Be Yourself, It Really Pays

Two Christians got lost in the sahara desert. They are Michael and David and they were seriously in need of food and water. They suddenly came upto an oasis with what looked like an emirate with a mosque in the middle and David said: "Michael, let us claim to be Muslims otherwise we may not get food or water. For me, I will answer Mohammed". Michael then said: "My name remains Michael. I will not claim to be what I am not - I remain Michael".

When they got into the mosque, the Iman received them well and asked for their names. David said: "My name is Mohammed" and Michael said: "My name is Michael". The Iman turned to the helpers in the mosque and ordered that food and drink be given to Michael only. He then turned to David and said: "Well Mohammed, I hope you are aware that we are still in the holy month of Ramadan."

Haaaaah, fake identity.

14 School Children Kidnapped in Aba, Abia State

Abia State of Nigeria Again

Abia State of Nigeria, God's Own State. I keep asking if this state is still God's Own State but nobody seems to care about this question.

I do not know when kidnapping that has become a booming business in this state will subside. When the police authorities removed their men from the highways, everybody thought that crime is all over but we were all wrong.

It is possible that the policemen who were on the road and were helping the kidnappers and robbers with ammunition and information may have joined their gangs since they are no longer on the highways to collect 20 Naira notes.

Since this kidnap business started, all classes of people have been kidnapped from children to the aged but the worrisome of all is the kidnap of 14 innocent children who were going to school including their driver and the school bus itself on Monday, 27th September 2010. I hear they are asking for 20 Million Naira ransome. If this could happen to little children like that then nobody is safe again but thank God that they have been released after about a week of hostage.

With the way politics is being played here in Nigeria, majority of the populace believe that most of the things happening in Abia State are being master-minded by the former Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. These are being done with the sole aim of painting the incumbent Governor, Chief Theodore A. Orji black since they are no longer best of friends or may be to make the Federal Government declare a state of emergency in Abia State. That way, he would have succeeded in removing the incumbent Governor.

Despite the fact that many people say it is like that, it is all about speculation as it is not yet confirmed. Even the Federal Government has already fingered the former Governor considering the power tussle between the two men but no decision has been taken by the Government in that regard at the moment.

Apart from this insinuation, some other people for sure would be involved in this deal because they are busy looking for an opportunity to enter into it and once somebody opens the way for them, they would flood the whole place. People would surely know them but for the fear of attack from them, nobody will talk or report to police because it is the same police that will inform them about who reported them.

Well, I hear that Rivers and Abia State Governments have entered into an agreement on how best to cub the menace and bring it to the bearest minimum. I hope and believe that this will bring it to an end but only God knows if it is possible because the business has gone deep into their marrows.

I am from Abia State and I leave in Port Harcourt but I cannot remember the last time I went home and spent more than 2 hours not to talk of sleeping over just for the sake of my security. I no longer driver my vehicle to my village because if I try it, I should be ready to pay some money to the boys. So each time, I take public transport to and fro.

I am aware of the fact that those who murder sleep would never have peace and it shall be so to those whose have mudered sleep in Abia State of Nigeria, God's Own State. The Lord God of Host shall pass judgement through the land of Abia State in a very short time.

It is time to change for GOOD.

Cheers.

Can Money Buy All Thing?

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby and then another. Then we are frustrated that the children are not old enough and we believe that we will be more content when they are.

After that, we are frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a better car, when we are able to go on a nice holiday or when we retire.

The truth is there is no better time to be happy than RIGHT NOW!!!

If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It is best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way.

So, treasure every moment that you have, and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special (special enough to spend your time with), and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting . . . .

** until you get a new car or home
** until your children leave the house
** until you go back to school
** until you finish school
** until you loose 10 lbs
** until you gain 10 lbs
** until you get married
** until you get a divorce
** until you have children
** until you retire
** until eternity or you die

There is no better time than RIGHT NOW to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

So,
Work like you do not need money
Love like you have never been hurt
And dance like no one is watching

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Money can buy pleasure            but not love
Money can buy show                  but not joy
Money can buy a slave               but not a friend
Money can buy a woman           but not a wife
Money can buy a house             but not a home
Money can buy food                   but not an appetite
Money can buy medicines         but not health
Money can buy diplomas           but not culture
Money can buy books                but not intelligence
Money can buy tranquillizers     but not peace
Money can buy indulgences      but not forgiveness
Money can buy the earth            but not the sky

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Samuel Johnson said that "it is not necessary to regret what you cannot repair".

George Bernard Shaw also said that "progress is impossible without changes and those who can never change their opinion can neither change the world nor change themselves.

Think about these things.

To your success.

The Health Risks of Cigar Smoking

We have all heard about the risks associated with smoking cigarettes, but what are the risks of cigar smoking?  I know many people think that the two are the same but they are not. Are the risks of smoking cigars just as dangerous, or more so?  According to the National Cancer Institute, regular cigar smoking can result in a major health threat. Scientific research has linked cigar smoking with cancers of the larynx, lungs, esophagus, and oral cavity. Newer researches also indicate that cigar smoking may be strongly linked to the development of cancer in the pancreas. Doctors also caution that individuals who regularly inhale while enjoying a cigar are also at greater risk of developing lung disease and heart problems.

The health threats of cigar smoking appear to increase dramatically in those individuals who smoke regularly and inhale while smoking. Someone who smokes three to four cigars each day will have eight times the risk of developing some kind of oral cancer than a nonsmoker. Unfortunately, we do not yet know the health risks of smoking the occasional cigar. It seems clear however that smoking cigars on a daily basis can pose serious health risks. 

Many individuals wonder if cigars are as addictive as cigarettes. Many wonder why, for instance, so many people become addicted to cigarettes, and not cigars? The truth is that any tobacco product can become addictive because it contains nicotine. Check out the effects of smokeless tobacco products on individuals. These products, such as chewing tobacco, can become very addictive, simply because they contain tobacco, which in turn contains nicotine.  Many cigar smokers do not inhale deeply, thus causing the nicotine to be inhaled superficially. Cigarette smokers tend to inhale, causing the nicotine to be absorbed faster and more readily by the lungs. Even though most cigar smokers inhale the nicotine more superficially, it is still possible to become addicted if the user smokes cigars on a regular basis. 

If nicotine is so addictive, why don't more cigar smokers smoke more often? It appears that more people avoid becoming 'hooked' on cigars for several reasons. The most obvious reason is that the nicotine is inhaled much more superficially than in regular cigarette smoking, causing less nicotine to be absorbed by the body. Also, cigars are not as readily accessible as cigarettes. They are viewed by most as a luxury item, saved for special occasions and used infrequently. However, when cigars are smoked on a regular basis, they can become addictive. The health risks of any kind of smoking increase dramatically as frequency of use increases.

When you know the kind of life style that will shorten your life circle, why not say NO to it. Everyone wants a good and healthy long life but if you choose to have your own cut short along the line, the choice is yours. Just be wise in your choice of life style. Note that bad habbits do not end in cigar smoking, there are a lot more.

In the midst of your presumed enjoyment, remember that you may be fews steps away from final resting place.

Have a nice day.

Rivers State of Nigeria and EFCC

What is the problem between The Rivers State Government of Nigeria and Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)? Has EFCC any evidence that something is happening to the money in the hand of the Rivers State Government, which belongs to the masses?

This smoke may mean that fire is on somewhere but we need to find out where the fire is burning and why it is burning.

With the many praise singers around town singing praises to the Governor, one may think that all is well in the state financially and otherwise but I am short of words with the way things are going. I am aware of the fact that in politics, the best way to tell lies is to start by telling the truth so that when you start with your lies, the people will still believe that you are saying the truth. I think that EFCC has found out this situation and wants to separate the truth from the lies.

Come to think of it, what has suddenly happened to the contracts around - roads, schools, etc? Within the same period, all contractors stopped work. Of all the schools claimed to have been finished, has anyone been opened to the pupils or students for use? I do not think of any.

Take a look at the road contracts, it is only Trans-Amadi that could be said to have finished. Rumuola road may have finished but to me, it is only about 90% finishing. The rest are experiencing a break.

I am not one of those that fight Government and I do not have any reason to fight them and I do not praise them either. They are not worthy of my praise because the moment you start praising Government, that is when they will start with their rubbish. In my opinion, we should always tell them that they are not trying so that they can strive to do a little more. Afterall, everyone knows that we expect much from them and they have not done upto 40% of our expectation.

I remember that the Governor Amaechi mentioned on several occassions that he has been saving One Billion Naira (N1b) monthly and praises were pouring in as the best man on the job. If it is true that he has been saving such money since he assumed office, it means that Rivers State Government would have so much money in their treasury since he has been in office for more than 2 years.

The recent approach to Zenith Bank to borrow Thirty Billion Naira (N30b) may be a testimony that there are no savings by the Rivers State Government and surprisingly, when the idea to borrow was presented on the floor of the State Assembly, only one member of the house (Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja) had the boldness to ask for the money claimed to been saved by the Government but his query was ignored by the house and they horriedly gave the approval to borrow. This may mean that money exchanged hands before the matter was presented to the house.

Fews days after the approval had been given, the heat came from the public asking why the Government should borrow then it was Government's turn to lie that they never made any move to borrow hahahaha! lie lie people.

Some days ago, two different groups carried placards against the EFCC in Rivers State. How did it happen? Did they just wake up in the morning and came together to carry placards? The answer is NO. Who paid the transport fares for those that came from the villages? In the cause of the demonstration, I saw the Rivers State Commissioner for Environment leading one of the groups.

From the look of it, it was arranged by the Government with much money wasted in that venture. WHY? If the Governor claims that his administration is a HOLY INNOCENT as he has always made the masses to believe, why using the masses to cover his dealings? I think it will be more honourable to challenge the EFCC to prove to the masses that the Government has a skeleton in their cupboard.

I do not know when we will start playing politics of openess. Just be who you claim to be and our society will be a better place for us all.

It is hightime we change.

Have a nice day.

Golf Tips Involving Golf Equipment

Do you blame your moves, shots and swings for your golf mishits and mishaps? Well, the amount of time and effort you have been spending over practicing your moves to perfect your game will not make any difference, you still will not achieve your goal if you use defective or unsuitable types of golf equipment.

Now it is high time for you to consider the following golf tips that involve checking on your equipment's quality.

If it is your plan to make use of golfclub as a tool for beginners, then it is very necessary that you do a thorough check before you buy. The clubheads, the shafts, and the grips are golfclub parts that must go through inspection first before landing a decent spot in your golf equipment cabinet. Another excellent golf tip that will get you through the game is making sure that the set of used golfclubs you are eyeing have set consistency. It will also help you a lot if you check first the price of new clubs vs. used one.

For a golfer that plans to regrip his clubs, here is a tip for you: You must be very cautious. This is because the only contact points one can access to affect the shot are the grips. Before carrying out the regripping, know the core grip of the club and your hands grip size. To determine your core size grip, measure the diameter of the butt of the shaft you're going to re-grip. The shaft's diameter should match the grip's core diameter. In determining your hands grip, the available size grips are regular, mid-size, oversize and jumbo. Use only the best re-gripping materials that will provide optimum performance for your golf clubs.

Another golf tip or advice is that using ill-fitted clubs will be an obstacle to your golf playing success. A golfer must consider his or her body type in choosing the best-fitting equipment to support and deliver his backswings efficiently. Too steep angles in carrying out backswings may be avoided if one selects the perfect fitting equipment available.

Custom golfclub fitting makes a better option than just buying new golf clubs. Getting custom fitting golfclubs is a golf tip that translates to a very worthy investment. The uniqueness of each person is attributed to the need of this way of buying new golf clubs. A custom fitting produces golfclubs that specifically suit the height, strength, swing characteristics and clubhead speed of the golfer.

The type of club shaft also helps in predicting whether you'll do good in a game or you won't. There's a choice between a steel club shaft and a graphite-made club shaft. This golf tip aims to make you realize which type of golfclub shaft will benefit your game. Observations tell that the steel club shafts are more preferred by professional golfers while graphite shafts become more popular with women, senior players and beginners. Steel shafts are less expensive than graphite shafts though.

One more golf tip that could help you is that the golf clubs that must be the main content of your bag must suit your skill level. Since various skill levels need various golf clubs, it won't be wise to just use or bring a golf club that is just lying around. And, don't ever forget about the maximum golfclub load your bag is allowed to hold. You can only bring 14 golf clubs in your bag. No more. No less. Aside from your skill level contemplation, your mastery of a certain golfclub and your being comfortable with using it must also be put into consideration in deciding which golfclub to hit.

A good combination of the right moves and good choice of equipment will better arm you to become the best golfer you could ever be. 

To your success.

Duh, It’s A Car Stereo!

Guess that is just all, isn’t it? It is a stereo system in a car, sure you will say. Whoa, hold it there, it is not that simple. Although some people like to put home stereos in their cars and vans (out of dire need for some sounds), sometimes it just doesn’t work. Yeah, maybe before it could have worked just fine, all you needed was radio and a cassette player (or 8 tracks, for the inner dinosaur in you) so sure, lug those big box speakers into the back seat and you will be blaring down the highway. But nowadays there are things like cd and mp3 players and your popup LCD panels. If you don’t know anything about these things but would like to have some sounds in your car anyway, here are some things to know about a car stereo.

As mentioned above, at first, units and speakers from home audio systems and professional markets were just simply installed into vehicles. However, they were not well suited to the extremes of temperature and vibration which are a normal part of the environment of an automobile. Car stereo enthusiasts were not satisfied with the sound quality of regular car sound systems, and with the advent of the CD player, they really had to start modifying some of these home stereos in order to work well in a car environment!, now we have the modern car stereo.   

If you have a new car, first hand bought, say from about 1990 to present, chances are you already have a “factory” car stereo in your car. It means the car manufacturer already included a car stereo system in your car, unless specified in the car model but most often this is the case. Some car manufacturers make their own car stereos, like BMW which includes a pretty decent car stereo package head unit and speakers. It is a standard which comes with all their cars (this is not surprising considering fact that BMW is included in the league of “luxury car manufacturers”). Or like Mercedes Benz or Volkswagen, they use car stereo systems from a German audio manufacturer called Blaupunkt.

A standard car stereo (also known as a head unit) usually includes an auto-reverse tape deck, a cd player and sometimes the optional changer – a device which automatically changes the cd in play. On newer car models, the car stereo can also play mp3s and other digital audo file types like WMA and AAC, whether on a cd or a memory device which can be hooked up to the head unit.

The car stereo head unit is connected to several speakers. Older car models usually just had one or two speakers mounted underneath the dashboard, pointing through perforations towards the front windshield. The standard for car stereo nowadays is a pair of “tweeters” (used to bring out high treble) on the driver side/front passenger side dashboard, a pair of normal “mid” speakers on both doors, sometimes even the backseat passeger doors if it is a large car and larger speakers capable of bringing out low ends at the back portion of the backseats.

Your car stereo is probably ok as it is, as car manufacturers ensure that the audio products that come with their cars can handle most dirver’s listening demands. But if you think that what you have is not enough, you can always CUSTOMIZE but while you do that, do have in mind that sometimes other people may be in the car with you and the sound may be a little loud for them.

Just be considerate in your choice of sound.

Enjoy yourself.

3 Types Of People In The Business World

These are descriptions of some of the styles that are regularly encountered in the business world. Note that these people are always there and I think that their presence may mean some good to some people.

The Godfather

Despite the much emphasis on teamwork and participatory management, the Godfather style still prevails. Godfathers typically demand complete control of their organisations and total loyalty from their employees. Subordinates are given freedom in their routine duties but their goals are dictated from above. A Godfather's image and ego require frequent nurturing, usually in the form of successful confrontations with outsiders. To be recognised as good employees, subordinates need only stand at ringside and root for the boss.

People who have been subjected to this style for many years rarely become good managers themselves. Most often, they become new Godfathers. At the opposite extreme, they become submissive and ineffectual.

Groups led by Godfathers are normally goal oriented and known for getting things done. Outsiders see them as well-oiled machines. Superiors depend on them and because they rely on one person for nearly all decisions, however, the goals of Godfather groups are often self-serving and not always in the best interest of the organisation as a whole.

The Ostrich

Ostriches love the status quo and fear discord. They always hope problems will simply go away and would rather stick their head in the sand than face unpleasantness of any kind.

Ostriches believe firmly in non-confrontational approaches to problem solving, and they avoid issues and debate. They are often capable and knowledgeable in their own areas of expertise but they are usually better suited to serve as assistants than as managers. The fact is, progress cannot be achieved without conflict and a preference for the status quo stifles growth and can weaken morale. Ostriches are more concerned with a superior's opinion of their job performance than with the morale of their subordinates, who often lack initiative, imagination and productivity, especially if they have had their Ostrich managers for a long time.

The Do-it-yourselfer

Do-it-yourselfers want to handle everything themselves, especially the more chanllenging assignments. The only tasks they ordinarily delegate are the ones that they find trivial or that require special skills. They are often capable individuals; many are workaholics. All live by the motto: "if you want a job done well, do it yourself!" They spend long hours at their jobs and are seen by upper management as candidates for promotions.

Unfortunately, they often make themselves indispensable. In several cases, a Do-it-yourselfer's sudden illness has brought an entire department to a standstill. In addition, people who work for them often react like the people who work for Ostriches. Unable to get recognition and challenging assignments, they turn into mere hired hands. If the goals of an organisation include productivity improvement and personnel development, then Godfathers, Ostriches and Do-it-yourselfers make poor managers.

Are you one of them? If your are, it is your choice to remain like that or change for the good of yourself and that of your organisation.

To your success.

Abia State of Nigeria and It's Politics

Abia State, God's Own State. Indeed God owns the state but what I am not sure is if God is still given a chance to have a say in that state.

God's Own State to me, means that God has total control of the state. Before you do anything concerning the state, you must consult God to know His mind on the issue first. The state is dedicated to God and its citizens have absolute faith in God.

As I write this piece, God has no place in that state again. Government and People do whatever they desire or whatever that comes to their mind. I am sure that it is because they have kept God at the backyard, that is why security and political issues in that state have gone out of hand.

When you look into the Government Circle, own choice is the order of the day. They do not care the feelings of the masses. As long as they concerned, anything they do is right. Governor is busy looking for avenues to reoccupy the seat for another 4 years whereas he has been there since 2007 doing practically nothing.

He was in PPA (the party through which he was rigged into office). When the party tried to call him to order on the ground that things are not moving the state, he got angry and tried to justy who told them to say that but we all have eyes. From there he moved to APGA and within one month, he moved again to PDP (bigger boys party).

Now, as a Governor, he has become the PDP leader in the state and to him, he his happy with feelings that since he controls the biggest party in the state, nothing will stop him from being the Governor for the next 4 years. I know that man proposes and God disposes as it suits him. The day you open up and say "Oga what you are doing is wrong", they will hand you over to hang man.

Security issues are nothing to write home about. As the Chief Security Officer of the state, he is less concerned. Kidnapping and armed robbery is the bane of the day. These things are done in the day without hindrance from the police though we all know that no robbery or kidnap will work out without the police. How will police explain the fact that between two police check point of less than 100 metres, robbery or kidnapping will take place and police will say that nobody informed them that robbery or kidnapping was going on?

In the last 2 weeks, robbery has been going on almost on daily basis, sometimes twice a day. Some Aba residents are now starving because people no longer bring business from other states.

It is worrisome to note that in all parts of the state, nobody moves about freely anymore, both old and young. People that have good houses in the villages, no longer go home and sleep there. If you have a good car, you do not try going home with it. Just leave it in the town and go by public transport.

If you come back from overseas, they would not do you anything but as soon as you go back, they will pick your father or mother and ask you to bring millions of naira. Which one do I mention and which one do I leave?

At the moment, in Aba (the Enyimba City), there are no roads anymore. Whatever that was once a road is now a pathway. People now spend more to service their vehicles. At every nook and cranny of Aba, you find refuse dumps with awful smells and Government still pass there with their sirens.

Aaaah! Abia State, God's Own State. God, this state is your own. Please we need you to do something now to salvage us from this situation. This is bigger than us.

Ugo Elendu
Port Harcourt.

Life Balance: The Essentials of How to Be Happy

How You Can Be Happy

What would your life be like if you were happy all the time? Really, think about it. What would it be like?

In this day and age, you may think that being happy all the time just isn't possible, but in reality it is. And, not only is it possible for you, it's also possible for everyone you know. That is, once one understands the essentials of how to be happy.

The Paradox of Happiness

It may be news to you, but there is a bit of a paradox that surrounds happiness. You see, most people think happiness is a condition brought on by things or circumstances that are external to them. But in reality, true happiness comes from inside of us, not from the outside.

There's an old parable that states: "There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way." It means that you cannot experience happiness outside of yourself until you are first happy on the inside, in your heart.

In other words, happiness isn't something that happens to you. You can't buy it or get it from someone else. Plain and simple, happiness is a decision you make.

In every moment of every day, you make the decision to be happy, or not. That's right, it's up you, and no one else, to make and keep yourself happy.

How can that be, you say?

People tell me all the time: "There are so many things I see and hear every day which make me unhappy." They ask: "How is it possible that I can be happy all the time with all the negativism that surrounds me?"

Again I say, happiness is a choice. You have to decide to be happy first, and then the happiness will follow.

One of the best ways to do it is by adopting the 5 Essentials of Happiness into your life.

5 Essentials of Happiness
Here are the five vital keys to living a life where happiness is "always" the way:

1    Be True to Your Word. Although always being truthful in what you tell others is a major factor in living a happy and healthy life, what you tell yourself about you is even more important when it comes to happiness. Poor self-talk can have a huge negative impact on who you are, what you stand for and the amount of happiness that surrounds you.

Every time you say something like, I'm not smart enough, I'm too old, I don't have the patience. I'm not coordinated, I can't {fill in the blank}, I'll never be happy because {fill in the blank again} and so on, you add another brick to the wall of unhappiness. These phrases set up permanent limitations in your mind, which will cause you to be unhappy every time you use them.

The key here is to always be true to your word when you speak with others and when you speak of yourself. Consider this: Is it really true that you're not smart enough, or do you just need to learn a new skill? There's a difference, and you can change all of your self-talk to be more positive, more loving and more happy.

2    Take No Offense. This is one of the biggest keys to bringing greater happiness into your life. Author, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer says: "That which offends you only weakens you. If you're looking for occasions to be offended, you'll find them at every turn."

Taking offense to what people say or do is a surefire way to become unhappy. When I speak in front of an audience of 50 people, at the end of the talk there are 51 different opinions about me and the topic of discussion. But only one matters - Mine. Whether someone liked it or not, my opinion of how the talk went is the only valid one in the room because that's the only one I have control over. If I feel I have done my best, then I'm happy, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

The same goes for everything in life. Like it or not, you only have control over one person, you! You can encourage others, love others, even inspire others, but when it is all said and done, they will always make their own decision whether you approve of it or not.

And here's the key: if you become offended by their decision, because it is the opposite of what you think is good for them, that is your choice. They didn't offend you; rather you decided to be offended because of what they did. Remember, the choice they made is theirs, not yours.

The message here is to truly take no offense with the actions of others. Let it go, good or bad. If someone cuts you off on your drive to work, let it go. If someone says something you'd rather not hear, let it go. If someone tells you that you are an amazing person, thank them, and let that go too! It's just their opinion; it's not necessarily correct. Just let other's opinions go and let the happiness prevail!

3    Expect Nothing. Another way people bring enormous unhappiness into their life is with expectations. When you expect someone to do something and they don't, you become disappointed. In essence, you let your happiness ride on the outcome of what someone else is supposed to do.

The only expectations you can set and rely on are your own. Face it; you have no control of what others will do. Just because you assume someone will do something does not mean it will get done, or be completed to your satisfaction.

However, when you expect nothing and accept the outcome however it turns out, happiness rings true because you were not let down. You move through each day happily relying only on yourself and your ability to meet your goals.

4    Serve Others. Another way to bring untold amounts of happiness into your life is by giving. Mother Teresa said: "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."

Giving opens the heart and lets happiness flow freely. And one of the best ways to give is to serve others without expectation of a reward. Give a smile, time, love, a hug, understanding, compassion and even your most worldly possessions and watch in amazement as happiness fills your heart and your life. Giving from the heart equals great happiness.

5    Always Do Your Best. Happiness naturally comes from always doing your best. It just feels good! Now, some days you may feel your best may be better than others, but the important point to note is that doing your best always equals being happy.

The simple rule is to do your best in every moment, with what you have, under the circumstance, and let that good feeling permeate every inch of your body, mind and spirit.

Final Thought
Happiness is a choice you make--no if, ands or buts. American author Og Mandino sums it up the best: "Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having, or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself."

Keywords: happiness, happy, life balance, life coach, life coaching, self-help, empowerment, life skills, personal development, self-improvement

by Ed McDonough, Walpole, MA
www.MyLifeCoached.com

Nuggets of Success

I was going through somethings in a bid to get hold of my future when I saw this piece and when I read it two times, I felt I should publish it for my readers to read as well.

I do not know who wrote it since there is no pointer but one thing that drew my attention is the fact that these are the primary things we need to know to succeed and have great future. It is true that a thounsad and one persons have written success tips in the past and more are still writing but I fell in love with this piece because it is simple, short and straight.

Whoever reads this piece will agree with me that this is not one of those confusing articles or pieces written by the bigger boys. It is just the fundamentals we need to know and follow though many people do not have access to this materials but we have to continue to propagate them with the hope that someday, they will get to everybody.

One funny thing is that many people read the materials and just declare "all these stories don't work" but no single effort is put in to try out even one thing. One thing I know is that you cannot change anybody without first changing yourself.

Ok, they are:

1.    Believe In Yourself: Nobody will believe in you if you do not first believe in yourself. This is known by the things you do about yourself. In life, things do not work out but things are worked out. You just have to reach a conclusion and decide what you are going to do about your case. What really matters in life is not what people think about you but you think about yourself and what you do with what you think about yourself.

2.    Sort Out Your Passion: This tells of what you like doing, what gives you joy, what are things you always wished you could do. You must have head for it (training). If you do not learn from those who failed, you may fail too. Go for counselling from those who have succeeded on it and also from those who have failed.

3.    Go For Knowledge: Buy books and materials that will give you the relevant information you need. Go to the internet to get valuable information and listen to news. Know things happening in and around your environment.

4.    Have A Heart For It: You must program your mind for it, build your mind up and always respond to your inner urge. The outward pressure is not a receipt for succees (Mark 11:24). As they say 'a man goes towards the direction his mind is' (1 Tim. 1:7, Prov. 24:16).

5.    Anticipate Challenges: Nothing comes so easy without some road blocks.

6.    Be a fighter at heart (Prov. 30:25-28).

7.    You must partner with God for with Him, all things are possible (Mark 10:27)

Wow! Readers I leave you to do the judgement and please let me have your comments.

God bless you all and have a great day.

Nigerian Election and It's Bitterness

2011 election is around the corner with it's hot and cold air coming from all corners. Election comes with so much bitterness and hatred. At this time, personal interest is the ultimate thing. How much can I gain or make from this venture is the question on the lips of our politicians and their supporters popularly known as "oti nkpu" or "praise singers".

Two brothers from the same parents but belong to different parties will be at each other's throat, can you imagine? I just heard on the news fews days ago the statement from MEND and it's affiliated forces about Raymond Dokpesi (Daar Group founder and outgoing chairman). It has to do with his appointment as the DG of Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Organisation and declared him "persona non grata" as long as South South States are concerned. They equally advised and warned the people of Niger Delta to desist from having anything to do with him and his business interests in the Niger Delta like AIT, Raypower, etc. They particularly warned that nobody from Niger Delta should place adverts or partake in any program run by any of the two media houses for the reason that their owner does not have the interest of Niger Delta at heart.

We all know that this kind of thing will definitely come up and I am sure the Raymond Dokpesi himself is aware of the impending catastrophe he is likely to face in his campaign for IBB. MEND and it's affiliations on their own are in a bid to protect their interest, which they feel that it is a divine providence for them now to produce the president of this great country (or may be nation).

The situation in Nigeria is not only about MEND and Dokpesi. It happens in every family, village, LGA, state and all nooks and crany of this country. Everyone supports a person he or she thinks will be more beneficial to him or her irrespective of who or what the person is. Whether the person will deliver or not is not the issue. The main thing is what I can get from the person's regime.

For the reason of personal interest, Nigerian politics has moved from what politics and election should be and it is now a politics and election of cash but I think it is time we rise up to this challenge and say "NO MORE" to money politics in this country.

I am happy that some youth groups are springing up here and there in a bid to tackle this menace that has eaten deep in our polity. I only pray that they will have the courage to fight this war to a logical conclusion. They need the supports and prayers of well meaning Nigerians in this fight because it is not a day's fight. It has to continue untill we are sure that we have won.

Let us serve our fatherland with love and strength and faith.

De-stress your life: 12 Easy Ways (by Jonathan Lockwood Huie)

If you have put on weight, have a smoking habit, or otherwise feel your life is out of control, weight, smoking and such are probably only the visible symptoms of a common underlying cause and the real enemy - Stress. Stress is a truly sinister and cunning opponent.

Here are 12 ways to de-stress your life, and in the process to jump-start your battle with weight, smoking, and other behaviors you wish to change...

1. Get more physically active. If your doctor okay's strenuous activity, get out and work up a sweat. Digging in your garden for a few hours is a real stress-buster. Go for a hike in the woods, pick a steep hill. Remember what you used to love doing, or always wanted to do, and begin today. Dust off your old bike. Buy an inexpensive kayak and learn to paddle. Choose outdoor activities whenever you can. When you are limited by weather or time, choose aerobic dancing to compelling music that captures your whole being. Or just workout until you are tired. But whatever you choose, focus on your activity. Don't talk, watch TV, or think about anything except what you are doing at the instant.

2. Spend time alone in nature. Who can stress while walking barefoot on a lonely expanse of sand, watching the seabirds soar and dive, and listening to the waves break and the wind rustle through the beach grass. Combine physical activity with time spent alone in nature by hiking, paddling, or biking.

3. Release your attachments. Stress is caused by the fear that we will lose what we value. We stress because we fear that we will lose our health, our job, our home, our spouse or friends. We stress that we will have less tomorrow than we had yesterday.

By releasing your attachment to your possessions and your attachment to your relationships, you can eliminate most of the stress in your life. Make a daily practice of visualizing your life without those things you most value. Visualize yourself without a car, a computer, a cell phone, and recognize that those things do not define the true value of your life. If you are in a highly troubled relationship and fear that the other person may leave you, visualize your life without that person, and accept that your happiness in life comes from within, and not from any other person.

4. Simplify your life. Once you have released your attachments to your possessions, consider releasing those things physically as well. Search through your home for things you have not used in a year. Consider which of those items could be given away without loss to your happiness. Perhaps you want to ask yourself about the true value to your life of other possessions as well. What do you own that creates happiness and what creates stress? Would downsizing de-stress your life?

5. Reduce your obligations. Some people keep to themselves. Others thoroughly enjoy being president of their kid's school PTA and volunteering to drive seven girls to scout camp. But many others suffer with too many self-imposed obligations. If you don't enjoy a responsibility, and it isn't truly crucial, just say NO. Focus your volunteering on those activities that give you great joy and satisfaction.

6. Learn to love your job, or get a job you love. This idea for de-stressing your life is the most difficult one for many people. If your reaction is that you simply must continue with a job you hate for the sake of your family, think again. Your family loves and cherishes you for far more than the paycheck you bring home. If taking a different, more personally rewarding, job would make you a happier and more pleasant person, don't you think your family would appreciate the change? Turn the tables and ask yourself if you would want your spouse to work at a job they hated in order to bring home a few more dollars each week? Trust that they would make the same choice for you. Love and honor yourself enough to choose a career that brings satisfaction as well as a paycheck.

7. Begin a project you love. Give yourself a little time each day to work on something creative that you love doing and that makes you feel good about yourself. Knit a scarf. Play the piano. Take up woodcarving.

8. Know that you are not responsible for the whole world. If you are going to make a difference, take up a cause. Campaign for the candidate of your choice, volunteer in your local soup kitchen, write a big check to Doctors Without Borders. But then turn off the eleven o'clock news. Worrying and stressing about the state of the world, or the economy, or crime in your community, or the health of your Aunt Judy in Des Moines, or whether your adult child's marriage is going to fail, is a waste of your time and causes much unnecessary stress.

9. Give your time to others. It's hard to worry so much about yourself when you give your time to help those less fortunate. Consider becoming a community volunteer.

10. Forgive everyone, especially yourself, for everything that has ever been done or been left undone. Your anger and hatred hurt you. Forgiveness is the salve that removes the sting of past injuries. Resentments and regrets do not cure the past, but unconditional forgiveness does.

11. Have gratitude for everything that has ever happened or not happened. All of your life is part of a grand plan. You wouldn't be who you are today if you had missed out on any of your experiences.

12. View life as an adventure. Everything changes. The inherent nature of life is constant change. To fear change is to fear life itself. Once you accept that whatever you hate about your life will change soon, and that whatever you love about your life will also change, you can view all of life as the adventure that it is, and end your stress.

Once you are serene and happy, you are far less likely to feel driven to overeat, smoke, or bite your nails. Begin by de-stressing your life, and changing your behaviors will follow naturally

You Hold All The Keys To Your Future

I can give you all the principles and all the formulas to succeed in life, and show you how to change for the better. Yet only you hold the keys to your future, only you can change your circumstances and only you can make a positive difference in this world if you decide to do so. How you may ask? That is simple, if you don't act on the philosophies and principles in this article or in any article, for that matter, any motivational tapes or anything of like kind, there is no way you can change without action.

That is when you need to reach deep inside yourself and find that little something that sparked you in the first place and gave you hope for the first time and that is the key to your happy and healthy future. You must move forward at a cost that we are at this point not sure what the cost is going to be.


Let me assure you if there is going to be progress, then there will be a cost. This cost may not be great it just depends on how fast and far you expect to go in a certain amount of time. If you decide that you only need to go and a little bit, then the cost will in turn be small. Please do not let the cost scare you, as there is a cost for everything in this life, if you want to be a better swimmer, then you need to practice in the pool quite a bit.
Without practice, you are not going to be a very good swimmer and without action, you will not make progress in anything you choose to do. I wish there was a simple easy way to get around this but there is not. Once you realize that you need to put time in to get from where you are to where you want to go, and then you start to realize that the equation is quite simple, thought plus action equals results.


Once you understand this simple equation and add time into it, then there is nothing that you can't accomplish. Then you understand that the world is yours for the taking and there is nothing that is out of your grasp and that you can't achieve.
Now that we've figured out the equation let's talk about how much time we stay on each task. How do I know that I am spending too much time in one area and not enough time in another? If your life seems to be lacking in a certain phase, then maybe you need to spend more time in one area and less in another. How can I distinguish which phase I am doing well in and which phase I am doing poorly in?

That's when areas of your life are going to be going good, and I am happy, healthy, Wealthy and do I get along with others. These are just a few of the areas that we need to focus on and there are many more, let's focus on the ones we listed. Can I truly be happier? Can I truly be healthier? Can I truly the wealthier? The answer is yes. You can truly be happier because happiness is a Choice and you can choose to be happy in any moment no matter what the circumstances are.

Once you learned that happiness is a Choice you will be surprised at the little ways and things you do those that make you happy that never before did. Now that you have happiness, mindset things are easier, things are finer and you'll see that you start looking for the good in life instead of all the negatives. That is one of the Keys, Learning How to Be Happy and to except Happiness as a Way of Life! Letting It Have the Upper Hand in all your decisions most of the day.

Will this really work here you are asking yourself? YES it will because happiness is what all seek after and try to find in this life, yet normally we have a self-defeating mode of self-destruction and negative thinking which is learned over our course of life. Therefore, what we now need to be willing to do is to change that course of thinking, to get out of the negative and leap into the positive world.

This is where life has meaning and purpose and this is where you can see that happiness truly is a Choice and that you may choose it at anytime you want. Results are yours and you can mold them and shape them into any form you so wish to do, the time is now, the future is yours, today is a gift, use it in anyway that you want, use it as long and much as long as it is in the positive nature.

Slowly the phase shall start to have meaning and you will see that you can make a difference in your life with just a little bit of hard work. Now you can truly see why only you can change your future and why you hold all the keys to all that you need for success and now you have a better understanding of how to use your minutes wisely and that is another key to your success. That people is in this world of ever-changing values, a another one of the keys to your success.

 

By Arthur Buchanan | Happiness | Unrated

How to Spend Money So It Makes You Happy

The debate over whether money can buy happiness just got more complicated. A new paper from two economists suggests that spending money on certain things – namely, leisure activities – does, in fact, improve happiness levels. Spending on more materialistic items, such as cars, food, and clothes, does not.

First, some background: Economists have long debated how money influences happiness levels. On one hand, people in richer countries report higher happiness levels. But after a certain threshold of wealth is reached, the link begins to weaken. That could be because people get used to higher incomes, so wealth doesn’t bring them as much pleasure, or because once people achieve a certain level of material success, they begin to wish they had even more. People also tend to compare themselves to others, and it’s always possible to find someone else who’s richer than you.

But no one doubts the importance of being happy. For starters, it feels good, but it also appears to improve health and even longevity.

Now, back to these intriguing new findings. By comparing consumption data from the national Health and Retirement Study, Thomas DeLeire of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Ariel Kalil of the University of Chicago found that spending money on leisure activities, which include vacations, movie theater tickets, and hobbies, improve happiness levels. (Happiness was measured by asking respondents to describe how they felt about their lives.)

Expenditures on durable goods such as refrigerators, clothes, personal items, cars, and housing, on the other hand, did not have an effect on happiness.

The apparent reason behind the leisure spending – happiness connection is even more intriguing than the finding itself: Spending on leisure activities appears to boost one’s level of social connectedness. That makes sense, since when you go on vacation, engage in a hobby such as tennis or bridge, or go out to the movies, you are almost always doing it with somebody else. So spending on leisure might boost your social connectedness, which in turn improves your happiness level.

What does this all mean for the savvy consumer? Well, it suggests that we should be sure to budget some of our funds towards leisure. While the latest handbag or car might give us a short burst of euphoria, we might soon get used to having them around so the happiness provided is short-lived. But if we spend money on a once-in-a lifetime vacation with our families instead, then we might feel happier and more connected to our loved ones.

One caveat: The study is based on data from older Americans over the age of 50, so it might not apply to everyone but it is applicable to Nigerians. It’s possible, for example, that younger Nigerians get more of a happiness surge from keeping up with the latest clothing trends, and older folks get more pleasure from leisure. As the authors put it, “For a relatively older adult, an expensive vacation or box seats at the symphony may be happily viewed as the just reward of a long and productive life, something that was postponed until a stage of relative financial security and seniority in one’s position at work or in the community.”

Still, the findings hold a useful lesson for the rest of us, too.

Teaching your child money habits for life

Teaching your child money habits for life

For most adults, the first brush with money management came in the form of a porcelain pig. A nickel here or a Naira there for every chore completed or good deed. Financial responsibility, for the most part, stopped with the piggy bank. Many of the Echo Boomer generation—those born between the 1970s and early 1990s—agree that learning how to spend, save, and invest wisely just wasn't a part of life's lessons growing up. "I wish I understood the value and attributes of money at a young age," says Christopher Rogers, a 33-year-old, New York native and associate director at a financial services firm. "Although I grew up around a successful family, no one instilled the value of money in me until I began to do it myself, and fairly recently, too."

Indeed, piggy banks may not be enough to impress healthy saving habits in young people. Especially these days, many Americans are kicking themselves for being reactionary to the Great Recession, scrimping and saving only after things hit rock bottom. Now faced with a deteriorating job market, fragile housing market, and the threat of a double-dip recession, more consumers are reshaping their spending habits and are showing a renewed commitment to saving—behaviour we haven't seen in recent decades. The generation born during the Great Depression that went on to fight in World War II, which Tom Brokaw deemed "the greatest generation any society ever produced," had to pull itself up by its bootstraps to put food on the table. At the same time, they bequeathed to subsequent generations a life with considerable aplomb and privilege, distorting notions of what it means to work hard, survive, sacrifice, and value every Naira earned. According to a Fidelity Investments study, on average, Generation Y individuals hold more than three credit cards with one-fifth carrying a balance greater than $10,000 and 1 in 4 believing they will never be free of credit card debt during their lifetime. Parents nowadays are learning from their own mistakes, and finding themselves more mindful than ever of passing down solid financial habits to their kids.

It's clear that children today lead a more extravagant lifestyle—laden with trendy wardrobes, smart phones, video games, and other expensive gadgets—than their parents did. And it doesn't help when parents simply dole out cash with no strings attached. Upon graduating high school and flying the coop, many teenagers are likely to be walloped by exorbitant debts, making it extremely difficult to purchase a car or home down the road due to poor credit.

So, how can you teach your children the importance of saving, accounting for their spending, and self-discipline? Here are some money management strategies and tactics for parents that can help kids take control of their financial futures:

Be committed. "Like mastering a new language, developing athletic skills, or becoming a master musician, financial fluency requires time, practice, intention, the acquisition of financial language and values," says Joline Godfrey,who stresses the importance of being committed to your child's financial literacy. "This is a process, not an event, and parents who begin early find that good financial values and behavior are more deeply integrated into children's life skills and habits if they are as consistent and clear about their financial expectations as they are about brushing teeth and doing homework … Most parents understand that a couple of hours on the tennis court would not be enough to prepare a young person for competition. Similarly, a badly managed allowance and a few lectures on 'spending less' are not a financial education!"

Money does not grow on trees. Nor does it magically appear from ATMs. Children should learn from a very early age that they have to work to earn money. Ask them: "Do you know where money comes from?" If you go to the bank or withdraw money from an ATM, explain to your child that it is your money coming out of your bank account and that you worked for that money.

Provide a weekly allowance. Parents can pay their child a weekly allowance for completing household chores, whether it's doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, cleaning up their room, baby-sitting, or any other age-appropriate task. You can track chores or good behaviour on a chart, checking off what they accomplished that day. By week's end, you can pay them for their accomplishments. Divvy up the weekly allowance into different envelopes, such as "entertainment," "clothes," or "savings."

Show them your monthly bills. There's no need to get too granular with your personal finances, but showing your children bills such as mortgage, electricity, utility, cable, and car insurance helps them understand what it costs to run a household. You can even show them your banking statements. This will help them learn how deposits and withdrawals are made.

Go shopping together. The supermarket is a great way to show kids how to save money. You can use the items on your list and compare prices between products, to help children look out for less-expensive brands. For the little ones, use relatable items, such as chocolate chip cookies or milk.

Get a job, create a budget. Once your child turns Sweet Sixteen, require him or her to get a part-time job. The money earned can go toward things that they want, such as clothing, tech gadgets, or entertainment—but only if it falls within their budget. Your child may not have enough money to spend on an iPod because of, say, weekly transportation or car-related expenses.

Start a savings account. Get your kids into the habit of saving by starting a savings account, to which they contribute a set amount each week. Set realistic goals and work with them on how they are going to achieve the goals. The account will teach them to save regularly. And reviewing monthly bank statements will help them to understand the concept of interest accrual.

Develop their entrepreneurial spirit. Landing a job and making the most of it will allow your child to stand out from the pack. "Twenty-first century kids will approach careers with the notion of 'making a job; not just taking a job,'" says Godfrey. "With unemployment for teens and 20-somethings running well into the double digits, entrepreneurial skills and outlook will be a competitive advantage."