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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
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.
