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Food for Living: You Are the Captain of Your Life
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
I would like to begin today’s article with an experience I had with elementary school students. I was privileged to speak with the amazing students on what they would like to be in the future. I started by telling them about myself and how I became a lawyer, author, life coach and a public speaker before asking them to tell me what they would like to be in the future. It was interesting to hear the amazing interest and desires those kids have in mind.
I shared practical and insightful tips with respect to how they can achieve their desires. My messages to these young kids were centered on believing in themselves, and realizing that they are the captain of their lives.
Each of us were once like those amazing students. We all had dreams of becoming a doctor, lawyer, engineer, actor, pastor, etc., but while some of us were able to reach, surpass our goals and even aspire to conquer more grounds, some of us unfortunately, could not achieve our heart desires and goals. One reason or another could be adduced for for the failure.
Did you know your life is like a ship sailing in the waters, and you have the power, authority and capacity to direct and take it to the destination of your choice? As you sail, you will definitely experience storms and challenges, but you must endeavour to take absolute charge. If you don’t, there is the tendency that things might end disastrously.
To prepare your ship, you need to have your crew onboard. Imagine your crew as your mind and thoughts which will direct your life. Being the captain of your life gives you the freedom to do what is necessary for you, because if you do not govern your life, it will be governed by others.
As the captain of your life, nobody knows you more than you know yourself. Each of us have a ship, but it’s quite unfortunate some of us don’t sail.
You will surely direct how your life will unfold when you sit on the driver’s seat, and take absolute control. Just like a dog cannot give birth to a pig and a lion cannot give birth to a goat, you will definitely get what you sow depending on the attention you give the ship of your life. Little wonder those in the know say garbage in, garbage out. Success, with every respect in the books, is never a guest of the weak. To succeed, strength of character is required just like a lot of processes and strategies. However, one must not lose focus of the two most important features of success; the “God factor” which I call “grace” and the “human factor” which I can call the determination.
You may be wondering why I mentioned the God factor and the human factor. You need the grace of God to succeed in life nor matter how intelligent and hardworking you are. When you have the God factor, even your weakness will be celebrated; you’ll find favour with men; you will work less and thrive where others worked so hard and fail. Also, you need to put in the work if you really want to succeed. Even if you have the God factor, remember God will not do the work for you, you will have to put in the time for the ‘God factor’ to bless the works of your hands. Isn’t it true that the God who saved you without your assistance cannot also save without your assistance?
The man, who is the captain of his life takes ownership just like the captain of a ship or the pilot of a plane. Nobody, I repeat, nobody, will hand over success to you. You will have to demand it.
Before you can be the captain of your life, you will have to know yourself, what works for you, and what doesn’t work for you. You will, for all intent and purpose, master your life. And when you do, every other thing will become secondary. As the captain of your life, every other thing in life answers to you.
Here is a practical concept of how you can be the captain of your life. You must be able to master how to use money, and it will be a slave to you. It is quite unfortunate to note that many people have allowed money to enslave them. They fail to understand that money answers the name you give to them. If you call money your slave or a servant, it will respect you. You are not meant to be a slave to money. Money is meant to serve you, and not the other way round. If you allow money to decide your choice of job or the person you will marry, you are a slave to money. When you cannot be bought, you have reduced money yo your slave. However, it’s okay to work for money for a period, but it should not be permanent.
Morale: Master money, don’t serve money.
According to scholars of jurisprudence, to captain your life, you need to have four pillars in shape: Relationships, Health, Work and Provider-ship and Spiritual Development. All of them ought to be given equal attention because no one is superior to the other.
Take time to examine your life and ask yourself; am I the captain of my life or am I just a crew member in other people’s ship?
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
