Friday 28 September 2007

CONQUER SELF.

We all have issues that we deal with in our individual lives. Habits creep into our world without us noticing till they become addiction and they irrefutably affect our being; adversely or positively. Bad habits (addiction to drugs, alcohol, cigarette, the pursuit of women, to name a few) can deter your dreams, affect your finances, affect your health, and even reduce your lifespan. Even if you attain greatness, bad habits can bring you down. Good habits on the other hand will add to you, improve your efficiency and will even catapult you to greatness. Hence, it is imperative that we take on only good habits if we must triumph in this adventure called life. Unfortunately, our physical frame is susceptible to wrongdoing. Thus, it’s evident that the greatest enemy anyone can have is self. How can we then possibly win the battle against self?

Isn’t it amazing that many are still trapped despite the fact that the wages of bad habits are well known? That’s the power of habit in action! To win the battle against self, everyone needs to constantly place self in check. It’s not a one-time battle; it’s a continuous battle until we bid the world goodbye. It calls for self denial. It calls for sacrifice. Really, the task is Herculean, but it must be undertaken if you want your existence to be meaningful.

When last did you do a self appraisal? Do you know yourself? Are you addicted to some habits? Are they good or bad? Are your habits threatening your dreams? Will they take you closer to your dreams or lead you to your grave? Who’s in charge of your life: you or your habits? Examine your life. If you’re headed in the wrong direction, make a conscious effort to break yourself loose from the shackles of bad habits. If you’re stuck, get professional help. Even seek spiritual help if you must. At any rate, set yourself free!

You cannot achieve much in life if you allow self to rule you. In J. Paul Getty’s words, “The individual who wants to reach the top in business must appreciate the might of the force of habit – and must understand that practices are what create habits. He must be quick to break those habits that can break him – and hasten to adopt those practices that will become the habits that help him achieve the success he desires.” The longer you indulge yourself in destructive habits, the more difficult it’ll be to break them. Conquer self. In your own interest, break those bad habits now; break it completely before it ruins you. Remember, “A stitch in time saves nine.”

Friday 21 September 2007

DIALOGUE WORKS.

Man is a social being; he cannot do without interacting with his fellows. In the course of his daily interactions, because of each man’s uniqueness, disputes are inevitable. These disputes can either make him, or mar his destiny. Call it an exaggeration, but see what I mean…

Many countries have fallen apart and gone to war because they could not settle their differences amicably and as a result countless of destinies have been ruined - many killed, many maimed, and economies disrupted. Most people find themselves in trouble today because of their inability to make peace; many have been killed or imprisoned because they could not control their temper to deal with situations. Many destinies have gone downhill because the owners opted for violence instead of dialogue. Without being cynical, the world is doomed without dialogue.

From eternity to eternity, disputes will always arise. Since disputes will always arise, resolution should first come to mind each time it does without selfishness or prejudice. Even a one-time war General, Ulysses S. Grant, declared that “There never was a time, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of a sword.” Much of the trouble we find ourselves today could have been avoided if we had embraced dialogue. Fellows, no matter the complexity of any issue, you need not go to war or even have a brawl; there’s no issue that can’t be resolved.

Avoidance is always better than confrontation. Dialogue pays; it saves you a lot of time and stress. According to Mahatma Gandhi “Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” You don’t have to win all the time, you can negotiate. It doesn’t necessarily mean compromising your values, it’s creating a win-win situation where both parties meet in the middle to find a common ground.

If you want peace to reign in your life, you must apply wisdom in all your dealings. Improve your lot, embrace dialogue.

Friday 14 September 2007

GO INTO THE HIGH COUNTRY OF THE MIND.

One of the major problems militating against the destinies of many today is their closed minds. How far you can see determines how far you will go, yet majority cannot see the big picture not to even talk of fathoming how to get there. Instead of simply playing their parts, they blame circumstances for their woes. The fact remains that a man's altitude is a function of how best he thinks. Verily I say unto you, to usher in a new life, you need to go into the high country of the mind.

Our universe is so intricate in its operations. Our thoughts induce our actions and our actions produce results. Many lack today because their minds are enslaved. Many unconsciously retard their growth as a result of their low expectations from life. Believe me, the cart would have still been the fastest means of transportation if the other means of transportation were not thought of. Barbers would have still been stuck with manual clippers if the idea of having clippers that work with electricity were not thought of. We would have still been stuck with the traditional snail mail but for the advent of Electronic Mail. All what it takes is a man that can see things in a different perspective, and to see things in a different perspective, you must go into the high country of the mind!

You'll agree with me that it sucks for one to crawl when he has the capacity to soar! If you're conscious of who you are, you won't take whatever life brings your way. Knowing your potentials and where you are heading gives you the nerve to thrust into heights unimagined. No wonder why Leonardo Da Vinci said that "If you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you'll long to return." If you've ever taken a trip into the high country of the mind, you won't ever consent to creep!

What do you want from life? Have you painted the big picture in your mind? Do you have the desire to join the caucus of successful people and you seem not to be getting closer to your dreams? Don't despair, irrespective of your sex, age, and location, your desires are still attainable, but you must go into the high country of the mind!

Don't settle for an average life when you can reach the summit! Take the trip! Emancipate yourself from mediocrity, soar with the eagles!

Thursday 6 September 2007

REAL SUCCESS DEFINED.

Success is relative; it means different things to different people. To majority, it means achieving financial independence. To some, having a happy home is considered to be success. Attaining old age is considered to be success by some. Be that as it may, real success can still be defined.

Everyone has an inevitable end – death. No matter how successful a man can be in his lifetime, irrespective of the definition of success, he cannot take anything with him to the grave. What good is it then if a man succeeds in life only to leave everything behind?

I totally agree with the definition of success by Ralph Waldo Emerson, I quote "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

What are your dreams and aspirations? Does it have provision for the edification of another man? Are you living outside yourself? Do you invest in people? What would be said of you when you leave this world? All these demand reckoning.

True success is not reserved for the few, it's everyone's birthright but for the taking. Whoever you are, whatever you do, wherever you live, you can choose to succeed. Decide to make a difference, live forever!