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Food for Living: Empower Your Mind
By Henry Ukazu
Greetings Dear Friends,
Apart from the power of choice, one of the greatest and most powerful powers we have in our possession is our mind. It’s quite unfortunate some of us don’t make use of this magic wand which is capable of transforming us. There’s literally no limitation to what our minds can do. Our mind is like an elastic rubber band, it can only go as far as we stretch it. As we all know, success doesn’t always come easy; it takes a lot of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. Many people are often looking for productivity shortcuts in order to gain more success. They fail to understand that life is a process and you can actually train your mind to be more successful.
Just like we can train a child or a dog, we can also train our mind to work in certain ways. For example, you can use repetition and visualization to learn a particular skill or language. In reality, our brain works the same way. If you really want to go far in life, you need to empower your mind. The question we need to ask ourselves is, how far can we empower our mind to go far in life.
We have seen so many surreal experiences in academics, entertainment, sports, innovation, and even in the spiritual world on how talented and passionate beings were able to do amazing things that shocked the world because they believed in themselves.
For the sake of this article, we shall discuss briefly academic and innovation. I strongly believe given every opportunity every individual is a potential achiever. This is because we don’t have dull brains only brains undeveloped. If only we can tap into our subconscious mind in addition to looking into ourselves, we’ll be amazed to see the amount of opportunities we have waiting to unleash. As an accomplished empowerment author, I have experienced what it means for the mind to be empowered. This is because as a prolific and creative writer, I have been able to read, network and watch the news in order to articulate and be informed. All this information helped to empower the mind.
In contemporary times, we have seen how the power of innovation has transformed the world. It didn’t really happen as a fluke, it happened because the mind was triggered. We shall be discussing various ways we can empower the mind.
Education:
As the saying goes, information is power. If you are not informed with the right information, you’ll be lacking valuable tools and resources to effectively do your work. Education is like information because it renews and transforms the mind. Education is not limited to having a formal education. It’s also about getting training, listening to the news, networking, reading materials outside your field of study and using other online social media resources like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, journals, magazines, blogs, and Facebook to empower the mind. No one is immune to learning. You just have to invest the right time and effort. Proper education helps to unravel the truth because not all knowledge that is out there is true. Your mind actually has the task of acquiring this information and making an evaluation to find out whether it’s true. Anyone has the power to empower their mind. We were all born ignorant, it takes time and effort to learn things that are actually going to make all the difference.
Relaxation:
One of the greatest ways the mind can be empowered is through relaxation. If you’ll agree with me, the mind cannot function well, if it is not at peace. Just like exercise helps to strengthen the body, relaxation helps to stabilize the mind. You can also empower your mind with meditation.
Emotional Intelligence:
Many people don’t really know the value and importance of emotional intelligence as it relates to human relationships. Emotional intelligence is one of the highest forms of learning. Apart from having formal knowledge, emotional intelligence is an uncommon skill and knowledge rational minds can use to not only understand any human being, but it can also be used to make the being a better person depending on what the person is experiencing. If you don’t understand someone, it will be hard to relate closely with the person. If you don’t know the root cause of a problem, it will be practically hard to solve or even proffer a solution to the problem. Therefore, the understanding of emotional skills is a veritable way of assisting anyone. Emotional intelligence is regarded as soft skills which many humans lack.
Good Thoughts
A happy person tends to produce happy results. The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. Therefore, it is imperatively important to guard your thoughts and take care of what goes into your mind. Do you have any plans to invent a product? Do you have any burning ideas to make the world a better place? If yes, there’s in power in imagination. According to Napoleon Hill, whatsoever the mind can conceive, believe it can achieve it. Our thoughts can shape or mar us. According to Aristotle. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Our mind is a global village. It works like a computer (garbage in, garbage out). Empowering the mind consists of feeding the mind with nourishing information and thoughts in order to make it function well. According to Frank Outlaw “Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
Discipline Yourself
Discipline has a unique role to play in shaping or our mind. If the mind is properly disciplined, it will react to stimuli when it finds itself in an unfamiliar environment. Nobody knows you more than you know yourself. If you discipline yourself and your mind to attend empowering events that are rich in strategic leadership, governance, business, economy, and health, it won’t take time for you to increase your wealth of knowledge or information in those areas. However, if you attend social parties and club parties, the information and language you’ll receive might be different
One of the things you can do to get your discipline in order is to forgive yourself if you have made some mistakes in the past. This helps you to move forward. To discipline yourself, you may use these three question to guide your thoughts:
1. What specifically do you really want?
2. What benefits do you expect as a result of achieving this goal (purpose, reasons for what you want)?
3. What “losses” do expect as a result of achieving this (what are you willing to do or let go of to have what you want)?
In conclusion, as you go about your daily life, always have at the back of your mind, there’s power in imagination. Always think of ways you can improvise your business, personal and professional life and life in general.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the author of the acclaimed book Design Your Destiny – Actualizing Your Birthright To Success. He can be reached via henrous@gmail.com
Henry Ukazu
Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described the corruption allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated”.
Speaking during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that he was not afraid of being impeached but emphasised that due process was not followed.
The former Speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away, and accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process.
He claimed security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
Obasa dismissed allegations of misappropriation.
He mocked claims that a gate construction had cost N16 billion, saying, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”
He said: “I am not afraid of being removed, after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.
The former Speaker cited the case of the former speaker, Rt. Hon Jokotola Pelumi.
He said when Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly and “we did not invite policemen.
“When my sister, former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.”
Obasa said an innocent person should not be discredited, and there must be proof of allegations showing exactly what he has done.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence.
“I appreciate the members of the governance advisory council and Governor Babajide Olusola Aanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother.”
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the State.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that 38 persons, including seven crew members, were injured when a United Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Lagos on Friday morning.
The Boeing 787-8 flight with 245 passengers was en route to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), in the United States, from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, when it developed problems midair and was forced to return to the airport.
There were also 11 crew members – eight attendants and three pilots – on the plane.
The FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, who confirmed the incident through a statement, said all passengers and crew disembarked safely.
She, however, said four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries.
According to her, 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
The statement read: “The United Airlines Boeing 787-800 departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, at 11:59pm on Thursday, but made air return and landed safely at 3.22am on Friday.
“On board were 245 adults and 11 crew members.
“The team of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Medical, and Aviation Security were already at the gate when the aeroplane parked for deboarding at D31 without incident, and the door was opened at 3:37am.
“While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and an additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
“The rescue team responded swiftly and effectively, having been on alert and standby.
“Aviation medical ambulances transported the injured passengers, some to the MMA Clinic and others to the headquarters clinic.”
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
There’s no doubt that human beings by nature are insatiable. When we get one opportunity, we always look for another. When we attain one height, we always look for another accomplishment. Isn’t it true that the end of one mountain is the beginning of another.
However, I don’t think it’s selfish for anyone to dare to succeed.
Being ambitious doesn’t make one an opportunist or disloyal. It all depends on one’s perception or outlook to life. It’s just natural for one to dream big. It’s only ugly when the process one chooses to achieve his desires becomes dirty and nasty.
According to a former Nigerian presidential candidate and seasoned Economist, Mr. Peter Obi, “if you must be referred to as “Your Excellency”, then the process through which you arrived in office must be excellent”.
If you desire to be reckoned with on the journey of existence, you must be legitimately hungry for success. One’s hunger for success will facilitate the drive to accomplish great tasks despite daunting obstacles posing as challenges.
When one has this mindset, one will not be bothered by the noise which serves as obstacles and challenges along the way. Negative and weak minds are always concerned on why something won’t work. They tend to focus their energy and reasons on the obstacles facing them. But great and productive minds always focus their energy on the reasons why it will work. This is the spirit of an insatiable mind who is a goal- getter.
It’s instructive to note that we can’t please everyone. According to Bill Cosby, a famous actor, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” Isn’t it true that when you talk, people will still talk about you, when you don’t talk, people will talk about you, so whether you talk or not, people will still judge you, so, do what’s best for you. There’s nothing you can do to please human beings. Your best option is to live your best life.
To understand how the insatiable nature of man works, one must be oneself. You don’t have to “please” anyone. Be yourself, and don’t try to be like anyone just to curry favour. It’s important to note that when you are yourself, the people that matter will come through for you, and the people that don’t matter will gradually find the bearing in another space because those that truly care don’t bother and those that bother don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Life has truly taught me to focus on the important things of life as opposed to the mundane things. It’s truly sad to see people spending more time on the little things of life, and spending little time on the important things of life. That’s just a misplaced priority.
When you are yourself, the best people can do is to copy or imitate your style. They can never imitate your creativity nor can take your originality from you.
We live in a world or society where people don’t generally care or show empathy. Most people tend to live around themselves, their family, and close associates. They generally find it hard to lift a finger to assist others for reasons best known to them. Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka once said, “we live in a wicked generation”, re-echoing the voices of a lot of people of the world. Some people in authority just have criminal expertise in amassing wealth of opportunities meant for the citizens without thinking of the citizens they are meant to serve.
It’s worthy of note that not everyone will like you nor support your work, but when you find people who truly care about you; please hold them tight. This is because despite having family members you have shown love and compassion, they might not still appreciate you even if you lay your life for them, they will still find something to say. Again, this is the insatiable nature of man.
It’s okay for everyone not to like you, normalize living your life for God, yourself, family and those that care about you. If everyone likes you, you have a problem.
Did you know that you can get a new family from friends, strangers, and acquaintances? These sets of people might appreciate you more than your own family members. They might not demand or under appreciate you like your family members and close friends or associates. Any little support you give them will be highly appreciated. Their focus is to see you do better.
In conclusion, as you desire to succeed in life, never give in to failure until you have made your last attempt, and never make your last attempt until you succeed. This literally means whatever you desire, dream it, think it, say it, and believe you can achieve it. This principle is generally applicable to relationships, businesses, family, personal and professional development.
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 Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
