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Food for Living: Being a Blessing is Good Business
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
It is universally believed that the joy of life does not consist of how happy one is, but how happy others can be because of them.
We live in a society where empathy, genuine love, patience, selfless service, and kindness are lacking. This is simply because most of us have lost our human nature, and as such completely drained of human conscience. We fail to understand that we are blessed to be a blessing to others.
It’s instructive to note that circumstances don’t say who you, they reveal who you are. One of the many ways to identify a real human being is to observe how they spend their time, money, and resources. When you become a blessing, you will use all you have in your possession to bless others. As a mentor, supervisor, manager, parent, employer, teacher or professor, you can counsel the younger generation. This is a clarion call for everyone to please use their position to help those who are beneath your capacity.
The highest form of blessing however, is to show appreciation to your creator, and this is done by blessing other people with your gift and talent. According to Hans Urs von Balthasar, “what you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.” You need to continually ask yourself, what will I do to be a blessing to others?
It is sad to see people who didn’t really believe they will receive fortune and opportunities in life acting like god when they become blessed. They forget their humble beginnings.
Being a blessing to others comes in different ways. You can be a blessing with your service, gift, time, words, resources, and many more. The world is in dire need of kind and selfless people who are authentic in their deeds as opposed to people who are good because of the favours and opportunities they will receive.
Did you know your destiny is tied to many people? This is because when you become a success, many people will begin to identify with you. This is why it is imperative for you to succeed. So anytime you feels like giving up, remember and consider the people who are depending on you.
Doing good is a habit that is not prevalent in contemporary times due to prevailing wickedness in today’s world. In fact, good people are not celebrated in our society. They tend to receive backlash because they are not following the bandwagon. We literally live in a wicked generation!
According to Dr. Yomi Garnett, a celebrated ghost writer, “Do all the good you can by all means you can, in all ways you can, in every place you can, at all times you can, to everyone you can, as long as you can. Count that day lost in which you have not done something good for another person.”
Doing good is not limited to giving someone money. Only myopic see financial assistance as the only means of doing good. We need to kick against the idea of using financial assistance to judge if someone is good or not. Did you know that there are things money cannot buy. For instance, there are people, who can give you loyalty, time, honesty, value among others, which are literally more than money. It’s only ignorant and myopic minds that appreciate money more than loyalty. Note that if the only thing you have is money, you are poor.
The good thing about doing good is that it comes back to you in ways and manners you cannot understand. Whether you are at work, at home, school or public space, show people love and kindness, in any little way you can.
According to a former American President, Benjamin Franklin, whenever you are in a public space, “be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one”.
Moral: Being good costs less unlike being bad which takes a lot of negative energy.
It should be noted as well that you don’t need to have a lot to share with people or act to be good. Just be good because it is good to be good. Most people are good because of a condition or situation that has happened to them. But that shouldn’t be the case. According to Chidimma Kalu, “Don’t treat people as bad as they are, treat them as good as you are.”
There are many blessings that come to one when one becomes a blessing to others. Isn’t it true that givers never lack, and the giver’s hand always remain on top while the receiver’s hand is always below.
There’s a certain kind of joy that comes to one when one decides to show love and favour on someone else. On a personal note, whenever I give, there’s a kind of joy and feeling that always comes to my spirit. In most cases, I feel fulfilled.
Do you know it is a privilege and honour to bless others? When God gives you an opportunity to bless others, please grab it. It’s not right when you detach yourself from blessing others. Always remember what goes around comes around.
Whenever you see yourself in a position to help others, no matter how little it is, please judiciously cease the opportunity. By doing so, you are accumulating more blessings to yourself. But, when you fail to do the needful, the creator of heaven and earth can take you off the position and replace you with another person.
In conclusion, being a blessing to others is a privilege one must be grateful for. It is an opportunity to serve.
So, the question to ask yourself is, how can I be a blessing to someone today?
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny and Unleash Your Destiny. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.
Mohammed Umar, the presiding judge, made the order on Monday after dismissing an application by Sowore seeking the judge’s recusal from the case on grounds of alleged bias.
The judge subsequently adjourned hearing on the motion for stay of execution, as filed by Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, Sowore’s new counsel, to June 24.
In a brief ruling, Umar held that Sowore should remain in custody pending the hearing and determination of the application.
Sowore had appeared before the court earlier on Monday, days after the judge revoked the bail earlier granted him and ordered his arrest.
At the last sitting on June 16, the court revoked the activist’s bail after stating that a letter seeking an adjournment on his behalf did not provide reasons for his absence from court.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore on a two-count charge over a social media post in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.
Following the revocation of his bail, the Oyo chapter of the AAC criticised the court’s decision, describing it as political persecution and alleging an attempt to frustrate Sowore’s political activities.
The party had argued that Sowore attended the previous hearing and requested alternative dates because of a scheduled trip.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Worry is a part of human emotion, and every living entity worry about some things, some times. It’s practically natural. People worry about life, finance, children, health, academics, career and even personal development or spiritual life. All these however, can distract and take away someone’s peace.
Worry is an unfortunate habit, which many people have erroneously believe they can live without, but the stark truth is that no one can live without worry. It’s inbuit. Even when we think we have everything, we discover that there’s something we are lacking. These could be what money can’t buy. It’s instructive to note here that nobody is perfect, and nobody has everything because everybody is limited.
To further buttress the limitation of man, imagine the human body; we have eyes, legs, mouth, tongue, nose, anus, hands among others, but none can say it is more superior than the other. If the leg, eyes or nose says it’s more important, the anus can decide to close, and the body system will be uncomfortable as it won’t be able to discharge waste products. The eyes can’t say it’s more important than the ears, neither can the nose say it’s more important than the legs or hands. Every one of them has different and definite functions.
So, when one of the body parts is not working well, it can make one worry. But the good news is that it is only a good attitude that can help us overcome challenges. It’s instructive to note that worry does not solve problems, rather it escalates the problem.
Problems do exist, I mean real life problems, do exist, some can be physical, spiritual, psychological, mental, spiritual, etc. When you have any of these problems, please don’t spend so much energy on the problems because it can escalate or create new ones
Although you can’t stop worrying entirely, there are steps you can take to better manage your anxious thoughts and reduce rumination.
1. Create a “worry period.” Choose a set time and place for worrying. It should be the same every day and early enough that it won’t make you anxious right before bedtime. During your worry period, you’re allowed to worry about whatever’s on your mind.
2. Write down your worries. If an anxious thought or worry comes into your head during the day, make a brief note of it and then continue about your day. Remind yourself that you’ll have time to think about it later, so there’s no need to worry about it right now.
3. Make a list of all the possible solutions you can think of. Focus on the things you have the power to change, rather than the circumstances or realities beyond your control.
4. After you’ve evaluated your options, make a plan of action. Once you have a plan and start doing something about the problem, you’ll feel much less anxious.
5. Get up and get moving. Exercise is a natural and effective anti-anxiety treatment because it releases endorphins which relieve tension and stress, boost energy, and enhance your sense of well-being. Even more importantly, by really focusing on how your body feels as you move, you can interrupt the constant flow of worries running through your head.
6. Meditate. Meditation works by switching your focus from worrying about the future or dwelling on the past to what’s happening right now. By being fully engaged in the present moment, you can interrupt the endless loop of negative thoughts and worries.
7. Speak to a Licensed Therapist: Acknowledge and observe your worries. Don’t try to ignore, fight, or control them like you usually would. Instead, simply observe them as if from an outsider’s perspective, without reacting or judging. Therapy has been shown to be extremely effective in helping people reduce worrying and manage anxiety.
8. Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a powerful practice for reducing worrying, by teaching us awareness and acceptance of our thoughts and emotions in the present moment.. Psychotherapy provides a structured environment for individuals to learn practical skills and gain insights into their worrying patterns, ultimately helping them worry less and feel better.
Mindfulness effectively reduces symptoms of anxiety by teaching you to observe your worries without getting too caught up in them. One way to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life is through mindful breathing and meditation. Whenever you notice worrying thoughts coming up, gently bring your attention back to your breath, over time, regular mindfulness practice can help rewire the brain to respond to stressors more calmly, which reduces the impact of worrying on your mental health.
9. Gratitude: Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to maintain a positive outlook and reduce worrying. Research has shown that gratitude may reduce stress and improve mental health. Gratitude activates regions in the brain associated with dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter, leading to increased feelings of contentment and decreased worry.
By focusing on what we’re grateful for, we shift our attention away from negative thoughts, which ultimately helps us worry less. Start by keeping a gratitude journal and try writing down 5 things each day that you’re thankful for, no matter how small.
In conclusion, resolve today to be so strong that nothing and nobody can disturb your peace of mind.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
As Ekiti State prepares for Saturday’s governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, and credible poll.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, urged eligible voters to participate confidently in the electoral process, stressing that the commission remains committed to delivering a transparent and impartial election.
Reports quoted Omoseyindemi as saying that INEC had resolved all logistical challenges and put adequate measures in place to ensure the timely deployment of personnel and election materials across the state.
He also highlighted the close collaboration between INEC and security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), noting that the partnership is aimed at guaranteeing a peaceful and secure voting environment.
The REC further disclosed that the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) would be deployed during the election to enhance transparency by enabling real-time upload and public viewing of polling unit results.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations monitoring the election under the European Union Support to democratic governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Election Observation Hub has expressed concern over reports of voter inducement, political intimidation and disinformation ahead of the poll.
At a pre-election press conference, the group alleged that incidents of vote-buying involving cash, food items, and the collection of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and National Identification Number (NIN) details through pre-funded bank accounts had been reported in parts of Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ikole, Ikere, Ekiti East and Ekiti West local government areas.
The observers also raised concerns over the spread of misinformation on social media, including unverified claims regarding the use of cloned PVCs to manipulate election outcomes.
While describing the overall security situation in the State as largely peaceful, the coalition urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to refrain from vote-buying, intimidation and the dissemination of false information.
The group also called on security agencies to remain professional and neutral throughout the electoral process, while encouraging voters to exercise their democratic rights freely and without fear, coercion or inducement.
The 2026 Ekiti State governorship election will hold on Saturday, June 20, across the state’s 16 local government areas, with more than one million registered voters expected to decide whether Governor Biodun Oyebanji secures a second term or a new leader emerges.
According to INEC, a total of 1,059,360 registered voters are eligible to participate in the election, which will be conducted across 2,445 polling units located in 177 wards. Voting is scheduled to commence at 8:30 a.m.
Authorities have also announced a statewide restriction on vehicular movement from midnight until 6:00 p.m. on election day to facilitate the smooth conduct of the exercise.
Although 14 candidates are contesting the election, with Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), and Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the leading contenders.
INEC has confirmed the distribution of sensitive election materials to local government areas and assured voters of the readiness of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Security agencies have also deployed personnel and operational assets across the state, particularly in border communities and other strategic locations, to maintain law and order throughout the electoral process.
Civil society organisations monitoring the election have urged residents to participate peacefully and responsibly, emphasising the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process.
