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Food for Living: Overcoming Adversity, Instability
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
If you are asked what life is, what is likely going to be your response? Whatever your answer is, it is worthy of note that responses will vary among a crowd of individuals. Life is such an interesting place to be, and at the same time, it can be an experience. If you don’t manage it well, you are bound to face dire consequences.
As humans, whether we like it or not, we will face daily challenges on a daily basis ranging from relationship/marriage, academics, business, career, or personal. All these challenges can lead to instability and eventual downfall if not properly managed.
The question we need to ask ourselves is how do we cope or overcome these challenges? Managing human beings and the challenges of life is one of the most difficult tasks of life. Instability makes us understand that nothing is guaranteed in life and change is the only thing that is constant. A wealthy person today can become a pauper the next day if the wealth is not properly managed while the child of a certified pauper can become a man/woman of means the day after if properly educated. That’s life!
It’s important to note that stability leads to peace and progress, while instability leads to chaos, uncertainty, and confusion. As a creative writer, I have discovered that one needs a peaceful mindset, and concentration in order to write very well. As a married man, I also know when the home is at peace, there’s bound to be understanding, progress and love. In the same light, as a business owner, I do know that when the business is stable, it’s bound to flourish. Why am I laying all these foundations, it’s simply to alert us about the importance of stability in life?
Nobody likes stress, but stress is inevitable, and we all must deal with it. Managing stress is a skill. Stress is one of the agents of death because it can be psychological. Below are some of the ways we can overcome the challenges of life.
Attitude
Attitude is truly priceless. Having the right mental attitude is the first step to succeeding in life. Attitude is like a compass. Once you miss it, you are heading in the wrong direction no matter how experienced you are as a driver. Attitude doesn’t talk, but you can feel it. Your attitude determines how you react to issues. It has been said that circumstances don’t say who you are, they reveal who you are. When you have the right attitude, you will know when to end a negative conversation, you will know when to leave an unhealthy environment, you’ll value your peace of mind, and most importantly, you will know how to attract opportunities because the right attitude can serve as goodwill. People with negative attitude tend to have an entitlement mentality.
It’s pertinent to note that the right attitude gives you the power and ability to accept whatever you cannot change. So, if you are going through a situation, you can train your mind to see the stress as an experience as opposed to a problem. On a personal note, whenever I find myself in a situation I can’t help, I look for what can make me happy. I can either play music, sleep or engage in an activity that can bring sanity to my mind.
Practice Self Care
The best way to reduce emotional trauma is to make a commitment to take good care of yourself. Self-care is the best love you can ever have in life. Self-care is the best treat you can ever have. Self-care is self-love. Before anyone can come close to you, they will have to see something in you that interests them. According to tax practitioners, “like-kind attracts, like-kind exchanges”. Some of the ways you can practice self-care entail meditating, exercising, eating healthy, spending time with good friends and loved ones, engaging in hobbies or activities of interest which is capable of mentally stimulating you as fun.
Meditation
The effect of meditation on a progressive being is priceless. Meditation can be regarded as the food of the mind, spirit and soul. Meditation makes you self-aware It helps you to relax. It makes you mentally creative and most importantly, it helps you to stabilize your emotional mindset. Proper practice of meditation helps you to reduce anxiety and stress.
In summary, according to an unknown author, a great way to overcome adversity and instability in life is to apply the corresponding principles and nuggets below. By so doing, you will live through life happily without much expectation. When asked what life is, here is what he has to say:
WHAT IS LIFE
LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE – DARE IT.
LIFE IS A BEAUTY – PRAISE IT.
LIFE IS A CHALLENGE – MEET IT.
LIFE IS A DUTY – PERFORM IT.
LIFE IS A LOVE – ENJOY IT.
LIFE IS A TRAGEDY – FACE IT.
LIFE IS A STRUGGLE – FIGHT IT.
LIFE IS A PROMISE – FULFILL IT.
LIFE IS A GAME – PLAY IT.
LIFE IS A GIFT – ACCEPT IT.
LIFE IS A JOURNEY – COMPLETE IT.
LIFE IS A MYSTERY – UNFOLD IT.
LIFE IS A GOAL – ACHIEVE IT.
LIFE IS AN OPPORTUNITY – TAKE IT.
LIFE IS A PUZZLE – SOLVE IT.
LIFE IS A SONG – SING IT.
LIFE IS A SORROW – OVERCOME IT.
LIFE IS A SPIRIT – RELEASE IT.
LIFE IS A WONDER – CHERISH IT.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He’s a Human Capacity & mindset coach. He’s also a public speaker. 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 and President of gloemi.com. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof Mike Ozekhome, has insisted that former President Muhammadu Buhari should be blamed for his successor, Bola Tinubu’s preference to appoint persons from his ethnic Yoruba language group to key government positions.
Ozekhome, while delivering an address at a symposium on human rights organised by the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) held in Abuja on Wednesday, claimed that the Buhari-led administration polarised Nigeria along ethnic and religious lines.
The rights activist noted that it is not surprising that President Tinubu was following a similar trajectory since it was tolerated by gullible Nigerians when Buhari was at the helm.
“When I hear today the northerners complain that Tinubu has ‘Yorubanised’ Nigeria, with so many Yorubas in the highest places in Nigeria, they are indeed making a point. But the question I would ask is: where were you when Buhari, for eight years, literally ‘northernised’ every position in Nigeria? You were either a northerner or a Muslim,” he said.
“I cried, I cried, I wrote and wrote. I wrote tons of articles. One of the 50 books which I presented on my 67th birthday was titled: ‘How Buhari Mismanaged Nigeria.’ Some people called it ‘na we,’ this is our man, and even if he is riding roughshod over all of us, it doesn’t matter.
“Hear no evil, see no evil because he is our man. Even if it is not benefitting us, the fact that he is our man is sufficient. Once it is no longer our man, we must also take up arms. No country grows like that.”
At the event under the theme; “Unity in Diversity: Embracing Freedom, Equality, and Dignity for All,” he warned those in positions of authority against compromising the unity of Nigerians in pursuit of tribalism, ethnicity, and sectionalism.
He described the 1999 constitution (as amended) as flawed, adding that there is a need for a new constitution with inputs from Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic and religious differences, on the way forward for the country.
“We need to redefine ourselves, not the present system where thieves are rewarded with doctorate degrees,” he said.
The Commission’s Ambassador-at-Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, emphasized that this year’s theme presents a significant opportunity, drawing attention to the complexity of human rights linked to the multicultural and multi-ethnic composition of over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages spoken in Nigeria.
He remarked that recurring ethnic and religious conflicts have threatened Nigeria’s national unity and stability, noting that the diversity of Nigeria’s population offers both challenges and opportunities for cultural exchange and understanding, which can promote national unity and cooperation.
According to him, the one-day symposium, held on Wednesday, 11th December 2024, consequently offers a singular opportunity to acquire knowledge and reinforce ties with other stakeholders to promote “Unity in Diversity: Embracing Freedom, Equality, and Dignity for All.”
Additionally, he mentioned that the occasion signifies the official swearing-in of IHRC’s new officials: Ambassador Dr. Malami Shehu Ma’Aji (MFR), who was appointed IHRC Special Advisor on Intergovernmental Affairs for the Africa Region, with Chief John Paul Ochemba serving as IHRC Advisor on Special Monitoring Mission Nigeria, and Dr. Kingsley Nwokoma as IHRC Commissioner in Nigeria, all of whose appointments were duly approved by the IHRC Secretary-General, Prof. h.c. Rafał Marcin Wasik.
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, has issued a restraining order against human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi, prohibiting him from further publishing, selling, distributing, or advertising his controversial book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Kekemeke following an ex-parte application brought by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and managing partner at Afe Babalola’s law firm.
The court’s order extends to Farotimi’s agents, publishers, distributors, sellers, or anyone else involved in the dissemination of the book, whether in hard copy, digital formats, or through electronic or social media channels.
The injunction will remain in effect pending the determination of a motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction, filed on December 6, 2024.
Justice Kekemeke also directed the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other security agencies to seize all physical copies of the book wherever found.
These agencies are required to submit an affidavit of compliance within 72 hours of receiving the order.
In a related case, the Oyo State High Court granted a similar interim injunction against Farotimi, barring him or any associates from further printing or distributing the book.
Justice Mufutau Adegbola issued the order after hearing an ex-parte application filed on December 9, 2024, by Adebayo Adenipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Afe Babalola’s firm.
The Oyo court directed Farotimi’s lawyers to be notified of the motion, which has been adjourned for hearing on January 7, 2025.
An Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT, on Wednesday, skidded off Runway 22 of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, prompting a temporary shutdown of the airport.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the incident, which occurred at 10:05am, adding that five people were on board the aircraft. All passengers were safely evacuated without injury.
FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, said: “The Airport Emergency Response Team is on the scene along with accident investigators.
“The runway is being cleared and is expected to reopen for operations as soon as possible. We would like to thank the aviation community and the general public for their understanding and patience. We also request that all speculation be put on hold until the preliminary report is released by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).”
The evacuees were taken to the FAAN clinic for medical checks as a precautionary measure. The incident has drawn the attention of aviation stakeholders, while efforts are underway to restore normal airport operations.
