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Food for Living: Your Time is Coming
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Time is one of the two greatest assets we have in our possession. The other is health. Both are difficult to regain when they are lost, especially time, and so must be jealousy guarded. One can easily get back lost items such as money, friend, job and property but no one prays to lose time and health because to an extent, they are irredeemable. When they are lost, the possibility of recovering them is very slim.
If you want to know what’s valuable to someone, look at how they spend their time. Most people will generally spend their time on what they value. That’s why you see people supporting causes they are passionate about.
Anyone who wants to succeed must endeavour to make judicious use of their time, and that entails building their craft from ground zero. Sometimes, one might do the work, and the result might not come as planned or expected. There’s tendency therefore, for frustration to set in. However, if one is able to think out of the box, he will understand that success is hard work in progress. If you have done the needful, and the result doesn’t kick in, relax, maybe the time is not ripe yet. Be advised, there’s no guarantee of success except when one has done the needful and the timing is right.
The importance of time cannot be overemphasized. I once read an interesting illustration that aptly highlights the value of time, and why it must be properly managed and maximized. Here it is: “Imagine there is a bank account which credits your account every morning with $86,400. It carries no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What will you do? Draw about every cent of course.
Each of us has such a bank account, and it is called time. Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off as lost whatever of this you failed to invest for a good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day, it opens a new account for you. Each night, it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposit, the loss is yours. There’s no drawing against “tomorrow.” You must live in the present on today’s deposit. Invest in it so as to get from it the utmost in good health, happiness and success. The clock is running. Make the most of today.”
In life, we all have things we dream and aspire for, opportunities we hope to get, and problems we hope to turn around. Sometimes we get discouraged and disappointed due to the travails of life. It’s instructive to note that these challenges and setbacks might be part of the grand process in the scheme of things.
It should be noted that there’s a set time for everything, just like all wounds heal differently. Sometimes, one must go through the desert and wilderness before their announcement. The challenge most people will have to deal with is how to cope during the challenging times. If you are faithful while in the wilderness, you will be trusted with abundance. So, it’s imperative for one to be at one’s best during the waiting time. This is because one will have to be anointed to be appointed.
Most times, we are desperate for opportunities, don’t get me wrong, it’s good to hunger for success, but one must be mindful he cannot be faster than his shadow. It’s instructive to note that when your time of success has come, nobody can stop it.
Everyone’s success has a time zone, just like a pregnant woman has nine months to incubate her baby. In the same vein, a dog, goat, elephant, lion etc. all have different time zones to carry their young ones and their life span is also different.
Again, just like a tree takes time to grow and produce fruits, success in life takes a process. I will strongly advise you to continue to work on your craft, regardless of the obstacles and challenges that might be posing as threat to you. Sometimes, you must make mistakes to get it right, and these mistakes can be programmed for your success without one’s understanding.
It’s instructive to note that success has timing. One will have to nurture it by doing the work. Just like a farmer will have to cultivate a land, plant crops, water it, add manure and fertilizer, remove weeds, and then harvest. A progressive mind will have to do the needful to reap the fruits of his/her labour. The sad part is that one might do everything and still lose out, and if that is your case, relax, that is not the end of life. When your vision is limited, your success will be limited.
Everything has its season. Your opportunity will come looking for you, the right people will come through when the timing is right. Pending when they come, please continue to add value to your life by learning and having a great attitude. You have to be ready to meet opportunity.
Everything in life has a set time for it to be unleashed. However, one must take the first step by building the right craft. When you diligently build your craft, you will be surprised to see the opportunities that can come to you. On a personal note, my first book Design Your Destiny has opened numerous doors for me, and announced me in several ways.
To appreciate the right timing to harvest, one will have to plan and prepare well. This planning and preparation entail building capacity. It’s just like meeting a mentor or great man, one must be patient to understand the person.
It’s sad to see people who are concerned about the success of others thinking that it’s over for them, especially in this era of social media where people showcase “success”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to share progress and good deeds, but don’t be concerned about others’ success, rather see it as an inspiration. The man/woman you are admiring might be admiring you also without you knowing.
Just to put into perspective, imagine a car that was made twenty years ago, today it’s no longer admired by lovers of cars because of new innovations. Do you see why you have to be patient because of your success because yours might be better when your time comes. Don’t compare your journey to others because you don’t know what their process and trajectory is like. Sometimes, the people you are admiring might be your forerunner who will prepare the ground for you by the mistakes they will experience.
Sometimes, it’s not the waiting that matters, it’s your attitude during the waiting period. On numerous occasions, I have experienced the benefit of exercising patience and I have also paid the price for not being patient.
It’s sad to see some people complaining they did the needful, played by the rules, avoided social vices, yet they are still struggling. If you are in this category, just know the fingerprint of everyone is different, you might decide to engage the act and get caught up and that might be game over for you.
In conclusion, as you journey through life, use the traffic light to understand the timing. The green signifies progress, the amber (yellow) signifies caution while the red light signifies stop or danger. When one can decipher these instructions, one will be able to navigate life properly.
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
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
