GULDER ULTIMATE SEARCH SEASON 10 - THE GREAT LESSON.

The 10th Gulder ultimate search winner has emerged. I must confessed I lost my heart for this young man. I was shivering on my sofa praying for him to emerge as the next winner having seen his dedication to the search for the 10th symbol. And fortunately he found it.

During the course of trying to find the 10th symbol, he used all his energy for almost an hour plus. This young man never stop believing in himself and God. His determination to emerge as winner was very strong. He was just running up and down, falling and rising in the water. Even when his colleagues were worn out, he never relent.

And finally his determination, never give up spirit and his believe in himself and God crowned him as the next winner. The young man is no other person than, Dennis Okike. The instructor remarked, " you have faced serious trials and tribulations but at last your God is awake." But I know his God has not for once slumber. He just want him to pass through 10,000 steps like the greatest scientist.

This is a visible evidence and great lesson for each and everyone of us. Whatever your mind can conceive, you can achieve. Don't stop believing. Keep holding on. Never, ever give up. Explore your world. Your time is here. No matter what you are passing through now, please persevere because it's almost your turn to emerge as a celebrity. Believe in yourself and God. Never quit for any reason. You are about to be celebrated. God has not forgotten you.


Welcome to November. It is well with you. Happy New Month. Enjoy the bliss.

Your loving friend, MA.

INCREASE YOUR FAITH.

 A Bigger Frying Pan

Two men went fishing. One man was an experienced fisherman, the other wasn't. Every time the experienced fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh. Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back. The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing this man waste good fish. "Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked. The inexperienced fisherman replied, "I only have a small frying pan." 

Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throw back the big plans, big dreams, big jobs, big opportunities that God gives us.  Our faith is too small. We laugh at that fisherman who didn't figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan; yet how ready are we to increase the size of our faith?

Whether it's a problem or a possibility, God will never give you anything bigger than you can handle. That means we can confidently walk into anything God brings our way.

Nothing is too big for God. Stop telling God you've got big problems, but instead tell your problems to a big God!

 

29 LAWS OF LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

How do you feel about your life today? Are you living every day in exuberance? Do you love what you’re doing? Are you excited every single moment? Are you looking forward to what’s coming up next? Are you living your best life?

If your answer to any of the above is a no, maybe or not sure, that means you’re not living your life to the fullest. Which really shouldn’t be the case, because your life experience is up to you to create. Why settle for anything less than what you can get? You deserve nothing but the best. Here are 29 laws to live your life to the fullest.

LAW 1 - START AFRESH
Don't be held down or back by what happened yesterday, being hurts, pains, disappointments, mistakes or failures. Every day is a new day, so start something new and great today or continue the great enterprise you've started. Every blessed day is open to a new opportunity.

LAW 2 - BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
Stop trying to please other people or be someone else. Be an original version of yourself than a carbon copy of someone else. Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown your own inner voice. Know who you are and what you represent. Be clear of your personal identity.

LAW 3 - STOP COMPLAINING
Stop complaining about your failures, challenges, tough times, problems but instead work on them. You can't add a pinch to your life through complaining. Stop !

LAW 4 - DISCOVER YOUR LIFE PURPOSE
Your life purpose may be defined as your personal mission, or your spiritual path, or the cause for which you live, or how you plan to make a difference, or what you want to leave behind after you're gone or anything that's truly important to you. Jim Cathcart, the author and speaker says, "Nurture your nature." The very best way to move on in life is to move in the direction of your natural talents and interests. Jeanette Walls wrote in Half Broke Horses, "Dad was a philosopher and had that he called his theory of purpose, which held that everything in life had a purpose, and unless it achieved that purpose, it was just taking up a space on the planet and wasting everybody time. God does not create a masterpiece like you without a definite purpose in mind. Discover your purpose today.

LAW 5 - SET PRINCIPLES
Set life commandment or principle you want to live your life by. Set principles you want to follow in life. A principled man will always meet up with target in life.

LAW 6 - SET GOALS
A goal is an objective set to achieve in a particular period at a certain level of activities. This objective is what drives you when others are walking. In setting personal goals, you must consider what you want to achieve in your lifetime or at least by a significant and distant age in the future. This objective to be set must be specific or significant, measurable or meaningful, attainable or action oriented, relevant or rewarding and time bound or trackable. Your set goals can be embedded in vision and mission statement for clarification purpose. What do you want to achieve in two years to this time? You goals can help you stay on the track. With goals, you will definitely plan all the way to end.

LAW 7 - LEARN FROM CRITICISM
Be open to criticism but don't be affected by it. Criticism is meant to help you be a better person. Learn from it.

LAW 8 - BE POSITIVE
If you can see the positive sides of everything, you'll be able to live a much richer life than others. Positivity breeds positivity. Zig Ziglar of blessed memory said, "Positive thinking will let you use the abilities, training and experience you have.

LAW 9 - TOUCH LIVES
Let your riches be counted on the numbers of those that you put smile on their faces. Show compassion and kindness to everyone around you. As said by Pike, "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and are immortal.

LAW 10 - BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Always believe in yourself and your abilities. If you look down on yourself, no one will look up to you. Just believe you can no matter what happen.

LAW 11 - LET GO OF UNHAPPY PAST
Forget the pointless drama and those who created them. Live in your today for tomorrow to be rewarding. Never hold grudges against yourself and others as regards the past. Be futuristic.

LAW 12 - KEEP DEVELOPING YOURSELF
Equip yourself with a huge breath of knowledge. Learn different skills, pick up different hobbies, study different fields. There is something to learn from everything you see, hear and experience. This includes your mistakes and past mishaps (if any). Be updated.

LAW 13 - GET MENTORS AND OR COACHES
A mentor is a person whose hindsight can become your foresight. Look for someone who can accept you as mentee or a student. It is very important to associate yourself with people who can keep you going no matter what. Get a motivator. A mentor guides you in pursuing your life cause.

LAW 14 - GET A ROLE MODEL
With role model, you become most better than you can be by yourself. Role model reminds me of what I can be, what I can do, so they drive me on to greater heights.

LAW 15 - FOCUS ON CREATION
Think of what you can bring to the world or create for people usage. Think of services, values you can create. Don't be all time consumer, work toward becoming producer.

LAW 16 - EXPRESS GRATITUDE
Let people who have touched you know of your gratitude toward them. You will be surprised what a little act like this can do. I do appreciate my BBM contacts, some do put " @ grateful heart or thankful heart" as their personal message whenever I send them something interesting. Be thankful to God and people.

LAW 17 - EMBRACE CHANGE
The only thing that is constant in life is change. Change means growth. Rather than resist. Change, learn to versatile such that you make the best out of the changes that comes. In fact, become an agent of change. Don't get stuck in comfort zone.

LAW 18 - LAUGH MORE
Are you reading this with a straight face? C'mon laugh. Give smile to everyone you come across.

LAW 19 - BE MORE RISK-INCLINED
Don't be afraid to take risks. The bigger your risk, the bigger the returns. Be a risk taker and not averter.

LAW 20 - DON'T CRITICIZE
Don't criticise, blame or judge others. Do not see yourself better than others. Respect each man thumbscrew.

LAW 21 - BE DISCIPLINED
According to experts, without discipline it is difficult to achieve success in whatever tasks or live life to the fullest. They stress that for you to successfully execute any plan or goal, certain level of disciplined must be maintained. By disciplining yourself, you will overcome bad habits such as procrastination, fear, negative thinking and the tendency to blame others for failure or problem.

LAW 22 - BE DETERMINED
The greatest way to enjoy a richer life is to persevere and be determined. No matter the difficulties, obstacles and situations you are in, continue to try and never give up. In Peak Milk advert, Kanu Nwankwo (Nigeria professional footballer and Icon) said "It was a big shock to me when the Doctor said I cannot play again but I was determined never to give up." He won so many accolades after this determination. Never give up. Never quit. Be determined. Persistence is the key.

LAW 23 - CHALLENGE FEARS
All of us have fears. Fear of uncertainty, fear of public speaking, fear of failing, fear of making mistakes, and fear of fears. All our fears keep us in the same position and prevent us from growing. Rather than avoid fears, recognise they are the compass for growth. F.E.A.R has two meanings, Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise.. The choice is yours.

LAW 24 - MAKE FRIENDS
Associate yourself with people of like minds. Be friendly with people. Be nice.

LAW 25 - PROCRASTINATE NOT
The story "When I become a big boy" in the best of .....Bit pieces "Creed for optimists" by Christian D. Larson best explained this. Procrastination, "This is like the little boy who says when I become a big boy, I will do this and this and I will be happy. And when he becomes a big boy he says, when I finish college and do this and this I will be happy. And when he finishes college he says, when I get married and do this and this and then I will be happy. And when he gets married, he says when the kids get out of school, and I do this and this I will be happy. And when the kids get out of school, he says when retires and do this and this, I will be happy. And when he retires what does he see? He sees life has just gone by in front of his eyes. The moral of this story is never to leave till tomorrow which you can do today.

LAW 26 - MAXIMIZE YOUR MIND, BODY, HEART AND SOUL.
Living your best life requires you to maximise yourself mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. If you're highly successful, very materially abundant, have a big circle of friends, very spiritually aware but you neglect your physical health, that's not living your life to the fullest.

LAW 27 - LEARN FROM FAILURE
Failure is the highway to success. If you study history, you will find out that all stories of success are also stories of great failures. Setbacks or failures are inevitable in life. Once you fail, never quit. Stand up and try again. A failure can act as a driving force and also teach us humility. We need to learn to become victors, not victims. Ask yourself after every setback: what did I learn from this experience? Only then you will be able to turn a stumbling block into a stepping stone. It takes both rain and sunshine to create a rainbow. There is the good and the bad; dark and bright spots. If we can handle failure through persistence, it will strengthen us. You will never be called a failure until you refuse to rise each time you fail. Learn from it now and rise!

LAW 28 - START YOUR FAMILY
Get married and procreate. Try to marry the woman or man of your choice that you both love each other deeply. Don't do this as a desperate man or woman. Be patient and wait for your time.

LAW 29 - LOVE
Love yourself, love others and love the life you've got. This is the final and greatest law.


For now you've got only one life. Don't hesitate to live your life to the fullest. Follow the laws and your heart and intuition. Strive to be the best in all you can. Enjoy and live your life peacefully.

DESPERATE MAN. WHY THE RUSH? PART 3

You want to marry her asap. Why? Because you don't want to lose her. Why? "Too many things at stake."

You differences are so fundamental. You can't stand so many things about her. The reasons why you're struggling with the thought of marrying her includes: (1) because you want to marry (2) because of her beauty and (3) because of her affluent. These and many more are the many things at stake I guess. All these despite the fact that she slushes you up stylishly - essentially puts you down when you talk.

She's a focused lady alright but you're nonetheless unhappy with her and it's obvious you don't love her because of her be-hav-iour.

You have a lady who is not up to her standard and whom you both love each other deeply but because of your covetousness, you don't want to go for her. Though, she is beautiful, tolerant, listen to you when you talk, focussed also, and caring but she's zero in term of wealth.

Let me be honest with you; you are shopping for marriage, the implications of which will soon become unbearable. Why can't you build your own wealth instead of marrying someone you don't love or have you been told you cannot make it in life? Don't you think this marriage or relationship won't last a year?

As a result of her own desperation to get engaged or married, she do tell you, "Honey, all I own is yours." And foolish enough you believe this. She want to marry you because of reasons best known to her and not because you have what it takes. I'm sure when you get married, the name honey will take a downturn.

I must tell you the blunt truth in marriage, you're not compatible and you know it. Don't be surprised when her parent called you a gold digger or pauper. That's your real name. You can't reap where you did not sow. For neither God nor the spirits will grant us that favour.

Since you don't love her, let her go in peace and not in pieces. Leaving her in pieces is when you can't tolerate her again and the only decision is to walk out of the marriage.

Don't be too desperate. Grow, mature in wisdom, learn about life, get your bearing, resolve your fears, resolve yourself and develop character. In the absence of all these, enjoy your singularity. When the time comes, you'll know and when the man or woman comes,you'll know.

**************THE END****************

IT IS MY LIFE.

While going through a friend profile on facebook, I stumbled on the status "What anybody does is their business. When she has 7 lovers, it is her body. When he takes alcohol, it is his life. Why don't you leave them alone?" l replied, "My friend, even though l disapprove, l will compromise and accept what you are saying that it is none of my business. If you can guarantee that when someone takes alcohol, and when they get behind the wheel of a car and have an accident, the only thing they will ever hit is a tree, l will compromise. But if you cannot guarantee that when they take alcohol and have an accident, then you or your children or l or my children could be dead under the wheels, you better believe it is my business. l have to get this person off the road."


This one phrase, "It is my life, I will do what I want," has done more damage than good. People choose to ignore the spirit and derive the meaning that is convenient to them. Such people have tied this phrase to selfishness and I'm sure that was not the intent.

These people forget that we don't live in isolation. What you do affects me and what I do affects you. We are connected. We have to realize that we are sharing this planet and we must learn to behave responsibly.

Though you have every right and privilege to live your life but not to affect the other party. It can only be your life, if others are not affected negatively.

NOT ALWAYS ABOUT GRADES AND DEGREES.

When I was growing up, I was constantly told by peers, teachers and parents alike, that our objective in life was to be successful and be financially buoyant stressing the fact that we must have good grade and necessary academic qualification from university to achieve this.

They believed that only people with academic qualifications or degrees are public figures and role models. In schools then, those of us nurtured with such orientation were up and doing, striving to pass our WASSCE (West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination), gain admission into University of our choice and passed out in flying colour. The competition was so high then. Life as a student was about studying and doing well in School. The equation then and now is; get degree with good grade + get a good job + earn a lot of money = Success and nothing further from the truth. Going by this orientation, I have all necessary academic qualifications.

But on a fateful day, I stumbled on a particular edition of Forbes Magazine which analysed the 400 richest men and women in America. This magazine found out that a person who dropped out of high school and who made it into Forbes 400 was worth, an average, $333 million more than those who had completed college or University. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some of the wealthiest, most successful men and women throughout the world did poorly in school. From there, I learnt that becoming successful, famous, financial buoyant etc does not only depend on degrees but also on exploration of individual potentials, gifts, talents etc and whatever you know you can give to the world at large for success or greatness attainment.

Do we really get educated in schools and colleges? Generally, there is a consensus that some do but most don't. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to tell you that no true education in school. We receive a lot of information in school. I have my academic qualifications. But the fact is, we do need broad-based information to be educated. What then is broad-based education? Does academic qualifications give education true meaning? Is achieving greatness all about academic qualification.

You will have answers to all these questions in my next article which will serve as PART 2 of NOT ALWAYS ABOUT GOOD GRADE AND DEGREE. Watch out.

DESPERATE WOMAN. WHY THE RUSH? 2

 It is shameful to become a single mother when your husband is still alive or go back to your parent house at the age of 26.

I can see the desperation in you. Some of your friends have got married. Whether the devil like it or not, you must leave your parent house or your rented apartment asap to meet your man for marriage. The question then is, is he ready for this?

Tell me, how's a man who can't take care of himself going to take care of family? How's he going to take care of you? And how about those babies you wanna make - how are they going to feed? Children don't understand fasting. They are not that spiritual. They EAT a lot! It's why they grow! And the last time I checked, supermarkets were still collecting money for baby food!

You want assurances of marriage from a guy without a plan? Isn't that an oxymoron? He has no plans for his own life! How's he going to have plans for yours?
You say he treats you like a queen because he serenades you with sweet nothing? Do you know the value of sweet nothings? Nothing, according to mentor LA.
Strangely you say he hardly says he loves you.... But his actions say so! Which actions?!
Ask from those who married such men about their experience. Some are still better years after divorce.

And who's going to pay school fees for kids? I hope you are hardworking. Never confuse maleness for manhood. As a woman you are going to be frustrated marrying a man without drive, desire, ambition or job. There will be constant fight over money and one of the biggest causes of problem in marriage is finance.

You'll make that young man's life so miserable he'll apply for summer vacation in Hades.
You want to get pregnant for him? Act of desperation! Don't even try it unless you wanna raise the baby yourself.

Or let me just say your desperation is coupled with covetousness yet your differences are obvious. He has the financial capabilities no doubt but there are so many things you can't stand about him. He essentially puts you down when you talk, he flirts around and when you complain he tortures you like criminal in police custody who doesn't want to cooperate. You know you don't love him but the financial gain. Isn't that risky for you to marry whom you don't love? Think about tomorrow unless you want to walk out as you walk in. I can see you writing a letter to divorce. Beware

You want to marry asap. Why? Because........

To be continued.....

STEPS TO PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

The turning point in every life will come when one discover the law of cause and effect, the great law of the universe, and human destiny. In life, I learned that everything happens for a reason. I discovered that success is not an accident. Failure is not an accident, either. I also discovered that people who are successful in any area usually are those who have learned the cause-and-effect relationship between what they want and how to get it.

DETERMINE YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT VALUES
To realize your full potential for personal and professional growth and development, begin with your values as they apply to your own abilities. As you know, your values are expressed in your words and actions.

You can tell what your values are by looking at what you do and how you respond to the world around you. Your values are the root causes of your motivations and your behaviours.


CLARIFY YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT VISION
Create a long-term vision for yourself in the area of personal growth. Project forward five or ten years and imagine that you are developed fully in every important part of your life. Idealize and see yourself as outstanding in every respect. Refuse to compromise on your personal dreams.


SET GOALS FOR YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Now take your vision and crystallize it into specific goals. Here is a good way to start. Take out a piece of paper and write down ten goals that you would like to achieve in the area of personal and professional development in the months and years ahead. Write in the present tense, exactly as if you were already the person you intend to be.

Determine exactly what you want to be able to do. Decide who you want to become. Describe exactly what you will look like when you become truly excellent in your field and in your personal life.


UPGRADE YOUR PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Set specific measures for each of your goals. If your goal is to excel in your field, determine how you will know when you have achieved it. Decide how you can measure your progress and evaluate your success.

Perhaps you can use as a measure the number of hours you study in your field each week. Perhaps you can measure the number of books you read or the number of audio programs you listen to. Perhaps you could measure your progress by the number of sales you make as the result of your growing skills.


DEVELOP WINNING PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT HABITS
Select the specific habits and behaviours you will need to practice every day to become the person you want to become. These could be the habits of clarity, planning, thoroughness, studiousness, hard work, determination, and persistence.


 ACTION EXERCISE
Decide today to develop yourself to the point where you can achieve every financial and personal goal you ever set and become everything you are capable of becoming. Write down your goals and make sure to look at them every day, then ponder ways you possibly achieve these goals.

PARABLE OF THE PENCIL AND ITS MEANING

I have been meditating on God’s Word and have been thinking about our effectiveness as God’s people. Many times life throws us a hard blow and instead of regrouping and starting over, we give up on trying and stay in the same defeated place for months and sometimes years. We must renew our minds with the Word of God and know with the God’s help and guidance; we will overcome and live a blessed and victorious life.

I do hope this parable of pencil helps you understand the great potential that you possess once God has control of your life.


PARABLE OF THE PENCIL

In the beginning, the Pencil Maker spoke to the pencil saying, "There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."

"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."

"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."

"Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."

"Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."

"And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.


Now replacing the place of the pencil with you.  Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this
earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart.

*******Author Unknown*******


Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfil the purpose to which you were born to accomplish.

Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change. Always be hopeful.

God has put breath in your physical body for a reason and so I hope you will seek Him in prayer to find out your purpose and what plans God has for your life. Only when we seek Him can we find out the plan of the God for our life. I encourage you to be submitted to the God just as a pencil is submitted in the writer’s hand.
Allow the Lord to write through your life things that will never be erased.
Each pencil has the potential to write the greatest of stories, but it first must be held in the writers hand and so it is with us. We have the
potential to do so many great things if only we submit to the Master's Hand and let God have His way.


To your success, MA.

WHY THE RUSH?

You have no idea what marriage is all about! Neither do your boyfriend! I'm sorry for being so blunt but I must tell you the truth in love.

The problem is not so much to them as you. Tell me, what's the desperation? You're only 25! You don't have the maturity for marriage. I'm not saying that just because of your age. There are mature 23 years old even 20. If there's nothing I know about life it is the fact that marriage can't solve insecurity. It only compounds it. An insecure man and woman who says "I do" is still an insecure person, only married. "I do" is not a transformer. You're afraid of being lonely and being alone. But throwing yourself at men only exposes you to selfish opportunists. And the fact that your mother is alone after divorce from your dad is not a matrimonial determinant of your fate. You can't live your life as antidote to your mom's existence and experience.

Despite the rush hour view of marriage, it is not something you rush into. Rush in may well be prepared for rush out! Larger percentage of the ladies out there are rushing into marriage compare to guys. I have a lot of example around.

 It is shameful to divorce or become a single mother when..........

To be continued.

Your loving friend, MA.

MEANING OF LIFE.

Life is meaningless on its own but individual like you and I make it meaningful. Though, this statement may seems controversial but I maintain my stand. According to the creation story in the bible, when God look into the earth, it was empty which means it has no meaning whatsoever. This made God to charge man with responsibility of having dominion on all other creations. Through this, man would be able to give relevant meaning to life. The question then is, is man giving meaning to life? And if not really, how can man do this?

You can add the meaning to life through this....

Boy Asks the Meaning of Life

An eight-year-old boy approached an old man in front of a wishing well, looked up into his eyes and asked, "I understand you're a very wise man. I'd like to know the meaning of life".
The old man looked down at the youngster and replied, "I've thought a lot in my lifetime and the meaning can be summoned up in four words.

The first is THINK! Think about the values you want to live your life by.

The second is BELIEVE! Believe in yourself based on the thinking you've done about the values you're going to live your life by.

The third is DREAM! Dream about the things that can be, based on your belief in yourself and the values you're going to live your life by.

The last is DARE! Dare to make your dreams become reality, based on your belief in yourself and the values you're going to live your life by.
And with that... Walter E. Disney said to the little boy, "Think, Believe, Dream and Dare!"

Through thinking about what you can add to life, believing in yourself, dreaming big and daring, life becomes meaningful. Remember, the story of creation in the bible..... when God created the earth, it was empty.

I implore you to add the possible meaning to life today. Don't live your life like a snake that crawl on the rock which has no mark to show for it.

To your success, MA.

THE POWER OF SOUL

I got this from friend and I feel like sharing it with you. Happy reading.

THE KING WITH 4 WIVES

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.

He loved the 4th wife the most and adored her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."

Thus, he asked the 4th wife , "I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away . without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying,will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me.

When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most,I can only walk with you to your grave."

Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated. Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go."

The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth.When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power pleasures of the world.

However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us where ever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

LAW OF ATTRACTION.

We attract to ourselves not only what we want but what we are. The old phrase, "Birds of a feather flock together," holds true. Negative thinkers are dangerous. They attract other negative people, react negatively, expect the worst and they are not disappointed. In the same way, positive thinkers are optimistic, react positively, motivating, inspiring, sees opportunities in difficulties, always believe they can and they are never disappointed.

Have you ever observed at any social occasion that successful people attract other successful people? In case you've not observed this, let me give an instance. About a month ago when the CEO of BOS communication and the media guru, Bisi Olatilo was giving her daughter hands in marriage, likes of Aliko Dangote of Dangote group, Omolade Okoya of Cfao motors, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, Reuben Abati (the Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on media), and some other important personalities from the nook and crannies of the world were in attendance. So you see that success attract other success. Failures attract other failures, and together they will moan, groan, and complain.

If you want to soar like an eagle, you have to learn the ways of an eagle. If you associate with higher achievers, you will become one. If you associate with thinkers, you will become one. If you associate with procrastinator, you will become one. If you associate with the lazy type, you will become one. Always remember that like magnet attracts while opposite repel. Understanding law of attraction will help you live your life well. See you at the top.  

UNDERSTANDING THE "3E's" IN LIFE.

To become successful in life, three cogent things are involved and should be well considered. They are Experience, Experiment, and Expectation. Individual life has been built on these three words but majority lack the understanding, wisdom and knowledge to know how these "3E" work. Little wonder, some people live the kind of life they desire and the others live life design by life itself.
We have experience as a result of yesterday or past occurrence, experiment as a result of past manipulations while expectation as a result of using past in the present.

To succeed in life in its truest sense, experience is very important but you need not pay attention to the pains, anger, sadness, hurts and "had I known" of the past but rather, learn from failures and mistakes of yesterday thereby rendering it experience needed to take on today so as to plan for tomorrow. Paying attention or critically thinking about missed steps of the past can debars progress. No need of crying over split milk. Not about why do I have to do it like this but how can I do it better?

No scientist has ever carried out an experiment without clearly written steps. The steps would have be written to avoid status quo. When you have experience from past events,you are likely to change the way you have been doing things. It is only an insane man that will be doing the same thing in the same way and expect a different result. So, the experience is needed to carry out your today's experiment.
Now, if you can use the observation of the past as experience in this day experiment, you are not far from the expected result which is the expectation.

So, use your experience in your experiment to make your expectation come true.
The future begins now, get prepared for it. Your today is an outcome of what you did yesterday and your tomorrow will be result of what you do today. Learn from the analysis.

To your loving and sincere friends, MA.

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR LIVING WITH PEOPLE.

1. Speak to people – Nothing is as nice as a cheerful greeting.

2. Smile at people – It takes 72 muscles to frown, only 14 to smile.

3. Call people by name – The sweetest sound is one’s own name.

4. Be friendly and helpful – If you want friends, be a friend.

5. Be cordial – Speak and act in such a way as to demonstrate that everything you do is a genuine pleasure.

6. Be genuinely interested in people – Just try and you can like almost everyone.

7. Be generous with praise – And be courteous with criticism.

8. Be considerate of others – There are often three sides to a controversy; yours, hers, and the right side.

9. Be alert to give help – What we do for others lives is immortal.

10. Add to all this – A good sense of humor, good listening ability, loads of patience and a dash of humility.
“Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others.”
Positivity breeds positivity...If you have made the decision to Flick the Positive Switch in your life, then now is the time to infect those around you.

LEGACY

About a hundred plus years ago, a man looked at the morning newspaper and to his surprise and horror, read his obituary in the obituary column. The newspaper had reported the death of his brother as his by mistake. His first response was short. Am I here or there? When regained his composure, his second thought was to find out what people has said about him. The obituary read "Dynamite King Dies." And also "He was the merchant of death." The man was the inventor of Dynamite and when he read the words "merchant of death", he asked himself , "Is this how I am going to be remembered?" He got in touch with his feelings and decided that this was not the way he wanted to remembered. From that day on, he started working toward peace. His name was Alfred Nobel and he's remembered today by the great noble prize (once won by Professor Wole Soyinka, A Nigerian poet ).
 

Just as Alfred Nobel got in touch with his feelings and redefined his values, we should also step back and do the same if our life has portrayed bad image about us but if it hasn't portrayed something bad, we should all keep on pursuing peace and the best in life.
 

What is your legacy? What do you want your eulogy to consist of? Will you be well spoken of or otherwise? Will you be remembered with respect and love? Will people feel your absence or otherwise? What exactly do you want to be remembered for? Remember, In Nigeria, we have Anini for robbery, clifford Orji for selling human part, MKO for generosity, Abacha for embezzlement and bad governance, etc.
 

No one knows tomorrow, it might be your turn or my turn. May God keep us. Let's start something great now that will speak for us positively tomorrow.
Your life is the most beautiful thing in this universe, why not make it better? Make it a masterpiece that others can cherish and marvel at.
 

Your loving and sincere friend, MA.