12 Things I Learned From The Alchemist

I haven't posted in a while, partly because of poor internet connection and also because I've focused more on reading than writing for this blog. But I'm back now and I'd like to share some things with you in this post. Here are 12 lessons I learned from reading Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. I recommend the book for you lot.

A Bowl Of Akpu and the Choices We Make [by Alexandra (@AlexandraZion)]

Image Source: CleanTechies

Chidera Taylor had returned to Africa after schooling of six years in Ukraine. Everything seemed somewhat strange to her in the first few months of her arrival: the language, the clothes, and especially, the food. A Ukrainian lifestyle had eaten deep into her now-eighteen-year old system, and she thought it hard to adapt to her roots all over again.

Why Perfection is an Enemy of Progress

Image Courtesy of JamesWoodward

If you have ever read about God’s creation of the earth, you will find that after each element or creature was created, save for the firmaments (or skies), He would always say it was good. He never said any of it was perfect. It’s not that God couldn’t make these things perfect (because I know he could have) but He made them ‘good’ for reasons. He made them ‘good’ so that the man He created wouldn’t be idle. If everything was perfect upon creation, man would have no chance to invent and create things and improve life. He would have just been roaming the Garden of Eden eating and talking to animals with nothing particularly exciting to face as a challenge or so.

You must have heard this said many times that ‘no one is perfect’ or that ‘no one can be perfect’. This is true and I do not dispute it. Nevertheless, we must realize that this is so because if God had created us perfect we would have no need to improve ourselves (taking into account the sin of Adam through his freewill). There would be no room for us to become better people. Different people view man’s imperfection in their own different ways. Some see it as a disease which needs to be cured. Some see it as a defect which they can do nothing about and so just walk around with the ‘no one is perfect so don’t judge me’ mentality. There are also people who see our imperfection as a default defect that constitutes a vital part of who we are, and in essence they just try to live with it and manage it. They are not particularly committed to improving themselves. They are the ones with the ‘that’s just how I am, I can’t change who I am’ mentality.

Why Time Management is Difficult for You

Source: Freelancingandmore.com

Everyone knows that the level of your success and productivity in life and in all your endeavors is directly, and greatly influenced by your ability to manage time. It’s not just important to learn to manage your own time, but that of your coworkers, colleagues, friends and fellow students. However, you must know that time is a wild beast that can never be tamed. What I am saying therefore, is that it is impossible to ‘manage time’.

Intelligence Has Little to Do with IQ

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I am currently reading a book, ‘Goals!’ by Brian Tracy and over the next few weeks, the articles I will be uploading with be based on and adapted from the book. It is one book I recommend to everybody that cares to make progress in life and career. Whilst reading this book, I came across a new definition of intelligence that first intrigued me, then encouraged me. It intrigued me initially because I was always under the impression that intelligent people were the ones who had been proven to know more and be smarter than others and it encouraged me because, after looking at this definition of intelligence, I realized that I am actually more intelligent that I gave myself credit for. Thus, after reading this excerpt, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to become more intelligent or you want to remain as you are.

10 Leadership Lessons from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (The Movie)

Source: oyster.ignimgs.com

1. The greatest leaders in the world did not just lead people. They led movements, revolutions and ideologies.
2. Madiba was a selfless leader.
3. Madiba was courageous. He was courageous enough to stand by his vision for South Africa. He was courageous enough to stand for peace when the people demanded war.
4. Madiba was confident in the ideology he stood for: the ideology of freedom for his people.
5. The road to greatness is never ending and always lonely.

How Our DSTV Dish Taught Me Vital Life Lessons

Since June 12, when the World Cup started, I’ve only watched 2 matches because our DSTV was not connected and we hadn’t subscribed. Several attempts to get the Satellite Technicians to come help us connect it proved futile. Each time we called, they’d give one excuse or the other. I even missed the Netherlands versus Spain (5pa1n) match because of this. Subsequently, I started becoming irritated with the situation. Partly because all we had to watch at the moment were religious channels (of which I’m not a big fan), and because my parents were seemingly not as determined as I was to watch the World Cup (a lie I succeeded in telling myself repeatedly). My irritation started guiding my behavior and my parents were obviously not happy with the situation. So, in order to quell the annoyance in the air, I decided to engage in a DIY. I spent several minutes outside my house, figuring a way to fix the dish and connect it. I finally had a Eureka moment.

[MUSIC] Duly Noted - JSwiss (@Yimi_X_Cross)

Download song here: Click this link

Assumptions! Assumptions! Ridiculous Assumptions!

Image Source: www.kathyennis.co.uk

Making assumptions about people, an event or a situation often proves to leave you with embarrassing results. In fact, the results can be tragic or comical at times. Take for example this story I came across in the John Maxwell book- Everyone Communicates, Few Connect. It’s a comical story of a traveler between flights at an airport.

She went to a lounge and bought a small pack of cookies and then sat down to read a newspaper. She became aware of a rustling noise and looked to see a neatly dressed man helping himself to the cookies. She didn’t want to make a scene, so she leaned over and took a cookie herself, hoping that he would get the message. As time passed, she thought she had been successful. But then she heard more rustling. She couldn’t believe it. He was helping himself to another cookie.

4Runner (@4_Runner116) Presents: The #InfiltrationEP

EP title: Infiltration

Artist: 4Runner

He has released songs with a touch of different flavours ranging from strictly hip hop songs to afro pop songs. 4Runner released a number of singles from the Infiltration EP(Extended play) which he started working on since 2011 which enjoyed great feedback from faithful listeners and airplay on different radio stations and online radio stations and also features on blog sites. He is set to release the full package. The 8 track online version of the EP introduces us to the rappers versatility and shows a unity in diversity as he raps on different beat styles. According to 4runner as the days go by he realises the importance of living a purpose driven life and living to be who God planned for everyone to be and he was inspired to shape the theme of the project based on his discovery that there is no fun(fulfilment) in the comfort zone. He also shares a bit about some of the experiences that have shaped his life so far. The EP features talented artists like Henrisoul, Provabs, Samnem, Gabri and introduces you to more great artists. it also includes works from music producers like Encore (f.k.a Don John), Skweird, Dj Nobong, Octave. The Ep is a bag of talent. 4runner presents to you in this year 2014 his debut EP, The infiltration EP.  A non constrained rap project that can be enjoyed by people of different ages. Enjoy and do share with friends and family.

Click here to download it 

7 Things You Need to Know that Enhance your Productivity

1. Learn how to wake up early. People who wake up early have the capacity to be more productive than those who wake up late. The thing about waking up early is that it gives you the opportunity to plan your day before it starts. Furthermore, waking up early allows you to create a good pace for your day. Whatever your day will be like is defined by the actions you perform in the first few hours.
2. Learn how to read a lot. The more relevant stuff you read, the more knowledgeable you become. Reading a lot is no guarantee that you’ll be better but it is the foundation for getting better at what you do. The more you know, the better you get and the more productive you become. Reading someone’s book or work gives you access to all the knowledge the person has about what you’re reading. Imagine reading a book that took a man thousands of other books and many years to write, you’re able to gain access to that person’s knowledge simply through the book.

The Truth About #YOLO - Kristine Tsiknaki (@DarcRose22)

On Friday I found myself explaining what #yolo means to a new friend of mine. Out of any social context and with no knowledge of all the negative connotations the word has accumulated, he immediately found it a great word and a great mentality. This instantly reminded me of the first time I heard that word used, my first night in my student dorm in London, when all the new people got together in the common room and spent the whole night drinking, chatting and becoming friends with each other. Yolo was used in the context of ‘Don’t go to bed, have another drink and let’s do some shots’. Please, feel free to roll your eyes and say ‘students!’ with a sigh. You can imagine how it can all go downhill from there and how very soon you end up showing up in class straight from the club and desperately trying to stay awake, whilst sitting in a small table with your lecturer and the two other students who signed up for that class, till he gives up and makes you some really strong coffee. Bless him.

A Tale of Two Sick Men #BeInspired

I saw this short story on Facebook and I thought I'd be nice to share it with you. Be inspired:

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on
vacation.

MY STRUGGLES WITH FAITH (PART 1)

I came into the university hating God. I didn’t disbelieve His existence. I didn’t argue with His works but I just did not like Him. There was no relationship between us- at least none that I was willing to create. I knew that coming to a Christian university would change that in some way but I wasn’t ready to let it, not yet, I wasn’t. My father is a preacher. Almost every day prior to my resumption, I heard about God. Almost every day for the next four years, I would hear about God. I knew I was going to be bombarded but I wasn’t ready to be committed to any faith. The idea of being in faith was too restrictive. I’d rather I remained a ‘free’ man.

Like I said, my father was a preacher so I had mastered the act of pretending I cared about God and His things. Frankly, I didn’t mind pretending for the next four years, as long as no one was going to bother me to ‘give my life to Christ’. I wasn’t bothered that they’d call for people to come out for the sinner’s prayer, I would simply take my off ‘things’ at that moment. I had the ‘perfect’ plan to escape God. I wasn’t about to let anybody tie me down. But the thing I was most ignorant about was that God’s Love allows Him to be patient…to wait for the right moment to swoop in and sweep you off your feet.

It was late in the evening on October 8^th, 2010. I can’t remember what brought me to the university chapel. I think, I vaguely remember. I was hanging out with a female friend. I liked her. She asked us to go see someone. Her mentor, she called him. So I followed, blindly. By the end of the night, I met Pastor Iren Emmanuel, then he was still a student. We had a little chat and before I knew it that which I feared most had befallen me. I gave in and accepted Christ. I went back to the hostel mixed emotions, asking myself if I was ready for this. I wasn’t.

…To be continued.

LIFE LESSONS IV: HOW HANDICAPPED ARE YOU? (by Austin Queensly @AustinQueensly)

Imagine not being able to see the world around you, the beauty of nature, and the faces of your loved ones. Terrible, right?  Now throw in the inability to listen to good music, or the voices of those around you.

Well, that was the case of Helen Keller who was born with good sight and the ability to hear but lost both senses when she was 19 months old which made her situation feel even worse. Some of us may have heard the story of Helen Keller but not about the person behind her story.

It is hard enough teaching people who have their 5 senses intact and harder to teach someone with a disability. Anne Sullivan definitely had her work cut out for her with the responsibility of tutoring Helen Keller who was both blind and deaf; these two senses are unarguably the most necessary for smooth learning to take place.

WINDOW PAIN

God could feel my pain. I knew it. As I sat down staring out the window through tearful eyes, I knew it. Heaven was weeping with me as the rain drops raged at my window. I was in pain. My mind was messed up. In a few moments from now, the monster was going to come in again. It had become normal already. My innocence was long gone as my essence has since been lost. The monster never hesitated to destroy what was supposed to be my pride.

My thoughts were interrupted by the creak of the door. I didn’t look back. It was time. I simply turned and lay on my back as the monster smiled down at me. His once lovely face had now become the symbol of everything wrong with mankind. He was my hate. He was my pain. My evil and my devil. I closed my eyes then I felt his weight on the bed. Right beside me. I slowly parted my legs and he commenced his despicable act. I was silent all through. I had become accustomed to this evil. As he finished up, I closed my legs but then I heard his coarse whisper. I’m not done. “What?” my mind snapped but my mouth was too troubled and weak to utter a sound. He started removing his belt buckle and leaned into me as he finally took away all I ever was and will be. By the time all these was over, he dressed himself back. Expressionless and emotionless. As if what just happened meant nothing. As he made for the door, I mumbled: “Papa, please. Can this stop? I’m in pain”. He simply looked at me and smiled, “I know”.

How to Become a Person of Value

We’ve talked about the Law of Value Addition (Read about it here) and now it is important we learn how to become such persons. So here are simple ways through which you can become a person who’s constantly making life better for others (these are but a few, the list is inexhaustible):

The Law of Value Addition

Yesterday evening, I was returning from my college building, on the way to my hostel, and then I met a fellow who I assisted in doing his final year research project. As I saw him I waved at him and the first question I asked was: How was your project defense? His reply: It was awesome, thank you very much- with a wide smile on his face. This smile made me happy. It was obvious he was extremely happy and I felt so much joy, knowing I contributed in some way to the success of his project. It was at that moment that I made a decision in my heart: a decision to be a value-adding person. I said to myself: I want to do this for the rest of my life; I want to live to make people happy. Quite frankly, that is what the law of value addition means: making a positive difference in people lives.

When the Trumpet Sounds

Something funny happened recently. At about 6:30 pm on Thursday, 27^th of March, the weather suddenly changed. The clouds became thicker than I have ever seen in a long time. They were extremely dark and seemed like it was going to rain heavily. I was out that day, walking back to my hostel when I heard a sound and then it was followed by people screaming. A fellow was walking at my back and he made a joke. He said that the trumpet just sounded. At that time, I looked up coincidentally trying to decide if I should continue my journey or look for shelter before the rain started pelting. My friend who was with me on the walk started laughing at me. He claimed I was scared I had missed the rapture, I found this funny so I started laughing with him. But frankly, it wasn’t funny. I started thinking: “what if that was actually the rapture? What if it actually happened?” I looked around me at that moment and I saw a large number of people walking around. I thought to myself: “what if all these people, all of us, had actually missed the rapture? What would life be like?”

LIFE LESSONS III: THE BEST LOSER by Austin Queensly (@AustinQueensly)

“You took fourth! Fourth!! What happened to the first, second or even ‘manageable’ third position!!!”

I recoiled to the sitting room to avoid my mum’s screaming but especially dreaded my father’s arrival because though I was and still am ‘daddy’s pet’, one thing is not acceptable in my home. FAILURE. And believe me; my fourth position was considered one. This memory, even after 14 years, remains ingrained in my head and with it, a fear that is now a part of my subconscious and sometimes beclouds my decision making. The fear of failure!

From my growing up years, I had this concept driven into me that failure is bad. First position in class ensured that I got a mini celebration and fourth, a strong reprimand. Don’t get me wrong because I am not condemning this method of upbringing, in fact it has made me the person I am today, always striving for excellence. However, there are always two sides of a coin.