of my last few posts. One of my main goals this year is to have a closer relationship with God. Over the last few years, this has been an on and off relationship and is definitely something i wish to rectify this year. A good start is to try and spend more time with God everyday. This calls for discipline and effective time management. There can be no excuses. Have to "Nike" it (Just Do It).
The common phrase the "Spirit is willing, but the Flesh is weak" is especially apt in this case. I suppose everyone faces this daily inner battle, knowingly doing things that are wrong and feeling guilty afterwards. Why do we to this? Why does sin seem to have such control over us? How does one stay in the power of the Holy Spirit 24-7? How does one live in this world with temptation all around us and not fall?
I think its possible tho. I strongly believe that if i discipline myself and keep to the straight and narrow, i can get this relationship with God that i eagerly desire. But i have failed enough times to know it aint gonna be easy. Infact controlling your human nature is prob one of the hardest things there is. At times the battle looks unwinnable, the task unsurmountable but its definitely achievable. I just have to realise that i cant do that myself but with the help of the Almighty.
Herein lies the paradox. To get closer to God you have to spend more time with him. The flesh prevents you from getting closer to him. To defeat the flesh you need God's help which you get from spending more time with him. Argggggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!. Okay this might a bit of an exageration but its clear to everyone the challenges which we face.
But i strongly believe it is a winnable battle and one i intend to win this year.
Thanks people and talk to you soon.....
The common phrase the "Spirit is willing, but the Flesh is weak" is especially apt in this case. I suppose everyone faces this daily inner battle, knowingly doing things that are wrong and feeling guilty afterwards. Why do we to this? Why does sin seem to have such control over us? How does one stay in the power of the Holy Spirit 24-7? How does one live in this world with temptation all around us and not fall?
I think its possible tho. I strongly believe that if i discipline myself and keep to the straight and narrow, i can get this relationship with God that i eagerly desire. But i have failed enough times to know it aint gonna be easy. Infact controlling your human nature is prob one of the hardest things there is. At times the battle looks unwinnable, the task unsurmountable but its definitely achievable. I just have to realise that i cant do that myself but with the help of the Almighty.
Herein lies the paradox. To get closer to God you have to spend more time with him. The flesh prevents you from getting closer to him. To defeat the flesh you need God's help which you get from spending more time with him. Argggggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!. Okay this might a bit of an exageration but its clear to everyone the challenges which we face.
But i strongly believe it is a winnable battle and one i intend to win this year.
Thanks people and talk to you soon.....
Friday, January 13, 2006
Thou Shalt Not Drink?
Now this is prob a controversial topic but i think its a fair one. Can you become closer to God and still consume copious of alcohol on a weekly basis? Simple answer NO!!!. It ain't gonna happen. Okay fair enough.
What about if you drank a moderate amount of alcohol a week. Lets say 7 bottles of Star a week. But this brings up a dilemnna. What constitutes a moderate amount of alcohol? If i drank a bottle a day. Suppose that wont be a problem. But what if i drank the whole 7 on a Friday night. Now that definitely is not moderate.
So we have a bigger problem than i initially thought. Obviously, everyone has their own alcohol tolerance limit, so a one-fits-all approach doesnt work. Also there are different types of alcohol that you can consume e.g. beer, wine, spirits etc. So how do you come up with a benchmark as to what is a moderate amount. Hmmm interesting.
I can already hear what many people will be thinking. Well just stop drinking alcohol. Easy as ABC. But i will tell them one thing. If you tried to stop drinking all types of soft drinks and juices and confined yourself to drinking water only, you wouldn't even last a week. Yes they are different but the principles are the same. OLD HABITS DIE HARD.
But back to the original question. Do you have to give up alcohol before you can get closer to God. To be honest i dont know. I do know that rolling around in a druken stupour is definitely not going to help your relationship with the Most High ( i dont do that by the way). But is it that black and white? No Drink or No God?
I dont think so. I am being careful not to blaspheme but i dont think its that clear cut. Yes abstinence is the best answer and it would be wonderful to have such will power but i dont believe that the occasional moderate drink is entirely evil. Its about keeping the drink moderate and occasional.
This is a topic i still need to think about a lot more. As the halo effect of the New Year still surrounds me, it will be nice to get closure on some issues such as this.
Definitely to be continued at a later date..........
What about if you drank a moderate amount of alcohol a week. Lets say 7 bottles of Star a week. But this brings up a dilemnna. What constitutes a moderate amount of alcohol? If i drank a bottle a day. Suppose that wont be a problem. But what if i drank the whole 7 on a Friday night. Now that definitely is not moderate.
So we have a bigger problem than i initially thought. Obviously, everyone has their own alcohol tolerance limit, so a one-fits-all approach doesnt work. Also there are different types of alcohol that you can consume e.g. beer, wine, spirits etc. So how do you come up with a benchmark as to what is a moderate amount. Hmmm interesting.
I can already hear what many people will be thinking. Well just stop drinking alcohol. Easy as ABC. But i will tell them one thing. If you tried to stop drinking all types of soft drinks and juices and confined yourself to drinking water only, you wouldn't even last a week. Yes they are different but the principles are the same. OLD HABITS DIE HARD.
But back to the original question. Do you have to give up alcohol before you can get closer to God. To be honest i dont know. I do know that rolling around in a druken stupour is definitely not going to help your relationship with the Most High ( i dont do that by the way). But is it that black and white? No Drink or No God?
I dont think so. I am being careful not to blaspheme but i dont think its that clear cut. Yes abstinence is the best answer and it would be wonderful to have such will power but i dont believe that the occasional moderate drink is entirely evil. Its about keeping the drink moderate and occasional.
This is a topic i still need to think about a lot more. As the halo effect of the New Year still surrounds me, it will be nice to get closure on some issues such as this.
Definitely to be continued at a later date..........
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