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Never Ever Give Up on Your Purpose (Pt. 2)
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
“I must unveil it that you, as human beings have the enormous amount of choices to create and re-create, modify and re-modify the beautiful lives of your dreams. You should also know and understand that “Fate” and your (Faith) choices work in concert to sculpt the look of your lives. And it is in your conscious choice-making Faith) that, ultimately, your destinies are realized and fulfilled. To overlook or underrate this truth (fact) is to play the prey (victim). To disrepute or disregard this truth is to deny the ‘grace’ and ‘power’ that has been granted to you to create all that you ever need or want as a being. Therefore, engage wisdom, deploy the tools of knowledge and act with understanding by not giving up on ‘purpose’!” – Tolulope A. Adegoke Ph.D., MINIM, FIMC, CMC, CMS
Those who have been deeply hurt by life are generally the ones who can feel the pain of others in a heartbeat. Those who have endured adversity become humbled by life, and as a result, are more open, compassionate and real. We may not like suffering when it visits us, but it serves us very well: it cracks the shells that covers our hearts and empties us of the lies that we have clung to about who we are, why we are here, and how this remarkable world of ours really functions. Once emptied, we can be refilled with all that good is, noble and true. We should understand that trouble is a tool of transformation in disguise if we don’t get carried away by choosing to allow them to do so. Joseph Campbell wrote: “where you stumble, there your treasures lie.”
We must see ourselves as work in progress and continue to challenge ourselves to use each day as empirical platforms to evolve into the higher realms of our divinely (authentic) ordained life. The reality is that we all have work to do, no matter how much work we have done on ourselves, no matter how much we have evolved or enlightened we may claim to be. Each of us has flaws to mend, to fix, and wounds within us that cry out to be healed. It is now our responsibility as individuals to brace up and heal up by submitting ourselves to the realities of what courage has to offer and purchasing what it is through the currency of Faith. Faith is a booster: when faith surges, courage is boosted to perform its role for our conquests. Faith perfects our works and deeds for the actualization of our desired goals or objectives. Every one of us, naturally has a splintered soul, as we try to reconcile being spiritual with being human. And the deeper we go within ourselves, the more we realize how little we know, for real. A wise man wrote: “the top of one mountain is the bottom of the next”; that is to say, as we reach the summit or peak of the mountain we are currently climbing, guess what we see? Other peaks to scale (surmount). This is what the reality is in life; that is why learning and growth never ends, as it helps us to remember and reclaim the greatness and wholeness that, sadly we have lost. Though we have our human limitations, which we must not always dwell on, but admit and take up the responsibility of removing the blocks that have kept us small or stagnated from becoming unbounded, unchained, illimitable, indestructible and indispensable in your areas of calling (and generation). Materialism only makes us live life from the outside, rather than on the inside. You must have been through a whole lot of demeaning situations or scenarios, but you need to understand that we grow most from our greatest challenges, and this is why I sometimes tell folks that life is a divine set-up to grow and outgrow, to create and re-create, to born and be re-born, to live and out-live. You will realize that experiences were agents sent to help you clean (polish) our acts and push (charges) us to move through our weaknesses and overcome them all. Life’s biggest hurts are, in truth, opportunities in disguise for personal growths for positive transformations and reclaiming our authentic “grace” and “power” which was lost. Embrace them for the gifts they are and that comes with them.
Through the highs and lows, don’t ever give up! It is your commitment to accept the responsibility for your part in all that has unfolded and to reach our authentic being, which is the full stature of Christ that we have been charged to grow into, by carrying our crosses, and then follow Christ Jesus. It is believed by many scholars of high repute that much of what you experience in life has been pre-scripted. But, I must unveil it that you, as human beings have the enormous amount of choices to create and re-create, modify and re-modify the beautiful lives of your dreams. You should also know and understand that “Fate” and your (Faith) choices work in concert to sculpt the look of your lives. And it is in your conscious choice-making (Faith) that, ultimately, your destinies are realized and fulfilled. To overlook or underrate this truth (fact) is to play the prey (victim). To disrepute or disregard this truth is to deny the grace and power that has been granted to you to create all that you ever need or want as a being.
News
Impeached Lagos Assembly Speaker Boasts, Says I’m Still in Charge
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.
News
FAAN Confirms 38 Injured in United Airlines’ Emergency Landing in Lagos
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.”
News
Food for Living: The Insatiable Nature of Man
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